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Upcoming Events
Sept. 25: Homecoming Game, 7pm, Stadium
Sept. 26: Homecoming Dance, 8pm, Field House
Oct. 5 & 6: Hearing and Vision Screenings
Oct. 6: Parents of Safe Teen Driving presentation
October 7: PSAT/SAT School Day
October 9: Principal's Coffee, 7:30am, Career Center, L106
Oct. 15: FX Players CollaBOOret
October 19: Virtual College & Postsecondary Fair
May 1: PROM! Info TBA
June 2: GRADUATION! 8:30am, Stalnaker Stadium
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Included in this issue:
School Spotlight
Program Spotlight
- LUSA accepts Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
- Quiz Bowl participates in It's Academic
- Marching Lions Place 1st at VMBC
- MTAS Showcase
Calendar Reminders
- Blue Star Welcome Week
- Saturday School Info
- Principal's Coffee, October 9
Fairfax Lions Need to Know
- Attendance Matters! and Attendance Spirit Week
- SR&R Due September 30
- Superintendent Community Conversations
- New ParentVUE App
- ABA Training Calendar
- Annual Special Education Family Conference
- Digital Literacy for Families
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Senior Portrait Information
- Important Info from Student Services
- New Menu Items
- Immunizations
- PE Apparel Website Closes Sept. 25th
- Tap On the School Bus
- Traffic Safety
- Quick Links
September 25, 2026
Happy Friday! Fairfax Families,
What a PAWSome Homecoming Week! The energy in our halls has been incredible as our students competed in our grade-level spirit link challenge. From creative hallway decorations and enthusiastic daily spirit wear to ticket sales and top-notch attendance, every grade brought their best to build their chain.
Our pep rally was a massive success! We loved cheering on our fall sports teams, watching amazing performances from our cheer and dance squads, celebrating our Homecoming Court, and enjoying some fun competition between our staff and students. A special shoutout to the Class of 2030—you are currently PAWS UP in the lead for spirit!
The fun isn't over yet. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at this afternoon’s parade and tailgate, cheering loud at the game tonight, and dancing the night away tomorrow.
As homecoming festivities wrap up, we are also reaching the midpoint of our first academic snapshot. Progress reports will be issued next week. We want to ensure every student finishes this first success snapshot strong, so please remember that the following academic supports are available:
- Lion Time on gray days
- Learning Lounge every Wednesday and Thursday
- Peer Tutors are available during Lion Time and after school
- Saturday School each weekend
Thank you for your continued support in making our school community vibrant, spirited, and academically focused!
Warmly,
HOMECOMING IS HERE! 🏈🦁💃🏽
 Homecoming 2026 is officially here! Join us TONIGHT as our Lions take on the West Potomac Wolverines. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM!
HOCO Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH
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4PM: HOCO Parade (CCH Pool to Blenheim Blvd.)
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4:30 – 6:30PM: Tailgate in the Field House Parking Lot - Featuring Baja Fresh, Red Hot & Blue, Rita’s Ice, a bouncy house, dunk tank, and FHS Clubs!
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6:40 PM: Marching Band Pre-Game Performance
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Halftime: Dance Team Performance & HOCO Court Royalty Crowning
Game Tickets HERE: Buy early online to skip the long lines at the gate!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH
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8:00 – 11:00PM: Homecoming Dance (Field House and Door 21)
Dance Highlights & Reminders:
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Check-In: Bring your Student ID and get ready to have fun!
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Tickets: Available for purchase on through Saturday night for $15 on www.myschoolbucks.com
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Guests: Don't forget to turn in your Guest permission slips if you are bringing a guest.
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Treats: Paradise Ice Cream will be available for purchase at the dance and Caricature artist will be there as well!
LUSA accepts City of Fairfax Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month
 Earlier this week, City of Fairfax Mayor, Catherine Read, issued a Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. Accepting the proclamation were students and sponsors from Fairfax's own LUSA club, the Latinos United Student Association.
Students Brianna Posadas Martinez and Camila Castro received the Proclamation, along with club sponsors Mr. Lopez, on the left, and Mr. Perez, on the right.
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Fiesta Fairfax
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Fairfax City will hold Fiesta Fairfax on
Saturday Oct 3, 2026. 2:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Old Town Square
10415 North St, Fairfax, VA 22030.
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Quiz Bowl Team Participates in It's Academic!
The Quiz Bowl team represented Fairfax at a recent taping of the “It's Academic” game show at the WETA studios in Arlington, VA.
Sophomores Lila Gearhart and Sauren Kwatra, and Senior Adam Marcus competed for FHS. It was a great way to kick off the Quiz Bowl season.
Interested in joining us? Students should contact faculty sponsors Ms. Loomis, cmloomis@fcps.edu or Mr. Agrawal, ragrawal@fcps.edu.
This episode will air October 24. Visit https://itsacademicquizshow.com/ for the full schedule listing and more information. Great job, Lions! 🎉
Congratulations Marching Lions on your first place win and sweeping all of the captions!!
Marching Lions win First Place at VMBC!
Photo courtesy of the FHS Bands Facebook page
Our Marching Lions competed at the VMBC Freedom Showcase last weekend - and took FIRST place, sweeping all captions - - Music, Visual, General Effect, Percussion, and Color Guard!! Congratulations and Well Done!!
Fairfax Academy MTAS Showacase
The sixteen seniors enrolled in the Pre-Professional Musical Theatre class at Fairfax Academy, hosted the the first official Musical Theatre & Actor's Studio (MTAS) performance of the year - the "Sweet Sixteen" Showcase!! These talented stars performed material in consideration for their college audition process. Congrats, seniors, and Break a Leg!! 🎶🎤
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Let's Welcome our Military Families to Fairfax!
Blue Star Welcome Week, Sep. 26 - Oct. 4
💙⭐ Blue Star Welcome Week is an annual event hosted by Blue Star Families, a non-profit organization that empowers military-connected families and strives to help them integrate into civilian communities. More than 13,500 students from military families are enrolled in FCPS!
This week-long celebration offers newcomers the opportunity to connect with local resources, meet other military-connected families, and engage with the community. Please visit the National Capital Region Chapter to learn more about the events Blue Star Families and their partners will be hosting.
Join us in welcoming these new students and families to FCPS and Fairfax High School. We are honored to have you as part of our community, and we thank you for your service. 🦁
Saturday School will be held September 26
Saturday School is held from 9am to 12pm in the Library. Breakfast will be available. No transportation provided. Enter at Door 1 and sign in at the security desk.
See the dates below for first semester. Keep an eye on this space for any changes or updates!
First Semester Dates:
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Sept 26
Oct 3
Oct 10
Oct 17
Oct 24
First Quarter ends Oct 30
Oct 31
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Nov 7
Nov 14
Nov 21
Dec 5
Dec 12
Jan 9
Jan 23
Second Quarter ends Jan 28
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Principal's Coffee, October 9
Dr. Aye hosts a "Principal's Coffee" that gives parents and guardians a chance to stop by and say hello and hear updates about the school in a relaxed setting. It's a casual get-together and a nice way to share ideas and insights about all things Fairfax.
Please join us for the first Principal's Coffee of the school year, Friday, October 9th, 7:30-8:30am, in the Career Center, room L106. All visitors must sign in at the kiosk in the main office.
Attendance Matters! 🙋🏽♂️
We all Belong
Each one of us is unique. And every student matters and belongs in school. If a student is having a difficult time attending class, please tell a trusted adult at school. There are solutions.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
ATTENDANCE SPIRIT WEEK! 🎉
FHS Attendance Spirit Week!
Monday, Sept. 28 - PJ Day - Dream Big but Don't Sleep In!
Tuesday, Sept. 29 - Hat Day - Hats off to Good Attendance!
Wednesday, Sept. 30 - Jersey Day - Home Run Wednesday!
Thursday, October 1 - Decade Day - take a pic with your laptop of you or a group dressed up and send to Ms. Lankford to win a prizermlankford@fcps.edu
Friday, October 2 - Flannel Friday - Fall into Good Attendance!
Follow our new Instagram page!!
SR&R Due📑
Review and Sign SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more on the FCPS website.
Understanding the Acceptable Use PolicyFCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:
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Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
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Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
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Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
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Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
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Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.
Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.
Superintendent Community Conversations 🎤
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
New ParentVUE App
New ParentVUE Mobile App Is Here
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
ABA Training Calendar 🧩
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join the session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
Annual Special Education Family Conference
Annual Special Education Family Conference: Registration Open, Call for Volunteers
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
How to Get Involved
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Digital Literacy for Families
As part of FCPS’ continued support for digital literacy, families can access lesson materials that introduce the concepts students will explore throughout the school year. These resources include student lessons and supporting materials organized by grade level. Resources will be shared on a quarterly basis through Schoology.
The All Parent/Guardian Course is available in Schoology through a parent or guardian account. Schoology and ParentVUE use the same login credentials. Families who need assistance can review How Do I Log in to and Access Schoology? or watch the brief walkthrough on the Schoology Snippets page.
Families can also learn more about FCPS guidance and practices on the Educational Technology in FCPS webpage.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Senior Portrait Information 📸
Seniors have the option of a full photography session or just a yearbook portrait.
Sessions with options of poses, outfits, and prints will be at the local CADY studio and range from simple options with a $10 sitting fee (scroll down on the page) up to a comprehensive session with a large sitting fee. All appointments booked at the studio include the yearbook photo and all except the Basic Session include at least a $30 credit towards prints purchased.
CADY will also be at FHS October 21 for senior portraits. This date is now live on the CADY website and available for booking. Currently, this is the only FHS date available for booking; the others will be available closer to those dates.
We are still finalizing the November date. Either the November or the December 2 date will be the opportunity for the no fee yearbook only portrait. Please keep an eye out for follow up information regarding these sessions.
Visit booking.cady.com to schedule your session at the studio or at FHS.
Important Info from Student Services
September 22-30: Individual Senior Meetings with Counselor through Government
October 7: PSAT/SAT School Day
FCPS high schools are administering the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day on October 7, 2026. On this day school staff will be supporting the administration of these tests. There is a two-hour early dismissal for the students in school on October 7.
Please plan for the following:
- Students receiving low incidence special education services receive a normal instructional program if not participating in the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day with a two-hour early release.
- Grade 9 students do not attend school on this day
- Grade 10-11 students take the PSAT/NMSQT, with limited exceptions
- Grade 12 students were encouraged to participate in the SAT and were asked to sign up; those choosing not to take the SAT do not attend school on this day.
If your student will be picked up after the exam or driving themselves home, please fill out this form by October 6, 2026, at NOON. Parents and guardians will NOT be allowed to enter the building or check out their students until after 11:30am on test day. Please keep in mind if your student has College Board accommodations, their end time may be affected.
**We highly encourage you to fill out the form for a prearranged dismissal. In the event, that you are unable to fill out the form, dismissal will be delayed due to students participating in activities and lunch.**
Free Test Preparation:
All FCPS students have access to free test preparation, whether taking the PSAT for the first time, preparing for eleventh grade National Merit Scholarship qualification, or preparing for the SAT college entrance exam.
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Khan Academy provides a library of practice questions, videos, lessons, plus test taking tips and strategies.
- Students will have access to full length paper tests and digital PSAT and SAT practice tests via the College Board Bluebook App.
- Students will participate in a PSAT or SAT “Digital Readiness Check” advisory lesson to ensure devices are prepared for digital testing on September 29. This test ticket will provide them with an extra practice test.
If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Trieu at latrieu@fcps.edu.
New Menu Items 🍔
Fall into Flavor With FCPS’ New Breakfast and Lunch Menu
FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
Immunizations
The Importance of the Flu Vaccine
Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
PE Apparel Website Closes Sept. 25th! 🏃🏽♂️➡️
The Fairfax High School PE Department’s apparel website is now open, and items are available for purchase. Items available are short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, hooded sweatshirts, shorts (5" and 9" inseams), towels, and a drawstring bag. All items have our Fairfax Lions logo.
*NONE of the items on our site say “PE” or “Physical Education”, so anyone can buy our items purely as owning Fairfax HS clothing/apparel.
Ordering deadline:
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September 1 – 25 = orders placed during this window will arrive around October 15th!
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September 25 = the apparel website will close for the year!
To order, visit https://athleticunion.com/fairfax/
If you have any questions regarding with ordering on the Athletic Union website, please contact Bev Carruthers via email - bev@athleticunion.com
If you have any school specific questions, please contact Cathy Horacek (FHS PE Department Chair) via email – cshoracek@fcps.edu
Tap on the School Bus 🚌
Tap On and Tap Off, It’s Easy!
Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. We currently have about 70% of students on buses following this process correctly, which is a great start! Learn more about student IDs and bus navigation.
Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app.
Traffic Safety
Traffic Safety Near Our School
We understand that families may need to drive their children to school from time to time. If you need to, please familiarize yourself with our school’s kiss-and-ride procedures for the safety of all children and staff.
Please drop off or pick up your students in the designated areas. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in other areas around the school or in nearby neighborhoods. Please also avoid parking in neighborhoods or double parking in front of our school if you intend to walk your child to school. This can increase the number of students walking through busy intersections and create traffic hazards for other drivers and families trying to get to school.
Please follow all signs and directions posted at our school, on public roads, or provided by school staff or crossing guards, and avoid making U-turns. Most of all, always — ALWAYS — drive slowly near our school. The safety of all our students is one of our top priorities!!
The Fairfax County Police Department has additional safety tips for families, including ways to keep walkers safe and what to do about scooters, bicycles, and e-scooters.
Quick Links
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throughout the year:
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