News Alert from Kyle McDaniel, Fairfax County School Board

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Dear Friends,

From celebrating student opportunities to recognizing the people who lead our schools, there is plenty to reflect on over the last few weeks.

Board Meeting Recap

At the School Board meeting last night, we approved two items with a direct connection to students and school communities.

We accepted the annual report on Strategic Plan Goal 1: Strong Start: Pre-K–12, which tracks the division’s progress toward its 2030 goals. We also approved contracts to replace the synthetic turf fields at Annandale High School and South County Middle School, whose fields had reached the end of their expected service life.

The meeting also included recognition of Principals and Administrators Appreciation Month and National Red Ribbon Week. I was proud to move the Red Ribbon Week proclamation, recognizing the work of FCPS educators, counselors, and support staff to help students make healthy choices.

Car Donation Supporting Career and Technical Education

Yesterday, I donated my old car to the automotive CTE program at South Lakes High School, giving students a vehicle they can use for hands-on learning.

These programs give students a boost as they graduate into this challenging economic climate. CTE programs provide real-world learning experiences and can open up a world of new employment opportunities and give our students an edge.

I hope this donation also encourages others to learn more about FCPS’s CTE programs and the opportunities they offer students.

FCPS Named a Purple Star Division

Every FCPS school has earned Virginia’s Purple Star Designation, making FCPS the largest Purple Star School Division in Virginia. The designation recognizes schools that support military-connected students and families. More than 12,600 military-connected students attend FCPS.

This achievement reflects the work of staff and student ambassadors who help students feel welcome and connected when they join our schools. I am extremely proud and thankful to everyone at FCPS who helped make this goal a reality.

Around Our Schools and Community

Navy Elementary School Tour
I enjoyed visiting Navy Elementary School and seeing the learning and community-building happening there. Thank you to the staff and students who welcomed me and shared a glimpse of the school day.

Centreville Day
It was great to celebrate Centreville Day with local families and community members. Thank you to everyone who helped organize the event and made it such a welcoming gathering.

STEM Fest 2026
I enjoyed joining students, families, and community partners at STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest 2026 at South County HS to celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math. Events like this give students an engaging way to explore new ideas and see where their curiosity can lead.

Thank you for staying connected and for all you do to support FCPS students, staff, and families.

In service,
Kyle McDaniel
At-Large Member, Fairfax County School Board

Other Updates

Senator Pekarsky's 2027 High School Youth Leadership Program

Applications are now open for Senator Pekarsky's 2027 Youth Leadership Program for students across Virginia to learn firsthand how state government works, meet with elected leaders, community members and advocacy organizations. Apply now to gain valuable experience at the Capitol during the Spring 2027 legislative session.

Participants will: attend committees, watch the floor session in the Capitol, meet legislators and staff, attend panels from a variety of people working in the General Assembly, and more!

Eligibility: Virginia High School Juniors & Seniors

Program Dates: January 31, 2026 - February 2, 2026

Click Here for Application Link

Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.  

Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey

Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.

Look for the survey in your email from Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31. 

Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations

FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.

Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.

Maintain Access to Your Child’s Grades and Assignments: Download the New ParentVUE App

New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.

For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.

The Importance of the Flu Vaccination

The annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect your child from getting sick and to prevent the spread of illness within our classrooms. 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 be providing flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will be taking 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.

Encouraging Regular Attendance

Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you! 

If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.  

Annual Special Education Family Conference: Breakout Session Information Available

Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School. 

More than 20 engaging breakout sessions have been designed to support, inform, and inspire our community. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to explore the lineup of presenters, titles, and session descriptions. Complete the Special Education Family Conference Registration Form to secure your spot and let us know about any childcare, language interpretation, or accommodation needs. 

Help Your Student Stay Focused and Engaged Without Digital Distractions

Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e., in backpacks) for the duration of the school day: bell to bell.

This includes personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices. Students can only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. There are exceptions for students with disabilities and those enrolled in specific courses.  

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call the school’s front office. Learn more about the FCPS cellphone policy and device policy. 

Applications Open for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).

The application is now available. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools. 

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Literacy Resources
• Return Your Impact Aid Survey
• Download the New ParentVUE App

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Calendar Reminder

• Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays - Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday.
• Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
• Election Day - Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and a school planning day. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections webpage.

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

See the complete school year calendar.

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

Web | Phone: 571-423-1090
Laura Stokes, Staff Aide, 571-279-4490