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Mason District Community,
Thank you for staying connected as we navigate this busy fall season. As a quick reminder, the end of the first quarter is Friday, October 30. Please be sure to check Schoology and ParentVue to review your child’s progress. As per FCPS grading policy, students have the opportunity to retake summative assignments. Also be reminded that summative assessments are calculated as 70% of your child’s grade in middle and high school.
October is also a time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Twenty-eight percent of the students in FCPS identify as Hispanic, along with many staff members. The School Board recognized Hispanic Heritage Month at the October 8th School Board Meeting with a proclamation and a special performance of De Colores by Crestwood Elementary School with a musical accompaniment by the Lewis HS Mariachi Teacher, Mr. Mata.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 10/08/26
Crestwood Elementary performance of De Colores 10/08/26 - click image for video
As a reminder, the role of the Region Office is to assist students and families with school related matters. Please find below contact information for Region Office staff who support Mason District schools and students.
In the newsletter below, you will find updates on recent School Board decisions, including Executive Limitation #5: Financial Planning, Legislative Priority Positions, and Pre-K / K Tech Device Use.
Please also see the Lightspeed Parent Portal information. Parents/Guardians are able to set screen time limits and monitor online activity for their child as well as create web rules for home.
Finally, I look forward to hearing your feedback on Strategic Plan Goal 1 and the proposal to create an AAP Center at Holmes Middle School.
I value input from the Mason District community and will address questions or concerns via email at rjanderson@fcps.edu or by scheduling a phone call with Ms. Coffey at cmcoffey@fcps.edu.
In this issue:
Feedback Needed
Goal 1 Report
The FCPS Strategic Plan consists of five goals. Annual reporting for each goal provides an update on the division's progress towards meeting the 2030 goals of the Strategic Plan.
The School Board received and discussed the Goal 1 Strategic Plan Report for SY 2026-27 at the October 6 Work Session and is scheduled to vote to approve the report on October 22, 2026.
Please review the report and staff presentation for Goal 1 - Strong Start: Pre-K - 12 and provide your feedback ahead of the Board's vote next week.
This is the 3rd year FCPS has collected and presented performance data via the five goal reports. A few examples of information provided are included below.
Community Meetings
Holmes Middle School AAP Expansion
In August, the Board voted to approve a public engagement plan for the expansion of Middle School AAP Centers to every FCPS middle school. The plan proposes four phases, with Holmes Middle School included in the first phase to be considered for programming in the 2027-28 school year.
Reminder: A community meeting is scheduled at Holmes Middle School to share information about the program. This will be an opportunity for families to learn more and have their questions answered. Interpretation services are available.
The Board is scheduled to vote on the first phase of the proposal in December 2026.
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Middle School AAP Center Public Hearing
A public hearing on the proposed new middle school AAP Centers for the 2027-2028 school year will be held on November 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. This includes the proposed AAP Center at Holmes Middle School.
Superintendent Community Conversations
The Community Conversations with the Superintendent provide an opportunity for parents/guardians and community to share feedback and ask questions regarding activities in FCPS schools.
All of the meetings are open - however, two meetings are scheduled this month in or near the Mason District (click date to register):
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Additional locations and registration links can be found on the Superintendent Engagement page.
2026 Impact Awards
The Impact Awards celebrate FCPS employees making exceptional contributions to advancing the goals of the FCPS Strategic Plan. Congratulations to the following Mason District staff for their 2026 Impact Awards:
Collaboration and Partnerships
- Liz Crowley, Bailey’s Upper ES
- Sarah Hinkhouse, Edison HS
- Ivanova Plazas, Belvedere ES
Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
Student Achievement and Success
- Rahah Mahmood, Bailey’s Upper ES
Innovation and Improvement
- Bailey’s Upper ES Arts Ensemble Team: Bernie DeLeo, Janelle Freeman, and Rebecca Sorto
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School Board Decision Alert
Executive Limitation #5: Financial Planning
At the School Board meeting on October 8, 2026, the Board voted 8:2:1 to find the Superintendent in compliance with Executive Limitation #5 (EL-5): Financial Planning.
The Superintendent's Monitoring Report and Presentation for EL-5 are available for review.
I raised the following concerns during my comments:
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Budget Transparency and Accessibility - the budget document is difficult to navigate and detailed line items for specific initiatives are not included as often requested by community members.
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Budget Assumptions - questions based on feedback that FCPS relies on unrealistic assumptions during budget development.
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Delays in Receiving Information - priority questions from Board members are not received in a timely manner resulting in approval of budgets without the necessary information to inform decisions.
Ultimately, I was unable to find the Superintendent in compliance with EL-5 based on the report presented.
VIDEO: October 8, 2026 School Board Meeting [5:07:17]
School Board Legislative Priorities
The School Board unanimously approved the 2027 School Board Legislative State and Federal Priorities at the School Board meeting on October 8, 2026.
State Priority Positions include:
1. Increase State Funding for K-12 Programs
2. Improve Virginia’s Statewide Assessment System
3. Improve Virginia’s School Accountability System
4. Expand College and Workforce Readiness Programs
5. Provide State-Funded Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs
6. Increase State Funding for School Facilities
7. Increase Access to Free School Meals
8. Reform Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act
Federal Priority Positions include:
1. Increase Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Program Funding
2. Improve Title I Program Funding
3. Protect Access to High-Quality Head Start Programs
4. Restore Access to Universal Food and Nutrition Programs
5. Fully Fund the Impact Aid Program
6. Continue and Increase Title III Program Funding for Limited English Proficient Students
7. Continue and Increase E-Rate Educational Technology Funding
8. Continue and Increase Perkins Career and Technical Education Program Funding
9. Continue and Increase Title II Teacher and Principal Quality Program Funding
10. Maintain and Increase Access to Medicaid Reimbursement Funding
11. Reduce the Impact of Temporary Protected Status Expirations
VIDEO: October 8, 2026 School Board Meeting [3:26:33]
Pre-K / K Tech Device Use
The School Board voted 8:4 to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to allow limited use of Lexia for kindergarten students needing additional support, up to a maximum of 75 minutes per week.
Families of kindergarten students receiving additional reading support will have an option to opt-out of Lexia use.
I have heard from many Mason teachers and families overwhelmingly voicing that FCPS should not put computers in front of children who are 4 and 5 years old. In addition, the provided studies and research of Lexia usage and outcomes are not definitive in the efficacy of this resource nor did they show strong correlation. For these reasons, I voted against the recommendation.
The Board also voted 8:2:2 to develop a process for families to opt-out of ST Math and Lexia in elementary schools and to provide instructional alternatives to these specific digital learning tools.
Although I agree that parents and families should have choice in limiting access to these two resources, I abstained from this vote because I did not feel the Board had enough information.
VIDEO: October 8, 2026 School Board Meeting [1:25:56]
Review of Lexia
The School Board voted unanimously to direct the Superintendent to conduct an expedited review of the cost and instructional efficacy of Lexia. This follows the recent receipt of staff research materials by the Board.
Edison Theatre Company
Edison Theater Company Presents:
Seussical: The Musical
October 22-24, 2026
Tickets Available
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Region Offices
The role of the Region Office is to assist students and families with school related matters. Please find below contact information for Region Office staff who support Mason District schools and students.
Supports the Justice HS and Falls Church HS Pyramids
Assistant Superintendent: April Cage
Executive Principal: Margaret Barnes
Executive Principal: Brendan Menuey
Main Office: 571-423-1120
Supports the Edison HS Pyramid
Assistant Superintendent: Ray Lonnett
Executive Principal: Jesse Kraft
Executive Principal: Ingrid Bynum
Main Office: 571-423-1130
Supports the Woodson HS Pyramid
Assistant Superintendent: Rebecca Baenig
Executive Principal: Chad Lehman
Executive Principal: Gordon Stokes
Main Office: 571-423-1150
Supports the Annandale HS Pyramid
Assistant Superintendent: Rhonda Honoré
Executive Principal: Amy Miller
Executive Principal: JoVon Rogers
Main Office: 571-423-1160
Chief of Schools: Megan Vroman
Main Office: 571-423-1020
Lightspeed Parent Portal and Reports
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: Filter Portal Weekly Report) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
TJHSST Applications Due Soon
Applications for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) must be started no later than Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Submission Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 4:00 pm.
Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
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Special Education Family Conference
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Register now to attend the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students.
This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections. The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, and an exhibitor hall. Lunch will be provided. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information.
Opening of Schools Report
The Superintendent presented the 2026-2027 Opening of Schools Report at the October 8, 2026 School Board meeting.
Highlighted data include:
- 99.7% of critical staffing positions filled
- Over 200 Schools and Centers serving 172,346 students as of August 24, 2026
- Students represent 199 birth countries and speak 195 different home languages
- 30,786 Volunteers
- 3,875 Mentors
- 905 High-impact tutors
- 500,000 Community events hosted each year
- 29 Million square feet of buildings
- Average of 30,969 breakfasts and 77,087 lunches served each day
- Fleet of 1,625 school buses (49 electric)
- 8,700 Students enrolled in one or more dual enrollment courses
- 167 National Merit Semifinalists
- SOL Pass rate improvement in reading (80%), math (80%), and science (76%)
- 95% Pass rate for 6th-8th grade students taking Algebra I
Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- October 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
- November 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- November 10, at 11:30 a.m.
Public Hearing (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- November 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. - Middle School AAP Phase 2
Where can you watch the meetings?
How can you speak at a Board Meeting?
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Registration Timeline and Process: For Regular School Board Meetings, registration opens at 8 a.m. four (4) business day before the meeting (usually a Friday) and closes 48 hours before the meeting (usually 7 p.m. on a Tuesday).
- Sixteen (16) speaker slots available. Random lottery process when more than 16 registrations are received.
Please see the Community Participation webpage for additional details.
Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
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
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