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As we approach the end of the first quarter on October 30, now is a great time to check in with your student about their academic progress! We encourage families to regularly review grades in ParentVUE, have conversations about academic goals and positive study habits, and remind students to reach out to their teachers when they need additional support. Let's work together to finish the quarter strong!
We're also continuing to celebrate students who demonstrate our ROAR expectations, both inside and outside the classroom! Through Tiger Tokens and positive referrals, we're recognizing students who demonstrate responsibility, strong academic habits, kindness, and positive contributions to our school community.
Let's finish the quarter strong, celebrate our successes, and keep showing that ROARsome Tiger spirit!
Principal Megan Sherrill
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Dine out at the Merrifield Five Guys on October 22nd from 5-9 to support the PTA! Mention code FGGIVESBACK when you order.
Use this Amazon wishlist or make a donation to our sports equipment fund.
Help wanted! We need a parent volunteer to lead our Reflections program this month. Please contact Leah at president@jacksonmspta.org if you can help. We can't offer the program without a parent volunteer.
Our next PTA meeting will be on October 20th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. To join the meeting, click here.
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🐯 LJ After Hours: Anchor Weeks & Program Updates!
LJ After Hours is wrapping up a fantastic first quarter! As we transition between quarters, here's a reminder about our Anchor Weeks, which take place during the last week and first week of each quarter.
📅 Anchor Weeks: October 26–30 and November 2–6
During Anchor Weeks, only academic and competition clubs, theatre, intescholastic sports that are in season, and students staying with a specific teacher may meet. All other activities will pause temporarily and resume after Anchor Weeks.
📊 LJ After Hours by the Numbers!
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🎉 565 unique students have participated so far! That's over 60% of our entire school!
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📈 Weekly attendance grew from 291 student visits during our first week to a high of 811 visits during October 4–10!
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🐯 Thursdays are our busiest days, averaging 245 students, or 26% of our school enrollment!
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⭐ Wednesdays are another popular day, averaging 193 students!
We're thrilled to see so many Tigers staying after school, exploring new interests, building friendships, and connecting with their school community!
Thank you for supporting LJ After Hours!
📢 Stay Connected! The BEST place for students and families to stay up to date is our LJ After Hours/Activities Schoology page, located under Courses. This is our one-stop shop for daily activity offerings, important announcements, schedule changes, and cancellations.
LJ After Hours Schoology Page
📁 Check Materials for activity information, schedules, and important resources.
📢 Check Updates for announcements, changes, cancellations, and other time-sensitive information.
🔔 Don’t forget to enable Schoology notifications! This will help ensure you receive real-time updates whenever important information about after-school activities is posted.
💡✨ LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL! ✨💡
Join us for a celebration of safe spaces, bright futures, and all the amazing things happening after school!
📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Glasgow Middle School
Come reconnect with friends, celebrate our after-school community, and enjoy a night filled with fun! 🎉
🎮 Gaming Tournament
🤖 STE(A)M & Robotics Showcase
🎨 Arts & Life Skills
💡 Light Bulb Wall
🎟️ Raffles & Bring-a-Friend Challenge
🤝 VIP Camp & Teens in Action Reunions
Bring a friend and come celebrate with us! We can’t wait to see you there! 💡🐯
📍 4101 Fairfax Pkwy, Lincolnia, VA 22312
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.
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook. New information — including printable flyers — has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.
For more information, please contact laballou@fcps.edu
Attention families - looking for a flexible and part-time position? FCPS is hiring AVID tutors for the 2026-2027 school year. AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). These groups use questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Tutors earn $21.77 per hour and should either be a college graduate or currently enrolled in college. If interested, please email your resume to AVID@fcps.edu.
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Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
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, 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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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
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Survey Extended! Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns. Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security.
The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open through Tuesday, October 20.
Please note that parents may now submit more than one response to provide feedback regarding different schools. Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey
The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from community members, families, and employees about school facility needs and how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks 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 on 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.
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.
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Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at HomeSocial-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
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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 a session. Upcoming topics include:
- 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.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. 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. Additional immunization resources are available.
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to [AART Name], Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at [AART email] by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please contact Laura Ballou, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at liballou@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meeting is scheduled for:
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
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.
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.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-week-september-2-2026, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
- Weather Safety
- Attendance Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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