November 2026
Military Families Newsletter
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Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is now a Purple Star School Division! |
In September 2024, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid set a goal to become a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year. That goal has been achieved, with all 200+ FCPS schools earning their Purple Star designation.
Virginia districts earn Purple Star Division status when 100% of their schools earn and maintain Purple Star Designation. Applications are reviewed each fall.
FCPS is the largest Purple Star Division in Virginia and is the largest division in the state by both student enrollment and total number of students. It is the only division of its size to achieve Purple Star designation.
Virginia’s Purple Star Designation program recognizes schools for excelling in supporting military-connected students.
“When a family member serves in the military, everyone in the family serves,” said Dr. Reid. “This designation highlights our commitment to supporting each and every military-connected student and family as they enter or return to our school division. No matter which of our amazing schools they attend, they will find resources to help them transition into our school community.”
November is National Family Engagement Month
November is Family Engagement Month! It is a time to celebrate the important role families play in their children’s learning and to build strong partnerships between families and schools.
Over 35 years of research shows that when families and schools work together, students are more likely to be successful in school. Throughout the month of November, we celebrate and strengthen family-school partnerships by listening to families, building on the strengths, knowledge, and experiences they bring to our school communities, and finding meaningful ways to work together for student success.
A great way to get involved is to volunteer at your child’s school. Sign up through Volunteer FCPS and look for ways to share your time, skills, or interests!
Getting to Know FCPS: A Military Family Orientation
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 and Thursday, November 12, 2026
Military families new to FCPS or moving to FCPS soon may attend this interactive presentation. Families will learn about:
- FCPS programs, school staff, and digital resources
- Strategies to support student success
- Early enrollment for military families
- The Military Interstate Compact
This virtual presentation will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Please fill out the Military GTK registration form to sign up and receive the Zoom link.
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Saturday, November 14, 2026
Join FCPS for the annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, 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.
Nominations Open for Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Awards |
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Submissions are OPEN for the esteemed 2027 Military Child of the Year® Awards, the nation’s premier recognition of the outstanding achievements of our military children. The awards recognize outstanding young people ages 13 to 18. Recipients will represent a branch of the armed forces — the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force — for their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria while facing the challenges of military family life.
All Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award recipients will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., and recognized at the April 2027 gala, during which senior leaders of each branch of service will present the awards. They also will receive $10,000 each, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts. The gala is usually held in April, the month of the military child, as a way to recognize the support and appreciation we provide to military families.
Submissions will close on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. central. For more information, please visit Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Awards.
Follow FCPS Military Families on Social Media
Stay up-to-date on all of our latest events, workshops, and resources to support our FCPS military families by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information on FCPS military resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any enrichment opportunity before participating.
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