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Mason District Community,

As we return for the second quarter, there is much energy and accomplishment to celebrate! Mason District students continue to demonstrate excellence - recently earning prestigious awards in music, multimedia, and student publications. Our talented student performers are also gearing up for an impressive lineup of theatre productions that should not be missed. 

Alongside these student achievements, this issue includes updates on School Board work and decisions, and details for the final community boundary presentation meetings for both the Bren Mar Park boundary and Boundary Study #4 (which includes Beech Tree, Glasgow, and Justice). 

As always, 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.

Have a wonderful month and enjoy the crisp, beautiful fall weather!

In this issue:

Feedback Needed

School Board Legislative Program

The School Board initially discussed staff-recommended changes to the Board’s state and federal legislative positions during a work session on September 8, 2026. The Board then held an additional work session on October 20, 2026 to further discuss the legislative program.

The purpose of the Legislative Program is to establish the Board’s official stance on key educational issues, including equitable state and federal funding formulas, local governance autonomy, special education support, teacher recruitment and retention, student health and safety, and school infrastructure, among others. It serves as a strategic framework to advocate for the division’s students and staff.

Please share your feedback on the draft 2027 State and Federal Legislative Program ahead of the Board’s adoption scheduled for November 12, 2026.

Executive Limitation #10: Learning Environment and Relationship with Students

The Strategic Plan Goals are the primary factors used by the School Board to evaluate progress and achievement in Fairfax County Public Schools, however, the Board is also responsible for monitoring the operations of the school system.

The thirteen (13) Executive Limitations reflect the School Board's guardrails for how the Superintendent is to achieve division goals. Executive Limitations serve as a measure of accountability for the Superintendent and are reviewed annually through monitoring reports to ensure compliance and progress.  

At the November 12, 2026 Regular School Board Meeting, the Board will receive the report and vote whether to approve Executive Limitation 10 (EL-10): Learning Environment and Relationship with Students.

EL-10 requires the Superintendent to maintain a safe, welcoming, and non-discriminatory environment that fosters student well-being and high academic achievement across all demographics. It requires enforcing fair discipline policies, protecting student privacy, safeguarding against harassment, and providing targeted support for identified students. Additionally, it mandates meaningful engagement with students and families as collaborative educational partners through consistent communication and student input. 

I invite you to review the EL-10 Monitoring Report and share your thoughts and feedback prior to the vote on November 12, 2026.

Community Meetings

Bren Mar Park Boundary Meeting

Please join the final community meeting for the Bren Mar Park Feeder Schools Boundary Study to review updated draft scenarios:

• Date: November 9, 2026
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Edison High School
• Registration: in person or virtual
• Services: Childcare and language interpretation provided as needed. 

Staff is recommending Scenario 3B from the September 23, 2026 meeting. I am in full support of this scenario as I believe it addresses the two most essential concerns raised by the Bren Mar Park community.

Scenario 3B honors community feedback to remain at Edison HS and provides an avenue for students/families residing northwest of I-395 to self-select relocation to Annandale HS. Additional merits of Scenario 3B include avoiding the creation of capacity issues at Annandale HS and the creation of a split feeder at Bren Mar Park as is the case with the other scenarios. 

The November 9 presentation is available for review. Please see the website for the presentation in additional languages.

Boundary Study #4 (Beech Tree, Glasgow, Justice)

Please join the final community meeting for Boundary Study #4 (includes Beech Tree, Glasgow, and Justice) to review updated draft scenarios:

• Date: November 11, 2026
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Falls Church High School
• Registration: in-person or virtual
• Services: Childcare and language interpretation provided as needed. 

The Superintendent is expected to provide a recommendation to the Board regarding boundary changes by January 2027. The community will then have a final opportunity to provide feedback at a public hearing prior to the vote by the Board. Learn more about Boundary Study #4.

Middle School AAP Center Public Hearing

Reminder: 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.

• Date:  November 10, 2026
• Time:  6:00 p.m.
• Location: Luther Jackson Middle School

Musical Excellence at Glasgow Middle School Glasgow Middle School has been named as a winner of the Southern Division National Band Association’s Blue Ribbon Program of Excellence Award. Glasgow is the only middle school in the Southern Division to receive this honor. It is also one of only two middle schools nationwide named a division winner this year. As a Southern Division winner, Glasgow is automatically under consideration for the National Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award. The national award will be announced in December at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Congratulations and best of luck to these talented students!

Food For Neighbors - 10 Years!

I was pleased to participate in the recent Food For Neighbors 10th Anniversary event at Luther Jackson Middle School. Together, the volunteers collected, sorted and distributed over 38,000 pounds of food on a Saturday morning - a record! This food will make its way to school pantries and into the hands of students and families.   

I am grateful for the community’s support of this initiative and inspired by Karen Joseph, Executive Director of Food For Neighbors, for her leadership in this effort and her vision in establishing an organization that fills such a deep need in our community.

If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please visit the Food For Neighbors Red Bag Program webpage.

VHSL 2026 Media Championship Awards Congratulations to Mason District high school students and advisors for their hard work and talent earning them recognition by the VHSL in Multimedia and Publication.

Literary Magazine Concept Packaging 

• Third: TJHSST, Threshold

Literary Magazine Cover (Front and Back)

• Second: Justice HS, Credo
• Third: TJHSST, Threshold

Literary Magazine Poetry

• Second: Kobimtochi Odo, TJHSST, reptile apocalypse (or in other words, please love me like this)

Newspaper Editorials

• First: Anjali Modak, Falls Church HS, Remove Barriers to School Spirit

Newspaper Bylined Personal Opinion/Column

• Third: Marco Zapien & Libby Miller, Justice HS, AI Point/Counterpoint

Newspaper Review

• Third: Mai Lopez, Falls Church HS, Superman Reboot Stomps on Toxic Masculinity

Magazine Division

• First Class: Justice HS, Credo
• Second Class: Falls Church HS, The Jagazine
• Second Class: TJHSST, Threshold

Newsmagazine Division

• Trophy Class: TJHSST, tjTODAY
• First Class: Justice HS, The Verdict

Yearbook Division

• Trophy Class: TJHSST, Techniques
• First Class: Edison HS, Talon
• First Class: Justice HS, The Howl
• Second Class: Annandale HS, Antenna

Broadcast Division

• Trophy Class: TJHSST, TJTV News

School Board Decision Alert

Goal 1 Report

The School Board voted unanimously to accept the Strategic Plan Goal 1 Report presented by the Superintendent. While I voted to accept the report, I hold significant concerns regarding the underlying factors which have resulted in persistent underperformance of the same student groups. I appreciate the progress that has been made in several areas, particularly among multilingual students. However, the data continue to reveal consistent achievement gaps across many student groups.

The School Board has completed the third set of reports with only three years remaining in the Strategic Plan which is set to end in the 2029-30 School Year - raising serious concerns about whether the established goals will be achieved. The urgency to close these achievement gaps is paramount given that academic performance opens critical doors for students and their futures. Secondarily, these data also impact school ratings which shape community comparisons. 

Furthermore, FCPS has taken on the non-mandated responsibility of expanding Pre-K experiences because of the profound impact on student success. However, without dedicated state funding, the system is forced to fill budget gaps, leaving long waitlists and many students unserved. Local funding alone cannot sustain this effort and it is my hope that the Commonwealth of Virginia can follow the lead of several states to mandate and fund universal Pre-school.

While there are bright spots to celebrate in this report, the persistent gaps remain deeply problematic. I will continue to hold the Superintendent accountable and push with urgency to ensure all students receive the necessary supports to thrive in FCPS. 

FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available Online

Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies.

Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office at Gatehouse Administration Center maintains the historical records of all directives. Please call 571-423-1075 for more information.

Scholarship Opportunity

Scholarships are open for the 2027 VSBA Board of Directors Regional Scholarship. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Public Education.” Application criteria include a written essay, academic performance, and extracurricular involvement and leadership.

Award: One $5,000 scholarship for the Northeastern Region

Application Deadline: January 15, 2027 at 4:00 p.m.

Please see the Scholarship Guidelines for eligibility information and application requirements. The online application form is available here.

Upcoming Theatre

Upcoming Work Session Topics

The School Board is scheduled to discuss the following topics at the all-day work session scheduled for November 10, 2026:

• FY28 Fiscal Forecast
• School Start Times
• Programming at Lewis and Mount Vernon High Schools

Click on the topics above to view the staff presentations.

Gilchrist Inova Hospice Volunteers Gilchrist Inova is seeking high school volunteers (ages 16+) to serve local hospice patients with care and companionship through their Gen2Gen Program. Student volunteers are asked to commit to weekly visits and would serve alongside more experienced volunteers for support. The application requires two references, an interview, and online training. Interested students may contact the volunteer recruiter specialist at Iris.hunter@gilchristinova.org for more information or begin the process by submitting an application.

Bus Passes - Free for MS and HS Students All Fairfax County middle and high school students can ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the Student Bus SmarTrip card, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Additionally, students at Annandale HS, Falls Church HS, and Justice HS can ride Metrobus for free. Learn more about the Student Bus Pass or check with your school’s front office for more information. Bus Discount Program for Adults The Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP 100) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18 to 65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.

Shark Tank Technology Challenge The 11th Annual Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge has launched!  Initial proposals must be submitted by December 20, 2026 to participate. Final projects will be due February 28, 2027. The Shark Tank competition invites students to imagine, design and build a groundbreaking device or app that can meaningfully improve the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, or wounded warriors. Whether it’s a clever piece of assistive technology, a smart solution to reduce isolation, or a tool that brings joy and independence — we want to see your big ideas come to life. Program details and guidelines are available in the 2027 Shark Tank Information Packet.

Fairfax Recycles Day 2026 Fairfax Recycles Day is an opportunity to recycle and safely dispose of or donate hard-to-recycle items. Accepted items include Small e-waste, household batteries, glass bottles and jars, winter jackets, housewares, emergency supplies. Please see the complete list of accepted items. DATE: Saturday, November 14, 2026 TIME: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: Glen Forest Elementary

Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• November 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
• December 3, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• November 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
• December 1, 2026 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?

• All meetings are shown live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11), the FCPS YouTube channel , and on the FCPS website.
•  All  meetings are recorded and posted to the School Board YouTube channel.

How can you speak at a Board Meeting?

• Registration is required: Registration Link 

• 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.

@masonfcps

@masondistrictsb

@MasonDistrictSB

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

E-mail: Ricardy Anderson |  Phone: 571-423-1083

Cristy Coffey, Executive Admin Assistant, 571-423-1064, cmcoffey@fcps.edu