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Marcia’s Message
Today we observe Veterans Day, and honor the many people who have served our country, along with the families who have supported them. Military-connected families bring strength, service, and resilience to our school communities. Let’s make sure our Division’s over 12,600 military-connected students—and every family—feel recognized, welcomed, and connected.
I continue to be proud that FCPS is now officially a Purple Star School Division, meaning 100% of its 200+ schools hold the Virginia Purple Star Designation for supporting military-connected students.
This November, let’s celebrate the people and partnerships that help every student thrive.
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November is National Family Engagement Month—a time to celebrate families as children’s “first and forever teachers” and to recognize how partnerships among families, schools, and communities help every child thrive. At tomorrow’s School Board meeting, I will be bringing a Proclamation Celebrating National Family Engagement Month.
My years as a family liaison showed me how much it matters for families to feel welcomed, heard, and connected. Across FCPS, more than 300 family engagement professionals—including 200 dedicated Family Liaisons—help families navigate the school system, connect with school and community resources, and take an active role in their children’s education. Their work builds trust between home and school, and reflects the values every individual deserves from FCPS: equity, inclusion, empathy, and belonging.
When families are informed and empowered, students benefit academically and socially. I’m grateful to the FCPS staff who build these relationships with care and commitment, and to the families who share their voices, knowledge, and hopes for their children.
This November, let’s celebrate the people and partnerships that help every student thrive.
This week, I had the pleasure of attending West Potomac High School’s Beyond The Page Theatre Company’s incredible performance of Come From Away. Congratulations to the students on their moving performance, and to their theatre director, Mr. Cruz!
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I also participated in a special night at Lewis High School on Friday. The evening began with a performance of the National Anthem by the Lewis Pyramid choral singers. I was lucky enough to see this wonderful group of elementary, middle, and high school students rehearse in the hours before they captured our attention on the field.
Kind Regards,
Marcia St. John-Cunning
Franconia School District
School Board Member
Email: mstjohncunni@fcps.edu
Stay informed: Facebook | Instagram
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⏰School Start Times: Share Your Perspective
At the November 10th Work Session, FCPS staff presented recommendations to adjust school start times, including the research and data behind them, the priorities considered, and how the proposals were developed.
School start times can affect student well-being, traffic, bell schedules, athletics, after-school programs, and other activities. I’d like to hear how current start times affect your family or household, and how possible changes might shape your daily routines and schedules. Your perspective, priorities, and concerns will help me understand what matters most to you and our community as I consider the next steps for the proposal.
Thank you to those community members who have already reached out to me separately, your feedback has been recorded. I invite those of you who have not yet weighed in on this issue to please take a few minutes to complete this survey by November 30.
I have linked the presentation so you can review the proposal before submitting your feedback.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this important issue.
2026 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards
Program | Photos
The annual Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards honoring youth athletes, coaches and parents for extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition was held Oct. 26, 2026.
Franconia winners include:
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Roman R. Parada (Edison HS 10th Grade), Male Athlete, Multiple Sports (Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club)
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Karoline Folk, Female Athlete, Soccer (Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club)
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Jamie Frogale, Coach, Softball (Northern Virginia Girls Softball Association)
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Shannon McLaughlin (Lane ES), Parent, Soccer (Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club)
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Janine Sosa Cruz (Whitman MS), Female Athlete, Soccer (Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club)
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Family Resources
Financial Assistance
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to households with eligible children. TANF participants also have access to the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) Program to support the journey to self-sufficiency.
Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides individuals and families with money to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and select other retailers. Participants receive funds monthly through a EBT card that works like a debit card. Learn more about SNAP and how it can help you.
FCPS News You Need
Annual Special Education Family Conference
Breakout Sessions Information Is Now Available
Please join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14th, 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.
Please email any questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
 Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs. Please note that times are subject to change.
Committee Meetings (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Monday, November 16th at 4:30 p.m | .Comprehensive Planning & Development Cmte
- Tuesday, November 17th at 4:30 p.m. | Public Engagement Committee
- Monday, December 7th at 4:00 p.m. | Audit Committee
- Tuesday, December 8th at 4:30 p.m. | Governance Committee
- Wednesday, December 9th at 4:30 p.m. | Administration Committee
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, December 1st at 11:30 a.m.| Budget Committee of the Whole & Work Session
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Watch and Participate:
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Live Broadcasts: Tune in on Channel 99 (Verizon 11) or the FCPS website.
Stay Informed:
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Agendas & Docs: Find meeting handouts and logistics via BoardDocs.
Support & Accessibility:
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Interpretation: Contact the Board Clerk if you require language or ASL support.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
- Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español
Quick Links
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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