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Fairfax County Public Schools is approaching a final vote on proposed boundary changes while also expanding artificial intelligence training and responding to very high levels of flu illness across the county.
Revised Boundary Plan Heads Toward Vote
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented proposed school boundary changes to the School Board on January 8. Following community feedback, including testimony at public hearings on January 10 and 13, Reid began revising her original recommendation.
Updated materials, including an amended presentation and executive summary, were expected to be posted on BoardDocs and the FCPS website by late afternoon Thursday, January 15.
The School Board will hold a final public hearing on the revised proposal at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, January 22, at Jackson Middle School. People wishing to speak must register by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 20. Speakers will be notified by email no later than the morning of January 21.
The board is also scheduled to vote January 22 on the proposed boundary changes and their implementation.
FCPS Trains Staff to Guide AI Use
Reid recently opened a half-day ChatGPT for Teachers training session for school-based technology employees. She also updated the School Board on the division’s approach to artificial intelligence.
Reid said students are already using AI, making it important to train adults who can guide its responsible use. FCPS principles call for teachers to remain in control of instruction and decision-making, with AI serving as a support rather than a replacement.
The school system also says AI adoption must protect academic integrity, privacy, and security. Officials plan to monitor its effects, pursue useful applications, and establish safeguards against harm.
Flu Activity Reaches Very High Levels
Fairfax County is experiencing very high influenza activity. Emergency department and urgent-care visits for flu-like illnesses have risen, particularly among children, and several community outbreaks have been reported.
Families are encouraged to follow Fairfax County Health Department guidance for limiting the spread of flu and other germs.
FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance are offering required student immunizations and optional flu shots without out-of-pocket costs. Events will be held at designated school system locations, with more dates planned during the school year. Participation is voluntary, and parents or guardians can review upcoming events and schedule appointments.
Students should attend school as consistently as possible but remain home when sick. Families of children with chronic illnesses should notify the school and teacher so assistance can be arranged when necessary.
Adequate sleep can also support physical and mental health. For children, sleep contributes to brain development, learning, memory, mood, immune function, and resistance to infection.
Nine Students Named Top Science Scholars
Nine FCPS students are among the 300 scholars selected for the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026, a national science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.
One scholar attends Chantilly High School, while eight attend Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, meanwhile, is seeking judges for its Saturday, March 14, event at Robinson Secondary School. More than 250 judges are needed to assess projects in subjects ranging from astronomy and plant science to biomedical engineering.
Applicants should have an advanced degree or extensive academic or professional experience in their selected category. Parents, teachers, and family friends may not judge a category involving their child, student, or a family friend’s child. Qualified volunteers must create an account and register by Sunday, March 8.
New Emergency Buttons Coming to Schools
FCPS is strengthening campus security through a new emergency management system that includes school sensors and wearable emergency response buttons for staff.
The buttons allow employees to request help quickly and discreetly while transmitting their location inside the school. They operate only on school grounds and do not require cellular service.
The devices are an additional safety measure and are not intended to replace calling 911. They may be useful when making a phone call would be unsafe or impractical.
Kindergarten and Online Registration
Families registering children for kindergarten should first confirm eligibility, identify their neighborhood school, collect the necessary documents, complete the required forms, and schedule an appointment.
The student and one caregiver must attend the school appointment. Afterward, the student will be ready for orientation and other introductory activities offered by the school.
Online registration is available for kindergarten through 12th grade. Parents must create or sign in to a SIS ParentVUE account to begin.
Dual-Language Lottery Opens
The 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion program will give kindergarten and first-grade students the opportunity to spend half of each instructional day learning in English and half in French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish.
The countywide online lottery is open to Fairfax County residents, and applicants need a SIS ParentVUE account. Children who are not already FCPS students must register at their base school before applying.
First-grade applications are due by 4 p.m. Thursday, February 12. Kindergarten applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, March 2. Informational meeting dates are listed on the FCPS calendar. Questions may be directed to Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.
Students Connect With Seniors Through Art and Conversation
South Lakes High School junior Zahra started a chapter of GlamourGals after thinking about her grandmother in Afghanistan, whom she regularly sees online but rarely visits in person.
The club, formed last year, makes monthly trips to senior living communities. Students paint residents’ nails, make crafts, and spend time talking with them.
At Hunters Woods Elementary School, sixth graders are also leaving a lasting mark through an Artist in Residence program funded by the school’s PTA. Each year, the school selects a local artist to collaborate with the departing sixth-grade class on a permanent installation. Their work joins the colorful murals and sculptures already displayed throughout the building and grounds.
Gap Year Fair Scheduled at Marshall
FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will hold the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, at Marshall High School.
The event is intended for high school students and families exploring opportunities for the year after graduation. Students should register through USA Gap Year Fairs.
Device Rules and Schoology Access
Families whose children received new phones or other devices are encouraged to review FCPS rules for cellphones and personal technology.
The policy is intended to reduce distractions, increase interaction with classmates and teachers, and strengthen independent problem-solving. It includes exceptions for medical conditions and IEP or Section 504 plans, along with rules for buses, field trips, and policy violations.
Anyone who needs to contact a student during the school day should call the school’s main office.
Parents and students can use Schoology to see assignments and teacher messages. Short instructional videos are available through the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist, and technical assistance is available through the Schoology for Parents support resources.
Meal Accommodations Available
The FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services provides reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs restrict what they can eat at school.
Families should submit documentation from a healthcare provider licensed in the United States. The information allows staff to develop meals suited to each student’s needs while maintaining safety and nutrition.
Calendar Changes and Closures
Schools and offices will be closed Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Wednesday, January 28, is the final day of the quarter and an early-release day for students. Schools will be closed to students Thursday, January 29, for staff development and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday.
SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable to students and parents during end-of-quarter updates from 4 p.m. January 28 until 6 a.m. February 5.
School policies remain publicly available. Virginia’s Standards of Quality require school divisions to notify the public annually that their policies are available for review. FCPS continuously reviews and revises its policies, regulations, and notices as needed.
Residents may request a printed copy of a directive and are entitled to receive the most current version. Historical records are maintained by the School Board office at the Gatehouse Administration Center. More information is available by calling 571-423-1075.