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Fairfax County Public Schools began warning drivers on April 9 about illegally passing stopped school buses, launching a 30-day education period before citations start May 12.
Stop-arm cameras have been installed on 50 FCPS buses to identify motorists who drive past while children are boarding or exiting. Virginia law requires drivers approaching from either direction to stop when a school bus has flashing red lights and an extended stop sign. The exception is when a barrier or median separates the vehicle’s lane from the bus. Drivers must remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus begins moving.
Budget debate and start-time survey
FCPS says Fairfax County’s advertised budget leaves the school system $150 million short of its requested funding for the next fiscal year. School officials argue that full funding is needed to limit class sizes, retain highly qualified teachers and offer compensation that allows educators to live and work in Fairfax County.
The School Board is scheduled to receive a presentation on the fiscal year 2026 budget during its April 10 meeting. Fairfax County’s budget-priorities survey remains open through April 24.
Parents, caregivers and students in grades 5 through 12 also have until April 12 to complete a confidential survey about potentially changing school start times. Survey reminders were emailed April 7.
The School Board’s regular business meeting begins at 7 p.m. April 10 at Jackson Middle School. The agenda includes the third-quarter budget review, an update on the fiscal year 2026 approved budget and the awarding of contracts.
Military-connected students recognized
April marks the Month of the Military Child, with the 2025 theme “Celebrating Military Children and Youth: Building Stronger Character and Relationships.” Superintendent Michelle Reid and Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. David Stewart helped open the observance.
Nearly half of FCPS schools have received Virginia’s “military friendly” designation. Reid wants FCPS to become a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year.
A forthcoming Family Academy workshop will also explain the Advanced Academic Program to military families.
Family programs and student support
FCPS is directing families to several services, including Fairfax County’s School Age Child Care program, school communications, family liaisons and the Family Academy’s classes, webinars and workshops.
Upcoming Family Academy offerings include sessions on co-parenting across two homes, an orientation to FCPS, Lexia learning support, cognitive disabilities, twice-exceptional students and teen development. Some programs are available in multiple languages. Families enrolling children in kindergarten can use the school division’s five-step registration process and are encouraged to register promptly.
All FCPS high school students can access weekly teletherapy sessions with licensed therapists through Hazel Health at no cost. The service is available for concerns including anxiety, behavioral changes and difficulties involving peer or family relationships.
Families are also being encouraged to speak with teenagers during spring break about fentanyl, other drugs and overdoses, including how to recognize and respond to a suspected overdose.
People seeking help with food, housing, rent, utilities, health care, job training or transportation can contact 211 Virginia by dialing 211. The service also provides information about volunteer and donation opportunities.
Soccer program ties participation to school success
At Lewis High School, varsity soccer players created an alternative league open to all students after recognizing that many classmates were unlikely to make the highly competitive varsity team.
The student-run program is intended to widen access to the sport while encouraging stronger grades, better attendance and greater community involvement.
FCPS students and staff collect honors
South Lakes High School’s Jordan Scott was named the Virginia High School League Class 6 Boys Player of the Year. Woodson High School’s Doug Craig received Coach of the Year honors, while several other FCPS athletes earned first- and second-team selections.
FCPS students secured 31 national Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: one American Visions Medal, 11 Gold Medals, 16 Silver Medals and three portfolio honorable mentions.
In the 2025 regional writing competition, student writers received 196 Gold Key, Silver Key and honorable-mention awards, including 24 Gold Keys. Gold Key entries automatically advanced for national consideration.
Four FCPS projects won grand prizes at the Virginia Science and Engineering Fair, where 62 students from the school division participated.
Carson Middle School’s counseling program earned the American School Counselor Association’s 2025 Recognized ASCA Model Program designation. The honor recognizes comprehensive counseling programs that demonstrate benefits for all students.
Librarian honored for promoting books and student authors
Holmes Middle School head librarian Jen Blanco was among the February FCPS CARES of the Month recipients. Her nomination credited her with expanding access to diverse books, celebrating reading and recognizing student authors.
Other recipients were Jacqueline Massingill of the Transition Support Resource Center-Herndon; Bethany Slingerland of Madison High School; Emily Bradshaw and Ashley Lowry of McLean High School; William Hurd of Fort Hunt Elementary School; Kathryn Stevens of Cherry Run Elementary School; Dara Markenson of Fairfax High School; and Holmes Principal Serena Giron.
FCPS also marked National Assistant Principals Week by recognizing administrators for supporting students, teachers and positive school environments.
Boundary information expands to six additional languages
A video explaining the Comprehensive School Boundary Review is now available in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and Urdu, as well as English. It defines terms including attendance zones, attendance islands and split feeders.
At Hunt Valley Elementary School, families recently explored science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through activities involving a parachute and wind tunnel, 3D printing, MicroBit coding and other math and science concepts.
Spring break runs from April 14 through April 18. Schools and school offices will be closed to the public, and the next weekly FCPS update is scheduled for April 23.