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A special election is prompting Fairfax County Public Schools to revise its April calendar, while students celebrate major science fair wins and prepare for summer internships, budget hearings and possible boundary changes.
Tuesday, April 21, will become a teacher workday and staff development day because the election will affect every FCPS school. Elementary students will attend full instructional days on April 22 and April 29, with dismissal at the regular time instead of the previously scheduled early release.
The change preserves time for staff planning, collaboration and professional learning without cutting instruction on other school days.
Nine projects earn top science fair honors
Nine FCPS projects received grand prize awards at the 71st annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
More than 640 students presented approximately 400 high school projects spanning numerous scientific and engineering disciplines. More than 250 professionals, along with representatives from 40 professional organizations and businesses, judged the work.
Grand prize recipients are eligible for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May. Many other participants can advance to the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair in April.
At Lorton Station Elementary School, sixth grader Armaan also put advanced physics in the spotlight during the school’s SPARK Expo. He later discussed general relativity, the Einstein field equation, gravitational time dilation and efforts to connect relativity with quantum physics in a video conversation with Superintendent Michelle Reid.
Severe-weather plans and school alerts
FCPS is reminding families that its severe-weather procedures cover storms, flooding and tornadoes. Decisions rely on weather alerts, established safety practices and current conditions.
Families are encouraged to understand the distinctions among weather advisories, watches and warnings. They should also confirm that their cellphone numbers are current in SIS ParentVUE. The FCPS app can deliver push notifications when enabled.
Anyone who may have accidentally blocked school or division messages can ask the Department of Information Technology for help by submitting a ticket.
County budget feedback dates announced
Roughly 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which is considering changes to the advertised fiscal 2027 budget before its expected adoption in May.
Springfield District residents can watch a budget town hall on Channel 16 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. A Franconia District town hall will air at 6 p.m. Friday, April 10.
Public budget hearings will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, and at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16. The hearings will take place in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. Residents who want to speak must register in advance.
Western school boundary review moves ahead
The boundary study involving Skyview High School and the western FCPS pyramids is continuing. The review includes Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes and Westfield high schools, along with the elementary and middle schools that feed into them.
Including those schools is intended to keep student pathways aligned from elementary through high school when possible.
A kickoff meeting was scheduled at Westfield High School on March 25 for families in western Fairfax County. The School Board expects to vote on proposed boundaries in June. Approved changes would begin in the 2027-28 school year.
Paid summer internships open to students
FCPS is accepting applications for a six-week, paid summer internship program for high school students and recent graduates who are enrolled in post-secondary education.
The in-person program will run from Monday, July 6, through Friday, August 14. Interns will work with professionals in central-office departments on projects supporting preparations for the coming school year.
Available fields include artificial intelligence and emerging technology, business and finance, architecture and construction, communications, safety and cybersecurity, and education and advocacy. Participants will also attend weekly professional-development workshops.
Interested students must complete the program’s interest form by 5 p.m. Friday, April 10.
Student programs mark progress
The Poplar Tree Tech Squad is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Students create instructional videos, assist staff with computer maintenance and teach younger classmates to use digital tools such as the Lexia literacy program.
FCPS is also reporting progress from its Walk to Read pilot for third graders in Early Literacy Project Momentum schools. Students move to a 30-minute reading-intervention block organized around their abilities and specific needs.
Between fall 2025 and winter 2026, the program recorded double-digit declines in below-grade-level performance on the third-grade i-Ready assessment.
Middle school theater programs were also highlighted during the March 19 School Board meeting. FCPS is among a small number of school divisions nationwide offering a comprehensive middle school theater curriculum.
About 4,500 students take part in the academic curriculum, while more than 4,000 participate in extracurricular theater activities including musicals, short plays, drama clubs and field trips.
Special education award nominations near deadline
Nominations for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA Awards remain open through Friday, March 27.
The awards honor educators, employees, volunteers and community members who provide exceptional support to students receiving special education services. Nominees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists and other people who have made a meaningful difference for students and their families.
Calendar and School Board reminders
Friday, March 27, is the final day of the third quarter and an early-release day for students.
Spring break runs from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3. Students will also remain home Monday, April 6, for a teacher workday and Friday, April 10, for a school planning day.
Graduation ceremony dates, times and locations are available through the school division’s calendar resources.
Tom Dannan was sworn in as the Braddock District representative before the March 19 School Board meeting.
The board’s next regular business meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26.