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Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing for its 70th Annual Regional Science Fair while expanding early-learning opportunities and introducing six student-selected breakfast items.
The March 5 update also highlighted student achievements, upcoming community events, budget feedback opportunities and several calendar changes affecting families.
Fort Belvoir Elementary School marked Read Across America Week by welcoming service members, including Master Sgt. Holly Gilmore, to read with students.
Regional Science Fair Approaches
The Regional Science Fair will return to Robinson Secondary School from March 21 through March 23.
The public can view high school students’ projects and congratulate participants during an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23.
Early Education and Budget Feedback
The proposed fiscal year 2026 FCPS budget includes investments intended to improve academic growth and give students a stronger educational foundation.
Applications are open for Pre-K and Early Head Start, which serve qualifying Fairfax County children with economic and educational risk factors. The programs cover children from 6 weeks through 4 years old.
Pre-K gives priority to 4-year-olds, although children who turn 3 by September 30 may also apply. Early Head Start operates at Clearview, Crestwood and Dogwood elementary schools. It accepts expectant mothers and parents or guardians of children ages 6 weeks to 2 years.
Space is limited and assigned according to need rather than application order. Families may apply online, by email, through the mail or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue in Falls Church. Application questions can be directed to 703-208-7900 in English or 703-208-7901 in Spanish.
Fairfax County presented its advertised fiscal year 2026 budget plan to the Board of Supervisors on February 18. Residents may respond through an online survey, email, telephone calls or county budget town halls.
Guidance for Difficult Conversations
Families were encouraged to speak with teenagers about fentanyl and other drugs, including how to respond if a friend overdoses.
Suggested approaches include choosing an informal setting without distractions, asking open-ended questions, listening without immediate judgment and revisiting the conversation regularly.
The school system also recognized its social workers, who help address social, emotional and behavioral barriers that can interfere with learning.
Students Earn Recognition and Pursue Innovation
Four 16-year-old friends from Oakton High School’s robotics team are developing an oral-cancer wellness app. The students are pursuing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Apple App Store, with hopes that the tool could eventually improve access to cancer detection worldwide.
Students from 27 Fairfax County public schools were also selected for the 2025 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, which honor young people for their work as peacemakers.
At Poe Middle School, approximately 15 students are developing practical and interpersonal skills through a coffee cart launched in November. Multiple disabilities teacher Renee Ruggles created the program to build professionalism, confidence and social skills by helping students interact with people outside their usual circles.
Public Review Opens for Math Materials
FCPS plans to introduce new mathematics resources in secondary schools during the 2025-26 academic year and in elementary schools during 2026-27.
Community members may review the proposed materials and submit comments. Printed copies will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Friday, March 21, at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 100. In-person review will be unavailable March 11 and March 12.
Feedback will go to the review committee and Fairfax County School Board before a vote expected in spring 2025.
Family Summit Scheduled at South Lakes
The free 2025 Family Summit, “Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging,” will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School.
The gathering is open to families, educators and community members. Childcare will be provided, including support from special education employees for children with significant needs. Families can request childcare while registering.
FCPS Employees Honored for Their Work
Erica Moore, a multiple disabilities teacher at Union Mill Elementary School, was among the December 2024 and January 2025 FCPS CARES honorees. Her nominator credited her with helping students find hope and confidence while supporting colleagues and children beyond normal expectations.
Other honorees were Lori Posner of Virginia Hills Early Childhood Center; Lauren Drew of Cunningham Park Elementary School; Abby Parsons of Beech Tree Elementary School; Lainie Abrams and Jennifer Stoneburg of West Potomac High School; Carlie Oddo-Bennett of Eagle View Elementary School; and Laura Steib of Columbia Elementary School.
Six New Breakfast Choices Reach Schools
During National School Breakfast Week, FCPS announced six fresh-baked breakfast additions selected with help from student food-show feedback, surveys and focus groups.
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services had served 3.3 million breakfasts during the school year as of March 5. Printable breakfast and lunch menus are available online.
Job Fair and Calendar Changes
FCPS will hold an instructional job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Registration is required. The school system is also recruiting for finance, information technology and office-support positions.
Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9, when clocks move forward by one hour. Because more students may be traveling to school or bus stops before sunrise, families were advised to use bright or reflective clothing and remind children to watch carefully for vehicles.
On Monday, March 10, elementary schools in the Edison, Hayfield, Lewis, Mount Vernon, South County, West Potomac, Annandale, Falls Church, Justice, Lake Braddock, West Springfield and Woodson pyramids will dismiss students three hours early.