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Fairfax County Public Schools students will attend classes on Veterans Day during the 2026-27 school year, a calendar change that moves their final day to Wednesday, June 16, 2027.
The School Board directed Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to make Veterans Day a standard instructional day. The current school year will still end as scheduled on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Election Day Closures and Calendar Changes
Students will not have school Tuesday, April 21, because of Virginia’s statewide election, though activities, athletic practices and events may continue as scheduled.
Participating schools will provide free lunch and a snack that day to children 18 and younger. Meals must be eaten on site.
Elementary students will have full instructional days with regular dismissal times on April 22 and April 29. Both dates had previously been scheduled as early-release Wednesdays. The adjustment is intended to preserve staff planning, collaboration and professional-learning time without cutting instruction on other days.
Thursday, April 16, is Theravada New Year and a designated religious and cultural observance day. Schools remain open, but mandatory tests, field trips and major events will not be scheduled.
Dunn Loring Services Moving to Pimmit Hills
Family support services at the Dunn Loring Center will permanently relocate as the building undergoes renovations and returns to use as a school.
The Family Resource Center will close Monday, May 4. Student registration appointments will end Friday, May 8, followed by early-childhood testing appointments on Friday, May 15.
All affected services are scheduled to reopen at the Pimmit Hills Center on Monday, June 1.
Holmes Teacher Takes Cursive Club to National Television
Sherisse Kenerson, a multilingual learner specialist at Holmes Middle School, appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on April 14.
Kenerson advises the school’s after-school Cursive Club, which has attracted national attention during the school year. She teaches cursive handwriting to students eager to learn the skill.
Community Meetings and Family Events
Reid will hold three Community Conversations where Fairfax County residents can ask questions and offer feedback. Each event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
- Thursday, April 16, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
- Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
- Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
The meetings are open to everyone. Registration is optional but helps organizers arrange child care and interpretation.
More than 500 families and community members are expected at the 2026 Special Education Family Conference on Saturday, April 18, at Marshall High School. Registration can also be used to request accommodations, including language interpretation. The program includes a keynote speaker, breakout sessions and a vendor hall.
Families of rising middle school students can attend a webinar at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, about staying involved in their children’s education and maintaining strong relationships with schools.
An interactive digital-safety workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at the Mason District Government Center. It will cover popular apps and social platforms, conversations about online safety and strategies for building healthy technology habits.
Hundreds Selected for State Music Ensembles
A total of 217 FCPS high school students were chosen to perform at the 2026 All-Virginia Band, Chorus and Orchestra event. Another 56 students were selected for the 2026 All-Virginia Middle School Chorus event.
Marshall High School students also explored public-service careers at the Marshall Academy 2026 Future Force Career Pathways Expo, where participants met a U.S. Park Police horse.
Schools Recognize Military-Connected Students
Students from military families were honored for handling deployments, frequent changes and added responsibilities at home. Staff and students wore purple to demonstrate support for military-connected children and their families.
The school division also supports those families through Purple Star schools, school communities and programs designed to help students feel welcomed and connected.
Spring Testing Brings Attendance Push
Students will soon take spring assessments based on their grade levels and courses, including Standards of Learning tests and Measures of Academic Progress tests. Individual schools determine their testing dates and notify families through newsletters and emails.
Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOL exams. Lower participation can affect accreditation, accountability ratings and the accuracy of student-progress measurements.
Families are encouraged to make sure students attend on testing days, sleep well, eat breakfast and follow the cell phone policy. Schools should be notified promptly about scheduling conflicts.
Nearly half of FCPS students in fifth through ninth grades pass a math SOL above their enrolled grade level, a result credited to students, families, teachers and available academic resources.
County Budget Decisions Approach
About 70% of the school division’s budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which is reviewing the advertised fiscal 2027 budget before its expected adoption in May.
Residents can comment during a public hearing at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the Government Center Board Auditorium. Advance registration is available for those who want to speak.
Developmental Support Available for Young Children
Families concerned about a young child’s communication, motor skills, self-help abilities, problem-solving or attention can seek developmental evaluations and services.
The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia serves children from birth through 36 months who have developmental delays or medical conditions that could affect development. Parents can call 703-246-7121.
Early Childhood Child Find identifies possible special-education needs in children between 20 months and 5 years old. Children must turn 2 by September 30, 2026.
Early Childhood Identification and Services offers a free referral process for potential delays or disabilities, with special-education services available to children found eligible. Families with questions can call 571-423-4121.
Employees Honored for Supporting Students
Instructional coach Chanel Favors of Bucknell Elementary School was among the February CARES of the Month recipients after organizing a school career day.
Principal Rashida Green said presenters discussed their professions while emphasizing perseverance, education and self-belief. Green described the event as an investment in students’ futures that helped them see their goals as achievable.
Other honorees were Dave Martinez of Merrifield Support Center; Carlos D’Alvano and Cynthia Stowers of South Lakes High School; Veronica Perez of Belvedere Elementary School; Karen Bernat of Centreville Elementary School; Von-Michael Corpuz of Chantilly High School; and Mallorie Joyner of Lewis High School.
Additional Student Programs and Safety Resources
Elementary students attending Spring Sprouts during spring break worked in small groups to strengthen fundamental math and literacy skills.
The School Board also received an update on its Strong Start: PreK-12 goal, with an emphasis on English Language Development. Reid highlighted rigorous instruction for multilingual learners and the role those resources can play in building academic skills and confidence.
Families are being encouraged to speak with teenagers about fentanyl, overdoses, how to recognize an overdose and how to respond.
National Drug Take Back Day will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25. Residents can bring unused or expired prescription medications to participating collection sites for monitored disposal, helping prevent misuse, accidental poisoning and environmental harm.
Virginia’s Emergency Substantial Risk Orders law bars people found to pose a threat to themselves or others from buying, possessing or transporting firearms. Fairfax County residents concerned about someone’s behavior involving a gun can call the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. Anyone facing immediate danger should call or text 911.