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Fairfax County Public Schools families face several important dates in the coming weeks, including the release of a proposed budget, a survey on cellphone rules and deadlines for dual-language programs.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is scheduled to present the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during the School Board meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 23. The meeting will air on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99, Verizon Channel 11, YouTube and the school system’s website.
Recordings of School Board meetings and work sessions are available online, including Spanish-dubbed meetings. Families seeking language interpretation or American Sign Language support for a meeting may contact the board clerk.
Construction plan heads toward February vote
FCPS has revised its plans for school construction, renovations and capacity improvements through the proposed fiscal year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program.
The plan, updated annually to account for changing school conditions and construction costs, was discussed at a School Board work session and presented at a public hearing. The board is scheduled to vote on it Thursday, February 6.
Eight students earn national science honors
Eight FCPS students were named scholars in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. They were among 300 students selected from nearly 2,500 entrants nationwide.
Cellphone policy survey opens January 21
Parents, caregivers, staff members and middle and high school students will be invited to weigh in on possible changes to Student Rights and Responsibilities, cellphone policies and phone-storage options.
Survey invitations are scheduled to arrive by email Tuesday, January 21. Responses will be accepted through Monday, February 3.
Language-immersion lottery deadlines approach
Registration for the countywide Dual Language Immersion lottery for rising first graders remains open until 4 p.m. Thursday, February 13. Current prekindergarten students may apply for kindergarten immersion through 4 p.m. Thursday, March 6.
French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish programs will be available during the 2025-26 school year. Families can also attend informational meetings at participating schools.
Families urged to prepare for extreme cold
Schools are asking families to send children outdoors with warm coats and other suitable winter clothing. Officials monitor temperatures, wind chills and weather advisories when deciding whether students can participate in recess or outdoor physical education.
Families who need cold-weather clothing may contact their school’s family liaison. Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning also offers multilingual help with clothing and other needs, including food, housing, employment, financial assistance and health care, at 703-222-0880.
Gap Year Fair planned at Marshall High School
High school students considering alternatives for the year after graduation can attend the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, at Marshall High School.
The event, co-hosted by FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas, will introduce students and their families to available gap-year opportunities. Advance registration is requested through USA Gap Year Fairs.
Virtual boundary meetings continue
Families who missed an in-person Community Boundary Review meeting can participate in virtual sessions on:
- Thursday, January 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Each session will present the same information as the in-person meetings. Registration is required to receive a unique Zoom link, and attendance is limited to 400 participants per session. Language interpretation will be available.
Mason Crest students welcome newcomers
A student-led group at Mason Crest Elementary School is helping new classmates adjust to campus life.
Teachers Monica Buckhorn, Ellyn Pearson and Kimberley Mathews created the Tiger Team about a year ago to strengthen the school community, help arriving students settle in and potentially improve attendance.
The effort responds to frequent enrollment changes at Mason Crest. During the 2023-24 school year, the school recorded a 21.7% mobility rate, compared with the FCPS average of 13.25%.
Band director marks decades with Washington’s marching band
Holmes Middle School band director Luis Perez is in his 29th year at the school and his 28th year playing trumpet with the Washington Commanders Marching Band. Two of his former students also perform with the group.
Meanwhile, first graders in Rebekah Griffith’s class recently practiced consonant blends through a classroom activity involving colors beginning with “br” and “bl.” The lesson was part of Benchmark, FCPS’ new literacy curriculum.
School calendar changes and gradebook closure
Schools and offices will be closed Monday, January 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the presidential inauguration.
Tuesday, January 28, is the final day of the second quarter and will remain a full school day. Students will not attend school Wednesday, January 29, because of Lunar New Year and a teacher workday.
The SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE gradebook will be unavailable from 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, while quarter grades are processed.
Stuff the Bus returns for food drive
Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus campaign will begin collecting food at select locations Saturday, January 18.
Now in its 14th year, the partnership between the county government and local nonprofit organizations has gathered more than 220 tons of food for people experiencing food insecurity.