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Fairfax County Public Schools families face several important dates in May, including a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, immunization requirements, an early-release day and upcoming School Board action.
The School Board will hold its budget hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, before voting on the spending plan Thursday, May 21. Speakers must register by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 8. If necessary, additional speakers will be assigned to an overflow hearing Wednesday, May 13.
The board’s next regular business meeting begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7. Its agenda includes motions concerning the annual school calendar and Student Rights and Responsibilities, along with a presentation on the proposed budget.
Students Question FCPS Leaders About AI
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi recently met with student journalists representing every FCPS high school to discuss artificial intelligence in K-12 education.
The hour-long question-and-answer session was the second installment in an ongoing series of roundtables connecting student journalists with division leaders.
At Bush Hill Elementary School, students and staff celebrated another national distinction. The school was named a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School for the second time and earned a place on the 2025 ESPN Honor Roll.
Those honors made Bush Hill one of three schools selected this year for a ceremony unveiling a new National Unified Champion Schools banner. Representatives from ESPN and Special Olympics joined the April 30 celebration.
Teachers and Staff Honored for Expanding Opportunities
National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week brought attention to FCPS employees working to make school activities more accessible.
Jason Ericson of Dogwood Elementary School uses community partnerships and fundraising to support programs ranging from the Young Male Leadership Club to the annual Glowwalk and Color Fun Run.
At Justice High School, Emmeline Mejia developed a partnership with local clinics after noticing that some students struggled to meet requirements for sports tryouts. The effort helped the school register numerous students who previously could not participate.
Ericson and Mejia, along with Little Run Elementary School third-grade teacher Andrea Edmonson, were recognized as outstanding educators at the previous year’s FCPS Honors event. Reid also shared a video message thanking teachers and staff for tailoring their support to students.
Pam Lieber has spent 26 years as an instructional assistant at Kings Park Elementary School. She can log as many as 13,000 steps during a workday while helping students practice, receive feedback and build confidence.
Falls Church High School teacher Wayne Wyatt is also preparing students for life beyond the classroom. After a decades-long corporate career, he joined FCPS and began teaching practical interview habits, including confident handshakes, eye contact and professional greetings.
Tracey Wynne, a senior communications manager who joined the FCPS Office of Communications nearly 12 years ago, was also highlighted for her work informing and engaging employees, families and community members. Wynne was a finalist the previous year for Outstanding Nonschool-Based Professional Employee.
Food-Allergy Accommodations Available
During Food Allergy Awareness Month, FCPS is reminding families that its Office of Food and Nutrition Services provides reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical conditions limit what they can eat.
About one in 13 children in the United States has a food allergy. Families seeking meal changes must provide documentation from a U.S.-licensed healthcare provider so staff can develop an appropriate menu for the student.
Immunization Rules Affect Rising Seventh and 12th Graders
Students entering seventh grade must receive one dose each of the Tdap, meningococcal MenACWY and HPV vaccines before school begins.
The Tdap dose must be administered at age 7 or older, while the MenACWY dose must be given at age 10 or older. HPV vaccination is recommended at ages 11 or 12 and may begin as early as age 9. Parents and guardians may decline the HPV vaccine without submitting documentation to the school.
Students entering 12th grade should have two MenACWY doses before the school year starts, including at least one administered at age 16 or older.
Families are encouraged to schedule appointments early to avoid the summer vaccination rush. FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance will also offer required immunizations and optional flu shots to FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Participation is voluntary, and events will be held at designated school locations throughout the year.
Arts, Awards and Other FCPS Updates
Edison High School’s production of “Chicago: Teen Edition” was reviewed by Westfield High School student Grace Costanzo through the Washington-area Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, known as the Cappies. The program trains theater and journalism students to review productions at other schools and publish their work. Families can consult or subscribe to the FCPS Fine and Performing Arts calendar for upcoming middle and high school performances.
FCPS also received two honors for its financial reporting during the fiscal year that ended in June 2025. The Association of School Business Officials International presented the division with a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting, while the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
Nominations are open for the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award, which recognizes an employee, student or community member whose work has meaningfully improved educational experiences and outcomes for marginalized or underserved students. Community members, students and FCPS employees may submit nominations through Monday, May 18.
Rolling Valley Elementary School recently replaced lawn mowers with a flock of lambs. The animals grazed on the school grounds in April, trimming the grass while providing students with an unusual learning experience.
Early Release Scheduled for May 13
Elementary schools in 13 pyramids will dismiss students three hours early Wednesday, May 13. The affected pyramids are Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield and Woodson.
Veterinary-Career Scholarships Offered
FCPS Adult and Community Education has a limited number of $700 scholarships available for a 16-week veterinary-assistant course beginning June 13 at the Plum Center in Springfield.
The class covers the skills needed for veterinary-assisting jobs. Prospective scholarship applicants should contact the program by email before registering.