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Fairfax County Public Schools is celebrating standout student achievements while preparing families for curriculum reviews, budget hearings and several upcoming calendar changes.
Five FCPS teams and 36 individual athletes won Virginia High School League Class 6 championships during the 2024-25 winter season. Another five teams and 35 individuals finished as state runners-up.
Four Herndon High School students also won the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, which asks area students to create healthy meals they would want served in school cafeterias. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services plans to adapt the team’s winning recipe and offer it in lunchrooms across the division.
At Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, student Ray Zhang placed 10th nationally in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search, a major science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.
New opportunities and student support
FCPS expanded its athletic offerings this school year by introducing girls wrestling and boys volleyball at all 25 high schools. The programs attracted 239 girls and 440 boys.
The additions follow the introduction of winter cheer at high schools last year and cross country and track and field at middle schools. Participation in activities outside the classroom is linked to stronger attendance, academic performance, self-esteem, mental health and feelings of belonging, along with a lower likelihood of risky behavior.
Career and Transition Services are helping students with individualized education programs prepare for life after high school. Along with classroom instruction in workplace and independent-living skills, students can participate in work-based learning through more than 50 business and community partners.
Kilmer Middle School, meanwhile, is recognizing positive behavior through a referral program that highlights students’ good deeds and habits. Staff members display the referrals in a cafeteria window, and recognized students receive coupons for snacks donated by the Kilmer PTA.
March’s National Arts in Our Schools Month also brought recognition for Angela Ah Ryoung Sung, an art teacher at Sangster Elementary School and a finalist for the 2024 Outstanding Elementary School New Teacher award. Her work focuses on encouraging creativity and showcasing young artists’ abilities.
Superintendent schedules community conversations
Superintendent Michelle Reid will hold a series of public conversations where community members can ask questions and share their views about FCPS. Each event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
- Thursday, March 20, at Cunningham Park Elementary School
- Monday, March 24, at Kings Park Elementary School
- Tuesday, April 1, at Lorton Station Elementary School
- Monday, April 7, at Greenbriar West Elementary School
- Monday, April 21, at Mount Eagle Elementary School
- Wednesday, April 23, at Mason Crest Elementary School
The events are open to everyone, with childcare and interpretation services available.
Families urged to discuss fentanyl risks
During National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, families are being encouraged to talk with teenagers about fentanyl.
Even a few salt-sized grains can cause an overdose, and half of a fentanyl-laced pill may be fatal. As of 2023, seven in 10 counterfeit pills nationally contained enough fentanyl to cause a deadly overdose, while more than half of local street pills were reported to contain a fatal dose.
People often consume fentanyl unknowingly because it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in pills or powders. An overdose can deprive the brain of oxygen, potentially causing brain damage or death in as little as four minutes.
Developmental services available for young children
Families concerned about an infant, toddler or preschooler can seek assistance for difficulties involving communication, motor development, self-help, problem-solving or attention.
The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia provides evaluations and services for 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 children who may require special education services between 20 months and age 5, although children must turn 2 by September 30.
FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services offers a free referral process for potential delays or disabilities. Eligible children receive special education services. Families can call 571-423-4121 with questions or to request a referral.
Community can review new mathematics materials
FCPS plans to introduce new mathematics instructional resources for middle and high school students in the 2025-26 academic year. Elementary schools are scheduled to begin using new resources in 2026-27.
Community members may review the proposed materials and submit comments. Hard 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.
Feedback will go to the review committee and local education officials before a vote on the curriculum in spring 2025.
Budget process moves toward public hearings
Education officials are scheduled to present the fiscal year 2026 school budget to county supervisors on Tuesday, April 22.
Public hearings will run from Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Residents may submit testimony, register to speak or complete an online survey about the county’s advertised fiscal year 2026 budget.
Calendar and gradebook closures ahead
Friday, March 28, is the final day of the third quarter and remains a full school day.
All schools and offices will close Monday, March 31, for Eid al-Fitr. Tuesday, April 1, is a teacher workday, so students will not attend school.
The Gradebook within SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will also close for end-of-quarter processing from 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, until 6 a.m. Monday, April 7.