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Fairfax County Public Schools will open two hours late on Thursday, February 5, and Friday, February 6. Schools will begin two hours after their regular start times, while central and school offices will open on schedule.
The division plans to provide updates about the following week on Sunday afternoon.
Families should expect possible transportation delays until roads and bus stops are fully cleared of snow. The Office of Transportation Services will notify families if road conditions require bus-stop changes. Route delays exceeding 10 minutes will appear on the division’s bus-delay tracker, and parents will receive an email when a bus is more than 30 minutes late.
To receive urgent weather alerts, families should ensure their cellphone numbers are current in ParentVUE. They can also download the FCPS mobile app and enable push notifications.
During three weather-related days off last week, the Office of Food and Nutrition Services distributed more than 4,000 meal kits to students, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid said in her weekly update.
Students and staff earn recognition
More than 800 FCPS students have been named National Merit Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
The school division has also launched ARTiFAX, an art-recognition program for students in grades seven through 12 who are enrolled in visual-arts programs. The inaugural ARTiFAX Awards honored 299 student-submitted works for artistic achievement, creative development and student voice.
At London Towne Elementary, school counselor Malik Watkins recently reconnected with Chrissy McLaughlin, the fifth-grade teacher who helped shape his career path. McLaughlin now works as a school-based technology specialist at Navy Elementary.
Justice High School students also brought “Clue: On Stage” to life in a production reviewed through the Washington-area Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, known as the Cappies. The program trains theater and journalism students to critique productions at other schools. Hayfield Secondary School student Allison Rigsbee wrote the review.
Families interested in upcoming middle and high school performances can consult or subscribe to the FCPS Fine and Performing Arts calendar.
Budget hearing approaches
Community members can weigh in on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during the School Board’s Tuesday, February 10, work session and public hearing.
Anyone wishing to speak at the hearing must register by 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 6. Budget presentations, slides and additional information are available through the division’s budget resources.
Kindergarten open houses begin this spring
FCPS elementary schools will hold kindergarten open houses this spring for families whose children will enter school in August. Parents should contact their school directly if it does not appear on the division’s published open-house list.
School-readiness resources are available to help families prepare children for the transition. FCPS also offers a five-step kindergarten registration process.
Phone restrictions remain in effect
FCPS is reminding students that cellphones and other connected personal devices, including earbuds and headsets, must remain turned off and put away throughout the school day.
The restrictions include passing periods, and phones generally may not be used as instructional tools. Limited exceptions apply to some students with medical needs, individualized education programs or 504 plans. High school students may use devices during lunch in designated areas.
Parents who need to reach a student during the school day should call the school.
Events, meals and calendar dates
A Black History Month celebration titled “Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence” will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 25, at Carter G. Woodson High School. The community is invited.
Student feedback is also helping shape future cafeteria menus. Nearly 200 students sampled 20 dishes during the Office of Food and Nutrition Services’ third annual Food Show in December. The selections included student-developed recipes and the winning entry from the Mystery Basket Throwdown.
From February 18 through March 19, students who fast during the day may take home meal kits containing one breakfast and one lunch. Families must submit a separate request each week for every participating student. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week beginning February 16.
The meals will be charged at normal school-day rates. Students must collect the kits at the end of the school day, and the food will be suitable for reheating at home. Questions may be directed to the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
All schools and offices will be closed Monday, February 16, for Presidents Day. Tuesday, February 17, will be a teacher workday with no classes for students.
Students will return Wednesday, February 18, which is a religious and cultural observance day. Classes will be held, but events that cannot be rescheduled will not take place that day.