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Fairfax County Public Schools families are being urged to review unpaid meal balances, prepare for upcoming schedule changes and take advantage of graduation, mental health and summer resources as the school year draws to a close.
The School Board’s next regular business meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. The agenda includes a vote on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Meeting materials and options for watching or participating are available through FCPS.
Student achievements and recognition
Nine FCPS students received awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair, held last week in Phoenix.
At the 2026 Virginia Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference, 26 FCPS students earned first-place awards. More than 90 placed among the top four in their events, qualifying them for the national conference in San Antonio in June.
FCPS also received two nominations for the 68th Capital Emmy Awards. The nominated videos are “Girls Flag Football: Be a Trailblazer — Get in the Game!” and “Touching History,” Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced in her weekly reflections.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is Thursday, May 21. FCPS highlighted accessibility education specialist Mollie Kropp’s work to make learning materials and communications available to everyone.
The school system also featured Bethany Demers’ efforts to support student mental health and well-being, along with a student-written review of Chantilly High School’s production of “As You Like It.” Gianna Pacheco of Robinson Secondary School wrote the review through the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre.
Families asked to settle meal balances
FCPS is asking families to check their students’ MySchoolBucks accounts and pay any remaining school meal balances before the academic year ends.
Families earning less than 185% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free and reduced-price meals, but they must submit a new application each school year. Those with current balances who believe they qualify can apply for the 2025-26 school year. Applications for 2026-27 are expected to become available this summer.
College and graduation resources
The National Association for College Admission Counseling has released its annual College Openings Update, listing member colleges and universities still accepting first-year and transfer applications for fall 2026.
Families can filter the frequently updated list by state and check whether institutions still have financial aid or student housing available. NACAC also offers an enrollment-deposit waiver request that some schools may consider for students facing significant financial hardship.
Students who need help applying for federal or state financial aid can contact their school counselor or college and career specialist. Free appointments are also available through College Access Fairfax at [email protected].
Graduation and promotion ceremony participants are invited to post photos on Facebook or Instagram by tagging FCPS and their school and using #FCPSgrad26. FCPS has also published its high school graduation schedule and maintains a directory of district and school social media accounts.
Educate Fairfax is sponsoring an online FCPS Alumni Network for graduates, teachers, families, caregivers and other community members. The network features stories, news, reunions, homecomings and events. Alumni-event questions may be sent to [email protected].
Mental health support remains available
FCPS high school students can receive virtual therapy at no cost for concerns including anxiety, grief, changes in mood or behavior, bullying, relationship difficulties, social skills and academic stress.
A guardian or designated school employee can make a referral. Families may call 571-749-2940 or contact an FCPS counselor, social worker, psychologist or Student Services director.
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board also provides youth services including individual and family counseling, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response and recovery assistance. Families can begin the referral process by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing [email protected].
Outside school hours, students and parents can call or text 988 for free, confidential help from trained crisis counselors. The service supports people experiencing mental health or substance-use crises as well as those concerned about someone else. Recent reports cited by FCPS indicate an 11% decline in youth suicides since 988 was introduced. Emergencies should still be reported to 911.
Students reconnect with their roots
Centreville High School senior Alexa Ralston, who also attends Chantilly Academy, returned to Union Mill Elementary School for an internship through the FCPS Teachers for Tomorrow program.
Ralston chose to work with Sara Kennedy, the special education teacher who taught her from fourth through sixth grade. Teachers for Tomorrow gives high school students practical experience in education careers.
Audrey Ortiz-Peterson, a military-connected student who attended eight schools during her K-12 years, will graduate from Mount Vernon High School in June and then attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. She joined FCPS in ninth grade.
Summer programs approach
FCPS will hold its free Summer Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Woodson High School. The family event will feature hands-on STEM and arts activities, summer-learning resources, community organizations, a petting zoo and a student engagement zone.
Students in eighth grade and above and adult volunteers can help with registration, refreshments and activities.
Registration is listed as closing Friday, June 6, for FCPS summer camps and enrichment programs. Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts programs will take place in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with buses available from selected middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp is a one-week program for current kindergarten through fifth-grade students, covering STEAM, culinary fields, health, trades, business and marketing.
The CTE Summer Academy allows students currently in grades six through 11 to explore career and technical subjects and develop related skills.
The Institute for the Arts offers two- or three-week programs for current sixth- through 11th-grade students, with nearly 90 class choices in art, dance, music, theater, health and Physical Education 9. The PE course can fulfill a graduation requirement.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students currently in grades two through five. Participants take four daily classes involving dance, music, theater and visual art with FCPS fine arts teachers.
The third annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt is also expected to begin in about three weeks. The free summer activity combines creative problem-solving with lessons about bicycling, pedestrian safety and active transportation. This year, the school with the most participants will receive a special visit from Sue Doku.
Calendar changes ahead
All FCPS schools and offices will be closed Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.
Tuesday, May 26, is a teacher workday, so students will not attend classes. Schools and offices will close again Wednesday, May 27, for Eid al-Adha.
The final day of school is Tuesday, June 17. High schools will operate from 8 to 10 a.m., while secondary schools will run from 8:10 to 10:10 a.m. Middle and elementary schools will dismiss two hours early.