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Fairfax County Public Schools families have a packed calendar heading into November, with a school bond referendum, student schedule changes, community meetings and several important forms and events approaching.
The division is also promoting a new mobile app that puts news, live updates, calendars, school notices and cafeteria menus in one place. The district-branded app works on iOS and Android, and much of its content is available without signing in. Families can find it by searching for “FCPS” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Bond vote and school planning
The 2025 school bond referendum will appear on the ballot Tuesday, November 4. Bond funding supports school construction and renovations, including buildings that also serve as recreation sites, polling places, houses of worship, civic meeting locations and community gathering spaces.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has also presented information about a proposed new western high school. Four draft boundary scenarios have been prepared for the school.
Meanwhile, the School Board voted to postpone any divisionwide changes to K-12 start times until at least the 2027-28 school year.
The final October meeting in the comprehensive boundary review is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Chantilly High School cafeteria. A consultant will present Scenario 4, the latest draft map, and explain changes affecting the Westfield and Chantilly pyramids.
Participants may attend in person or virtually and will have an opportunity to ask questions. Both groups can join 30 minutes early for help exploring the map through the Boundary Explorer Tool. A limited number of FCPS laptops will be available at the school.
Calendar deadlines arrive quickly
Friday, October 31, marks the end of the first quarter and will be a two-hour early-release day for students.
The gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from 4 p.m. October 31 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 10, while first-quarter processing takes place.
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, November 2, when clocks move back one hour.
Students will not have classes Monday, November 3, because of a school planning day or Tuesday, November 4, because of a teacher workday. Schools and offices will also be closed Tuesday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
Families are being asked to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey through Online Packets in SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Beginning Wednesday, November 12, schools will give paper forms to families that have not submitted the survey online.
AI moves into classrooms and community discussions
Key Center School students recently used artificial intelligence to turn their imaginary class pets into visual creations, including a Dazzle-Winged Octo-Poodle. Speech-language pathologists organized the schoolwide project, with each class working together to design a fictional pet.
The activity was intended to strengthen communication, build vocabulary and give students more opportunities to express choices.
FCPS will continue the conversation about artificial intelligence during “Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI and The Future of Learning.” The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 3, at West Springfield High School. It will include an interactive expo, partnerships with major AI companies, keynote presentations and discussions about innovation in education.
Families can find classes and transition support
The Family Academy is offering in-person and virtual programs throughout November. Scheduled topics include choosing skills to teach at home through applied behavior analysis, Spanish-language guidance for co-parenting across two homes, support for military-connected secondary students and planning for adult life in the community.
Family Resource Center webinars will address communication with twice-exceptional children, participation in the special education process, restorative justice at school and home, and ways to improve routines.
Students with disabilities and their families can also attend the annual “Moving on to Life in the Community” resource fair. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6, in the Robinson Secondary School cafeteria.
The fair, sponsored by FCPS, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, will cover supported employment, day programs, recreation, residential options, advocacy and funding for life after high school.
FCPS also provides specialized educational support for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired. Services may be delivered at a student’s school or by itinerant specialists who work across multiple campuses.
Community assistance remains available
Fairfax County’s approximately 80,000 federal employees, along with thousands of federal contractors, may use the county’s Federal Workforce Resource Hub for help navigating disruptions to federal employment or services. The hub also serves active-duty military members, veterans, nonprofits, businesses and other affected residents.
Coordinated Services Planning connects people with food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance, health care and other community resources. Help is available by calling 703-222-0880.
Residents looking for food assistance—or hoping to donate—can use the county’s Emergency Food Access Providers information to locate nearby organizations and food banks.
Student programs spotlight skills and achievement
At Holmes Middle School, a cursive club is teaching students a handwriting style that was once a standard part of classroom instruction. Participants say the skill continues to help them academically and can be useful outside school.
South County High School junior Mary Moore balances academics with globally ranked baton twirling. Described by administrators as quiet and focused during the school day, she performs in a sparkling costume during South County football games.
Paola, an autistic FCPS graduate, used a cookbook project built around her interests to support academic, personal and career development. Her progress was aided by collaboration among her family, teachers and school system.
At McNair Elementary School, kindergarten students combined a seasonal activity with mathematics by removing seeds from a pumpkin and counting them.
Youth survey points to improving mental health
During the School Board’s Academic Matters presentation, Reid discussed findings from the 2024-25 Fairfax County Youth Survey indicating that student mental health is improving.
The annual survey is anonymous and voluntary. It asks students about their behavior and experiences as well as factors that may increase risks or provide protection and support.
Employees recognized for exceptional care
The FCPS CARES program honored several employees for going beyond their usual duties to support students, families and colleagues.
Among the summer CARES of the Month recipients was Massogbe Sangare, an instructional assistant at Hayfield Secondary School. Her nomination highlighted the love and attention she gives vulnerable students and the support she provides to students, teachers and administrators.
Other recipients included Jim Bailey of Sideburn Support Center; Elizabeth Baxter of Herndon Elementary School; Jackie Garcia and Melissa Lopez of Woodburn Elementary School; Marie Sauer of Fort Hunt Elementary School; Ken Wheeler of Keene Mill Elementary School; and Gisele Gray of Fairfax High School.
Classes offer another way for families to reconnect
FCPS Adult and Community Education is encouraging parents and caregivers to take classes with teenagers or young adults as a way to spend time together.
Options include knitting, woodworking, world languages and cooking courses covering foods such as Bûche de Noël, Neapolitan pizza and focaccia. Families may register for a class together or purchase a gift card for a future course.