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Fairfax County Public Schools families had five days left to prepare for the 2025-26 school year as of Wednesday, August 13. Classes begin Monday, August 18, with changes involving student meals, cell phones, bus technology and early-release childcare.
Families are encouraged to register their children, review the school calendar, confirm required immunizations, activate SIS ParentVUE accounts and update their contact information. They can also subscribe to school newsletters and follow their schools on social media.
National Junior Honor Society students at Stone Middle School have been helping with preparations by organizing donated backpacks for distribution on the first day.
Meals, permissions and digital accounts
Students receiving school meals should learn their student ID numbers, a new requirement this year. Families may use MySchoolBucks to purchase meals and can apply for free or reduced-price meals.
Breakfast, lunch and other menus are available online with nutrition and allergen information. Families can also request accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergies.
Through the Parent Digital Consent system, parents and caregivers may decide whether their children can use various online educational resources and how student information is managed.
Schoology parent accounts will become available after August 18. The platform allows parents to view their child’s classes, upcoming assignments and announcements. Access requires an active SIS ParentVUE account.
Early-release childcare deadline approaches
Elementary students will leave school three hours early on eight Wednesdays during the 2025-26 academic year.
FCPS recommends that children use their normal transportation arrangements on those days, including buses, walking or kiss-and-ride. Schools will provide supervised activities until the usual dismissal time when families need that option, but no new instruction will take place.
Parents requesting school-based supervision must opt in through Parent Digital Consent. Those whose children will leave at the early dismissal time or attend care arranged through SACC or another provider should opt out.
The deadline to request care for all eight Wednesdays is Monday, August 25. Later changes should be reported to the school at least one week in advance so sufficient supervision can be arranged.
Cell phones face tighter restrictions
Updated rules require elementary and middle school students to keep cell phones, smartwatches and other personal connected devices off and put away for the entire school day.
High school students must also keep devices off and away from bell to bell, except during lunch in designated spaces. They may no longer use phones during passing periods.
Across all grades, personal phones are no longer permitted as instructional tools. Families that need to contact a student during school hours should call the school’s main office.
Immunization records due before classes
Families should confirm with a health care provider that their children have received the immunizations required by Virginia.
Documentation should be submitted before school begins August 18 through SIS ParentVUE or at the school’s front office. If a required vaccination appointment is scheduled after that date, families should submit an Immunization Action Plan confirming the appointment.
FCPS also accepts a health care provider’s written statement for a temporary or permanent medical exemption or a notarized religious exemption form. Families needing vaccines can contact their providers or seek information about local clinics through FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department.
New bus technology enters pilot program
Some FCPS buses are testing a safety and routing system that includes real-time navigation, radio-frequency identification check-ins for students and live bus tracking for families.
The tablet-based technology is intended to improve safety and efficiency while giving transportation employees additional tools for managing routes.
Help offered in nine languages
FCPS family information phone lines provide assistance in nine languages. An employee will respond in the caller’s preferred language within 24 hours from Monday through Friday.
Families may use the service for questions about FCPS or their child’s education. Staff can connect callers with resources or arrange contact with the appropriate school employee.
Boundary review continues without immediate changes
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee met August 5 at the Gatehouse Administration Center to discuss community feedback and next steps in the comprehensive review.
No boundary changes have been proposed for the 2025-26 school year.
School community marks leadership and internship milestones
Spring Hill Elementary Principal Amy Briggs is preparing for her 34th first day at the school. She attended Spring Hill from kindergarten through sixth grade before returning professionally.
Briggs has worked there as a substitute teacher, student teacher, fifth-grade teacher, school-based technology specialist and assistant principal. She became principal in 2023 and describes the school as a second home.
FCPS also recently concluded its six-week summer internship program for the 2025 cohort. Participants gained experience in public education administration, worked on division projects and explored careers in education and public service.
Families can additionally review the district’s annual notice covering surveys, student records, curriculum, privacy and related rights. The notice includes explanations of those rights and opt-out forms for the 2025-26 school year.