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Fairfax County Public Schools is celebrating a Virginia first at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where women have been appointed to lead both the varsity baseball and football programs. The appointments make them the first female head coaches of those sports at the high school varsity level in the state.
The achievement leads a busy stretch for FCPS that also includes Olympic alumni, proposed discipline changes, new school boundaries, student events and several calendar adjustments.
Olympic alumni and student honors
As Team USA competes at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, FCPS is recognizing two alumni whose athletic careers carried them from Fairfax County schools to the international stage.
Four current FCPS students also earned awards in the 2026 National YoungArts Foundation Competition. They were among more than 700 winners selected through a competitive application and judging process involving panels of artists from specific disciplines.
At Sandburg Middle School, instructional assistant Jae Lemeshewsky, known as Ms. L, was named the FCPS CARES of the Quarter recipient by FCPS and Educate Fairfax. Lemeshewsky is recognized for warmly welcoming students and colleagues. Her tradition of giving new staff members a potted plant and a $2 bill has come to symbolize growth and good fortune within the school community.
Families asked to weigh in on discipline rules
FCPS parents, caregivers, and middle and high school students have been invited by email to complete a voluntary, confidential survey about proposed revisions to the Student Rights and Responsibilities document for the next school year. Anyone who did not receive the message is advised to check their spam folder.
The proposals include standardized discipline charts intended to provide comparable consequences and support for students in the same grade. FCPS is also considering standards for in-school suspensions involving students with Individualized Education Programs or 504 Plans, along with translation accommodations when multilingual learners give statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey remains open through Friday, February 20.
Students can help shape an inaugural summit
The first FCPS Student Summit will bring high school students together to present ideas and recommendations directly to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new western high school.
Discussions are expected to address access to programs and resources, skill development, micro-credentials, artificial intelligence literacy and priorities identified by students.
FCPS is also accepting applications for the summit’s student planning committee through Monday, February 16. Two students from each high school will be chosen to collaborate with peers, contribute ideas and earn community service hours.
Black History Month celebration set for February 25
FCPS will hold its second annual Black History Month celebration, “Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 25, at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The gathering will recognize the history, strength and contributions of the Black community through student performances and a keynote address by the Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Families and community members are invited, and light refreshments will be served.
New boundaries now available to families
The FCPS Boundary Explorer Tool has been updated following the School Board’s approval of changes from the division’s comprehensive boundary review. Families can enter their addresses to see their assigned schools for the 2026-27 academic year or consult street listings organized by elementary, middle and high school.
FCPS plans to contact families receiving new assignments. The approved changes will begin in 2026-27 and will be phased in as specified by Policy 8130.
A separate boundary process for the new high school in western Fairfax County is expected to begin soon. The final decision is due by June, but those boundaries will not take effect until the 2027-28 school year.
The School Board is scheduled to vote Thursday, February 12, on a name for the new high school. It is also expected to consider the division’s proposed capital projects for 2027 through 2031.
Closures and schedule changes ahead
All FCPS schools and offices will be closed Monday, February 16, for Presidents Day. Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher workday, with no classes for students.
Schools will reopen Wednesday, February 18, which is designated as a religious and cultural observance day. Events that cannot be made up will not be scheduled that day.
Elementary schools in 13 pyramids will dismiss three hours early on February 18: Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield and Woodson.
Superintendent Reid is also encouraging students and employees to wear bright or tropical clothing Thursday, February 19, as part of the division-wide “FCPS Thaw” spirit day.
Police step up school-zone enforcement
Fairfax County police are conducting targeted enforcement near schools, crosswalks and bus routes during School Zone Enforcement Month in February.
Officers will focus on speeding in school zones, pedestrian-safety violations and motorists who pass stopped school buses. Drivers must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights.
One-day discount offered on FCPS classes
FCPS Adult and Community Education will offer 10% off all classes purchased Monday, February 16. The Presidents Day promotion covers the full catalog, including student driver’s education and SAT preparation courses, career training, professional development and recreational classes.