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Fairfax County Public Schools students earned major athletic, culinary and scientific honors during the 2024-25 school year, while the division announced community meetings, curriculum reviews and several important calendar dates.
Students earn statewide and national recognition
Five FCPS teams and 36 individual athletes won Virginia High School League Class 6 championships during the 2024-25 winter season. Another five teams and 35 individuals finished as state runners-up.
Four Herndon High School students also won the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, which asks area students to create healthy meals they would want served in school cafeterias. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services plans to adapt the team’s winning recipe and offer it in lunchrooms across the division.
Ray Zhang, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, placed 10th in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. The national program is the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.
Community conversations scheduled with superintendent
Superintendent Michelle Reid will hold a series of public conversations where community members can ask questions and share feedback about FCPS. Each event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
- Thursday, March 20, at Cunningham Park Elementary School
- Monday, March 24, at Kings Park Elementary School
- Tuesday, April 1, at Lorton Station Elementary School
- Monday, April 7, at Greenbriar West Elementary School
- Monday, April 21, at Mount Eagle Elementary School
- Wednesday, April 23, at Mason Crest Elementary School
The meetings are open to everyone, with childcare and interpretation services available.
Kilmer rewards students for positive behavior
Kilmer Middle School staff members are recognizing good deeds and constructive habits through positive referrals.
The written acknowledgments are displayed in the school cafeteria window. Recognized students also receive coupons that can be redeemed for snacks donated by the Kilmer PTA.
March’s National Arts in Our Schools Month observance is also highlighting Angela Ah Ryoung Sung, an art teacher at Sangster Elementary School and a finalist for the 2024 Outstanding Elementary School New Teacher award. Sung is being recognized for encouraging creativity and showcasing the work of young artists.
Families urged to discuss fentanyl risks
During National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, families are being encouraged to speak with teenagers about fentanyl and the danger posed by counterfeit pills.
A few grains of fentanyl—particles roughly the size of salt—can cause an overdose, and even half of a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. As of 2023, seven in 10 counterfeit pills in the United States contained enough fentanyl to cause a deadly overdose.
People often consume the drug unknowingly because fentanyl cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste when mixed into pills or powders. An overdose can deprive the brain of oxygen, potentially causing brain damage or death in as little as four minutes.
Developmental services available for young children
Families concerned about an infant, toddler or preschooler can seek help for possible difficulties involving communication, motor development, self-care, problem-solving or attention.
The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia provides evaluations and early-intervention services for children from birth through 36 months who have developmental delays, disabilities or medical conditions that could affect development. Parents can call 703-246-7121 to discuss concerns.
Early Childhood Child Find identifies children who may require special education services between 20 months and age 5. Children must turn 2 by September 30.
FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services offers a free referral process for potential developmental delays or disabilities. Children found eligible can receive special education services. Families may call 571-423-4121 with questions or to make a referral.
New sports draw hundreds of participants
During a School Board update on equitable access and opportunity, Reid discussed efforts to make electives, enrichment programs and extracurricular and co-curricular activities consistently available.
Participation in activities outside the classroom is associated with better attendance, academic performance and college enrollment. It is also linked to greater self-esteem, stronger mental health and a deeper sense of belonging, along with a reduced likelihood of risky behavior.
All 25 FCPS high schools added girls wrestling and boys volleyball during the school year. The programs attracted 239 girls and 440 boys. Winter cheer was introduced at high schools the previous year, while cross country and track and field were added at middle schools.
FCPS is also working with more than 50 businesses and community organizations to provide workplace and other real-world learning opportunities. Career and Transition Services helps students with individualized education programs build classroom, workplace and independent-living skills as they prepare for life after high school.
Community can review new math materials
New mathematics instructional resources are scheduled to reach FCPS middle and high schools in the 2025-26 school year. Elementary schools are expected to begin using new resources in 2026-27.
Community members can review the proposed materials and submit comments. Hard copies will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Friday, March 21, at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 100.
Feedback will be provided to the review committee and the Fairfax County School Board before the board’s anticipated curriculum vote in spring 2025.
Budget hearings set for April
The School Board is scheduled to present its proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22.
The Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings from Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Residents can submit written testimony, register to speak or complete an online survey about the county’s advertised FY 2026 budget.
Quarter’s end brings closures and schedule changes
Friday, March 28, is the final day of the third quarter and remains a full school day.
All FCPS schools and offices will close Monday, March 31, for Eid al-Fitr. Tuesday, April 1, is a teacher workday, and students will not attend school.
The Gradebook feature in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable during end-of-quarter processing from 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, until 6 a.m. Monday, April 7.