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Fairfax County Public Schools students can receive required immunizations and optional flu shots at upcoming clinics offered with Inspire Health Alliance. Families will have no out-of-pocket costs, and more clinic dates are expected during the school year.

Clinics will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center on Nov. 6, 18, 19 and 20. Frost Middle School will host another clinic from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Participation is voluntary, and parents or guardians may schedule appointments for their students.

Attendance and student health

FCPS is encouraging students to miss as little school as possible while reminding families to keep children home when they are sick. Parents of students with chronic illnesses should notify their child’s school and teacher so assistance can be arranged if necessary.

AI’s expanding role in FCPS

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid recently discussed a School Board work session about artificial intelligence and how the technology is being incorporated into teaching, learning and preparation for the future workforce.

FCPS will continue that discussion during “Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI” from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at West Springfield High School.

The event will examine the opportunities and challenges AI presents in education, its potential to support student achievement and workforce readiness, and the future of innovation in FCPS. It will include keynote presentations and a panel discussion, with agenda details going to registered participants.

Thomas Jefferson applications opening

Eighth graders with strong interest and ability in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can apply to join the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

The application opens at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20. Students must begin an application by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, and submit it by 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.

Students mark World Space Week with rockets

Students at Flint Hill Elementary School built rockets and tested them on the school baseball diamond. More than 50 FCPS elementary schools held Baking Soda Rocket Day activities in recognition of World Space Week.

Former Armstrong student leads school renovation

Jordan Short has returned to Armstrong Elementary School in a new role: helping renovate the school he once attended.

Short, now FCPS senior manager of Capital Projects, also attended Herndon Middle and Herndon High schools. The Armstrong project carries an added family connection because his sons Charlie and Parker attend the school in second grade and kindergarten, respectively.

School construction and renovations do not come from the division’s annual operating budget. FCPS says voter-approved bonds allow those costs to be paid over time. A $460 million bond referendum is scheduled for the November ballot, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

FCPS also highlighted how its Design and Construction Services office plans new and renovated facilities. Educational Specifications help guide projects, including features such as flexible, naturally lit libraries and safer, more efficient traffic patterns for student drop-off and pickup.

Hot supper program tested at Hybla Valley

Families attending back-to-school night at Hybla Valley Elementary had an opportunity to sample FCPS meals as the school piloted a hot supper program with the Office of Food and Nutrition Services.

The program provides free meals to students and $5 meals to adults.

The update coincided with National School Lunch Week, which emphasizes the role healthy lunches can play in children’s lives and classroom performance.

Families may apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits at any point in the school year. Income interruptions caused by furloughs, layoffs or job losses may make a household newly eligible under federal guidelines.

Once approved, benefits remain effective through the rest of the school year and for as many as 30 school days into the following year, even if the family’s income changes again.

Principals recognized for building community

FCPS highlighted Fairfax High School Principal Georgina Aye and South County Middle School Principal Justin Simmons during National Principals Month.

Both were honored at the FCPS Honors celebration in spring. Their work focuses on helping students grow and feel that they belong while ensuring teachers and parents have resources to support them.

Ombuds Office offers confidential help

Families and community members who have questions or concerns about FCPS can contact the independent and confidential Ombuds Office.

FCPS Ombuds Dawn Clements works to help people understand the school system and strengthen trust between the division and its community.

Adult education catalog reaches mailboxes

The 2025-26 FCPS Adult and Community Education course catalog is being mailed to area households.

ACE offers hundreds of in-person and online classes in continuing education, career certification, skill development and personal enrichment. Courses can also be browsed online before the printed catalog arrives.

Free and discounted bus programs available

Every Fairfax County middle and high school student can apply for a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card. It provides free trips on Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week throughout the year.

Students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church and Marshall high schools, along with Davis Center students, may also ride approved Metrobus routes free.

Children 12 or younger can ride the Fairfax Connector without charge when accompanied by a paying adult.

For adults, the Fairfax Connector Transit Ridership Incentive Program offers a 50% fare discount to qualifying low-income residents ages 18 through 65.

FCPS outlines broader measure of readiness

Reid presented the Future-Ready Index during the Academic Matters segment of the Oct. 9 School Board meeting.

The index is intended to give families a view of division performance beyond Standards of Learning scores. It measures five areas: academic excellence, safety and belonging, future-ready experiences, great teachers and support, and community investment.

Each area includes five indicators tracking progress on goals such as academic growth, graduation outcomes, school climate, engagement and access to meaningful learning opportunities.

Boundary review meetings continue

FCPS is holding 12 community meetings in October as part of its comprehensive boundary review. Each meeting covers two school pyramids, with a consultant presenting the latest draft map, known as Scenario 4, and explaining changes affecting the featured pyramids.

Upcoming sessions include:

  • A Madison Pyramid meeting from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Falls Church High School.

  • A Marshall and Falls Church pyramids meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Falls Church High School, with in-person and virtual participation.

  • A Justice and Annandale pyramids meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Annandale High School, with in-person and virtual options.

  • A South County and Hayfield pyramids meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Hayfield Secondary School, with in-person and virtual options.

  • An Edison and Lewis pyramids meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Lewis High School, with in-person and virtual options.

Registration is available for either participation format. In-person attendees may arrive 30 minutes early to explore the draft map through the Boundary Explorer Tool. FCPS will have a limited number of laptops and staff assistance available.

Virtual participants may also join 30 minutes early for help using the tool. Feedback can be submitted through the Boundary Explorer or provided to a pyramid representative on the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee.

Operational career fair set for Oct. 28. FCPS and the Fairfax County government will hold an Operational Career Fair and Networking Event from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Fairfax County Government Center.

The event will feature current and anticipated operational employment opportunities within FCPS. Registration is required by Friday, Oct. 24. Questions may be directed to the FCPS Department of Human Resources at 571-423-3000.

Schools closing for Diwali. All FCPS schools and offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 20, for the Diwali holiday.

Division restates nondiscrimination protections. FCPS says it prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities based on race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age for people 40 or older, disability or genetic information. Its sex-discrimination protections include sexual harassment, Title IX and pregnancy.

The policy applies to students, employees and members of the public. FCPS also prohibits retaliation against people who report alleged discrimination, submit formal complaints or participate in investigations.

The Office of Employee Relations handles matters involving equal employment opportunity, discrimination and sexual harassment. The Office of Special Education Procedural Support oversees program and activity concerns involving students with disabilities and can be reached at 571-423-4290.