Article Text

Fairfax County Public Schools is offering student meal kits during two planned days off while also moving forward with boundary changes affecting nearly 1,700 students and a proposed fiscal 2027 budget that would restore staff positions and reduce some class sizes.

Meal kits available during school closures

Food and Nutrition Services will distribute meal kits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30, at designated schools.

Each kit will include a meal and a healthy snack. Children do not need to accompany an adult collecting a kit, and no identification or proof of eligibility is required.

Schools are closed to students January 29 for staff development and January 30 for a teacher workday.

Proposed budget focuses on staffing and compensation

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the proposed fiscal 2027 budget to the School Board on January 22.

The plan would begin reversing reductions made in the previous budget by fully restoring staff positions and lowering certain class sizes. It also continues multiyear programs involving certified athletic trainers at every high school, family liaisons, fine and performing arts stipends, student athletics and activities, K-12 robotics, and math certification and credentialing for educators.

Competitive compensation for all employees is another budget priority. The School Board is scheduled to discuss the proposal during a work session Tuesday, February 10.

Boundary changes will affect 46 schools

The School Board approved recommended adjustments developed through the school division’s comprehensive boundary review.

The adopted changes currently affect almost 1,700 students across 46 schools and are scheduled to take effect with the 2026-27 school year.

Transportation safety and technology highlighted

During a strategic-plan update at the January 22 School Board meeting, Reid discussed transportation under the goal of ensuring students are safe, supported, included and empowered.

The presentation highlighted how employees and technology help keep students safe, connected and supported aboard school buses.

Girls wrestling grows rapidly at Westfield

Varsity girls wrestling, now in its second season as an official FCPS sport, has become one of the division’s fastest-growing athletic programs.

Westfield High School’s team expanded from eight wrestlers during its inaugural season to 22 this season. The program emphasizes athletic development along with character and life skills.

Veterinary students practice with plush patients

Students in Chantilly Academy’s Veterinary Science program recently used stuffed animals and veterinary ultrasound simulators for a hands-on lesson.

The unusual training experience was made possible with help from a Chantilly High School alumnus.

Kindergarten registration gets underway

Families with children entering kindergarten are encouraged to register early so schools can plan staffing and resources before the first day of classes.

Schools generally hold registration and orientation events during the spring, although eligible children may be enrolled throughout the summer. Families should first determine which school their child will attend, then collect the required documents and complete the registration forms.

Registration assistance and transition resources are available to families, including support in languages other than English.

February programs offer help for families

The Family Academy will hold in-person and virtual classes, workshops and webinars during February.

Scheduled subjects include co-parenting across two households, offered in English and Spanish; career pathways for students; and a Lexia family information night.

Family Resource Center webinars will address Early Childhood Identification Services, helping children develop flexibility, the social lives of twice-exceptional students, questions to ask when a school calls, and caregiver self-care.

Athletics investigation finds 2024 rule violations

An independent investigation into student-athlete transfers and eligibility practices at Fairfax High School and Hayfield Secondary School found violations of Virginia High School League rules during 2024.

The law firm Baker McKenzie LLP conducted the investigation and delivered its findings and recommendations to the School Board and superintendent. Numerous corrective measures were implemented during 2025 to address weaknesses in division systems and processes and improve future compliance with VHSL requirements.

Student representative application opens

Students currently in grades nine through 11 may apply to become the School Board’s student representative. The representative advocates for student interests in a nonvoting advisory role and is not a School Board member.

Applicants must submit a written component by Monday, February 23, and a 30-second candidate video by Monday, March 16. Candidates are expected to receive a recording link by email Monday, March 2. Both components are required for election consideration.

Instructional job fair planned for February 7

FCPS will hold an in-person instructional job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 7, at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

The division is seeking teachers with strong student-engagement abilities and an interest in contributing to school communities. Attendees will have opportunities to network and interview with school representatives.

Ombuds office offers confidential assistance

The Office of the Ombuds serves as an independent, confidential resource for staff members, students and families seeking answers, raising complaints or trying to resolve concerns involving FCPS.

Its staff can assist with disagreements between parents and schools but cannot make or reverse decisions, change policies or regulations, take sides, or provide legal advice.

The office can be reached at 571-423-4014 or through its online contact options.

Second quarter extended after lost instructional days. Because recent instructional days were lost, the final day of the second quarter has been moved to Tuesday, February 3.

Teachers may continue second-quarter assessments through that date and will communicate specific changes through Schoology. Students enrolled in semester courses will keep attending their first-semester classes through February 3.

SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable to parents and students while end-of-quarter updates are processed, beginning at 4 p.m. February 3 and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, February 9.

Title IX reporting and response procedures. FCPS prohibits sex-based and gender-based misconduct in its learning and working environments.

Students who believe they or another student have experienced such misconduct, as well as parents of affected students, are encouraged to report the matter to the school principal. Administrators who suspect a student is experiencing this type of misconduct are required to notify the principal.

Reports are subject to prompt, thorough and impartial investigation. Interim measures may include separating students while an investigation is underway, counseling and educational resources.

When an investigation determines that sexual misconduct created a hostile environment, the school division says it will act to stop the conduct, prevent it from recurring and address its effects. Discipline for students responsible for misconduct may include suspension or expulsion.

The FCPS Title IX coordinator is based in the Chief Equity Office at 8115 Gatehouse Road in Falls Church and can be reached at 571-423-3070.