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Fairfax County Public Schools has expanded its roster of military-friendly campuses to 145 schools, bringing the division close to three-quarters participation in Virginia’s Purple Star program.
Forty-nine FCPS schools received the designation for the first time in 2025, while 40 others renewed it. The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children award the designation to schools that demonstrate support for military-connected students and families.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has set a goal of earning Purple Star Division status by the 2026-27 school year, which would require all FCPS schools to receive the designation.
Families Asked to Complete Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking families to complete a Federal Impact Aid Survey for every school-aged child in their household. The form is available through Online Packets in SIS ParentVUE.
Schools will begin providing paper forms Wednesday, November 12, to families that have not submitted the survey online. FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding this year for schools and centers throughout the division.
Families needing technical assistance can submit a Parent Support Request ticket, choose SISParent from the application menu and enter “Federal Impact Aid Survey” as the issue. Help is also available at 833-921-3277.
Start Times and New High School Headed to Board
The School Board is scheduled to receive a brief update on the K-12 school start times project during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 23.
The board awarded a contract in January 2023 to study middle school start times and develop options for starting school later.
Members will also consider opening public comment on FCPS’ newly acquired high school in western Fairfax County. The board discussed possible programming and names for the school during an October 7 work session, and potential programs will receive further consideration at the October 23 meeting.
Report Cards Will Include Work Habits Marks
The first quarter ends Friday, October 31, and middle and high school report cards are expected to become available during the week of November 10.
FCPS has revised teacher comments to provide students and families with more detailed feedback. Teachers will also assign a Work Habits mark each quarter covering time management, organization, assignment completion and classroom effort. The mark is intended for family feedback and will not appear on student transcripts.
The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from 4 p.m. October 31 through 6 a.m. November 10 while the quarter closes.
Youth Survey Planned for November
Students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 are scheduled to take the 2025 Fairfax County Youth Survey between Monday, November 10, and Friday, November 21.
Administered jointly by the School Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the annual survey covers physical and mental well-being, including sleep, physical activity, nutrition, protective factors, substance use and symptoms of depression.
Schools will provide families with administration details. Parents and caregivers may opt their students out.
FCPS Schools Win National Sustainability Honors
Forty-four FCPS schools were named Green Flag Schools by the National Wildlife Federation, accounting for nearly half of the schools recognized nationwide this year.
The distinction honors strong sustainability education and student leadership on environmental issues. Lemon Road and Terra Centre elementary schools are among the campuses carrying out related work.
Veteran Driver Marks Nearly 32 Years on Same Route
During National School Bus Safety Week, FCPS highlighted the work of its drivers, attendants, mechanics and other transportation employees.
Driver Jannell Haskins has transported students for nearly 32 years while keeping the same route. She serves South Lakes High School, Hughes Middle School, and Dogwood and Terraset elementary schools.
Thomas Jefferson Applications Open
Eighth-grade students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics may apply to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, and submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, November 14.
Substance-Use Events Set for October 24 and 25
The Family Resource Center and Office of Student Safety and Wellness will hold a Red Ribbon Awareness Open House from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, October 24.
The event will provide parents with resources for discussing substance use with their children and will include Narcan training. Attendees may tour the Family Resource Center library following the presentation.
National Drug Take Back Day follows on Saturday, October 25. Unused or expired medications can be dropped off free of charge at participating sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Year-round disposal options are also available.
FCPS Explains How Bond Projects Are Chosen
FCPS staff, the School Board and the community update a five-year Capital Improvement Program annually to guide school construction and renovation.
The process considers projected enrollment, academic programs and facility conditions. The board then weighs school needs against other countywide financial demands when developing a bond proposal. Projects may change from year to year as division needs evolve.
FCPS says its schools and other buildings have a combined present value approaching $9 billion. Renovations are intended to address aging facilities as well as technological and instructional needs.
The 2025 bond referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4.
Six Boundary Review Meetings Remain in October
Six community meetings remain for FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review. A consultant will present Scenario 4, the latest draft map, and explain changes affecting the school pyramids covered at each meeting.
The meeting schedule is as follows:
- Friday, October 24, at Lewis High School for the Edison and Lewis pyramids.
- Saturday, October 25, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Sandburg Middle School for the West Potomac and Mount Vernon pyramids.
- Monday, October 27, at Irving Middle School for the Lake Braddock and West Springfield pyramids.
- Tuesday, October 28, in the Fairfax High School library for the Woodson and Fairfax pyramids.
- Wednesday, October 29, at McLean High School for the Madison and McLean pyramids.
- Thursday, October 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Chantilly High School for the Westfield and Chantilly pyramids.
Unless otherwise noted, meetings run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and offer in-person and virtual participation.
Participants may arrive or log in 30 minutes early to explore the draft map through the Boundary Explorer Tool. A limited number of FCPS laptops will be available at the meeting sites, with staff present to help.
Schedule Changes Ahead for Students
Elementary schools in the Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield and Woodson pyramids will dismiss students three hours early Wednesday, October 29.
Friday, October 31, is the final day of the first quarter and will feature a two-hour early release for students.
Schools will be closed to students Monday, November 3, for a planning day and Tuesday, November 4, for a teacher workday.
The Virginia State Police also maintains a public Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry containing available information about people convicted of specified violent and sexual offenses.