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Fairfax County Public Schools outlined a wide range of student and family updates on February 19, including proposed spending to expand advanced math participation, a review of middle school start times and the arrival of several new lunch choices.
Budget Targets Algebra by Eighth Grade
The proposed fiscal 2026 budget includes investments intended to support academic growth and help more students complete Algebra I by the end of eighth grade, a priority within the school system’s strategic plan.
Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has recorded a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or a more advanced course. The share of fifth graders enrolled in advanced math has risen 6.8%.
Completing algebra in middle school can give students more opportunities to pursue advanced math and science classes during high school. Updating the math curriculum is one of the district’s planned approaches to improving Algebra I outcomes.
New secondary math resources are scheduled to enter classrooms during the 2025-26 school year, followed by new elementary resources in 2026-27. A committee of teachers, administrators and community members will evaluate materials submitted by vendors through a competitive request for proposals.
The public may examine the potential resources online or review printed instructional materials from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 100. In-person reviews will not be offered February 25, February 27, March 11 or March 12.
Public comments will be provided to the review committee and Fairfax County School Board before a vote expected in spring 2025.
The board’s Budget Committee discussed the proposed fiscal 2026 spending plan on February 18. The full board was scheduled to consider its advertised budget at a meeting beginning at 7 p.m. February 20.
Middle School Start Times Under Review
The School Board also discussed the next steps for changing middle school start times during its February 18 work session. The discussion drew on a study completed by Prismatic Services Inc.
Families Urged to Keep Fentanyl Talks Brief and Direct
Fairfax County continues to record fentanyl overdose deaths among young people, prompting renewed guidance for parents and caregivers about discussing the drug with teenagers.
The recommendations encourage adults to avoid lengthy lectures and instead hold short, meaningful conversations, even when they do not believe a teenager is at risk. Similar techniques can be used to address other difficult subjects.
Free Academic and Mental Health Support Available
Through a partnership with Varsity Tutors, every FCPS student may use several learning services at no cost. The options include weekly live online classes, round-the-clock chat tutoring, essay editing, recorded lessons, practice questions and diagnostic testing.
Free virtual therapy is also available to all FCPS high school students through Hazel Health. Appointments with therapists who specialize in working with teenagers can be scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Students Taste-Test New Cafeteria Choices
School menus gained several new dishes in February, including Asian meatball subs, which are also offered with vegetarian meatballs, and fish tacos served with pineapple-pepper fruit salsa.
Other additions include Alfredo and basil lasagna and tomato soup. Food and Nutrition Services said the nutritionally balanced dishes were evaluated by students through food shows, focus groups and surveys before reaching cafeterias.
Executive Director Shaun Sawko said the department is “putting students at the center of every single one of our plates.”
Career Conference Draws 500 Students
Five hundred FCPS students attended the fifth annual Instruction 2 Industry Future Ready Conference on February 18 despite temperatures hovering near freezing.
Students met industry professionals, learned about career routes and made workplace connections intended to inform their plans after graduation. Represented fields included health care, digital technology, public service and safety, and entrepreneurship.
Douglass Family Legacy Reaches a Local Classroom
Tonja Walden, a second grade teacher at Newington Forest Elementary School, is a great-great-great-niece of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Walden uses that family connection to encourage curiosity among her students. She has also discussed what her ancestry means to her, its relevance during Black History Month and her students’ reactions upon learning about the relationship.
Family Summit Seeks Student Projects
Students were invited to present projects and advocacy work focused on inclusive schools during the 2025 FCPS Family Summit, scheduled for March 15 at South Lakes High School.
Projects could be shared through posters, essays, videos, songs or artwork in a share-fair setting. Participation offered students an opportunity to earn service hours and add experience to their résumés. The submission deadline was February 21.
The summit was also set to include presentations by authors and inclusion advocates Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, along with breakout sessions, vendor exhibits and networking among families, school employees and community partners. Childcare was to be available.
Kindness Night Highlights Everyday Actions
Superintendent Michelle Reid attended Kindness Night at Oak View Elementary School and reflected on the event’s message that simple, routine acts of kindness can make schools and communities safer, healthier and more inclusive.
Virtual Hiring Fair Could Produce Immediate Offers
FCPS scheduled a virtual instructional career fair from 9 a.m. to noon February 22. Prospective teachers were expected to meet and interview with school representatives, with some candidates potentially receiving offers for positions during the current school year.
Early Dismissal Set for Elementary Schools
Elementary schools in 12 pyramids were scheduled to dismiss students three hours early February 24.
The affected pyramids were Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Herndon, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Oakton, Robinson, South Lakes and Westfield. Families were advised to check their school calendars for other limited early-release Mondays.
Eating Disorder Resources Shared With Caregivers
Virginia law has required school systems since 2013 to provide annual information about eating disorders to parents and caregivers of students in grades 5 through 12.
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of any age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, body shape or weight. National Eating Disorders Association figures from 2023 estimate that 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder during their lives.
There is no single cause. Biological, psychological and sociocultural influences can combine with a person’s genetic vulnerability.
FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department developed online information and resources for families. The National Eating Disorders Association also listed a confidential, toll-free helpline at 1-800-931-2237.