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A special election affecting all Fairfax County Public Schools has prompted a change to the April calendar.
Tuesday, April 21, will now be a teacher workday and staff development day. Elementary students will attend full days of instruction and leave at their regular dismissal times on April 22 and April 29, which had been designated as early-release Wednesdays.
The change preserves time for staff planning, collaboration and professional learning without cutting instructional time on other school days.
Science fair sends nine projects to top competition
Nine FCPS projects earned grand prize awards at the 71st annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
More than 640 students presented roughly 400 high school projects spanning numerous science and engineering disciplines. More than 250 professionals judged the entries, joined by representatives from 40 professional organizations and businesses.
Grand prize recipients are eligible to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May. Many other participants may advance to the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair in April.
At Lorton Station Elementary School, sixth grader Armaan also showcased ambitious scientific work during the school’s SPARK Expo. His topics included general relativity, the Einstein field equation, gravitational time dilation and efforts to reconcile relativity with quantum physics.
Paid summer internships open to students and alumni
Applications are open for a six-week, paid, in-person FCPS internship program running from Monday, July 6, through Friday, August 14.
The program is available to FCPS high school students and recent alumni enrolled in post-secondary education. Interns will work with professionals in central-office departments on projects preparing the school division for the coming academic year.
Areas of work include artificial intelligence and emerging technology, business and finance, architecture and construction, communications, safety and cybersecurity, and education and advocacy. Participants will also attend weekly professional-development workshops.
Interested applicants must complete the program’s interest form by 5 p.m. Friday, April 10.
Schools reinforce severe-weather preparations
FCPS is reminding families that it maintains plans for storms, flooding, tornadoes and other severe weather. Division decisions draw on weather alerts, industry practices and safety guidance.
Families should understand the distinctions among weather advisories, watches and warnings and keep their contact information current. Cellphone numbers can be updated through SIS ParentVUE, while push notifications are available through the FCPS app.
Anyone who is unexpectedly missing messages from the division or an individual school may have inadvertently blocked them and can submit a technology-support ticket.
County seeks feedback on fiscal 2027 budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which is reviewing the advertised fiscal 2027 budget and may revise it before adoption in May.
Budget town halls are scheduled to air on Channel 16 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, for the Springfield District and at 6 p.m. Friday, April 10, for the Franconia District.
Public hearings will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, and at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16. The hearings will take place in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center, and prospective speakers must register in advance.
Western school boundary study moves ahead
The boundary study involving Skyview High School and FCPS’ western pyramids is continuing. The affected high school pyramids include Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes and Westfield.
Elementary and middle schools feeding into those high schools will also be analyzed as FCPS seeks to keep school pathways aligned from the elementary grades through high school where possible.
A kickoff meeting was scheduled for March 25 at Westfield High School for families in western Fairfax County. The School Board is expected to vote on proposed boundaries in June. Approved changes would begin in the 2027-28 school year.
Reading pilot reports improvement
FCPS reported double-digit decreases in below-grade-level performance on the third-grade iReady assessment between fall 2025 and winter 2026 among schools participating in the Walk to Read pilot.
The program is being tested with third graders at Early Literacy Project Momentum schools. Students move to a 30-minute reading-intervention block organized around their individual needs and abilities.
The initiative was discussed during the Academic Matters segment of the March 19 School Board meeting.
Student programs mark milestones
Poplar Tree Elementary School’s Tech Squad is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Participating students produce instructional videos, assist staff with computer maintenance and teach younger children to use digital tools such as the Lexia literacy program.
FCPS also highlighted its middle school performing-arts offerings during a March 19 strategic-plan presentation focused on making students feel safe, supported, included and empowered.
The division is among a small number nationwide offering a comprehensive middle school theater curriculum. About 4,500 students take theater as an academic subject, while more than 4,000 participate in extracurricular programs such as musicals, short plays, drama clubs and field trips.
Special education award nominations near deadline
Nominations for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA Awards remain open through Friday, March 27.
The awards honor educators, employees, volunteers and community members who have provided exceptional support to students receiving special education services. Nominees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists and other people who have made a meaningful difference for students and their families.
Calendar and School Board updates
Friday, March 27, is the final day of the third quarter and an early-release day.
Students will have no school during spring break from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3. Schools will also be closed to students Monday, April 6, for a teacher workday and Friday, April 10, for a school planning day.
Tom Dannan was sworn in as the Braddock District representative before the March 19 School Board meeting.
The board’s next regular business meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26.