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Fairfax County Public Schools will open two hours late on Thursday, February 5, and Friday, February 6, as winter weather continues to affect the area. Classes will begin two hours after their regular start times, while central and school offices will open on schedule.
FCPS plans to provide updates for the following week on Sunday afternoon.
Bus stops may change because of road conditions, and delays could continue until roads and stops are completely clear of snow. The Office of Transportation Services will notify affected families. Routes running more than 10 minutes late will appear on the Bus Delay website, while parents will receive an email when a bus is delayed by more than 30 minutes.
Families can receive urgent weather alerts by keeping their cellphone numbers current in ParentVUE. The FCPS mobile app also provides push notifications when enabled in a phone’s settings.
During three recent days when students were out because of the weather, the Office of Food and Nutrition Services distributed more than 4,000 meal kits to students, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reported.
Students and Staff Earn Recognition
More than 800 FCPS students have been named National Merit Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
The school division has also introduced ARTiFAX, an art recognition program for students in grades 7 through 12 who are enrolled in visual arts programs. Its inaugural awards honored 299 student-submitted works for artistic achievement, creative development, and student expression.
At Edison High School, ninth-grade students presented projects created for the Global STEM Challenge.
A separate staff feature highlighted London Towne Elementary counselor Malik Watkins and his reunion with fifth-grade teacher Chrissy McLaughlin, who is now a school-based technology specialist at Navy Elementary. Watkins contacted his former teacher as he began his counseling career.
Justice High School’s production of “Clue: On Stage” was reviewed through the Washington-area Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, known as the Cappies. The program trains theater and journalism students to attend productions at other schools and write published reviews. Allison Rigsbee of Hayfield Secondary School wrote the Justice High review.
Families can find upcoming middle and high school performances through the Fine and Performing Arts calendar and subscribe for notifications.
Budget Hearing and Kindergarten Events Approach
The School Board will hold a fiscal year 2027 budget work session on Tuesday, February 10. Those who want to speak at the February 10 public hearing must register by 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 6. Budget materials, including a presentation video and slides, are available through the FCPS budget webpage.
Kindergarten open houses will take place this spring for families of children entering school in August. Parents can consult the alphabetical event list or contact their school if it does not appear.
School-readiness resources and a five-step kindergarten registration process are also available to help families prepare children for the transition.
Phone Restrictions Remain in Effect
Students are not permitted to use cellphones or internet-connected personal devices, including earbuds and headsets, during passing periods. Phones also may not be used as instructional tools, apart from limited exceptions such as approved accommodations for students with IEPs.
Personal devices must remain turned off and put away from the opening bell through dismissal. High school students may use them during lunch in designated spaces.
Exceptions may apply for medical conditions or IEP and 504 plans. Families needing to reach a student during the school day should call the school directly.
Meal Programs Reflect Student Needs
Nearly 200 students attended the third annual Food and Nutrition Services Food Show in December, sampling 20 dishes and offering feedback on possible future school menus. Some recipes were created by students, including the winning entry from the Mystery Basket Throwdown.
From February 18 through March 19, students who fast during the day may take home meal kits containing one breakfast and one lunch to eat after school.
Families must submit a request every week for each participating student. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week beginning February 16. Meals will be charged at the usual school-day rate, and students must collect their kits at the end of the day. The selections will include food that can be reheated easily at home.
Forms and additional deadlines are available through the Food and Nutrition webpage. Questions may be directed to the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
Community Celebration and Calendar Changes
The community is invited to “Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence,” a Black History Month celebration scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 25, at Carter G. Woodson High School.
All schools and offices will close Monday, February 16, for Presidents Day. Students will also have no classes Tuesday, February 17, which is a teacher workday.
Schools will be open Wednesday, February 18, for a religious and cultural observance day, but events that cannot be rescheduled will not take place that day.