Students cool off during a recent Careers on Wheels Day at Franconia Elementary School.
Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m., on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. The School Board will vote to approve the budget on Thursday, May 21.
Register to speak by Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. If needed, individuals will be assigned to the Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Budget Overflow public hearing.
Student Journalists Meet With Superintendent to Discuss AI in Education
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi met with student journalists from every high school last week for a discussion about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education.
The hour-long question-and-answer session was the second in an ongoing series of student journalist roundtables with division leadership. Watch a video about the panel. Read about the panel and the students’ thoughtful questions.
Elementary School Receives National Recognition for Inclusive Programming
This school year, Bush Hill Elementary School was named a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School for the second time. It was also named to the 2025 ESPN Honor Roll.
Both achievements led to the school being one of only three selected this year for an unveiling ceremony for its new National Unified Champion Schools banner. Important figures from ESPN and Special Olympics joined the school community on April 30 to celebrate. Read about their celebration of unified sports.
Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
It’s National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! During this week, we recognize the remarkable contributions of our educators and staff members who go above and beyond every day to support, challenge, and inspire students.
From the Young Male Leadership Club to the annual Glowwalk and Color Fun Run, discover how Jason Ericson from Dogwood Elementary School uses community partnerships and fundraising to ensure every student has the opportunity to play, lead, and belong.
And, when Emmeline Mejia noticed the difficulty some students faced while trying out for sports, she built a partnership with local clinics, allowing Justice High School to register many kids who had never been able to participate in sports before. Hear more about Mejia’s work on this athletics inclusion project.
Read about these teachers — and Andrea Edmonson, third grade teacher at Little Run Elementary School — who were recognized as outstanding FCPS teachers at last year’s FCPS Honors event.
Thank You, Teachers, for Tailoring Support to Every Student
In her Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid invited the community to view a video message offering appreciation for our hard-working and dedicated teachers and staff. Read more in Dr. Reid’s latest Weekly Reflections.
Instructional Assistant Teaches, Calms, and Cheers on Students for 26 Years
13,000. That’s how many steps Pam Lieber can take in one day on the job as an instructional assistant at Kings Park Elementary School, where she’s worked for 26 years.
13,000 is a big number of steps, but they add up to something even bigger — more moments where students get feedback, practice, and confidence — she does it all by putting one foot in front of the other. Read about Lieber’s impact on her school community.
FCPS Caters to Food Allergies
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month. Every day, the FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to safe and nutritious school meals.
Since 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy, FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school.
To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed healthcare provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs. Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a safe menu for students.
Teacher Gives Students Social Tools for the Real World
In Wayne Wyatt’s classroom at Falls Church High School, students greet visitors in a way that stands out: a firm handshake, a smile, and eye contact. After a decades-long corporate career, Wyatt came to FCPS with a new mission to teach students the skills they need to nail their first real-world job interviews.
Read more about the impact Wyatt is having on his students.
Fame, Fortune, and Fatal Choices Drive ‘Chicago: Teen Edition’ at Edison
FCPS students are talented actors, musicians, and visual artists. So it’s no surprise that many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, otherwise known as the Cappies.
In this program, high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers. This review of Edison High School’s performance of “Chicago: Teen Edition” was written by Grace Costanzo of Westfield High School.
Never Miss a Show! Subscribe to the Fine and Performing Arts Calendar
Take a look at the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on FCPS’ website for individual listings of middle and high school theater events. You can also subscribe to the calendar for notifications of upcoming performances.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
The following immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grade each school year.
All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12, or as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student to not receive the HPV vaccination.
All students entering 12th grade should have received two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12th-grade requirement, one of those doses must be administered at age 16 or older.
Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the typical summer vaccination rush. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents and guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View additional immunization resources.
Collaboration and Calm Composure Build Trust in the Power of Public Education
Tracey Wynne, senior manager of communications, joined the FCPS Office of Communications nearly 12 years ago. She thrives on using her strategic communication expertise to inform, educate, and engage FCPS staff, families, and community members. She understands how effectively communicating with these groups can impact student success and enhance the division’s reputation.
Read more about Wynne and why she was recognized as a finalist for the Outstanding Nonschool-Based Professional Employee last year.
FCPS Recognized with Financial Reporting and Transparency Awards
FCPS received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the Association of School Business Officials International. It also received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. FCPS was recognized for its financial reporting work for the fiscal year ending in June 2025.
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
The Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any community member, student, or FCPS employee can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18. Full details and the nomination information form can be found on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
Lambs Take Over Groundskeeping at Rolling Valley
Landscaping at Rolling Valley Elementary School looked a bit different last month! Lawn mowers were left in the sheds while a flock of lambs trimmed the school’s grass by nibbling it for their breakfast and lunch. Read more about this unique learning experience.
Calendar Reminder: Early Release Wednesday
On Wednesday, May 13, elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early:
- Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield, and Woodson.
Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays. See the complete school year calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. On the agenda are several motions related to the FCPS annual school calendar, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
$700 Scholarships Available for Veterinary Assistant Careers
Turn your love for animals into a rewarding career! With FCPS Adult and Community Education’s (ACE) 16-week class, you'll learn every aspect of veterinary assisting and gain the skills you need to land an in-demand job.
A limited number of $700 scholarships are available to make this course an even better value. Class starts June 13 at the Plum Center in Springfield. Spaces fill quickly, so enroll today. If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, please email educationalcounseling@fcps.edu before registering for the class.
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