Week of March 9

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In This Issue


This Week's News

Gwyneth's Gift: Parent Volunteers Needed

Gwyneth's Gift, a non-profit organization, is coming to Herndon Middle School on Wednesday, March 25 and on Thursday, March 26 to teach our 8th grade students hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

If you are available to volunteer a couple of hours, please reach out to Kevin Fowle atktfowle@fcps.edu. Any time you can offer is greatly appreciated!


SCA Spirit Week

SCA Spirit Week

Students are invited to join us for SCA Spirit Week next week from Monday, March 16, to Friday, March 19.

March 16 – March Madness: Wear your favorite sports jersey.
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day: Wear green to celebrate.
March 18 – Jump Into Spring: Brighten the day by wearing spring colors.
March 19 – Cozy Up for a Long Weekend: Wear your pajamas.

We're looking forward to seeing students creativity and school spirit!


Sleep Awareness Week

The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is Sunday, March 8, to Saturday, March 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental.

Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.


Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9

FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. 

Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment.
  • Communication.
  • Student success.
  • Advocacy.
  • Family and school partnerships.
  • Community partnerships.

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. 

Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.


Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration

Black History YouTube video

The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.

Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. A spirited keynote speech was delivered by Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.

Read more about the Black history event


Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update

Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports. 

If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.


Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Summer Academy #2

Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps

Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.

Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!

Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.


Last Week's News

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: 

Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.


Meal Kits for Fasting Students

From Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. Please note other important details below:

  • Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day. 
  • Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
  • Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.

Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.


New Date: Special Education Family Conference

Please note that the 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at George C. Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA).

We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your flexibility.

Updated conference information, including event details, is available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage.


Become Unskippable: Share the Facts About Fentanyl With Teens

Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug, and what they can do to keep themselves and their communities safe. 

Share these important facts with your child:

  • Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
  • More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in
10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
  • Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
  • Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.

Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.


Activities and Events

VIP Summer Camp July 1st - July 30th

VIP Camp


Get ready for the Values in Prevention (VIP) summer camp! The Northern Fairfax VIP camp will be held at Rachel Carson Middle School from July 1 through July 30 for the following schools: 

  • Herndon Middle School
  • Cooper Middle School
  • Langston Hughes Middle School
  • Longfellow Middle School
  • Rachel Carson Middle School

Camp costs $100. Registration opens at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 17

Questions? Contact Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu.


Summer Boys' Basketball Opportunities from Herndon High School

Students vs Staff


Is your student interested in leveling up their basketball skills? Join Herndon HS Hornets for their boys' basketball camps for your 2026 summer. Families on the waitlist will receive priority registration access, including early bird pricing available through April 1st, 2026.

Sign up here today!

Questions? Reach out to ahamilton@fcps.edu. 


Referees for Intramural Sports Needed

Feferees Needed

Referee Herndon Middle School After-School Program intramural games!

We are looking for energetic folks to referee the following sports: Basketball, Futsal**, and Volleyball on Thursdays, 3:15 to 4:50 PM. Choose your preferred sport, and help support our student-athletes while keeping the games fair, positive, safe, and fun! This is a paid opportunity. 

Interested? Contact Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu or 703-904-4819.

**Preference for futsal will be given to referees bilingual in Spanish & English.


Resources

Access Schoology to Support Your Child

Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology

Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.

Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.


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 with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.

Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.


Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter.

View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.


K&K Student Accident Insurance

Fairfax County Public Schools does not provide medical insurance for accidents that occur at school. Parents may want to consider if purchasing voluntary student insurance is appropriate for their family.

K&K Insurance Group offers student accident insurance coverage that parents may purchase. For families without other medical insurance, this plan may be a helpful resource. Additionally, for families who already have coverage, this plan may help offset costs such as deductibles and co-pays. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.

Please visit the