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Reminder - Tomorrow, October 2nd - Yom Kippur - Student and Staff Holiday

Thursday, October 2, is a holiday and schools and offices will be closed. School will resume on Friday, October 3rd.  

See the complete school year calendar.

September 27 to October 5 - Blue Star Welcome Week

Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Fairfax County Public Schools will intentionally celebrate and acknowledge Blue Star Welcome Week. 

When: Saturday, September 27 - Sunday, October 5, 2025

Why: According to the 2024 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, only 39% of active-duty respondents feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community. Blue Star Welcome Week empowers military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. One-third of our military families transition into or out of our district each year. Blue Star Welcome Week allows schools to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities.

K-12 School Start Times Survey

FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any cost for this project, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.

Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs. 

Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, October 6. Find more information on adjusting school start times.

Although Key Center is classified as a middle school, we have received confirmation that our school's schedule will not change.

New Staff Feature - Kazi Sultana

This week’s Key Center Staff Spotlight is on Kazi Sultana.  Ms. Sultana joins our staff this year as a Public Health Training Assistant in Ms. Edmondson’s classroom.  Learn more about Ms. Sultana on our school website.

National Custodian Appreciation Day - Oct 2

Join us in celebrating our amazing custodial staff on National Custodian Appreciation Day, Thursday, October 2nd! Their hard work and dedication keep our school clean, safe, and comfortable for everyone. Let's show our gratitude for all they do. #CustodianAppreciation

Key Center Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Our school has been abuzz with learning and celebration throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), and this year, September 24th marked a special day of hands-on activities that brought the rich cultures of Hispanic countries to life for our students.

While our classroom teachers have been integrating various lessons about Hispanic heritage into their subjects all month, September 24th was a chance to get moving, creative, and musical!

Fun in Specials and the Cafeteria

Our specials teachers created memorable experiences for our students:

Music Class became a vibrant dance floor! Students explored the diverse musical traditions of Hispanic countries by listening to and playing along with various Hispanic songs. It was a fun way to learn about the rhythms and melodies that are so central to these cultures.

In Adapted Physical Education (PE), students got their blood pumping with a high-energy warm-up dance called the "Samba Shake." This lively dance introduced them to movements inspired by Latin American styles, showing them that physical fitness can be a joyful cultural experience!

Students also had the opportunity to complete fun and educational crafts, allowing them to express their creativity while learning about different art forms and symbols found in Hispanic cultures.

These activities were a wonderful way to pause and deeply appreciate the profound contributions Hispanic people have made to our community and the world. Thank you to all the staff who made September 24th such a memorable day of celebration and learning!

New Food Items Include Hearty Homestyle Favorites

The new menu items debuting in September and October feature hearty homestyle favorites — including veggie chili, pictured above — and fresh global inspiration! Other new additions include:

• Breakfast: Cinnamon apple overnight oats, mini blueberry pancakes, French toast sticks, egg and cheese breakfast quesadillas and tacos, and turkey sausage and cheese bagels.
• Lunch: Teriyaki chicken stir-fry, teriyaki chickenless bites stir-fry, cheesy turkey pepperoni pasta, cheesy pasta with marinara sauce, deep dish pizza, and cheesy fiesta nachos.

Check the  online menu to see when your child can try new recipes developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts, based on student feedback.

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life. 

A series of Community Conversations are being held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:

• Friday, October 3, at Annandale Terrace Elementary School
• Friday, December 5, at Churchill Road Elementary School
• Tuesday, December 9, at Fairhill Elementary School
• Thursday, December 11, at Bull Run Elementary School

Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.

House Candidate Forums for Fairfax and Alexandria

Date & Time:  Oct 6, 2025 06:00 -7:30 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Description : Please join to  hear from House Districts covering Fairfax County, Alexandria, Springfield, Centreville, and Chantilly.   Candidates will discuss their past work on issues important to the disability community, as well as their policy plans for 2026.  Attendees can submit questions in advance to lucy.beadnell@thearcofnova.org.  The event will have ASL interpretation.For more information and to register, click here.

Sponsored by the Autism Society of Northern Virginia and The Arc of Northern Virginia.

ABA Family Training-  Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism

The ABA team is preparing the next Family Training session.

When:  October 8th, Virtual Session (link below)
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am or 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Join using this meeting link: https://meet.google.com/vio-pmnq-dzo

Topics covered will include: 

• What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
• How are behaviors learned?
• What is reinforcement?

It is highly recommended that you attend this session for information that will be built upon during future trainings. 

All family members and caregivers are welcome to attend ABA Family Training. To request an interpreter, contact Stephanie Watkins at 571-423-4110 or by email at sawatkins@fcps.edu  and provide your name and contact information (phone number and/or email) in case we need to contact you.  For additional information, contact Tina Wilkerson by email at twilkerson@fcps.edu

Sibshops and SibTeen

When: October 13, 9 a.m.- noon
Where:Jim Scott Community Center           
3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax, VA

The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. 

Register here

SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.

Register here

Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

October 10, 10-11:30 a.m.

Participants will learn about evidence-based practices in teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities and how they apply to math instruction. Specific early numeracy objectives will be discussed, along with related activities to support these objectives using items easily found within the home.

Register here

Career and Transition Services (CTS) Presents the Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair

The Moving on to Life in the Community exhibitor fair will introduce and connect families and students with IEPs to adult service providers and community support they may need upon exiting the school system. Register to attend the community resource fair at Robinson Secondary School on Thursday, November 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Bond Referendum

What Will the 2025 Bond Referendum on the November Ballot Fund? 

The $460M bond referendum on the November ballot is expected to fund the next stages of several ongoing projects, as well as others referenced in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). 

The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4.

Resources

Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home. 

The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:

• Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish) 
• Loving Solutions
• Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
• Parent Project
• Family Resource Center Webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities. 

Visit the Family Academy catalog for more information on these sessions and to register to attend.

Key Center PTA

Not yet a member of our PTA?  We would love to have you join!  You can also support Key Center by volunteering with our PTA or making a donation through our Educate Fairfax site.

Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Volunteer Opportunities

Educate Fairfax link to donate to Key Center

Upcoming Dates