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Please Nominate a Key Center Employee for an Outstanding Employee Award!

Nominations are now open!  We need family support to recognize the amazing work of Key Center staff.  

To submit a nomination for a Key Center School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories, please complete the nomination through Google link for each category found below. You may nominate one or more employees at Key Center (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.  **The deadline to submit a nomination is November 5, 2025**

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category. Outstanding Teacher nomination form.

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category.  Outstanding New Teacher nomination form

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district). Outstanding Principal nomination form

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services. Outstanding Leader nomination form

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school.  Outstanding Professional Employee nomination form

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons.  Outstanding Operational Employee nomination form 

If you have any questions about the process or what category your exceptional employee is in, we are happy to help you. Contact Ann, Emily or Helly Ahmadyar at hahmadyar@fcps.edu .

Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays

Friday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 3, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 4, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.

 Impact Aid Forms

The Impact Aid online form is now available in SIS Parent Vue. Parents are encouraged to complete the form online. 

Key Center Awarded as a Virginia Distinguished Purple Star School

For the third cycle in a row, each cycle is 3 years, our school has been named a Virginia Distinguished Purple Star School! This is a very special honor from the state of Virginia. It means we do a superior job of supporting all the students and families who are connected to the military. When a military family moves, it can be hard to change schools, but we work hard to make sure that students from military connected families feel welcome, supported, and ready to learn.  This sustained success is a direct result of the commitment and consistent coordination led by our Assistant Principal Emily Kaltenmark.

Fall Spirit Week October 27 - 31

Immunization Events for FCPS Students

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:   

• Thursday, November 6
• Tuesday, November 18
• Wednesday, November 19  
• Thursday, November 20

A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.

Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources. 

Attendance- When Should Your Child Stay Home?

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick or showing symptoms of becoming sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school. Staying home when sick helps reduce the likeliness of illnesses spreading to other students, staff and other school community members becoming sick.

Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why your child is absent and how long your child may be home to rest and recover.

Lifetouch Discount Offered

10% discount on orders

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EXPIRES: July 31, 2026

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Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!More about the Smilesafe program here.

Bringing Imaginary Pets to Life: How Our Speech Therapists Used AI to Boost Student Learning

Our school's amazing speech therapists (SLPs), Aimee Rand, Katie Huynh, and Rachael Ackerman, recently used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make learning fun for all the students. They led a project where every class got to invent their own imaginary class pet. Students made choices to pick things like the pet's color, fur, or wings. Then, the AI tool on Canva instantly created an awesome digital picture of their pet! Going above and beyond, SLP Aimee Rand then sewed and stuffed physical, cuddly versions of the AI pets. You can access the full story on our school website.

FCPS Ombuds Office: Your Go-To Guide for the School System

Do you have a question or concern about Fairfax County Public Schools, but you don’t know where to find the answer? Dawn Clements wants you to know you can ask her! Dawn’s mission as the FCPS Ombuds is to make it easier to understand the school system and help build trust within the community. In honor of Ombuds Day, learn more about Dawn Clements and the Ombuds Office.

Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation

All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.

Additionally, our students can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes and to access the application. 

Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.

Bus Discount Program for Adults

Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.

Bond Referendum

Bond Referendums Support Communities

The building and renovation of Fairfax County public schools is not funded through the division’s annual operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. A $460 million bond referendum is on the November ballot. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4

October Community Boundary Review Meetings

FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings will begin on Monday, October 13. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our area will be covered at the meeting on Friday, October 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Lewis High School, (Edison and Lewis Pyramids) in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.

If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the full list of October boundary meetings. 

Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.

• Wednesday, October 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School, (South County and Hayfield Pyramids) in person or virtual
• Friday, October 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Lewis High School, (Edison and Lewis Pyramids) in person or virtual
• Saturday, October 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Sandburg Middle School, (West Potomac and Mount Vernon Pyramids) in person or virtual
• Monday, October 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Irving Middle School, (Lake Braddock and West Springfield Pyramids) in person or virtual
• Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Fairfax High School, Library (Woodson and Fairfax Pyramids) in person or virtual
• Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at McLean High School, (Madison and McLean Pyramids) in person or