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Useful Links/Information
FCHS Bell Schedule
Schoology
SIS ParentVUE
FCPS School Year Calendar
Important Dates
- 2/3 - Orchestra Pyramid Concert (7:00 pm, FCHS Auditorium)
- 2/5 & 2/12 - Altered Schedule Days (See announcement below)
- 2/6 - Heritage Night! (5:30 pm, Cafeteria & Auditorium)
- 2/11 - Chorus Winter Concert (7:00 pm, Auditorium)
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Attendance Matters!
Greetings Jaguar Families,
We hope you are staying safe and warm! Please review the following updates regarding attendance and school expectations:
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Attendance Recovery Program The after-school attendance recovery program will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12.
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Unexcused Absences (Vacations & Outside Sports) Please remember that personal vacations or participation in non-school sports are considered unexcused absences.
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- Students with these absences are required to stay after school to make up the missed time.
- Making up this time is essential to catch up on assignments and prevent a formal referral to the attendance officer.
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Attendance Meeting (Feb. 26) Parents of students who have accumulated 10 or more unexcused days will receive a separate email invitation. We will be holding a meeting in the auditorium on February 26 at 10:00 AM to discuss new attendance regulations, SIS codes, and legal truancy procedures.
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Weather Delays & Attendance Please keep in mind that even when the school operates on a delayed schedule, students are expected to attend. Absences are cumulative, and since we are halfway through the year, we want every student to finish strong rather than struggle to catch up.
See you soon!
Upcoming Altered Schedule Days - Mark Your Calendars!
Please mark your calendars for two altered school days coming up in February. We will be administering the WIDA Access for English Learners (EL) assessment to our Multilingual Learners on February 5th and 12th. I want to share this well in advance for your planning purposes as these assessments will have an impact on the overall schedule for students taking the test and students not taking the test. Please review the details below and mark your calendars!
The WIDA Access for ELs will be administered on Thursday, February 5th, and Thursday, February 12th. This assessment is a four-part federally mandated test that has very important implications for our students and our overall school community. In order to administer a four-part test to approximately 700 students, we have created an alternate schedule, much like we did last year. Please review the details below so you can plan accordingly.
Alternate Schedule - Thursday, February 5
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All students will report to school at the regular time, buses will run as scheduled, and the day ends at 2:55 pm.
- All students taking the test should bring their FCPS-issued laptops fully charged.
- All students will be provided breakfast and lunch.
- All non-testing students with an Academy class will attend the Academy class whether at Falls Church or another site. FCPS bus shuttles will be operating as usual.
- Non-testing students will participate in enrichment activities that we do not usually have time for during a normal school day.
Alternate Schedule - Thursday, February 12
- All students taking the WIDA test will report to school at the regular time and should bring their FCPS-issued laptops fully charged.
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Non-testing students will remain asynchronous to work on assignments from home. Asynchronous assignments will be available in Schoology for each class period (Periods 2, 6 and 8) beginning February 9 and will focus on reviewing previous material. Each assignment will count as a homework grade in the corresponding course.
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Students in the POD (Category B Special Education) will attend school and remain with their case managers.
These two days are a great opportunity for non-testing students to visit a college campus, plan for a senior internship, do a service learning project, or participate in another meaningful activity that follows Regulation 3200.1. Per Regulation 2234, for planned absences, please complete the attached Non-Tester Absence Form.pdf and return it to the Dean's Office, Room 1001 by Tuesday, January 27th.
We will continue to share more details in the coming weeks with students and families. Families and students taking the required WIDA assessment will be notified via email. Our staff is being trained to administer the assessment, and we are eager to see our students’ achievement results!
Student Fasting Meal Kits
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
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Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
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Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
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Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
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Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
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.
 
Edison Academy Open House
Edison Academy invites you to attend our in-person Open House event on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (snow date is Saturday, February 21). We are located at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA. Our entrance is located at Door #13. You will have the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our instructors and current students, and learn more about our incredible courses! Please feel free to contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101 or cjdeedy@fcps.edu if you need any additional information. Thank you and we’ll look forward to meeting you on February 7.
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
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.
PTSA Particulars
The Falls Church HS PTSA supports the entire FCHS community and encourages everyone to be involved. Visit our website to learn more.
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Become a member today
- Join our active private Facebook group
- Read the weekly JagMail emails we send using FCPS News You Choose
- Become a Red Bag Donor to support our food pantry work
Questions or ideas? Please reach out.
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FCPS Cares
Do you know a Falls Church HS or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
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