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Mark Your Calendar!

Sunday May 17th: South County Pyramid Art Show 1:00pm

Wednesday May 20th: 3 Hour Early Release (1:05 pm)

Monday May 25th: Memorial Day (Schools & Offices Closed)

Tuesday May 26th: Teacher Workday / No School for Students

Wednesday May 27th:  Holiday - Eid al-Adha (Schools & Offices Closed)

Friday May 29th: World Wonders at Halley ES (6:00 - 8:00 pm)

Wednesday June 3rd: Last Day to Return Library Books

Last 3 Hour Early Dismissal of the School Year, Wednesday May 20th (1:05pm)

Providing an excellent education to all students and meeting individual student needs requires appropriate planning time for teachers. This means teachers need a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with peers. Please notify the office, 48 hours before May 20th, of any change of transportation for that day.

South County Pyramid Art Show

Please join us for the South County Pyramid Show, featuring the work of over 100 kindergarten through 12th Grade students from six different schools in Fairfax County, Virginia. The exhibit features student artwork created with a myriad of techniques and mediums.

Where: Workhouse Art Center, 9518 Workhouse Wy, Lorton, VA 22079. Sunday May 17th at 1:00 pm

World Wonders

It is a vibrant, joy-filled event to celebrate and bring together our families, cultures, and traditions from across our school community.

Register: Here

Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning. 

FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.

Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. 

It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters. 

Students in grades 3–6 will  participate in state assessments to measure their learning of grade-level standards. Please mark your calendars for the following important testing date:

• Tuesday, May 19: 5th Grade Science SOL

The state allows students who do not pass a spring SOL test to have a second attempt before the end of the school year, though retests are not offered for the integrated reading and writing (IRW) component. Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student. You may submit your decision via the Parent Digital Consent application.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update

On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget. 

Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.

New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1

On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.

This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell. 

High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage. 

Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year

Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:

• Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. 
• Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
• Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.

Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong. 

Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.

If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.

If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources.

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. 

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. 

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

SoCo Summer Strings Program

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 6-17, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (weekdays only). Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day.

You can find more information and register for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Register early to save money and reserve your student’s spot!

PTO Board Openings/ Volunteer Opportunities

• PTO president for the 2026-27 school year -  The Halley Elementary School PTO President serves as a vital link between the PTO, Halley Administrative Team, and the teachers, helping to foster communication, collaboration, and support across the Halley Community.  ➡️   Click here for more information about the role and express your interest!
• Committee Chair or Officer! Lead fun events like the Welcome Back Teacher Breakfast, Bingo Night or Teacher & Staff appreciation week and support our Hornet community. Roles are shared, flexible, and inclusive for all parents/guardians. Sign up to make a difference today!  ➡️  Officer/Chair Form
• Micro-volunteer-  Help with quick, flexible tasks (30–60 minutes, in-person or remote) or for fun events like the Welcome Teacher Breakfast or Bingo Night. Sign up now to show interest and support our Hornet community.  ➡️Micro-Volunteer Form

Field Day and 6th Grade Promotion Volunteers Needed! 

The PTO is looking for some parent volunteers to help with the upcoming field day and 6th grade promotion events. If you’re interested in helping out please email WilliamHalleyPTO@gmail.com for more information!

Buzz on over to the Halley Spirit Wear Store!

Show your Halley spirit all year long! Our Spirit Wear Store is open 24/7 with tons of new gear and styles for everyone.