Irving Middle School students work together in their school courtyard, building raised beds for plants and vegetables.
31 FCPS Students Named 2026 National Merit Scholarship Winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has awarded scholarships to 31 students from 12 Fairfax County high schools. View the list of scholarship winners.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update
Last Friday, 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.
FCPS Receives Regional Gold Level Baldrige Award
FCPS has been named a recipient of the 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence by The Partnership for Excellence. This recognition marks the first time an education applicant has won the Gold Award the first time they applied.
The award, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, represents the region’s highest level of recognition that a U.S. organization can receive for demonstrating its performance excellence, resilience, and long-term success. Read about this honor and what FCPS practices were highlighted as excellent.
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 cell phone 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 Cell Phone 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.
FCPS Competes at World Robotics Championship
In her Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid highlighted the teams from Hayfield Secondary School and Marshall High School that headed to the FIRST Robotics World Championship. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
Stay Up-to-Date With the FCPS Mobile App!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the FCPS mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app, you can:
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from your child(ren)’s school and FCPS.
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View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed. Learn more about the mobile app, including feedback from parents who use it.
W-I-N-N-E-R-S. Two FCPS Students Advance to Scripps National Spelling Bee
Floris Elementary School fourth grader Laasya Mohan won the 2026 Fairfax County Spelling Bee. She is set to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 26. Aadhya Vijayakumar, an eighth grade student at Rocky Run Middle School, was named first runner-up in the Fairfax County Spelling Bee, earning her a spot in the national competition too.
Read about the students and how they’re preparing for the competition.
Celebrating Our Special Education Champions
FCPS is known for excellence in special education, and the Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) recently celebrated this commitment at its 2026 Awards Ceremony.
The annual event honors the outstanding students, educators, staff, and community members who go above and beyond to support and uplift our students with disabilities. Read about the SEPTA Award winners.
Feeling the Beat: Technology Brings Music to Life for Students at Canterbury Woods
Students at Canterbury Woods Elementary School recently experienced a live orchestra in a way they never thought possible. During a special instrument petting zoo, students who are deaf or hard of hearing used cutting-edge technology to experience a performance in real time. Read about the instrument petting zoo.
FCPS Hispanic Leadership Alliance Awards 29 Scholarships
The Hispanic Leadership Alliance, a certified employee group of FCPS employees, presented scholarships to 29 high school seniors, adult learners, and community leaders.
Transition Events in FCPS Help Students Succeed
In the Strategic Plan Update portion of last week’s School Board meeting, the topic was Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. Dr. Reid spoke about supporting a positive school climate, which includes students feeling safe, included, and that they belong; having access to academic support; and feeling like they can share trust with teachers.
Moving from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school is a major milestone that can be both scary and exciting for students. One way FCPS creates a positive climate at schools is by offering transition events during these changes.
Dr. Reid shared this video that shows how these practices focus on building a sense of belonging and empowerment. Read more in her Weekly Reflections.
March FCPS CARES Recipient Helps Students Grow
FCPS CARES gives parents, caregivers, staff, and community members the opportunity to recognize employees who go above and beyond to help others. Among the March CARES of the Month recipients is Daisy Lee, an enhanced autism teacher at Cub Run Elementary School.
Daisy’s colleagues describe her as a “diamond.” She is consistent and sets clear expectations for both students and adults who work in her classroom.
“I have seen amazing growth in our shared students this year, and so much of it is due to Daisy's unwavering follow-through, clear expectations, and strong relationships that she has built with students and staff at Cub Run,” her nomination stated.
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Jennifer Fisher, Marie Phillips-Journet, Jessica Belcher, Ana Ramirez de Pozo, and Greg Shifflett, Stonecroft Transportation
- Mallory Bonner, Cunningham Park Elementary School
- Libby Wray and Julia Stievater, Timber Lane Elementary School
- Renee Octaviano, Franconia Elementary School
- Laure Grove, Terra Centre Elementary School
- Kelly Bradshaw, Lorton Station Elementary School
To recognize an employee with an FCPS CARES, please visit the submission page.
Honoring FCPS School Lunch Heroes
Recently, in honor of National School Lunch Hero Day, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services celebrated the kitchen managers and staff who serve more than 100,000 student meals a day. Their dedication ensures every student is well-nourished and ready to learn.
Each year, operations specialists nominate standout kitchens — not only for their technical excellence but for the genuine, student-centered connections they foster within their school communities. Twelve kitchen teams were selected for excelling in health and safety standards, operational adaptability, exceptional customer experience, collaborative leadership, and increased program participation.
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. Interested families should complete the application and return it to their school office.
Additionally, students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools, and Davis Center can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes. Interested students should complete the application and return it to their school office.
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.
Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, FCPS 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 email 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 FCPS attendance resources.
Calendar Reminders: Memorial Day, Teacher Workday, Eid al-Adha
Early Release Wednesday
On Wednesday, May 20, elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early:
- Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield, and West Potomac.
Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays.
Memorial Day (Holiday)
Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Teacher Workday
Tuesday, May 26, is a teacher workday. There is no school for students.
Eid al-Adha (Holiday)
Wednesday, May 27, is a holiday for Eid al-Adha, and schools and offices are closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
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