The Wildcat Weekly - October 4, 2026

Centreville Students, Families, and Community,

It’s Homecoming Week, Wildcats! We are excited to celebrate one of Centreville’s longest-standing traditions and bring together our students, staff, families, alumni, and community for a week full of school spirit and connection. Homecoming is always a special reminder that the Wildcat Nation extends well beyond the walls of our school, and we hope everyone finds an opportunity to join in the celebration!

There is plenty happening throughout the week. We kick things off Tuesday night with our annual Power Puff Football Game, as the juniors and seniors face off under the lights at 7:00 p.m. Then, on Friday, we will conclude the school day with our Homecoming Pep Rally before taking the celebration into the community with our Homecoming Parade at 5:00 p.m. Following the parade, everyone is invited back to Centreville for our Homecoming Tailgate beginning at 5:30 p.m., featuring food trucks, games, music, and activities for Wildcats of all ages before the football game. Finally, our students will cap off the festivities Saturday evening with a “Trip to Ibiza” Homecoming Dance from 7:00–10:00 p.m. Additional information about schedules, tickets, participation, and each of these events can be found below. We hope to see the Wildcat Nation out in full force throughout the week!

Amid all of the Homecoming excitement, Wednesday is also an important academic day for many of our students. Our sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT, while seniors who previously registered will take the SAT. Freshmen will not report to school on Wednesday, nor will seniors who are not registered for the SAT. Wednesday is also an early-release day, with testing and the school day concluding at 12:55 p.m. We encourage all students who are testing to get a good night’s rest, arrive prepared, and give their best effort.

I also want to highlight an opportunity to support the incredible staff members who make Centreville such a special place. Our PTSA has launched a simple “No Fuss” fundraiser to provide several staff appreciation opportunities throughout the year for our nearly 300 hardworking educators and staff members. Every contribution, regardless of the amount, helps our PTSA recognize the people who dedicate themselves each day to supporting our students. Additional information and the donation link are included below.

Homecoming Week is ultimately about celebrating who we are as a community. Whether you are competing on the field, marching in the parade, cheering from the stands, dancing Saturday night, or simply showing your Wildcat spirit throughout the week, I encourage everyone to get involved and enjoy the traditions that make Centreville special.

Have a fantastic Homecoming Week, and Go Wildcats!

Dr. Erik Healey, Principal


Upcoming Events

October 5-9 - Homecoming Week

October 6 - Power Puff Game, Centreville Stadium, 7:00PM

October 7 - PSAT/SAT School Day, Special Schedule

October 7 - Orchestra Fall Concert, Centreville Auditorium, 7:00PM

October 8 - CVHS College Fair, Centreville Gym, ROAR

October 9 - Homecoming Parade & Tailgate, 5:00-7:00PM

October 10 - Homecoming Dance, Centreville Gym, 7:00-10:00PM

October 12 - Student Holiday (Staff Development Day)

October 13 - Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener

October 14 - AVID Signing Night, Centreville Cafeteria, 6:30PM

October 15 - PTSA Meeting, Centreville Library, 6:30PM (New Time)

October 29 - INOVA Blood Drive, Centreville High School

October 29 - Orchestra Trunk or Treat, Liberty Middle School, 6:30PM

October 30 - End of the 1st Quarter - Two-Hour Early Release

 

October 5-9 - Homecoming Week: We are excited to celebrate the fall tradition of Homecoming Week from October 5-9. Our Student Government Association (SGA) is working hard to plan a fun-filled week for students, staff, and the community. Below is a summary of the events for the week:

    • Spirit Days:
      • Monday, 10/5: Beach Out
      • Tuesday, 10/6: Animal Print
      • Wednesday, 10/7 (PSAT/SAT Day): Jetlag/Pajama Day
      • Thursday, 10/8: Neon Out
      • Friday, 10/9: Class Colors
        • 9th Grade - Grey
        • 10th Grade - White
        • 11th Grade - Blue
        • 12th Grade - Black
    • Power Puff Football Game: The heated competition of our Power Puff Football game will take place on Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00PM in the stadium. Come support our juniors versus our seniors in their annual flag football game. 
    • Homecoming Pep Rally: We will conclude Homecoming Week with a Pep Rally on Friday, October 9. We will be modifying our bell schedule to move the Pep Rally to the end of the day. Our schedule will have shortened periods for 2, 4, & 8 all before lunch. Period 6 will be at normal time (11:22AM-1:22PM) and we will dismiss students to the pep rally from 6th period.  
  • Homecoming Parade: Our Homecoming Parade will be departing from Centreville High School at 5:00PM. If you are part of a club, sport, or activity and are interested in participating in the parade this year, we would love your presence. Students can use this form to sign up. Participating students will begin lining up at 4:15PM in the Faculty Parking Lot in the front of the school. 
  • Homecoming Tailgate: After the parade, join us for the Homecoming Tailgate beginning at 5:30PM before the game. There will be food trucks, games, music, and lots of fun to be had for Wildcats young and old! Student Clubs can sign up to have a table here. 
  • Homecoming Dance: Students join us for a Trip to Ibiza at our Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 10 from 7:00-10:00PM. We will have a sensory friendly dance hour from 7:00-8:00PM, then will transition to lights down and DJ at 8:00PM. Tickets are $25 and on sale now on MySchoolBucks or during lunch from September 28 - October 9. Any non-Centreville High School students require a guest form which is available in the main office or room 116. 

October 7 - PSAT/SAT School Day: On October 7, our 10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT. Additionally, we will be administering the SAT for any 12th grade students who signed up for this optional test date. Our 9th grade students and any seniors who did not register should not attend school on this day. We will operate on an early release schedule, so all students will be dismissed at 12:55PM, unless they qualify for extended time on these tests. 

October 8 - CVHS College Fair: Our 2nd annual College Fair is coming up on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 9:30-10:45am. Juniors and seniors must register by Oct. 1 to participate. They will have the opportunity to meet with 71 college and military representatives. This is an amazing opportunity for our students to connect with college representatives, ask important questions about the admissions process, and learn about their options for the future!

October 14 - AVID Signing Night: Centreville High School is excited to invite AVID students and their families from both Centreville High School and Liberty Middle School to our Second Annual AVID Signing Night on October 14. Families will come together for a potluck meal, hear AVID students share speeches about what it means to be an AVID student, and celebrate as students sign their AVID contracts in which they agree to committing to the goals, expectations, and values of the AVID program. This special evening is an opportunity to celebrate our students, strengthen the connection between our middle and high school AVID programs, and welcome families into the AVID community.

October 15 - PTSA Meeting: Please join us for the monthly PTSA meeting on Thursday, October 15 at 6:30PM in the Centreville High School Library. We invite you to join the Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) to help foster a positive and inclusive school climate. Your involvement in PTSA is an opportunity to strengthen relationships and make a lasting impact on our school community. If you are not a member of the CVHS PTSA, learn more about membership, donations, and information from previous meetings here.

October 29 - INOVA Blood Drive: SGA will be hosting an Inova Blood Drive on Thursday, October 29. If you are 16 years old and weigh over 110 pounds, sign up at all lunches between October 19-23 and bring your signed permission form! Forms can be found in the main office or room 116. Come help save lives and receive a free t-shirt!

October 29 - Orchestra Trunk or Treat: "Trunks, Tricks & Treats” will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Liberty Middle School this year! All CVHS Pyramid string students and their families are invited for an evening of fun. The event begins with a short performance by the Liberty MS Orchestras, followed by “Pro Tips” from high school students in the music wing and a chance for younger siblings to try out string instruments. The night concludes with Trunk or Treat in the bus loop, where families can vote for the best decorated car. Students who complete all activities will receive a CVHS Orchestra name tag, and SOPA parents will be available to share about orchestra life at LMS and CVHS.


Wonderful Wildcats

NationalMerit

Celebrating Our Wildcat National Merit Scholars: We are thrilled to celebrate our exceptional Centreville High School Class of 2027 students who have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program! Special congratulations go to Arjun Ganesan on being named a National Merit Semifinalist! To qualify as a Semifinalist, Arjun scored among the top 1% of high school seniors in Virginia on the PSAT/NMSQT, placing him in an elite group of student scholars nationwide eligible to compete for prestigious National Merit Scholarships. We also want to recognize our incredible National Merit Commended Scholars! These outstanding Wildcats scored among the top 50,000 students nationally out of more than 1.3 million test-takers. This recognition highlights their exceptional academic promise and places them in the top tier of students across the country. We could not be prouder of Arjun and our Commended Scholars for their hard work, academic excellence, and for representing Wildcat Nation with distinction!

FieldHockey

Honoring our Class of 2027 Field Hockey Student-Athletes: Last Thursday, we came together to celebrate our outstanding senior student-athletes during Field Hockey Senior Night! Throughout their high school careers, these remarkable players have continually demonstrated grit, perseverance, and true teamwork. Their unwavering dedication to working hard and pushing themselves to improve every time they step onto the field serves as a wonderful model for all Wildcat student-athletes. Thank you to our seniors and their families for your years of leadership, commitment, and Wildcat pride!

IcePops

Spreading Friday Smiles - Ice Pops with the Class of 2028: Our Class of 2028 Board Members brought a sweet dose of Friday happiness to campus by passing out ice pops to their fellow classmates! This nostalgic throwback to childhood favorites was a wonderful way to brighten everyone's day and wrap up the week on a fun note. We extend a huge thank you to these student leaders for their creativity, leadership, and proactive efforts in fostering community, connection, and Wildcat spirit among the sophomore class. Thank you, Class of 2028 Board, for keeping our school community connected and smiling!

MarchingBand

Wildcat Marching Band Takes 1st: The Wildcat Marching Band continues to slay this season with another FIRST PLACE win at the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative Rock Ridge Regional competition in Group 5. Our Dragonslayers also won Best Music, Best Visual, Best General Effect and Best Percussion. It was a tremendously incredible showing by our band members and we could not be more proud and excited for what’s still to come. If you haven’t yet seen the 2026 production, make sure you check the Wildcat Marching Band out at the Homecoming game on Friday, October 9th.


News from Student Services

Career Fair at Centreville High School: We are excited to invite family members, community partners, and local organizations to participate in the inaugural CVHS Career Fair on Monday, November 16th from 9:50-11:15am (during advisory). This event will give our sophomore students the opportunity to explore diverse industries, learn about career pathways, and hear directly from professionals in the community. The event will use a table-style networking format. Students will bring guided worksheets to help start conversations about daily job responsibilities, required education or training, and career growth opportunities. Approximately 500 students will be divided between the gym and cafeteria, with a mid-session rotation. To reserve your table, please complete this form by November 1st. We will provide more logistical information closer to the event once you confirm your attendance. We are deeply grateful for your time and partnership in helping our students discover their future paths!

SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day: SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.

Día de evaluaciones SAT School Day y PSAT/NMSQT: Los exámenes SAT School Day y PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) se administrarán en cada escuela secundaria el miércoles, 7 de octubre, sin costo para las familias. El examen digital SAT School Day se ofrecerá a estudiantes de 12.º grado, mientras que el examen digital PSAT/NMSQT se administrará a estudiantes de 10.º y 11.º grado.

College Fair and Postsecondary Virtual Night: Prepare for your child’s future at College Fair and Postsecondary Virtual Night. The annual FCPS College Fair will be held Sunday, October 18, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the George Mason University Eagle Bank Arena. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies. The virtual postsecondary night event will be held on Monday, October 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event. 

Preparing for Life After High School: To help Virginia students get ready for college, job training, or entry-level work, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SHEV) have developed resources and gathered important information to share with Virginia families. Middle and high school students and families can learn more about preparing for college or a career by visiting the following websites:

Each site contains information on preparing, applying, and paying for college, as well as information on degree options and labor market career projections.

Preparación para la vida después de la Escuela Secundaria: Para ayudar a los estudiantes de Virginia a prepararse para la universidad, capacitación laboral o un empleo de nivel inicial, el Departamento de Educación de Virginia (VDOE) y el Consejo Estatal de Educación Superior de Virginia (SHEV) han desarrollado recursos y recopilado información importante para compartir con las familias de Virginia. Los estudiantes de escuela intermedia y secundaria y sus familias pueden obtener más información sobre cómo prepararse para la universidad o una carrera profesional visitando los siguientes sitios web:

Ambos sitios incluyen información sobre cómo prepararse, solicitar admisión y pagar los estudios universitarios, además de opciones de títulos académicos y proyecciones del mercado laboral para diferentes carreras.

Federal Student Aid Form Open: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans. The 2027-28 FAFSA is now open. 

Free Financial Aid and Scholarship Information Sessions: College Access Fairfax, in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, will present virtual information sessions on the financial aid process for post-secondary education and scholarship information. Click on the date to participate. Visit College Access Fairfax for more information. Sessions include:

Sesiones gratuitas sobre ayuda financiera y becas: College Access Fairfax, en colaboración con Fairfax County Public Schools, ofrecerá sesiones informativas virtuales sobre el proceso de ayuda financiera para la educación postsecundaria y las oportunidades de becas. Haga clic en la fecha para participar. Visite College Access Fairfax para obtener más información. Las sesiones incluyen:

  • FAFSA paso a paso

Sábado, 17 de octubre, de 10 a.m. a 12 p.m.

Jueves, 29 de octubre, de 7 a 9 p.m.

  • Introducción a las becas

Miércoles, 21 de octubre, de 7 a 9 p.m.

Sábado, 14 de noviembre, de 10 a.m. a 12 p.m.


Important Information from FCPS

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent 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 will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted): 

Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr: FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place. Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff. Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place. A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings. 

Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey: As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school. The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns. Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15. Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu. 

FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers: FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December. Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:

  • Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
  • Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
  • Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.

Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.

Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair: Students with disabilities and their families are invited to attend the Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair, which will be held Thursday, November 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the cafeteria at Fairfax High School. The fair is designed for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities who will need continuing support after leaving FCPS. It is an opportunity to connect with agency and vendor representatives to gather information about services for adults in need of ongoing support. Exhibitors will share information on supported employment, training, day support programs, recreation/leisure activities, residential options, travel training supports, advocacy, funding, Medicaid, and social security. The fair is sponsored by FCPS, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and The Arc of Northern Virginia. Register to attend the resource fair.


Información importante

Conversaciones con la Comunidad: Su voz es importante: La superintendente, Dra. Michelle Reid, quiere escucharle. En FCPS, las familias y la comunidad son nuestros aliados. Cuando trabajamos juntos, podemos brindarles a nuestros estudiantes las herramientas que necesitan para tener éxito en la escuela y en la vida. Las Conversaciones con la Comunidad son espacios donde las familias, los estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad pueden compartir sus ideas, hacer preguntas y conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid. Ella estará allí para escuchar sus experiencias, conocer sus necesidades y trabajar con la comunidad para apoyar a nuestros estudiantes. Acompáñenos en una de es