Students at Keene Mill Elementary School write inspiring messages on the school sidewalk.

FCPS Named One of the Best Communities for Music Education

Fairfax County Public Schools has been honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Read about this honor and music education in FCPS. 

Hundreds Perform at Sixth Grade All-County Choral Festival

For more than 50 years, the All-County Sixth Grade Choral Festival has been a cornerstone of the Fairfax County Public Schools community, a testament to the dedication and beautiful artistry of our sixth grade singers.  

Experience the pure joy of their music and understand the profound and enduring importance of the arts in nurturing creativity and shaping young lives.

Thank You, Lunchtime Legends!

Get ready to cheer for our lunchtime legends on School Lunch Hero Day, Friday, May 1. This will be a great opportunity to extend our gratitude to all the School Lunch Heroes — like Kitchen Manager Susana Bonanno at Rolling Valley Elementary School, pictured above — who go above and beyond for our students every day.

Reid Recognizes Reading Specialist

Fairfax Villa Reading Specialist Lisa Choi was celebrated last week as the FCPS CARES of the Quarter award recipient. 

Known as a “master of her craft,” Choi blends strong instruction with deep care. She creates engaging literacy experiences and has received Educate Fairfax grants for two consecutive years to support her work. 

This year's grant funded literacy bags that students can take home, strengthening the parent engagement in their child’s learning and expanding access to high-quality books. Read more in Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections and in Choi’s FCPS CARES nomination.

Thank You, Bus Drivers and Attendants, for Getting Kids Safely to and From School!

Yesterday was School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Thank you to all our transportation workers, including Ahmed Hillman, pictured above, for all the early mornings and long days getting our kids to and from school.

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 is 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.

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open for FCPS summer camps and learning opportunities.

Career and Technical Education camps, and Fine and Performing Arts camps, will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS schools. 

Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.

• Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing.
• CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
• Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
• Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theatre. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well.
• Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive camp for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp. Read about last year’s camp. 

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.

Connecting Families and Schools: First-Class Awards and the Special Education Family Conference

Each year, FCPS hosts the Special Education Family Conference. The free, in-person event is held in collaboration with a wide range of internal and external community partners to support families and educators. Attendance this year more than doubled, with nearly 500 community members joining for a Saturday of learning. Read about the conference and see the list of individuals and groups recognized with First-Class Awards. 

Building Bridges: FCPS Liaisons Support Every Family

Among the members of Team FCPS on hand to help families at the conference was Family Resource Center Liaison Amal Elsayed. She works with families to help them feel seen, heard, and valued as a partner in their child’s education.

Watch this video to learn more about how Elsayed is a listener, translator, and bridge builder for families. Read more about her experience. 

Family Information Phone Lines

FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. 

Call the phone line with any questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.

Services at Dunn Loring Center to Relocate to Pimmet Hills Center

In May, several family support services at the Dunn Loring Center will be permanently relocated because the building is being renovated and returned to use as a school. 

• The Family Resource Center will close on Monday, May 4. 
• The last day for student registration appointments at Dunn Loring will be Friday, May 8. 
• The last day for early childhood testing appointments will be Friday, May 15.

Services will reopen at Pimmit Hills Center beginning Monday, June 1. Learn more about the relocation.

Empowering Students and Building Connections

Paul Arena, an intellectual disabilities teacher at Robinson, is also a proud alumnus, a dedicated coach, and an active member of the school’s community. As a strong advocate for fostering meaningful connections, Arena plays a vital role in the partnership class and the Partner’s Club, helping build connections between students with special needs and their peers in general education. 

Read about Paul Arena and why he was selected as an Outstanding Secondary School Teacher finalist last year.  

A Legacy of Love: Every Child Is Supposed to Feel Safe

Chrissy McLaughlin, Navy Elementary School’s school-based technology specialist, has turned unimaginable loss into profound action. The color blue and the month of April carry special meaning for her. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the cause is represented by the color blue. 

Over the last 20 years, McLaughlin has worked to embrace both as she remembers her son, Zach, who died as a result of child abuse. She shares her story so that other children might be protected. McLaughlin wants students to know they are supposed to feel cared for, happy, safe, and loved. 

Read about Zach, his story, and his mother’s advocacy.

Early Math Skills Prepare FCPS Students for Algebra 1 and Beyond

In FCPS, building strong academic skills starts early. From kindergarten through sixth grade, students practice problem-solving and early algebra every day. Because of this, more students are ready to take Algebra 1 by eighth grade.

Over the past three years, the number of eighth graders taking Algebra 1 has gone up by 18% for all student groups. See more details on this growth in the Academic Matters presentation on Algebra 1 from the April 23 School Board meeting (view BoardDocs agenda or presentation slides (PDF). Read more about how students are prepared for advanced math.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit our website for more attendance resources.

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

• Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
• Anxiety, worry, fears.
• Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
• Academic stress.

Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and intensive and other  services. 

Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Additional Mental Health Resources

FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional assistance can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number. 

Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts. 

And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.

It’s Time to Talk About Fentanyl: Become Unskippable 

National Fentanyl Awareness Day is today, April 29. Learn fentanyl facts and how to have short, impactful conversations in a way that teens are more likely to listen. Get everything you need to prepare by visiting the Fentanyl Awareness webpage. Supporting resources are at the bottom of the page.

Special Education and STEM Teacher Job Fair  

FCPS will host a virtual instructional job fair for those interested in special education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teaching positions on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. Join us for networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from FCPS schools. Special Education Information Sessions will take place at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Learn more about the job fair and register to attend.

Bike and Roll to School Day Is May 6!

Love riding your bike? Celebrate Bike and Roll to School Day and join students, families, and teachers across the country in biking to school together! This national event promotes healthy habits, encourages walking and biking, and helps reduce car traffic.

While it’s a one-day event, Bike and Roll to School Day inspires long-term change by showing communities the benefits of safer, active school commutes. Mark your calendars and join your neighbors on Wednesday, May 6. Ride together, make a difference, and show your community the power of active travel!

FCPS ACE Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

In conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) is offering $100 off select, online, skilled trades courses. With online certification courses in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and welding, adults seeking career advancement don’t have to choose between work and the education needed to succeed.

In addition to $100 off tuition, scholarships and payment plans may be available. See details and explore all the skilled trade courses available through FCPS ACE today!

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