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Weekly Update for August 10, 2026
 As we prepare for the start of the school year, here are key upcoming dates to keep on your radar:
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Thursday, Aug 20: Teacher placements and bus routes will be posted in ParentVUE. Keep an eye out for welcome letters from teachers as well.
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Friday, Aug 21 (Morning): Willow Welcome! Join us at school to meet teachers and drop off supplies. Check the Willow Springs website calendar for finalized morning event times.
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Monday, Aug 24: First Day of School (9:15 AM – 4 PM).
We look forward to seeing everyone soon!
 Apply Today for Free or
Reduced-Price Meals
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
New Requirement for Student Device Use During the School Day
On July 16, 2026, the Fairfax County School Board passed Main Motion #6 regarding student use of personal electronic communication and computing devices during the instructional day.
Under the new requirement, students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices during the instructional day. Personal devices include, but are not limited to:
• Personal laptops
• Personal tablets
• Smartphones
• Smartwatches
• Other personal electronic communication or computing devices
Students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day.
Exceptions for Students with Disabilities
This requirement does not apply when a student's Individualized Education Program, IEP, or Section 504 Plan explicitly requires or permits the use of a non-FCPS-issued personal device as a necessary accommodation.
The use of the personal device must be consistent with the provisions documented in the student's IEP or Section 504 Plan.
 Launched July 28
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app
A new ParentVUE mobile app just became available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request
The FCPS Mobile App offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS Mobile App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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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 each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact the front office at 703-679-600 if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere!
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
 If you want to save the time and hassle of searching multiple stores for your student's school supplies, consider purchasing a kit online with everything your student will need for the fall. You'll also be supporting the WSES PTA and its programs!
The school supplies kits will be delivered directly to the school in August and will be waiting for your students in their classrooms.
If you would like to purchase your supplies, please open your grade level link for the supplies needed. You can copy this page to do your shopping.
The Willow Springs PTA wants families to know support is always available.
 New Student ID Cards Coming for Bus Riders This Fall
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
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August 19 - Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground, 3:15 PM
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August 21 - Willow Welcome Open House
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August 24 - 1st Day of School for Students
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September 4 & 7 - Labor Day Break
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September 15 - Back to School Night
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September 21 - Yom Kippur Holiday
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October 12 - Indigenous People's Day Holiday
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October 21 - 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday
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October 30 - End of Quarter 1
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