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Monday, January 19- Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) School Closed
Wednesday, January 21- Curriculum Night @ LJMS!
Tuesday, January 27 - Parent Coffee, 10:30AM - 11:30AM; Cafe de Padres, 6PM - 7PM
Wednesday, January 28 - 2 Hour Early Release and End of 2nd Quarter
Thursday, January 29 - Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
Friday, January 30 - Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
Monday, February 16 - Presidents' Day - School Closed
Tuesday, February 17 - Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
Wednesday, February 18 - First Full Day of Ramadan (begins at sundown)
The entire 2025-2026 FCPS Calendar can be found here.
Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.
On-Time Attendance
We are off to a great start to the school year. Now students are settled in their classes and know the routines. We stress to our teachers bell-to-bell instruction to maximize instructional time and learning. If you drop your student off at school, make sure that they do not have to rush and arrive late to school. Help our students develop the habit of being punctual. Also encourage your student to arrive at each class on time. Arriving late is a classroom interruption and distraction for the teacher and all students.
We will begin to reinforce our school’s tardy policy, which includes tardy sweeps, detention, and parent contact for repeated tardiness. We will also recognize punctuality with fun incentives for our students. Thank you for your support.
Updated Attendance Codes
Attendance Codes have been updated for the 2025-26 school year. These updates will allow schools to better identify the primary reasons for student absences, which will help school teams identify patterns of absenteeism, make informed decisions, and develop effective strategies to improve attendance. Please note which codes qualify as “Excused” and which are “Unexcused.”
Codes no longer used:
- EXC-Excused
- PRE-Prearranged Absence
- UNL-Unexcused Local
Updated Code:
- MED-Illness or Injury Related
Excused Codes:
- COL-College Visit
- FAM-Family Emergency
- FRL-Funeral
- LGL-Legal Obligations
- MAP-Medical Appointment (Prescheduled)
- MIL-Deployment Related
- OEX-Other-Excused
Unexcused Codes:
- NON-Non-School Activity
- OUN-Other- Not Excused
- VAO-Vacation, Outing, or Non-Emergency Family Travel / Visit
Counselor On Leave
As a reminder, Dr. Simmons, our counselor for students with last names Re–Z, is currently on leave. We hope for her return soon. In her absence, please reach out to any of the other counselors or Mr. Zubieta for support.
Course Selection and Curriculum Nights
Students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to attend Curriculum Nights to learn more about course offerings, academic pathways, and special programs.
Luther Jackson Middle School will host its Curriculum Night on January 21 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. Families of current 8th grade students are also encouraged to attend Curriculum Nights at their students’ future high schools to learn more about high school course offerings, graduation requirements, and specialized programs. Information and links to high school Curriculum Nights can be found on each high school’s website.
Course Selection Timeline
- Rising 8th Grade (LJMS): Course selection will begin the first week of February, following the end of Quarter 2.
- Rising 7th Grade: Course selection will take place throughout the month of February.
- Rising 9th Grade: High schools will meet with their respective rising 9th graders between January 22 and February 13.
For more information on our course selection process and timeline, please visit our Course Selection website:https://jacksonms.fcps.edu/student-services/course-selection
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. You may contact your student’s school counselor with questions.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.
Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.
Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
Meal Accommodations Provide Safe, Nutritious Meals
FCPS’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to school meals that are safe, nutritious, and meet their individual dietary needs.
FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school. To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs. Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a menu for your child.
Did Your Student Get a New Phone or Device?
For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office.
Access Schoology to Support Your Child
Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology.
Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.
Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.
Follow Our Budget Process
Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process and look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education. Key decision dates and engagement opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks:
The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2026 session on Saturday, January 10, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Fairfax County residents can sign up in advance to speak at the hearing online or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by Thursday, January 8, at noon.
Thursday, January 22, Dr. Reid will present the proposed budget to the School Board.
The EIP is a multiyear (five year) college preparatory program for students who will be the first in their families to attend a four-year college in the United States. EIP is a collaborative effort between Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and George Mason University (GMU). EIP provides services that include:
- An after-school tutoring or Academic Mentoring Program (AMP).
- Saturday programs for remediation and enrichment in science and mathematics.
- College information sessions for juniors and seniors that include guidance on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), writing their college essays, and filling out college applications.
- A mandatory Strengthening the Family workshop for the parents and/or guardians of EIP students.
- A mandatory, three-week Summer Academy during July on the Fairfax campus of GMU for rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.
- A cohort of fellow-EIP students and family members who encourage and support one another.
- Transportation is provided for students for many of the EIP events.
Only 7th grade students are eligible to apply for EIP. If accepted, they will start the program in 8th grade and participate until high school graduation. EIP students maintaining a 3.2 GPA are guaranteed admission to GMU. Those who maintain a 3.5 GPA are invited to apply for a GMU scholarship.
If you would like your student to apply to EIP, please complete this google form. Once completed, your student will be on the list that is shared with George Mason University and the FCPS EIP office. Next steps will be provided after submission of the google form.
Reflections is a national PTA arts recognition program that encourages students to express their artistic talents. Based on the 2025-2026 theme "I Belong!” nine Luther Jackson students submitted their artwork in three categories. Their work has been evaluated by community artists and professionals on their interpretation of theme, creativity and technique. For each art form, the work chosen as Outstanding Interpretation will advance to the Fairfax County Council PTA level, competing with entries from other Fairfax County middle school students. Award of Excellence, Award of Merit and Honorable Mention are given to second, third and fourth place. Here are the 2025-2026 Luther Jackson (School Level) results.
LITERATURE Outstanding Interpretation Award
Ridheema Dusange - A Cloud's Pursuit of Belonging
Award of Excellence
Gadea Martinez Aparicio -Burning Red
Award of Merit
JingJing Helke - Society's Chains
Honorable Mention
Morgan Lee - Inside Out
PHOTOGRAPHY
Outstanding Interpretation Award
Hari Bala - Niche
VISUAL ART
Outstanding Interpretation Award
Prisha Polra - Incomplete Without You
Award of Excellence
Ridheema Dusange - I Belong to the World
Award of Merit
Ammy Ramos - I Belong
Honorable Mention
Shyna Lama - Within My Eyes
Participation
Alyssa Salmeron - Stars
Congratulations to all the students who participated, you had amazing submissions. Good luck to those advancing to the Fairfax County competition, we will track the results for you on your journey to the county, state and national contest.
Capture this year’s memories with our school yearbook, featuring highlights from events, clubs, sports, and everyday moments. Don’t miss out on this keepsake your student will treasure! Go to this link to purchase your yearbook today.
The 8th annual STEM Essay Contest sponsored by the McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) is now open. The contest challenges 7th and 8th girls and boys to discover and publicize women including women of color (non-white) who made a difference in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, but who received little or no recognition for their contributions while they were alive. Strong preference is given to essays about women who are not well known even today.
Each student is asked to write an essay of no more than 500 words to describe one woman's contribution to STEM, discuss the impact, and clearly state why he or she picked that woman. The branch will award five prizes: 1st Place ($100) and four Honorable Mention prizes (each $25).
Two versions of the application form (a fillable PDF and a Word document), which include essay guidelines and instructions for submission, are available on the branch website | 
