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Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you safe, warm, and well as we come out of a true deep freeze and wrap up a snowy week. We hope everyone was able to enjoy the unexpected pause, make a few winter memories, and stay cozy during our snow days.
As we look ahead, we are excited to welcome everyone back to school. Our building is ready thanks to the incredible efforts of our custodial team. They worked tirelessly to clear entrances, walkways, and shared spaces so that students and staff can return to a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. We are deeply grateful for their hard work and dedication.
As we return next week, a few important reminders:
- If you are utilizing our parking lot, please drive slowly and carefully as we navigate snow and ice.
- Please continue to follow all Kiss and Ride procedures to help keep arrival and dismissal safe and efficient for everyone.
- Extra patience and caution make a big difference during winter conditions.
We are also welcoming the month of February, which marks the beginning of Black History Month. Throughout the month, students will engage in learning experiences that honor the history, contributions, and voices of Black Americans who have shaped our country and continue to impact our world today. This is an important opportunity for reflection, learning, and celebration across our school community.
Monday is also Groundhog Day, a tradition dating back to the 1800s. Legend says that if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, we have six more weeks of winter. If he does not, an early spring is on the way. While his predictions are not always reliable, they do give us something fun to talk about and we are all hoping for good news.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back and beginning a strong February together. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Warmly, Catherine
Due to the recent loss of instructional days, the final day of the second quarter has been moved to Tuesday, February 3.
Teachers may continue second-quarter assessments through February 3 and will share any specific changes with students and families through Schoology. Students in semester courses will continue attending first-semester classes through February 3. See Dr. Reid’s letter to the community about the end-of-quarter adjustments.
See the complete school year calendar.
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
Our Kiss & Ride procedures must operate efficiently and safely as we welcome over 100 vehicles each day. The following expectations will be strictly enforced to prevent delays and ensure student safety.
At 8:55 a.m., students must exit vehicles immediately and line up at the entrance. Students may not remain in cars past this time.
School staff will begin directing students to exit vehicles promptly at 8:55 a.m. We have observed students remaining in cars until as late as 9:05 am., which causes the line to stop moving and creates unsafe traffic conditions. This cannot continue.
If your child has large equipment or materials, needs support exiting the vehicle, or has not finished eating breakfast, you must park and walk your child into the school. Kiss & Ride is for quick, independent unloading only. These steps are necessary to ensure the line continues moving and does not back up.
Safety patrols will hold clear signage indicating the unloading zone, and families are expected to unload students when directed. Drivers must pull forward fully, unload promptly, and exit the lot without delay.
Additional traffic signs will be posted to support smoother flow. All drivers are expected to follow staff directions at all times. Speeding, stopping outside the unloading zone, or waiting in the line after 8:55 a.m. will not be permitted.
After 9:15 AM, Kiss and Ride is closed. Families arriving after this time must park and walk their child into the building to sign in, as instruction is already underway.
These procedures are in place to keep students safe and learning on time. We appreciate your full cooperation and expect all families to follow these expectations moving forward.
Thank you for your partnership in ensuring a safe and efficient arrival for all.
Our Student Council voted to raise money to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a non-profit focused on supporting children and families fighting childhood cancers and working to find a cure. Alex’s Lemonade Stand was founded in 2000 by a 4 year old named Alex, who was diagnosed with cancer before her 1st birthday. While she lost her battle at the age of 8, her family was determined to support others in the same fight. 26 years later, their non-profit has funded over 1,500 research grants working towards a cure and supported thousands of families in their fight against cancer.
Each classroom at Colin Powell will join them in their fight this year, and work together in a friendly competition to raise money towards our $6,000 school goal. Your child’s classroom will also be coming up with incentives to help make the fundraiser more fun. Every student will receive an individual collection box for coins and bills in their Tuesday folder. Please encourage them to fundraise safely: do extra chores around the house, look beneath those couch cushions for extra change, ask a family member or friend, or even sell some lemonade (or shovel snow, depending on the weather) in your neighborhood. It is amazing how powerful it is to show students that they are capable of making a difference every day in even a small way!
For more information about Alex’s Lemonade Stand and to donate online, follow the link sent by your child’s teacher to their classroom page, or click on this link: https://www.alexslemonade.org/2025/colin-powell-pumas-change-childhood-cancer
The fundraiser starts Monday, February 2nd and ends on Friday, February 20th. Let’s see how much of a difference we Pumas can make together, and show kids fighting cancer they are not alone! Questions? Please reach out to Ms. Senturia at lesenturia@fcps.edu
Bring the whole family out to the Colin Powell Cafeteria for a night of singing, community and family fun for a great cause! Our annual Student Council Association sponsored Karaoke Night will take place on Friday, February 6 from 5:30 to 8 pm. Admission is $5 per person for anyone 3 and older. Food, drinks, and snacks—including cheese pizza and Rita’s Ice—will all be available for purchase at the event. Come early to make sure you can sing your favorite songs on the CPES Main Stage. Please note, this event is cash only. All proceeds will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which works to support children who are battling cancer and also work on research to fund treatments and possible cures for childhood cancer. If you have any middle of high school aged children who need community service hours, please have them reach out to Laura Senturia at lesenturia@fcps.edu to sign up to volunteer at the event.
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Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives.
Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring. Eligible children can be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and complete registration forms as soon as possible.
FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, please visit the FCPS Registration webpage.
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Presented to School Board
- School Board Approves Proposed Boundary Changes
- It’s Kindergarten Registration Time
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