It's that time of year again…FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!  This is a wonderful way to recognize the dedicated, amazing teachers and staff we’re fortunate to work and play with every day.

To submit a nomination for a Louise Archer outstanding employee in one of the following categories, please click on the appropriate nomination link. You may nominate more than one employee, or employees, across multiple categories. All that is required for this preliminary nomination is a brief statement. If your nomination progresses within FCPS, you will be contacted to provide additional detailed information with specific examples. Additional information regarding each of these awards, as well as the eligibility requirements, are included within each link.

Outstanding Teacher – a teacher or librarian with 3 or more years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher - a teacher or librarian with less than 3 years of experience

Outstanding Principal – a building principal with 3 or more years of experience

Outstanding Professional Staff Leader - these positions include Assistant Principal, School-Based Technology Specialists, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Reading Specialist, Special Education Dept Chair

Outstanding Operational Employee – these positions could include custodial staff, food service staff, and all other hourly employees

Outstanding Educational Services Employee – these positions include Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, SIA, IA, Family Liaison, PHTA

Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Louise Archer Elementary has proudly been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as a Purple Star School. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. A special thank you to Mrs. Brigit Akpinar, our school counselor and her team for leading this initiative! 

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.

Superintendent's Community Conversations

Join your neighbors for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.