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You are here: Fairfax County Public Schools > About FCPS > Students
Students
During the school year, classes may take field trips that relate directly to the regular instructional program. Schools send permission slips home prior to the trip, and parents must return them to the school no later than the day before the scheduled trip. Schools cannot accept verbal permission. All students must ride school-arranged transportation to and from the field trip destination. For safety and insurance reasons, younger siblings may not accompany chaperoning parents on field trips.
FCPS does not assume responsibility for the personal property of students and does not purchase insurance for their property. Each school urges parents and students to carefully consider the type and value of property taken to school, especially items with monetary or sentimental value. Unidentified articles found in the school are placed in a designated location.
FCPS expects students to come to school dressed in proper attire for school activities. Clothing should fit, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of decency. FCPS does not permit:
Tennis shoes or shoes with rubber soles are necessary for physical education classes and active recess play in the elementary schools.
A student may possess a cell phone, but it must be turned off, out of sight, and used only with a principal’s authorization. If this rule is not followed, the phone will be confiscated and returned only to the student’s parent or guardian.
Textbooks are provided free of charge to all students, as is access to computers. A fee, which is determined annually, is charged for the behind-the-wheel phase of driver education. Other fees may be charged for:
Optional student accident insurance plans are available at low cost. Policies offered include school-time accident insurance, 24-hour accident insurance, football accident insurance, and dental accident insurance. Informational materials are distributed to each school by the beginning of the school year and are available by accessing the insurance company web site. For more information, call First Service Insurance, Inc., at 1-800-422-7722.
A noncustodial parent has the same rights as a custodial parent to review student records and other school information. After submitting a written request, the parent may review or receive copies of information in his or her child’s student records. A reasonable charge may be imposed for postage and photocopying costs. In the case of requests for school system records other than student records, reasonable charges may also be imposed under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to cover the cost of searching, photocopying, and mailing.
Noncustodial parents who want to have notice of school events will find that much of this information is available on school web sites and through the Keep in Touch service. Requests to have copies of such notices provided by mail will be honored if the administrative resources of the school allow. A reasonable charge for postage and photocopying costs may be imposed.
Noncustodial parents are welcome to participate in events at the school such as lunches with the children, classroom visits, teacher conferences, and school productions. More specific information about the rights of custodial, joint custodial, and noncustodial parents may be found in the current version of FCPS Regulation 2240 (PDF document).
Fairfax County Public Schools has specific student conduct rules that are reviewed annually with all students in all grades. Students may be disciplined by school officials, including suspension and expulsion, for conduct while on school property, for conduct while engaged in or attending a school activity, or for conduct that affects students while going to or returning home from school. Students may also be disciplined for acts committed away from school property and outside school hours if the conduct is detrimental to the interest of the school or adversely affects school discipline or if the conduct results in a criminal charge or conviction. Students may be excluded from school for expulsion from another school division or private school.
Policies having to do with dress code, the Pledge of Allegiance, cell phones, assault, bullying, harassment, disruption of school activities, threats, gang-related activities, use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, weapons, and school safety can be found in the current version of Regulation 2601 - Student Responsibilities and Rights booklet (PDF document). The booklet is also available by calling 571-423-4270.
This handbook is written from a parent’s perspective to answer questions parents have about the school system and to encourage parents to form partnerships with the schools. The handbook serves as a resource guide to FCPS. The handbook has been translated into Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The handbook can be viewed or downloaded from the Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee web page. To request a staff member to conduct an orientation session at your school, community center, or faith organization, call the Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee’s staff liaison at 703-277-2625.
Last update:
September 10, 2009
Curator: Nancy Moy, Nancy.Moy@fcps.edu