FCPS This Week - March 30, 2022

By Communication and Community Relations
For Parents
March 31, 2022

Ten FCPS Projects Awarded Grand Prize at Regional Science and Engineering Fair

The 67th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcased more than 200 high school science projects. More than 300 students presented their research projects in a wide variety of science and engineering fields. Projects were judged by more than 150 professionals and 50 professional organizations and businesses. 

The Grand Prize Winners are eligible to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May and the Grand Prize Nominees are eligible to compete in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair to be held virtually in April.  

See who received Grand Prize awards.

Congratulations to FCPS' Winter 2022 Sports Champions!

Congratulations to all the FCPS student-athletes who participated in the 2021-22 winter sports season. This year, five FCPS teams and 30 individuals won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) championships in their respective sports, and one team and 26 individuals were the state runners-up. 

See what FCPS teams and individuals won VHSL championships

Last Chance for Feedback: Family Engagement Survey Closes on April 3

If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS’ practices to best support our students. Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment
  • Communication
  • Student success
  • Advocacy
  • Family and school partnerships
  • Collaboration with the community to see if FCPS is meeting its goals at the school, region, and division levels.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, and Vietnamese. Participate today by visiting the survey website

Northern Virginia Community College Offering Free Classes for Graduating Seniors

Qualified seniors graduating this spring who are considering coming to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) after high school may take one 3-credit course and NOVA’s 1-credit College Success Skills course, SDV 100, at no tuition, as part of the JumpStart2NOVA program. Since these classes are all online, students will need access to a computer and the Internet.

The application is now open and will close at 5 p.m. on April 29. All students will be required to upload a high school transcript and any qualifying test scores if they do not have a 3.0 grade point average. Courses begin May 31 and end August 8. 

More information about JumpStart2NOVA, including course offerings, materials, and details on how to apply, is available online

“Work Hard and if You Have That Education You Can Go Far” 

Frances Ivey, FCPS deputy superintendent, shares her thoughts on Women’s History Month and the “sheroes” who influenced her journey to success. Watch the video

Cappies Review of Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play at Hayfield Secondary School

Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theater, otherwise known as the Cappies. The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers. 

Check out this review of Hayfield Secondary School's production of Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, written by Catherine Kane of Falls Church High School.


Subscribe to the 2021-22 Fine and Performing Arts Calendar

If you enjoy high school theater, check out the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on our website. Individual listings for many middle and high school theater events are featured. Users can subscribe to the calendar to be notified of upcoming performances, and each event can be added to a calendar or shared on social media. See the Fine and Performing Arts calendar

Tip Sheet for Parents: Prevent Setbacks From Derailing Your Child

Setbacks can cause self-doubt for even the most positive kids. Their self-esteem plummets because of a bad grade. Or they compare themselves to others and see themselves coming up short. Learn how to help your child overcome setbacks and feel more positive

© 2022 The Parent Institute, a Division of PaperClip Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get more tips for parents and other family engagement resources.

Keep Your Child Safe from Substance Abuse

With spring break quickly approaching, FCPS and Fairfax County would like everyone to remember that the Fairfax community continues to be profoundly impacted by the opioid epidemic. Consistent with national and state trends, local data on fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District has been trending higher in 2022. 

People of all ages, in all parts of the Fairfax community, continue to be impacted by the opioid epidemic. In addition to opioids, data shows the most used substances amongst youth include nicotine, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription pills outside of a doctor’s recommendation. 

To help keep our children safe, here are some suggested tips for parents.

Calendar Reminder: Early Dismissal on March 31 and Student Holiday on April 1; Spring Break Is April 4-8

As a reminder, students will be dismissed two hours early on Thursday, March 31, the last day of the third quarter. Friday, April 1, is a teacher workday and a holiday for students. April 4-8 is spring break. Schools will be closed for students. Classes will resume on Monday, April 11. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar

Meal kit distribution is canceled April 6 and will resume April 13. More information and locations of the meal kit sites is available online

We hope you have a great week and get some time to relax with family and friends! FCPS This Week will not be published next week, and will return on Wednesday, April 13.