Watch this video to learn more about FCPS’ upcoming Strategic Planning process. Later this month, we will be inviting students, staff, families, and the community to engage in building our shared future, starting with a survey of students in grades 3 and above. There will also be 12 engagement opportunities and community forums (both in-person and virtual) in November and December. Visit our Strategic Planning Process webpage for more information.

Puerto Rico Recruitment Brings Mother-Daughter Teaching Pair to FCPS Immersion Program

When Lesliean Luna, a teacher for almost 20 years in Puerto Rico, was approached by a friend to attend an educator recruitment session for a Virginia school district, she says she agreed to go out of curiosity. Two weeks later, Luna had decided to uproot her life and accept a job teaching in the Spanish immersion program at Laurel Ridge Elementary School in Fairfax County. 

Luna, who was hired in 2016 as one of the first FCPS educator recruits from Puerto Rico, has taught in the Spanish immersion program at Laurel Ridge ever since. After marrying a man from Puerto Rico that she met while living in Virginia, she also recruited a sister-in-law to come teach in FCPS. And this year, her daughter was hired to teach in FCPS via the same recruitment program. 

Walk to School Day: October 12

Fairfax County Public Schools will participate in Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 12, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.

Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work, where safe to do so, on October 12. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school. Check school newsletters for local plans for the day. 

Capital Improvement Program Engagement Process

FCPS engages in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process on a regular cycle, with construction and renovation projects in various stages and impacting a variety of stakeholders. 

Communication and engagement are critical to establishing trust, strengthening relationships, and building support for the school community and division as a whole. In spring 2022, the Office of Communication and Community Relations and the Facilities Department began a joint review of the CIP communication process with a goal of ensuring comprehensive outreach, accessibility, transparency, and accountability. Please review the Capital Improvement Program—Engagement Process, then take a moment to share your feedback.  

Calendar Reminder: Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 10 

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 10, is a student holiday (no school for students only) and staff development day.

Visit this site to learn more about the cultural heritage of Fairfax County. Read this story in Smithsonian Magazine for ideas on how to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day.

See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.

Upcoming STEM/STEAM Festivals

FCPS Ignite Partner STEAMOLOGY will present STEM FEST at Walt Whitman Middle School on Saturday, October 8, from noon to 5 p.m. Visit the STEM FEST website for information on how to register.

George Mason University, in partnership with Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk and the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub, will present STEAM FEST on Saturday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hybla Valley Community Center. Get more information. 

Provide Feedback on ESSER III Impact by October 10

The deadline to share your thoughts about in-person instruction and continuity of services is October 10. This opportunity is a routine check-in on how FCPS is using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to support our work to maintain safe school environments and address the impact of COVID-19 on students. 

The ESSER III plan has been reviewed every six months. FCPS is seeking and will take into account public input during the review process. Please visit our ESSER III website to learn more about the plan and leave your feedback. 

Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals is Thursday, October 6. A new application must be submitted every school year. In addition to qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals, approved students may qualify for benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes. Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced-Price Meal application numbers. 

If you have questions or need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Price Meals application, please visit this FRM website or contact the front office of your school.

October Is Dyslexia Awareness Month

The Parent Resource Center will host an open house for parents to learn more about dyslexia and how to support students with dyslexia on October 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. Learn more about PRC events on their website. 

The FCPS Dyslexia handbook also provides information and resources to families. It reflects our commitment to ensure that the needs of students with dyslexia are met as a result of collective responsibility and collaboration across general and special education contexts.

Graduation Rates Remain Strong

After seeing record high rates last year, the Fairfax County Public Schools Class of 2022 continued to report strong on-time graduation rates at 94.2%, according to data released last week from the Virginia Department of Education. This year’s overall on-time graduation rate is only 0.4 points less than the division’s 94.6% high in 2021, reflecting continued success with a larger and more diverse senior class. 

Multilingual Podcast and Facebook Pages

FCPS produces a multilingual podcast every two weeks to highlight relevant information for families in their own languages. It is produced in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean. 

The latest episode introduces the FCPS Trust Policy and reminds families to review the Student Rights and Responsibilities document. Learn more about the podcast. 

FCPS Facebook Pages in Spanish and Korean

Los invitamos a seguir la página de Facebook de FCPS en Español. Nuestros grupos de participación multilingüe publican aquí la información más reciente e importante de FCPS en español. Por favor, siga esta página para mantenerse conectado e informado en su idioma preferido. 

페어팩스 카운티 공립학교가 최근 한국어 페이스북 페이지를 개설했습니다.
한국어 페이스북 페이지는 학교 관련 정보, 이벤트 및 교육 비디오를 한국어로 공유해 많은 한국인 학생 및 가족에게 FCPS의 소식을 전달하려 합니다. FCPS의 한국어 서비스를 받아보시려면 꼭 한국어 페이스북을 팔로우하여 주시기 바랍니다. 

Disability History and Awareness Month

During October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community. In Fairfax County, October is also Disability Employment Awareness Month. Learn more on the Fairfax County Government website.

LGBTQIA+ History Month

LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Visit FCPS' website for resources and support.

Title IX Response Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to a learning and working environment free from all forms of discrimination and does not tolerate acts of sexual or gender-based misconduct.

• Any student who believes that they have been subjected to sexual or gender-based misconduct, any parent of such a student, or any student who believes that another student is being subjected to sexual or gender-based misconduct is encouraged to report the misconduct to FCPS, specifically to their school principal.  
• Any administrator who believes that a student is being subjected to sexual or gender-based misconduct is required to report such suspected misconduct to the school principal.

FCPS conducts prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into any such reports. Supportive measures will be available to students who have alleged sexual or gender-based misconduct and students who are accused of sexual or gender-based misconduct—including but not limited to: separation pending the outcome of an investigation, counseling, and educational resources.

When an investigation reveals that sexual misconduct created a sexually hostile environment, FCPS will take prompt and effective steps to end the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effect—including continuing the supportive measures as necessary to protect the reporting student and ensure their safety. Students found to engage in acts of sexual misconduct or other acts that create a hostile environment will be dealt with promptly, and discipline may include, but is not limited, to reassignment, suspension or expulsion. FCPS encourages students, parents and staff to work together to prevent sexual or gender-based misconduct of any kind.

For more information about the FCPS Title IX Response, please visit our website or contact:

FCPS Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equity & Employee Relations
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 571-423-3070
[email protected]     

School Board Meeting on October 6, at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, October 6, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda (English only). The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and on the FCPS website. Agenda highlights include:

• Reallocation of ESSER III Funds.
• Awarding of contracts.
   

To watch recorded School Board meetings or live Regular Meetings dubbed in Spanish, you can visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel. 

If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk.

Sign up to get an update on any School Board action items the morning after the School Board meeting.

Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.