Learning has continued this summer! A student at Olde Creek Elementary School’s Extended School Year program practices fine motor skills while playing. 

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School! 

As summer winds down, our schools and staff are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms.  

1. Is Your Child Registered Yet? 

If you are new to FCPS and have not registered your child for school yet, please do so as soon as possible. Schools are planning playdates, screenings, teacher visits, and back-to-school nights for students to get to know their teachers and each other. Register soon to make sure you don’t miss out! 

2. How to Get School Communications

Also, be sure to sign up for your school’s newsletter and social media channels to learn more about events, celebrations, and deadlines. Find the sign up links and information on back-to-school events on your school’s website.

3. Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

4. Update Immunizations and Records

Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations during recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up to keep children healthy and ready for school. 

While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your student’s healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.

Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a schedule of clinics or schedule with your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.  

Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation to share with your child’s school.

5. Save the Date: Back to School Nights

The schedule for back-to-school nights is also available online by region: Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5, and Region 6. Don’t know your school’s region? Search for your school in the Schools and Centers Directory, then click on your school’s name.

6. Read On! 

Read more in this issue of FCPS This Week — and watch for a new issue every Wednesday during the school year — for more news and information from Fairfax County Public Schools. 

🍎 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Available

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost. 

As of October 31, 2022, approximately 34% of students in FCPS qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Families in FCPS that are earning less than 185% of the poverty level can receive meals for their students at no cost.

Families should complete the application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits throughout the school year. Families are encouraged to complete the application before the start of each school year. Apply and view Up-to-date information and the application and criteria are available on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.

Some schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). All students enrolled at these schools will be offered breakfast and lunch each day at no charge. Households with students attending these schools will not be required to submit a meal application form for their students to receive meals at no charge. Each household with students attending these schools will receive communication about the CEP, including contact information for any questions. 

A list of schools participating in the CEP is available, along with eligibility guidelines for families and students applying for free and reduced-price meals from other schools.

Summer Meal Service Continues Through August 11

Summer meals will continue to be available at select locations through Friday, August 11. Visit the Summer Meals webpage for more information on locations, dates, and times. 

💻 Digital PSAT Replaces Paper; Accommodations Due August 8

This October, the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) will be administered in Fairfax County in a digital format. Some testing accommodations are administered differently for digital tests than for paper/pencil tests. See information about accommodations for students with disabilities.

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day

The district will offer access to the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day for rising 10th through 12th grade students at no cost to families. Exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 11.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and English Learners

Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or supports. If you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade; or have an English Learner (EL) student entering 12th grade; please review the accommodations request process and/or EL support request process and return forms to the high school by Tuesday, August 8.

Find out more about SAT assessments and PSAT assessments.

📅 First Day of School 

The first day of the 2023-24 school year is Monday, August 21! Parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures or videos from the first day of school on social media using the hashtag #FirstDayFairfax. We will share some of the photos on the FCPS Facebook and Instagram pages. View the school year calendar.

Helping Prepare Young Children for School

Families play an important role in helping children prepare for kindergarten and having a successful school year. Visit these pages to learn how to actively supporter your kindergartener:

• Success in Kindergarten Parent Strategies – Learn how to provide a smoother transition to kindergarten (available in nine languages).
• Early Childhood Tips – FCPS’ Early Partnership Team shares information on a wide variety of topics covering learning, feelings, and development.
• Kindergarten Year at a Glance – Learn about the skills your kindergartener will learn throughout the year.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for Kindergarten!

If your child will be five years old by September 30 and has not been registered for kindergarten yet, check out this easy-to-follow process. 

🏃‍♀️ Middle School Sports

Is your middle schooler interested in running? FCPS will offer middle school students a chance to participate in cross country this fall and track in spring 2024. 

Pre-Participation Exams (Sports Physicals) for Athletes

Any students who would like to participate in athletics will need to have a Virginia High School League (VHSL) pre-participation examination (PPE). The physical exam form must be completed and signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Learn more about middle school athletics and sports physicals.

Virtual Therapy Services for High School Students

Teletherapy services continue to be available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hazel’s highly-qualified therapists specialize in speaking “teen.” 

Caregivers must first opt in their students to access Hazel Health. Then, a caregiver or school counselor, social worker, or psychologist can refer the student for services. Learn more on the FCPS teletherapy webpage.

In-Person Tutors Needed

FCPS’ Department of School Improvement and Support (DSIS) has identified schools with the most need for targeted in-person tutoring for students. The district is recruiting qualified tutors who will be matched to schools based on this need. 

Are You Interested in Tutoring? 

FCPS needs qualified tutors to provide in-person academic support to small groups of students. These tutors will be paid hourly at a rate of $48.58. The position is flexible, and the amount you work and where you work will be based on your availability, qualifications, and the needs presented throughout FCPS. However, tutors will need to be able to work at least three days a week for a total of 12 hours a week on a consistent basis.

Apply now! Email [email protected] for more information. 

Note: Current FCPS staff can only apply to tutor outside of their contracted hours. 

Tutor.com Is Still Available Free for All FCPS Students

Online tutoring through Tutor.com is still available to ALL FCPS students as a resource for both support and enrichment. Last school year, more than 12,000 students participated in approximately 70,000 tutoring sessions. Tutor.com will remain available to all FCPS students at no cost this school year.

🎉 New School Year, New Strategic Plan

August not only marks the start of a new school year for FCPS, but our division is now officially being guided by our new 2023-30 strategic plan. This student-centered plan serves as our North Star for how teachers and staff will continue to ensure excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student. 

Our students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today! In order to keep pace with their needs, we have reimagined our plans for the future and how to best serve our students in this new era.

Need a refresher on the strategic plan pillars, goals, and measures before school begins? View the Strategic Plan webpage. 

🏆 Eight Graduates Named National Merit Scholarship Winners

In July, eight FCPS graduates from the class of 2023 were named winners of college-sponsored scholarships by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

🏗️ School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 7

The $435 million School Bond Referendum — which supports the division’s and county’s commitment to provide safe and up-to-date learning environments for all students — will be on the Tuesday, November 7, general election ballot.

The funding provided by voter-approved bonds is expected to provide planning, design, or construction funds for 16 schools; funds for three modular relocations; security vestibules; and inflation adjustments for prior bond projects. These projects are identified in the FY 2024-28 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the School Board in February. 

The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. 

Read more about the 2023 Bond Referendum. Learn about registering to vote.

New Chair and Vice Chair Elected to School Board

The Fairfax County School Board elected Elaine Tholen (Dranesville District representative) as chair and Karl Frisch (Providence District representative) as vice chair for a one-year term during the Board’s annual organizational meeting on July 13. Read more.

🎒 Support Students With the Educate Fairfax School Supply Drive

To ensure that every child in the school district is prepared for school, Fairfax County Public Schools and Educate Fairfax are once again working with not-for-profit, for-profit, and government entities to provide school supplies to benefit students who otherwise might go without them.   

Approximately 34% of FCPS students qualify for free and reduced-price meals and struggle to afford basic necessities. Your $10 donation can ensure a student is successful at school, by providing a complete school supply kit of pencils, notebooks, and other necessities — which they otherwise are unable to afford. 

Contributions can be made online through Educate Fairfax. Donations will be used to purchase bulk school supply kits at highly discounted pricing. For more information, visit the Educate Fairfax website.