A student looks inside an aquarium at Bailey’s Elementary School’s science lab.

🥁 Oakton Marching Cougars Win Metallica Band Competition

The Oakton High School Marching Cougars have won Metallica's inaugural marching band competition, For Whom the Band Tolls. Members of the band Metallica, a heavy metal group formed in the 1980s, chose the overall winner from among five finalists. 

The Marching Cougars were selected as the best in the small high school category by a panel of professional marching band judges. They will be awarded $15,000. Read more about the competition. 

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families.

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Student Interns Learn Life Skills on the Job

Curtis (above) is an FCPS senior who is trying something new. Curtis has autism and attends Cedar Lane School, which provides smaller class settings for students who require additional support. He’s also now an intern at Brooke Rental Center in Vienna.

Curtis’ mother says she wanted to be sure that Curtis obtained work experience. For some students with special needs, however, the typical teenage after-school job can be trickier to navigate successfully.

Cedar Lane offers employment assistance programs for teens at their school. The students work as unpaid interns, monitored by school staff, who are picking up real-world skills for successful employment. Read more about the Cedar Lane internship program. 

✈️ Learn About Opportunities for the Year Following Graduation at the Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will co-host the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 30, 6-8:30 p.m., at Marshall High School. 

This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning about opportunities for the year following high school graduation. Students should register at USA Gap Year Fairs. 

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. The holiday marks the birthday of King, who was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement. The movement protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. 

Volunteer with Give Together
FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. The school division is excited to collaborate with Volunteer Fairfax for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Students and families can volunteer on Monday, January 15, at Volunteer Fairfax’s Give Together event. It is designed to engage families with children ages 5-12 in service learning. Students ages 13-18 are welcome to serve as teen event volunteers. 

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Orthodox Epiphany (Observance Day)

In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and commemorates the baptism of Jesus. 

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.

See the complete school year calendar.

🤝 How to Partner or Volunteer with Schools

FCPS Business and Community Partnerships is happy to work with local businesses and organizations to help support our schools and students. Through its Ignite Partnerships, the team establishes valuable long-term relationships in the community. Please contact Jay Garant at 571-423-1225 for information. Learn more about Business and Community Partnerships by subscribing to its monthly newsletter.

School Board Meeting Scheduled for January 11 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its next business meeting on Thursday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. 

Topics on the agenda include:

• Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-29 Capital Improvement Program
• Awarding of contracts 

View the complete agenda.

Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

☎️ See Something, Say Something: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline

FCPS provides a way for employees and the general public to report any suspected wrongdoing related to FCPS’ assets and resources. Reporting will help ensure taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately — on our students’ education. It can also help improve employees’ work environment.

Reports can be made in person, by phone, by email, or online. All reports are taken seriously, and every effort will be made to investigate the reports according to the applicable laws, codes, policies, or regulations. Employees can assist with investigations by providing as much information as possible. Please visit the Office of Auditor General webpage to learn more.