Students at Bren Mar Park Elementary School examine signs of autumn in their science class. 

🏆 628 Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars

Six hundred twenty-eight FCPS students have been named National Merit Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

In recognition of their outstanding ability and potential for academic success in college, NMSC will honor these students by sending Letters of Commendation to them through their high schools. See the full list of commended scholars. 

🗳️ Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed

Thank you to the Fairfax citizens who supported the 2023 Bond Referendum. Roughly 67% of those voting in the 2023 election supported the $435 million bond referendum, continuing a long history of school bond approvals in Fairfax County. 

Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up-to-date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage. 

💭 Share Thoughts on FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

A virtual meeting regarding FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation will be held tomorrow, Thursday, November 9, 6-7:30 p.m. Register to attend.

Your feedback will help align FCPS policies with our mission and values. It will also help us identify any considerations to be addressed for the 2024-25 school year. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. A Certified Deaf Interpreter will be available as well. Visit the SR&R webpage. 

SAT/PSAT School Day Scores Are Available for Families

Students who participated in the SAT School Day on Wednesday, October 11, can access scores via their College Board accounts. Students who participated in the SAT on Thursday, October 26, will have access to scores on Thursday, November 16. 

A video tutorial for accessing and understanding SAT scores is available on the College Board website. Families can reach out to their student’s school SAT coordinator with questions regarding SAT School Day score reporting.

Digital PSAT Scores and National Merit Scholarship Information

Students who participated in the Digital PSAT on Wednesday, October 11, can access their scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. A video tutorial for accessing and understanding Digital PSAT scores is available on the College Board website.

Eleventh grade students who participate in the PSAT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and can find information on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website. Families may reach out to their student’s school PSAT coordinator if they have questions regarding digital PSAT score reporting or the National Merit Scholarship Program.

🎖️ Every Day Is “Magic” to 91-Year-Old Veteran-Volunteer

Staff and volunteers at White Oaks Elementary School who are military veterans include (from left) Ralphael (Ralph) DiBacco, Harley Stuntz, Alan Peek, and Claire Pruismann. Read about their impact on the school. 

Captain Stuntz, 91, started volunteering at White Oaks 25 years ago when the school was brand new. “Everybody’s happy,” he says about the school, “and every day to me is magic.”

Hear more from the veterans in this video. 

Veterans, thank you for your service to our country, and for continuing to serve our local community and our children! 

November Is Military Family Appreciation Month

The Office of Family and School Partnerships provides resources and support for military families transitioning to or exiting FCPS. Contact Meredith Ayala, family partnerships specialist and military liaison, for more information. Sign up for the military-connected families newsletter. 

TJHSST Applications Due Friday, November 17

Are you a talented middle school student with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math? If so, apply for admission to the Class of 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)!

Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the completed application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. 

Visit the TJHSST registration website for more information.

💻 How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com

All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. 

🔬 Second $2 Million Grant to Expand STEAM and Computer Science Awarded to FCPS

FCPS has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs (MCASP) to support the Code UP 2.0 project and build upon the Code UP project launched in 2022. 

Code UP 2.0 will directly support programming in 14 schools in Region 4, all of which have 10% or more military-connected students. Advancements in curriculum, teaching, and learning developed through this Code UP 2.0 project will benefit students divisionwide. Read more about the grant and the schools it will directly support. 

 

🎨 Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge

In May, the FCPS Office of Communications called for entries for new graphics to help acknowledge the religious and cultural observances identified on the 2023-24 school year calendar. Eleven winning designs will be featured on FCPS and school social media platforms, and in newsletters leading up to the holidays, starting with Diwali which falls on Sunday, November 12. See the full list of winners. 

🦃 Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving Holiday

Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 22, through Friday, November 24. Classes will resume on Monday, November 27. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.
 

School Psychology Week

School psychologists work to positively impact the academic and social-emotional development of all students by providing mental health services that build resilience, life competencies, and good citizenship. Thank you to all the school psychologists hard at work in our schools every day! 

School Board Meeting Scheduled for November 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• Renaming of W.T. Woodson High School
• Secondary Course Offerings
• Awarding of Contracts

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.