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In This Issue
Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 31 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
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April
6 | Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday
9 | MentorWorks Field Trip
10 | School Planning Day/Student Holiday
15 | Purple Up! Day (Military Child Month)
16 | PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM
16-17 | All-VA Choir
17 | Student vs Staff Futsal Game
21 | Special Election/Student Holiday
23 | MentorWorks Event
24 | Spring Musical, 7:00 PM
May
1 | Math SOL
8 | Science 8 SOL
13 | Reading SOL
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Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience.
Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS resources for military families.
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National Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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Orthodox Good Friday
FCPS recognizes those in our community observing Good Friday. Millions of Orthodox Christians and their churches celebrate this special day according to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Good Friday is the day for Orthodox Christians to embrace and relive the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testaments of the crucifixion of Jesus.
School Planning Day
Friday, April 10, is a school planning day. There will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.
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Save the Date: SOL Testing
Please be sure your student is in school on the following testing days with their charged FCPS laptop. If students do need to be absent, make-up opportunities are available.
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Math: May 1
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Science 8: May 8
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Reading: May 13
If you have any questions, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinator, Melissa Sobchak, at msobchak@fcps.edu.
Thank you for helping your child succeed!
Provide the County Government With Feedback on its Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).
You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak.
Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Special Education Family Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
Discover What’s New on the Menu
FCPS is excited to bring new and flavorful menu items to students while continuing to meet the high nutrition standards you trust. The school division’s registered dietitian team has developed standards to make school meals healthier while still tasting great.
Here’s what students can look forward to:
- New globally inspired dishes that offer exciting flavors from around the world.
- Fresh ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
- Scratch-made items like homemade granola.
- Vegetarian options like the meatless Philly melt are available alongside classic favorites.
Our goal is to provide balanced, safe, and flavorful meals that support students’ learning, growth, and overall health.
Want to know what’s on the menu? Food and Nutrition Services has menus available.
FCPS Commitment to Weather Safety
At FCPS, the safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority — no matter the season. In extreme cold, we monitor National Weather Service (NWS) guidance, adjust outdoor activities, and ensure our buildings are warm and secure. In extreme heat, we modify or cancel outdoor activities, use on-site measurements to guide athletic decisions, and promote hydration and cooling breaks.
FCPS has plans in place to provide guidance during severe weather, including storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Decisions are informed by industry best practices, weather alerts, and a commitment to keeping our school community safe and healthy year-round. Read more about weather safety, including the differences between an advisory, watch, and warning.
Herndon Middle School’s Hawk Theatre Presents Disney’s Newsies JR.
It’s time to carry the banner with HMS’s hardworking and talented theatre students! This year’s inspiring 90-minute musical, Disney’s Newsies JR., is based on the 1992 Disney film Newsies and the 2012 Broadway production of the same name.
You’ll be doing flips for the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of young newsies in Manhattan. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsies’ expense, Jack rallies young workers from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right! Adapted especially for young performers, this musical features a Tony Award®-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award® winner Harvey Fierstein, and includes rousing songs like “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York.” Newsies JR. is packed with impressive acting, singing, and choreography along with a timeless message perfect for the whole family and every audience.
Performances will take place in the Herndon Middle School Auditorium on:
- Friday, April 24th at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, April 25th at 7:00 PM
- Sunday, April 26th at 1:00 PM
Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students.
For tickets please visit etix.com/ticket/v/15663/herndon-middle-school-theatre.
Disney’s Newsies JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com. For more information about licensing Newsies JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.
Register for VIP Summer Camp Today!
Register today for the VIP Summer Camp which will be hosted at Rachel Carson Middle School from July 1st to July 30th.
VIP Camp is for rising 7th and rising 8th grade students attending Carson, Hughes, Herndon, Longfellow, and Cooper Middle School. Camp costs $100 and includes breakfast, lunch, and transportation. Activities include basketball, soccer, cooking, theatre, STEAM, and weekly field trips.
Please contact Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Reston Flag Football: Players and Coaches Needed
We’re thrilled to share that this season is already one for the record books with over 500 players registered across the league! Thank you to our amazing families and community for helping make this one of our biggest and most exciting seasons yet.
As we finalize team rosters, we’re just a few players away from rounding out several divisions and ensuring balanced, competitive teams. Here’s where we still have openings:
Boys Divisions
Girls Divisions
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Grades 1–3: 4–14 players needed
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Grades 4–6: 10 players needed
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Grades 7–8: 10 players needed
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High School: 10 players needed
We’re also in need of a few more volunteer coaches, especially in our upper and girls divisions. Coaching is a rewarding way to support our players and help make the season a success.
If you know friends, neighbors, or classmates who may still want to join, please encourage them to register as soon as possible so we can finalize teams and schedules: https://restonseahawks.org/
Scheduling Update
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Girls divisions and upper boys divisions will most likely play Friday evenings (6–10 PM), with a few exceptions
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Boys Grades 1–2 and 3–4 will play Saturday mornings (9–11 AM)
We’re looking forward to another fantastic season—thank you for being part of it!
Access Schoology to Support Your Child
Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about | 
