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In This Issue

• This Week's News
• Last Week's News
• Activities and Events
• Resources
• Calendar
• Helpful Links

National School Social Work Week

This Week's News

Gwyneth's Gift: Parent Volunteers Needed

Gwyneth's Gift, a non-profit organization, is coming to Herndon Middle School on Wednesday, March 25 and on Thursday, March 26 to teach our 8th grade students hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

If you are available to volunteer a couple of hours, please reach out to Kevin Fowle atktfowle@fcps.edu. Any time you can offer is greatly appreciated!

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s 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. (unless otherwise noted) on: 

• Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 PM, at Glen Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.

Celebrating the Power of School Breakfast

Multiple studies show that school breakfasts are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school breakfast consume more fruit and fiber than their peers. 

This National School Breakfast Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback. 

Would you like to know what’s for breakfast? Nutrition Services has printable menus available.

Become Unskippable: Share the Facts About Fentanyl With Teens

Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug, and what they can do to keep themselves and their communities safe. 

Share these important facts with your child:

• Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
• More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in
10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
• Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
• Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.

Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.

Last Week's News

New Date: Special Education Family Conference

Please note that the 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at George C. Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA).

We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your flexibility.

Updated conference information, including event details, is available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage.

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students

Students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students.
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions and visit our Course Selection website.

Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs

Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school. 

The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School. 

Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.

An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance.

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps

Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.

Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!

Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.

New Visitor Management System

We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry. 

For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check-in at the front office.

But now there is also an app, which can make check-in’s even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check-in at school. 

If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!

Meal Kits for Fasting Students

From Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:

• Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day. 
• Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
• Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.

Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.

Activities and Events

VIP Summer Camp July 1st - July 30th

Get ready for the Values in Prevention (VIP) summer camp! The Northern Fairfax VIP camp will be held at Rachel Carson Middle School from July 1 through July 30 for the following schools: 

• Herndon Middle School
• Cooper Middle School
• Langston Hughes Middle School
• Longfellow Middle School
• Rachel Carson Middle School

Camp costs $100. Registration opens at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 17. 

Questions? Contact Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu.

Summer Boys' Basketball Opportunities from Herndon High School

Is your student interested in leveling up their basketball skills? Join Herndon HS Hornets for their boys' basketball camps for your 2026 summer. Families on the waitlist will receive priority registration access, including early bird pricing available through April 1st, 2026.

Sign up here today!

Questions? Reach out to ahamilton@fcps.edu. 

Referees for Intramural Sports Needed

Referee Herndon Middle School After-School Program intramural games!

We are looking for energetic folks to referee the following sports: Basketball, Futsal**, and Volleyball on Thursdays, 3:15 to 4:50 PM. Choose your preferred sport, and help support our student-athletes while keeping the games fair, positive, safe, and fun! This is a paid opportunity. 

Interested? Contact Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu or 703-904-4819.

**Preference for futsal will be given to referees bilingual in Spanish & English.

Resources

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 how to access and navigate Schoology. 

Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.

Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.

Winter Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Immunization Events for FCPS Students

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.

Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.

Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter.

View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.