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Are you ready for the new school year?
[ Video with English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, or Arabic Subtitles ]
Dear Neighbors,
As your Providence District School Board Member, I am excited to welcome you and your family to the 2026-2027 school year!
I hope you had a wonderful summer and found time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. Whether you are returning to FCPS or joining our community for the first time, I am glad you are here and excited about all that lies ahead. And to our seniors, the Class of 2027, this is your year to step forward as leaders, make the most of every opportunity, and enjoy everything that makes senior year special.
We begin this year with so much to be proud of. FCPS remains one of the highest-performing school divisions in Virginia and the nation, with our students leading the Commonwealth across most measures of academic achievement. But what makes FCPS special extends well beyond test scores and graduation rates.
From championship athletics and nationally recognized fine arts programs to academic competitions, student leadership, community service, and countless other opportunities, our schools give students the chance to explore their interests, develop their talents, and discover what inspires them. Together with Superintendent Reid and my School Board colleagues, I will continue working to move our student-centered strategic plan from vision to action so every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
My hope for the year ahead is that every student will challenge themselves, try something new, support one another, and make the most of every opportunity. I know there will be plenty to celebrate, from the accomplishments that make headlines to the quieter successes that happen every day in our classrooms.
None of it would be possible without our extraordinary teachers, principals, administrators, and support staff who dedicate themselves to our students each day, or without the parents, families, and caregivers who support our schools in countless ways. Thank you for all you do. I cannot wait to see what our students accomplish this year, and I look forward to seeing you at school events, performances, competitions, and celebrations throughout the year.
If I can ever be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Once again, welcome back. Let’s make it a great year!
In service,
Karl Frisch
Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents
Be First-Day Ready
Monday, August 24, is the first day of school. See the complete school year calendar. Make sure your family is ready for the first day with these back-to-school tips, and take a look at what’s new for the 2026-27 school year.
FCPS 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. Follow FCPS and your school on social media to see photos and videos throughout the school year!
Resources and Support for Families
The FCPS Family Academy offers classes, webinars, workshops, programs, and resources to help parents and caregivers support their children’s needs, learning, and success in school. Families can also find information and resources to help support and reinforce their child’s learning at home. Explore the Family Academy catalog for upcoming classes, workshops, and webinars on topics including FCPS, parenting, early literacy, and ways families can partner with schools.
Study Help and Support Available in Schoology
A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners. Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information.
New Rules for Personal Student Devices
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) has been discontinued. Starting this school year, students may only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. Students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.
Students may use a personal device only if required as part of a necessary accommodation in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families
Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which outlines expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
Mental Health Care for All Middle and High School Students
FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to provide free, confidential mental health services to all middle and high school students, helping remove barriers to accessing quality care. Students can meet virtually with licensed therapists from home at no cost to families. Hazel Health is HIPAA-compliant, and therapy sessions are private and confidential. Therapists can support students with anxiety, stress, mood or behavior changes, motivation, grief and loss, bullying, social skills, family and peer relationships, and academic pressures.
Varsity Football Game Safety and Security Update
As the 2026 football season gets underway, FCPS is introducing additional safety and security measures at all varsity football games. Beginning this season, all spectators will undergo security screening using the same weapons-detection technology introduced in FCPS high schools last school year. A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe, efficient entry process for everyone attending our games.
The following items are prohibited:
- Backpacks
- Purses
- Fanny packs
- Tote bags
- Outside food and beverage
- Sporting equipment (balls, bats, sticks, etc.)
- Any item prohibited by FCPS policy, or determined by event staff to present safety concerns
Approved bags are limited to:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”
- Small clutch bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
- Medical and diaper bags permitted but subject to inspection
As a reminder, middle school students and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult who remains with the student(s) at the event. These enhancements are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment while allowing families, students, and community members to enjoy Friday night football. Please plan to arrive a little earlier than usual to allow time for the screening process.
Urgent Blood and Platelet Donation Need
Inova Blood Donor Services is critically in need of blood donations, and you can help. Upcoming opportunities to donate at locations in the Providence District are listed below:
- Inova Fairfax Hospital – Thursday, August 27, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. [Schedule Appointment]
- Inova Fairfax Conference Center – Saturday, August 29, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. [Schedule Appointment]
- Inova Fairfax Hospital – Monday, August 31, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. [Schedule Appointment]
- Mosaic District (Bloodmobile) – Sunday, September 6, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. [Schedule Appointment]
- Fairview Park (Bloodmobile) – Wednesday, September 9, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. [Schedule Appointment]
- Inova Fairfax Hospital – Friday, September 11, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. [Schedule Appointment]
Inova Blood Donor Services is the largest hospital-based blood donor center in the country, supplying not only Inova hospitals but other hospitals across the region and more than 30 EMS partners. That means local donations directly support trauma, emergency, cancer, surgical, and obstetric care here in Northern Virginia.
New donors are down 7% this year, while demand — particularly for platelets and Type O blood — continues to climb. Platelets cannot be stockpiled because of their short shelf life, so Inova depends on a steady stream of donors every single day.
Difficult Run Stream Valley Park Habitat Restoration
Help protect migrating birds and other local wildlife and be part of preserving our community’s natural spaces. Volunteer with your Providence District neighbors Sunday, August 30, from 9–11 a.m. to remove invasive plants and restore native habitat at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park, 3119 Miller Heights Road, Oakton. [Sign Up to Volunteer Here]
Oakton Day in the Park
The Greater Oakton Community Association invites you and your family to Oakton Day in the Park, Sunday, August 30, from 1-4 p.m., at Oakton Community Park, 2841 Hunter Mill Rd. This free community celebration brings neighbors together for an afternoon of live music, delicious food, games, children’s activities, and family-friendly entertainment. Visitors can tour the historic Oakton Schoolhouse, meet local nonprofits and community organizations, connect with area businesses, and enjoy everything Oakton Day has to offer.
Congressman Walkinshaw Now Accepting Service Academy Applications from 11th District Students
Congressman James Walkinshaw is now accepting applications for 2026 U.S. Service Academy nominations from eligible students who live in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
The U.S. Service Academies prepare future military officers through rigorous academic, leadership, and service-focused programs. Students seeking appointments to most academies must receive a nomination from an authorized source, such as their Member of Congress.
Completed applications for the Class of 2031 are due Friday, October 2, 2026. Interested students and families are encouraged to start the application process early and carefully review all requirements to ensure that materials are received before the deadline.
Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks are a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. This year, the Fairfax Walk returns to the Providence District at the Mosaic District on Saturday, October 3. Check-in starts at 11 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Learn more about registration, fundraising opportunities, and event details as well as sponsorship opportunities.
Exhibitors are invited to apply to participate in the Walk’s Resource Fair to share information related to programs and/or resources offered by the exhibitor that serve the AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Funds raised at the Out of the Darkness Fairfax Walk directly support research, advocacy efforts, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across Virginia.
Save the Date: Providence Fallfest
Supervisor Palchik is partnering with Neighborhood and Community Services to host the 2026 Providence Fallfest on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Jim Scott Community Center. Celebrate fall with friends and neighbors at this free community event featuring performances, games, activities for all ages, and resources from across the County and community. [
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