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In This Issue
Honoring Our Staff – A Heartfelt Thanks to Herndon MS PTA & Community
Our Herndon MS staff is incredibly grateful to the Herndon MS PTA and our wonderful community for making last week’s Staff Appreciation Week so special. From breakfast and Plinko to sweet and salty treats and thoughtful gifts, every detail was appreciated and truly brightened our days.
Because of your generosity and support, the week was a tremendous success. Our staff had so much fun and looked forward to each day’s celebration. Thank you for making us feel valued and cared for!
May
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
6 | Bike and Roll To School Day
6 | National School Nurse Day
8 | Science 8 SOL
9 | Track and Field Meet, Marshall HS at 8:00 AM
13 | Reading SOL
16 | Track and Field Meet, Oakton HS at 8:00 AM
19 | Herndon Orchestra Pyramid Concert, Herndon HS
21 | Spring Band Concert, HMS Auditorium at 7:00 PM
21 | Last Day of Night Hawk
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National School Nurse Day
National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 6. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning.
FCPS appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students. Professional school nurses support the needs of students through their delivery of healthcare, contributions to local school communities, and promotion of safety, prevention, and wellness throughout the year. They are advocates who bridge healthcare and education by supporting student health and readiness to learn. School nurses are essential to our community and work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.
Please join us in thanking the PHNs for their hard work and dedication to FCPS students.
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Eid al-Adha Holiday
Eid al-Adha begins at sundown on Thursday, May 26.
Wednesday, May 27, is a holiday for Eid al-Adha and schools and offices are closed.
See the complete school year calendar
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Bike and Roll to School Day Is May 6!
Love riding your bike? Celebrate Bike and Roll to School Day and join students, families, and teachers across the country in biking to school together! This national event promotes healthy habits, encourages walking and biking, and helps reduce car traffic.
While it’s a one-day event, Bike and Roll to School Day inspires long-term change by showing communities the benefits of safer, active school commutes. Mark your calendars and join your neighbors on Wednesday, May 6. Ride together, make a difference, and show your community the power of active travel!
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Additional Mental Health Resources
FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.
Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
Family Information Phone Lines
FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.
Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.
Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family.
For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open for FCPS summer camps and learning opportunities.
Career and Technical Education camps, and Fine and Performing 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 schools.
Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
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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.
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Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theatre. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well.
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Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive camp 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. Read about last year’s camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and Rising 12th Graders
The following immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grade each school year.
All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12 or as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
All students entering 12th grade are to receive two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and healthcare providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
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 at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments
Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning.
FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.
Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, bringing in their FCPS laptop fully charged, and that the cell phone policy still applies during testing season.
It is important that students attend school on the following scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible.
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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. Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters.
Calling All 8th Grade Parents: Get Involved at Herndon High
As you prepare for your student’s transition to Herndon High School this fall, we invite you to get involved in a meaningful way. Nominations are now officially OPEN for the 2026–27 Herndon High School Sports Boosters Board of Directors.
We’re looking for thoughtful, dedicated parents who want to support our student-athletes and help carry this incredible mission forward. Serving on the Board is both an honor and a rewarding way to connect with the school community from day one.
Please consider submitting a nomination for yourself or another parent.
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
Our Office of the Ombuds Is at Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds staff do not make or change decisions, policies, or regulations. They do not take sides, and they do not provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may submit a question.
Reston Flag Football: Players and Coaches Needed
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