School Board to Vote on Budget, Check Your Lunch Balance

Graduation, Mental Health, and Summer Resources

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A West Springfield High School softball player slides into third base during an afternoon practice.

Students Win Awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair

Nine FCPS students won awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair. The event took place last week in Phoenix. Read about the winning projects.

Students Earn Top Honors at FBLA State Leadership Conference

Twenty-six FCPS students won first-place awards at the 2026 Virginia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. More than 90 students placed in the top four in their event and qualified to compete in the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio in June. View a complete list of winners.

Reid Reflects: It’s an Honor to Be Nominated

In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shares that FCPS has received two nominations for the 68th Capital Emmy Awards for Girls Flag Football: Be a Trailblazer — Get in the Game! and Touching History.

These nominations highlight the incredible stories unfolding across FCPS every day. Read more about these videos in Weekly Reflections.

Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance

It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals

Families who earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit.

If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.

Colleges and Universities Still Accepting Applications

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released its annual College Openings Update. This voluntary listing features NACAC-member postsecondary institutions that are still accepting applications from prospective first-year and transfer students for the fall 2026 semester.

Students and families are encouraged to use this tool to search for colleges that still have space available. Users may narrow down the list of schools by state and view whether a school still has financial aid and available student housing. Please note that this list is updated daily.

Additionally, NACAC has created a waiver request form for enrollment deposit fees that some institutions will consider for students experiencing significant financial hardship. Learn more about the enrollment deposit fee waiver and eligibility. Students and families may contact their school counselor and college and career specialist with any questions.

Students who still need assistance applying for federal or state financial aid can schedule a free appointment with our partners at College Access Fairfax by emailing appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org. Support provided by your school or College Access Fairfax is free.

Teaching the Whole Child: Student Mental Health and Well-Being

FCPS not only provides students with opportunities for academic growth and excellence, but our staff members also know that students cannot learn their best when they do not feel their best. Bethany Demers (pictured on the right) supports this work in schools. Read about her impact.

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
Anxiety, worry, fears.
Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
Academic stress.

Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

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), and intensive 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 assistance 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 shown 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.

Senior Returns to the Classroom That Helped Shape Her Future

Alexa Ralston, a Centreville High School senior who also attends Chantilly Academy, is part of the FCPS Teachers for Tomorrow program, which gives students hands-on experience in the field of education while they are still in high school.

For Ralston’s required internship, she chose to return to Union Mill, the elementary school she attended, to work with Sara Kennedy, the special education teacher who taught her from fourth through sixth grade. Read their incredible story.

Military Child Finds Home at FCPS and Is Bound for West Point

In ninth grade, Audrey Ortiz-Peterson became a student in FCPS. She started at Mount Vernon High School, where she’ll graduate this June before heading to the United States Military Academy at West Point. She’s aware that her life story so far can be quite typical for military-connected students like her, but she counts her blessings for what she has learned from attending eight schools in her K-12 experience.

Share Graduation or Promotion Ceremony Photos!

Graduation season is almost here! FCPS, students, families, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures from this year’s graduation or promotion ceremonies on Facebook or Instagram by tagging FCPS and their school and using the hashtag #FCPSgrad26.

View the FCPS high school graduation schedule.

Follow FCPS and Your School on Social Media

Visit the Social Media in FCPS webpage to find FCPS social accounts and a school social media directory.

Join the FCPS Alumni Network Today!

Educate Fairfax is proud to sponsor the FCPS Alumni Network — an online community connecting alumni, teachers, parents, caregivers, and community members who share a bond with FCPS.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a long-time supporter, or someone who’s returned to Fairfax to work or raise a family, this network is here to celebrate you. Take a peek at their website and find inspiring stories, news, events, reunions, homecomings, and other information.

Want to plan an alumni event? Please email Alumni@EducateFairfax.org.

Not a member yet? Join the FCPS Alumni Network today and be part of the ongoing FCPS story!

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas at Summer Extravaganza!

students craft during the Summer Extravaganza

Join FCPS for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza is 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 petting zoo, student engagement zone, and activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. Register to attend the Extravaganza.

Students (eighth grade and up) and adults are invited to support the event by helping with registration, refreshments, and some of our fun activities! Register today to volunteer and build community together.

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Register Today for Summer Camps and Enrichment Programs

Registration closes Friday, June 6, for summer camps and learning opportunities offered to all students by FCPS.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. 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.

IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and Physical Education 9 (which fulfills a graduation requirement), music, and theater. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades two to five who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.

Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun

The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the third annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!

This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving during the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.

New this year: The school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku, pictured at left. Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!

Accessibility Education Specialist Helps Every Student Learn and Belong

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is Thursday, May 21, but Mollie Kropp works every day to help ensure that anyone can access learning materials and communications. Read about Kropp’s work.

‘As You Like It’ With Humor, Heart, and Corporate Drama at Chantilly High School

FCPS students are talented actors, musicians, and visual artists. Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre (Cappies). Through Cappies, high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers.

This review of Chantilly High School’s production of “As You Like It” was written by Gianna Pacheco of Robinson Secondary School.