The Aldrin Elementary School Chorus performed the National Anthem at a recent School Board meeting. 

Superintendent to Present Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Reid’s presentation, as well as other budget documents, will be available after she presents to the School Board. 

View the meeting on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, or the FCPS website. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, please visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.

If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk. Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

🚍 Here Comes the Bus

Want to know if your child’s bus is on schedule or where the bus is? Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus — almost in real-time — on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.  

Parents can track multiple buses if their children don’t all ride the same bus; know exactly when children arrive at school or the bus stop; and receive customized text and/or email notifications about bus locations, schedule changes, or delays.

To get started, download the app from the Apple iOS or Android app store. Check out the Here Comes the Bus and Frequently Asked Questions webpages for more information.

Already using the Here Comes the Bus app? Send your feedback to [email protected].  

Note: eNotify text messaging will continue to be used for reporting bus delays and bus incidents.

Career Exploration Events for Students

In February, school divisions across the region will team up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo event. This Northern Virginia regional event invites high school students to connect virtually and in person with more than 60 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields. 

These free career exploration events aim to provide students with opportunities to prepare for tomorrow’s workforce today. 

Virtual sessions will be held Monday, February 5, through Thursday, February 8, 4-7 p.m., and the in-person Career Expo and Job Fair will be held Saturday, February 17, 1-4 p.m., in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center. 

Students should register today on the Instruction 2 Industry Events webpage.

🍎 Teacher Hiring Event February 3

Have you considered becoming a teacher? FCPS is seeking educators with strong student engagement skills and a passion for being a positive influence. 

Attend our job fair this Saturday, February 3, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lewis High School. Take advantage of networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various Fairfax County public schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register to attend. 

Special Education Teacher Virtual Information Session

Learn how to become a special educator and discover the benefits of working in FCPS at a virtual information session on Wednesday, February 7, at 6 p.m. Register for more information. 

💻 Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families 

The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The following events are currently scheduled for February:

• How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help
  Join educator, author, and Educational Connections founder Ann Dolin for new strategies to tackle these sticky situations while preserving your relationship with your child. 
  February 23, 10-11:30 a.m. 
   
• Functional Behavior Assessment/Behavior Intervention Plan (FBA/BIP) Essentials for Families
  Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support them? Learn about the FBA and BIP process and how it is used in FCPS to support any student who experiences behavioral challenges. This webinar is presented by staff from the Office of Special Education Instruction, Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Office of Special Education Procedural Support. 
  February 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. or March 1, 10-11 a.m.

For more information and to register for the webinars, click on the linked titles above.

Access to Advanced Coursework for High School Students

During the Academic Matters segment of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented information on FCPS’ academic advising for high schoolers and advanced coursework selection. Advanced coursework is a focus of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan's Goal 3, Academic Growth and Excellence. 

FCPS has advanced coursework options available for our middle and high school students. Taking rigorous and college-level coursework through advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), and/or dual enrollment participation is linked with increased high school and college graduation rates. It also enables students to earn college credits while still in high school. 

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources to 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.  

The ombuds is available to: 

• Share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
• Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
• Provide ideas to encourage parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.

Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit the Ombuds webpage, where you may Submit a Question.