School news roundup – June 2026
Thank you, firefighters – The PTA at Bren Mar Park Elementary School coordinated a thank-you event for Fairfax County firefighters and the FCPS facilities team who responded to a fire at the school on April 19.
One month later, hundreds of students, teachers, and parents lined the sidewalks, cheering, holding up signs, and yelling “thank you!” as firetrucks and an ambulance pulled up for the event.
Although the fire spewed a cloud of black smoke over the neighborhood, first responders were able to contain it to a building addition under construction, and the school was ready to reopen the next day.
Student Government Association President Mason Soukphouangkham, speaking on behalf of the student body, told the firefighters, “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for all the things that you have done for our school.”
Related story: Fire damages Bren Mar Park Elementary School
Inclusive schools – The Fairfax County Special Education PTA has named Annandale High School Assistant Principal Jae Lee the Outstanding Secondary Administrator for 2025-26. The award recognizes Lee’s leadership, advocacy, and commitment to building a truly inclusive school community.
Two teachers at Glen Forest Elementary School – Jenna Cook and Kathryn Guard – received an Excellence Award from the Special Education PTA for the experiential autism education program they developed for students.
Wellness Team – FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid’s “Weekly Reflections” June 1 newsletter highlights the success of the wellness team launched at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.
Since Principal Holly Dowling launched the team two years ago, office referrals for students have been cut in half, and the school has maintained a 96 percent attendance rate.
The wellness team consists of two counselors, a social worker, the school psychologist, the special education department chair, and the full administration team.
The team creates proactive plans based on a review of data as soon as a concern arises. “We don’t wait for problems to escalate,” Dowling says. “Our wellness team has created a school where students truly feel they belong.”
Training for a major emergency – Students at the Falls Church Academy ended the year with simulated mass casualty drill that brought together students from a variety of disciplines, including healthcare, criminal justice, and world languages.
The mock accident involved a group of students driving recklessly around a school parking lot and T-boning a school bus full of other students, causing many horrible injuries.
Fairfax County’s CERT Moulage Team applied makeup to the students playing the role of victims to make their “injuries” look real.
The mass casualty drill is aimed at training students for real-world experiences as they prepare for careers in healthcare or public safety, strengthening communications across disciplines, and helping students develop critical thinking under pressure.
New phone policy – The school board approved a more restrictive cell phone policy that aligns with a new state law that bans cell phones in schools “bell-to-bell.”
Starting July 1, cell phones, phone accessories, smartwatches, earbuds, headsets, and smart glasses must be off and put away in backpacks for the duration of the school day. High school students are no longer allowed to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime.
Aquatic visitors – Third-graders at Belvedere Elementary School voted to use the proceeds from their seed sale to bring the Northern Virginia Aquarium to the school for a day of hands-on learning and exploration.
The NoVAquarium transformed one of the school’s trailers into a living marine exhibit with three touch tanks featuring a variety of sea creatures. All students in grades K-5 had a chance to gently interact with sea urchins, starfish, a brown-banded bamboo shark, a short-tailed nurse shark, and a giant turtle.
“It was a joy to watch the wonder, curiosity, and excitement in our students’ eyes as they explored, asked questions, and made connections to their learning,” the administration team reported in the Belvedere newsletter.
Skilled trades scholarships – FCPS Adult and Community Education is offering $1,000 scholarships for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC apprenticeship courses.
Applications are open through Aug. 15. At least $40,000 is available. Funding comes from the ACE Foundation.
Farewell, coach – Bill Maglisceau, an English teacher and coach for multiple sports, has retired after a 33-year career at Annandale High School, the A-Blast reports.
“I always wanted to coach, and I figured the best way to do that was to become a teacher,” Maglisceau said.
Over the course of his career, he taught English 9, English 10, English 12, Advanced Composition, Speech, and AP Seminar.
Maglisceau coached the freshman football, JV basketball, JV lacrosse, and varsity lacrosse teams.
Related story: Annandale seniors visit Columbia ES, where their education began
“I’m proud that a lot of the people that I taught have gotten into teaching, [and] a lot of people who I coached have gotten into football and lacrosse in some other aspect,” Maglisceau told the A-Blast.
While the school saw many physical changes during his time as a teacher, its strong, inviting school community remained consistent, he said.
Summer meals – FCPS will provide free lunch and breakfast to children and one adult per family at six sites from June 22 to Aug. 1, including Braddock Elementary School in Annandale and Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’s Crossroads.
At both schools, breakfast will be served 9-10 a.m., and lunch will be 12-1 p.m. Meals will not be available on July 3.