Tag: schools
U.S. Education Department puts FCPS on ‘high risk’ status
The U.S. Department of Education announced Aug. 19 that it is placing Fairfax County Public Schools and five Northern Virginia school districts on “high-risk status” for violating Title IX. That means “all federal funding flowing to these districts is done by reimbursement only,” the department states. The funds are being withheld because the districts are … Continued
FCPS won’t comply with federal order to rescind bathroom policy for trans students
Fairfax County Public Schools will not comply with a U.S. Department of Education order to change its policies on bathrooms for transgender students. On July 25, the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights notified FCPS and four other Northern Virginia school systems that their policies and regulations violate Title IX, a civil rights law … Continued
Justice students encouraged to become Public Health Youth Ambassadors
Justice High School students interested in a health career are encouraged to apply for the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program’s fall 2025 cohort. The program offers instruction to students in grades 10-12 in learning about community health, teen mental health, and reducing opioid use. Students who qualify for the Youth Ambassador program take classes and … Continued
Middle schools to get weapon scanners
Fairfax County Public Schools is expanding the weapon scanning program at all high schools this fall to also include all middle schools, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced on Aug. 4. FCPS launched a pilot program for weapon detectors in April at randomly selected high schools. In June, the devices were implemented on a permanent basis at … Continued
Construction underway on a new field for Westminster School
Sixteen years after the Westminster School purchased an adjoining property on Gallows Road in Annandale, it’s clearing the site for a full-size athletic turf field. The field will be used for soccer, lacrosse, and softball. Tree clearing is expected to be done next week, and the field should be completed in January 2026, says Nancy … Continued
FCPS honors outstanding educators
The end of the school year is award time. Fairfax County Public Schools honored outstanding employees including the following teachers and other staff in the Annandale/Mason District area. Andrew Sharrock, the band director at Glasgow Middle School, was named the 2025 FCPS Outstanding Secondary School Teacher. In his seven years at Glasgow, Andrew has expanded … Continued
Select schools offer free meals this summer
School is out for the summer, but children are welcome to come back for the Summer Food Service Program. Fairfax County is offering free breakfasts and/or lunches at 31 schools countywide. The meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Children must remain on-site while eating. Here’s the schedule for schools in the Annandale/Mason District … Continued
Annandale Terrace celebrates 60th anniversary
By Shane Gomez The past, present, and future came together on a sunny Thursday evening in Annandale, as Annandale Terrace Elementary School celebrated its 60th anniversary. The May 5 event included remarks by Principal Ingrid Badía and several teachers, a xylophone performance by students, creation of a time capsule, a guided tour, and an exhibit … Continued
Weapon scanners are now permanent at Annandale HS
By Shane Gomez Passing through a weapon detection scanner is now a permanent procedure for students arriving at Annandale High School. The scanners were set up at Annandale to help staff prepare for the start of the 2025-26 school year, when weapon detection scanners will be implemented in all high schools, according to a May … Continued
Speed camera to be installed at Belvedere Elementary
The Fairfax County Police Department is installing speed cameras at 10 additional schools. Three schools are being added in the first group, including Belvedere Elementary School on Columbia Pike in Mason District. A 30-day warning period will begin on July 2, with citations issued beginning on Aug. 18. Citations will begin Sept. 17 for the … Continued
Oakwood students raise funds for the Annandale fire department
Students at the Oakwood School in Annandale raised more than $7,000 for the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department. The Oakwood Student Council hosts a walk-a-thon every spring to raise money for a local organization by asking for donations from friends and family members. This year, the students raised funds to help the AVFD purchase a new … Continued
Justice students honored for health project
A team from Justice High School won an award for “best group project” in the Fairfax County Health Department’s Youth Ambassadors program. Justice students Brenda Ferrufino-Cruz and Connor Morgan’s project was a plan to increase awareness of the early signs of a stroke. Seventeen students – from John Lewis and Mount Vernon high schools, as … Continued
FCPS cuts funding for staff and programs
The Fairfax County School Board adopted a budget for fiscal year 2026 after making some tough decisions to offset a $121 million shortfall. The board reduced to 6 percent the previously agreed-upon 7 percent raise for employees represented by Fairfax Education Unions. Non-union employees will get a 5 percent raise. Teachers, however, might have larger … Continued
Principal selection process underway for Poe Middle School
Fairfax County Public Schools is beginning the search for a new principal for Poe Middle School, but many teachers and parents already know who they want for the job – Interim Principal Sarah Eqab. They say Eqab, a former assistant principal at Annandale High School, has made a positive difference at Poe, with one … Continued
Failing to stop for a school bus will net drivers a $250 ticket
Drivers who pass a school bus stopped to let children on or off can now be fined $250. Fairfax County Public Schools installed cameras on 50 school buses to catch drivers who violate the law against stopping when a bus’s stop arm is extended. Related story: Cameras will catch drivers who don’t stop for school … Continued