Fairfax County Public Schools

Published December 4, 2024 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Public Schools school bus (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board is debating whether to delay changing middle school start times until after Fairfax County Public Schools completes its review of school boundary adjustments.

At a work session yesterday (Tuesday), the school board delved into several proposals from the North Carolina-based consulting firm Prismatic Services that would push middle school start times to 8 a.m. or later. Advocates say aligning start times with adolescent sleep patterns could improve students’ mental health and academic performance.

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UPDATED: Hayfield pulls football team from playoffs as calls for outside investigation grow

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 25, 2024 at 3:45PM | Updated November 25, 2024 at 7:34PM

Hayfield Secondary School (staff photo)

Hayfield Secondary School has withdrawn its football team from playoff contention, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced tonight (Monday).

According to Reid, the decision was made by Hayfield principal Darin Thompson as questions continue to mount about the recruiting practices used by head coach Darryl Overton and his staff and how FCPS has responded to the allegations.

News

National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates tree plantings at South Lakes HS

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 22, 2024 at 9:45AM

Representatives from South Lakes High School, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and ANA celebrate the planting of six Yoshino cherry trees at South Lakes High School in Reston (courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival)

D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival recently branched out to Reston with the planting of six Yoshino cherry trees at South Lakes High School.

Representatives of the festival and the Japanese airline All-Nippon Airways (ANA), which sponsored the trees, joined school officials and students on Nov. 13 for a ceremony to celebrate the plantings, which had taken place on Oct. 23.

Countywide

NEW: FCPS to review athletic protocols amid controversy over Hayfield transfers

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2024 at 9:00AM

Hayfield Secondary School (staff photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools will enlist an outside firm to conduct an independent investigation of all student-athlete transfers, as questions about Hayfield Secondary School’s football program continue to percolate.

Superintendent Michelle Reid announced last night (Wednesday) that the district will pursue a “comprehensive and external independent investigation” of its student transfer and eligibility practices after she met with six football coaches who reportedly planned to forfeit their scheduled games against Hayfield.

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More funds to evaluate facility conditions approved by Fairfax County School Board

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 19, 2024 at 9:00AM

A rendering of Armstrong Elementary School's main entrance after planned renovation (via FCPS)

Fairfax County School Board members hope an infusion of $3 million in additional cash will help create an objective evaluation of public school facilities as new renovation timetables are developed.

Board members voted 11-0, with one abstention, on Thursday (Nov. 14) to add the funding to $2 million previously appropriated. It will support upcoming work by consultants evaluating the conditions of all schools, athletic facilities and administrative buildings.

News

Hayfield Secondary School allowed to compete in playoffs after judge grants injunction

By David Fawcett / Inside NoVA

Published November 18, 2024 at 8:15AM

A sign for Hayfield Secondary School in Franconia (via Google Maps)

Hayfield Secondary School has received a temporary injunction that will allow the powerhouse football team to play in the postseason.

The Virginia High School League confirmed that an appeal filed in Fairfax County Circuit [Court] by Hayfield parents regarding the reinstatement of the Hayfield football team to the league’s Class 6 Region C football playoffs has been granted. The VHSL had no additional comment.

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FCPS superintendent secures early, 4-year contract extension

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 15, 2024 at 1:15PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has had her contract extended (via Fairfax County Public Schools/YouTube)

Dr. Michelle Reid is going to stick around as superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.

Though her existing contract was set to run through June 2026, the Fairfax County School Board voted yesterday (Thursday) to give Reid a new four-year contract that could bring her annual salary close to a half-million dollars by its conclusion.

News

Vote on planned Dunn Loring elementary school deferred to 2025

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 14, 2024 at 11:15AM

Dunn Loring Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Final consideration of Fairfax County Public Schools’ proposal to build a new elementary school to serve the Dunn Loring area has been delayed until 2025.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously yesterday (Wednesday) to defer a vote on its recommendation for the proposal until Jan. 15, which also postpones any final action by the Board of Supervisors.

News

Hayfield football team officially banned from postseason for two years

By David Fawcett / Inside NoVA

Published November 8, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated November 17, 2024 at 5:37PM

A sign for Hayfield Secondary School in Franconia (via Google Maps)

Hayfield Secondary School has lost its final appeal to overturn a two-year postseason ban in football.

The final decision was made by a three-person Virginia High School League subcommittee, which heard from both Hayfield and the league Thursday via Zoom before rendering its decision.

Countywide

Fairfax County School Board seeks uniform grading standards across district

By James Jarvis

Published November 8, 2024 at 11:15AM

FCPS Central Office in Merrifield (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Facing growing concerns over inconsistent grading practices, the Fairfax County School Board is moving forward with plans for a comprehensive update of its grading policy for the first time in more than a decade.

The policy revamp comes after years of complaints from teachers, parents, and students that the current system lacks clarity and consistency.