Fairfax County Public Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools ACE launches over 250 new training, certification programs for adult learners

Published August 6, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated August 8, 2024 at 11:35AM

Fairfax County Public Schools Adult Community Education is based in the Plum Center for Lifelong Learning in Springfield (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education is launching more than 250 new courses for the trades, construction, IT and health care.

The new courses include in-person, hybrid and asynchronous offerings in line with the program’s focus on “new collar” workforce development, according to a school system news release. New collar defines high-paying professions that combine technical skills with specialized education rather than a four-year degree. Those roles are found in industries with high demand for workers in Northern Virginia — especially the trades, health care and technology — according to Paul Steiner, head administrator of FCPS Adult and Community Education, also known as ACE.

Countywide

Another Heat Advisory issued for D.C. area as record-hot summer continues

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 1, 2024 at 1:30PM

A hot summer continues in Fairfax County (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Prepare for more hot, humid weather tomorrow (Friday) as the D.C. area endures its fifth heat wave of 2024.

The National Weather Service has already issued a new Heat Advisory for tomorrow that’s scheduled to take effect from noon to 8 p.m. across the region, including Fairfax County. A similar advisory is now in effect for today (Thursday), prompting the county to activate its heat plan.

Countywide

Fairfax County School Board’s new budget chair suggests change in approach to funding challenges

By James Jarvis

Published August 1, 2024 at 11:30AM

At-large Fairfax Board of Supervisors representative Kyle McDaniel (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After Fairfax County Public Schools got much less funding than it wanted for teacher pay raises and other investments, new budget chair Kyle McDaniel suggests it’s time for a change in strategy.

McDaniel, who was elected to the school board as an at-large member last year, worries growing divisions in the budget process between the school board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors could strain relationships as the county tackles its own financial challenges.

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax County considers privatizing crossing guard program to ease police staffing strain

By James Jarvis

Published July 24, 2024 at 1:30PM

A crossing on Ridge Heights Road outside Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials are exploring privatizing the police department’s school crossing guard program as a potential solution to address staffing challenges and reduce the burden on officers.

The Fairfax County Police Department has struggled to meet the demand for crossing guards in recent years, leading sworn police officers to step in and provide additional support, Assistant Police Chief Bob Blakley told the Board of Supervisors at a Safety and Security Committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

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Fairfax County School Board OKs polarizing new boundary change policy

By James Jarvis

Published July 23, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 2:04PM

Audience members hold signs as the Fairfax County School Board discusses changes to its boundary adjustment policy (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools has adopted a new boundary adjustment policy to help manage transportation issues and overcrowding.

The Fairfax County School Board approved the policy 9-2 at a meeting last Thursday (July 18) that drew a raucous crowd. The board also directed the superintendent to implement boundary changes for Lincolnia’s Glasgow Middle School that were put on hold while the countywide policy was reviewed.

Countywide

FCPS plans pilot as Gov. Youngkin seeks to restrict cell phone use in schools

By James Jarvis

Published July 12, 2024 at 1:30PM

A closeup of an iPhone screen (via Adrien/Unsplash)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent executive order to limit phone use in Virginia schools may align with a new pilot program being considered by Fairfax County Public Schools.

Signed Wednesday (July 10), the executive order directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to gather feedback from parents, teachers, and administrators to create guidelines for enforcing “cell-phone-free” classrooms in public schools.

News

County board approves renovation for Armstrong Elementary School

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 10, 2024 at 9:30AM

A rendering of Armstrong Elementary School's planned library addition (via Fairfax County Public Schools)

Fairfax County Public Schools can move ahead with a renovation of Armstrong Elementary School in Reston.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the project without discussion after a public hearing on June 25, setting the stage for an expansion that will give the school additional space and updated amenities.

News

Bridging worlds: Annandale High School club unites and uplifts refugee students

By James Jarvis

Published July 9, 2024 at 11:30AM

Sosan Barakzai (left) and Husna Basiri graduated from Annandale High School in June (courtesy Donnie Biggs/Fairfax County Public Schools)

For nearly three years, a student-led club at Annandale High School has provided emotional and academic support to dozens of adolescent Afghan refugees and other immigrant students who have resettled in Fairfax County.

Recent Annandale High graduates and Afghan natives Sosan Barakzai and Husna Basiri established the Dunya Club in September 2021 to help their peers who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul adapt to their new environment and find a new community.

Countywide

School board mostly backs revised FCPS boundary change policy, but timeline a concern

By James Jarvis

Published June 28, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 2:04PM

Fairfax County Public Schools

A revised policy for adjusting school boundaries appears to have most of the Fairfax County School Board’s support ahead of a possible vote next month.

While most members agreed that the current policy needs an overhaul to address capacity issues across Fairfax County Public Schools, some expressed reservations at a work session on Tuesday (June 25).

News

NEW: Report recommends FCPS look into ‘swing spaces’ for school renovations

By Acacia James

Published June 27, 2024 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Cub Run Elementary School students could be the first in Fairfax County to attend a “swing space” while their school gets renovated in the future.

The school board’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) recommends that Fairfax County Public Schools consider piloting the concept — where students and staff are temporarily relocated to pre-existing facilities during construction — with the Centreville school.