Fairfax County Public Schools

Published August 21, 2024 at 10:30AM

A student takes a school test (via Ben Mullins on Unsplash)

Virginia students’ reading and math assessments for the 2023-24 school year saw some improvement over last year after months of recovery efforts, according to data released by the Department of Education Tuesday. However, pass rates in other subjects are still behind results from the 2022-23 school year.

Pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in reading, math, and science Standards of Learning tests all showed increases statewide by at least 1%. Writing showed the highest increase — 17 percentage points — while history and social science saw little gain, less than a percentage point.

Countywide

Fairfax County reveals next 10 schools to get speed cameras

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2024 at 9:30AM

A speed camera on Kirby Road outside Chesterbrook Elementary School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

With students officially back in class, Fairfax County is expanding its use of speed cameras to enforce the 25-mph limit in school zones.

Over the next few months, the county will roll out cameras to 10 additional locations near public schools for the first phase of its speed camera program, building on a pilot program that launched in February 2023 with eight sites.

Countywide

Fairfax County to roll out phone-free pilot in select schools next month

By James Jarvis

Published August 16, 2024 at 9:30AM

Woman types on smartphone (via freestocks/Unsplash)

During the new school year, which kicks off Monday (Aug. 19), students at select Fairfax County middle and high schools will be required to hand in their phones in order to turn up their focus.

Starting Sept. 3, Fairfax County Public Schools will begin rolling out a new phone-free pilot program, requiring middle and high school students to secure their cell phones in magnetically sealed pouches or lockers during class to reduce distractions.

News

Langley High School football coach suspended after sexual solicitation arrest

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 13, 2024 at 3:30PM

Langley High School in McLean (via Google Maps)

The head football coach at Langley High School in McLean has been suspended after he was charged in Maryland with soliciting sex from a teen girl.

David Clay Murray, 48, was arrested in Fairfax County and charged by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office last Friday (Aug. 9) with five counts of sexual solicitation of a minor, the sheriff’s office said in a press release issued yesterday (Monday).

Countywide

FCPS gets set for varsity boys’ volleyball and girls’ wrestling programs

By James Jarvis

Published August 12, 2024 at 3:30PM

West Springfield High School students try out for the new varsity boys' volleyball team (courtesy Donnie Biggs/Fairfax County Public Schools)

Boys’ volleyball has staged a comeback and girls’ wrestling will soon take to the mats in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Thanks to new funding, Fairfax County Public Schools will offer both sports at the varsity level for the first time during the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, which starts classes next Monday (Aug. 19). Boys’ volleyball will start this fall, followed by girls’ wrestling in the winter.

Countywide

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

By Emily Richardson / Inside NoVA

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).

Countywide

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.