Fairfax County Public Schools

Published January 3, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated January 3, 2023 at 4:34PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) An outcry stoked by conservative activists over Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) allegedly failing to promptly announce a student academic honor has reached the Virginia governor’s office.

In a letter released this morning (Tuesday), Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate the Fairfax County magnet school after it reportedly didn’t notify students commended by the National Merit Scholarship Program until after early college applications were due.

News

FCPS still looking at options to relieve Kent Gardens Elementary crowding

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 28, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated February 6, 2023 at 1:57PM

Kent Gardens Elementary School in McLean (via Google Maps)

Efforts to alleviate crowding issues at Kent Gardens Elementary School are starting to pick up steam, but Fairfax County Public Schools is still working to identify and pursue specific solutions.

With 1,023 students, the McLean school is at 121% of its building capacity, per a proposed capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal years 2024-2028. That makes it one of the most crowded schools in FCPS, second only to Wakefield Forest Elementary School and tied with Centreville High School.

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FCPS collective bargaining proposal ready for school board consideration

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 22, 2022 at 9:30AM

SEIU Virginia 512 President David Broder and Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston urged the Fairfax County School Board to adopt a collective bargaining resolution at a Dec. 15 public hearing (courtesy David Broder/Twitter)

More than a year after Fairfax County government workers got collective bargaining rights, a proposal could extend the option to their public school counterparts.

After months of work, Fairfax County Public School administrators presented a draft resolution to the school board last week that would let employees organize and elect a union to negotiate labor contracts, setting terms for pay, benefits and work conditions.

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FCPS ‘assessing’ impact after Virginia settles lawsuit over end of universal masking

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 20, 2022 at 11:45AM

Face masks (via Mika Baumeister/Unsplash)

When Fairfax County Public Schools resumes classes in January, students and staff may once again be required to wear face masks — but only around students with disabilities who request the accommodation.

Virginia settled a lawsuit last week with parents of 12 immunocompromised students who argued that the end of Covid-related face mask requirements in schools violated their right to a free, appropriate public education.

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McLean and Herndon school board representative Elaine Tholen won’t seek reelection next year

By Matt Blitz

Published December 12, 2022 at 10:15AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Dranesville District school board member Elaine Tholen will not run for reelection in 2023, while several of the other members haven’t yet declared their own intentions.

Tholen confirmed to FFXnow that she won’t seek another term on the Fairfax County School Board and instead plans to step down at the end of her term on Dec. 31, 2023.

News

FCPD: Marshall HS special education teacher arrested for alleged assaults on student

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 5, 2022 at 9:30AM

George C. Marshall High School in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A special education teacher at Marshall High School in Idylwood has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a student more than once, Fairfax County police announced Friday night (Dec. 2).

Two different employees reported seeing Amy Bonzano, a 50-year-old Falls Church resident, assaulting a student with disabilities, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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FCPS to consider policy on identifying ‘sexually explicit’ materials

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 2, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:54PM

Fairfax County Public Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools could require parental notifications for class materials deemed sexually explicit, but in a deviation from the state, the proposed policy directly addresses concerns about censorship, specifically for LGBTQ-related content.

Introduced at the Fairfax County School Board meeting last night, the policy requires teachers to maintain lists of books, videos, and other instructional materials with “sexually explicit content.” Schools must notify parents at least 30 days before the materials are used and provide alternatives if sought by a parent or student.

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FCPS failed to support students with disabilities during remote learning, federal investigation finds

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 1, 2022 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools failed to give needed educational services to “thousands” of students with disabilities when it pivoted to virtual learning due to COVID-19 in 2020, federal officials say.

FCPS must compensate all affected students for the lost services as part of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, which was investigating reports that the school system had violated students’ right to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).

News

Police: FCPS instructional assistant stole over $10K from Chantilly Target

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated November 29, 2022 at 4:34PM

The Target in the Chantilly Crossing shopping center (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) A Fairfax County Public Schools instructional assistant has been arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of cash and goods from a Target in Chantilly.

Fairfax County police arrested Denise Pitkin-Tilson, 55, of Chantilly yesterday and charged her with felony embezzlement for taking more than $10,000 in cash, gift cards and merchandise, the department announced today.

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Fairfax County warns budget could be ‘challenging’ due to slowing real estate market, rising staff costs

By Matt Blitz

Published November 29, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated November 30, 2022 at 1:15PM

The Fairfax County logo is shown on the front of the Fairfax County Government Center building at 12000 Government Center Parkway. (Staff photo by David Taube)

(Updated at 1:15 p.m. on 11/30/2022) Local officials are already preparing for “one of the most challenging” budget talks in years due to inflation, the changing real estate market, and staff retention challenges.

Right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Fairfax County staff offered supervisors and the school board an early look at projected revenues, expenditures, and points of potential discussion as the county and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) prepare to release proposed budgets early next year.