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Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
Dear Powell Puma Families,
Today was a joyful and memorable day at school as we celebrated Lunar New Year, the 100th Day of School, and Valentine’s Day. Our building was filled with excitement, creativity, and community spirit from the moment students walked through the doors.
Students marked the 100th Day of School with engaging activities that highlighted just how much they have grown academically and socially this year. Classrooms were buzzing with projects centered around the number 100, reflections on learning milestones, and celebrations of perseverance and progress.
Our Lunar New Year celebration was especially meaningful. We are deeply grateful to the students who performed and shared their talents with our school community. Their confidence, preparation, and cultural pride were inspiring. Performances like these not only showcase incredible skills, but also help us learn from one another and appreciate the rich diversity within our Powell community. Thank you to our performers and the families who supported them.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated in many Asian cultures and marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Each year is associated with one of the twelve zodiac animals and is a time focused on family, renewal, good fortune, and hope for the year ahead. Traditions may include special meals, red decorations symbolizing luck and prosperity, honoring ancestors, and sharing gifts such as red envelopes. Celebrating together allows our students to build cultural awareness and a deeper appreciation for global traditions.
Students also enjoyed Valentine’s Day activities centered on kindness, friendship, and appreciation. We hope your family has a wonderful Valentine’s Day filled with connection and care.
A few important reminders:
• Monday is a holiday in observance of Presidents’ Day. This day honors the leadership and contributions of U.S. presidents, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is a time to reflect on the role of civic leadership and the responsibilities of citizenship. Schools and offices will be closed.
• Tuesday is a Teacher Workday. There will be no school for students as our staff engage in planning, collaboration, and professional responsibilities to support continued student growth.
We look forward to welcoming all students back on Wednesday.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us make Powell a place where we celebrate learning, culture, and community together.
Sincerely,
Catherine Han
Principal
  
 Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
The 2nd Annual CPES Iftar Event is approaching! Here are the key details from the invitation:
Event Details
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Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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Time: The event begins at 5:00 PM, with Iftar served at sundown (around 6:00 PM).
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Location: Colin Powell ES Cafeteria
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Style: Potluck; families are encouraged to bring a dish to share.
Important Actions
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RSVP: Please sign up and register your dish by February 24th using the link here
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Community Participation: The event is open to everyone—Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
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Share Memories: Families are encouraged to share favorite Ramadan photos or short videos of their children discussing what they love most about Ramadan.
Come to Powell on the evening of February 24th to play games and complete activities that help support learning in math, literacy, and creative thinking!
Any student, K-6, is invited to attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s). Please RSVP to let us know you are coming! You can stay for a bit or for the whole two hours!
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bach at kmbach@fcps.edu.
We look forward to seeing you!
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Thank you to Shabaig and his family for the beautiful display representing the Punjabi culture. The Dhami family’s display includes books, images of important figures, and information about the culture and religion. Fun fact: Fauja Singh, a British-Indian man from the Punjab region, was the oldest person to ever run a marathon (at 93 years old!).
We are so excited to host award winning author/illustrator Raúl the Third on March 12th. He will be signing books during his visit! If you would like to order a book so that he can sign it for your child during his visit, use this link https://bit.ly/CPESbookstore or the QR code in the flyer. Order by February 24th! Books will be delivered to the school so they are ready for signing.
Spirit Week Schedule (Feb 18–20)
| Date |
Theme |
What to Wear |
| Wednesday, 18th |
Crazy for Kindness |
Crazy Socks |
| Thursday, 19th |
Peace, Love & Kindness |
Tie-Dye |
| Friday, 20th |
Team Up & Be Kind |
Any Sports Gear |
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
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Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
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Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
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Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Parent Project Class in Spanish to the Centreville High School community, which begins on February 26th at 6 PM.
This program is designed for families with children/teens between the ages of 10 and 18 years old, with more details about the program in the flyer below.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- How to Get Weather Updates ASAP
- Celebrating Students and Staff
- Kindergarten Open Houses
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