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Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
Dear Powell Families,
We hope you are having a wonderful week! At Colin Powell, our shared commitment remains strong: keeping K.I.D.S. First—Kind, Inclusive, Diligent, and Safe—at the center of all we do.
We would like to acknowledge important observances within our community:
Ramadan began at sundown on Tuesday, February 17. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset while striving to increase their spirituality through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad. If you have any questions regarding accommodations we have set up for students at Powell Elementary School (lunch, prayer/meditation, and silent reflection spaces), please feel free to reach out to me.
On Wednesday, February 18, we recognize those in our community observing Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is observed as a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations and marks the beginning of Lent—a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special services on this day, during which ashes are placed on the forehead as a sign of penance.
We are also excited to see warmer temperatures this week! As the weather warms, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess and consider sending a light jacket that can be easily stored in a backpack. With nicer weather, students may have more opportunities to learn and play outside, and we appreciate your support in helping them be prepared.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we remain focused on inclusive and equitable excellence for every Puma.
Warmly,
Catherine Han
Principal, Colin Powell Elementary School
 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.
We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.
For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check in at the front office.
But now there is also an app, which can make check-ins even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check in at school.
If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
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!
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.
Access School Picture Day Flyer and Web Banner
Access our secure site by clicking here: www.pictureportal.org or copy and paste this into your Chrome browser. Google Chrome is the required browser to run this site.
If you do not have your login information, on the login screen you can click Forgot Password to have your password reset and emailed to you.
• Click on Photo Events on the left menu
- Find the event for your upcoming picture day (school pictures, class groups, etc.)
- Click the View (first icon) to download the Flyer or to resend the email for your web banner link
Feel free to contact your Sales Representative with any questions that you may have about picture day.
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.
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Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at [School]. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
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.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Celebrating Our Students
- Summer Camp and Learning
- New High School Name
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