March is finally here, and our school community is looking forward to the warm weather. The 3rd quarter ends Friday, March 27 and teachers will provide IEP progress reports in early April. As a reminder, ESY dates are Monday, July 6 through Thursday, July 30. Our theme for ESY is Camp Kilmer: Summer Adventures and we are excited to share amazing learning opportunities with your children. If you have any questions about ESY, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
As always, we appreciate your feedback and hope you have a wonderful week.
Hoang and Laura
Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities
Friday, April 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
In this session participants will explore the five components of literacy and corresponding instructional practices designed to support the literacy needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
New Visitor Management System
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-in’s 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!
Upcoming Career and Transition Events
Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs
Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school.
The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance.
Resources From our Family Liaison
IMPORTANT: The 2026 Special Education Family Conference is rescheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you registered for the March 21st event, we kindly ask that you register for the April 18th date, as all previous registrations have expired.
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families & Schools, will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This in-person event will offer opening sessions for all participants in the morning and choice breakout sessions. This no-cost, in-person event is hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools in collaboration with a host of internal and external community partners. Families will have the opportunity to hear a keynote address from internationally renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore, connect to resources, and participate in afternoon sessions.
Location: George C. Marshall High School 7731 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043
Join the Jill’s House/Kilmer Center Parent & Caregiver Support Group, a welcoming community for those raising children with significant disabilities. For over 10 years, this group has met monthly to connect parents to one another and a shared network of resources. Whether you are discussing topics like chronic grief and holiday stress or sharing funny stories and planning for life after graduation, these meetings offer a safe, open, and accepting space to share common concerns and triumphs. You do not need to be a Jill’s House client to participate; all are welcome! Meetings are held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm and last about an hour. The Kilmer Center Psychologist or Social Worker and Deonne Snare, the Jill’s House Family Support Specialist, will be present to offer guidance. Please feel free to join with your camera on or off, whatever makes you most comfortable.
2026 Meeting Dates: Mar 12
To Attend: Email Deonne Snare at Deonne.Snare@jillshouse.org to receive the meeting link 15 minutes prior to the start of the session.
Department of Family Services Parenting Classes (Tuesday, March 10. Upcoming.)
Topic: The Role of Values and Morals in Shaping Positive Discipline Families will explore how core beliefs can guide positive and consistent discipline practices that build self-control, empathy, and respect. Open to Fairfax County parents and guardians with children ages 0 to 18.
Enrollment Opens (Tuesday, March 17. Upcoming) Camp Fairfax serves rising 1st through 7th graders and is held in public schools and community centers throughout Fairfax County. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. A sliding fee scale is available.
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority Scholarship Application
(Deadline: March 30, 2026. Upcoming) Please share with eligible families. Up to 10 scholarships of $5,000 are available for post-secondary education, including technical training programs.
Eligibility: Student must live in housing supported by FCRHA
Application and eligibility details: FCRHA Scholarship Information
College Access Fairfax hosts Paying for College: The Financial Aid Process for Underclassmen (March 7, March 12. Virtual. Upcoming)
Virtual workshop for students in grades 9–11 and their families. Learn how financial aid works, when to apply, types and sources of aid, required forms, and how financial need is determined. Free and open to all families. Link for more information
Are you looking for ways to support an adult loved one with a disability at home? Join us for a free webinar on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m.. Lisa Escoto, a caregiving mom and owner of Family-Run Individual Group Homes of Virginia, will host the session. She will share how you can turn your family home into an "Individual Group Home" to help families stay together.
During this session, you will learn about:
The pros and cons of Virginia’s Sponsored Residential Program versus traditional group homes.
How to qualify and pay for housing, daily activities, and caregiving support.
Ways to get the money to pay for these services, including paying yourself or other family members for care.
Answers to your specific questions during an open Q&A time.
To register, please email Info@FamilyRIGH.com. You can also learn more at www.FamilyRIGH.com.
Military Family Field Day
Saturday, April 18, 2026, Noon to 2 p.m.
FCPS is excited to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a good, old-fashioned field day! We invite all military-connected families with FCPS students to a special field day to honor our military-connected children.
Join us for an afternoon of fun and community at Annandale High School (4700 Medford Dr, Annandale, VA 22003) on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m.
Enjoy field day games and crafts at the football and track stadium. Food and beverages will be available for purchase to support various FCPS school clubs and organizations. This is a great opportunity to connect with other military families across the division!
To RSVP, please complete this Google form by Friday, March 27, 2026.
Purple Up! Store Now Open (Orders due March 9)
Fairfax County Public Schools will celebrate Purple Up! Day on April 15, 2026 in honor of the Month of the Military Child. Purple Up! spirit wear is now available through our Custom Ink pop-up store. Items include T-shirts, hoodies, pajama pants, key chains, and yard signs.
Store open: February 16 through March 9
FCPS ACE Adult English Classes. Spring Semester Enrollment Open.
(Upcoming) Adults in our community can enroll in comprehensive ESOL classes through FCPS Adult and Community Education. Classes are offered at multiple proficiency levels with morning and evening options at locations across the county. Tuition is significantly lower than most college or private language programs.