A Summer of Opportunity
Dear Educate Fairfax Supporter:
Summer is often a time to slow down, recharge and enjoy time with family. At Educate Fairfax, it's also one of our busiest seasons as we work alongside our community to help students return to school ready to learn.
This month, you'll see how your support is making a difference, from helping provide nutritious meals for families through our partnership with FCPS Food & Nutrition Services to recognizing the outstanding educators and staff who make our schools exceptional every day.
You'll also learn how you can help us prepare students for a successful school year through our Supplies for Success campaign. Last year, our community helped equip 5,000 students with the school supplies they needed. This year, we're working to reach 15,000 students, and we can't do it without you.
I'm especially grateful to the local swim teams once again making a splash for students by hosting Swim-a-Thons in support of our school supply drive. Their enthusiasm is a wonderful reminder that when a community comes together, every act of generosity, big or small, helps ensure every Fairfax County Public Schools student has a path to success.
Thank you for being part of this work and for continuing to invest in our students, educators and schools. We wish you a safe, joyful and meaningful rest of the summer.
We encourage you to follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter), where we share the stories of our grant recipients, along with other inspiring news about what's happening to improve educational outcomes across our school division.
Warm wishes,
Dr. Lynette Henry
Executive Director
Educate Fairfax
What a Backpack Can Do
Picture a student walking into school on the very first day.
Backpack on. Supplies in hand. Ready to learn.
It may seem like a small moment, but for a child, it can mean everything. A backpack filled with supplies isn't just paper, pencils and notebooks. It's confidence. It's belonging. It's the chance to walk into the classroom feeling prepared instead of left behind.
Last summer, because of the generosity of our community, 5,000 Fairfax County Public Schools students across 50 Title I schools started the school year with the supplies they needed to succeed.
This year, we want to help even more students.
Our goal is to equip 15,000 students with the tools they need to start school ready to learn. But we can't get there without you.
For one in three FCPS students, purchasing school supplies means families are forced to make difficult choices between backpacks, groceries, rent and utility bills. Together, we can remove one of those burdens and give students the strong start they deserve.
You can help before our August 1 deadline:
- $15 equips one student with a complete school supply kit.
- $25 provides a school supply kit and a backpack
- Organize a collection drive with your workplace, neighborhood or community group.
Every backpack packed. Every supply kit delivered. Every donation made is an investment in a student's confidence, success and future.
Help us reach 15,000 students.
Make your gift today:
educatefairfax.app.neoncrm.com/forms/20242025-school-supply-drive
Together, we can make sure every student walks into school prepared, confident and ready to succeed.
Celebrating Excellence Across FCPS
Every day, outstanding educators and staff make a difference in the lives of Fairfax County Public Schools students. Educate Fairfax was proud to support the 2026 FCPS Honors Recognition Ceremony, celebrating the teachers, leaders and support professionals whose dedication strengthens our schools and inspires student success.
Hosted annually by the FCPS Department of Human Resources, the ceremony recognizes employees who exemplify excellence in teaching, leadership and service. We are grateful to everyone who nominated deserving staff members and helped make this special celebration possible.
At Educate Fairfax, we believe investing in educators is an investment in students, and we are honored to recognize the people whose passion helps every student thrive.
Thank you to our sponsors who help make our work possible:
- Apple Federal Credit Union
- I-66 Express Mobility Partners
- Cox Business
- Guernsey, Inc.
- Ricoh USA
- Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
- Moseley, Inc.
- Kaiser Permanente
- United Bank
Click on the image above to see highlights from this inspiring evening, or click here.
Helping Families Stay Nourished All Summer
Summer may be halfway over, but there's still time for families to take advantage of free, nutritious meals through the FCPS Summer Meals program.
We're proud to partner once again with FCPS Food & Nutrition Services to help ensure students and families have access to healthy meals while school is out.
Children and teens can receive free breakfast and lunch at participating FCPS Summer Meals sites.
To help make family mealtime a little easier, we're also funding one free breakfast and one free lunch for adults at six participating schools:
- Braddock Elementary School
- Dogwood Elementary School
- Glen Forest Elementary School
- Hutchison Elementary School
- Hybla Valley Elementary School
- London Towne Elementary School
If you or someone you know could benefit from the program, there's still time to participate.
Find a Summer Meals location near you: https://bit.ly/FCPSSummerMeals
Help Us Celebrate Outstanding FCPS Alumni
For more than 150 years, Fairfax County Public Schools has prepared students to succeed in every path they choose. Today, FCPS alumni are making an impact around the world as leaders in government, business, the arts, science and technology, education, community service, and countless other fields.
Now is your opportunity to help recognize those individuals whose achievements reflect the power of public education.
Educate Fairfax is accepting nominations for the 5th Annual FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame, which honors distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in their professions, communities, and beyond. Whether they graduated in the 1950s, the 1980s, or more recently, we are looking for alumni whose accomplishments inspire others and embody the values of leadership, service, and excellence.
Nominees must have graduated from high school at least five years ago and demonstrated notable achievements, leadership, and positive contributions to society. Hall of Fame inductees represent the very best of the FCPS alumni community and serve as examples for current and future students.
Do you know an FCPS graduate who has made a lasting impact?
Nominations are open through Aug. 31, 2026.
Help us celebrate the remarkable individuals who continue to strengthen our communities and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Submit a nomination today.
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