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"Did you know that one-fifth of all Americans have disabilities, including almost one million people in Virginia?

During October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in their communities. “Increasing the awareness of students and teachers about people with disabilities can result in promoting positive attitudes in schools. Creating a culture of mutual respect and equal opportunities for all students is an important goal of Disability History and Awareness Month,” said Fred Orelove, executive director, Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University (Virginia Board for Peoples with Disabilities)."

During October in Virginia, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in their communities

"In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.

Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other national organizations. In 2006 Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month (LGBT History Month)."

LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide to acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation.

Friday, October 30, is a county-wide two-hour early release day. I wanted to make sure you were all aware of our shuttles on this date:

• Our AM and midday shuttles (periods 2 and 4) will run as normally scheduled

• There will be NO AM shuttle for Annandale, Lake Braddock or West Springfield

• There will be NO PM shuttles (period 6)

• There will be no Academy Transportation for the Residential Construction program (no full day program transportation is provided on early release days)

Congratulations to our Marching Majors, who placed 1st in Group 4A competition this past Saturday at the U.S. Bands Severna Park competition.

The band also received awards for:

• Best Music,
• Visual, Color Guard,
• Percussion, and
• Overall Effect

On October 12, we went to our annual DECA District Leadership Conference (DLC) at Oakton High School, where about 40 students competed for an event in a professional role-play, handling real-world situations. From DECA's job interview, selling, and individual series events, our students showed determination, courage, and grit through their work. We're excited to see where DECA leads them.

We want to recognize our State Leadership Conference (SLC) qualifiers who placed in their overall events:

• Alison Ascher - Restaurant and Food Service
• Samantha Vroman - Marketing Communications
• Ihsaan Badal - Business Finance
• Elizabeth Henry - Human Resource Management

We also want to recognize those that placed in either their role-play or cluster exam:

• Marck Bohr - Principles of Marketing
• Ashley Rivas - Accounting Applications
• Ihsaan Badal - Business Finance
• Regan DeRose - Business Services
• Stella Leach - Business Services
• Emily Stafford - Hotel and Lodging
• Elizabeth Henry - Human Resource Management
• Samantha Vroman - Marketing Communications

We are SO proud of the work our DECA students are doing this year! Thank you for being such amazing representatives of MVHS!

Special thanks to our College and Career Coordinator Ms. Whitehouse - and our amazing Student Services Department - for hosting our 2026 College and Career Fair this past Thursday.

We had over 30 programs show up for our students! Hundreds of Majors were able to walk through the Fair and interact with the various college and career representatives.

2026-27 AP/IB Test Registration, Opt-Out Timeline, and Fees

As part of the FCPS Approved Budget, the fees for the first six AP/IB tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s).

FCPS encourages all students to take AP/IB tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt out of the test(s) by filling out an Opt Out form to be provided by the school. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP/IB course enrollment.

Regardless of FCPS opt out decision, students enrolled in any AP course must register for their associated AP test(s) in AP Classroom by October 30th. Instructions for this process have been provided by classroom teachers. Students who register after this date may incur a $40 late registration fee. Students who do not register by March 12th will not be able to take the exam(s) and applicable assessed exam fees will not be refunded.

AP/IB students must make Opt Out decisions by October 30th. Student accounts will be billed in December for tests that exceed the six FCPS-funded tests. The nonrefundable fees are $99 per AP exam, or a $126.50 fee per IB exam.

2027 AP Testing

Reference the College Board AP exam dates site for dates of AP Exams.

2027 IB Testing

Reference the 2027 IB exam dates here.

Sarah Freeland

Mount Vernon High School Advanced Academics

VFW Post 8241 would like to share opportunities for Mount Vernon High School students and educators.

• Voice of Democracy: Students in grades 9–12 submit a written essay and a 3–5 minute audio recording.

Both student competitions use the theme “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”

• Entries are due October 31, 2026.

The three-program flyer also below includes Patriot’s Pen for families with younger students.

Completed official forms and required materials may be submitted digitally to vfw8241@gmail.com. We’re happy to answer questions and provide submission assistance.

Official forms and eligibility requirements:

• Student competitions and entry forms
• Teacher of the Year and nomination materials

Matt Colsia - Patriotic Programs Committee
VFW Post 8241
vfw8241@gmail.com

Parents and Caregivers -

I recently communicated to our MVHS students about a concern we have with student behaviors during our 2nd Chance Breakfast opportunity at MVHS.

Our 2nd Chance Breakfast opportunity is a service we provide to only those students who arrive after 8:10 am and do not have the opportunity to access breakfast before school. This is not a time to get a 2nd breakfast, or for those that chose not to access the before-school breakfast service. 2nd Chance Breakfast is not an option for those students that ride a bus or arrive before 8:10 am.

We are also seeing a rapidly growing number of students who are using the 2nd Chance Breakfast opportunity to get out of class and roam the building.

IMPORTANT:

• Beginning immediately, we will be limiting the students who will have an opportunity to the 2nd Chance Breakfast to only those that arrive to school after 8:10 am.

• Students will not be permitted to use 2nd Chance Breakfast to purchase a 2nd breakfast.

• Should we continue to see students abusing 2nd Chance Breakfast opportunities, we will be forced to make a decision about whether or not to offer this service to our students.

Friday, October 30th is our annual Halloween Spirit Day. This is a day many of our students show their school spirit by dressing up in costumes and fun attire.

Below are some guidelines for costumes and attire:

- All costumes and attire should represent positive school spirit - and should not show disrespect to others in any way.

- All costumes and attire should be school-appropriate and follow the SR&R guidelines.

- To maintain safety and security, masks or face coverings will NOT be permitted.

- Additionally, any props that represent any type of weapon will NOT be permitted - and will be confiscated.

If you have any questions about a costume or attire, please see your Administrator.

As part of the FCPS Approved Budget, the fees for the first six AP/IB tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s).

FCPS encourages all students to take AP/IB tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt out of the test(s) by filling out an Opt Out form to be provided by the school. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP/IB course enrollment.

Regardless of FCPS opt out decision, students enrolled in any AP course must register for their associated AP test(s) in AP Classroom by October 30th. Instructions for this process have been provided by classroom teachers. Students who register after this date may incur a $40 late registration fee. Students who do not register by March 12th will not be able to take the exam(s) and applicable assessed exam fees will not be refunded.

AP/IB students must make Opt Out decisions by October 30th. Student accounts will be billed in December for tests that exceed the six FCPS-funded tests. The nonrefundable fees are $99 per AP exam, or a $126.50 fee per IB exam.

• 2027 AP Testing
• Reference the College Board AP exam dates site for dates of AP Exams.

• 2027 IB Testing
• Reference the 2027 IB exam dates here.

The Fairfax County School Board's Student Leadership Development Program is geared towards students interested in a future in law, government or public policy. Twelve students are chosen to work closely with the School Board to observe how FCPS is governed, engage in leadership development, submit policy proposals for consideration by their fellow participants, have the opportunity to participate on various advisory committees to the School Board, and even to seek election as the student representative on the School Board.

Student Leadership Development Program applications for the SY2026-2027 cohort are now being accepted through 11:59 pm on Friday, November 6, 2026.

If you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior interested in a future in law, government, or public policy, this is the program for you!

The application is available only electronically and must be submitted via this application link.

Please note that this year, only the information submitted via the Google form application will be accepted; no additional attachments or information submitted beyond the electronic application will be considered.

Below are relevant program dates for all interested students and should be considered by students when they apply:

• January 12, 2027: Program Orientation
• April 6, 2027: Mock Forum
• May 6, 2027: Mock Work Session
• May 25, 2027: Program Graduation

Interested students may find more information on the SLDP website. If they have any questions, they can email SBStudentLeadership@fcps.edu or call the School Board Office at 571-423-1075 (M-F; 8:00 am – 4:30 pm).

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School

• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School

• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

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Acompáñenos en una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes lugares de la división escolar. Estas reuniones están abiertas a todos, incluyendo familias, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad. Puede asistir al evento que le resulte más conveniente, aunque no se lleve a cabo en su escuela o comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus opiniones, conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid y hacerle preguntas sobre temas importantes para nuestra comunidad de FCPS.

• Lunes 26 de octubre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Beech Tree

• Jueves 29 de octubre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria North Springfield

• Viernes 13 de noviembre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Powell

No es necesario inscribirse, pero hacerlo nos ayuda con la planificación.

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.

• Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.

• Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.

• Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.

Upcoming Flu Shot Events

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will be taking place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.

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La importancia de la vacuna contra la influenza

La vacuna anual contra la influenza es la manera más eficaz de proteger a su estudiante contra esta enfermedad y ayudar a prevenir su propagación en nuestras escuelas. Mantener al día la vacuna contra la influenza de su estudiante ayuda a:

• Reducir las ausencias escolares: Mantener a los estudiantes saludables significa más tiempo para aprender y compartir con sus compañeros.

• Proteger a la comunidad: La vacunación ayuda a proteger a familiares, vecinos y otras personas vulnerables contra enfermedades estacionales.

• Promover el bienestar general: La vacuna anual contra la influenza es una parte importante de un plan preventivo para la salud de los estudiantes.

Próximos eventos de vacunación contra la influenza

FCPS, en colaboración con Inspire Health Alliance, ofrecerá vacunas contra la influenza a todos los estudiantes de FCPS de 18 años o menos, sin costo para las familias. Se llevarán a cabo varios eventos en diferentes instalaciones de FCPS. Se agregarán nuevas fechas a lo largo del año escolar. Los padres y tutores pueden consultar los próximos eventos y programar una cita para su estudiante. La participación es voluntaria.

SIS ParentVUE: Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE

Parents and care-givers -

SIS ParentVUE is the info-central for all the MVHS and FCPS information you will need.

Track your student's attendance, view grades, get information from the school, and much more!

Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.

Please call the school at 703-619-3100 if you need your Activation Code for SIS ParentVUE.

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE.

To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.

Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.

Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE.

Log in and click “Report Absence.”

Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office.

Parents/caregivers can also call the school at 703-619-3100 to report absences.

As we strive to create the safest, most supportive, and focused learning environment possible for our students, we are reaching out to share an important policy update regarding campus meals.

This school year, ALL external food delivery services (such as DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub, and local restaurants) will no longer be permitted or accepted on campus.

Why We Are Making This Change:

• Enhanced Campus Safety: Limiting non-school personnel and unscheduled deliveries on school grounds helps our team maintain a secure environment throughout the day.

• Uninterrupted Learning: Minimizing classroom disruptions caused by delivery alerts and drop-offs ensures our students can stay focused on their studies and activities.

• Equal & Healthy Access: Our school nutrition team works hard every day to prepare balanced, delicious meal options that meet all dietary standards for our growing students.

What This Means for Students & Families:

• Packed Lunches Welcome: Students are always welcome and encouraged to bring a healthy meal or snack from home.

• Delicious Campus Meals: Our school cafeteria remains ready to serve fresh, nutritious breakfast and lunch options every day.

• Forgotten Lunches: If a student accidentally leaves their packed lunch at home, a parent or guardian may still drop it off at the main front office.
  
  

We deeply appreciate your partnership, understanding, and cooperation as we implement this change to keep our school safe, focused, and healthy.

If you have any questions or unique dietary needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our administration team!

Regrettably, we are seeing a rapidly growing increase in students illegally parking on campus during the school day. These student vehicles are being parking in reserved staff spaces & visitor parking.

This is a safety issue and needs to stop immediately.

Students - Please see the main office if you would like to purchase a parking pass.

REMINDER: All parking passes are for a semester only. Anyone wishing to have a semester 2 parking pass will need to purchase one at the end of January 2026.

Optional FREE Parking: Students may also park along (a) Old Mount Vernon Road, (b) Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, and (c) Maryland Street.

Students MAY NOT park at the Rec Center or in community areas that block private driveways.

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Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships?

If so, parents/caregivers can refer their children for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health.

Visit the Teletherapy webpage for more information on how to access this service.

The Library of Virginia has archived the old Mount Vernon High yearbooks— starting with 1940!

• See the link HERE.

In addition, the Fairfax County Collection can be found in within the Fairfax County Public Library archives. They are all stored on the Internet Archive.

• See the link HERE.

Mount Vernon High School is a vibrant educational environment characterized by commitment to excellence. Located less than a mile from George Washington's home, Mount Vernon High School is steeped in tradition. Founded in 1939, its long history of excellence is evident in its current students, faculty, and staff. Mount Vernon High School has a world-class curriculum. Students choose from a wide range of course offerings, including International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. The International Baccalaureate Program is a rigorous advanced-level program that is an option for students in their final two years of high school. Individual needs are accommodated through three special education programs, an English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) program, and advanced or accelerated courses in all disciplines. At Mount Vernon High School, technology enhances and adds dimension to instruction in all curricular areas.

In addition to outstanding academic programs, Mount Vernon High School offers students a broad range of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities designed to meet and extend the broad range of student interests. Fine and performing arts students and athletic teams have received numerous awards and recognition. Contributing to Mount Vernon High School's unique character and strength is its diversity. More than 50 countries and 30 languages are represented in its student population. This diversity is enjoyed and celebrated daily, as well as through a series of cultural events that bring students, parents, and faculty together and demonstrate cooperative living in a multicultural world. Mount Vernon High School is further enriched by the support of an active community.

At Mount Vernon High School, we value and believe members within our community should be:

• Supportive,
• Passionate,
• Responsible,
• Looking for Continuous Growth, &
• Culturally Responsive

We know that our Majors achieve and thrive together with purpose and pride.

As we begin a new school year, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, , which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students.

• Watch Dr. Reid’s message.

Please visit the FCPS Webpage for all FCPS-related Information

Please visit Chip's website HERE for more amazing pics!

Links to the Family Newsletters for this 2026-2027 SY

October 2026

Week of October 25, 2026

Week of October 18, 2026

Week of October 11, 2026

Week of October 4, 2026

September 2026

Week of September 27, 2026

Week of September 20, 2026

Week of September 13, 2026

Week of September 6, 2026

August 2026

Week of August 30, 2026

Back to School Newsletter II

August 16th Family Newsletter

Back to School Newsletter

July 2026

July 2026 - Summer Edition #1