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"April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome (Department of Defense)."

In April, we "formally recognize the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month. Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society (Arab American Foundation)."

Please click HERE for the 2026 IB Exam Schedule.

Please see Ms. Freeland with any questions about the IB Exams.

MVHS juniors and seniors:

Get ready for Prom on May 22, 2026!

Tickets are available for purchase during lunches only via cash or check. Students may buy a maximum of two tickets.

Pricing Schedule

• Early Bird Sale: May 11 and May 12 - $60 single, $115 for couples
• May 13- May 19 - $70
• May 20- May 22 - $85

Important Deadlines

• Ticket Cutoff: All sales end at 1:30 PM on Friday, May 22
• Guest Forms: Pick up in sub-schools; due by Wednesday, May 20

• No guests will be permitted to enter Prom without an approved Guest Form. No exceptions.

Forms needed to attend prom are HERE.

You can pick up a hard-copy of these in your sub-school.

The Financial Obligation Form in your sub-schools.

Senior Class and Parents/Guardians:

Graduation and related end-of-high school activities will take place very soon. To make these events successful and to allow each family to make plans, we are providing the following information and schedule.

There are less than two months left in this school year, which will go by extremely fast. It is important for all seniors to continue to try their best academically and continue to attend school. Please do not give your seniors permission to miss school.

These last weeks are vital for finishing their high school education strong. Stressing the importance of good attendance and reliability now sets the standard for future workplace and/or college attendance.

Many of our seniors will be taking IB exams in late April and early May, and it is vital students attend and sit for their IB exams.

Sitting for IB exams provides meaningful opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge they’ve learned in these courses, which will only help prepare them for the future, whatever direction they choose to take.

There are a multitude of senior events our students will be looking forward to, including attending prom, going on the senior trip, end-of-year awards and celebrations, and graduation practices and rehearsals. We want this time to be fun and eventful for all seniors, but we also want our students to be safe and walk across the stage at EagleBank Arena on Tuesday, June 9.

While we are excited for graduation and end-of-year events, it is important to note that the expectations laid out in the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document continue to remain in effect until graduation concludes. Seniors who are in violation of the SR&R may not be able to participate in some/all end-of-year senior events and activities. Please do not allow inappropriate actions and behaviors to ruin what should be a joyous time for all students and their families. We want this to be a safe and happy time.

We are very proud of the Class of 2026 and have been honored to work with them toward this significant accomplishment. The following pages are packed with information, so please read everything carefully. Should you have any questions regarding the information located in this senior letter, please contact Mr. Cary Dimmick, Stephanie Payne, or Alicia Clarke.

Beginning the week of April 19th, we will be celebrating our Seniors in their various spring sports.

Below is the schedule for the remainder of the spring:

• May 4th: Boys Lacrosse
• May 5th: Boys Tennis
• May 5th: Boys Soccer
• May 6th: Track
• May 7th: Girls Tennis
• May 7th: Girls Lacrosse
• May 11th: Baseball
• May 11th: Softball

Special thanks to all of our Seniors and their families for all they have done for Mount Vernon HS during their tenure as Majors!

Congratulations to the following MVHS students who were recognized for their Quarter 3 accomplishments at the Edison Academies.

This past weekend, three of our MVHS Choir students performed at the 2026 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra event in Richmond, Virginia.

Juliet Pascoe, Mariah Palencia and Emlyn Pascoe performed on Saturday in the SSAA (treble) choir conducted by Cindy Ellis of Miami Arts Studio.

Juliet also performed a solo in the piece “Children Will Listen.” Students throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for positions in these ensembles, and it is one of the highest levels of musical ensembles available for students in Virginia.

• Link to the FCPS press release

Congratulations to two MVHS sophomore students - Kaelin Walker and Samya Adyel - who participated in the Virginia Tech Science Expo on April 18th, 2026.

Kaelin and Samya were invited to this event following their participation in the FCPS Regional Science Fair in March 2026.

The Virginia Tech Expo served as a showcase where they displayed their projects, engaged with industry leaders, and provided feedback to fellow students and parents.

Thank you Kaelin and Samya for representing MVHS so well!

Wells Fargo volunteers facilitated the Wells Fargo Hands on Banking interactive program this past Wednesday at Mount Vernon High School.

MVHS was selected out of all the FCPS schools to receive this important financial presentation - which is specifically designed to provide young adults with valuable insights into managing financial matters and overcoming challenges through careful planning.

The topics covered during this program included budgeting, comparison shopping, evaluating needs, wants and tradeoffs in a relevant and engaging way.

Following the Hands on Banking program, Wells Fargo and Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) Student Ambassadors from Howard University hosted a panel discussion for our students on how to properly prepare financially for college.

Please consider joining us for our spring musical, Once Upon A Mattress!

“Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.”

Performances will be:

• April 30 at 7:00pm
• May 1 at 7:00pm
• May 2 at 1:00pm
• May 2 at 7:00pm

Ticket prices are:

• $10.00 for General Admission
• $8.00 for Military/Senior Citizens
• $7.00 for students

For tickets and more information, visitwww.mvhstheatrearts.com.

Last Friday, April 17th 2026, 30 of Mount Vernon HS’s Public Health Youth Ambassadors took a trip to the Fairfax Government Center to learn about services offered around mental health and wellness.

The theme of the event was ‘SPARK Change’.

This full-day experience focused on mental health, substance misuse prevention, disabilities, and careers in behavioral health.

Throughout the day, students rotated through three interactive breakout sessions (Inspiration & Wellness, Human Library, & Prevention Simulation) and had the opportunity to engage directly with professionals in the behavioral health field.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Public Health Youth Ambassador program is encouraged to reference the website and consider applying for the next Fall cohort which is set to start upon our return from summer break.

You can also reach out to Ms. Mentzel mjmentzel@fcps.edu with questions related to the program’s delivery here at MVHS.

Congratulations to our MVHS CTE Teacher Ms. Jennifer Miller – who was recognized by the Tigbee organization with their 2026 Impact Award!

The Tiggbee organization shared that "Ms. Miller demonstrated outstanding commitment by consistently participating in the Tiggbee guest speaker career events this academic year, providing your students with over 112.83 hours of work-based learning experiences.

As an industry collaborator, her dedication to enhancing the educational experience and fostering dynamic learning environments has truly stood out.

Her continued involvement—and her students’ engagement—has positioned Ms. MIller as a leader in your district. She has empowered students to explore opportunities across STEM, the arts, and the trades, bringing real-world relevance to their education.

Ms. Miller's commitment aligns seamlessly with state initiatives, exceeding key benchmarks and showcasing excellence in career-connected learning. Big kudos to Fairfax County Public Schools and Mount Vernon High for championing student engagement!"

Here’s to the lasting impact Ms. Miller is making on our students!

Class of 2026 Yard/Window Sign

Show your pride and celebrate your senior with a custom sign.

Pickup will be available at various times and dates (details to follow after order is placed). All proceeds go directly towards the PTSA Senior Celebration for the Class of 2026.

Have questions? Email us at ptsamountvernon@gmail.com

• Price: $15.00

• Order HERE

Dear Fort Hunt Families,

A message from the Fort Hunt Summer Flag Football Program:

We’re excited to announce our Summer Flag Football program, kicking off on June 3rd and running through July 22nd!

Our spring season emphasized fun, fundamentals, and introducing the game. As we transition into the summer program, we’ll continue to build on that foundation, but with a stronger focus on competition and teamwork. Players will have more opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in game situations while continuing to develop their skills in a structured and supportive environment.

While competition will be elevated, development remains our top priority. Our coaching staff is committed to helping each athlete improve their football IQ, technique, and confidence as we prepare them for the next level, including tackle football.

This is a great opportunity for players to stay active, grow as teammates, and continue building their love for the game all while having fun along the way.

More details regarding registration is below. We look forward to seeing your athletes out on the field this summer!

Our goal is to form at least four teams of eight to ten kids at each age group. Please register early so we can conduct evaluations and structuring teams. We're trying to start practices and games on time.

Here's more about the Fort Hunt House League Flag Program:

· Summer Flag begins at Quander Road School 6:00 - 8:00 PM (June 3rd - July 22nd)

Our House League Flag football program is designed to offer a safe, dynamic, and competitive environment for young athletes to both discover and develop the skills and techniques necessary to succeed on both sides of the ball. The slate of practices and games ensures that all flag football participants receive comprehensive instruction and gain a keen understanding of the sport.

(Boys & girls ages 5-14) Flag Football will play two games a week. We will have two practices the first week of the season and after that the kids will play games on (Monday and Wednesday). This will be a house league so travel is restricted to the local Fort Hunt community.

Practice and game times are set by age group, please see below.

Quander School Address: 6400 Quander Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307

• K-2nd grade: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
• 3rd-4th grade: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
• 5th-6th grade: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
• 7th-8th grade: 7:00 - 8:00 PM

*Please note that scholarships are available, if you need financial assistance please contact the Commissioner at Forthuntcommissioner_hairston@hotmail.com

Flag Registration Link:

http://fhfootball.leagueapps.com/leagues/flag-football/4979387-2026-house-league-summer-flag-football-registration-june

Thank you for your continued support of Fort Hunt Football.

V/r

Ricky Hairston, Commissioner

Fort Hunt Football and Cheer

443-871-8656

Our MVHS Student Activities Website will be full of important information for our students and families.

HERE is the link to the 25-26 MVHS Activities Calendar

HERE is the link to the MVHS Student Activities Website.

HERE is a link to the 2025-2026 Athletic Coaches List

Dear MVHS Community,

Support our student-athletes by becoming a proud member of the MVHS Athletic Booster Club!

There are many ways you can support MVHS Athletics:

👉 Click here to become a member, make a donation, become a sponsor, and purchase your Athletic Season Passes

👉 Click here to purchase MVHS Spirit Wear

Season Passes – valid for all regular-season home games

• Student - SILVER passes are $30
• Adult - MAROON passes are $75

By purchasing a Season Pass, you’re making a direct impact on our athletic programs. Season passes are not only a convenient and cost-effective option for families and fans, but they also ensure that 100% of gate sales go directly to MVHS.

Game day ticket sales are split 50/50 with the visiting team — so your support goes further with a pass!

Let’s fill the stands and show our school spirit.

Go MAJORS!

MVHS Late Busses will only run on Mondays & Thursdays this spring of the 2025-2026 SY.

Please plan with your teachers to arrange any after-school support on Mondays or Thursdays.

The MVHS cafeteria will offer breakfast and lunch daily. If your student plans on purchasing food through the cafeteria, please be sure to load money on their meal account or bring cash.

Breakfast:

• Students, grades K-12—$1.75
• Reduced-price breakfast for qualifying students – no charge
• Adults or 2nd student meal—$3.00

Lunch:

• Secondary and high school —$3.50
• Reduced-price lunch for qualifying students – no charge
• Adults or 2nd student meal —$5.00

More information on FCPS Food Services (including payment options for meal accounts, daily menus, free and reduced meal programs, etc.) can be reviewed on the FCPS website.

Early Release Days

In the event of a 3-hour early release, lunch service will still be available between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. FNS proposes to offer grab-and-go meals for students, allowing them to go through the serving lines, choose items, and put them in provided meal bags. Both cold and hot meal options will be available. Students are still required to pick up complete reimbursable meals; otherwise, à la carte charges will be applied. All meals provided by FNS must be consumed on-site.

School Nutrition Accounts, PINs, Prepayments, & MySchoolBucks

FNS will be emailing student PINs via e-Notify and in advance of the first day of school. MySchoolBucks should be promoted and is now available for account prepayments. State legislation and the FCPS Meal Charge Policy direct all school nutrition account negative balance communication to parents/caregivers. Additionally, students may not be denied a breakfast or lunch meal for any reason. FNS will work with school administrators to communicate low/negative account balances.

Menus

School menus offer a variety of entrees, fruits, and vegetables that meet or exceed USDA guidelines, including nutrient standards. Menus, allergens, and nutrition information are all available online at LINQ Connect. School menus will be published monthly, starting one week before the first day of school. FNS makes every effort to offer items as listed on the planned menu. Unanticipated substitutions are published on LINQ Connect whenever possible.

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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.

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system.

This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account.

Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses.

• HERE is the bus route information for this school year.

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report.

Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays.

Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For any concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.

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 2025.

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.

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.

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning.

Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

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.