News You Choose
Family Newsletter for Week of November 1st
MVHS Administrative Team
(Click on Administrator below for email contact)
Cary Dimmick - Principal
Danielle Mascoll - Director of Student Services
Dr. Donnie Olajuwon - Assistant Principal (Specialized Programs)
Stephanie Payne - Assistant Principal (Gr. 10 & K-Q)
LaTrease Rich - Assistant Principal (Gr. 11 & R-Z)
Shastin Willman - Assistant Principal (Gr. 9 & A-Col & ESOL 1-4)
Kelly Winkfield - Assistant Principal (Gr. 12 & Con-J)
John Uccellini - Director of Student Activities
Alyson Rowe - Asst. Director of Student Activities
(Click on icon below for information)
2026-27 SY Calendar (REVISED)
26-27 MVHS Bell Schedules
Odd Day / Even Day Calendar
26-27 MVHS Activities Calendar
** No School for Students **
Mon., Nov. 2nd & Tues, Nov. 3rd
Main Office Open 8 am to 2:30 pm
** Don't Forget to Turn Your Clocks Back **
** November is National Native American Heritage Month **
"National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This November and every month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation. We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation (US Department of the Interior)."
** November is Military Family Month **
"Every November, our nation pauses to celebrate Military Family Appreciation Month, a time to honor the love, strength, and service that make military life possible. At the National Military Family Association, this year’s theme, “Military Families Serve Too,” reminds us that service reaches far beyond the uniform and into the daily lives of those who hold everything together.
In recent weeks, as our nation has faced a government shutdown, we have been reminded just how deeply military families serve. Many have faced uncertainty and strain, yet they continue to show incredible commitment to their communities and to one another. Their quiet acts of perseverance show the heart of what it means to serve, even when the world feels unpredictable.
Every member of a military family contributes to the mission in their own way. Spouses rebuild careers with each new assignment and often become the anchors of their communities. Children start over at new schools, learning courage and adaptability at an early age. Loved ones serve with commitment and care, sustaining their families through each transition and every challenge. This kind of service lives in the daily choices to support, uplift, and stay connected, forming the heartbeat of military life and reminding us that service is always a shared commitment (National Military Family Association)."
** Congratulations Marching Majors! **
SUPERIOR VBODA State Marching Assessments
Congratulations to our Marching Majors, who earned a rating of SUPERIOR this past Saturday at the VBODA State Marching assessment at Patriot High School.
This is the band’s 7th Superior rating in the past 10 assessments!
** Youth Mental Health Day **
Monday, November 2nd at 3:00 pm
Hybla Valley Community Center
LAZERA’s 1 Brotherhood Empowered, All for 1 Sisterhood and Healthy Communities Action Team will be hosting a youth mental health day tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2026 at 3 pm at Hybla Valley Community Center to support students mental wellbeing after the first quarter and transition from fall sports.
*Military & Federally-Connected Families*
Please Complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey Online
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in ParentVUE. Your response helps FCPS receive funding for which it is eligible by identifying military and other federally connected families, including families living on a military base.
- Please complete one survey for each child.
- Only the parent who enrolled the student with FCPS can submit the form.
- Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
To complete the survey, sign in to ParentVUE and click on Online Registration. From there, scroll down to find the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
If you are experiencing difficulty completing the survey, sign in to ParentVUE using Google Chrome, select Online Packets, then choose Federal Impact Aid Survey.
- If you need help accessing ParentVUE, contact your child’s school.
Paper forms will be sent home with students starting Nov 4th for families who cannot access ParentVUE.
** Help Your Student Stay Focused and Engaged Without Digital Distractions **
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e., in backpacks) for the duration of the school day: bell to bell.
This includes personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices. Students can only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. There are exceptions for students with disabilities and those enrolled in specific courses.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call the school’s front office. Learn more about the FCPS cellphone policy and device policy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ayude a su estudiante a mantenerse concentrado y participar en clase sin distracciones digitales
Por favor, recuerde a su estudiante que los dispositivos electrónicos personales de comunicación o computación deben permanecer apagados y guardados entre sus pertenencias personales, como en la mochila, durante toda la jornada escolar, desde que suena el primer timbre hasta el último.
Esto incluye computadoras portátiles, tabletas, relojes inteligentes, teléfonos celulares y otros dispositivos similares. Durante el día escolar, los estudiantes solo deben usar los dispositivos proporcionados por FCPS para las actividades digitales relacionadas con la escuela. Hay excepciones para los estudiantes con discapacidades y para quienes toman ciertos cursos.
Si necesita comunicarse con su estudiante durante el día escolar, llame a la oficina principal de la escuela. Conozca más sobre la política de FCPS para teléfonos celulares y la política sobre dispositivos
** Encouraging Regular Attendance **
Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you!
If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.
Applications for FCPS Student Leadership Development Program
Applications are due by Friday, November 6th!
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).
** MV Fall Theatre Production **
"The Illusion"
Do you like romance, betrayal, sword fights, and magic? Then don’t miss our fall play! A wealthy man searching for his estranged son travels in the dead of night to a mysterious cave to seek the help of a sorceress. She shows him visions of his son's adventures, and he may not like what he learns.
The Illusion runs November 12, 13, & 14 at 7pm, November 20 at 7:00 pm, and November 21 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm.
Tickets are $10 for General Admission, $8 for Military and Senior Citizens, and $7 for students.
The run time is 90 minutes plus intermission.
Visit www.mvhstheatrearts.com for tickets and additional details!
18th Annual Gobblepalooza!!! Turkey Trot
5K/10K Turkey Trot & Fitness Walk
November 21, 2026
********
********
** Fall IB Newsletter **
** October IB Learner Trait - "Communicators"
Superintendent Community Conversations
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:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
No es necesario inscribirse, pero hacerlo nos ayuda con la planificación.
** Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey **
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.
** The Importance of the Flu Vaccination **
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
** Make Sure You Have SIS ParentVue! **
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.
** Update Contact Information in 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.
** Reporting Student Absences **
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.
** Food Delivery Services NO LONGER Permitted at MVHS **
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!
Students - No Parking Without a MV Permit
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.
Department of Student Activities & Athletics
(click on staff picture below for contact information)
Mr. John Uccellini - Director of Student Activities
Ms. Alyson Rowe - Asst. Dir. of Student Activities
Department of Student Services
Counselors are by Alpha Last Name
** College and Career Center News **
MVHS Academic Departments
Career Technology Education
English Language Arts
ESOL
Fine and Performing Arts
Health & PE
Math
Office Staff - Administrative Assistants
Science
Security Team
Social Studies
Special Programs
Student Services
** MVHS School Resources Sites **
[Click on Resources Below for Websites]
MVHS Website
MVHS Parent Handbook
MVHS Staff Directory
2026-27 SY Calendar
26-27 MVHS Bell Schedules
26-27 Major Time Schedule
MVHS Activities Calendar
MVHS Athletic Coaches Contact Information
MVHS Theatre Arts Information
Chapter 35 Military Benefits Info
Mount Vernon HS is a Purple Star School
MVHS PTSA Info
** MVHS Academic Programs **
[Click on Resources Below for Websites]
MVHS Academic Programs Info
IB Diploma Programme Info
IB Career-Related Programme Info
Dual Enrollment at MVHS
Top 10 Reasons Why MVHS is a Great School!
For more important school-related Information,
please see "School Resources Sites" at end of Newsletter
Student Service Learning Hours
** FCPS Resources **
[Click on Resources Below for Websites]
Report Sexual Harassment or Dscrimination
Report Discrimination, Harassment or Concerning Behaviors
Family Resources
FCPS Resources for Immigrant Families
[Click on Resources Below for Websites]
FCPS Resources for Immigrant Families
"One Fairfax" Resources for Families
Emergency Family Preparedness Plan
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy
for All High School Students
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.
** MVHS Yearbook Archives **
** FCPS & MVHS INFORMATION **
Mount Vernon HS School Profile
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.
Please click HERE for more School Profile Information
FCPS Strategic Plan
Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, & Opportunity for Each & Every Student
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.
Please visit the FCPS Webpage for all FCPS-related Information
Special Thanks to Our MVHS Photographer
Howard "Chip" Hall - MVHS Volunteer Photographer
Please visit Chip's website HERE for more amazing pics!
News You Choose Newsletter Archives
Links to the Family Newsletters for this 2026-2027 SY
November 2026
October 2026
September 2026
August 2026
July 2026