Falls Church City Public Schools

During the Falls Church School Board October Work Session, FCCPS Legislative Representative Lilla Wise, presented a draft of the school division's Legislative Priorities in preparation for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session. Rebecca Sharp, Executive Director of Special Services, and nine FCCPS Special Services Support Staff provided a detailed review of the amazing array of Special Ser...

The Board, on a 6-1 vote, finalized its months-long work of refining and tweaking its Policy CC - School Calendar , which establishes guidelines for building future academic calendars. The policy requires starting two weeks before Labor Day beginning next August and ending ideally no later than June 10, with most breaks scheduled around federal holidays. Fall, Winter, and Spring Breaks remain unch...

The Falls Church School Board received a much anticipated, detailed presentation on student performance data for the past academic year. Chief Academic Officer William Bates and Dr. Peter Weilenmann , Director of Assessment and Accountability, presented results in three buckets; International Baccalaureate, Standardized Assessments (SOLs), and Whole Child Data. There were lots to celebrate as well...

The Falls Church School Board approves the First Reading of a new policy that codifies the development of future school calendars. In addition, the School Board received a presentation of results and analysis of the Employee Climate Survey administered last Spring. It also approved resolutions recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and October as Falls Church City Sch...

On August 24, 2022, Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan hosted a Welcome Back to School webcast. He shared some exciting things happening this coming year and some considerations.

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the first 15 minutes of the meeting are not available. During its August Work Session, the Falls Church School Board received the latest update on CDC and VDH Guidelines. In short, there will be no changes from the end of the previous school year.  No vaccination requirements for sports, nor distancing or masking rules as COVID becomes endemic. The Board a...

During its August Regular Meeting, the Falls Church School Board appointed Ms. Karim Daugherty as Principal of Oak Street Elementary.  The Board also continued its discussion of codifying the school calendar process. Board members appeared to settle on a two-week-before-Labor-Day start date beginning in 2023, but other issues remain unresolved, and public input is still being sought. Editors...

During its June Work Session, the Falls Church School Board continued its discussion on developing a policy to guide the annual task of School Calendar creation.  They are working on a draft policy and continue to seek your input.  The board also received an in-depth briefing on School Safety & Security at FCCPS in light of the recent school tragedies in our country.

Historically, the final School Board Meeting of the school year is a time of celebration. This year was exceedingly so - with a bit of 'History-Making' thrown in for good measure. Coaches and student-athletes, student board and committee representatives, Choral, Band, and Theatrical Arts members all were congratulated in the School Board Spotlight. And with athletes and supporters of Meridian Girl...

During a Special Meeting Tuesday night, the Falls Church School Board drafted a statement committing to add gun safety items to its legislative priorities. It also calls on State and National legislators to add the following "to protect our schools, students, and staff: barring the purchase of high capacity magazines; maintaining red flag laws; implementing mandatory waiting periods; enforcing uni...

The Falls Church School Board opened its meeting with a moment of silence for the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting.  Dr. Noonan has issued a statement regarding the horrific events of yesterday. During the meeting, the Board received two highly anticipated reports to guide the division's work both in the near term and out several years. K-12 Insight presented the results of...

Congratulations to all Staff Recognized at the Celebration of Excellence Thursday, May 12, 2022 FCEF Teach of the Year - Jennifer Jayson (Meridian Math Teacher) Professional Specialist of the Year: Jennifer Fessenden (PreK - 12 Math Coordinator) Support Staff Employee of the Year- Academic:  Alane O’Neill (OSE Technology Aide) Support Staff Employee of the Year- Operations: Sindy Morel (Assis...

During its Regular Monthly meeting in May, the Falls Church School Board approved the division's budget for the 2022-2023 school year.  The Budget focuses on employee compensation, working conditions, and investments in our schools. They celebrated the career of Marc Robarge, who is retiring this year, and congratulated him and his students for the moving Memory Project (see video below). The...

In this episode: Superintendent’s Update Updates on Spring Assessments #HandleWithCare COVID Reminders & Information FCCPS COVID by the Numbers

In this meeting – Collective Bargaining Update CIA Data Presentation Update   School Calendar Process Quarterly Budget Report

In this issue: Superintendent’s Update Information about Autism Awareness Month COVID Reminders & Information FCCPS COVID by the Numbers

At its Regular Meeting for April, the Falls Church School Board with a series of celebrations – for the conclusion of the 2-year IB Evaluation , the incredibly successful Meridian Girls Basketball season, and honoring former board member Lawrence Webb for his years of service to the Falls Church community. The Board then approved the creation of a committee to develop a Collective Bargaining Resol...

Falls Church School Board Chair Laura Downs and Superintendent Peter Noonan presented the Board's FY23 Advertised Budget before the Falls Church City Council last night. Among the items included: Employee Compensation Step increase for eligible employees Recovery step from FY 2021 for eligible employees Cost of Living increase of 2.25 percent $3,000/yr stipend for National Board Certified Teachers...

In the final episode of our Women's History Month series, student Coral Rankin interviews Holly Manson and Julie Lu of Botanologica.

During its March Work Session, the Falls Church School Board unanimously approved a 25-year lease agreement with Sun Tribe Solar to construct a 65,000 square foot solar photovoltaic energy system for Meridian High School. It received a presentation on the $10 million grant awarded to the City of Falls Church and Virginia Tech to analyze traffic congestion and pedestrian safety concerns and apply t...

In this week's episode of our Women's History Month series, student Jack Rifkin interviews Dr. Ansha Shankar, a post-doctorate fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithica, New York.

For this episode in our Women's History Month series, Rachelle Barimany, Chief Financial Officer of Dominion Jewelers is interviewed by Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School student Marisa Sotelino.

At its Regular Meeting for March, the Falls Church School Board received an information presentation on Collective Bargaining. The Virginia General Assembly last year voted to permit local governing bodies to legally bargain with labor unions.  The Board also approved the disposal of an old Prius and installation of new infrastructure to charge the two new electric school buses we are hoping...

Molly Hermann, owner of The Biscuit Factory is interviewed by Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School student Jillian Sterner.

In this episode, Superintendent Peter Noonan shares the implication of the new CDC COVID-19 guidance on Falls Church City Public Schools.  And the news is really good!