Week of December 16
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Have a Wonderful Winter BreakAs a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.
In This Issue: CalendarDecember 09-20: 12 Days of Cheer Continues
December 18: Boundary Review Community Meeting, 6:30-8 pm, Madison HS Cafeteria
December 20: Herndon Orchestra’s Spirit Day, All Day, North Point Village Chick-fil-A
December 23-January 05: Holidays | Winter Break
December 25: Christmas
December 25-January 02: Religious and Cultural Observance | Chanukah (begins sundown 12/25 - sundown January 02)
January 01: Holiday | New Year's Day
January 06: Religious and Cultural Observance | Three Kings Day/Epiphany
January 07: Religious and Cultural Observance | Orthodox Christmas
January 07, 08: Days of Academic Focus, All Day, School Wide
January 09: Electives Fair, 4th Period, School Wide
January 09: Curriculum Night, 6:30 pm, Main Street and Auditorium
January 09: Senior Meeting and Returning Grad Panel, 4th Period, Auditorium
January 13 & 15: Rising Senior and ML Level 1 & 2 Junior Academic Advising Presentations, 4th period, Various Locations
FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25
Events 12 Days of Cheer Continues
Leadership is so excited to share that 12 Days of Cheer/12 Dias de Alegria continues this week! There will be an event/spirit day each day leading into Winter Break.
- December 16: Spirit Day: Battle of the Holidays (wear your fave holiday gear)
- December 17: Spirit Day: Candy Cane
- December 18: Spirit Day: Holiday Head Wear
- December 19: Spirit Day: Ugly Sweater Day + Leadership students will hand out Hot Cocoa during all lunches
- December 20: Spirit Day: Holiday PJs
Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria.
Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available.
If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
Herndon Orchestra’s Spirit DayPlease support the Herndon Orchestra’s Spirit Day at the North Point Village Chick-fil-A all day Friday, December 20th. The orchestra boosters will receive a percentage back to support the orchestra program. Mention Spirit Day in person or use the code ORCHESTRA (all caps) when ordering in the app.
Building and Offices Closed During Winter BreakAll FCPS schools will be closed for winter break from Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. Herndon High School (building and offices) will also be closed during this period. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 6, 2025.
🎄ChristmasA very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts. Learn more about Christmas.
ChanukahChanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25. See the complete school year calendar.
📋Course Selection Begins in JanuaryBeginning in January 2025, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students).
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
📋Academic Advising and Course SelectionAcademic advising and course selection begins soon! Starting January 2025, students will meet individually with their teachers and school counselor to discuss and choose their courses for the 2025-26 school year. It is so important that parents and students are informed of their academic options. Families are encouraged to talk with current teachers for their feedback for next school year. Just like last year, students will choose classes via their SIS Student accounts. After the students choose their courses via their accounts, they will meet with their school counselor to confirm the selections. In January, parents can view the course selections via their SIS ParentVue account. If you do not have an active account, please contact our Registrar or a Family Liaison in Student Services to obtain a login.
It is important for students to choose a course load that will challenge them and help prepare them for their post-secondary endeavors while also allowing for balance with their extracurricular and personal commitments. We take academic advising and course selection seriously and encourage students to base their choices on their strengths and interests and with their plans for life after high school in mind.
During the first week in January we will hold events to help students in their selection of appropriate courses for next school year. A list of events is available on the Herndon HS > Student Services > Course Selection webpage and a few are listed below.
- January 7 & 8: Academic Days of Focus
- January 8: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Meetings with School Counselors, Herndon MS
- January 8: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Meetings with School Counselors, Langston Hughes MS
- January 9: Electives Fair, 4th Period, School Wide
- January 9: Curriculum Night, 6:30pm, Auditorium & Main Street
- January 9: Senior Class Meeting and Returning Grad Panel, 4th period, Auditorium
- January 9: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Meetings with School Counselors, Rachel Carson MS
- January 13 & 15: Rising Senior and ML Level 1 & 2 Junior Academic Advising Presentations, 4th period, Various Locations
- January 21-28: Rising Senior Individual Academic Advising Meetings
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025 and Wednesday, January 8, 2025 all teachers will meet individually with their students during class to provide feedback on next year’s course options for their subject. As teachers meet with students, discussion topics will include: course options the student will enjoy, the student’s academic interests and abilities, expectations for that next course and level, and course sequencing. Students will be assigned to complete a Reflection in Schoology after each teacher feedback conference. Teachers will have students complete an independent assignment while the conferences are being held.
📋Electives Fair
The Electives Fair will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 during 4th period. The Electives Fair is an opportunity for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students to visit four different elective classes and hear presentations to help them with their course selections for next year. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions of teachers. This event will give students a chance to explore the entire range of advanced academic and elective courses that will be offered at Herndon High School next year.
📋Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 beginning at 6:30pm on Main Street at Herndon High School. This is an opportunity for students and parents to learn about the different classes by meeting teachers in that specific subject area. While the focus is for rising ninth grade students, all families are welcome! At 6:00pm, there will be a presentation in the auditorium regarding advanced academics and Standards Based Grading.
📋Graduation Requirements and PlanningCareful consideration is essential when planning next year's courses. We encourage our students and families to review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. Reviewing the Program of Studies may be helpful as well.
Please refer to our course catalog and course selection for more information.
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.
A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over BreakFairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
Information Volunteers for Science FairThe Herndon High School Science Department is looking for volunteers for Science Fair Judging. A background in science is not necessary. The science fair will take place at Herndon High School on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 3:15 pm to around 6pm. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the google form below. We appreciate your consideration! Sincerely, Katharine Page https://tinyurl.com/hhsscifair25
Herndon High School PTSA
The Herndon High School PTSA is dedicated to ensuring HHS's teachers are recognized and supported and that all students have a great experience at HHS through advocacy, community-building, and enrichment programs. We don't do traditional fundraisers, so we need your membership support to do this. If you haven't yet done so for 2024-25, please Join, Renew, or Donate Now!
🎓Class of 2025 Announcements, Merchandise and MoreAttention Senior Families: Here is information on how to order graduation announcements, Class of 2025 merchandise and more.
https://lms.fcps.edu/attachment/3080932616/source/ca65784ed673d91ee9d00a4a7ba23004.pdf
Please remember to pay your senior fee through My School Bucks By Jan. 28, 2025. This covers your cap and gown, senior T shirt, panoramic picture, Senior Cook Out and other events and graduation expenses. Thank you for your help with this !
Donate to the Class of 2026Hello Class of 2026 families!
Junior year is a big year for students. Homecoming and prom are planned and coordinated by the Class of 2026 Student Council. To make sure everyone gets the experience they deserve, we need your financial support. Your donation will help us pay for the venues, decorations, food, music, and subsidize ticket costs.
The Class of 2026 needs your help to make these last few years of high school the best they can be. We are writing to ask for your support during this exciting time. Please donate at https://shorturl.at/Q8Da0 if you can. We’re grateful for your continued support.
Thank you,
The Class of 2026
Resources Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:
- Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
- Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
- SEL Screener Results
- New Accessibility Resources
- Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
- Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
- VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
- Executive Functioning Webinars
- Early Literacy Resources
- ESY and Assessment Webinar
- COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
- Join Our Teacher Team!
- Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Quick Links- FCPS Standard School Year Calendar
- Attendance Procedures and Policies
- FCPS Cares - Share and submit your story about a Herndon HS staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child this year.
- FCPS Parent Resource Center
- FCPS Safety Tipline
- Herndon HS Athletics
- Herndon HS PTSA
- Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
- Parent and Student IT Support Portal
- Parent Information Phone Lines (Available in 8 languages)
- School Lunch/Menu Information
- Student Technology Support
700 Bennett Street, Herndon, VA 20170 | Main Office: 703-810-2200
Attendance: 703-810-2282 | Web | Twitter