Dear FCCPS Families, Happy Friday, and I hope you had a nice lazy midsummer week. We continue to collectively put our best thinking, creativity, and small division focus on our reopening plans, and we are very excited to begin the school year on August 24th. We look forward to welcoming all of our students online. This takes time to plan and develop. We appreciate... READ MORE >

Dear FCCPS Families, Over the past weeks, we have collectively put our best thinking, creativity, and small division focus on our reopening plans. All along, we’ve said we would be prepared for whatever the conditions presented us and make the appropriate adjustments to keep our students, staff, and families safe. Circumstances have changed in the last two weeks,... READ MORE >

FCCPS Community, As Virginia continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, and with the health and safety of our students, families, staff, and community foremost in mind, tomorrow evening, I will make a recommendation that the School Board adopt a fully virtual start to the FCCPS 2020-21 school year. The Board is expected to discuss and take action on the... READ MORE >

Happy Friday, everyone. I hope you have big plans for this weekend. This is the fourth installment of The Road to Reopening, and you can continue to expect it every Friday as we approach the start of school. Over the past week, we have seen some shifting in other school divisions in our region here in Northern Virginia. Please know we are watching this very... READ MORE >

Happy Friday everyone. I hope you have big plans for this weekend. This is the third installment of The Road to Reopening, and you can now expect it every Friday as we close in on the start of school August 24th. This issue is focused heavily on K-5 (MDES, TJES), and next week’s edition will be more Secondary focused again. However, please take a read through as... READ MORE >

The Falls Church School Board is beginning a process to consider whether to rename two of the division's schools; George Mason High and Thomas Jefferson Elementary schools. During a lengthy discussion Tuesday night, and following receipt of over 120 public comments in recent weeks, the Board reached a consensus that a thoughtful reconsideration of the schools'... READ MORE >

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable weekend. This is a new communication that I plan to send weekly to update you as we continue our plans for our reopening on August 24th. The intention is to send it on Fridays going forward but this week you will get two editions...today and Friday. This communication is to share quick clarifying... READ MORE >

Dear FCCPS Families and Community, This has been an unprecedented year and I would like to begin by saying thank you. Your work as parents, dedication to your children’s education, and care were amplified at the end of the school year in a brilliant and beautiful way. Through your partnerships with our teachers and your efforts, our students in FCCPS were widely... READ MORE >

Versión en español a continuación Dear FCCPS Families and Staff, Well...what a school year it has been. This Friday Update will be the last I will send for the foreseeable future as the school year is officially coming to an end. However, do be on the lookout in the next several weeks for another community survey to help inform our reopening plans for... READ MORE >

May 29, 2020 Versión en español a continuación Friday Update Dear FCCPS Families and Staff, The end of the year is drawing near...this is the last Friday for our students. We are almost to the finish line, and I am so thankful to you - Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff - for making it happen for our students this spring. During unusual... READ MORE >

The Falls Church School Board unanimously approved the school division's Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget; a once-promising financial plan derailed by a global pandemic. The $52,191,532 revenue and spending plan represents a $2.4 million decrease over the School Board's pre-pandemic Advertised Budget. The adjustment eliminates salary improvements for staff but does not... READ MORE >

Congratulations to Colter Adams for his outstanding achievement. He has been named one of 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars based on outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership. Colter above is shown in a meeting for The Lasso, GM's online newspaper, where he served this year as the Managing Editor. As a four-year contributor to The Lasso,... READ MORE >

May 22, 2020 Versión en español a continuación This year, like all school years, has been marked by milestones and waypoints. However, this year’s waypoints have been very different...March 13th (Friday the 13th) - school closure, March 18th - the start of online learning, Spring Break, April 13th - the start of new instruction, and now we are at Memorial... READ MORE >

May 15, 2020 Versión en español a continuación This is longer than usual so get a cool drink, settle in, and read…:) Dear FCCPS Families and Staff, It has been another interesting week in FCCPS. Thank you all for your continued support of our schools. I mentioned in my weekly Wednesday @peternoonan Twitter message that we, as a... READ MORE >

George Mason senior, Niharika Singhvi, is among the 2,500 recipients of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's $2,500 scholarships. Singhvi, who plans to study public policy (perhaps at the University of Virginia), is currently the Student Representative on the Falls Church School Board. Congratulations, Niharika!The National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners... READ MORE >

May 8, 2020 Versión en español a continuación Dear FCCPS Families, Another week has come to a close here in our FCCPS learning community. This was a special time, as it was Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. We are so grateful to our community for their thoughtful recognition and appreciation of our teachers and staff. The cards, emails, social... READ MORE >

May 1, 2020 Versión en español a continuación Dear FCCPS Families and Staff, May 1st has arrived, and we are moving into the last full month of school. As you all know, every day, my family (though usually only the two adults) tries to take a long walk to maintain exercise and mental health. We spend this time reflecting on our current and collective situation.... READ MORE >

Congratulations go to these five Mustangs for being accepted into the highly selective summer residential Virginia Governor's School programs: Charlie Adams Agriculture top left Hunter Hicks Agriculture top center Emily Ives Visual and Performing Arts bottom left Constance Meade Visual and Performing Arts bottom center, andEva Williams top right for the... READ MORE >

The GMHS students from the wind ensemble, symphonic band, guitar, and IB music classes are sending you into your Friday with a classical tuba piece performed by senior John Kelley. Listen on their YouTube channel, Music from the Heart to today's new posting, A Suite for Unaccompanied Tuba by Walter S. Hartley. The channel features student music performances... READ MORE >

The GMHS students from the wind ensemble, symphonic band, guitar, and IB music classes are excited to announce the second installment on their YouTube channel, Music from the Heart. The new channel is dedicated to music performances saluting heroes of the pandemic. Yesterday's Morning Announcement featured the first, focused on a dedication to all the essential... READ MORE >

The GMHS Bands and IB Music students are excited to announce the premiere of their YouTube channel, Music from the Heart. The new channel is dedicated to music performances saluting heroes of the pandemic. Student performances will include original compositions, solo and virtual group performances, and a series of dedications as seen through students' eyes. The... READ MORE >

Versión en español a continuación Dear FCCPS Families, I hope you and your family are doing well, are healthy, and safe. This has been another remarkable week in the Falls Church City Public Schools. Your students, our teachers, and you are making it happen, and for that, we are grateful. Last week, I sent you an article that described... READ MORE >

This new view of the Mustang's home turf is currently available only to construction workers, but in 9 months it will be a reality for all staff and students of George Mason HS. The photo was taken from the top floor of the new high school during a site walk-through. The crew is on schedule, working to achieve the "dry-in" phase when interior work will begin. You... READ MORE >

Falls Church City Public Schools is proud to announce that the 2020 Support Staff Employee of the Year is Luis Sort0, a paraprofessional at George Mason High School. Luis Sorto is a key member of the Mason team. As a paraprofessional for nearly twenty years, he has worked with hundreds of students who need close attention and support. He shows his students how... READ MORE >

Versión en español a continuación We have finished up the first week of ‘new’ instruction, and the first full month of online instruction. It is amazing to reflect on how far we have come! Thank you again for all of your support during this time. Below you will find our latest updates on the many projects we are continuing to work on during the closure to keep... READ MORE >

Dear FCCPS Families, Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a great spring break, albeit different, and you and your students feel ready for the challenge of new material. This week marks a turning point for us in FCCPS insofar as we will begin to introduce new content to our students PK-12. As mentioned previously, we would much prefer to be face-to-face, but... READ MORE >

With the cancelation of Standards of Learning tests this year, modifications made to the upcoming International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement assessments, and the need to prepare for summer instruction, the Falls Church School Board is shortening the current school year by 13 days to June 4th for students and June 5th for teachers and staff. The change is... READ MORE >

Tuesday Update En español abajo Dear FCCPS Family, Happy last day of March. We are a week from the official Spring Break, and while we may not be able to do all the things we want during the holiday, it is my hope that during the break you can all feel some modicum of relief by not having to stay on your kids about getting their work done. We... READ MORE >

Please remember! If COVID-19 closures have resulted in a change in your family's income, you could be eligible for assistance through the National School Lunch program. FCCPS accepts applications for the Free Reduced Meals Program at all times. Please visit https://www.fccps.org/o/FCCPS/page/free-reduced-meals--14 to download the application for the FRM program.... READ MORE >

Friday Update March 27, 2020 En español abajo Dear FCCPS Family Thank you for your continued support of our schools. As Team FCCPS continues to meet, we have all reflected on how fortunate we are to work in a small school division where we can know our kids, our families, and each other in ways that support strong relationships and care. Congratulations to... READ MORE >

Yesterday (Monday, March 23rd) was an emotional and sad day for our school system. I understand your sadness, frustration, and concern about the decision. Regardless, I am confident that we will move forward in a way that continues to be supportive of our students. We are strong, we are together, and we are @FCCPS (#bettertogether). Last night, I joined School... READ MORE >

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced this afternoon, at his press conference, all public schools in the Commonwealth will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. The news is not what we were hoping for or expecting, but together we will get through this. It was only ten days ago we announced our closure due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).... READ MORE >

FCCPS Principals are sharing their schools' e-learning plans for the weeks ahead. In addition to sharing via email and Schoology, the plans are also found in the specific schools COVID-19 Information pages and in the FCCPS app. MD COVID-19 MEH COVID-19 gadellm@fccps.org. Speaking will be done via the call-in number. Thank you all for your continued... READ MORE >

In the District X Band Assessment at W. Potomac High School on Friday night, Mason band musicians performed three prepared pieces as well as competing in a separate sight-reading assessment, along with bands from Fairfax County and Alexandria. The GM students earned achieved superior ratings from all four judges, performing the most difficult level "6" music. Only... READ MORE >

In its first year in Region 3, the George Mason Girls Basketball team is making quite a statement. After losing 5 of their first seven games in the new, tougher league, the Lady Mustangs turned it around over Winter Break and have been on a 14-2 tear since New Year's Day. Saturday, they pulled off another upset, a 39-31 victory over 2nd ranked Brentsville to... READ MORE >

On Tuesday evening, the Falls Church School Board unanimously approved its Advertised Budget for the 2020-2021 school year. Reflecting an investment in our students, our staff, and our schools, the budget includes a step increase for eligible employees, and a 1% Cost of Living Adjustment for all FCCPS staff members. The $54.6 million budget, which now heads to the... READ MORE >

The current George Mason High School building has served students honorably for over 68 years, two years longer than its namesake was alive for. Many of the design features and systems are obsolete due to advances in modern technology. This has resulted in wasted resources and energy, a fact that students, community members and architects of the new high school... READ MORE >

Falls Church City Public Schools announced 16 nominees for FCCPS Employee Awards on Wednesday, January 22. Colleagues, students, and parents made the nominations based on their exceptional dedication to the students and community of Falls Church. A "Prize Patrol" including Superintendent Peter Noonan, Chief Academic Officer William Bates, Chief Financial Officer... READ MORE >

FCCPS Video, Photos/Michael TimpaneProduced by: Carol Sly George Mason High and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle schools are expanding Career and Technical Education opportunities throughout all subject areas. Whether it is in English Class or a science course, CTE is being used to extend and enhance learning opportunities. This expansion was highlighted in a recent... READ MORE >

With Dr. Kevin Clark's departure for Yorktown High School, GMHS Principal Matt Hills announced Maria Sneed will serve as Interim Assistant Principal for the remainder of the school year. Sneed arrives from Herndon High School, where she was assistant principal until her retirement last year. Sneed's first day as a Mustang is today, January 13, 2020. READ MORE >

Four years into Falls Church City Public School's Stop-Arm Camera program and it continues catching violators, and the fines continue to roll in. In 2019, a total of 1,082 citations were issued to drivers who passed a Falls Church school bus with its red lights flashing. For the first five months of the current fiscal year (July through November), the program... READ MORE >

FCCPS is offering free English classes for the parents and adult family members of FCCPS students with sessions beginning on January 14th. The beginner level (Nivel Principiante) will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and the intermediate level (Nivel Intermedio) will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Both sessions will be held in the Family Resource Center at... READ MORE >

Our three choir teachers, Ms. Sample, Ms. Carpel, and Ms. Reid are delighted to announce the newly approved FCCPS CHORAL BOOSTERS. Like other FCCPS Booster groups, Choral Boosters will support our teachers and singers in their many activities, including school performances, community outreach, clinics and competitions, fundraisers and more!Beginning in January,... READ MORE >

Join the GM Choir for their Winter Chorus Concert on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium. All are welcome to this free concert! READ MORE >

All elementary-aged students are invited to the first Mason Winter Fest on Saturday, December 14 from 5-8:00 PM in the Aux Gym and Mustang Cafe. Funds raised will go towards the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Kids will be enjoying snowball fights, carnival games, and more! READ MORE >

At Monticello HS in Charlottesville, George Mason theatre students competed in the VHSL State One-Act competition. They performed "Rush Lit" and competed against other region finalists, Magna Vista, Brooksville, and Lafayette. Congratulations and a standing ovation to these tremendous actors, from left: CC Meade, Ciara Curtin, Johnny Goodwin, Amalia Alexander, and... READ MORE >

Falls Church City Public Schools is thrilled to announce the new FCCPS app! It's everything FCCPS, in your pocket! With the new app, you can access staff directories, lunch menus, news updates, and even emergency notifications. Best of all, YOU control what notifications you receive! Download the app on Android: https://bit.ly/30xyIV5 or iPhone:... READ MORE >

George Mason's Niharika Singhvi was awarded 2019 Virginia School Boards Association Exhibitors Scholarship. The scholarship, funded by exhibiting companies at the VSBA’s annual convention, was made available to spring 2020 graduating seniors who had served as student school board representatives. Ameresco, and Mountain Valley Transportation sponsored this year’s... READ MORE >

Thank you in advance for your assistance as Falls Church City Public Schools works to improve how we serve our students, families, and community. We appreciate your time. Effective July 1, 2019, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing school divisions to start the school year up to 14 days before the September Labor Day holiday. Previously school... READ MORE >

Award-nominating season is here! Recognize outstanding FCCPS employees by submitting a nomination for one of our awards: FCEF Teacher of the Year; Professional Specialist of the Year and Support Staff Employee of the Year. Nomination forms for all three awards are below. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, January 3. All nominees will be surprised in... READ MORE >

The Falls Church School Board received four options for the 2020-21 school calendar from its Ad Hoc Calendar Committee during its regular meeting last night. The options include two that would see school opening two weeks before Labor Day and two with the first day of school on the day after Labor Day. The Virginia General Assembly last year changed the law... READ MORE >

While Veterans Day is a regular school day this year at Falls Church City Public Schools, many of our students are honoring America's brave men and women in service to our country. George Mason High At George Mason High School, thanks go to Ms. Gurgo and Mr. Sheedy for creating a Veterans Day display left in the school's lobby, recognizing alumni and staff... READ MORE >

The final regular-season game for GM's football team was played at home against Brentsville Friday night. The Mustangs were down by a TD at halftime as dozens of senior fall athletes, band, and chorus members took to the far 50-yard line to walk across the field with family or friends. Seniors were recognized and applauded for their years of activities and sports.... READ MORE >

Mason lost the opening set in the Region SF against Independence (Ashburn) on Thursday night at home. The Mustangs regrouped and came out strong in the second set, taking the match to 1-1. The Mustangs lost the third and won the fourth. The gym was loud with fans stomping the bleachers and cheering their teams on as the fifth and final set began. The GM girls... READ MORE >

Last Friday, the Family Resource Center hosted an Open House to show off its new space. Erika Sequiera, third from left, runs the center for all of FCCPS from the area at TJ. She supports families with children in all the system's schools with a particular focus on support for non-English speakers. Visitors to the opening included city employees, administrators... READ MORE >

The GM Girls may have needed a tie-breaker on Tuesday at the Region meet, but they made it, qualifying for States again, making it 21 years in a row! The Girls' team tied for third with Warren County at 89 points. When that happens, you determine a Cross Country race's score by the 6th runner's finish. Mason's sixth runner was ahead of Warren's, and the Mustang... READ MORE >

Superintendent Peter Noonan and owner representative Deisy Brangman of Brailsford and Dunlavey held an informal coffee for anyone interested in the latest information on the George Mason High School Project. Included in the presentation were new design elements, detailed renderings of the gymnasium and auditorium, and a live look at the construction site. Dr.... READ MORE >

The "Prize Patrol" had a very busy Wednesday! The Falls Church Education Foundation was out in the schools awarding Super Grant funds for 16 requests, totaling over $68,000 in Super Grants and over $19,000 in Advanced Training. Awards are in response to teacher and staff requests. It went to a wide variety of initiatives, including training, classroom libraries,... READ MORE >

As part of Service Learning, over 70 high school students visited Mt. Daniel yesterday to help out in classrooms by reading with students and doing activities with groups. Many more visits will occur throughout the year. As GMHS strives to maintain a caring community and culture, Service Learning includes focusing all juniors towards supporting the learning... READ MORE >

George Mason actors and actresses brought home quite a haul from the VHSL Sectional Theater Competition. Among those honored Best Actor, Ciara Curtin (center), Best Supporting Actors to Johnny Goodwin (second from right), and CC Meade (far right). The Mustang troupe performed a one-act play called Rush Lit. The other two students in the group were Amalia Alexander... READ MORE >

Through the efforts of BIE (Business in Education), nearly 50 community volunteers were on hand Wednesday morning for Career Chats with seniors during Wild Horse Wednesday. Students were able to sign up for the career areas they are interested in, and attend a session with several speakers in related fields. The group of professionals included architects, the... READ MORE >

This group of IB Film Study, HL 2, students are creating a short film-documentary about a high school student's journey. The students have complete artistic freedom to come up with their own story and script. Each student is playing a specific role in the project, including Director, Screenwriter, Sound Designer, Editor, Actor(s), etc. but they are all working... READ MORE >