Tea Time: FCPS News for August 24

Last Monday, August 17, the Fredericksburg City School Board appointed Dr. Stanley Jones to serve as interim At-Large School Board member through December 31, 2026. A Fredericksburg resident and lifelong educator, Dr. Jones brings more than 30 years of experience in public education and nonprofit leadership. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jones to the Fredericksburg City School Board!

Mrs. Schmidt’s fifth-grade class got hands-on with science in the HMES garden! Students explored the differences between seeds and spores and searched for evidence of plants producing glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis. We love seeing our Patriots connect classroom learning to the plants growing all around their school!

Last weekend, our FCPS mascots joined Gus at Virginia Credit Union Stadium to celebrate the FredNats mascot’s birthday alongside our students and families. It was a great day at the ballpark!

As we begin the 2026-27 school year, we want to remind families that Virginia law requires certain immunizations for students entering kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade. Routine immunizations are one of the best ways to keep children healthy, prevent illness from spreading in schools, and support uninterrupted learning throughout the year. If your child is due for required immunizations, now is a great time to schedule an appointment.

Families can schedule FREE school immunizations by calling the Fredericksburg Department of Health at (540) 899-4142.

The 2026-27 Instructional Calendar reflects a thoughtful balance of instructional time, scheduled breaks, and professional learning days designed to support student success and family planning. We encourage families and staff to review the calendar.

We know that all families can benefit from a helping hand from time to time, whether it's connecting with local services, finding activities for kids, or learning about programs that make life a little easier. Our community is fortunate to have many wonderful organizations and resources available to support families in a variety of ways. Below, you'll find information about local programs and services that may be helpful to you and your family. We encourage everyone to explore these resources—many offer valuable support that can benefit families at any stage.

We want to thank School Social Worker Cat Eicke for compiling these incredible resources and helping connect our families with the support and services that strengthen our entire FCPS community!