Reston is back to school amidst FCPS changes

By Reston Letter staff

Lake Anne Elementary students Aletta (left) and Eleanor (right) greet each other on the first day of school as parents walk their children to school. Photo by Isadora Guerreiro

On Monday, Aug.24, most Reston schools began fall classes. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) parents should note changes this year, many related to technology.

On the state level, all high school students are now required to put cell phones away in backpacks or lockers for the entire school day. Last year they were allowed in the cafeteria during lunch. This year, they are to be put away from the morning bell until the dismissal bell. Middle school rules are the same: “Away for the day.”

On the district level, prekindergarten and kindergarten students will no longer use FCPS-issued laptops or tablets except when needed for testing, documented accommodations, translation, or multilingual education support. Since the COVID-19 shutdown, these young students have had access to these devices.

In addition to cell phones, this year FCPS will not allow personal laptops or tablets in schools during the instructional day. Over the past few years, students have been able to bring their personal devices in place of the school-issues computers. Now they must use the FCPS-issued devices only.

LAES crossing guard, Anne Rodriguez, welcomes students back. Photo by Isadora Guerriro

FCPS has an updated version of ParentVUE, the app for parents’ to keep track of students’ grades, sign forms, and access other information. This update is designed for heightened security.

MealViewer is a new app that provides FCPS families with menus, food and allergy information and meal notifications.

Another change is student bus IDs have been issued to all FCPS students who bus to and/or from school. Students will tap their IDs when boarding and exiting the bus to improve operations and provide families more information about bus trips.

In athletics, FCPS varsity football games will have weapons screening and a standard bag policy across high schools. The rollout of middle school sports at FCPS continues this year with volleyball, building on the success of track and field and cross country.

As of this year, all FCPS elementary school students will have access to Robotics, Algebra 1 and extracurricular music opportunities.

Together, these changes are intended to address negative technology trends while harnessing technology for good. They are designed to give families more ways to participate in their students' education, keep spectators safe and provide students with access to a wider variety of opportunities through their schools.