Tea Time: FCPS News for November 9

Posted Date: 11/09/26 (06:00 PM)

A triptych shows children and adults participating in a school event, walking in a hallway, eating at tables with American flag covers, and selecting items from a buffet table.

Military-Connected HMES Patriots Celebrate Veterans Day

Hugh Mercer Elementary students and their veteran family members shared a special morning during the school’s Veterans Breakfast and Parade. Organized through the Purple Heart Ambassador program and led by Mrs. Lewis, the Purple Heart Ambassador teacher, the event brought students and their guests together for breakfast before a parade through the school. Our Patriots cheered for the veterans, showing their gratitude for their service. Thank you to everyone who helped make the morning special!

A smiling woman with long brown hair stands outside in front of an autumn tree with red and green leaves.

FCPS Educator Emma Brown to Become Next Hugh Mercer Elementary School Principal

Longtime FCPS educator Emma Brown will become Hugh Mercer Elementary School’s next principal beginning November 30, 2026. Brown has served the division since 2012 as a teacher, instructional technology coach, administrative intern, and assistant principal. Currently assistant principal at Walker-Grant Middle School, she also served as interim assistant principal at Hugh Mercer during the 2024–2025 school year. The 2017 FCPS Division Teacher of the Year, Brown brings a focus on strong relationships, instructional improvement, and positive school culture. The School Board is expected to formalize her appointment on December 7.

COMING SOON: New Attendance Tools for Parents

We're excited to share that FCPS will soon use ParentSquare Attendance Plus to strengthen how we support student attendance. This means you may hear from us regarding messages about your student's attendance, including:

Celebration messages about attendance milestones and improvements
Check-ins when your student is absent frequently
Digital attendance letters through ParentSquare

You’ll receive these attendance-related communications the same way you receive other Fredericksburg City Schools updates and notifications through ParentSquare. As we continue our implementation process, be on the lookout for more information from us. Thank you for being our partner in supporting your student’s attendance! If you have any questions, please contact your school’s main office.

Building a Culture of Kindness at Walker-Grant

Walker-Grant Middle School held its first schoolwide Bullying Prevention Month initiative, bringing discussions, activities, and student work about kindness, inclusion, and belonging into classrooms across subject areas. Teachers and staff worked together to help students explore these values while modeling them through their own collaboration and support for one another. Check out the video to see highlights from the month!

A diverse group of students and teachers proudly poses together on a brightly lit auditorium stage.

JMHS Takes First Place in One-Act Competition

Congratulations to James Monroe High School’s theater students for earning first place at the Sub-Regional One-Act Competition with their production of Tracks! We’re proud of the talent and hard work our students brought to the stage!

Looking for a Helping Hand?

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!

See Local Resources

A promotional flyer for the James Monroe Career & Technical Education Career Expo on Nov 19th from 8am-2pm in the Gym.

An educational poster warns that school bus drivers cannot see everything, highlighting danger zones.

A promotional flyer for Family First Dental advertising a Free Dental Day on Saturday, November 14th.

A flyer for the Annual FCPS Mental Health Resource Fair, featuring a diverse group of people standing outside a school building.