South Lakes High School students returned to class Monday, Aug. 24, without a police crossing guard for the first time, one of several changes greeting nearly 183,000 Fairfax County Public Schools students on the first day of the 2026-27 school year.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors eliminated crossing guards at nine high schools when it adopted the FY2027 budget on May 5, cutting $1.89 million and 13 full-time positions from the Fairfax County Police Department, according to FFXnow. South Lakes is the only affected school in the Reston area. Three high schools — Hayfield, Lake Braddock and Robinson — still have coverage.

FCPS urged caution in an Aug. 21 newsletter to families, asking drivers and students to use extra caution near schools and allow extra time for changed traffic patterns. The county is also replacing uniformed officers with contractors at elementary and middle school crossings where vacancies exist.

Phones off, bell to bell

Every K-12 student now faces a blanket ban on cellphones, smartwatches, smart glasses and wireless earbuds during the school day. Devices must be turned off and stored from first bell to last.

Last year, high schoolers could still use phones at lunch. That exception is gone. The Fairfax County School Board adopted the ban on May 7 after the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 108 this spring, requiring all K-12 schools to prohibit cellphone use bell to bell. Exceptions remain for students with an Individualized Education Plan, a Limited English Proficiency plan or documented health needs.

Parents who need to reach a student during the day are directed to call the school's main office.

Hunter Mill District school board member Melanie Meren, who represents Reston-area schools, has been a driving force behind the district's broader technology restrictions. At the board's July 16 meeting, Meren said: "Test scores are down. Writing is lacking for incoming college students. Mental health suffers. Children lose social and cognitive skills. …"

Weapons screening comes to football games

OpenGate weapons detectors, already in place at all FCPS middle and high schools during the school day, will now screen spectators at varsity football games.

"The only thing that we're doing different this year is we're gonna add OpenGate screening at our varsity football games," FCPS Security Director Brian Lambert told WUSA9 on Monday, Aug. 24.

FCPS said there have been no weapons-related incidents on campus since the detectors were implemented. A new clear-bag policy also takes effect at games: only clear plastic bags no larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches or small clutch bags no larger than 4.5-by-6.5 inches are allowed. Backpacks, purses and outside food are prohibited.

South Lakes' first home varsity football game is listed on the school calendar for Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m.

Other changes

FCPS also expanded its partnership with virtual mental health provider Hazel Health, making free teletherapy sessions available to middle school students starting July 1. The program launched for high schoolers in 2023. Speed cameras in school zones resumed operations at 20 locations on Aug. 24, and the district has introduced new student ID cards for bus riders.