Back To School: Fairfax Students Return For In-Person Learning

FAIRFAX, VA — Monday was the first day of the 2021-22 academic year for students in Fairfax City and Fairfax County public schools. For some, it was their first day back in the classroom since March 2020.

In July, FCPS made the decision to reopen for in-person learning with a universal mask mandate in place for all students and staff.

Masks will be required indoors and on school buses. They will not be required during eating and outside during physical education, recess or other activities.

FCPS will not require masks for fully vaccinated people in FCPS buildings only when students are not present. Masks will be required for non-vaccinated people in all places except outdoors. The federal mask mandate for everyone 2 and up on public transportation also applies to school buses.

Related: Back To School In Fairfax: 2021-22 School Calendar

Patch asked its readers in the Fairfax City area to share photos of their students returning to school. If you wish to share a photo of your student's first day back, add it to the comment section of this story.

Teweduda Mohamed shared this photo of her children's first day at Mosaic Elementary School. The Fairfax County school board voted in February to rename the school, which had previously been named for Confederate officer John Mosby.

Erin Molek, the career experience specialist at the Fairfax Academy for Communications at Fairfax High School, shared several photos of from the first day of school. Here, dance students in Meredith Barnes' class form a circle group.

Two students in Fairfax Academy's fashion class pose for a photo at their work table.

Two students in Fairfax Academy's fashion class pose for a photo at their work table.

Students in Fairfax Academy's fashion class pose for a photo at their work table.

Students in Song Ja Johnston's Korean language class at the Fairfax Academy wave to the camera.

Students in Kevin Smith's photography class at the Fairfax Academy pose for a group photo.

Theatre and dance education specialist and substitute Fairfax Academy administrator Tara Taylor (left) poses for a photo with Kay Walters, Fairfax High School marketing teacher and academy fashion marketing instructor.

Students from Erich Dicenzo's musical theatre actor's studio pose for a group photo.

Students from Christopher Johnston's musical and computer technology class pose for a photo at their desks on Monday.

Lion mascots form a pyramid just as they were headed out to the first day first period assembly with all Fairfax High School students in the field house.