Hello Team FCPS,

Well, brrrrrrrr.... I am hoping we are done with the cold frigid winter weather. It seems as though the groundhog has had the last laugh this winter as we clearly have had a continuation of the winter weather. I have had an amazing week of school visits across the division, including attending our first strategic planning community events. What an energizing and inspiring week! 

Our Strategic Planning community forums kicked off this week with five different events. At Lake Braddock Secondary School, we had more than 60 community members in attendance! I am so grateful to everyone who has joined us in this critical work to ensure that we are using our resources to build a future that benefits each and every one of our students.

All of the community forum materials have been uploaded onto the website for anyone interested in previewing the materials prior to attending each meeting. Check out the schedule of Community Forums and influence the direction of FCPS’ Strategic Plan, prior to its completion and formal adoption by the School Board. It’s not too late to sign up to attend an event. Next week, we’re looking forward to having our students participate in one of five focus groups to share their perspectives. Our Strategic Plan feedback form launched this week and we welcome all parents, students, staff, and community members to provide input This tool is being used to gather continuous feedback from stakeholders. The next scheduled events and other important information continues to be updated on the Strategic Planning website. We had great discussions this past Saturday with our families and community.

Monday, I visited the Marshall Governor's STEM Academy with School Board Member Rachna Sizemore Heizer. We visited students in the cyber patriots and cyber gryphon club. These students are gaining cybersecurity certifications and tangible work experience. One of the students has already been hired by Northrop Grumman! The students discussed their opinions on ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They told me how they use AI to support their academic work and how the division should develop future AI policies.

After that, we went to a Criminal Justice class where former D.C. police officer Eric Levenberry instructed the students on how to investigate a crime scene. Students expressed their enthusiasm for criminal justice and their plans to use what they learned in their future jobs.  We also had the opportunity to visit the culinary classes and what a treat that was – literally ;>)  I have just finished the amazing chocolate cake shared with us, incredibly tasty!!  I continue to be so inspired by our students and staff!!

Next, I met students in the robotics club who were building a robot for a competition. We also discussed some challenges of creating a robot that can lift objects. Good luck with your robotics competition in March! Finally, we visited a cosmetology class and learned about their work. It is always so exciting to see how we are connecting students to careers, not just to a diploma!

Thursday, I began my day at Whitman Middle School with School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders. As part of National History Day, students conduct research on a topic of their choice based on this year’s theme - 2023:  Frontiers in History. They work for five months towards a presentation of learning. Students created documentaries, websites, and exhibits around various topics. I spoke with students about their thought processes for picking a topic to present.  The first student to present was Ihsaan, who created a documentary on "The Assembly Line and the Five Dollar Work Day." He chose this topic after taking a trip to Hershey Park with his family and learning about Milton S. Hershey's assembly line. 

I then met Mary, who presented her website on "The Irony of the "Irish Bridget:" Facing Frontiers and Forging Pathways for Female Empowerment." She was inspired by the strong Irish women in her family. I continue to be so inspired by our students and their reflections as they work forward. The last person to present their exhibit was Gia on "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet! Sound and the Birth of Modern Cinema." She explained how the introduction of sound in cinema in the 1920s increased the sensory experience of the viewers. She also shared how we can use technology to shape and change cinema in the future. Hmmmm….

Students are given feedback and then some are invited to enter into district (March 4 at West Springfield HS), regional and state contests.  Winners are eligible to compete at the National level in June.  So even though it is called National History Day, the process spans the entire school year. These students are showing how project-based learning makes real work connections and engages and inspires them!  So important to learn lessons from history…

I must confess that Groundhog Day is one of my favorite holidays. I was thrilled to visit Weyanoke Elementary School on Thursday and meet Woody the Woodchuck for Woodchuck Spirit Day. Fun fact that groundhogs and woodchucks are the same animal, aka Marmota monax! Although the day started with the unfrotunate news of Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow and predicting six more weeks of winter, I was cheered up by the warm welcome of principal Felicia Usher, her staff, and excited students!  Woody showed me around some of the classrooms and their impressive Woodchuck Day door decorations. My favorite decoration was a graph of student predictions of whether Woody (not Phil!) would see his shadow. A majority predicted ‘yes’ – but maybe they’re really just hoping for a chance of a snow day? Big thanks to Principal Usher, Woody, and “Woodchuck Day Czar” Erin Hughey for the invitation. Such positive energy all over this great school division!

At Holmes Middle School, I joined a group of students for recess alongside School Board Member Dr. Ricardy Anderson. Shooting hoops is a joyful experience for me and these energetic students made it even more fun! During my visit, Region Assistant Superintendent Fabio Zuluaga and Principal Margaret Barnes introduced me to five students. The students shared their favorite things about school and what we could do better. A shout out to our teachers as these students described many of their teachers as helpful, caring, and understanding. Many of their negative experiences concerned getting along with their peers. Their ideas for improvement included more language options, more after-school activities, and of course, more recess! I was impressed with their maturity, and how vulnerable they were in opening up about some of their personal experiences. They are proof that empathetic teachers and administrators can make a valuable difference in a young person’s life. This work matters!

At Poe Middle School, I was greeted by a wonderful group of students who are not only part of National Junior Honor Society, but each have parts in their upcoming school theatre production, Willy Wonka. When speaking with Principal Jason Pannutti about what he’s most proud of, he had trouble narrowing down the list. Being the only current Title 1 middle school in Fairfax County, he believes that his students are incredibly resilient and talented. More than 70% of the students are bilingual, a skill many of us envy, and their staff has created a priceless “culture of coaching” with their peers and students alike. I am looking forward to attending the show later this spring!!

At Mason Crest Elementary School, the culture of collaboration is felt throughout. Principal Sherry Shin noted that they have a strong connection with their families and staff who stay with the school community year after year. The work of making lasting connections is critical and I truly felt a feeling of family at Mason Crest!

Onto Hayfield Secondary School with School Board Member Tamara Derenak Kaufax. Interim Principal Matthew Mough took me to Michelle Hassell’s eighth grade Honors English class, where the students were talking about their favorite songs and how they made them feel. It was part of a warm-up exercise to get them ready to do a writing assignment about what songs would make up the playlist of their lives, such an interesting project ;>). We then went to Debbie Trotto’s sports leadership classroom where student athletes learn about public speaking among other important life skills. As a former collegiate athlete, the students had lots of great questions for me. I see many future school and community leaders coming out of this unique class! 

At Lynbrook Elementary, I got to meet Principal Kathleen Sain and her administrative team. Our first stop was the fifth grade classroom of Dixy Ortiz Osorio, where the students were working on writing and word work. In Toniann Lovine’s art studio classroom, first grade students were making colorful ceramic rainbow hearts and getting important fine motor skills practice.  It was so nice to join them in creating beauty and `nurturing joy!!

In Karen Ours’ second grade classroom, the students were learning about weather, and how to be safe in a dangerous storm such as a tornado or thunderstorms. I was very impressed with what they had learned and plan to implement safety procedures!!

Thank you to Principal Tangy Millard for sharing this story about the recent Wellness Day at West Potomac High School.  According to Principal Millard; “The planning began in November, when staff were invited to share some of their passions and wellness strategies by hosting a 45-minute session for students to learn about different ways to enhance their mental and physical wellness creatively. Staff offered a total of 104 unique sessions scheduled over four time blocks for students to choose from. Yoga, crepe making, sushi making, dance for fitness, flower and terrarium arranging, karaoke, board games and puzzles, birdwatching, knitting, and crafting were among the many sessions offered.  Students were also able to choose academic support sessions, quiet and or social rooms.  Using the ESSER Wellness budget, staff were able to request supplies to support their sessions. Items that could not be covered under the ESSER grant, such as food, flowers, and equipment, were generously sponsored by the West Potomac PTSA. A schedule was created for staff to not only have the chance to share their wellness passions with students, but also to set aside some time to explore wellness on their own. The FCPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered informational sessions, and staff were able to drop into their colleagues’ sessions and experiences, such as sound bathing, visiting with therapy dogs, and progressive muscle relaxation. The day was enthusiastically received by students, staff, and parents, and the West Potomac campus was overflowing with full smiles and joy.” We must remember that our own wellness is critical to bringing our best selves to our students and coworkers!  

A shout out as we kick off National School Counseling Week! Our school counselors are critical to helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS. Thank you! Your work matters!

Friday evening was fabulous as I joined the Hornets at Herndon HS to watch the Herndon HS v. Marshall HS girls’ basketball game.  It was a great competitive athletic contest and the Herndon HS Step Team was great at halftime.  I must also commend the concession staff as the popcorn was exemplary (I ate far too much ;>)

I would like to thank Kathleen Kinsolving from Mount Vernon High School for sharing the information and photos of the Chinese New Year event, held at Luther Jackson Middle School on January 14. I appreciate everyone who shares the great things happening all across FCPS! Please continue to share opportunities to connect and stories from all around the division. 

Finally, while we remain mindful of those around us and their needs, as we guide and support our community's greatest resource -- our children, it is so important to share their joy and sense of wonder ;>) And so, as I was contemplating the coming days, I came across this quote and am reminded of its power for us today…“When you know who you are; when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will; no cold can touch your heart; no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.” -- Chief Seattle (1780-1866) Leader of The Suquamish and Duwamish Native American Tribes.  Let’s have a great week!!

Warmest Regards,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools