Hello Team FCPS

What a fabulous late winter week !!  I know there is a renewed energy borne of the increasing light each day and the surety of spring around the corner.  I appreciate each of you and your continued forbearance with dynamic challenges and opportunities.  "If the mind is to emerge unscathed from the relentless struggle with the unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable: first an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to the truth; and second, the courage to follow this light wherever it may lead."  Carl Von Clausewitz.

This past week, I was excited to share good news about STEAM during my Academic Matters report at Thursday night’s School Board Meeting. As of this school year, 100% of our pre- K and early childhood special education students are now engaging in STEAM learning! Thank you to our early childhood, special services, and instructional services teams for coming together to make this happen. This work matters!

In this short video, Lynbrook ES special education teacher Laura Balzotti shares the value in these opportunities for our youngest learners. This video really speaks to the excitement of inquiry, learning, and problem-solving. The late Sir Kenneth Robinson once asked children how many uses they could find for a paper clip. The youngest children had more than 250 ideas, where much older children could only come up with five to ten. This is fearless creativity and the sooner we can be thoughtful about it, the better. 

Thank you to Ellen Rogers, the Primary Years Program coordinator at Belvedere Elementary School, for recently reaching out. Ellen saw the recent story in my Weekly Reflections where I wrote about a group of students from South Lakes High School who have their own children’s book company called Ink Children’s Books. Ellen invited Ink representatives to come and speak to fifth graders at Belvedere. Belvedere is a Primary Years Programme School, which is a part of the International Baccalaureate.

At the end of their final year at Belvedere, students engage in a culminating project called Exhibition. Students work in groups to research and present an issue that they care about. The students from Ink showed what it looks like to take passion into action and helped make those connections for these younger students. Our students will continue to lead and inspire us! 

Wednesday evening, I had the opportunity to connect with our Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators (FABSE) for a thoughtful conversation regarding how we can best support our students and staff as we aspire to mountain top educational experiences for each and every one of our students; our collective future depends on it.  FABSE President Sylinda Banks facilitated an engaging and enlightening conversation that we plan on continuing on a regular basis. 

I started my Thursday  morning celebrating Black History Month at Cedar Lane School. The Fairfax Health Department collaborated with Cedar Lane employees to host a delicious brunch!  Aside from a robust menu, the brunch featured a photo gallery highlighting African American trailblazers in business, science, education, and more. Thank you to the team at Cedar Lane for inviting me to be a part of this day!  It is a great reminder that learning happens best in community…

Friday, I made my way to Robinson Secondary School with School Board Chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer. Principal Tracey Phillips took us to Laura Leydon’s classroom where we were greeted by the sounds of Queen’s We Are The Champions. It was a day of celebration for these students, who all passed their English SOL. I am so proud of this group for working together and believing they could achieve their goal. Together, great things are possible!  You are definitely champions!!

Before leaving the home of the Rams, I had the pleasure of meeting after-school specialist, Scott Wilson and middle school resource teacher, Bryan Hazard. Wilson shared information about their student volunteer run programs such as; tutoring, STEM, weight training, drama, and art to name a few. These programs are run by students and for students. Hazard, a Robinson alum and the head wrestling coach of 27 years, has won state titles with his team for the last three years -- including this year! FCPS and the Robinson community are fortunate to have you both. Congratulations and Go Rams! 

We moved on to nearby Laurel Ridge Elementary School, where the sun was shining and accentuated all the natural light this building features. It was intentional in the original design in the 1960’s. As we walked through the halls, I could feel the culture of thoughtfulness that Principal Megan Counts and her staff have created for the students. Each classroom we entered was filled with engaged students, excited and ready to learn. I had the pleasure of joining a quick reading lesson in Multiple Disabilities Teacher Alexander Britt’s classroom, where a small group of students were learning phonetics to help them sound out words and the importance of being patient and trusting themselves when reading.

In addition to this specialized lesson, there were many other special education programs designed to fit students' needs that I learned more about. Thank you Principal Counts for sharing your school with Rachna Sizemore Heizer and me. It was beautiful to see the synergy that takes place at the home of the Lions!  I also learned a bit about Paw Patrol ;>)

Next I went to the Johnnie Forte Center, otherwise known as the FCPS warehouse. I was met by Karen Cogan, coordinator of warehouse operations, and Michelle Pratt, director of procurement services. They showed me around the building and I got to meet many of the hard working staff that keep our 200+ schools and centers supplied with everything they need, as well as deliver all the mail between offices. It is quite an impressive operation!

For example, every two weeks, FCPS receives a shipment of paper towels and toilet paper that fills a 53-foot tractor trailer. Also, every quarter, every one of our 140 elementary schools receives a science kit that was put together at the warehouse to help them provide hands-on science instruction. The lesson for the fourth quarter is light and sound, and the kits are being prepared right now. The warehouse also stores things like furniture, athletic equipment, and cleaning supplies. The speed and efficiency at which items are processed and then delivered is remarkable. Thank you Team Warehouse, we are so grateful for you and your work!  

A quick update on our Strategic Plan process. The Core Planning Team convened this week to develop the first draft of the goals, measures, and pillars for our strategic plan. Principals and central office directors reviewed the drafts.  All educators will have an opportunity to also provide feedback in the weeks ahead on the draft work to date. Beginning on March 6, parents/ caregivers and community members will be invited to provide feedback on the goals, measures, and pillars. Strategic planning materials continue to be updated on the Strategic Planning website. Three additional community forums are planned for this spring. We welcome all parents, students, staff, and community members to provide input in the Let’s Talk Strategic Plan Feedback form here. Stay tuned for more information. 

In a Fairfax Inspires moment - I want to give a shout out to Carina Araujo, a fifth grader who loves art and writing. She won the 2022 Storm Drain Art Contest for the city of Gaithersburg to raise awareness of water pollution, the second place in the 2021 PBS Kids Writers Contest, and the first place in the 2022 PBS Kids Writers Contest for books she wrote and illustrated. She enjoys exploring different art mediums. She exhibited for the Youth Art Connects in Black Rock Center, for the online exhibition for children at the Barnes Foundation and at Creative Outlets in Bethesda. She recently wrote and illustrated a book on the importance of protecting the marine environment. Her mom shared this quote “When I write, I express myself. When I read, I go to a world called Wonderful.” Our students are exceptional - each in their own way. One of Carina’s books about Gigi the Very Friendly Giraffe, showcases friendship and inclusion. You can find her books on Amazon. Carina and Gigi, thank you for reminding us what is good in this world!

Friday evening, it was exciting to attend the Fairfax County Council PTA Reflections Student Awards Ceremony.  This year the theme was “Show Your Voice” and the different honorees definitely did show their talent.  The event was well attended and inspiring as we celebrated the gifts of so many of our students.  Our fine and performing arts remain central to education!!

On Saturday, I attended an Annual Black History Month Celebration sponsored by the NAACP and held at the Harvest Assembly Baptist Church.  The Emcee, Shirley Ginwright, shared her thoughts and perspective while facilitating an inspiring program.  I was inspired by our Stomping Eagles, the Step Team from Edison HS, who performed at the event, as well as Jackson Webb, a student leader and speaker from Springfield HS who spoke about the importance of supporting maternal health. Our student leaders are making such a difference in our community; together all things are possible. 

Saturday evening, I attended the Tibetan Lunar New Year “Losar” Program.  This was a great event with many of our students and their families in attendance.  We heard from a representative of the Dalai Lama on the importance of gentleness and patience as we approach this year ahead. The talent of our students continues to inspire me as many students and their families performed songs and dances as we celebrated the New Year.  I appreciated the invitation, the dinner, and the opportunity to learn more about the Tibetan history and journey.  I also know I have a great deal to learn in terms of dance ;>)

My last exciting opportunity this weekend was at Annandale HS.  I had a great time cheering on the Waples Mills Eagles and the Woodley Hills Beavers Unified Basketball teams at the Special Olympics Tournament Sunday.  I was invited by Mike Scharkowski, one of the Woodley Hills PE teachers and founder of the school’s PE Pals program.  Mr. Scharkowski started PE Pals about 7 years ago with the goal of having students with and without cognitive disabilities to learn to respect and appreciate one another and their abilities.  This belief is felt throughout the school as evidenced by the number of staff who also volunteer their time coaching.  It is a great collaboration between the PE department and the Special Education department, led by Annette Garrett and Ashley Smith, and the Adaptive PE teacher, Connor Maguder. The stands were also filled with the Special Olympics athletes and their buddies’ families.  Sharon D. Aldredge Woodley Hills principal, shared that “Our students love being PE Pals and I couldn’t be prouder of the compassion, care, and respect they learn.”  It was inspiring to see our students demonstrate those wonderful characteristics on the court today.  Together, all things are possible.

 

Let's have a fabulous winter week ahead and take the time for connecting more deeply with ourselves and those around us.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Fairfax County Public Schools