Well, here we are; the last week of March. As I have mentioned earlier, March certainly came in like a lion and is going out like (you guessed it ;>) a lamb.  And so, here are my thoughts and reflections this evening...

Tuesday I joined the Student Advisory Council for their presentations around the 2022-23 student focus topics of school community, technology use, environmental sustainability, health and wellness, student civic action, school security, and student workload. More specifically, I heard presentations on access to mental health services, civic engagement, student volunteering opportunities, and incentivizing students on environmental issues. These are all student-led topics and recommendations. Student engagement and empowerment is critical to making school a place where students want to be every day. Our student leaders have amazing ideas and insights and I’m so inspired to see them in action! They are curious and passionate and ready to make a real impact on their school communities. Our students will continue to lead us!

Our website is filled with great stories of student achievement in the things that bring them passion outside of the classroom. Last week, I mentioned the four-peat Madison Girls Basketball team and this week, all of our VHSL Winter Sports Championships are listed on our website. Congratulations to our six teams and 40 individuals who won big in the Class 6 championships in their respective sports! 

We also have a feature story on the 33 national awards won by students through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The photo above shows the work titled, “Deception Wrapped in a Scarf and Topped with a Daisy,” created by Kesha Antsilevich from Madison High School. This work won a Silver Medal with Distinction for art portfolio. I continue to be inspired by the many talents of our students across FCPS!

Thank you to Laura Cook for sharing this photo and more information about our Korean Early Literacy Program! The Office of Family and School Partnerships’ Early Literacy Program is a school readiness program offered twice a week for families with infants and toddlers. It is an interactive family program that is free and offered in a variety of school and community settings throughout Fairfax County for young children with their adult caregivers.

Our Early Literacy programs are created around four affinity groups: Hispanic Early Literacy, Arabic Early Literacy, Korean Early Literacy, and African Heritage Early Literacy. Our Korean Early Literacy Program is led by Aejin Lee, assisted by Eun Kim. The photo on the left shows the “All About Me” lesson from Providence Elementary School. The photo on the right is from the “Float and Sink Experiment” from Colin Powell Elementary School. The children put various objects in the water and talked about what would float and what would sink with their mothers.  Also, they enjoyed making pool noodle boats and floating them in the water. Providing these opportunities for families to be a part of their child’s learning is critical to student success. We continue to recognize how important these moments are for our youngest learners and I thank our entire team for this work. Learning happens best in community and I remain so grateful for our generous and inspiring community. 

Friday evening, I had the opportunity to stop by White Oaks ES as they proudly hosted their 13th Annual Multicultural Night event on Friday evening.  The successful event was attended by over 300 community members who participated in sharing elements of their culture, heritage and ethnicity through food, songs, artwork and dance that make their families culture unique.  The venue was themed as an “Experience Around the Globe” flying on White Oaks Airlines, to include a custom WOES passport provided to each “passenger” as well as food and light refreshments provided by our families while enjoying the global experience.  Principal Ryan Richardson shared; “This event continues to demonstrate the power of building strong community relationships that thrive on mutual respect and celebration of the diversity withing the White Oaks community.” It was a great example of a strong and supportive community supporting learning.

Saturday afternoon I joined more than 670 sixth graders from 101 elementary schools who participated in this year’s Sixth Grade All-County Chorus. Thank you to all of the teachers who donated their time to make this program a success. Your work matters! In this era of interconnected cultures and high technology, music education provides a powerful means of engaging children in learning, and improving student achievement. The FCPS Music Program of Studies teaches skills they will need in order to succeed in the new century. Participating in music programs also gives our students a chance to showcase some of our Portrait of a Graduate attributes – collaborating, communicating, being goal-directed and resilient, and being a creative and critical thinker. Fairfax County has consistently been named as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants!  It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!!

This evening I attended the 49^th Annual Korean Community Service Center (KCSC) of Greater Washington Banquet.  The theme of Building a Safe and United Community certainly resonates with the community theme we are nurturing.  The keynote address was provided by Kyung B. Yoon who among other things shared the importance of being seen and the deep power of each of us using our given name.  One of our FCPS own staff members was honored this evening.  Congratulations to Sara Tae, a 17 year employee who is currently a Cultural Outreach Representative in the Office of Family and School Partnerships, and has actively been serving in a variety of Asian community outreach roles.  She continue to be a fierce advocate for equity and access to educational opportunities so that all students reach their unique potential.  Clare Jongim Chang, a Camelot ES PAC teacher also contributed a bright and colorful work of art for supporting the community services. All in all, it was an inspiring evening and a great reminder that learning happens best in community and our community remains resolutely strong. 

Finally, I am so grateful for the more than 6,000 parents/caregivers and 700 community members who provided input on the draft goals and pillars of the new strategic plan. The updates from principals/program managers continue through next Thursday, March 30. Please be sure to complete the exit ticket to ensure your voice is heard in this process. The Instructional Focus Team and Family Team convened this past week. Instructional leaders provided input on the professional practices and the Family Team reviewed feedback to date from stakeholders and provided recommendations on strategies. Please consider registering for one of the upcoming community forums. Details can be found on the community forums page of the Strategic Planning website.

And so, the end of March has come and we approach the start of a new and glorious month.  I wish each of you a joyful spring week ahead and a thought to contemplate as we exuberantly celebrate the changing of the months; “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank

Warmest regards,

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