I want to start by sharing how impressed I am with the current summer programs going on in our schools this summer.  We have a large number of students and staff busy with summer learning opportunities and dedicated to improving their skills during this time of summer break.  I know I speak for all of us when I share my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of these school staff and students as they work hard to successfully navigate their educational journey with us and beyond; it matters.

Summer is a time for rest and relaxation, but I’m delighted to hear how so many in our community are also using this time to stay physically and academically active! Our Institute for the Arts (IFTA) programs for both elementary and secondary students kicked off this week on July 5. With more than 80 courses to choose from in subjects like dance, theater, and visual arts, IFTA is a great way for FCPS students to explore a new interest or deepen their artistic skills! Fine arts programs promote the development of Portrait of a Graduate attributes by encouraging students to become critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and effective communicators.

Other students will soon be taking advantage of our credit recovery or test remediation programs, which are important options to help learners stay on track for on-time graduation and prevent the “summer slide” decline in academic proficiency.

Also starting this week is our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy, which offers courses in a range of subjects geared towards career exploration and enriching vocational skills. An important part of our work as educators is preparing our students for futures yet to be imagined and careers that don’t exist today. The CTE Summer Academy is no exception – this year’s course catalog includes classes in using computer-aided design (CAD) for baking and building underwater robots! I look forward to visiting classes and meeting with students and educators to learn more about their interests in this area. 

Whether a student is taking a remedial course, exploring a vocation, or developing an artistic passion, their enrichment wouldn’t be possible without FCPS’ wonderful Summer Learning Team. I attended the FCPS’ Summer Learning Team Building Kick Off event on Thursday and was energized by their commitment and drive – these educators pack an entire school year of connection, relationship building, and learning into just a few short weeks! Engaging in meaningful learning experiences during the summer helps our learners chart the course for academic excellence for the coming school year. This work matters!

Thank you to Noel Klimenko, our assistant superintendent for Instructional Services for sharing the summer adventure of Adonis, a student at Hughes Middle School, and Jenni Maybury, a teacher at Stone Middle (pictured above), who recently participated in a Jason Argonaut adventure to Costa Rica. 

They learned about wildlife (especially bugs!) and helped two leatherback turtles safely lay eggs and safeguarded them in the sanctuary until they hatched! On the expedition, teacher and student argonauts from across the U.S. worked with scientists to learn about methods to gather data on original research questions and report on their findings.

If you are a middle school student or teacher interested in applying for a future argonaut expedition, stay tuned for information from your local middle school in the coming school year. You can also ask the advanced academic resource teacher at your local school for information about Jason Learning that is available to all FCPS students, including online talks from scientists in the field and digital expeditions. Making classroom connections to real world experiences leaves a lasting impression on learners! 

Sunday, from 7 a.m. to noon, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) school leaders volunteered at Weyanoke Elementary School for their annual Day of Service. It was great to have an opportunity to welcome educators from around this great country to our FCPS schools.  There was a great deal of weeding, hauling, and mulch distribution among other activities. 

With support from Landscape Structures and Sparks@Play, more than 75 volunteers gathered at Weyanoke Elementary School to build playground equipment and take part in other outdoor and indoor projects to help the school get ready for a new year. Principal Felicia Usher, school staff members, our FCPS bus drivers, and volunteers all worked hard to prepare for the fall and an amazing school year ahead.  Our Weyanoke Woodchucks will surely benefit from this dedication and hard work.  "I'm very very happy that our school gets something nice and new and that all of our students will be able to access it," Weyanoke principal Felicia Usher said. "The kids are also extremely excited, of course, to be able to have something new to play on."  Well done!!

Finally, as I think about all that we have and all that we experience each and every day, I am reminded that learning happens best in community.  And so, it is as Coretta Scott King often shared;  “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

Wishing each of you an abundantly joyful and compassionate summer week ahead,

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