What an amazing week we have had !! As September winds to an end, it is hard to believe that October is right around the corner. My late maman used to say the days are long but the years are short; as the years roll on, I find this to be more and more true.

What a wonderful way to end Blue Star Families Military Welcome Week! Thank you to Principal Samantha Goldstein for inviting Board member Megan McLaughlin and district administrative staff to Fairview Elementary School for breakfast with military families this morning. I was a military-connected child, and I recognize the sacrifices made not just by those who serve, but also by the families that love and support them. We must continue to be sure to do everything we can to make transitions smooth for our military families. 

I was honored to join our Student Equity Ambassador Leads (SEALS) kickoff meeting Tuesday night. Our SEALS, including Jasmine (pictured at right) have accepted the tremendous leadership responsibility to foster school cultures that affirm and sustain race, linguistic, and cultural identities. Since the program began, students have created grassroots committees that are driven by individual and collective passions, including holding space for equitable reflection and change in areas of our LGBTQIA+ community, increasing access to AAP/Advanced Coursework for historically underrepresented groups, and building the capacity of our elementary and middle school students’ equitable leadership development.

I remain committed to maintaining equitable opportunities and access for each of our students, staff, and families in a justice-centered, future-focused, and student-driven school environment. We achieve these goals by inviting our student’s authentic voice into our conversations, into our decision-making, and into our strategic planning. I look forward to collaborating with these critical thinkers – caring and compassionate young adults who will lead our future.

Thursday morning, I was invited to participate in a panel as part of the 2022 50 State Afterschool Network Meeting held in Washington, D.C. According to FCPS staff member Mark Emery, here in FCPS, in partnership with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, we host five days of after-school programming at 26 middle schools. The programs focus in four areas: academic support and enrichment, social skills and youth development, physical and mental wellness, and family and community involvement. Outcome measures have shown us that students who attended 30 or more days of after-school programs had significantly improved academic outcomes, reduced daytime absenteeism, reduced behavior referrals, improved peer and adult relationships, and increased school and community connectedness. Even during the pandemic, our after-school programs teams got creative with supporting students virtually to keep those connections! Shout out to A.J. Fuller at Herndon Middle School who was featured in a video during the pandemic. With the use of ESSER III and After-School Programs Grants, we also have been able to add an additional day of late bus runs at schools, expanded literacy programs for English Learners, and increased STEAM activities. I’d love to hear from our after-school specialists about the programs they are most proud of and don’t forget to invite me to come see your programs in action!

Thank you to Akul Dixit, a student at TJHSST for inviting me to the Steamology STEM fest next Saturday, October 8 at Walt Whitman MS. I’m looking forward to joining in some fun robotics, coding, experiments and other activities with students from across FCPS. Anyone in grades K-8 are invited to attend!  What better way to spend a Saturday in October!!

One way that we serve our students outside of academics is by providing healthy and well-balanced school meals. Next week is Virginia Farm-to-School Week and to celebrate lunch at high schools, we will include local apples sourced by Dickie Brothers Orchard and Silver Creek & Seamans Orchard! Those apples look amazing! Where do you go for your locally-sourced apples and other produce? I’d love to hear some suggestions!

Earlier this week, I met with leaders from Real Food for Kids, a local organization that centers on dismantling barriers to nutrition equity through programs that increase access to real, whole foods, build and support healthy choices through nutrition education, and advance policy change to sustain a population of healthy eaters. I look forward to continuing these key stakeholder meetings and supporting this work. 

Just yesterday, we announced the launch of the engagement phase that will help us develop our new Strategic Plan, and these crucial conversations will help to inform this work. During my community conversations, I have heard from many of you about your hopes and aspirations for our students. That feedback will become part of our proactive strategic plan that will serve as our North Star—or guide—for the future. As I think about the future, I am reminded of the Nigerian phrases of AwỌn ỌmỌ n’kỌ? and AwỌn ara ile n’kỌ? In English, “how are the children?” and “how is your household?” The connection of these phrases is critical in so many ways. As a community, we hold a shared value of committing to the wellness and success of our children. When our children are well, our community grows and thrives. Starting in October, we will be inviting the entire FCPS community to engage in building our shared future. This includes hearing from our parents, families and caregivers, students, and broader community, as well as surveying students in grades three and above. You will have an opportunity to have your voice heard in one of many sessions (both in-person and virtual) during November and December. We encourage you to join us in this journey by actively participating in the conversation!

Tuesday morning, Fairfax County kicked off the “Take a Moment” campaign. I joined Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay, School Board Member Melanie Meren, and other state and local leaders to announce this effort. Did you know that 42% of crashes in Fairfax County between 2017-2020 involved a pedestrian? Speeding and distracted driving change lives in an instant – including our own FCPS families. We are asking everyone to #TakeAMoment to slow down and pay attention – our students' lives depend on it. 

We all have a watchful eye on Hurricane Ian. The damage and destruction is widespread in Florida and our thoughts and prayers are with the residents who are experiencing tremendous loss. The Governor has declared a state of emergency here in Virginia, as the storm is expected to move up the east coast. Perhaps it will be a good weekend to catch up on some reading. Do you have any good reads to recommend? I’m hoping it won’t be a total washout so I can watch our student athletes at the field hockey tournament Saturday at Lake Braddock SS.  I really enjoyed tonight’s football game between South County HS and Mount Vernon HS.  Along with the Stallions and Majors fans, we certainly enjoyed a blustery weather night that I am even now warming up from ;>)!

In this fall football season, I am reminded of one of our late great coaches and his thoughts: "Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." -- Vince Lombardi. We, here in FCPS, have a great team and will continue to realize great results. Together, all things are possible...

Warmest regards,

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