A Seat at the Board Table

Herndon Middle School students enrolled in the school’s AVID program recently took a seat at Northwest Federal Credit Union’s board table. As a part of NWFCU Foundation’s AVID24 Ignite Partnership with FCPS, about 60 students visited the credit union’s two mid-rise building headquarters to explore careers and gain financial literacy skills. 

Students toured the Executive Suite, IT & Cybersecurity, Marketing, and the Herndon Branch. Their financial journey consisted of short presentations about credit, lending, first time home buying, and investments. 

“We are happy to welcome these students into the Northwest community,” said Jeff Bentley, CEO. “It’s important to understand at a young age how working hard in school can lead to rewarding careers and successful lives.” 

The mission of AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society through specific goals.

Along with the workforce development lessons and financial literacy skills, AVID Elective Teacher and Coordinator, Jordan Parker says there’s something more basic about a visit like this that’s critically important. 

To make certain there is sufficient and meaningful adult-to-student interaction, NWFCU employees utilize their 24 hours of paid volunteer service to give their time. According to Sam Collins, executive director at the NWFCU Foundation, it’s time well-spent. “Building these relationships is an essential first step in transforming these children’s lives.” 

Thank you NWFCU and NWFCU Foundation for supporting students in Fairfax County Public Schools.  

If your business would like to establish a similar partnership with FCPS, please email Jay Garant, Director of Business and Community Partnerships at [email protected].

Dulles International Airport to Serve as a Gallery for Scholastic Art Award Honorees from FCPS 

As one part of an expanded Ignite Partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), posters of student-created art will soon hang along a wall inside the Ticketing level at Dulles International Airport.

Arts:  Working with the FCPS Fine Arts office, award winning student art is enlarged, reprinted and displayed. The artwork selected represents student work from FCPS students ages 13 to graduating seniors who submitted them as part of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers Scholastic Art Award competition. Pieces will hang for several months and later in 2023 a new set of student art will be displayed. The repurposed artwork will be given to the student artists after each exhibit. 

Workforce Development:  MWAA is also expanding its relationship with FCPS and Chantilly Academy, a Governor’s STEM Academy. At Chantilly Academy, students explore career pathways employing current industry trends, many representing careers specific to MWAA.  

Through a guest speakers’ program, field trips and MWAA’s presence at FCPS career fairs, students will learn about MWAA’s careers and their post graduate Apprenticeship Program. If accepted into the Apprenticeship Program, students work alongside a skilled journeyperson in the areas of electrical, HVAC, plumbing-pipefitting, structural maintenance, and heavy equipment maintenance.  

Needs-Based Donations:  MWAA’s 1,500+ employees also intend to establish an annual drive for resources that will support Chantilly Academy and High School students. Needs include food, health and hygiene items, winter clothing, and school supplies.

Thank you Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for expanding your partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools.

Think Big for Kids Thinks Expansion in Fairfax County

As part of its national expansion plan to serve more students, the launch of the local chapter of Think Big for Kids was recently announced. Think Big for Kids partners with companies and organizations in the workforce development space and focuses on three pillars:  Career Exploration, Mentorship and Job Readiness and Placement.

The organization and their partners aim to provide the awareness, guidance and opportunities young people need to set and achieve post-graduation goals - starting with middle school age students. 

Launching in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, Think Big for Kids is exploring a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and other like minded organizations. Thanks to our connections with and introductions by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, FCPS is also in the early stages of exploring a partnership with Think Big for Kids. Keep an eye out for updates.

Exploring the Successes and Challenges of Running a K-12 Workforce Development Program

Leaders from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority’s (FCEDA) Talent team recently visited Poe Middle School in Annandale to learn more about workforce development through the lens of the Capital One Coders after-school program.  

Michael Batt, the authority’s vice president of talent was joined by team members Alex Thalacker and Layla Mailoudi. Together, they learned how Capital One’s effective program trains future software engineers while enhancing student learning. 

During the visit FCPS staff members shared with the FCEDA team successes, including nearly one-to-one tutor-to-learner relationships; challenges, such as student transportation; and next steps, including ways to amplify the value of and help FCPS overcome obstacles inherent in many workforce development partnerships.

The FCEDA promotes Fairfax County as having a diverse and skilled workforce that is the backbone for business in our county. They regularly and rightfully promote to potential suitors looking to start a business or relocate to Fairfax County the value of Fairfax County Public Schools and our meaningful connections to business.

Lunch and Learn - How to Partner With FCPS

Businesses, community groups and governmental groups looking to learn about partnering with FCPS are encouraged to attend an upcoming Partnerships Virtual Lunch and Learn.  

Final 2022 Partnerships Virtual Lunch and Learn Date:

• December 20 - 11:30 a.m. to Noon

Learn what defines a partnership and the return on investment (ROI) that our partners enjoy, understand the Ignite Partnerships structure, explore other ways to support FCPS, and get answers to your questions.

Each Lunch and Learn will last 30 minutes and include a five to seven minute overview followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. 

Join the meeting from your computer or mobile app.

We’re Open for Business and Community Partners

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about Business and Community Partnerships including our Ignite Partnerships program which offers eight ways for businesses and community partners to engage with FCPS.

One way is through Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 arm of the school system. Educate Fairfax strives to ensure that every FCPS student has a path to success. Visit their Impact page to learn how our donors make a difference in the lives of our students.