This short week was filled with sweet surprises! 

Wednesday afternoon, I met culinary teacher Lauren Forshay and Davis Center students Kendall, Juan, Isvar, and Susan, who delivered a beautiful bouquet of cookies to my office. What a wonderful way to welcome me to FCPS! These students are enrolled in the Culinary Arts program, learning skills like baking, cooking, catering, and food service. Susan told me that the icing is the hardest part. I will say that the decoration was beautiful, and showed their skill and dedication. Each of our students has their own magic and joy to bring to the world. To me, these cookies embody the passion that these students have in finding their path. We are here to help every student build these life skills and find purpose and passion in their life’s work. This is another example of how we are tasked with educating our students from “crib to career.”  Did you know you can book catering services through the Davis Center? You can learn more on their website and you can read more about those amazing cookies here.

Speaking of sweet treats, our leadership team spent Friday morning bringing muffins and scones from Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates to our transportation staff, courtesy of Apple FCU. We wanted our drivers, attendants, and leaders to have a great start to their day, just like they provide to all of our students! We also wanted to show our appreciation for all that they do for our students.  Did you know that the FCPS fleet consists of 1625 buses? Each day, 1,118 buses are assigned to regular routes. As I drive into work, I see the consistent arrival of buses to stops in my neighborhood. I’m sure you do as well. It’s a testament to the hard work of our 981 drivers, 406 attendants, and the entire transportation leadership team that this work happens every day with such amazing consistency! Learn more about Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates mission as part of Every1 Can Work. 

Congratulations to our Financial Services Team! Financial Services was recently notified that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded FCPS a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. The comprehensive financial report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure and transparency. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and FCPS has earned this achievement for 27 consecutive years! What a testament to their commitment to resource stewardship!

Thursday afternoon, I toured Burke School and Orange Hunt Elementary School with school board member Laura Jane Cohen. At Burke School, principal Thomas Sweet walked me around. I saw how staff are living the words, “unique and united” that guide their work every day. I enjoyed visiting students while they were in their electives including art, music, and PE. I also had the opportunity to visit with students, staff and a parent at the end of the day.  What an inspiring learning community. 

At Orange Hunt, principal Karen Tuttle and assistant principal Kate Austin invited me to sit in on the German immersion cohort. It was a joy to interact with so many students with a background similar to mine. Orange Hunt is the second largest military elementary school in Fairfax County. It was so much fun to watch students study my native language and I even conversed with some of them during a 5th grade math class. Mathe ist mein Lieblingsfach in der Schule! Learning a second language expands our world, helps us better understand our own language, strengthens our memory, helps with problem-solving skills and our critical-thinking skills.  I continue to enjoy visiting classrooms !!

My Community Conversations continued this week at McLean, Madison, and South Lakes High Schools. So many audience members shared their gratitude for our teachers, support staff, and school leaders. If you don’t hear it directly, please know that our families appreciate you for your daily commitment to our students. I was also reminded that when we talk about parents and caregivers, those roles are filled by many different people in our students’ lives. I met a grandparent who asked how they can be more involved in the school, and it led to a broader discussion of the opportunities across FCPS to participate in supporting our students. We have numerous ways for our community to get involved. Please visit our website for more information. Next week, I will host Community Conversations with the Hayfield, Falls Church (at Luther Jackson MS) and Edison Pyramids. Remember, all employees are also invited to attend. I’d love to hear from you! Please register for any of the upcoming events on our website.

Friday evening, I had the opportunity to join the Eagles at Freedom Hill Elementary School for a Back to School Picnic.  The PTA and staff organizing and supporting this event continue to build community with students and their families.  It was a great opportunity for me to meet students, staff and families and reinforced how special our FCPS community is; we care just a little bit more here !!  Following the Picnic, I had the opportunity to attend the Marshall v. Westfield football game.  What a great evening of fun at Marshall.  The marching band, cheer squad and dance and drill teams were amazing as was the football on the field.  I particularly appreciated the Spiderman theme at halftime ;>)  I appreciate all the staff who take the time to support these outside of school activities and events; it matters.  So much is learned both in and out of our classrooms. 

Finally, Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to attend the Green Breakfast sponsored by the Fairfax County Joint Environmental Task Force (run by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District).  I am inspired by the commitment to operationalize aspirational goals directed at carbon neutrality.  These goals are so important to our next generation.  To learn more about this work please visit our website presence on this topic as well as the http://Bit.ly/FCPAWTGG  which is the FCPA interactive map and outreach program, Watch the Green Grow," allowing students, staff, and county residents to report their small "green" actions on a map to actually visualize how our small choices connect to make a big difference.  These partnerships are a powerful force for good in our community. 

And so, I will end with a thought from Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert Comic Strip; “Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”  Let's flood our district and community with kindness in the coming days and weeks... 

I look forward to seeing you as I am out in the schools and community in the coming weeks. 

Warmest regards,

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