It’s starting to sound like a bit of a broken record, but mother nature has truly delivered some magical fall weather! I have had so many opportunities to be out and about while experiencing FCPS events this past week.  I know that we have enjoyed another beautiful weekend and trust that each of you are experiencing the abundantly joyful gifts of the fall season. 

This past Saturday, I was able to participate in a Special Olympics Unified soccer tournament hosted by Annandale High School. Special Olympics aims to promote inclusion through sports and builds positive relationships between students with and without disabilities. The Annandale Atom Special Olympics team has 12 athletes with disabilities, along with 25 peers without disabilities. Thank you to Head Coach Jae Lee and Assistant Coach Janan Gokturk for inviting me and including me as an honorary Atom!

As we approach Veterans Day, I would like to acknowledge the 40 Fairfax County public schools that have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2022 Purple Star Schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. The full list of schools is on our website, where you can also learn more about what it means to be a Purple Star school. Thank you to our school leaders and staff who have made this commitment to families who give so much for our country; it matters!

Friday afternoon, I had the honor of attending the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony at the Washington Hilton. As I mentioned last week, Mahri Asti, principal of Mosaic Elementary School, was recognized as one of the 2022 Terrel H. Bell Award Winners for Outstanding School Leadership. Mosaic Elementary School also received Blue Ribbon status. You can watch all the school recognitions in this YouTube video. 

On Friday afternoon, the Lake Braddock MS Chamber Orchestra performed during the 2022 National Conference of the National Association for Music Education. I was able to view video of the performance, which took place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, and it was outstanding. Ensembles are chosen based on submitted unmarked recordings. The Association selects high level elementary, middle, high school, and university groups to perform at this national event.

Congratulations to our students, Director Clayton Allen, and the many music educators, staff members, and supporters who were instrumental in this achievement. It’s good to see so many FCPS students are incorporating the fine and performing arts into their K-12 journey. The fine and performing arts are central to education, sound mental health, leadership and so much more.

This past Wednesday, you may have seen in Employee News that we have put out a nomination form for instructional staff to self-nominate or nominate a colleague who is passionate about strategic planning work. We invite anyone who is interested to apply by November 11th. Our champions for the family team are working to identify a similar process for parents and caregivers to self-nominate or be nominated by a member of our school community. Please also know that if you are not able to make the time commitment for a committee appointment, there are so many other available ways in which to provide input.  Stay tuned for more information.

The Strategic Plan student survey launched successfully to nearly 140,000 students in Grades 3-12 who were not opted out of the survey. As shared in last week’s reflection, principal-led focus groups are also taking place throughout the month of November as part of the Student Voice component of the strategic planning process. The goal of the focus groups is to learn from students what is going well and where we can improve. Collectively, we look forward to receiving students’ feedback from the survey and in these rich conversations at school sites across the division. Together, great things are possible!

In a Fairfax Inspires moment, I want to share that the Westfield Dance Team really inspired me this past Friday evening.  As I attended the football game at Westfield HS, the halftime show was amazing.  So too, the football players on both teams demonstrated a competitive sporting event.  The marching band and drill team performance was simply amazing.  And then, the dance team performance was inspiring as each member of the team demonstrated grit and perseverance as they dealt with a music challenge with their recording.  Even as they performed, the music cut in and out.  Even with these challenges, they kept their focus and continued to provide an amazing performance despite the challenges.  I learned so much about the team that I wouldn’t have learned had the music been flawless.  And so, they delivered a lesson on how to address unexpected adversity – simply stay the course, work together, and all will be well.  I appreciated the announcer at the event as well, and the crowd that supported all both playing and performing.  Well done !!

During Thursday’s School Board meeting, we introduced a new feature called “Academic Matters.” We will use this portion of Board meetings to provide updates on important academic topics. This week, I shared information about some common misconceptions concerning the NAEP assessment. For example, very few students are selected to participate in NAEP testing. In fact, only 476 FCPS students, or less than 2% of students in fourth and eighth grades, participated in this round of NAEP testing. NAEP also does not provide FCPS with division, school, or student level test results. Therefore, unfortunately NAEP data cannot be used to draw authentic and actionable conclusions about FCPS performance. 

Additionally, I shared information on other large scale assessments like the SOLs, PISA, SAT, and ACT. On all of these assessments, FCPS students are performing well above state, national, and global averages. While we know there is room for improvement, FCPS student test results remain strong by any comparison. I look forward to engaging the Board and community on important Academic Matters in future meetings and continue to be inspired by the dedication of each and every one of our educators and the difference being made for our FCPS students; together all things are possible. 

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending my first theatre performance in FCPS, the Edison HS Theatre Company production of Clue.  Principal Pamela Brumfield and I were treated to a fabulous afternoon, confirming that ‘Clue is not just a board game’ ;>)  The cast was amazing, the set and tech so well done, and the entire play production so entertaining.  I also learned more about the Cappies Program as many audience members were representatives from this program – so inspiring.  Theatre Director Jeff Walker has a great deal to be proud of !!  Who knew comedy and mystery could be so well paired and performed ;>)!!

In a Fairfax Connected moment, I also enjoyed meeting retired general music educator Darshia Allwine, a former West Springfield ES general music educator, who was the pianist for the production of Clue.  She performed admirably and continues to support excellence in our division and community.  We so appreciate the many and varied contributions of our retirees; together all things are possible. 

In other exciting adventures, I had the opportunity to participate in the ‘Pumpkin Drop’ at Terra Centre ES this past week.  The PTA supported this energizing event that drew a large crowd Friday evening.  I really enjoyed the event and appreciate the leadership of Principal Gidoni as she shared the activities and festive fun associated with academic achievement.  I also look forward to the pig kissing event upcoming ;>)  Learning is such a joyful opportunity!!

 My community conversations continue this month and there are four sessions left. I have learned so much already and I encourage you to share your thoughts with me at one of our upcoming sessions. Be sure to register online.

And so in closing, as I contemplate my excitement over the possibilities associated with my extra hour this weekend, I am reminded of a quote recently shared with me: “The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking, don't settle.” —Steve Jobs (1955-2011), Co-Founder Apple Inc. I am loving what we are doing here and so grateful to be doing it with you...

Hoping you are enjoying your extra gift of time.

Warmest Regards,

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