What an incredible First Week of School!  I want to begin by thanking each of you in your unique role for all that you have done to make this first week of school such a great experience for our students and their families.  It takes each of you committing to our mission for all of us to be successful; together all things are possible. 

I hope everyone had as much fun as I did seeing students and staff come back into the buildings and pick up with their learning, right where they left off in June. I thought I would share the highlights of my week with you.  Please feel free to share a highlight of your week with me, as well.  We know learning happens best in community and I remain so grateful to have the opportunity to serve this amazing community as together we reimagine the possibilities!! 

On a beautiful Monday morning, families and staff across FCPS welcomed the first day of school with all the nerves, the excitement, and the optimism that comes with all things new. At my first stop at Lake Braddock SS, the energy was in the air despite the early hour! Later, as I visited Forestdale ES, I shared my first day excitement with kindergarten students being welcomed by the warm and caring staff. At Kilmer Middle School, students enjoying lunch outside were open and appreciative of their experiences. I also met the committed staff at Kilmer Center and had my photo taken by student Amanuel using his assistive technology. My next stop on the first day took me to Cunningham Park Elementary where students were engaged and excited to be back.  The final leg of my first day visits took me to London Towne ES.  The Lions of London Towne were roaring with excitement to be back and learning!  All of the students I met are inspiring and wonderful in their own unique way. I ask all of us to commit to celebrating them, hearing their stories, and helping them to hone their super powers as we guide them to their futures.

I began my pyramid community conversations this past week by meeting with families and staff from the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, the Woodson Pyramid, and our FCPS Special Education Centers. To effectively partner with our community, our stakeholders need to know that their voices are being heard and, much more than that, being valued. I invite you to join me in these conversations, and share what’s working well, or what you think we can do better. These sessions will continue through November. Please sign up to participate as this will help us plan.  Together, all things are possible.

In early June, our FCPS Honors event recognized 12 employees for their excellence in teaching students, leading schools, and providing support. I was honored to accept the invitation of Annandale Terrace and Region 2 leadership this week as they hosted a special recognition event for the 2022 FCPS Elementary Teacher of the Year. Music teacher Essel Linton embodies our premiere workforce. As an immigrant and English Language learner, Mrs. Linton is able to draw upon her experiences to make connections and build meaningful experiences for all of her students. Her colleagues tell me that students feel safe, encouraged, and able to take risks in her classroom. I challenge all of us to consider the ways that we can make those same connections with students and families every day.  Thank you Annandale Terrace for inviting me to be part of this meaningful celebration!

In great news from our Team Transportation, 97% of our routes ran on time the first day of school.  Well done !!  Congratulations to Patricia Robles, one of our trainers/examiners at our Transportation Training Center! After an unannounced DMV audit of a training test, the examiner shared their appreciation for Patricia’s knowledge and skill. The examiner also shared that the training test is very difficult and that many other recent audits have not been as successful. I would like to send a “shout-out” to Leila Hart, acting manager of Transportation Training and Staff Development, for sharing this good news with me! This is critical work right now and I’m grateful to our whole team for their dedication to ensuring safe travels for all of our students.

Just before the start of school this year, I met with staff from our Interagency Alternative Schools Programs (IAS). These programs provide opportunities and support for students who are experiencing extraordinary challenges in their lives. Like each of you, the IAS staff does incredible work every day and I am so grateful for their thoughtfulness and dedication.  Every child deserves a mountain top educational experience regardless of circumstance and these teams make that happen. As educators, we need to remember that what we do with the 12 to 13 years that students spend with us in our district sets our students on the trajectory their lives take when they leave us. This team does a tremendous job on focusing on the strengths of each individual student in their care.  I am humbled by the work they do every day; it matters.

I hope you had the opportunity to attend one of the two virtual staffing updates that I hosted last week with our community.  In these updates I was able to share an update on staffing. I believe that placing a qualified instructor in every classroom is our most important instructional focus right now. Our HR team continues to work tirelessly towards this end, and I thank them for all their efforts.  In addition, I would like to thank all of our central office staff who have answered the call to push into our schools to support our students while we continue to hire. Educators are the foundation of success in our communities and I will continue to advocate for the respect and recognition of our calling; it matters. 

Late last week, I had the opportunity to meet with PTA leaders from across the County. I shared a little about my values and my vision for FCPS in the coming years with these community leaders.  I am so grateful for these partnerships who not only advocate for our schools, but also provide resources like after school programs, scholarships, the Reflections program, and many other crucial supports for our students and staff, as well. I will continue to take every opportunity I can to meet with different groups across FCPS so that I can hear the stories of what joins us together because together - all things are possible.

As we close out our first week of student learning, please know that I am here to support you and advocate for you in any way I can.  Education is the most important endeavor in our community and country.  Please help keep me on the right track and let me know when we are doing well and when we may need to adjust our path.  This is a partnership and I look forward to forging authentic relationships with each of you. Building relationships and making connections is critical as we start this new year, and by doing so we can increase student engagement in rigorous and robust learning opportunities. 

Finally, if you have an exciting event, recognition, or activity happening at your school (or department), please think of extending me an invitation to join you. I enjoy being out at student activities and revel in the energy and enthusiasm of learning in real time.  I look forward to taking part in all the wonderful things that FCPS has to offer and I am so excited to continue to make new friends when I visit. As I close out my comments this evening, I was excited to attend my first FCPS football game at Robinson Secondary School as they took on South Lakes High School last Friday evening.  It was great to see our students perform in so many ways, the marching band, cheer squads, dance team, football players, fans, etc.  We have an amazing community!!

It is often said that good organizations respond quickly to change and great organizations create the change.  I look forward to serving and supporting you as we co-create our future together.  We’ve got this!!

Warmest regards,

Michelle Reid, Ed
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools