Hello Team FCPS,

Well, it is the last full week of summer and next week starts our fall season. I must say it is a moment when I finally turn the heat on in the car for the morning commute ;>) There are so many celebrations as we mark the changing of the season. Our epic start of school has been executed and we are working collaboratively to problem solve challenges that continue to give us pause. We are practicing patience with one another, embracing kindness, not allowing perfection to be the enemy of progress, and enjoying the remarkable traditions this great division treasures as we learn into the future together. I love that we continue to re-imagine the possibilities…

Monday evening, I attended Back to School night at Cherry Run Elementary School with principal Mark Bibbee. We visited several classrooms including the Intellectual Disabilities (ID) classroom, first grade, and kindergarten classrooms. During the visit to the ID classroom, we met parents and students, answered a few questions, and reviewed the presentation of the teachers. While walking the halls, we met several parents and PTA members. I listened as parents shared the desire for fewer online textbooks and more paper books that children can hold and read. Reducing screen time for students was also a hot topic that is on the minds of our educators and administrators. Lastly, we discussed the changes that were implemented in our reading instruction and the positive impact it has had on students and the school. With the implementation of the Science of Reading, Cherry Run scored their highest Reading SOL pass rate ever! Go Cardinals!

I also attended Back to School Night at Silverbrook ES with principal Pamela Simpkins touring me through a number of classrooms.

It was an inspiring evening with Principal Simpkins sharing; “Silverbrook is a wonderful caring school with a supportive parent community and dedicated teachers.” After visiting I agree with this assessment. 

Tuesday evening, I visited Whitman Middle School for their Back to School Night with Principal John Flowers and his staff sharing the excitement for the upcoming school year. We have so many reasons to be grateful here in FCPS. I especially appreciated the hard work of the staff and the student ambassadors. 

I stopped by Madison High School Wednesday for the first Director of Student Activities (DSA) meeting of the year. Our DSA team is a vital part of keeping our students healthy and engaged through participation in athletics and other activities which foster teamwork, confidence, and collaboration. Students often make lifelong connections and find ways to express themselves in these moments. Participation in activities after school or in the community is also one of the protective factors that promote the health and well-being of children. Providing these opportunities to each and every student is important work. Thank you for all that you do!

Next was a meeting between FCPS’ Office of Auditor General (OAG) and the Vietnamese Treasury Office, including their finance minister.

It was an opportunity for FCPS to showcase our OAG team’s world class processes, standards, and audit techniques. As I shared with our visitors, part of what makes FCPS so special is our spirit of collaboration, innovation, and transparency. In our interconnected world, these values are imperative in meeting the needs of our young people and our communities!

I finished off the evening with visits to Oakton and Graham Road elementary schools (pictured above) for their Back to School Night events. I was welcomed at Graham Road Elementary School by principal Lauren Badini and her team. We had the chance to talk about instruction and how Team FCPS is working across the division to help our students meet their potential. Oakton ES Principal Christine Kelley toured me through the school and shared her vision for the future. We are so grateful for the collective vision of this great community. 

Thursday morning, I toured the Pulley Career Center with Principal Peter Kelly. Pulley is one of two Career Centers in FCPS where adult students with disabilities focus primarily on workplace readiness and independent living skills. Sofia (pictured below) introduced herself to me during the tour. We had a great conversation about the programming and our future.

My heart beats strongest in schools and I am grateful to Sofia and all of our students for trusting us and sharing their lives with us. This work matters! Administrative assistant Alejandra Navarrete was kind enough to share several thoughts: 

Pulley currently has 18 community partners, and each classroom works directly with one of these partners for students to get community work experiences. Pulley students typically go to their assigned community worksites 5 days a week for the majority of the school day. First, Dr. Reid visited the FCPS Library Support Services classroom. Students in this classroom go to the Library Support Services warehouse off of Industrial Road to help process new library books that come into FCPS. A big shout out to Ms. Terry Rihl and her staff for helping support Pulley students! Next, Dr. Reid visited the Fort Hunt Elementary School classroom. Pulley students perform a variety of tasks at Fort Hunt 5-days a week, such as main office and mailroom tasks, cleaning in the library, shelving and fronting/facing books, and supporting in the cafeteria. A big thank you to Principal Caines, Ms. Emily Jones, Special Education Lead, and Ms. Wise, Librarian, and all Fort Hunt ES staff for supporting Pulley students! The last stop was the Building and Trades Classroom.  Students in this classroom split time going to the Franconia Rec Center and working directly in the classroom/shop area. While at the Rec Center, students help with both inside and outside tasks to include basic landscape work, general cleaning tasks, working the front desk welcoming guests, etc. Staff at the Franconia Rec Center are amazingly supportive of Pulley students.

Thank you, Pulley team, for what you do for each and every one of our students, it matters!

In a Fairfax Inspires moment… I visited Katherine Johnson Middle School Thursday afternoon to help recognize science teacher Eric Haapapuro with the Fred Rogers Institute Helper award.

The Fred Rogers Institute at St Vincent’s College presents this award to “honor and recognize the individuals who care for children and communities in ordinary and extraordinary ways in their daily and professional lives.” Eric’s dedication to helping others has spanned across his work in medicine, law enforcement, and aviation. Now as a teacher with FCPS, Eric’s known for uplifting and supporting his students. He’s taught himself Spanish to be able to communicate with his English Language students and he keeps healthy snacks in his classroom for those facing food insecurity. As Mr. Rogers said, “Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me.” Thank you, Eric. You are a hero to ALL of us!

Congratulations also to Edison High School students Maya Manchester and Laiba Ali! They recently received the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Global Youth Action Fund grant, which is awarded to students who are working to address global challenges such as poverty, sustainability, or social justice.

Maya and Laiba’s award-winning initiative is Period101, a US 501(c)(3) dedicated to fighting period poverty through personalized "period product kits." Founded in 2022, the Edison Period 101 chapter has made hundreds of kits, hosted educational events, and created a letter-writing campaign to advocate for change in state laws. This school year, they aim to establish additional chapters throughout Northern Virginia and North Carolina. Way to go, Maya and Laiba! In my time here at FCPS, I don’t think there’s been a single day where I wasn’t inspired by the innovation and drive of our students!

During Thursday evening’s School Board meeting Academic Matters segment, I provided an update on FCPS’ COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.

Our Compensatory Education Plan provides supports for students with disabilities who experienced pandemic-related impacts to their learning. Over the last several months, compensatory services meetings with currently enrolled and formerly enrolled FCPS families have helped us determine how to best provide that support. I’m pleased to report that we’ve almost completed these compensatory services meetings. 

As our Compensatory Education Plan winds down, we’ll be continuing to engage families to schedule outstanding meetings and address outstanding reimbursement requests. I want to give a big thank you to Team FCPS for your diligence — and patience during this unique process. 

This morning I had the opportunity to connect with the community by participating in the 5K with the Chantilly based Asha Jyothi philanthropic organization. I appreciate all the students, families, and staff who participated and the generous spirit of all involved; it matters. 

It is always a treat to be a part of our Fairfax County student activities with their trademark energy and passion.  “It’s the little things in life that lead to the big.” – Rose Zadra. I trust that each of you will enjoy a week ahead abundant in joyful activities both large and small.

All the best and take good care,

Best,

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