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Dear Community Members,

So much critical work is happening and I want to be sure you are aware. Here is a summary of big issues impacting our public schools and the children and adults who rely on public education: funding and safety. Be in-the-know!

Funding

The School Board approved the FY 2026 Advertised Budget, on February 20. The budget now resides with our funding authority, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who will determine if the proposed amount will be fully funded. Ultimately the budget will be voted on this spring by the School Board. Fairfax County’s projections are showing that the Superintendent’s budget will not be fully funded. This is not a surprise, since we know that Fairfax County is chronically underfunded by the state for public education services, leaving the burden on our local residents.

For a long time, FX County has banked on three thriving factors to entice individuals, families, and businesses to set up roots here:

1. Access to federal government-related work;
2. Office space, including for national and international headquarters; and
3. Our public schools.

In 2025, federal work is evaporating. 

Commercial tax revenue has decreased year-over-year, leaving office buildings vacant.

That leaves one reason for people to locate here:

 

Fairfax County Public Schools. 

 

Right now, FCPS is the #1 economic and employment generator in Fairfax County. Our biggest asset to retain residents and attract business is our top-quality public school system. Now is the time to insure the public investment in FCPS. 

It will take not only the County’s 22 elected Board members working together, but also importantly, the executives of our two systems who are charged with the daily and long-term operations of our public services: County Executive, Bryan Hill, and FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid. 

See my remarks from the Feb. 18 Work Session and Feb. 20 Regular Board Meeting.

Safety

The Superintendent presents publicly to the Board monthly, topics that are essential to the success of our students, employees, and the public investment in public education. These are done during what’s called Executive Limitation (EL) presentations. In-depth reports are provided, and the Board determines via public vote if the Superintendent has met the requirements of the work. I find this a very helpful component for my duty as a Board Member to hold the Superintendent accountable. The reports are also transparent reports for the public’s knowledge, which then become records for future reference.

The Safety and Security report (EL #13), presented in February, has information that constituents consistently ask me about, including external security cameras at elementary schools (p. 6). This is a wealth of information about school safety that I hope residents will take time to review.  

Relatedly, constituents often ask about increased security staffing at schools. I continue to advocate for this need; however, the state does not provide specific funding for such support. In fact, the state has not budgeted to fund the law enforcement tool from the FBI, called Rap-Back, which provides real-time background check information – something critical when FCPS seeks to hire staff. After years of unsuccessful advocacy to the state, the Superintendent has included nearly half a million dollars in the current proposed budget to fund this annual cost. Public schools should not be paying for law enforcement programs, but we must do what we must do to protect our people.

Stay tuned for information about upcoming town halls I’ll be offering. I look forward to seeing you in the community! 

School Board Updates and Recent Work School Board Approves Advertised Budget to County Board

This budget is one component of the legally sworn duty of this Board, and that is to be stewards of public funds and public expectations to have the best public schools possible.  At the same time, this Board has worked this past year to Get The Money from the General Assembly to fund clear recommendations from its own research, showing that Fairfax County is missing half a billion dollars from the state to provide the level of education we know children need and deserve to be successful. 

Ultimately, the Superintendent’s Advertised Budget, which the School Board approved and is now being considered by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is reasonable – in terms of needs and investments, and in terms of competitive wages for personnel to implement the services. Quality has a cost, and this budget is the bare minimum. We have to invest in our employees, because our people make public schools work.

Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report: Academic Growth and Excellence

The Board approved Dr. Reid’s report regarding academic growth and excellence, which was also discussed at the Board’s February 4, public Work Session. Literacy and continuing with the first year’s implementation of the basal language arts curriculum, Benchmark Advance, remains a core component. The results so far are showing growth in the upward direction. Additionally, of particular interest is increasing students’ proficiency and complexity of math knowledge, as this is a gateway to the majority of up-and-coming careers in the future. FCPS is already out-performing math instruction-related data, as reported by the state of Virginia, regional school divisions, and other large school divisions in America; however, we in FCPS are planning for still further achievement in math – including identifying new materials and expanding access to course offerings to higher level math, across the county and in more grade levels. See the images below for some snapshots.

Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.

Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters. 

While the Governor has sanctioned changing the accountability measures for public education beginning this fall, as Dr. Reid said, “We are not going to raise performance by how we measure students – we have to adjust how we instruct students.”

Something interesting to note: Dr. Reid shared that research about math instruction in the US finds that students spend much time reviewing math content. In contrast, in other nations, students are receiving new content. So it’s not exactly a difference in curriculum, but rather, about use of time. 

Relatedly, FCPS is considering the next K-12 math basal (instructional) materials, during a review and adoption process happening now. Learn more about this math materials review process at this link. Also note that the adoption process includes a 30-day public review period of identified materials, where anyone is welcome to examine potential materials and contribute input to the School Board and Superintendent. 

Hunter Mill Joint Budget Town Hall with Supervisor Walter Alcorn

I'm teaming up with Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn to hold in-person and virtual Budget Town Halls. These meetings will offer you the opportunity to meet with other community members and leaders to discuss issues of importance, including funding for our schools. There are two dates available. I hope to see you there!

In-Person

March 12, 7-8:30pm at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190.

Virtual via Teams:

March 19, 7-8:30pm via Microsoft Teams.

• Link to meeting here
• Meeting ID: 233 620 840 142
• Passcode: TF7ou7fx

🌙⏰Middle School Start Times to Remain in Place for Next School Year

I support later middle school start times. However, the Superintendent is yet to recommend the exact timeline by which such a change would happen. Therefore, there is no planned change to middle school start times for this upcoming school year (SY 25-26). 

At the February 18, public Work Session of the School Board, I stated my commitment to adjusting the start times in a planful manner. You can find the video of the meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel. Ample discussion was had about the recommendations that were transmitted to the Board only as recently as December 2024. Ultimately, the Board and Superintendent did not determine how the work will proceed at this time.   

At this point, I am confident that adjusting middle school start times will be part of the complex work ahead with the comprehensive boundary review. These whole-school-division changes must be considered together, because the components are all connected: including available school buses and drivers, educator staffing, and academic course scheduling.

Additionally, we now have unprecedented disruptions to our local workforce that is connected with the federal government, which impacts the health of our economy. So for one, available tax revenue is precarious for funding public education. While some proposed start time options are projected to cost $0, other options are several million dollars to pay for more school buses and drivers. As a steward of public funds, I need to understand the ramifications on our funding decisions. Secondly, it is not timely to have changes to school schedules when in just the past few weeks, Fairfax has become an unpredictable place to work and live. 

I commit that I will continue seeking an improvement when the time is appropriate.

In the meantime, I hope that parents and families will support their students with getting to bed at a reasonable time, and putting electronics away well before that time. It’s hard work, as I know first hand, but we know it makes a difference. 

Recognizing Vital Operational Professionals

The Board presented proclamations to recognize the essential work of Custodians, Food and Nutrition Services staff, School Bus Drivers, Bus Attendants, and Fairfax County Police-provided Crossing Guards. Some numbers of note:

• School facilities represent an $8.7 billion public investment on the part of the citizens of Fairfax County: FCPS custodial employees ensure facilities are kept clean and in good repair
• The 1,300 Food and Nutrition Services staff serve over 20 million meals per school year to ensure every student has access to healthy meals regardless of food allergies, medical conditions, or cultural and philosophical dietary preferences
• Our 1,037 FCPS bus drivers and 80 van drivers drive a total of 81,404 miles daily to safely transport our 131,000 FCPS student riders to and from 43,329 bus stops; they log in over 16 million miles per school year

Read the Custodian and Food and Nutrition Services Appreciation Proclamation professionals and the School Bus Driver, Bus Attendants, and Crossing Guard Appreciation Month Proclamation.

Upcoming School Board Meetings Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• Thursday, March 13, 7pm - Regular Meeting
• EL-6, Financial Administration
• Strategic Plan Update
• Strategic Plan Goal 4 Report

• Thursday, March 27, 7pm - Regular Meeting
• Strategic Plan Goal 4 Report (Presentation and Vote)
• Security Vestibules Project – Phase 2
• EL-7, Asset Protection
• Basal Resource -Social Studies

Committee Meetings (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Monday, March 17, 4:30pm - Audit Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, March 18, 10am - Public Engagement Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, March 18, 3pm - Governance Committee Meeting
• Thursday, March 20, 7pm - Comprehensive Planning and Development Meeting

Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Tuesday, March 11, 10:30am - All Day Work Session
• Strategic Plan Goal 4 Report
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)

Hunter Mill Happenings Student and Staff Leaders Recognized with Northern Virginia Awards

Three individuals from the South Lakes pyramid were recognized by the Leadership Fairfax program, at a celebration held at Reston Community Center. Congratulations to Dr. Herman Mizell, Langston Hughes Middle School principal, for receiving recognition for excellence in Education at the Northern Virginia Leadership Awards.. Students LucyLynn Tombul from South Lakes High School and Avery McCusker from Langston Hughes Middle School received  the Youth award for their summer clothing drive, in which they collected 567 clothing items to donate to people in need! They completed the project as part of their Girl Scout Silver Award candidacy, and they also received the CORE Foundation Impact Award and Gold Level President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Well done to all of our honorees!

FCPS Student Artists Showcase Incredible Works

This is public education! The Scholastic Art Awards recognize the achievements of students in middle and high school. This is one of my favorite events each year - and this time, I was honored to be able to select pieces to receive an award of recognition by the School Board, as well as pieces for inclusion in the statewide Virginia School Boards Association art contest later this spring! The gallery is open for public viewing until March 13 at the Ernst Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. Silver and Gold Awards Ceremonies will be held on March 4-5 in Annandale, with more information on the art awards webpage.

🎩Armstrong Elementary School Hosts Talent Show🪄

On Feb. 7, the sixth-grade class at Armstrong Elementary School teamed up with former student volunteers to host a schoolwide talent show lasting over two hours! These kids showed dedication to the school community by working hard and staying organized, allowing students and staff to enjoy camaraderie. Congratulations to these students as they prepare to transition to middle school next year. A hearty thank you to Patty Ott for sharing this wonderful moment.

Middle Schools Host Inaugural Spelling Bees 🐝

Thoreau Middle School held the school's first ever Spelling Bee on Feb. 20, with seventh graders winning the top spots! Pictured left to right are Grace Thomas (2nd runner up), Arjun Vohra (2nd runner up), Bryce Blinstrub (1st runner up), and Aaron Erdman (champion). 

Congratulations to the first ever Langston Hughes Middle School Spelling Bee participants who competed on Jan. 28!  The top three finalists are pictured left to right: Heidi Gocong, James Jordan, and Alyssa Nielsen.

Heidi and Aaron will proudly represent their schools in the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 23, 2pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Cunningham Park Elementary School Receives Grant for Garden

Families at Cunningham Park Elementary School can look forward to a Project Learning Garden, as the school was recently awarded a $6000 grant from the Captain Planet Foundation. Environmental education is a passion of mine, and I will continue to advocate for students to learn about nature through hands-on experiences. Well done by the FCPS Get2Green program, who helped to make this happen!

Dogwood PE Teacher Recognized as Outstanding Elementary Teacher

Jason Ericson, physical education teacher at Dogwood Elementary School, was recognized as Outstanding Elementary Teacher for Region 1, Fairfax County Public Schools. We are so fortunate to have dedicated and passionate educators like Mr. Ericson. Teachers deserve our respect and support for the great work they do.

👩‍🎓Herndon MS Principal Completes Final Step Towards PhD

Congratulations to Herndon Middle School Principal Monika Guerrero Vereb (second from left) for defending her dissertation at the College of William and Mary, Feb 4. Her study is entitled “Successful Practices of a Principal Induction Program: A Program Evaluation." Monika’s journey began in 2021 with a toddler and newborn, and she continued to press forward toward her PhD.  This is just a latest testament to how our school leaders seek to learn and advance as education professionals working with our students.

South Lakes Students Recognized at Future Business Leaders of American Regional Competition

South Lakes High School students knocked it out of the park at the Future Business Leaders of America Regional Conference, with 27 students placing in the top three in their categories! Five of them took home first place. They demonstrated an impressive array of skills in information technology, marketing, and so much more. Let’s root them on as they prepare for the Virginia FBLA State Leadership Conference in Reston, April 4-5.

🔊 Students Invited to Share Their Voices at the 2025 Family Summit

The 2025 FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, March 15, 8:30am-3:20pm, at South Lakes High School. At the event, FCPS students will showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. Students may share their work in a share-fair environment through posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. Childcare will be provided. If interested in attending, please register for the event.

Oakton High School Juniors Tackle Oral Cancer Challenge

The robotics team at Oakton High School worked for months to develop an app to detect oral cancer. Juniors Aniketh Bandlamudi, Lauren Kim, Vishal Manikanden, and Malek Swilam started the project when one of them learned that people in developing countries lack access to medical screenings. Read their story at the FCPS website.

Career Day at Langston Hughes Middle School

Langston Hughes Middle School will host its annual Career Day on April 25 to allow students to learn more about job fields from members of the community. My husband Drew and I both have shared our stories; his in geographic information science, and mine in government. If you are interested in sharing your story with the students, please register using this form. If you have any questions, please email Lea Fadden at [email protected].

Other Info of Interest Fairfax Celebrates Black History Month

Fairfax County Public Schools hosted its Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration at Carter G. Woodson Middle School on Feb. 19, and I felt honored and humbled to gather with our community leaders and learn more about the historic struggles for education and equity in our home county. We heard from powerful speakers from students and educators alike as they shared history lessons and insights. The school bears the name of a historic education advocate who started the precursor to what would eventually become Black History Month– it was an appropriate venue for the occasion. 

Ramadan Observed in March

Our Muslim community observes Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, during March. Our FCPS family supports fasting students with a take-home meal kit, which can be requested at the Food and Nutrition webpage. Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate!

SXSW EDU in Austin

The first week of March, I'm at the SXSW Education expo in Austin, TX, with Board colleagues and even South Lakes High School Principals - all here for professional development and learning! This is a preeminent education conference.

Thomas Jefferson Senior in the Finals in National Science Competition

Ray Zhang, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has been named a top 40 finalist at the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025. He will compete in the finals in Washington, D.C., in March.

For his submission, Zhang studied how the fungus Fusarium, which causes infections, forms protective "biofilms" in the body, making treatment difficult.  He then developed a treatment that targets the fungus in multiple ways, potentially improving its effectiveness. His research was impressive at his age, and he has a bright future ahead!

Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations

Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!

Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE. 

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!

Career and Technical Education Opportunities

Our schools provide career and technical education for students to explore their interests. Fairfax County Public Schools produced a promotional video to highlight these opportunities for our families. It’s worth a watch, and I encourage students to utilize the tremendous resources available to them to explore life after high school.

Extending Special Education Supports Beyond High School Graduation

As students in high school approach senior year, they should prepare for changes to their IEP and 504 plans. Virginia law states that as children turn 18, they take responsibility for these plans. Decisions cannot be made without student involvement. FCPS has established a dedicated Transition Planning service to assist those with disabilities and accommodations to succeed after high school, whether at college, technical school, or the workforce. The district has also created a Transition Tool Kit for Families to prepare for life after high school.

In addition to school resources, other groups stand ready to help. Our Stomping Ground is a local nonprofit that helps people with disabilities find affordable housing and a sense of community in Herndon and beyond in Northern Virginia. They do incredible work to create opportunities for all. Please share this information with your friends and family!

Student Essay Competition Hosted by Virginia School Boards Association

Students are invited to compete for scholarships in the Virginia School Boards Association personal essay and speaking contest, with the application deadline of May 5. Applicants can submit and essay or video on the following prompt: 

“Write about how students can be Champions for Impact in their schools and communities. Share personal stories, examples, or ideas that demonstrate how young leaders can use their talents, resilience, and passion to create meaningful change. Reflect on what it means to inspire others, overcome challenges, and leave a lasting legacy through their actions.”

Please see the student essay contest guide for more information.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors. 

Contacting Me

I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

Was this email not addressed to you? Sign up for my newsletters here!

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Melanie K. Meren |  Phone: 571-423-1082 | Facebook

Staff Aide: Jacob Harrer | 571-310-9539

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية| فارسی | اردو

Note: This bulletin contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Hunter Mill Budget Town Halls

Next month, I'm teaming up with Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn to hold in-person and virtual Budget Town Halls. These meetings will offer you the opportunity to meet with other community members and leaders to discuss issues of importance, including funding for our schools. There are two dates available. I hope to see you there!

In-Person

March 12, 7-8:30pm at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190.

Virtual via Teams:

March 19, 7-8:30pm via Microsoft Teams.

• Link to meeting here
• Meeting ID: 233 620 840 142
• Passcode: TF7ou7fx

Contacting Me

I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

 

Was this email not addressed to you? Sign up for my newsletters here!

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Melanie K. Meren |  Phone: 571-423-1082 | Facebook

Staff Aide: Jacob Harrer | 571-310-9539

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية| فارسی | اردو

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Dear Community Members, 

While we are only in the second month of 2025, it feels like enough has happened this year to fill many months. 

The tragedy of the aircraft collision in our region continues to be on so many of our minds and hearts about all the lives lost, which include some of our own FCPS students and family members. Safety is what we all seek, and we have been rattled by this unimaginable event. 

I also must acknowledge the increased anxiety in our community regarding changes in the federal government’s workplace practices, proposed funding, and policy implementation. Constituents - including students, FCPS employees, and residents otherwise - are sharing with me concerns for the safety and well-being of students, new childcare needs arising from adults’ altered commuting schedules, and the risk of relied-upon federal programs. I’ve found that continuing to turn outward - to do work that supports our community and seeks to connect one another - is the way to move forward. I hope you will show up for our schools and speak up for what our community and public schools need. We are stronger together. I look forward to seeing you in the community.

The year begins with the two biggest publicly-funded aspects of our work:

• Public school facilities assets (buildings and grounds), valued at $8.7 billion
• Annual operating budget, proposed at $4 billion

That’s right – as a School Board Member, I am co-responsible for the stewardship of nearly $13 billion. I take this work super seriously, and want to be sure you are aware of what’s happening with this incredible public investment.  

First, about school facilities. Our public school buildings aren't just for PreK-12 instruction – they're used for year round recreational and competitive sports programs, camps, and competitions; concerts and performances; voting places; childcare spaces; community meeting hubs; and food distribution. In 2024, our schools were the site of 500,000 events, via FCPS’ Community Use program. Importantly, these buildings are mostly paid for by voter-approved bonds, not your property taxes - school bonds will be on the ballot this November seeking voter approval. The Capital Improvement Program, which was approved this month, lays out how we'll maintain, renovate, and build new schools, all while looking for ways to make the best use of our public money, just like the Board has asked.

What is unique at this time in FCPS, is that, due to enormous amounts of work by the FCPS Office of Facilities Services and Capital Programs, the Board has more information than ever about the status of our spaces - including buildings, grounds, and athletic spaces. As such, this year’s CIP spotlights the lack of funding for facilities, showing clearly that there is a 45-year renovation cycle for our buildings; however, Board policy, and best practice, sets the cycle at 25-years, which accounts for maximizing the useful life of facility investments.  During my remarks at the Feb. 6 public Regular Meeting, I implored my colleagues to look beyond the status quo of county bonds and focus on giving our students the facilities they need to learn and grow. More information is below about the Board’s public work on this critical topic.

 

Second, the annual operating budget accounts for the instruction of over 181,000 students, and the employment of nearly 26,000 staff members - more than 16,000 of whom are educators. In January, the Superintendent proposed her budget for the upcoming school year (SY25-26), which is Fiscal Year (FY) 26. 

I was pleased with FCPS Superintendent Dr. Reid’s budget proposal, which the School Board will now consider in public meetings, before approving the proposed FCPS budget for the County Board of Supervisors to review. Ultimately, later this spring, the County Board will determine if the approved (proposed) FCPS budget will be fully funded. Here are highlights of the Superintendent’s proposal :

• Providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7.0% salary increase for staff covered by the agreement. 
• Investing in students who require additional support and empowering our educators to meet their educational needs through micro credentialing. 
• Continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool, certified athletic trainers at each of our high schools, family liaisons, fine and performing arts stipends, and replacement of our Human Resources Information System.

View the public budget presentation video and slides, and find on-going information, on the FCPS Budget webpage. The Board will vote publicly to “approve” the “proposed” budget, on February 20. You can hear my thoughts about the budget process in this video clip from the January 23 public Regular Meeting when the budget was presented. 

And yet, our public school system actually needs more money from the state to be a world-class school system, and meet the objectives of our strategic plan by 2030 - $1 billion more from the state. I’m continuing my advocacy to Get The Money for our public schools, including advocating in Richmond (see more information below). 

Finally, I want to introduce my Staff Aide, Jacob Harrer! He recently retired from a 17-year career in public affairs with the U.S. Marine Corps, where he spent eight years in educational assignments including curriculum development at Marine Corps University and educational outreach with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. He brings a background in legislative affairs and political management, too. Jacob is the proud parent of three students at John R. Lewis High School. 

School Board Updates and Recent Work 💰Advocating in Richmond to Get The Money

In January, Board colleagues and I visited Richmond to meet with lawmakers and their staff to Get the Money for our public schools. Virginia ranks 14% below the national average for educational spending per student! This has resulted in our local Fairfax County taxpayers providing an additional $1 Billion annually to run our public schools here! Plus, funds are needed to maintain and update the $8.7 billion in public facilities under the care of FCPS, and used by the whole community. To illustrate this point, I handed out chocolate gold coins, which staff members enjoyed!

Coincidentally, I also spoke with a group of students visiting from Fairfax County. They traveled to Richmond to witness their government in action, and I was impressed by their thoughtful questions and concern for the future. Education is both a duty and a joy, and today’s experience highlighted that funds allocated toward our children and communities are truly valuable investments.

School Board’s Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement with FCPS Employees 

At its January 9 meeting, the Fairfax County School Board unanimously ratified two Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the Fairfax Education Unions. This marked a significant step in the collaborative relationship between the school division and its employees. I was thrilled to cast my vote to approve the historic agreement, which addresses so many important needs for our educators, such as competitive salaries, elementary school planning time, bereavement leave, special education resources, and so much more.

These agreements were reached through a collaborative process, reflecting a shared commitment to support high-quality educational environments for all students. To learn more about these agreements, see here.

Accounting for $8.7 Billion in Facilities: Capital Improvement Program

In January, the Board heard from the Superintendent and her staff, as they explained the current status of our facilities and how much money is required to maintain them to safe and effective standards. To put that into perspective, FCPS manages $8.7 billion in physical assets, which will require $14 billion to maintain and update over the next 25 years! 

Currently, our facilities are funded for renovation and expansion through Fairfax County government bond referendums - meaning that voters decide on the bonds during each November general election. FCPS is allocated $230 million annually from this process; however, this is far short to keep up with back-logged maintenance (like replacing HVAC systems at the end of their useful life) plus planning for renovation and new building into the future (including improved security measures and preparing for net zero energy schools). Without serious investment from funding authorities at state and county levels, the spaces where we learn, work, and gather  will be less effective, and enjoyable. 

The School Board approved the CIP at its public Regular Meeting on February 6. The County Board of Supervisors then will work to establish the bond details for the November general election. Information about the County Board of Supervisors, including contact info and their meeting schedule, is found here.

Advocating  for Pedestrian Safety and Better Traffic Management

Despite years of advocacy, including pedestrian injuries, to fix several locations of unsafe public roadways and sidewalks that students and adults use to get safely to and from schools, too many remain unchanged, and the process takes too long. While the Superintendent’s team proposed a plan, it relies solely on our educators to solve this traffic management problem - that’s not the mission of our schools. Listen to this short video clip from the Jan 14 public Work Session, where I identify the needed partnership from county and state transportation agencies. Also, meeting materials are here.

Thomas Jefferson HS Welcomes Principal Michael Mukai

The Thomas Jefferson High School Class of 2025 showcased their rich diversity through its Taste of TJ fundraiser and cultural night! I enjoyed speaking with the enthusiastic students as they shared delicious dishes from around the world. We had a special guest, the school’s new principal, Michael Mukai! He attended Thomas Jefferson HS as part of its inaugural class, graduating in 1989. We found him in his class photograph, and everyone was amused– especially him! Listen to his welcome remarks here.

Addressing Teacher Shortages with the Hispanic Educators Association

The FCPS Hispanic Educators Association held its annual Board elections, and discussed strategies to improve teacher recruitment that results in more educators of Hispanic heritage instructing students in classrooms. I was on-hand to hear more about the Teach Forward (¡Avanza!), program, a pathway to enable highly qualified FCPS staff members with bachelor’s degrees to become fully licensed teachers within 1-2 years. The program can support up to 100 prospective teachers– a big win for our students!

Upcoming School Board Meetings

*All dates and times subject to change

Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• February 20 at 7pm (FY 2026 Proposed Budget)
• March 13 at 7pm (EL-6, Financial Administration)

Committee Meetings (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• February 11 at 3pm (Governance Committee)
• February 18 at 2pm (Governance Committee)
• February 18 at 5pm (Budget Committee Meeting) 

Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• March 11 at 10:30am (Strategic Plan, Student Rights & Responsibilities)

Hunter Mill Happenings South Lakes Math Teacher Honored with USA’s Highest Awards for Science and Mathematics Educators

South Lakes High School math teacher, Emily Burrell, has been recognized by former-President Joe Biden for her excellence in teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools! 

Ms. Burrell is among 336 teachers and mentors nationwide honored by President Biden as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government. The PAESMEM, established by Congress in 1995, has honored mentors' hard work and dedication in broadening participation in STEM pathways.

These awards acknowledge the essential role that our teachers and mentors play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders — including scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators.

🎼🎺🎶Thoreau Middle School Symphonic Band Recognized for Excellence by Virginia Music Educators Association

Congratulations to the Thoreau Middle School Symphonic Band by the Virginia Music Educators Association for their outstanding performance in Fall 2024. As a clarinet player myself throughout grade school, I loved connecting with these Thoreau students to celebrate their efforts and experience! Music is an essential part of our public education offerings.

Keeping the Promise of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Community members gathered at the Reston Community Center (RCC) to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We heard powerful remarks from social justice advocate, Angela Rye. She shared the importance of  remaining focused and hopeful during dark times, or “midnight”, as stated by the late Reverend King. I was pleased to see community leaders such as Virginia Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra, Virginia Senator Jennifer Boysko, and RCC Executive Director, Bebe Nguyen.

Other Info of Interest Lunar New Year Celebrated

For the past 16 years, the Asian Community Service Center has hosted the Chinese New Year Celebration to bring together our community. The festival features dance, music, and great food! Our Fairfax County school board members and Superintendent Dr. Reid gave remarks and congratulations to the crowd. Jacob Harrer, my staff aide, gave remarks on my behalf and met with elected officials and community members.

Black History Month in our Public Schools

This month we focus more on Black History Month. I have learned so much about the experience of African Americans in America – and I know I have a lifetime of learning to go, to further my knowledge. When the Proclamation by the School Board was shared at our meeting, I learned of many Black individuals through history, who’s contributions led to our way of lives today – in medicine, technology, accessibility, education, and business. Please take a moment to read about these individuals, so you can join me in expanding our knowledge.

FCPS Fosters Innovation with Technology Pilot 

The Lighthouse Schools program will enable FCPS to foster innovation by piloting new technologies and processes at select schools. Our schools will implement leadership development, professional learning and emerging technology such as AI to find new and effective ways to educate our students and train the staff. We will partner with two world-class institutions: the International Society for Technology in Education and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Be on the lookout for more information as we move forward with this exciting initiative.

Virtual Meeting on Community Boundary Review: Feb 10

The last in a series of virtual Community Boundary Review meetings scheduled for early this year is being held on Monday, February 10, 6:30-8:00pm. The virtual meeting follows the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. For the virtual meetings, breakout time is included. 

Please register in advance on this link, here. To ensure a meaningful experience for participants, this  virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants, and each participant will receive their own unique Zoom link. Language interpretation is available. See  FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

🔊 Students Invited to Share Their Voices at the 2025 Family Summit

Students are invited to showcase their projects and advocacy efforts at the upcoming 2025 FCPS Family Summit on Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School— to apply, participants must submit this Google Form by Monday, February 17. Students can share their work in a share-fair environment through posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. This is a great resume-building opportunity to highlight inclusivity in schools, and students can earn service hours as well.

9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Students: Apply to be the Next Student Representative on the School Board: By Feb 24

Every year, FCPS students get the exciting chance to apply for the position of student representative to the School Board. Students must be in grades 9, 10, or 11, live in Fairfax County or Fairfax City, and attend a Fairfax County Public School to be eligible. 

To apply, candidates must submit a written component by Monday, February 24, and a 30-second candidate video statement by March 26.  Applicants will receive an email with a link to record a video on March 17. The election process kicks off with a virtual Primary Election on April 3 followed by an in-person General Election on April 9 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. For more information and to apply, please visit the school board representative application webpage.

Although the student representative doesn't have voting power, they play a crucial advisory role, representing the voices and interests of all Fairfax County Public Schools' students. The representative is elected by the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC), where student delegates cast their votes.

Our current representative is Megan Sawant of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She has served us well with her wise insights and enthusiastic attitude. She shared her experiences in a recent video.

  Girls Who Code Summer Programs: Apply by Feb 26

The Girls Who Code (2025 Summer Programs Application is open! Apply by February 26 for priority consideration; the final deadline is April 11. High school girls and nonbinary students can build coding skills, explore tech careers, and join a supportive community through two no-fee programs. The Summer Immersion Program offers a two-week virtual game design experience with live classes, industry advice, and potential for $300 grants plus laptop/hotspot access. Pathways is a six-week self-paced program exploring AI, data science, cybersecurity, and web development, with real-world projects and career insights. 

🥫 Help Restock Food Pantries: Through March 1 

Stuff the Bus is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 14th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County.

You can help stuff the bus at select locations. Visit the Stuff the Bus webpage for locations and a full list of requested items.

Science Fair Judges Needed: Now through March 22 

Science Fairs across Fairfax County are looking for judges from the community to help in future at high school science fairs including the Region Science and Engineering Fair on March 22 at Robinson Secondary School. Find more information here.

American Youth Climate Summit: March 29 

🌍🌱The American Youth Climate Summit will be held on Saturday, March 29, at American University. This event is designed to empower students to tackle climate challenges and build a sustainable future through inspiring keynote talks, interactive workshops, and networking with leaders in the field.

This summit is a great opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of climate issues, develop leadership skills, and take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. You can register here.

Scholarships from Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Apply by April 1

Fairfax County high school seniors (or college freshmen) can apply by Tuesday, April 1, to receive a $1,000 Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts, to support post-secondary studies related to natural resource conservation. Additionally, the scholarship winner will be considered by the  Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ Educational Foundation to receive one of four $2,000 state-wide scholarships! 

Learn more and apply for the Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship.

🧹Clean Fairfax Community Cleanup Program

Want to clean up your neighborhood? The Clean Fairfax’s Community Cleanup Program will send you free supplies to support your event, such as gloves, trash bags, and safety vests. No gathering is too small, so reach out and request your cleaning supplies!

Contacting Me

I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

Was this email not addressed to you? Sign up for my newsletters here!

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Melanie K. Meren |  Phone: 571-423-1082 | Facebook

Staff Aide: Jacob Harrer | 571-310-9539

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The Fairfax County School Board welcomes public comment on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget at a Public Hearing. This public hearing is scheduled to take place at the Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

The Speaker's List opened at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025 and is now open through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025. The Fairfax County School Board Office will notify speakers (via email) the morning of February 4, 2025.

• Register to Speak at the Budget Public Hearing (in-person or live via Zoom)
• FY 2026 Proposed Budget
• Information on Speaking at School Board Meetings
• Watch School Board meetings and public hearings.

Any questions, written statements, and copies of testimony may be submitted to [email protected].

 

FY 2026 Proposed Budget Timeline

• Division Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid presented the FY 2026 Proposed Budget to the School Board at the January 23, 2025 regular meeting.
• The School Board will hold work sessions on the proposed budget on February 4, 2025 and February 18, 2025.
• The School Board will hold a public hearing on February 4, 2025.
• The School Board will take action to approve the Advertised Budget at the February 20, 2025 regular meeting.

Upcoming Regular School Board Meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Luther Jackson Middle School, at 7:00 p.m.

The Fairfax County School Board

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The Fairfax County School Board welcomes public comment on the proposed FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program at a Public Hearing. This public hearing is scheduled to take place at the Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

The Speaker's List opened at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 26, 2024 and is now open through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025. The Fairfax County School Board Office will notify speakers (via email) the morning of January 14, 2025.

• Register to Speak at the CIP Public Hearing (in-person or live via Zoom)
• Proposed FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program
• Information on Speaking at School Board Meetings
• Watch School Board meetings and public hearings.

Any questions, written statements, and copies of testimony may be submitted to [email protected].

Upcoming Regular School Board Meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Luther Jackson Middle School, at 7 p.m.

The Fairfax County School Board

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Dear Community Members,

Here we are, at the end of 2024. Reflecting on the year that’s been, I want to share these highlights of the School Board’s work and the work that I’ve led, in the effort to ensure each student has a meaningful education. 

2024 in Review:

1. Provided a 4% raise for FCPS employees
2. Worked to Get The Money for our chronically underfunded schools, presented about it to 40+ Virginia School Board Members at state conference 
3. Renewed Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s contract through June 2028
4. Updated two critical policies: School Boundary Policy, which began a full boundary review process; and Grading and Reporting Policy, which spurs further review of grading practices by the Superintendent
5. Considered changing middle school start times 
6. Held inaugural seasons of boys volleyball and girls wrestling 
7. Initiated full, independent review of athletics transfer practices 
8. Served as Vice Chair for the new Board at start of the year
9. Attended five graduations in spring, and 20+ back-to-school events in fall 
10. Helped retain crossing guards in Vienna 
11. Ensured facilities upgrades where Hunter Mill students attend: Louise Archer renovation completed, Crossfield and Armstrong underway; outdoor classrooms at Herndon, Kilmer, Thoreau, Madison, Marshall, Oakton, South Lakes, Westfield; stadium bathrooms at South Lakes, Marshall, Thomas Jefferson; playgrounds for Wolftrap and Flint Hill

What’s coming in 2025:

1. Working to Get the Money continues with the General Assembly beginning on January 8; know who your state legislators are, find them here.
2. Boundary review process continues - draft scenarios expected to the Board publicly in the spring, followed by much community engagement in summer and fall (decisions for changes expected in 2026) 
3. Considering middle school start time changes continues
4. Review of athletic transfers process per delivered report
5. Elect Virginia’s next Governor, Lt Governor, and Attorney General, plus vote on local school construction bonds, on November 4.

And more! 

I wish you a joyful and peaceful winter break and holiday season. 

🚧 School Board Updates and Recent Work Boundary Review Work: Community Meeting this Wednesday, December 18, then onward into 2025

Please join me at the community meeting this month about the boundary review process, at Madison High School on Wednesday, December 18, beginning at 6:30 and ending at 8:00pm. This will conclude this segment of community meetings, but more will continue in 2025. To remain updated, subscribe to the new Boundary review update News You Choose newsletter, and also visit this webpage, here. 

Consideration of Earlier Middle School Start Times

The Board considered publicly on December 3, findings from research and community engagement conducted throughout this year on options for adjusting middle school start times to be later than the current 7:30am, with the goal of improving adolescent health by increasing time for sleep. See materials here. I remain committed to implementing adjustments that prioritize students’ health, per the undeniable research about the impact of sleep on adolescents. However, I also am committed to providing plenty of advanced notice to the staff and the community in the event of changes, and making any changes as smoothly as possible - including in conjunction with any boundary changes. The Superintendent will return to the Board publicly in February with her recommendations on how to proceed.

Directing a Comprehensive and Independent Review of All Student Athlete Transfers And Eligibility Practices For All High School Athletics

I voted publicly on December 5, to approve an external, comprehensive, and independent review of all student athlete transfers and eligibility practices for all high school athletics across FCPS schools, starting with a review of Hayfield High School, and to report its findings to the School Board and Superintendent. The details of that action are found here. As I shared in my public remarks, I made decisions and raised conversations with the Board and Superintendent over these last months, using the information I had best available to me at those times. Ultimately it is the Superintendent’s responsibility to implement athletics programs and as such, the Board has directed that this situation be fully examined and resolved in our duty to hold the Superintendent accountable for fair athletic competitions among FCPS teams.

I am eager to receive the results of the report in the new calendar year, and ensure that changes happen so this situation never occurs again. 

Kicking off 2025 with Facilities, and Pedestrian Traffic and Safety 

The Board’s work of 2025 begins with a huge topic: our facilities. This is the heart of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that offers a five year capture of all things facilities related (including boundaries and school capacities). The CIP is the topic of the Board’s first public Work Session of 2025, January 14. 

Then, the Board will vote publicly on approving the CIP, as this is connected to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors’ work to set the public bonds that will be on your ballot in November, determining funding for our schools. Note: the annual FCPS budget of over $4 billion does not include the costs to renovate nor build new facilities. The $4 billion is what it takes to run our schools annually, and most of it funds the employment of over 40,000 employees who make FCPS work for students. 

Stay tuned for more info about the CIP and bond process in the new year. Please learn about this critical aspect of FCPS, share your thoughts and advocate - to FCPS and to the County Board of Supervisors who are ultimately responsible for the Bond Program.  

📅 Upcoming School Board Meetings

All times and topics subject to change

• Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 3 p.m. - Closed Meeting
• Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 5 p.m. - City/County Board Meeting
• Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 7:30 p.m. - City/County Dinner
• Thursday, December 19, 2024, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting 

How to watch meetings and sign up to speak

• Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99.
• Work Sessions and Regular Meetings are recorded and available here after the meeting on the School Board YouTube channel. 
• Watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, at FCPS en Español YouTube channel. Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR. 
• Information about signing up to speak at a regular meeting or at Public Hearings.
• Latest schedule of School Board Meetings

Hunter Mill Happenings Lego Leaders from Floris Elementary

The Rainbow Radishes, comprised of 5th grade students at Floris Elementary, are building big success, as the First Lego League Division 1 Champions!

🐦Cardinals Caring for Cardinals

The mentoring of first graders by sixth graders at Cunningham Park Elementary School is the brainchild of 6th grader Ruth Gaffiney, with the support of Principal Allison Hoak and the Cardinal staff. Read about this inspiring effort here.

Play On at Flint Hill Elementary

Outdoor play will soon have a new look at Flint Hill ES, since the School Board approved installation of a new playground here! Recess and outdoor play must be part of the instructional program, and this is why I keep advocating for play spaces that are safe, accessible, and developmentally appropriate for students - including middle school students and even high school students! 

Other Info of Interest Update on Hiring and Retaining Educators

• Over 2,000 teachers hired in 2024, as of December 1, 2024.
• Teacher departures decreased by 37.6% from School Year (SY) 2022 to SY 2024, with 22.6% of 2024 departures due to retirements.
• The vacancy rate has halved from July 2023 to July 2024. In addition, there are currently fewer than 120 instructional vacancies remaining. Weekly hiring trends show consistent progress in reducing vacancies, even with 16,000+ teaching positions.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and audibly (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

School Board’s Student Representative receives VSBA Scholarship

At the Virginia School Boards Association's (VSBA) annual convention, in Williamsburg, my Board colleagues and I were thrilled to publicly congratulate our Student Representative, Megan Sawant, for receiving a $1,000 scholarship from VSBA!

Reston Planning & Zoning Committee Seeks New Members

New members are sought to serve starting 2025. This independent advisory committee reviews land use and planning proposals in the Reston Comprehensive Plan area, making recommendations to me and the Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner. Reston residents interested in serving should apply by Jan. 10. Application form.

December is...

National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Budhi Day

Bodhi Day, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

Christmas

🎄 A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts.

Chanukah

🕎 Happy Chanukah to all in our community who celebrate! This Festival of Lights is an 8-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple, and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple's menorah for 8 days.

Contacting Me

I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

Was this email not addressed to you? Sign up for my newsletters here!

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual School Board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Melanie K. Meren |  Phone: 571-423-1082 | Facebook | Twitter

Staff Aide: Chris Pinkerton | 571-423-1070

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Dear Community Members,

The month of November is full of work as I represent our community and advocate for our students, staff, and public schools. 

This week I was at the Virginia School Boards Association's (VSBA) annual convention, in Williamsburg, where I had many leadership roles. I presented a workshop on how we together can Get The Money, per the findings of the General Assembly’s 2023 report showing that Virginia chronically underfunds public education. I also represented our Board as a Delegate in the VSBA membership’s decision-making body about the organization’s focus in the year ahead. Additionally, as Vice Chair of the Northeastern region, I facilitated a convening of Members from the 13 School Board member regions in Northern Virginia.

Already this month, I’ve worked on critical topics for our school division, including revising the grading policy (Nov 12 work session), and understanding the fiscal forecast for FCPS’ annual budgeting work that kicks off in late January. You can read this local news FXX Now article where I’m quoted, to learn more.

I recognize that the turmoil regarding some football teams in our school division has had repercussions felt across programs countywide. First and foremost, my concern has been for the student athletes of the teams involved. I also believe that *all* of our athletes deserve to compete in fair circumstances. 

I have made decisions and raised conversations with the Board and Superintendent over these last months, using the information I had best available to me at those times. Ultimately it is the Superintendent’s responsibility to implement athletics programs. 

As such, given where the situation stands now, I fully support the statement and direction shared by the Superintendent, sent via email to our community. We must have alignment, consistency, and fairness in *every* school, in *every* program. I am anxious to swiftly improve things for the future. 

Regarding the on-going boundary study work: I’ll be at two of the six Boundary Review Community Meetings to hear public input:

• Region 5 (Westfield HS, Monday, December 2 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.)
• Region 1 (Madison HS, Wednesday, December 18 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.)

Your ideas and feedback will help inform this important work to better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, student health and wellness, and evolving community needs. In the meantime, please visit the Boundary Review webpage for more information and the full meeting schedule. 

I attended my first meeting as the Board’s Liaison to our Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC). The discussion was about access to International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses (both of which can allow students to earn college credit). Particularly, needs were identified to better make these opportunities known to students, including ensuring how to build a pathway from earlier grades that leads to the ability to enroll successfully in secondary coursework. (More on that, below!)

November is VSBA’s, “Take Your Legislator to School” month, and I’ve been proud to host several of our elected state leaders, including: Senator Jennifer Boysko, Senator Saddam Salim, Delegate Irene Shin, and Delegate Holly Seibold. We visited McNair Upper, McNair Primary, South Lakes High, Thoreau Middle, and Vienna Elementary. 

Topics discussed included: 

• Preparing teachers to educate students in using Artificial Intelligence; 
• Security of buildings and safe routes to schools, and how to get needed dedicated funding from county, state, and federal sources;
• Building and field renovations and how modern designs support optimal learning; 
• Fully funding preschool for ages 3 and 4, beyond the about 3,000 spots total that Fairfax currently can offer.

Finally, our collective advocacy is more important than ever. Your voices amplify the work I do on your behalf. At a recent Marshall Road Elementary PTA meeting, I was asked what individuals can do to advocate for needs - particularly safety and security, in that discussion. Here is what I shared: 

• Contact your state lawmakers and county elected representatives; ask to meet with them to share your views; attend their town halls (many will have these in January and February). The months from December through March are important, because this is when decisions are being made about laws and funding. Look up your representatives on this link. 
• Read my newsletters! 😊 I try to highlight and summarize info you can use.
• Vote every year in Virginia’s elections. In 2025, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General are up for office, as well as all 100 House of Delegate seats. There are no “off years” in Virginia for elections. 

🚧 School Board Updates and Recent Work Renewed Division Superintendent Contract With Dr. Reid

The School Board unanimously voted to renew the contract of Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for an additional four years, effective November 14, 2024. The new contract will run through June 2028. Visit BoardDocs for more information.

Funding to Complete the Initial Phases of a Comprehensive Facility Condition Assessment

I voted to authorize $3 million in funding from the School Board Flexibility Reserve to be combined with the $2 million previously allocated in FY 2023, to invest in the future of our facilities. This funding will be used to complete the initial phases of a comprehensive Facility Condition Assessment of all FCPS-owned school buildings, facilities (including athletic facilities), and infrastructure (including tracked and untracked).

Secondary Course Offerings

Since experiencing the course selection process for myself as a parent of a now-Freshman early this calendar year, I have analyzed and identified where FCPS can better communicate in a more timely and fulsome way with students, families, and staff about course selection and the pathway to success after graduation. I’ve discussed with the Superintendent my findings, which also incorporate much input from constituents. I am pressing for improved communications for the upcoming course selection season that begins this winter, and thereafter, more consistent, complete, and timely information throughout the secondary school years so that all know how to access the array of incredible learning opportunities that FCPS offers. 

This relates to the School Board vote to approve changes to the list of middle and high school course offerings for the 2025-26 school year, as recommended by the Course Review Committee. Visit BoardDocs for more information.  

Recognizing Accessibility in Reston 

The Reston Accessibility Committee (RAC) joined me in recognizing FCPS’ Manager of  ADA Infrastructure Projects, Patrick Bayne, for promoting barrier-free access for people with mobility disabilities throughout school parking lots in Reston. Thank you to the RAC volunteers for compiling input and assessments of our schools, which are community investments for all that are used seven days a week!

38 New Schools Recognized for Supporting Military-Connected Families

Virginia is home to over 75,000 military connected school age students, more than any other state in the nation, and FCPS welcomes and supports the over 13,500 military connected youth and their families who are part of our school community.

Thirty-eight Fairfax County public schools were recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2024 Purple Star Schools. View the full list of new Purple Star Schools and the current 69 Purple Star schools.

Superintendent Reid has established a goal for FCPS to become a Purple Star Division — with 100% of our schools earning their Purple Star Designation — by the 2026-27 school year. Virginia’s Purple Star Designation recognizes schools for excelling in their support of military-connected students. Read more about our Purple Star Division plan.

Installation of outdoor classroom at Kilmer Middle and Louise Archer Elementary!

Since the recent Board approval of outdoor classrooms for numerous FCPS schools, Kilmer Middle School was selected to be one of the first for installation. I also see that students at Louise Archer ES are enjoying their fully installed outdoor learning space.

📅 Upcoming School Board Meetings

All times and topics subject to change

• Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 10:30 a.m. - Work Session
• Thursday, December 5, 2024, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting 

How to watch meetings and sign up to speak

• Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99.
• Work Sessions and Regular Meetings are recorded and available here after the meeting on the School Board YouTube channel. 
• Watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, at FCPS en Español YouTube channel. Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR. 
• Information about signing up to speak at a regular meeting or at Public Hearings.
• Latest schedule of School Board Meetings

Hunter Mill Happenings Volunteer with students at South Lakes HS’ Ethics Day Ethics Day offers South Lakes High School students a valuable opportunity to engage in discussions and debates on real-world dilemmas. It also allows classmates to interact with each other and connect with members of our community. Adult volunteers are needed on Monday, November 25, from, 9 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in Reston, to help make this a success! See more info on the link. Thank you ….   Thank you Reston Chamber of Commerce and its members for generously volunteering their time to host this annual event. Marshall Road Elementary School celebrates the strength of multilingual learners. 

The incredible parent volunteer effort at Marshall Road ES brought an event to the Vienna community, to highlight that multilingual learners - also known as “English Language Learners” - have strength in knowing more than one world language. Dynamic speaker Dr. Jóse Luis Zelaya, underscored that by learning more than the typical home conversational language - such as language to communicate about STEM, government, business, and more - students can leverage their skills as multilingual learners and ultimately, coveted professionals in the workforce. I was glad to be there to meet families and hear Dr. Zelaya’s inspiring remarks.   

Culturama Event at Colvin Run Elementary School

Colvin Run Elementary School hosted its Culturama event, showcasing over 30 different cultures embodied by the student population.

Langston Hughes Middle School Happenings

Langston Hughes Middle School has had a busy start to the fall season. First there was a Fall Festival held outside at the school, including a costume contest. Also, the Choral performed at FCPS’ Gatehouse central office building and had its first concert.

Herndon High seeks nominations for Sports Hall of Fame

The Herndon High School Sports Hall of Fame is accepting nominations. More information and the link to submit is here: Herndon High School Athletics Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Student musicians at statewide conference in Norfolk

Hunter Mill students are among others selected for the prestigious All-Virginia Jazz Band, Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Senior Honors Choir, and All-Virginia Elementary Orff Ensemble! 

Additionally, the Thoreau Middle School Symphonic Band played at the VMEA conference, a selective honor!

Other Info of Interest FCPS Trust Policy provides safety to students

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Government's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. The FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage shares the policy and regulation in multiple languages. If you feel someone has violated the Trust Policy, please email [email protected].

Special Education Dispute Resolution Survey

The Commission on Youth, a bipartisan legislative commission of the Virginia General Assembly, is conducting a study on how to improve Virginia’s special education dispute resolution system. The Commission is seeking feedback from parents, agency professionals, attorneys, advocates, teachers and others. The Special Education Dispute Resolution Process Survey uses Google Forms. Some workplaces may not allow access to the form so you may need to access the survey from a home computer, library computer, or cell phone. This survey closes on Friday, November 22, 3 p.m.

Special Education Parent Involvement Survey for SY 2023-24 

All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are requested to complete the VDOE annual Parent Involvement Survey. This survey is open through December 13, 2024. Please complete one survey for each of your children who received special education services during the 2023-2024 school year.

Ensuring Safe and Inclusive Dining for All Students 

To assist families whose children have specific dietary requirements, FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services department has developed a set of forms for dietary accommodations. These forms help ensure that cafeteria staff have the information necessary to provide safe meal options without sharing sensitive medical details. If your student requires dietary modifications, please review these forms and submit the appropriate one if applicable. All forms can be submitted by email to [email protected], and once processed, Registered Dietitians from FCPS will contact parents directly. These accommodations remain valid throughout your child’s time in FCPS, so only one submission is needed. Also, please note:

• FCPS does not serve pork in school meals.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily without the need for form submission.
• For students with severe, life-threatening food allergies, we recommend working with the school’s 504 team for additional support.

Update on Hiring and Retaining Educators

Collective Bargaining

FCPS continues working through the new process for collective bargaining, with the goal of ensuring that employees feel seen, heard, and supported, and will position FCPS as an employer of choice. As this addresses personnel matters, the Superintendent leads this work, not the School Board. A first bargaining agreement was reached *tentatively* on October 31, with a focus on affordable healthcare for employees. Having this process in place is an asset for our school division.

Addressing Teacher Shortage through Alternative Licensure Pathways

FCPS is working to increase the availability of licensed educators during the continued national shortage of such positions. One initiative is designing the Avanza! Teach Forward program, created to help 100 of underrepresented and underemployed staff earn their teaching licenses through the iteach certification program. Additionally, HR is working with partner universities on grant applications for teacher apprenticeship programs and actively exploring further pathways to support a variety of pathways to teacher licensure. 

Additionally, participation in multiple recruitment fairs locally and in other locations nationally, including to appeal to diverse educators, including those of Hispanic heritage. 

Art Opportunities: Call for student art, and view educators’ art

Annual Marine Debris Program Art Contest: submit by December 13

The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an annual art contest to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris. Marine debris is a global issue and engaging our youth is an important part of addressing the problem. NOAA will publish a calendar featuring the winning artwork that provides a daily reminder of how important it is for us to be responsible stewards of the ocean. Learn more about the Marine Debris Art Program and apply by Friday, December 13, 2024. We’ve had a Hunter Mill student, from Floris ES, win this national contest in the recent past! 

17th Annual Artist Teacher Exhibition: Materiality

Workhouse Arts Center and FCPS present the 17th Annual Artist Teacher Exhibition: Materiality. Featured are artworks in a wide variety of media by FCPS art teachers who teach Kindergarten-12th grade students. This exhibition explores how artists use materials to push boundaries, challenge perceptions, and create meaning. Now through November 30, on Saturdays from 11:00am - 6:00pm. If you’ve neve visited this art facility, it is a fascinating part of Fairfax and capital-area history! 

November is...

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives. 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs. 

National School Psychology & Social Worker Week

Last week we celebrated the important work school psychologists and social workers do to help all students thrive. Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Social Workers. Below is a photo of school psychologists and social workers who came to our Board meeting on 11/14.

Thanksgiving

Schools and offices will be closed November 27-29. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving.

Contacting Me

I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

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The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual School Board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Melanie K. Meren |  Phone: 571-423-1082 | Facebook | Twitter

Staff Aide: Chris Pinkerton | 571-423-1070