Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
What a glorious first fall weekend. I trust you have each found time to get outdoors, even if only for a little bit. I took many of your suggestions and spent yesterday morning at Great Falls National Park. It was after all National Public Lands Day yesterday ;>)
I took my challenge to explore Virginia to a new level last weekend! I drove to Surry County at the invitation of Rick Kelly, a senior technology support specialist with FCPS. Rick invited me to attend the Nottoway Indian Tribe’s annual Powwow. As Rick explained, the modern Powwow is a combination of a family reunion, cookout, and worship service. Rick was the master of ceremonies, but took the time to introduce me to Chief Lynette Allston. What a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Nottoway’s rich history in the Commonwealth. I shared the picture below of Chief Allston, myself, and Rick on my Instagram account. If you are on Instagram, I’d love for you to follow me @fcpssupt.
Learning happens best in community. Sunday morning, I joined the 14th annual Asha-Jyothi 5K race to raise funds to support access to education and healthcare for children and families in our community. There were more than 300 competitors, including students from 26 FCPS schools! In 2018, Asha-Jyothi supported the creation of the Innovation Lab at Chantilly High School. Thank you to Asha-Jyothi and all of our community partners who invest in the success of our children. It was also a great opportunity to get outdoors and get active ;>)!!
Did you know that all FCPS students have access to free bus passes for the Fairfax Connector and the Cue? In 2018, a pilot program started at Justice High School that expanded to offer free Metrobus access on certain routes. Since then, students have taken more than 110,000 free Metrobus trips in Northern Virginia! Thursday morning, I attended an event at Marshall High School to celebrate the program’s expansion to students from Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools. Lack of access is a lack of opportunity. Affordable transportation is a critical barrier for students who need to reach important services, jobs, and other activities. Breaking down those barriers gives our students independence and opportunity that is critical to their success. This is the work of moving mountains and enabling equitable access.
Monday, I visited Powell Elementary School, the only Korean immersion school in FCPS. Principal Jamie Luerssen and School Board Member Stella Pekarsky showed me the partner teaching model for first grade immersion. In Hae-Jin Kim’s class, students study math, science, and health in Korean. Next door, her partner teacher, Catherine Fahey, led students through the day’s sight words as a part of her language arts instruction. They all gave me a warm welcome and displayed being “Responsible Citizens of the World.” I had the honor of ‘spinning the wheel’ at the front of the classroom. Luckily the wheel landed on a ‘sparkle star’ and I got to help the class earn extra stars for more recess time;>) That brought a big smile to everyone’s face! Thank you also to Carsen Leeder and Kristen Bunch for introducing me to your students and showing caring culture, collaboration, and communication in your classrooms. When I remarked on the beautifully kept grounds, Principal Luerssen gave a special shout out to Hoang Nyugen and his custodial team. I truly appreciate every one of our custodians around FCPS and all the work they do to keep our communities beautiful, it matters!!
Onto Brookfield Elementary School, where 2022 Outstanding Principal of the Year Ellen Mukai, Board Member Stella Pekarsky, and Assistant Principal Jennifer Hutchinson joined me to release monarch butterflies with second graders, one of the most exciting moments of my week. Inside, they showed me their free food refrigerator, providing meals to families in need. It is so important to remember that supporting student success is about more than instruction. Schools are a community hub, often providing resources that help our students to be ready to learn, and that can include access to healthy and consistent meals.
Our students continue to inspire me with their dedication not only to learning, but also to the things that bring them joy – from sports to clubs to the fine and performing arts. They are also changing the world with their advocacy and action. Thursday morning, I met this year’s members of the Student Advisory Council. I am committed to a student-driven school environment, and I look forward to collaborating with these student delegates to better support and serve our students; together all things are possible.
Thank you to Fanny Salazar-Laske, a member of our wonderful family liaison team, for the warm welcome to Herndon High School during my recent community conversation! Also, thank you to principals Noto, DiBari, Khoshaba, and Litz for hosting this week’s conversations. Next Thursday, I will be at Robinson Secondary School. Remember, all employees are also invited to attend. I’d love to hear from you! Please register for any of the upcoming events on our website.
Custodian Appreciation Day is coming up on October 2. After my community conversation at Marshall HS, I met the school’s dedicated custodial team including; 
Hai Hguyen, Thanh Pham, Miriam Maldonado, Rebecca Osei, Prince Fosu, Kwame Adomakoh, Regina Sarpong Oduro, Elsa Machado, and Sandra Gonzalez. Thank you for all you do for the students, staff and families of Marshall HS, and a shout out to our entire FCPS custodial team who are often behind the scenes on nights and weekends keeping our buildings at their best!
Friday evening, I attended the Homecoming game at Fairfax HS. The Fairfax HS Lions competed against the Falls Church Jaguars in a spirited game while the halftime homecoming events were thoughtfully presented. It was a beautiful early fall evening to spend with our community with fans enjoying the game and special events. I continue to be so proud of our student fans, community, and all those staff members who support these events in such a positive manner; it matters.
Finally, yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Herndon Showcase of Bands event hosted by the Herndon HS Hornet marching band. It was great to spend time with so many families and fans of our marching band programs across the division and to see the fruits of many labors. Our student musicians and drill team members, as well as parent band booster groups and support staff nurtured an inspiring day of joyful music. Last evening I received a thoughtful note from Melissa A. Hall, the Director of Bands at Centreville High School. The Wildcat marching band presented a show entitled Heartland that was so well performed !! She shared; “I’m very proud of the hard work and dedication of our marching band students. Their performance is truly a display of camaraderie and it highlights the value of our music program in their lives.” I agree and know these life lessons will deepen and enrich the lives of all involved for a lifetime. Congratulations to all the bands participating in this event and I look forward to seeing you perform in the coming weeks.
As the leaves turn, I wish a joyful fall week ahead for you and yours. And so, in the changing of the season, “We need to remember that circumstances don’t make a person, they reveal a person.”
Warmest regards,
Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools
