Airline Tragedy Update 3:00 p.m.
Hello Team FCPS,
We are devastated by the tragic news as we learn members of our FCPS community have lost their lives in the accident last night at Reagan National Airport.
Many are reaching out to share their sorrow and emotions at this difficult time. We are hearing from students, staff members, and others in the community who are expressing their care and concern for those who have lost loved ones. I invite you to join me in keeping all those affected by this deep community loss in our prayers.
We have more details that we can now share. Many on the flight were returning from a figure skating event in Wichita, Kansas. What we know at this time is that three of our FCPS students and six of our FCPS parents were lost, affecting multiple schools and departments here at FCPS. Two of the parents were current or former FCPS staff members. Multiplying the grief are the siblings, spouses, relatives, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones.
We must remain sensitive to the privacy needs and concerns for those who are directly involved. Therefore, we are not releasing specific information such as names out of care for those who are directly involved at this time.
We know many in our FCPS community are now learning this tragic news and understanding the enormity of our loss. We have resources available to support students, staff, and families. I want to specifically recognize our principals, teachers, counselors, and other crisis teams who are responding to the needs of our students, families, and staff during this most difficult time. We also continue to be thankful for our first responders and community partners.
Our team is standing by and ready to provide necessary support for everyone in our FCPS community. In addition, this resource may assist you in having difficult conversations with your children.
We will continue to keep you updated as we are able. I speak for all of us at FCPS as we offer our condolences to everyone involved in this heartbreaking tragedy.
It is a time to hold one another closer…
Dr. Michelle C. Reid
Superintendent
