Partnership Update - May 2023

Germinating Lessons in Gardening, by Farmers

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, is celebrating five years as an Ignite Partner. Year after year, as winter fades to spring in our school yard gardens and at the farm, lessons in farming take root.  

We sent video producer Jeff Clark on a spring outdoor educational field trip with students from Riverside Elementary and Whitman Middle – two schools deeply involved in elements of the FCPS Get2Green program.

He saw 5th graders and their 1st grade buddies in various stages of making curricular connections – sprouting, growing, and blooming.   

Teaching is an Achievable and Rewarding Encore Career 

“While my first career was good, my second, encore career has been great.” says Mark Deaton, who's now an educator at Westfield High School. Deaton, like others in their career’s twilight, says, “older people think about their legacy. While I loved it and learned a lot in 25 years in marketing and sales, I was ready for a second career and I chose to be a teacher.” 

Becoming a business and economics teacher however, was not on his “early” radar. By chance, during his son’s back-to-school night at Oakton High, he heard another teacher talking about their career switching experience and how it was done through EducateVA. Within a week, Deaton and his son’s teacher were talking over cups of coffee -the first step to his second career.  

The career switch was achievable thanks to EducateVA. In about four months, not years, EducateVA can help someone become a licensed teacher in the state of Virginia, while maintaining their current job and responsibilities. Getting started is easy. 

Soon after graduating, Deaton was... Keep reading here.

Partnerships Equal Social Connections and Community

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects on Social Connection and Community recently posted a report entitled: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (2023).

The report offers recommendations for stakeholders to advance social connections that an FCPS Ignite Partnership can help fulfill. 

Recommendations include:

• What Philanthropy Can Do: Fund new programs and invest in existing successful programs that advance social connection among individuals and within communities, including those that aim to prevent and treat social isolation and loneliness and those that reach populations at highest risk.
• What Workplaces Can Do: Make social connection a strategic priority in the workplace at all levels (administration, management, and employees).

• What Community-Based Organizations Can Do: Create and provide education, resources, and support programs for community members and key populations such as parents, youth, and at-risk populations. These could include community-wide social events, volunteering and community service activities, network-building professional development, and organizational opportunities for involvement by the community.
• What Schools and Education Departments Can Do: Implement socially based educational techniques such as cooperative learning projects that can improve educational outcomes as well as peer relations.

A best practice in partnerships involves small group or cooperative learning opportunities. 

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about Business and Community Partnerships including our Ignite Partnerships program which offers eight ways for businesses and community partners to engage.

Real Food For Kids Culinary Challenge

On April 15, FCPS partner Real Food for Kids and FCPS Family and Consumer Science students from Herndon and Mount Vernon high schools and Jackson Middle School participated in a food competition like no other!

Dubbed the 2023 Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, it’s an event where student teams present before a panel of judges including local food industry luminaries who help draw attention to culinary careers and mentoring opportunities in the industry.

The event is the culmination of a months-long program in which students develop new vegan and vegetarian dishes for regional schools. The goal is to put students in the shoes of school nutrition professionals who must develop menus based on USDA nutrition and cost parameters while increasing vegan and vegetarian options.  

As the consumers of school meals, this program amplifies the student voice in what gets served in their schools.

Congratulations to:

• Takoma Park Middle School (MCPS) took home 1st place for their Ethiopian-inspired meal.  Have a look at the winning recipe.
• Herndon High School (FCPS) 2nd place for their Bocado de Tostada.
• Hylton High School (PWCS) 3rd place for their Harvest Butternut Medley Soup. 
• Luther Jackson won the Community Choice Award for their Smart Snack dish, the Tiger Tostada.
• Herndon High School won the Community Choice Award for their Lunch dish.
• Hylton  High School won the Community Choice Award for their Breakfast dish, Bulldawgrito.

Real Food for Kids has collaborated with FCPS for over 12 years with the goal of bringing more fresh, whole foods to the district. Elementary school salad bars were a result of their advocacy as has been their reopening this year. They are working directly with Superintendent Michelle Reid, Ed.D. on plans to install salad bars in middle and high schools. 

See a video of the event highlights and find more information about the Read Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

Apple Federal Credit Union Formally Renews Unique Relationship

One of our longest running and most connected partners Apple Federal Credit Union has renewed their commitment to partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools as Ignite Partners.

Begun in 1995, the annually updated partnership maintains the on-site full-service branch and ATM locations; provides fiscal support of important onboarding, recognition and leadership programs; offers 150 volunteer hours; provides alternative meeting spaces; offers employee and PTA/Booster financial awareness engagement opportunities and much more.  

Fairfax County Public Schools with support from Educate Fairfax is proud of our relationship with Apple Federal Credit Union and grateful for their ongoing and generous support.

Thank you Apple Federal Credit Union.

Another Thank You for WFCM

Ignite Partner Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) deserves another thank you for recently expanding their support for students experiencing food insecurity.

WFCM, who has long supported students with donations of food, school supplies and more, donated and supported the installation of an additional industrial refrigerator, this one for Greenbriar East Elementary School.

This means fresh fruits, vegetables and other perishables are getting to students who might need the support. Thank you WFCM!

Feedback Finale

Feedback on the FCPS Strategic Plan Encouraged

Fairfax County Public Schools has almost completed the process of drafting a new Strategic Plan, which will guide our school division in the years ahead. Feedback from families, employees, community members, and community partners is an important part of this effort.  

You are encouraged to share your final input on the recent draft goals, measures, and pillars. 

As a community, strong schools matter to all residents. Your feedback helps us know whether we are on the right path to ensuring a thriving future for each and every student. When our students succeed, the entire Fairfax County community benefits. Your voice matters! 

Take the survey.

If you have questions about the survey, please email [email protected]. If you would like to provide additional input, fill out the Let’s Talk! feedback form. 

Thank you in advance for your time.

What a Night! The FCPS Hall of Fame

Over 120 people attended the Educate Fairfax FCPS Hall of Fame induction event on April 19th. The audience heard inspiring stories from the Alumni honorees, every one of whom acknowledged a teacher or mentor who helped them achieve success. This year's class of inductees spans four decades and represents a broad range of professional experience and expertise. 

Learn about their stories here.

Thank you to Educate Fairfax’s Annual Sponsors as well: Apple Federal Credit Union, Cigna, Cox Business, Dominion Energy, Guernsey, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Milestone Towers, Moseley Architects and Ricoh, USA.

The mission of Educate Fairfax is to energize the power of the community to invest in educational excellence and prepare students for the future. We support programs that impact students and teachers in FCPS, from Kids in Need to Teacher Grants, to Literacy Efforts to Employee Recognition. Click here to learn about our work and how you can help.

If you know an outstanding FCPS alum who has made a significant impact in their chosen field and in the community, Educate Fairfax is accepting nominations for next year's class. Access the 2024 nomination form here.