Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Hello Team FCPS!
Well, it is the last week of summer and next week starts our fall season. I must say it is a moment when I finally turn the heat on in the car for the morning commute ;>) There are so many celebrations as we mark the changing of the season. Our epic start of school has been executed and we are working collaboratively to problem solve challenges that continue to give us pause. We are practicing patience with one another, embracing kindness, not allowing perfection to be the enemy of progress, and enjoying the remarkable traditions this great division treasures as we learn into the future together. Let’s continue to re-imagine the possibilities…
Recently, while doing renovations at Louise Archer Elementary School, construction workers made an unexpected discovery: part of the school’s original exterior wall from 1939!
The original Louise Archer Elementary School was a three-room wood-framed, wood-sided schoolhouse constructed for African American children in 1939. Originally called the Vienna “Colored” School, the building was renamed in 1948 in honor of Louise Archer, the school’s beloved long-time teacher and principal who died that year. Also in 1948, the school’s first addition was completed. During its construction, the existing wood-sided building was covered in brick. Several additions in the 1950’s, a large addition with a gym in the 1970’s, and later modifications gave us the building we had prior to the additions and renovations currently in progress.
During the renovation work on the main entrance and lobby, the wood siding of an original 1939 exterior wall was revealed. Rather than demolish the historic structure, architects worked to incorporate it into their plans for the lobby. Restoration work is underway. When the new lobby opens in a few weeks, students, staff, and visitors will be greeted by the impressive sight of the historic building and a mural of Louise Archer, connecting the past with the present and preserving the legacy of the storied school and its namesake.
We have such a rich history here at FCPS, and I’m excited to see the renovation once it’s complete. Truly a living piece of history!
Centre Ridge Elementary School recently set up a Project Learning Garden through a partnership between the Captain Planet Foundation and Cox Communications. I stopped by to help the students set up the garden beds with soils and seeds — these young students were so excited to dig in and start learning about nutrition, sustainability, and the environment! Thank you to our community partners for helping make this learning possible and go Rams!!
Last week I hosted the Family Vision Group meeting for Quad 2 at Shrevewood Elementary School and a Community Conversation at Holmes Middle School. I’ve really enjoyed getting back into the swing of our community engagement schedule as the school year progresses, and I’m thankful for our strong and involved community here at FCPS!! One topic that was brought up several times was screen time. As a division, we’ve been phasing out some of the digital learning materials that helped us get through the pandemic and moving more towards physical media. We’ve received a lot of feedback that physical books, worksheets, and textbooks (such as those included with our new K-6 Language Arts curriculum) help create more engaging, collaborative learning environments. We have much to consider as we continue to best support our learners!
Tuesday morning, I visited Jackson Middle School with Principal Raven Jones. She’s been hard at work helping the students and families at her school, and it shows! I met eighth graders Will and Aaron, who were gracious and welcoming tour guides. We chatted as we made our way down the halls, and they were both excited to learn more about my work and what brought me to FCPS. I also talked with Aaron and Will about their future plans. Will said he was interested in becoming a lawyer, like several of his family members. Aaron is still deciding, but he’s interested in pursuing business in college. These two paths require excellent communication skills, and I must say that both young Tigers were great communicators during my school visit. They have bright futures ahead of them!
Our first stop was English class with 8th grade teacher Marissa Brown and Lindsay Baksi, the ESOL team teacher. Students were practicing parts of speech by sorting fragments versus full sentences printed on paper. One example, seen below, was the topic of much heated discussion. I’d love to get your thoughts — is “My friend Camelia, who is scared of all reptiles.” a full sentence, or a fragment? This is not my area of expertise and the topic raised a great deal of discussion.
Next was Gretchen Juergens’ seventh grade science class, where she began the lesson with science puns. My favorite was: “When is the moon heaviest? When it’s full!” As class began in earnest, they reviewed academic vocabulary related to biomes and populations. Will told me he remembered doing these same kinds of exercises when he was in seventh grade last year, and the skills he learned were still coming in handy in his current science class. Gretchen’s passion for science is evident, and I was excited to hear she has plans to set up hydroponics in her classroom. She also had several science-themed posters. My favorite poster read: “Science is a social activity.” Agreed! Go Tigers!!
Next was Mason Crest Elementary School, where I was greeted by Principal Sherry Shin. Our first stop was the pre-kindergarten hallway in which they host three preschool classes, four early childhood class-based sections, and one inclusion model classroom. In Amanda Dillon’s preschool classroom, the students were talking with their teachers and each other about their breakfast, while in Sarah Davidson’s classroom the students learning through the inclusion model explained their morning routines to us.
Next we were off to third grade classrooms where students were transitioning from morning meetings into their Language Arts block. Even though teachers Samantha Blandino and Kara Brosmer added their own style and understanding of their students' needs to their word study lessons, I noticed how using our new K-6 Language Arts curriculum, Benchmark Advance, gave their students a shared learning experience that kept everyone involved! My final stop was Shannon Pan’s classroom, where their morning meeting circle was winding down. Special education teacher Molly Chilton was leading a math activity as part of the Responsive Classroom structured routine. Go Tigers!!
I had a magnificently warm welcome Thursday morning at Marshall Road Elementary School. I was greeted by Principal Matthew Chapman and members of the student ambassador program. Sixth graders Hamdan, Jannier, Camilla, and Omran (pictured above) graciously gave me a copy of the welcome book that they provide each new multilingual student.
The program matches new multilingual students with a multilingual ambassador buddy that does their best to ensure the new student has a comfortable transition to their new school. They do this by sitting with them at lunch, taking them on a tour of the school, introducing them to all the staff, and going through the welcome book with them. The packet consists of pictures of staff and frequent locations they’ll be using in the school like the playground and lunch room. I loved talking with Hamdan, Jannier, Camilla, and Omran because each one of them was in the program first as a new student and now as an ambassador. Great work Roadrunners!
While my time at Marshall Road was short, their administration was precise and strategic! I spent time with both assistant principals, Kelly Willis and Antoinette Nauflett, and popped into a couple of classrooms. Resource/STEAM teacher Laura Kendall had a lively group working on mazes and magnets. I loved seeing the joy of learning take place as students completed each other's “finger mazes.” Before I left the school, I also had the pleasure of meeting teachers Erica McPherson, Sebastian Butler, and Enoch Afotey. Thank you for the opportunity to visit your fantastic school Principal Matthew Chapman! I can’t wait to come back!
After leaving Marshall Road, I made the short drive up the road to Oakton High School. What a beautiful campus! Walking through the halls with Principal Jamie Lane gave me time to admire the wonderful updates completed in fall 2022 thanks to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Special shoutout to Building Supervisor Matthew Satchell, Assistant Building Supervisor Heui Park, and the entire custodial staff for doing a phenomenal job keeping this large campus clean and welcoming. Your efforts do not go unnoticed by visitors!
Oakton, like all schools across FCPS, has a renewed focus this school year on helping students adhere to our cell phone policy. Principal Lane noted that the students originally had some resistance to not being able to use their phones in classrooms but are now enjoying it and talking with more of their peers throughout the school day. I’m glad to hear the feedback! We spent some time in a Teachers for Tomorrow class facilitated by School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) Leo Colgan, Instructional coach Lindsey Marley, and History and Social Studies Teacher Kelly McCord. I was struck by the professionalism of the students’ presentations. I also enjoyed the AP Environmental Studies class and the projects students were working on while we were there. The students will lead us! Keep up the great work Principal Lane and go Cougars!
During last Thursday’s Academic Matters portion of the School Board meeting, I shared a presentation on school accreditation and accountability changes from the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE). The VBOE has adopted a new Virginia School Performance and Support Framework to report and monitor school performance. The framework involves revisions to the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) and Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan. The new School Performance and Support Framework represents a significant and potentially concerning change in how the state will report school performance and hold schools accountable for student achievement and performance beginning in school year 2025-26, based on student outcomes during school year 2024-25. With shifts in how student academic, readiness, and graduation outcomes are intended to be measured, there is the potential for misrepresenting the overall success of FCPS schools and overidentifying schools as underperforming and needing external support. Please stay tuned for more information to come.
During Superintendent Matters, I spoke about my visits to Marshall Road Elementary School and Oakton High School and the Family Vision Group meeting for Quad 2 as mentioned above, as well as the Herndon versus Langley football game I attended a few weeks ago.
The Strategic Plan update segment of the School Board meeting focused on Pillar C: Diverse, Adaptive, and Supported Workforce. I highlighted our Great Beginnings Summer Institute (GBSI), which is our two-day professional development opportunity for new teachers. The program celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, and had more than 1,100 participants, 40 cohorts, 80 facilitators, and was differentiated for special education. Participants in Great Beginnings are also able to participate in a year-long after-school program that is focused on supporting teachers in their first three years in FCPS. This year, there are 600 participants, 30 cohorts, and 60 facilitators. You can learn more about GBSI in this video.
I also highlighted the Global Ambassador Program, a cultural exchange program which allows teachers from across the world to teach on J-1 Visas for up to 5 years. The ambassador teachers represent 16 countries, participated in a rigorous selection process, and have been selected from thousands of applicants. The average experience of these educators is 11.5 years, and several hold advanced degrees. Together, our two cohorts of Ambassador Teachers on J-1 Visas represent nearly 1% of the FCPS’ total teaching staff this school year.
On Friday night I attended the homecoming football game at South Lakes High School versus Falls Church High School. Homecoming week is a special time for any high school when lots of memories are made. As you might expect, there was a great deal of school spirit, a lively halftime show from the marching band, and an exciting game with great sportsmanship. Go Seahawks and Jaguars!!
On Saturday I attended the Mount Eagle Elementary School 75th anniversary celebration. It was a lively afternoon, and we had many Mount Eagle students, staff, leadership, and alumni joining in the festivities. Go Eagles!!
Sunday morning, I joined the 15th annual Asha-Jyothi 5K race to raise funds to support access to education and healthcare for children and families in our community. As I mentioned last week, Asha-Jyothi is a volunteer non-profit organization that has provided grants to FCPS and individual schools. Thank you to Asha-Jyothi and all our community partners who invest in the success of our children!
You may have seen the recent announcement from FCPS’ Office of Professional Learning and the Equity and Cultural Responsiveness Office regarding Affinity Groups, which I’d like to amplify here. Affinity Groups are one way we are upholding Pillar B of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Diverse, Adaptive, & Supported Workforce. These groups are a place for educators with similar identities and backgrounds to come together to uplift and support each other. We currently have Affinity Groups (as well as school-based groups) for a variety of backgrounds, identities, and religious affiliations. You can sign up here — the last day to join a group is Friday, September 20. Go Team FCPS!!
Congratulations to Indiana Obando, ESOL teacher at Bailey’s Elementary, who was selected to participate in the 2024-25 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program! The purpose of the program, which is funded by the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Indiana was one of 80 teachers nationally selected for the program. According to the letter announcing her selection, “Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms participants complete a rigorous, semester-long online course focused on best practices in global education; gather for an in-person professional development workshop in Washington, D.C.; and travel abroad for two to three weeks to immerse themselves in another country’s culture and education system. Participants create a global education guide that serves as a resource in their local community to share the skills, experiences, and resources they have developed throughout the program.” Together all things are possible!
According to South Lakes HS Principal Carlos Seward, this year, “for the first time, South Lakes High School offered a sensory friendly portion of our homecoming dance. For the first 30 minutes of the Homecoming Dance (7:00pm to 7:30pm) we offered music at a lower volume, kept the lights on, and limited the number of people who were in the physical space.”
The Homecoming Committee, led by teachers Lindsay Crytzer and Catherine McDermott, along with students from the South Lakes Leadership courses, felt this was a great way to include students who might not have been able to access the homecoming dance in a traditional way, with the hope that some of our neurodivergent students would enjoy the dance, become comfortable with other components and options of the dance experience, and possibly stay longer if they felt comfortable doing so. Students who participated in this portion of the dance also had the option to leave after the 30 minutes were over.
Homecoming co-chair, Lindsay Crytzer, noted that "It is one of our core values to make school activities assessable for all students. We are so excited to have a new tradition moving forward that hit on a key part of why this class exists. We appreciate everyone that made this dance possible and look forward to creating more inclusive and intentional opportunities in the future." I love this energy and focus and appreciate the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach; it matters.
We recently received results from the 2023-24 Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey was taken by nearly 40,000 FCPS students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. I’m glad to report that our students are making significant strides in several key areas! Students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade reported lowered levels of mental health challenges (rates of stress, sadness, and markers of mental health crises) and substance use — the lowest recorded rates in the last 10 years! I’m so encouraged by these data points, and I know we will continue to rally around our students as a community to help uplift each and every one of our young people! You can view the data in full on the Fairfax County Youth Survey website.
As the leaves begin to turn, I wish a joyful last of the summer 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. ” — Emma Jameson.
Take good care,
Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools