Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Hello Team FCPS!
Well, what another uniquely fabulous week here in Fairfax County! As the leaves have been falling, and their bright colors fading, I am reminded that the seasons are both a reassuring cycle of life and predictable change. We have so much to be thankful for…. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I encourage each of you to consider unplugging from email and social media over the holiday weekend in an effort to more deeply connect with family and friends – or simply enjoy the peaceful outdoors. These are such busy times and my wish for each of you is that you find time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the season. Please take time to rest and renew as we have much yet to do this year…
Congratulations to the seven FCPS bands and orchestras that performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) conference last week in Norfolk! This is a prestigious honor, and performance groups throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for spots at the conference. Several FCPS students also performed as part of the All-Virginia Jazz Band, VMEA Senior Honors Choir, and All-Virginia Elementary Orff Ensemble. VMEA is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of music education across the state of Virginia. It serves music educators who teach in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, colleges, and universities.
On Monday, I stopped by the Fairfax County Government Center for the Equity Lead Institute, which had a theme this year of Reimagining Equity Leadership. The Equity Lead Institute is a professional learning opportunity specifically designed for FCPS equity leads. The keynote speaker was Nicole Tucker-Smith, who spoke about Creating Inclusive and Equitable Spaces with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0.
Later on Monday, we held the first Boundary Review community engagement meeting at Glasgow Middle School. These meetings are an opportunity for participants to hear more about the School Board’s criteria for boundary changes, which are: access to programming, enrollment/capacity, proximity, and transportation. More information on this is available online. Participants are also able to ask questions and provide feedback in breakout groups. The next meetings will be held Monday, December 2, at Westfield High School from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, December 3 at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Be sure to view the schedule and attend a meeting if you can. Registration is not required but does help us plan. You can also sign up to receive the School Boundary Review newsletter by email.
In great news from McLean HS, Principal Ellen Reilly recently shared that in 2024, McLean had 429 students take the AP Precalculus exam and 423 passed, constituting a 98.6% pass rate. This is great for a new course!! 59% of students taking the exam earned 5’s.The full AP Precalculus team at McLean comprised teachers Kelly Bozzi, Evan Brandt, Natalia Gorine, Chloe Hennen, Margo Nye, Crissie Ricketts, and Ginnie Quarry. Additionally, Crissie, Evan, and Chloe participated in the inaugural reading for AP Precalculus last June. Between AP Precalculus and Dual Enrollment Precalculus, every precalculus student at McLean took the course for college credit.
Crissie has co-authored “Fast Track to a 5 for AP Precalculus,” an exam preparation book, with Kelly Hemmerling of Milford High School in Highland, Michigan, published in October by Cengage/National Geographic Learning. The book includes a diagnostic test, two practice exams, many practice problems, and instruction on all topics tested from the AP Precalculus curriculum. The AP Precalculus course is going strong at McLean with 12 sections running this year. Go Highlanders, this work matters!!
On Tuesday, I held an Employee Conversation at Laurel Ridge Elementary School. We had a great discussion where employees were able to ask questions, address challenges, and generate solutions. This was the last Employee Conversation of 2024. Thank you to everyone who has come out to meetings this fall. I can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts when they start back up in the spring!
On Friday, we were treated to another amazing student performance in the Gatehouse Cafe, this time by the Westlawn Elementary School Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble! The Westlawn Chorus brought together young voices to sing a variety of songs that are moving, spirited, heartfelt and fun! In addition, the Westlawn Instrumental Ensemble showcased the instrumental side of music as they played mallet instruments and handbells, highlighting their developing skills and creativity. Accompanying the performers were Westlawn Music Directors Kristal Cutler on piano and Becky Layton on drum set/percussion, as well Robert Cutler on bass and alto sax and Katie Barry on flute. These ensembles reflect the Westlawn music teachers’ and students' dedication and passion for making music easy, fun, and accessible to all. Go Soaring Eagles!!
As you may recall from last week’s Weekly Reflections, I recently attended a few theater performances at Mount Vernon, South Lakes, Langley, and Herndon high schools. I’d like to share more information about these shows. Mount Vernon and South Lakes both performed “Radium Girls,” which is a dramatic play by D.W. Gregory that tells the true story of young female factory workers in the 1920s who painted watch dials with radium-laced paint. Initially, the women were unaware of the dangerous effects of radium exposure. When they began suffering severe health problems, they faced a corporate cover-up and legal battles against the powerful U.S. Radium Corporation. The play highlights themes of social justice, corporate greed, and the fight for workers' rights, offering a compelling and poignant critique of exploitation and the human cost of industrial progress.
Jessica Shaw, the director of the show at Mount Vernon, shared that “This story begs us to be more thoughtful, both as individuals and as a society. It challenges us to fight for what’s right and to own our mistakes. The result is a performance that is palpable, one that speaks to our core as we examine both our history and our future.” Michael Viola, the director at South Lakes, says “Our program’s theme this year – Defying Expectations – is all about fostering a culture in which students feel empowered. This play features over 40 students on stage and another 40 backstage between our student production team and technical crews. It’s not lost on me that many students are stepping up into roles that are new challenges for them – both on the stage and behind the scenes. They are finding their voices.” Such a powerful story and so important for us to remember the sacrifices made in the course of history. I trust that we are able to learn from these experiences and therefore not destined to repeat the past…
At Langley, I saw “Beauty and the Beast,” which is based on the Disney movie of the same name. Director Brian Kaufman says that “Of course, this story has its fun fantasy side – it’s Disney! But there are deeper layers about acceptance, love, and the importance of not feeling alone. These themes resonate with our beliefs here at Saxon Stage, which is one reason I chose this show for our season.” At Herndon, I saw “MacBeth Apocalypse”, directed by Scott Pafumi, who says “The play MacBeth is riddled with superstition, witchcraft, supernatural occurrences, and war, and the people of Shakespeare’s time were filled with fear and aware of all things supernatural. Indeed, the theatre was one of the great places to go to see a good ghost story unfold. My concept for this play is rooted in the rich history of upheaval, the struggle for power, the confusion of who to follow in a crisis, and survival in times of war.” I am in awe of the talents of our students and staff members and all the work they do to produce these shows. Together, all things are possible!!
Friday night I enjoyed the "Phantom Tollbooth," performed by Falls Church High School. This show was a testament to the talent and resilience of the theatre students and staff as they are producing a show while their theater is under construction. I so appreciate their resourcefulness and resilience as they have literally taken their show on the road ;>)!! It was a great show Friday evening and all attending left with great ideas about words and numbers among other topics. I am definitely on Team Numbers ;>)!!
Saturday, FCPS held an Instructional Job Fair at Sandburg Middle School. We are always on the lookout for the next generation of teachers who will lead our students in the classroom! If you know someone who is interested in working for FCPS, or perhaps you are looking for an instructional position, the next job fair will be on Saturday, December 14, 9 a.m. to noon, also at Sandburg Middle School. More information about our Instructional Job Fairs is available online. It was great to stop by and be a part of the great energy our Human Resources Team is cultivating as we recruit and hire our new colleagues; this work matters.
Saturday afternoon in Richmond, I attended the VHSL Class 6 Girls Volleyball championship game between Langley and Chantilly high schools. It was a hard-fought contest played well by both teams. Langley prevailed and succeeded in winning back-to-back state championships and their fourth state title. Congratulations, Saxons!
Saturday evening, I also attended a performance of "Aesop Live!" at Luther Jackson Middle School. Such a great show! After the show, I was there to hear that next spring, they will be performing Mean Girls Jr. There was a great deal of excitement about this choice!! Make sure you mark your calendars so you can watch our fine arts students in action!.
I’ve shared recently that the New Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) 2024 Accountability System introduces some significant changes in how school performance will be measured. One thing that will be very different is that the term “accreditation” will mean something very different than what we have known. Historically, we’ve equated school accreditation ratings with academic performance. However, accreditation will no longer be directly related to test scores and student outcomes. Instead, being “Fully Accredited,” “Conditionally Accredited,” or “Accreditation Denied” will be based on whether the school follows a set of rules and policies defined in the Standards of Accreditation. These rules and policies are related to:
- School safety
- Student-teacher ratios
- Parental notifications
- Student promotion and retention policies
- Course offerings to fulfill graduation requirements
- The instructional program
- Teaching the state standards, including social studies, and writing
Beginning in fall 2025, schools will receive an accreditation rating (“Fully Accredited,” “Conditionally Accredited,” or “Accreditation Denied”) alongside a separate School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) summative performance category (“Distinguished,” “On Track,” “Off Track,” or “Needs Intensive Support”). As we continue to learn about and implement these state changes, please know that our focus remains resolutely on appropriately reflecting and celebrating the strengths of our students, staff, and schools. Go Team FCPS!!
Thank you to Dranesville Elementary School’s kindergarten teacher Mason Walsh and Principal Jamie Gadley for sharing this week’s creative Advancing Literacy segment! Mason says that “In phonics, during the first two units of Benchmark, we have been working on connecting letters to the sounds they make and words that begin with those letters. We studied each letter of the alphabet during our reading work stations and we practiced using the letters in different ways. Sometimes we built the letters, we made pictures with the letters, we put the letters in order, practiced writing them, sang songs about the letters and their sounds, or made the letters with our bodies.
“As a celebration of all we have learned so far, we had an ABC fashion show! Each child was assigned a letter, and they worked hard to make an outfit which celebrated that letter. The students were so excited to share what they know about their letter and to come up with many different words that begin with their letter. They strutted down the red carpet, smiling so big, while ABC music played, and proudly said a word that begins with their letter.” What a great idea! As you can see above, these learners were truly dressed to the T ;>) Go Dragons!!
Earlier this afternoon, I attended the Rocky Run MS production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!! The students did a fabulous job of sharing the many twists and turns of Charlie Brown’s adventures. I particularly enjoyed Snoopy singing at supper time while clutching his red food bowl ;>) It was also a great time to reflect on the topic of happiness and its transformative power.
Later this afternoon, I sent an update to last week’s community letter in which I announced a comprehensive external, independent review of FCPS’ student-athlete transfer and eligibility practices across all sports and all high schools in the Division. Further, I shared that we will be establishing a working group of FCPS coaches, principals, and key staff who are involved in the transfer process. This group will evaluate and review current practices related to transfer requests and verification of student residency.
As I also shared in last Wednesday’s letter, I have entrusted Tom Horn, Executive Director, Activities and Student Athletics, to lead these important efforts. Tom has 27 years of experience in Virginia athletic administration, has worked extensively with the VHSL on many of their committees, and is a former VHSL Executive Committee member. I know Tom understands the importance of getting this right and has my full support. I will continue to be actively involved in the oversight of the process but will rely on Tom’s knowledge and diligence to guide us through the day-to-day work. Updates will be shared with the community, as well as an invitation to two community meetings - one each for our schools in Class 6 Region C and one for our schools in Class 6 Region D, regarding our athletic regulations and practices. We’ll be sharing those dates very soon.
It is at this time of the year, we are often reminded of all the things we are thankful for. While it is so easy to at times succumb to that bit of ‘grinch--ness’ about all the things that we wish we had, or have been disappointed about, or that we think could be done better, or ??. It is so important for us individually, and as a culture within the division and the community, to remember and be thankful for all the blessings large and small that are ours each and every day. We have so many… There are so many exciting events and such great energy all across the division. We are a strong division and getting stronger.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -- John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). We have so much to be thankful for and so many adventures yet to share...
Take good care,
Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools
