Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

I trust this note finds you each well.  I continue to appreciate the hiking suggestions and all the outdoor activity ideas.  It is so important to find time to get outdoors and renew our connections with nature and those we do not always have an opportunity to connect with on a regular basis. 

Last Wednesday, I sat down with County Executive Bryan Hill for an upcoming episode of his “Connect with County Leaders” podcast. We discussed the spirit of collaboration between FCPS and Fairfax County, the launch of FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan, and the ways in which our school division is supporting the mental health and futures of our students. Stay tuned for the episode’s release, which is slated for early August! You’ll be able to find it on the County website.

The real stars of the podcast recording were two of our students who provided production assistance, Maeve from West Potomac High School and Peyton from Langley High School!  Maeve and Peyton are part of the Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program (FCYLP), a partnership between Fairfax County Government and FCPS that connects students with our local government.  Providing students with opportunities to explore workforce possibilities beyond the classroom is an important part of our strategic plan.

Monday, I met with local business leaders at the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for “Coffee with Dr. Reid.” During this event, we discussed how to best facilitate connections between FCPS and local organizations in order to help prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s careers. As a listening leader, these open dialogues are paramount in maintaining FCPS’ community-centered approach to student progress! 

Speaking of our strategic plan, at Thursday’s School Board meeting, I shared the progress we’ve been making towards the operational and monitoring components of our new North Star, including our instructional rounds, leadership tool, and data dashboard. I’ll continue to update you as we launch these components and others on the horizon; together all things are possible…

During the Academic Matters segment of the recent board meeting, I shared plans to grow the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program throughout FCPS. AVID is a college and career readiness program, which will be added to five of our schools this year. This will bring the total number of FCPS elementary and secondary schools offering this important program to 35! AVID directly supports the work of our Portrait of a Graduate (POG) program and its continued expansion throughout FCPS will help prepare each and every one of our students for their futures in an interconnected world  -- the future yet to be imagined. 

As you can see in the chart above for the 2021-22 school year, AVID participation has a proven track record of success in FCPS. Averaging across all of the categories, about 76% of AVID students participated in AP/IB/DE courses, compared to 43% of their peers.

Congratulations to our financial services team as FCPS was recently awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. As stewards of public trust, we take our fiscal responsibility to the FCPS community very seriously. Your work matters!

Congratulations to our support and operational teams as FCPS was also selected as a Sustained Excellence Winner, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) highest honor for its ENERGY STAR Partners program participants. The EPA’s recognition sets FCPS apart as a leader in our sustained commitment to climate-friendly energy policies and infrastructure. Your work matters!

Last, but not least, FCPS was recognized by the Virginia School Boards Association as one of the 2023 Excellence in Workforce Readiness recipients. FCPS was honored for our Residential Construction Program, which is an amazing part of our Career and Technical Education programs. I had the opportunity to visit one of their completed homes last summer and was toured around by one of our students who shared her pride in the craftsmanship of the finished home. The Residential Construction Program was featured in a 2021 blog on our website, showcasing how the students learned skills from installing hardwood floors, to hanging drywall and tilework. These students learn these technical skills together with our Portrait of a Graduate attributes of collaboration and communication. They are well prepared to join the workforce upon graduation, or to attend a trade school to further their preparation for these highly sought-after skills.  Well done!

Though this year’s Independence Day celebrations are already behind us – the patriotic spirit of our students is still going strong! Four FCPS students recently won top awards for the Elks USA’s annual Americanism Essay Contest, which is open to fifth through eighth grade students nationwide. This year’s essay theme was “What the Bill of Rights Means to Me.” The FCPS students below won their respective awards at the local, regional, and statewide level!! 

• Allison Sewell, Crossfield Elementary School: first place, grade six.
• Adam Malik, Fairhill Elementary School: second place, grade six.
• Laila Karwan, Crossfield Elementary School: third place, grade six.
• Rusheen Syeda, Rachel Carson Middle School: first place, grade seven.

Congratulations to Allison, Adam, Laila, and Rusheen! 

I’ve been so impressed with the summer plans you’ve all been sharing with me and often wish I had received an invite! ;>) I recently learned of the Virginia Ambassadors of Music tour, which gives high school music students the chance to travel and perform across Europe. The tour, which includes nine band students from Chantilly High School, is in full swing and recently had their first performance in France!

They’ll also be performing in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy over the course of their tour. I’m so inspired by the talent and adventurous spirit of our students – and I’m touched that they brought a Chantilly Chargers flag along on their travels. FCPS is making a mark worldwide! A special thank you to all those in Team FCPS who are helping our students chase their dreams this summer, no matter how distant, including Chantilly Band Director Douglas Maloney.

Finally, as I think about all of the work so many are doing this summer, I am reminded of one of Theodore Roosevelt’s thoughts; “The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us…”  I will be visiting summer programs over the next several weeks and look forward to seeing you.  If there is something special you know I would be excited to see, please reach out to share the opportunity. 

Warmest regards,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools