Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS,

What another fabulous summer week !!  There are so many positive and inspiring opportunities to share with one another. 

Tuesday morning, many of us gathered for the kickoff of this year’s Summer Equity Symposium.  As we implement our new strategic plan, which builds upon the important work and traditions that have been happening across FCPS for years, we will continue to ensure that our equity commitments are both central and intentional in our work. Thank you to all who helped organize this event and volunteered their time and expertise for the breakout sessions. We had subject matter experts from a wide variety of fields and interests; from increasing access to eighth grade algebra to equitable access to literacy. Learning happens best in community! If you weren’t able to attend, materials will be made available on the symposium’s resources page.

On Wednesday I visited Marshall High School for a Credit Recovery Academy (CRA) special event called “Marshall Island.” I so appreciated Marshall Island’s Principal, Donnie Olajuwon, inviting me and sharing the summer experience of our students. The theme seemed very apropos for the near-tropical weather we've been having lately! FCPS’ credit recovery teachers have been hard at work helping our students.

I also had the chance to join students for a chemistry lesson, led by teacher Lindsay Rusnak. I have to say it was a highlight of my week to be back in a chemistry lab with students. 

Afterwards, I visited the Instructional and Substitute Job Fair at Luther Jackson Middle School, hosted by our Office of Talent Acquisition (OTA) and interviewed candidates. The event was an opportunity for our schools to engage and interview candidates for school specific vacancies for the 23 - 24 school year. 

The job fair provided candidates interested in teacher, teacher trainee, instructional assistant (IA), public health attendant (PHA), and public health training assistant (PHTA) an opportunity to interview directly with school representatives. In total, 175 individuals attended the job fair. We had 77 schools and centers participate in the job fair. Attendees also had an opportunity to meet with the FCPS human resources team regarding teaching, substitute opportunities, licensure, and FCPS Benefits. Thank you to our hard working OTA team for this important work! 

I had a great visit to Sleepy Hollow ES summer program led by Jessica Nelson, math resource teacher, and Gabe Segal, high school special education teacher. In one of the Sleepy Hollow ES summer school class sessions (a rising 1^st grade SOAR group) I loved being part of the learning about taking care of our environment.  Teacher Kimberly Symolon shared the Trash is Bad PSA.   I also met several students who were explaining their projects and inventions to mitigate pollution and keep our environment safe and clean.  A special shout out to Zadan, a Young Scholar and a budding author and entrepreneur who is writing his own comic books and selling them on the playground ;>)  Our students are shaping the future right in front of us…

I really enjoyed visiting Cardinal Forest ES and was joined by Christina Roehm (preschool teacher) and Sari Taylor ( learning disabilities teacher), the summer site managers for Cardinal Forest, who shared the summer programs at the school. Assistant Principal Ashleigh Long, and several summer school students provided a thoughtful greeting to the visit.  I was very impressed with the students and educators working hard right up until the last moments of summer school.  So many young students were actively engaged in project based learning that deepens understanding.  The Bridge to K programs were also brimming with enthusiastic students and staff as we plan forward for a great year upcoming.  We so appreciate all the summer school teachers and support staff who give graciously and generously of their time and talent to support summer learning; it matters.  Also a big shout out to our summer food and nutrition staff for bringing back hot lunch for summer programs.  Everyone expressed appreciation for this as we know how important nutrition is to growing young bodies. 

Summer learning is also happening online. The Online Campus has a record 4,600 students taking 18 synchronous courses this summer. They are led by 160 teachers, supported by 16 administrators, and helped by a cadre of central office staff; from the summer school team to SOL administrators, technology support, and more. Each day the students meet in Zoom for an interactive class, and then work on their daily assignment. Kudos to all of the students, teachers, and administrators for their work this summer!

Did you know FCPS has a goal of getting to Zero Waste by 2030? That means we are striving to divert 90% of our waste from the trash. There are many ways you can help! One way you can take action is by starting a food sharing program at your school. Food sharing programs reduce waste by diverting unopened food from the trash and donating it to local food banks to help address food insecurity in our community. 

If you’re interested in starting a food sharing program at your school, check out the FCPS Food Sharing Guidelines on the Get2Green website and the Fairfax Food Council’s Care to Share Toolkit to help guide you through the process. Food sharing is a great way to support students’ development as ethical and global citizens by being an environmental steward and acting to benefit the community.

Below is a list of schools that have reported participating in the program since 2022 if you are interested in learning more about how it works.

If you know a middle and high school age student who is interested in learning more about Artificial Intelligence (AI), I have the opportunity to be one of the guest speakers at the upcoming Girls Computing League AI Summit in Tysons Corner on Saturday, August 12. According to their website, Girls Computing League was founded in 2015 to make emerging technology education accessible to all students, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Several FCPS alumni and current students are among the leaders of the organization, including students from Langley and McLean high schools, as well as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. All students in grades 6-12 are invited to attend. I hope to see some of our students in attendance!

Tuesday morning, I was invited to give a few introductory remarks for the kickoff of this year’s Summer Equity Symposium. I shared a poem that was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home (Do it Anyway) for children in Kolkata. Here it is, in part:

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.”

Wishing each of you a joyfully productive summer week ahead,

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