Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Hello Team FCPS,
What a great week!! What a beautiful September weekend we have enjoyed and what interesting and exciting times we are experiencing in our many and varied schools and departments. So many amazing and well attended Back to School Night events this past week. We are truly well connected and making a difference for tens of thousands!! As we are now headed into fall, and on a more personal note, I have decided to experiment with all things pumpkin. I will, however, hasten to add that I am not a pumpkin yogurt fan. It sounded great, but I think I'll stick to a berry or vanilla flavor. Having said that, I did buy four vats of the pumpkin yogurt so I will be eating it for a bit longer ;>)
There have been so many great Back to School Night events that I have been able to attend. Tuesday evening I had the opportunity to attend the Woodlawn Elementary School Back to School night. I so appreciated the many family members who chose to join us for this important informational night; it matters. Principal Laura Elliott was a fabulous ambassador for all the conversations held that night.
Wednesday evening, I joined the school community of Hunt Valley Elementary School for their Back to School night and was inspired by so many staff and families who connected to support our students. Principal Keieownna Hightower toured me through several classrooms as we shared time with our Hawk community. I also had the opportunity to attend the Bonnie Brae Elementary School community for their Back to School Night activities. Principal Morgan Birge shared that Bonnie Brae is scheduled to begin renovation in the late fall or early winter of 2023.
According to Principal Birge; “With the renovation starting in the coming months, we have opened the year with temporary classrooms on our blacktop. This blacktop learning cottage area is affectionately known as “Scottland Yard” to the Bonnie Brae community (with two “t’s”) as it is home to Bonnie Brae’s 3rd-6th grade Scotties!” What an exciting time for our students and staff.
As I completed my Wednesday evening, I enjoyed spending time with Woodson High School principal Carlyn Floyd as we cheered on the Cavaliers competing in their volleyball match. It was a great match!!
Thursday morning, I received a warm welcome from several student ambassadors, Principal Eric Johnson, and Assistant Principal Amanda Snyder at Cameron Elementary School.
We headed to Cameron alum Colleen Kocalcik's first grade class, where students were hard at work practicing the short “i” sound and reading aloud. These literacy fundamentals are critical for our youngest learners in order for them to be reading on grade level by the end of third grade — a key part of our new strategic plan.
Next was Meredith Cosier's STEAM class, where students created their own playable board games. Students used their Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills of collaboration and communication to build their board games before they began the coding process. Very cool!
My final stop was Ashley Mitchell's third grade class, where students were in small group math stations. It was wonderful to see this collaborative hands-on approach to learning! Go Cheetahs!
After Cameron Elementary School, I headed to Quander Road School where I was welcomed by Principal Frank Tranfa and Assistant Principal Ellen Glaser.
First, we visited a literacy essentials class where students were eagerly analyzing a story. Next, we visited a physical education class where the students had a wonderful discussion about recognizing and cultivating healthy relationships. Lastly, I went to an employment class, where I had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the student-run store, Road Cafe, that will be opening very soon. Go Cobras!
Thursday evening, I attended Back to School night events at Timber Lane and Chesterbrook elementary schools. Both events were well attended and brimming with excitement for the coming year. Timber Lane ES Principal Benjamin Chiet shared his school with me while Chesterbrook ES Principal Stacy Kirkpatrick shared classroom adventures with me as well. It was great to have an opportunity to hear from the Chesterbrook ES PTA leadership and as always I am so appreciative for our parent partnerships; together all things are possible. Go Chipmunks!!
Thursday evening, I also attended a field hockey game at McLean High School between Chantilly and McLean high schools. It was a great game and thankfully not a stormy evening. Principal Ellen Reilly and DSA Greg Miller hosted a fabulous evening of excitement.
Friday, I returned to Hutchinson Elementary School with School Board Chair Elaine Tholen and special guest, Herndon Mayor Sheila Olem. Mayor Olem was on familiar turf — both of her children are Hutchinson alum! Go Eagles!
While at Hutchison, I had the honor to listen as Principal Sarah Aiello reviewed their inspiring literacy progress data over the past three years. The strategies Principal Aiello, her literacy team, and the entire staff have successfully implemented are extremely admirable. I can’t wait to share more with everyone on Team FCPS during an upcoming Strategic Planning segment of an upcoming school board meeting. Stay tuned and keep up the great work Hutchison! Go Eagles!!
Civic participation from our young people is critical as they grow to be global and ethical citizens. FCPS educators across our division were recently recognized by the League of Women Voters of Virginia for their efforts in encouraging students to register to vote during the 2022-23 school year. The schools with large numbers of new voters registered include:
- South County High School
- Herndon High School
- Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Westfield High School
- Lewis High School
- Chantilly High School
- Oakton High School
- FCPS Online Campus
- Bryant High School
- Hayfield Secondary School
- Fairfax Adult High School
- Quander Road School
- West Springfield High School
- Falls Church High School
- Robinson Secondary School
- West Potomac High School
- Langley High School
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
- Marshall High School
Thank you to Team FCPS for your hard work in helping our students understand the importance — and immense privilege — of participating in our democracy! This work matters!
There are 336 public high schools in Virginia, and FCPS has six of our schools ranked in the top 10! The U.S. News & World Report’s annual state and nationwide assessments of public high schools reviewed nearly 25,000 public high schools at the national, state, and local levels using data compiled from 2018-19 and 2020-21. In the highest ranked schools, students perform above expectations in math, reading, and science state assessments, earn qualifying scores in several college-level exams, and graduate in high proportions. The six FCPS high schools in the top 10 are:
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, #1
- McLean High School, #4
- Langley High School, #5
- Oakton High School, #6
- Marshall High School, #9
- Woodson High School, #10
Congratulations to our FCPS students for helping their schools make the list — and to the educators helping them meet their unique potential.
As a listening leader, connecting and engaging with community members across our division is critical to me. I’m thrilled to continue this important work in my second year as superintendent — there’s still much to hear and learn about each other! My first fall Community Conversation is set for Tuesday, September 26. Whether you’re a student, family member, staff, or community member – I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts, questions, ideas, and experiences! I’ll be hosting these Community Conversations and Staff Conversations, as well as expanded school visits, throughout this fall and spring 2024 (can’t believe we’re already talking about next year!). Be sure to keep an eye on FCPS’ newsletters, website, and your email for details on the event schedule in order to find out when I’ll be at your school. I’ll see you there!
My heart beats strongest in schools, but not just in classrooms. It is a true joy to watch our students perform on stage and on the field. Earlier this week, I met with Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s field hockey team. They’re well into the season with four games already under their belts — keep up the hard work and go Colonials!
On Friday, I traveled to Dunn Loring to see Pillar B of our Strategic Plan reflected through collaboration between departments and with the Fairfax County Health Department. Every year, school districts nationwide, including FCPS, experience an influx of new students who need required immunizations and TB testing. On Thursday and Friday, various departments and teams in FCPS, such as the Department of Special Services, the Office of Experience & Engagement, Student Registration, Language Services, Family and School Partnerships, and the Intercultural Engagement Team, and school staff in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, coordinated immunization clinics to support all incoming families and streamline the registration process. Well over 200 families were served over two days with students ranging from pre-K to high school. This outstanding initiative helps our students get a strong start in education from the moment they step foot in FCPS and helps us build strong relationships with our families and our community. Together, we are stronger, and we are creating a brighter future for each and every one of our students. Thank you FCPS and FCHD teams!
On Friday, it was an honor to travel to Braddock Elementary School on the invitation of Joyce Matthews, and witness just one of many results of a global partnership. Along with School Board member Dr. Ricardy Anderson, I met the incredible Guatemalan artists responsible for two new and stunning murals in the school, Beatriz Torres and Darwin Lopez. We also met members of Task Tarea, an organization that raises funds to provide scholarships for Mayan families to send their daughters to school. Task Tarea and Braddock Elementary have been Global Schools Partners since 2016. Through this partnership, our staff have a better understanding of where our students are coming from and how to make our students feel more connected and welcome in the school.
Task Tarea President Jonathan Tivel shared that he hopes the murals will inspire all students to be artists of all kinds, to express their ideas to people and to create emotion in others. Darwin and Beatriz's beautiful artwork is a little piece of "Guatemala" for our children at Braddock ES. Art is a colorful language! The murals are symbolic of the eight years of collaboration and the topics discussed among our students about the science curriculum in the different grades. In the beautiful murals, we see our two cultures represented together, as well as a symbol of science, math, and technology. Several special guests were in attendance, including a representative from the Guatemalan Embassy. I am grateful for the leadership of Principal Jackson-Muir and her entire school team and the joyful participation of all the students at Braddock Elementary. Also, the contributions of Joyce Matthews and her vision for STEM education continue to guide the high expectations for our young Eagles!!
Friday evening, I attended the home football game at West Springfield High School. I so appreciate all that goes into hosting events such as this for our community. Principal Michael Mukai and his staff were fabulous hosts for this event as these activities matter so much to so many. Hopefully, our weather will cooperate in the coming weeks.
Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to attend the 60th anniversary of Ravensworth Elementary School and the students, staff, families, and community certainly turned out for the event. It is consistently inspiring to hear the stories of so many who attended schools here in FCPS and then returned to either work here and/or raise their children here. The traditions of excellence run deep. I appreciate Principal Erika Aspuria and all those who attended to celebrate this momentous occasion; it matters. Go Ravens!!
Finally, as I reflect on this past week, I am particularly thoughtful about the US Open Tennis Tournament. As a former collegiate tennis athlete, I always follow the sport. This year marks a 50 year anniversary commemorating the contributions of Billie Jean King. As I think about her, I am reminded of her advice; “Reputation is what others think about you. What’s far more important is character, because that is what you think about yourself.” — Billie Jean King
Looking forward to another amazing FCPS week ahead.
Best,
Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools
