Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS,

Wow, what another great FCPS week!! So many amazing events and so little time ;>)  "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -- Helen Keller.  Thank you to all involved in making the magic happen for so many each and every day; it matters.  

My week started with a rocket blast of excitement at Cooper Middle School. Last year, the school’s Symphonic Band and Percussion students performed the introductory song,  “The Artemis Generation,” for an Artemis I launch broadcast video.

These former students, alongside current ones involved in STEM clubs, were in attendance for a special NASA event with featured presenters from the Artemis Mission:

• Mike Sarafin NASA HQ, Artemis I Mission Manager
• Sheela Logan, Artemis Integration
• Chris Ferguson, Retired Astronaut
• Doug Wallace, Cooper Middle School percussion instructor and composer of “The Artemis Generation”

In recognition of the school’s role in mission outreach, NASA presented the school with a flag that flew on the Artemis mission. It was inspirational to see the enthusiasm of these students as they learned about the mission, got a fascinating glimpse into life in space, and a preview into the space program’s future. Our work supports the next generation of astronauts, mission specialists, and everyone who makes space travel possible. It matters!  It is also important to note the continued and critical connection between the arts and science!!  Thank you to Principal Barrow and Cooper MS staff for making this magic happen!!

Following the NASA event, I jetted off to Fox Mill Elementary School for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate another successful renovation completed through our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Approximately 91,000 square feet were added to the school building through site improvements and modernized amenities, including classrooms, administrative offices, and a library.

As with the other six projects already completed through the CIP, these school renovations are designed to meet the changing needs of our communities and to provide students with safe and up-to-date learning environments that foster academic and social success. 

With 19 other projects currently underway, the CIP is building the foundation for our future in schools across Fairfax County. This investment in infrastructure is made possible through funding provided by taxpayer-approved bond referendums. The next school bond will be on the ballot Tuesday, November 7.

I finished up Tuesday at the graduation for students from the Chantilly Academy High School Firefighter Program. The program is a partnership between FCPS and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, providing students the opportunity to obtain their first aid, HAZMAT, CPR, Firefighter One and Firefighter Two industry certifications.

With 13 graduates of the program currently working as Fairfax County Firefighters, and several more from this year’s class planning to apply, this important partnership is directly supporting a critical workforce need in our community. Learn more about all of the amazing opportunities in our Career and Technology Education program on our website.

Graduation season is in full swing, and Thursday I attended the graduation ceremonies for Key Center, Kilmer Center, and Quander Road schools. Friday’s ceremonies were for Cedar Lane School and Pulley Center.

As students received their diplomas, the pride was inspiring—not just from the graduates, but from their loved ones and staff. Behind each and every graduate is a team of people who have dedicated many years to their success. That includes each of you. Thank you for being there to support our students in the journey of their life, wherever it may lead; together all things are possible. 

I am excited to share news of a program we’re planning to expand that will give students career exposure, training, mentorships and internships. “Aim High” is led by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) in partnership with FCPS and Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). More than 500 FCPS students will be matched with participating companies during the 2023-24 school year. I look forward to this partnership helping to prepare our students for their tech-forward futures!

Joining me at this event were Dr. Kress, President for NVCC, and Chairman Jeff McKay, along with Greg Baroni, Jennifer Taylor, Chair and President of NVTC providing remarks at the event to help us engage the community around this initiative.  Gautam Sethi, FCPS Chief Information Technology Officer, hosted a panel with amazing FCPS students: Cherry Lin of Robinson Secondary, alum: Asad Askar of Falls Church High School and Yevin Kariyawasam of Marshall Academy, and FCPS IT teacher, Don Malkowski of Robinson Secondary. 

The panel explored themes on the importance of work-based learning opportunities, how these experiences have shaped their lives and their post-secondary plans, and the current hot topic of AI. Cherry, a senior heading to UVA in Charlottesville next year as a Computer Science major, also spoke to her experience as a first-generation student in a technological society and the opportunities classes like that of Mr. Malkowski have provided in influencing her pathway.  Asad, a former Genesys Works intern, and Yevin, currently working for the FCPS Cybersecurity team both leveraged work-based learning opportunities in their FCPS tenure and plan to continue in the field of IT as well.  Such an inspiring example of learning happening best in community…

Friday afternoon provided an opportunity to host a conversation around school safety at Lewis HS.  The conversation continues to be an important one as we recognize that we are not able to do our best work when we do not feel safe.  Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona shared the call to action for leaders on this important topic.  Many thanks to Principal Alfonso Smith, the staff at Lewis HS, and our OCCR staff, for hosting the event.  The time for action is now!!

On Saturday, as an ongoing commitment to reach families where they are, we joined the "Splash into Health and Wellness this summer," community event at Bailey’s Community Center. A community event that brought together resources from across the county to share and connect families with important resources before summer begins so our children can be ready to enjoy playful learning experiences over the next few months.

FCPS was represented by a collaborative effort between the Office of Student Registration, ESOL Program Assessment, Family and School Partnership and the Office of Communications and Community Relations. This successful collaboration between our offices provided our families with a welcoming environment and a wide range of information needed to keep them connected to the schools and support their children’s need during the summer. Services such as summer learning, This was another great step in keeping our students connected and learning during the summer!

As an example of learning happening best in community, Jen Hitchcock recently shared, that as 84 Justice High School graduates cross the stage this week to receive their diplomas, they’ll do so with $353,000 in college scholarship money exclusive to Justice students. The Justice High School Scholarship Fund (JHSSF) awarded $275,000 in funds, and JHHSSF’s partners, including the Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads, The Thurgood Marshall Fund, and The Casey Schulman Foundation, granted an additional $78,000.  The Justice High School Scholarship Fund (JHSSF) was originally incorporated in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is operated and managed by an all-volunteer board.

The mission of the Fund is to provide need-based scholarships for Justice High School graduates pursuing post-secondary education. The Justice HS Scholarship Fund supports students who demonstrate a commitment to learning and being contributing members of their communities.  Since its inception, the JHSSF and its partners have awarded over $3,000,000 to help Justice High School graduates take the important first step toward a college degree. Learn more at https://www.jhsscholars.org.

It is hard to realize that it is now June. The year is flying by and we are soon upon the season of graduation and transition from grade to grade and school to school. These are joyful times and also can be stressful for many. It is important to remind one another that change is in many ways a constant and energizing part of each of our life's journeys. Together we can celebrate all things and make all things possible.  “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” — Vincent Van Gogh

Warmest Regards,

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