Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS!

What another great summer week we have had.  As summer school, ESY, camps, and related programs and activities wind down, I want to thank all those, in so many unique roles both in the classroom and those supporting the classroom, who spent so much time and energy planning and supporting our students this summer, it matters.  I enjoyed getting out to see a number of different programs this past week and continue to be inspired by the abundance of positive energy demonstrated by our students and staff!!

On Monday, I joined Participate Learning at the Mayflower Hotel to welcome more than 300 new ambassador teachers (from more than 20 countries!) to Washington, D.C., to kick off their U.S. cultural exchange experience. While there, I met with Andrew Buop, Education Attaché for the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya, and Rebecca Pasini, Deputy Assistant Secretary, private sector exchange, for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Many of these teachers will be working in FCPS during the 2024-25 school year! This is a great partnership and one that supports global learning which in turn unites our world. 

Since 1987, more than 17,000 teachers from 77 countries have participated in the program, impacting 75,000 students.  This past year, there were approximately 21,000 applications for 750 positions.  We are grateful for the teachers who have chosen to work in FCPS and look forward to a continued relationship as we maintain our commitment to world class educational outcomes for each and every student while educating students who are confident critical thinkers and problem solvers of global issues, this work matters. 

On Tuesday I visited Lake Braddock Secondary School to see some of our summer programs in action. Lake Braddock is hosting our Institute for the Arts (IFTA), Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA), Tech Adventure Camp, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy.

I was greeted by Kyle Laspe, principal of the summer programs, and Kara Drinkwater, educational specialist for Fine Arts Projects, as well as a group that included students visiting from China. They were part of a program that will provide them an opportunity to gain knowledge, learn a new language, and immerse themselves in a new culture. 

Students participated in activities such as baking, building greenhouses, programming robots, learning new dance routines, and developing photos the old-school way — in a dark room. :) There are more than 60 classes for students to choose from! These programs give students high quality enrichment activities during the summer and a chance to meet students from other schools.

I also visited Irving Middle School on Tuesday. Natalie Duncan, after-school specialist and building use coordinator, showed me their Values in Prevention (V.I.P.) summer camp for rising seventh and eighth grade students. V.I.P. Camp is a partnership between FCPS and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. It’s designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests. Other middle schools have the V.I.P. program as well.

Students at Irving were making hot air balloons out of tissue paper; creating and decorating tote bags, key chains, and friendship bracelets; playing basketball, volleyball, board games, and video games; and baking buckeye brownies. Just like at Lake Braddock, there were many great activities for students to participate in. Thank you to all of our staff and community partners who help make these camps possible — this work matters!  We might even be inspiring future Olympians as well!!

Congratulations to Debbie Tannenbaum, school-based technology specialist at Saratoga Elementary School, who was named a 2024 International Society for Technology in Education 20 to Watch Award Winner! This award recognizes 20 up-and-coming individuals who are already making a difference through their work. Winners have exemplified excellence through projects or artifacts that others can replicate. Well done!!

In news from Human Resources, the Office of Talent Acquisition (OTA) hosted an Instructional Job Fair on Tuesday, July 23.  The event was an opportunity for our schools to engage and interview candidates for school specific vacancies for the 2024-25 school year. In total, 102 individuals attended the job fair. Attendees had an opportunity to meet with FCPS representatives regarding teaching, substitute opportunities, and benefits. We had 75 schools and centers participate in the job fair.  Thank you to all involved as we work to hire the best educators for FCPS; it matters. 

On Thursday, I visited Forest Edge Elementary School to learn more about the Young Scholars, Summer Olympians Aspire and Reach (SOAR), and Bridge to Kindergarten summer learning programs. During the visit, site directors Tricia Russell and Katie Blomquist invited me into several classrooms to highlight the hard work of our teachers and the variety of learning opportunities for our students. I was able to meet the inventors in Lorrie-Ann Melnick’s classroom and hear a compelling presentation about a flying, shape-shifting machine that could be used for cave excavation. Next, we visited Vicky Stacy’s Young Scholars and interacted with several students who shared Lego models of their explorer vehicles. 

Our students showed great innovation as they created a variety of models with unique features that would become the vehicles of the future! We also visited Jami Muse and Olivia Gore’s SOAR classrooms. Students were engaged in collaborative work and learning how to become communicators and collaborators — two of our Portrait of a Graduate skills — by listening to presentations, asking and answering questions, and reflecting on their learning. Lastly, we visited Miranda Stitzel’s Bridge to Kindergarten classroom where students were building language acquisition, social skills, and early literacy skills by engaging in a spirited game of Memory as well as a variety of learning stations. We met many young leaders and learners in this classroom which makes me excited about our future!

I also stopped by Waples Mill Elementary School on Thursday and visited the Extended School Year (ESY) program, which is a true testament to fostering summer learning and community engagement! I was joined by Assistant Principal Ray Correllus and administrators Ashley Claros and Ashley DeSesso. I met many engaged young Eagles practicing their communication and transitioning skills in Ms. Parks' preschool class, Ms. Gotora’s and Ms. Rodriguez’s Community A classes, and Ms. Royce's Foundations ABA class. Educational enrichment during these summer months is so important to keep our students engaged and ready for a strong start to the upcoming school year — and it's a true collaborative effort from our whole community. Go Eagles and go Team FCPS!! 

I stopped by Madison High School to learn more about its Credit Recovery Academy, led by Donnie Olajuwon. We first visited Margaret Wingo’s STEM class for rising ninth graders where students were learning about the pH scale and how climate change affects the environment.  This was an interesting environmental science lab and one that yielded robust conversation.

Next, we went to Sara Payne’s 10th grade English class, where students were engaging in hexagonal thinking, which is a learning strategy that helps students see connections between various concepts. During the activity, students placed hexagons next to each other to visually show a connection. For each connection, they also needed to share a rationale. This strategy allows teachers to gain insight into students’ thinking and to potentially correct misconceptions in real time. Our last stop was to Austin Blackford’s biology classroom, where students were learning about viruses, bacteria, germs, and the importance of handwashing.  So many interesting and engaging topics!!

As you may know, FCPS has been partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) for a collaborative Speed Camera Pilot Program. This program launched in February 2023 with 10 cameras in school zones throughout FCPS, after the Fairfax County Government’s School Zone Speeding Study found that:

• Nearly 95% of drivers in the school zone at Springfield’s Irving Middle School were traveling 10 miles per hour (mph) or more above the speed limit. 
• More than 40% of drivers in the school zone at Bonnie Brae Elementary School were traveling 10 mph or more above the speed limit. 
• In the five school zones surveyed, thousands of drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph.

Following the pilot phase of the program, I’m excited to share that 50 additional locations have been selected for speed enforcement. Installation is anticipated to begin in September, and FCPD will conduct a speed study at each site before installation. We are estimating this phase will take about five months to complete, with about 10 cameras installed each month. 

Road safety is an important part of providing a safe walking, biking, and driving environment at FCPS as our students and staff travel to and from school. Speed cameras reduce speeding, accidents and injuries. Thank you to our partners at FCPD for helping make our roads safer! 

Finally, as we soon say good bye to July and welcome August, I wish you each a continued refreshing respite and time for reflection and relaxation.  In the meantime, let’s continue to enjoy the bountiful joy of this amazing summer season.  “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” —Carl Sagan

Warmest regards,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Fairfax County Public Schools