Teen Mom and Graduate Lauds FCPS Ignite Partner Genesys Works 

After giving an inspiring and grateful speech to her fellow Class of 2023 graduates and those who supported her, Anyeli Salguero walked the graduation stage at Bryant High School with her 1 1⁄2-year-old daughter,.

One of those supporters was Genesys Works, a non-profit Ignite Partner with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) who helps transform the lives of Fairfax County youth. Genesys Works provides skills training, college and career coaching, paid internships, and professional certifications, to empower youth to reach the economic mainstream.

“Genesys Works has helped me see a brighter future,” said Anyeli. “[That] future that now includes being the first one in my family to go to college, study business administration, and pursue a career in business.”

After Anyeli successfully completed Genesys Works' summer training in August 2022, the 16 year old was selected by the organization to be their External Relations Intern, supervised by External Relations Director Vinette Brown. “So many companies would not even consider hiring a teen mother like Anyeli,” said Ms. Brown. “I've seen an increase in her professional skills and confidence — being better able to share her thoughts and bring new ideas to the table. Anyeli has grown from this opportunity and now sees more paths open in her future. But it is our team that has gained the most from her energy, enthusiasm, and hard work.” 

Anyeli is equally grateful for a Fairfax County Public Schools program known as Project Opportunity, an initiative that aims to keep expectant and new parents on track to getting their high school diploma.

She transferred to Bryant High School in 2021, knowing Bryant had a daycare center on site that her daughter could attend. 

At Bryant She found staff flexible and eager to help. Living less than a mile from the school meant that she didn’t qualify for bus service. Recognizing that she was seven months pregnant and walking to school in the August heat, Principal Chris Larrick arranged for her to take a bus. 

“She went into labor at Bryant in October, I remember holding her hand as she got on a stretcher before heading to the hospital to have her daughter,” Larrick said. “She’s a warrior. I said, “Watch, in two months she’ll be back. And she was.”

Counselor Margaret Veenstra and other Project Opportunity staff helped her obtain a carseat and a Pack and Play, while school staff and Ignite Partner DC Diaper Bank helped with diapers.

Anyeli says Bryant ensured school could be part of her life as a new mother.

About Genesys Works, Anyeli says “The skills I have gained through Genesys Works will give me more flexibility in the workforce, and have already helped me better manage being a student and single teen mom, while working part time in my internship.”

Read WTOP's coverage of Anyeli's story.

Functional Career Training For Students With Our Newest Ignite Partner 

With the mission of empowering future job seekers through career awareness, exploration, and training opportunities, we’re proud to introduce our newest Ignite Partner, the Functional Training Zone.

The Functional Training Zone knows that by introducing students to active career professionals, students make informed decisions and might mitigate disadvantages associated with debt accrued through tailored degree programs. They are gearing up to support students at Justice High School during the 2023-24 school year.

Cox Communications Honors the Superpowers of Educators

As the 2022-23 school year came to a close, four teachers were surprised during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week with $1,000 grants from Cox Communications to spend on their classroom. 

Cox honors teachers who “exemplify what it means to positively impact the next generation,” including (from top left):

• Anne Quigley , math teacher at Glasgow Middle School 
• Laura Wagner, fourth-grade teacher at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School 
• Keytrell Slack, fourth-grade teacher at Clermont Elementary School 
• Rowena Hipol, kindergarten teacher at Eagle View Elementary School

“Their dedication to our children is why we are known for having a great school system and a great community,” Kathryn Falk, vice president and market leader of Cox Communications Northern Virginia, said about the teachers.

Read about their superpowers from the honorees’ nominations and thank you Cox Communications.

What Is the Foundation for Applied Technical Education? 

The Foundation for Applied Technical Education (FATE) is a 501c3 not-for-profit with the mission of empowering students with employability and occupational skills across multiple trades. 

FATE supports specific trades including those in the FCPS residential construction program, student auto sales, and entrepreneurship. 

As students learn through Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, FATE helps them access additional resources and career opportunities.  

An annual report of FATE’s sponsorship of CTE programs was recently presented to the School Board that included tangible 2022-23 highlights:

• Construction completion of two single family homes in Spring Village Estates involving FCPS HVAC, Electrical Engineering and Construction, and Construction Technology programs.

• Continuation of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s only high school automotive dealership.

• Grant financing to enhance FCPS Entrepreneurship programs and scholarships for eligible students pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and trade and industry fields.

Learn more about FATE.

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FCPS Launches Student-Centered Strategic Plan With Focus on Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity

As members of business and community organizations, your participation and input have been critical in ensuring that our strategic plan reflects the voices and values which make our community exceptional. 

We are excited to share that the Fairfax County School Board unanimously voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ 2023-30 strategic plan at a recent board meeting.

Thank you for your support during the last 10 months.

This strategic plan serves as FCPS’ North Star in ensuring excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student now through 2030. It comprises five student-centered goals: 

• Goal 1: Every student will develop foundational academic skills, curiosity, and a joy for learning necessary for success in Pre-K through 12th grade.
• Goal 2: Every student will experience an equitable school community where student health and well-being are prioritized, and student voice is centered.
• Goal 3: Every student will acquire critical and creative thinking skills, meet/exceed high academic standards, and achieve their highest academic potential.
• Goal 4: Every student will have access to high-quality academic programming and resources to support their success.
• Goal 5: Every student will graduate ready to thrive in life after high school and with the skills to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future.

Each goal is supported with measures to monitor the progress toward those goals; equity commitments to support all students with attaining those goals; and four pillars that identify what FCPS must do well in order to reach our goals for all students.

The next steps for implementing the strategic plan involve aligning, prioritizing, and organizing the work of the school division, and establishing a monitoring and reporting structure for the plan. Visit FCPS’ website for more information.

Fill a Student’s Backpack!  

A $10 Donation Purchases a 10 Item Kit For a Student

Educate Fairfax, our 501c3 foundation, works through the summer to provide school supply kits for students.

While July means the thick of summer fun, at Educate Fairfax, summer is the busiest time.  At the foundation, they are getting ready for the start of school by collecting funds to be used to purchase school supply kits for some of our 60,000 Kids in Need. 

Donate now and help provide students with a supply kit to start the school year ready to learn. Your $10 donation will purchase one complete kit for a student, with 10 items inside. 

Use this link to make your secure donation, and thank you!

We’re Open for New Business and Community Partners  

July and August are Great Months for Establishing a Partnership 

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about Business and Community Partnerships including our Ignite Partnerships program which offers eight ways for businesses and community partners to engage with FCPS.

Eligibility for benefits of the 2023-24 Ignite Partnership Value Proposition requires partners to have a fully executed agreement by November 15, 2023 which makes July and August great months to establish a partnership.

Learn more about the Partnership Agreement Process and explore our list of partners.