Superintendent's Weekly Reflections (2024)

Hello Team FCPS!

Well, here we are.As we mark the ending of this epic school year, I know there are many new adventures that await each of you.For in every end, there is a new beginning…As I think about and reflect on all that this past year has wrought, I continue to be so profoundly grateful to have the opportunity to serve you and this amazing community; together, we have indeed been a reminder that learning happens best in community and this continues to be an amazing community!!

You have each accomplished so much and demonstrated resilience in ways too numerous to count.I want to thank you for how hard you worked on tasks large and small. I want to thank you for your care of yourself, your colleagues and our students, and doing hard things.I want to thank you for caring for those around you and believing that better is always possible.As Nelson Mandela famously shared; “It always seems impossible until it’s done”. You have faced what at times must have felt impossible, and yet you still got it done.I am proud of you and all that you have accomplished this year.As you both finish this school year, and plan for the coming school year, I invite you to continue to imagine the possibilities; together all things are possible…

In a Fairfax Inspires moment, we recently profiled Danny Adams, who not only has taught for more than 35 years, but has spent all that time at the same school, Rose Hill Elementary School! I first met Danny when he attended an Employee Conversation last year and shared his feedback on employee recognition. His comments were thoughtful, and his good-natured humor was contagious!

As you’ll read in Danny’s profile, our educators inspire us in so many different ways. Danny was inspired to consider teaching while he was still a student at Cameron Elementary School. He goes above and beyond for his students, hand-writing each of them letters after they complete his class and when they graduate from Rose Hill. “I hope those words have meant something to them. I hope my students come to love learning and realize that they have talents and that they can be whatever they want to be,” he says. “I just want them to be happy, and to realize that they matter.” Though he’s now been an educator for decades, to this day Danny says he’s still inspired by the teachers who mentored him when he first began his career, and he strives to carry on their tradition of excellence and dedication.

I wanted to share Danny’s story because it reflects the impact we can have as part of Team FCPS — not just the impact on our students, but on our colleagues as well! In just a few short months, we’ll be giving a warm welcome to some of our newest members of Team FCPS. Whether a colleague is new to our district, new to their profession, or new to a school/department: as Danny’s story shows us, your support, guidance, and inclusivity can have decades of impact! Thank you for the inspiration, Danny! And thank you for many years of dedication to our students and community — go Team FCPS!

Last week was a whirlwind of graduations, as I attended the last of our Class of 2024 ceremonies. It’s been my true pleasure to attend this year’s ceremonies; witnessing the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication from our students, families, and Team FCPS is always inspiring!

Monday’s ceremonies were for Hayfield Secondary School (go Hawks!!) and South County High School (go Stallions!!). Tuesday’s graduations were for Oakton High School (go Cougars!!) and West Potomac High School (go Wolverines!!).

I also spoke at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on Thursday to congratulate students who earned their high school diplomas or General Education Diplomas (GEDs). The ceremony was a powerful reminder that no matter the circ*mstances, knowledge is always within reach (and always worth pursuing!). Moreover, as with all our graduations, it was a testament to the transformative power of education. Each one of us is the author of our story, and I’m excited for what each of our next chapters will be! Go Class of 2024!!

On Monday night I attended and presented at the annual gala of the National Capital Area chapter of the Cappies. The Cappies (Critics and Awards Program) is an international program which was launched in FCPS. Through the program high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers.

The student critics also determine who will be placed on a Cappies award ballot in each of 42 award categories, and those winners were announced on Monday at the gala, which is kind of like the Tony Awards, but for high school theater. Students from FCPS high schools won awards in 29 categories! I was very impressed by the quality of the singing, dancing, and acting of the student performers. It was just like being on Broadway! Congratulations to all the nominees, award winners, and their teachers!!

On Tuesday I went to “Guiding Stars: A Tribute to Those Shaping the Future of the Navy” at the United States Navy Memorial. It was an amazing event, and such a treat to hear the talented musicians of the U.S. Navy Band! It was a beautiful evening of music and community.

This past Wednesday, I had the joy of attending the FCPS Honors reception and ceremony, during which awards were presented to outstanding school-based and non-school-based employees. This is such a special event that celebrates so many for their efforts and achievements.

I was proud to recognize these exceptional employees in Team FCPS, who epitomize what it means to have a world class staff. Here are this year’s 12 winners:

• Mary Ann Cassell, Outstanding Elementary New Teacher
• Symone Jenkins, Outstanding Secondary New Teacher
• Raven Jones, Outstanding New Principal
• Thelma Pemberton-Abbott, Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee
• Anith Muthalaly, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Operational Employee
• Daryl Byrom, Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee
• Karen Bolt, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Professional Employee
• Danielle Hornbecker, Outstanding School-Based Leader
• Beth Visioli, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Leader
• Shea Hestmark, Outstanding Elementary Teacher
• Madison McKenna, Outstanding Secondary Teacher
• Jamie Gadley, Outstanding Principal

Congratulations to our winners and to all our finalists! Go Team FCPS!!

During Thursday’s School Board meeting, we recognized the following schools for winning the Virginia High School League (VHSL) championship in their respective sports and activities in the winter and spring seasons:

• Chantilly High School: VHSL Forensics Champion
• Lake Braddock Secondary School: Class 6 Gymnastics Champion
• Langley High School: Class 6 Boys Swimming and Diving Champion, Class 6 Boys Tennis Champion, Class 6 Girls Tennis Champion, and VHSL Debate Champion
• McLean High School: Class 6 Baseball Champion, VHSL Film Festival Best Documentary, VHSL and Scholastic Bowl Champion
• Robinson Secondary School: Class 6 Boys Lacrosse Champion
• South Lakes High School: Class 6 Boys Basketball Champion, Class 6 Girls Indoor Track Champions
• West Springfield High School: Boys Class 6 Outdoor Track Champion, Division 1 VASRA Champion, and Division 2 VASRA Champion

Congratulations to all our outstanding students! Congratulations also to all those staff members who coach, lead, and manage the athletic programs and support student athlete success; this work matters.

During the Academic Matters segment, I announced that all FCPS elementary schools will have seven three-hour early release Mondays for students during the 2024-25 school year. This division-wide plan was developed in collaboration with the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals to enable us to meet the new professional development requirements outlined in the Virginia Literacy Act while also providing adequate supervision –when necessary — for children who cannot go home early.

While this change is significant, it will allow us to meet both the state requirements and the needs of our students and families. Our students will still be well within their number of required learning time hours. It will reduce the need for school day substitutes (which are in short supply). It will also give our educators robust on-site and in-person training as they learn how to put our new K-6 language arts curriculum and new math standards into practice.

As you may have read in my letters to staff and families last Friday, we are establishing a steering committee comprised of teachers, principals, and parents to ensure the plan's effective development and implementation. If you are interested in being a part of the steering committee, please complete this form for consideration by Friday, June 28. We’ll be hosting an Employee Conversation about this on Thursday, June 20, 10-11 a.m., at Gatehouse Administration Center. Register here. There will also be bi-weekly communication on this initiative throughout the summer, and you can also visit the Early Release Mondays webpage or email [emailprotected] for more information.

During the Superintendent Matters segment of the board meeting, I recapped the events I’ve attended over the last two weeks and had the opportunity to thank everyone in our community who helped make a great graduation season: students, families, staff. As I told the Board, whether our students are on the athletic field, in the shop, on the stage, or in the classroom, we’ve got amazing young people here at FCPS and we have a lot to be proud of!

On Friday I spoke at the Student Ambassador Convening at George Mason University. Student Ambassador Programs are school-based, student-led leadership programs that support all students’ transition into (including for military-connected students) and connection to school, helping create a welcoming environment and accepting school culture. This year’s theme was “Cultivating Connections with no Missing Links,” an important reminder that we should strive for each and every one of our students to feel welcome and connected here at FCPS. One of the speakers was FCPS’ very own Kristen Haynor, our neurodiversity education specialist (believed to be the first person in such a role at a U.S. K-12 public school setting!). Kristen advocates for neurodiverse students (and furthers our 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity) by reimagining practices and shifting mindsets across our division.

At the convening there were more than 75 Student Ambassadors and more than 25 Student Ambassador Sponsors, representing 15 different FCPS schools. Thank you to our Ambassadors and Sponsors for all that they do! A welcoming and friendly face and strong connections help new students feel at home and like a true part of our community. A big thank you as well to our community partners for continuing to help organize and sponsor this annual event, including George Mason University and its Military, Veterans, and Family Initiative, the Virginia Department of Education, Educate Fairfax, and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority for sponsoring transportation. This work matters!!

And so, I wish for each of you a joyful summer respite and challenge you to reconnect with friends and family, reignite a passion you have perhaps let go, make time for the quiet and thoughtful introspection that gifts us with new insight into our lives, hopes and dreams, and celebrate this amazing time in our lives with a new adventure. In thinking about the summer that stretches with promise ahead, F. Scott Fitzgerald reminds us of "that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."Together, let’s reimagine the possibilities…

Take good care,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools