Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Hello Team FCPS!
Happy first day of fall. As we embrace the upcoming fall season, I want to share my deep appreciation for the summer season past. We have so many reasons to be grateful!
I continue to so appreciate the warmth and dedication of each of you here in our amazing school division. We have so much to be proud of and grateful for in this community of learners. I look forward to seeing you and visiting with you as I am out and about. As we think about the impact of the mighty acts we engage in, I am struck by the simplicity of celebrating the idea that big impact comes from making a series of many small changes. Please also know that I think I have heard the practice of patience over perfection, and not allowing the pursuit of perfection to stop progress, a few times in the last couple of days ;>) “Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. ” — Dr. David M. Burns. Let's enjoy this new season together...
In the coming weeks, I will be asking for a committee of staff, parents, and community members to come together and join our Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee. Back in July, the School Board approved updates to Policy 8130, which provides the framework as we consider any potential future boundary adjustments. The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee will be made up of a diverse group of stakeholders, including parents/caregivers, school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and community members with and without students in FCPS. Everyone’s unique perspectives and insights will be invaluable as we work together to ensure this process is transparent, includes significant community participation and feedback, and always keeps students at the center of every decision.
Last week I discussed some of the findings from the 2023-24 Fairfax Youth County Survey, and I have more information to share. Both the County Executive and I are encouraged by the results. As mentioned, the survey was taken by nearly 40,000 FCPS students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. In addition to the reported levels of mental health challenges (rates of stress, sadness, and markers of mental health crises) and substance use being the lowest recorded rates in the last 10 years, the percentage of students who reported risky behaviors, such as sexual activity and aggressive and delinquent behavior, continued to decline. The survey results also show that providing opportunities to be involved, offering supportive relationships, and recognizing their good work and accomplishments give youth tools to help them make good decisions, build resiliency, and develop healthy habits. Above all, it is vital for youth to have at least one caring, trusted, and supportive adult relationship, whether that is from their family, school, or community. Together all things are possible!
As many of you may know, Educate Fairfax is the dedicated foundation that raises funds exclusively to support the innovative educational experiences across our great division. The foundation, under the direction of Executive Director Lynette Henry, has worked with staff to create a new, simplified process for distributing donations directly to schools, centers, and departments. Business and community partners can now easily give through the Donate Button on the Educate Fairfax website. Donors can select their school of choice, and 100% of the funds designated by the donor will go directly to that school or center. I am grateful for the foundation's commitment to supporting the exceptional learning environments in FCPS and shows the extraordinary impact that can be achieved when we work in community!
Monday evening, I had the opportunity to join a number of educators, community partners, and alumni of the Veritas program at a meet and greet in Washington DC. This is such an amazing program for our students as it supports high expectations and achievement by each and every one of our students and couples these with high support. We will be a part of the expansion of this program and I look forward to continue to cheer on our students and staff as they achieve mountain top experiences as a matter of course. Stay tuned as we plan and work forward on this important initiative.
On Tuesday I attended the Fairfax County Council for Economic Opportunity at the Fairfax County Government Center. The goal of the Council for Economic Opportunity is to provide business intelligence and expert guidance to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to inform economic development policies or programs and support an optimum business climate. I appreciate that so many of our elected officials care so deeply about the future of our community, it matters.
This past week I attended Back to School Nights at Mantua, Laurel Ridge, and Brookfield (pictured above) elementary schools. It is always great to see the energy the start of a new school year brings for students, families, and staff! Back to School Night is an opportunity for families and teachers to build relationships that support students’ academic and social success throughout the year, as well as for families to connect with each other and build a support network and sense of community.
At Laurel Ridge, which is led by Principal Megan Counts, I learned that the PTA conducts a school-wide reading program each spring in which students, their families, teachers, and staff all read the same book together at the same time. This is such a strong community building activity.
Last year’s book was “Future Hero: Race to Fire Mountain,” and all new families received a copy of the book at Back to School Night to help welcome them to the school community. What a great way to build connections! Go Lions!!
Wednesday evening, Falls Church High School, led by Principal Ben Nowak, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant cultural event. The festivities featured traditional dancing, captivating singing performances, and a delicious spread of authentic Hispanic cuisine. The event showcased the rich diversity and contributions of the Hispanic community at Falls Church High School. I so enjoyed the dancing and music of our community. Go Jaguars!!
Thursday morning brought an opportunity to meet with a Workforce Readiness Working Group hosted by Supervisor Andres Jimenez. Several board members attended this meeting along with FCPS and county staff. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate on the future of our work here in Fairfax County and how that intersects with our students and educators.
On Thursday evening I attended the South Lakes versus Chantilly boys volleyball game at Chantilly High School. What an exciting game! Go Chargers and Seahawks!!
On Friday I attended a meeting of the Public School Leaders Network, which was formed by the nine Northern Virginia public school divisions in May of 2023 and is supported by George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government and its College of Education and Human Development. Each division has several seats at every meeting; including School Board members, the Superintendent, and staff as appropriate. The topics of discussion have included the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act, a review of recommendations on how to improve the teacher pipeline and sharing research updates from the Educational Research Alliance of Northern Virginia at George Mason University (ERA-NOVA). This past week we discussed the new accountability and accreditation framework recently approved by the VBOE and its implications.
This week is Blue Star Welcome Week, a time to focus our attention on the approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district.
Having been a military kid myself, I know what it’s like to have to pick up, move, and feel like you’re starting over in a new place, over and over. These students — and their experiences — contribute to the wonderful diversity at FCPS. Watch this video to hear, in their voices, what they have experienced. They deserve to be honored and celebrated. When one family member serves in the military, everyone in the family serves.
That is just one of the reasons I have established a goal FCPS to become a Purple Star Division. We already have 69 Purple Star Schools. I expect to see the rest of our schools earn that designation in the next two years. Purple Star Schools are beneficial for all students, not just military-connected students.
I am looking forward to welcoming military-connected students and families at West Springfield High School’s Blue Star Breakfast this week. West Springfield has one of the highest enrollments of military-connected students in our whole division, and they’re doing a wonderful job of helping new students settle in and feel at home. Go Spartans!!
On Saturday I attended the annual Back to School meeting for Parents of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia. I had the opportunity to highlight some of the work FCPS is doing for special education, including our Enhancement Plan for Students with Disabilities. We are committed to ensuring consistency across the division, so that regardless of where students are receiving their education, they will have data-driven, evidenced-based supports, and culturally responsive instruction implemented with fidelity to meet their individualized needs. This work matters!
Later Saturday afternoon, I visited Justice HS and all the events taking place on campus. I particularly enjoyed the girls’ volleyball tournament. Watching both Robinson SS and Westfield HS compete, I continue to be so proud of our student athletes in all the different sports they choose to compete in as well as our coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, and support staff that make these events possible. I also appreciate the transportation team and those who schedule all these events; it matters.
In this fall football season, I am reminded of one of our late great coaches and his thoughts: "Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." — Vince Lombardi. We, here in FCPS, have a great team and we will continue to realize great results. Together, all things are possible... Wishing each of you a joyful early fall season.
Take good care,
Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Fairfax County Public Schools