Dear Fairfax County Students, Families and Staff,
I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Spring Break. It is hard to believe there is less than two months until the end of the school year.
I’m thrilled to share the exciting news that the School Board has hired a new superintendent, after months of an extensive search process. At the April 14th School Board meeting I had the honor of making the motion to introduce Dr. Michelle Reid as the next FCPS superintendent. She begins her job on July 1, 2022. You can view my full remarks in support of my motion but the short version is that I am thrilled that the 2021 National Superintendent of the Year will be our division’s next leader.
She is brilliant, insightful, with a vision for providing a 22nd century education for all of our students, has a STEM background, a strong record of promoting academic excellence for all students, a focus on educational justice, a passion for the arts and athletics, and is a gracious and warm person who can unite our community.
The job of choosing the superintendent is a huge responsibility with an important impact on our school community. The School Board took this responsibility extremely seriously. We put in many hours of work and deliberation throughout this long search process that started in the fall. We had community, staff and student focus groups, town halls, a survey, and two school board work sessions to share the thoughts of the community and our timeline. I am very grateful for all the community members who took the time to share their input. See the details of this long process.
We received applications from and interviewed numerous highly qualified candidates and Dr. Reid was consistently among the top of that stellar group. I was pleased to join her Friday as she visited Garfield Elementary School and Sangster Elementary school and met with members of the community, with many more stakeholder meetings and school visits to come when Dr. Reid starts her job in July.
Applicants for this position are usually sitting superintendents of smaller districts, all of whom have communities, students, staff and school boards to answer to. We recognized they were putting themselves and their current jobs at risk in applying for this position and we tried to maintain the confidentiality of our candidates in our process, while also creating opportunities for community input. I am very saddened people breached the confidentiality of this process, creating a difficult situation for our excellent finalists. I hope once our community members have the chance to engage with Dr. Reid, they will see how wonderful she is.
Finally, I want to thank Dr. Brabrand for his many years of hard work and dedication to FCPS. The joy with which he approaches this work, his positive attitude, love for FCPS, and “nuggets” of wisdom will be missed. I wish him the best of luck in his future.
Welcome Dr. Reid!
 Warmest regards,
Rachna
Below you will find:
- School Board Updates
- FCPS News
- April is the Month to Recognize …
- Community Resources
- Awards and Honors
- Performances
- Good News!
School Board Updates
New Superintendent
At the April 14 Regular Meeting, the School Board voted to authorize the execution and delivery of an agreement appointing Dr. Michelle Reid to serve as the division superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools for the period beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2026. Read the press release and watch this video for more information about Dr. Reid.
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Appointment of Assistant Superintendent, Department of Human Resources |
At the April 14 Regular Meeting, the School Board voted to appoint Dr. Sherry Wilson as assistant superintendent of Human Resources, effective June 1, 2022. Learn more. Welcome to Dr. Wilson!
Changes to Student and Staff Health and Wellness Policy, including addition of Middle School Recess
The School Board discussed changes to Policy 2100, Student and Staff Health Wellness, to add daily middle school recess at the April 12 Work Session. At the April 14 Regular Meeting, the School Board voted to approve changes to Policy 2100, including sections regarding nutrition, sleep and elementary and middle school daily recess.
School Board Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities Announces 2021-22 First Class Award Winners
The School Board Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) presented their First Class Awards at the 17th Annual Special Education Conference on Saturday, March 26. Each year, the ACSD celebrates and recognizes the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students in Fairfax County Public Schools. Winners of a First Class Award demonstrate the following skills:
- Positive impacts on student(s) due to inclusion activities.
- Commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
- Promotion of diversity and a culture of inclusion.
- Raising awareness of the benefits of inclusion for students with and without disabilities.
See the full list of winners.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Tuesday, April 26 – 11am - Forum: Trauma-Informed School Practices and Educational Equity Policy
- Tuesday, April 26 – 12pm - Work Session: Student Rights & Responsibilities
- Thursday, April 28 - 7pm - Regular Meeting: FY23 Budget and School Trust Policy
- Thursday, May 5 - 6pm - Budget Public Hearing
- Tuesday, May 10 - 11am - Work Session: FY23 Approved Budget and CTE Study Recommendations
- Thursday, May 12 - 7pm - Regular Meeting: SR&R
Please note, times and topics are subject to change.
Accessing Board Meetings and Materials
FCPS News
Free Online Tutoring Services for All Students
FCPS is pleased to announce that students now have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Tutor.com is available 24/7, through online voice or text chat, and in your student’s preferred language. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their students out of accessing the service. You can learn more about Tutor.com on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students will be able to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos: elementary video and secondary video. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
We hope FCPS families will find this new resource a helpful tool to support student success.
It’s Time for 2022-23 Kindergarten Registration
Will your child turn five years old by September 30? If so, contact your child’s school to make arrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Most schools begin getting information together now for parents of incoming kindergartners, and many host an orientation or open house. All kindergarten programs are full-day and located in FCPS elementary schools.
Check your school’s web page or contact the school directly for specific enrollment information and dates of orientation that typically occur between mid-March and the end of June.
Get more information about kindergarten registration.
Multilingual Parent Podcasts: Parents’ Voices and School Partnerships are Important!
Family-School partnerships lead to student success and are an essential part of building a caring culture. FCPS values family perspective or “voice.” Family perspective is critical in developing authentic school-family relationships. These partnerships inform and improve school practices to best support students. In this episode, hear more about the importance of family engagement.
Renee LaHuffman-Jackson, FCPS coordinator for Family-School Partnerships, is the guest in this episode. Families are also encouraged to participate in the annual FCPS 2021-2022 Family Engagement Survey. Get more information on the 2021-2022 Family Engagement Survey and FCPS Family Engagement Policy.
Listen and subscribe:
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Parent Resource Center Programs |
Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
- 4/22/22: Supporting Healthy Habits & Routines in Early Learners
- 5/20/22: Growing through Tough Moments in Early Learners
There are so many ways children learn and develop throughout early childhood. Relationships, habits, and even challenges can become rich opportunities to teach and foster lifelong learning and skills for our children. Learn more about how self-regulation, executive functioning, and routines can help your children learn and develop.
Fridays 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
Flash Forward: Postsecondary Education and Employment Options for Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their Families
Flash Forward will provide students with IEPs and their families an introduction to options after high school. Representatives from postsecondary and adult education, employment. community programs and services will be available.
Schedule:
6:30-7:30 p.m. Information Tables
7:30-7:45 p.m. Overview of Postsecondary options
7:45-8:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Tuesday, April 26, 2022, Woodson High School
Register for Flash Forward: Postsecondary Education and Employment Options for Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their Families
April is the Time to Recognize …
Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience.
To show our support, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 20 for military children.
Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.
Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS resources for military families.
Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
This month is personal to me. As a parent of a wonderfully talented musician who also has autism, I hope we can all promote acceptance of those who have autism and build more meaningful inclusive experiences, where we all can live, work, play, and learn together in a way that is supportive of all, where people with autism and those without autism make space for each other’s lived norms and realities. Too often, we still expect those with autism to adapt but the reality is that true inclusion requires everyone to adapt and make space for each other.
Honestly, I believe it is time to promote neurodiversity which acknowledges that there is diversity in thinking and in experiencing the world. These differences are strengths that bring diversity and value to the world. It is important to provide each of us with the support, access, and opportunities to find our best selves.
April Is Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the remarkable history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans.
Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. There are approximately 3.7 million Arab Americans in the U.S.
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School Librarian Month |
National Library Week was April 3-9 and April is School Library Month, a time to celebrate our dedicated school librarians and their programs. The greatest assets to school library programs are the librarians themselves. Librarians teach inquiry skills that encourage students to ask questions, explore and evaluate information, and demonstrate their learning. School librarians help students grow as critical thinkers, skillful researchers, and enthusiastic readers. Most importantly, they provide an environment for students to be themselves, pursue their interests, and know that they belong. Watch this video honoring our FCPS librarians.
Awards and Honors
FCPS Leads the State in Board-Certified Teachers
Ten Fairfax County Public Schools teachers have achieved or renewed certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Currently, FCPS is ranked first in the state of Virginia with more than 300 active National Board-certified teachers, placing Fairfax County in the top 30 school districts nationwide. Seventy five percent of National Board-certified teachers work directly with students while others have moved into leadership roles throughout the division. Over the course of the program in FCPS, more than 500 teachers have achieved this prestigious certification.
See who achieved or renewed National Board Certification.
Ten FCPS Students Awarded Grand Prize at Regional Science and Engineering Fair
The 67th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcased more than 200 high school science projects. More than 300 students presented their research projects in a wide variety of science and engineering fields. Projects were judged by more than 150 professionals and 50 professional organizations and businesses.
The Grand Prize Winners are eligible to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May and the Grand Prize Nominees are eligible to compete in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair to be held virtually in April.
See who received Grand Prize awards.
Congratulations to Winter Sports Athletes
This year, five FCPS teams and 30 individuals won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) championships in their respective sports, and one team and 26 individuals were the state runners-up.
See the names of our winning teams and individual athletes.
FCPS Student Artists Earn National Scholastic Art Awards
Original works of art by students from Fairfax County Public Schools earned 30 national medals in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program. National medalists will be celebrated at an award ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June. Select national award-winning work will be included in an exhibition in New York, and a traveling exhibition over the coming year.
See the list of winners.
Student Writers Receive 2022 Regional Scholastic Writing Awards
Fairfax County Public Schools student writers won 50 Gold Key awards in the 2022 Regional Scholastic Writing Awards competition. In all, 226 Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mentions were earned by FCPS students. Winners in the regional competition came from 24 Fairfax County middle and high schools.
Thanisha Chowdury, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), was named an American Voices Nominee for her flash fiction, “Heavenbound,” and Trini Rogando, also a student at TJHSST, was named an American Voices Nominee for her personal essay and memoir, “The Effect of First Loves on Religious Decay.”
See the complete list of FCPS winners.
DECA Winners
A total of 153 students from 12 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools were recognized as competitive event winners at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference held in Virginia Beach March 2-6. These students earned the right to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference April 23-26. DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to be college and career ready. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, DECA members are enrolled in a marketing education class at their high schools.
Read more and see all the winners.
Community Resources
Northern Virginia Magazine’s Teacher of the Year Award
Northern Virginia magazine is launching its first annual Teacher of the Year Award to recognize the best educators in our region. The winner will receive $10,000 and be profiled in a cover story of the magazine. Anyone may submit a nomination for a great teacher—principals, assistant principals, other administrators, school employees, fellow teachers, students, former students, parents, or the general public. Teachers may not nominate themselves. The survey is open through Sunday, April 24. Learn more and complete a survey.
Youth Substance Abuse Webinar
Due to the rise in opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District, which is consistent with national and state trends, Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Fairfax County Government to provide an educational webinar on youth substance use trends and supports. Topics Covered:
- Most Commonly Used Substances
- In Depth Opioid Information
- Reasons Why Youth Use Substances
- Ways Parents Can Support their Children
- Available FCPS and Fairfax County Resources
- Ways Students, Parents, and Community Members can connect with Support Providers
Webinars will be held from 7-8:30pm on April 20, 26 and 28. Learn more and register.
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2022 Mount Vernon District
Environment Expo
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Come out to Fort Hunt Park on Saturday, April 23 between 10am and 2pm for the 4th Annual Mount Vernon District Environment Expo. This FREE family-friendly festival will feature loads of activities and exhibitors sharing information about climate action, environmental challenges we face and solutions we can participate in to make Fairfax County, and the world at large, a healthier, more sustainable place.
Attendees will be treated to workshops, live music, live reptile and owl demonstrations, nature walks, giveaways, solar cooking and robot demonstrations, and more. Learn more and mark your calendar for this fantastic event!
Good News!
Region 1 – Congratulations to Armstrong ES math teacher, Damien Ettere, for being named one of Virginia’s three finalists for the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching! https://twitter.com/FCPSRegion1/status/1505983698012983309
Region 2 – Congratulations to TJHSST student, Anuj Khemka, who was named the Virginia Journalist of the Year! https://twitter.com/VAJTA1/status/1499121995300147214 And congratulations also to McLean HS student, Aleena Gul, who was named the second place winner! https://twitter.com/VAJTA1/status/1499121854660943874
Region 3 – Great work by a team of Edison HS students – Dakota Bitterman, Victoria Bujoreanu, Cameron Hui, Layla Lahlou, Sophia Wiegold – who were named a state winner for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition! https://www.fcps.edu/news/edison-global-stem-team-named-state-winner-samsung-solve-tomorrow-competition#.Ykr42YZPTAM.link
Region 4 – Lake Braddock SS's Science Olympiad Team was named the state champion at the Virginia Science Olympiad and qualifying to attend the virtual national competition hosted by Caltech. Great job and best of luck at nationals! https://twitter.com/FCPSLBSS/status/1509535505515528192
Region 5 - Read about Willow Springs ES student, Kingsley Thach, who used his coding skills to create an app to connect students, teachers and parents! https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/fairfax-3rd-grader-creates-app-to-improve-communication-during-virtual-learning/article_c65fda08-a3a6-11ec-9bc7-cf59d4421a1c.html
Performances
Here are some of the upcoming productions at FCPS schools but there are many coming up in late April and early May, so check out the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on the FCPS website. Individual listings for many middle and high school theater events are featured. Users can subscribe to the calendar to be notified of upcoming performances, and each event can be added to a calendar or shared on social media. See the Fine and Performing Arts calendar.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2022 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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