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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
 Hello Braddock Neighbors!
Happy almost end of the school year and the opening of the neighborhood pools - just in time for the unexpected cool weather.
It is graduation season! It is such an honor to celebrate the Class of 2025 at their commencement ceremonies and see these young people at the beginning of discovering who they will be as adults. I have been impressed by this class and their resilience, kindness, and joy. I hope they stay curious, open to learning, and courageous enough to grow through every challenge while embracing new opportunities. I can’t wait to see the leaders, innovators, and community leaders they will become.
And I am thrilled to celebrate our students at their playoffs, concerts, and promotion ceremonies!
I hope you and your loved ones have a fun filled and safe summer!
Budget News
Despite a tough budget year, I’m proud of what we accomplished together—especially reaching our first collective bargaining agreement with the Fairfax Education Unions (FEU). Even with a historic $121 million shortfall, we passed a balanced budget that includes meaningful raises for educators and keeps our focus on protecting classrooms and supporting students.
As Budget Vice Chair and now Budget Chair, I’ve worked hard with staff and my colleagues to navigate this difficult fiscal environment. Last Thursday, the School Board unanimously adopted the FY 2026 budget—totaling $3.9 billion. This budget supports one of the largest school systems in the nation, serving over 180,000 students, employing 40,000 staff, and operating nearly 200 schools and one of the biggest bus fleets in the mid-Atlantic.
Strong public schools are the backbone of our community. FCPS isn’t just a place where children learn—it’s a key reason families and businesses choose Fairfax. Our schools drive economic growth, boost property values, reduce crime, and provide opportunity for generations of students. That’s why this budget prioritizes our greatest asset: our educators.
We’re investing in our workforce with a 6% raise for FEU-represented employees and a 5% raise for other staff. We’ve also made baseline investments in academic supports, safety, late buses, and key long-term initiatives—like inclusive preschool expansion, teacher credentialing, athletic trainers, and arts program stipends.
Unfortunately, we didn’t receive the full funding request from the state and county, leaving us with a $121 million gap. To bridge this, we made several tough decisions. The agreed-upon pay increases were slightly reduced from 7% to 6% (FEU) and from 7% to 5% (non-FEU). We also had to reduce 275 classroom teacher positions by adjusting our staffing formula. While this may affect class sizes, FCPS will still meet all Virginia SOQ (Standards of Quality) requirements.
We also made cuts in other areas, including:
- Eliminating classroom monitor positions, initially put into place using ESSER funds as students returned to in person learning
- Reducing to .5 central funding to non-SOQ staffing formulas of Elementary Special Education Department Heads and Advanced Academics Resource Teachers at non-Title 1 schools. Dr. Reid has ensured us that staff will be working with principals on using trades and staffing reserves to keep these positions for next year. Due to a follow-on motion sponsored by me and my colleague, Dr. Reid will publicly report on her efforts to maintain these positions during the regular school board meetings.
- Delaying Social Studies curriculum updates
- Reducing central office and school board office department budgets by 3%
- Cutting funding for electric buses
- Reducing non-local travel by 50%
Despite these reductions, we worked hard to protect core classroom experiences.
I’m grateful to the Board of Supervisors for continuing to fund our schools, addressing the gaps by the state, and also listening to the community and restoring funding for high school crossing guards and the middle school after-school program. Their support helps us sustain what matters most: an excellent education for every student.
More information on the budget, including the very tough decisions we had to make to bridge the funding gap, is available here. You may also visit FCPS’ Budget webpage to view the budget presentation and slides.
Thank you for standing with us as we move forward—together.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at braddockconstituent@fcps.edu.
All my best,
Rachna
Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Braddock District School Board Member
Have something nice to say about an FCPS teacher or other staff? Share it with FCPS CARES.
he FCPS Family Resource Center offers a wealth of free resources including webinars and other events. Learn more.
IN THIS ISSUE …
- From the School Board
- Braddock Bravos
- Out & About
- Coming Up
- More Stuff Families Should Know
- FCPS News
 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month draws to a close, I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on a month that is deeply personal to me. My father came to the United States to further his education as a Fulbright scholar at Stanford. I was privileged to be born in California during this period, but my family returned to India and I spent my first few years there in New Delhi. When I was five, they returned to the States as immigrants so my brother and I could have a better life.
I had a unique position in my family as, for many years, I was the only U.S. citizen, and so I was the only person in my family who could vote, a status I held well into my twenties. I learned about how to fulfill my role as a citizen in our amazing democracy from my public school education, but I learned how to deeply love America and all things American from my father. He embraced the culture with unrestrained zeal and much joy. He learned the rules of baseball and American football and cheered on his adopted teams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland A’s, with passion and pride. Naturally, his favorite holiday was the 4th of July. I loved watching his face as he enjoyed the fireworks every year almost as much as I loved watching the fireworks themselves.
My dad taught me to have a fierce pride in this country and its freedoms and focus on the rule of law. He and my mom were the embodiment of the American dream, coming here with nothing and building a new life for their family. I’ve never taken that for granted. Even in the midst of all this, they kept their love for India and its rich and vibrant culture. My dad was the original “mixtape guru” but his were mixed VHS tapes of Bollywood song and dance numbers that he proudly played for anyone who came to our house, regardless of their ethnic background or even ability to understand Hindi. His enthusiasm for those was so strong that everyone who left our house after sitting through his “video mixtapes” talked about how much they now liked Bollywood, well before it became more widely known.
My Dad passed away 20 years ago, but I would like to think he would be proud to know that, despite our political differences (of which there were many!), I became the first Asian American woman and Indian American person to be elected to the Fairfax County School Board and the first Asian American woman and Indian American person to be elected countywide in Fairfax County.
My story is just one of the many in the rich legacy of the AAPI community. As this month draws to a close, I think about the beautiful vibrancy and many contributions our AAPI community - whether recent immigrants or long-time residents - have brought to this country and county. And I am proud to be an Asian American and share this rich heritage with my own children.
From the School Board
How to Follow the Work of the School Board
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View this link for a comprehensive list of upcoming meetings and associated information.
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Click here for meeting logistics, agendas and handouts (to view the slides and materials, click on the particular agenda item, and scroll down to the bottom of the page).
- Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.
All Board and Committee meetings are live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99, and are available to view later at the FCPS School Board YouTube page.
Proclamation Honoring Congressman Gerry Connolly
You are invited to join the School Board at our regular meeting on Thursday, June 12, as we adopt a proclamation honoring Congressman Gerry Connolly for his lifetime of service to Fairfax County. All are welcome to join us in person as we show our appreciation for a public servant whose impact can be seen across our schools and neighborhoods.
The proclamation highlights Congressman Connolly’s tireless advocacy for increased education funding, critical services for at-risk students, and work expanding access to full-day kindergarten and middle school after-school programs. Join us as we thank Congressman Connolly for a lifetime of service defined by an unwavering commitment to the people of Fairfax County.
Meeting Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
🕔 Time: Between approximately 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium
Student Leadership Development Program
 
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Tuesday night at the Gatehouse Administration Center was busy as we celebrated eleven young leaders from across the county who took part in the Student Leadership Development Program. I was so happy to see the growth over time in each of our student leaders including Caroline Cronin of Fairfax High School who was selected to participate representing the Braddock District. Congratulations to all of the students for completing this program and to their families as well. The future is bright in Fairfax county! Go Lions! |
There are so many good things going on in the Braddock District! I am so proud of our students and staff's accomplishments and hard work! Check out some of the awesomeness below!
VHSL Class 6 Debate Championship Results
Congratulations to the following Braddock district students and school teams for their performance at the VHSL Class 6 Debate Championship held at James Madison University.
Class 6 Public Forum:
Fourth W. T. Woodson
Ziad Wanna
Class 6 Team Results:
Sixth James Robinson Secondary School
Seventh (tie) Thomas Jefferson S/T
Ninth (tie) Woodson High School
USA Physics Olympiad Exam
Results from last month's USA Physics Olympiad Exam are out and two exceptional Braddock district students did very well. Both the students attend TJHSST, junior Max Zhao won a bronze medal and senior Alex Gu earned an honorable mention. Congratulations to both on such an impressive feat and Go Go Colonials!
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National Young Marine of the Year
Congratulations to YM Sgt Major Chingiz Bahadur on being named National Young Marine of the Year! Chingiz attends TJHSST and was named Division 1 Young Marine of the Year before heading to Texas to compete against 5 other Division Young Marines of the Year. On being named National Young Marine of the Year, Chingiz said, "As NYMOY, I hope to inspire, mentor, and spark that passion that lives in me and in many more Young Marines across the country, while strengthening the bonds that unite us." Congratulations Chingiz, and Go Colonials!
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Hispanic Leadership Alliance Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to our Braddock students who won scholarships from the Hispanic Leadership Alliance!
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Ronny Moratoya-Benitez - LBSS, Scholarship for Pre-law
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Allison Sejas-Sarabia - LBSS, Lake Braddock HSA-HLA Scholarship
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Danielle Castro-Millones - WSHS, Scholarship for Innovation and Artistic Expression
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Sarah Tochez Mendez - WSHS, WSHS HSA-HLA Scholarship
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Lake Braddock Odyssey of the Mind
Congratulations to the Lake Braddock's 7th grade Odyssey of the Mind team for placing in the top 10 worldwide at the World Finals. This is an incredible accomplishment!! they competed against teams from all over the United States and all over the world, including China, Singapore, Poland, Switzerland, Mexico, Germany, and South Korea. This is the team's 4th straight year making it to the World Finals, which is an amazing legacy!! Congratulations to the students, coaches, and families!
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Woodson Rowing State Champions
Woodson Women’s Rowing Novice 8+Rowers took the State Championship title for their event for the third year in a row!
- Fun Fact - This resilient team has rowers that start at 5’1” and go to over 6’!
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2025 Cappies NCA Nominations
Congratulations and best of luck to the following Braddock District Cappies Nominees - wow so many talented artists and technicians in our area!
- Marketing and Publicity
- Libby Hansen, Fairfax High School, Much Ado About Nothin
- Special Effects and or Technology
- Peyton Morales and a Certain Special Effects Crew, West Springfield High School, Puffs: Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
- Bella Molino, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- Henry Green, Woodson High School, Lear by William Shakespeare
- Hair and Make-up
- Chloe Kang, Robinson Secondary School, Tuck Everlasting
- Props
- Kaleigh Rosania, Annandale High School, Little Shop of Horrors
- Lighting
- Katie Eagan, Zaya Economides, CC Mucker, Robinson Secondary School, Tuck Everlasting
- Costumes
- Amalia Manow, Katy Nguyen, Cricket Nicholls, Woodson Costumes Team, Woodson High School, Lear by William Shakespeare
- Sets
- Kinsey Lin, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- Creativity
- Dramaturgy, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- the TJTA Dramaturgy Team, Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology, Big Fish School Edition
- Stage Crew
- Jordi Tyler, and the Messina Resort Staff, Fairfax High School, Much Ado About Nothing
- A Certain Run Crew, West Springfield High School, Puffs: Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
- Ensemble in a Play
- The Chorus, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- Dogberry's Watch, Fairfax High School, Much Ado About Nothing
- Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play
- Ashley Kennedy, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play
- Tony Hillary, West Springfield High School, Puffs: Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
- Noah McGuire, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- Dancer in a Male Role
- Iskandar Aoun, Robinson Secondary School, Tuck Everlasting
- Vocalist in a Female Role
- Angela R. Fuentes Quinteros, Annandale High School, Little Shop of Horrors
- Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play
- Juliana Gurrola, Woodson High School, Lear by William Shakespeare
- Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play
- Ben Harper, West Springfield High School, Puffs: Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
- Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
- Kira Gilligan, Robinson Secondary School, Tuck Everlasting
- Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
- Ella Brown, Robinson Secondary School, Tuck Everlasting
- Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Play
- Murphy Finnegan, Lake Braddock Secondary School, The Trojan Women
- Critic Team
- Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology
- Play
- Puffs: Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, West Springfield High School
- Much Ado About Nothing, Fairfax High School
- The Trojan Women, Lake Braddock Secondary School
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Kings Park ES Special Education
It’s always a pleasure to visit schools and see the wonderful work our teachers and staff are doing. On May 20th, I got to stop by Kings Park Elementary, where I joined Principal Dotty Lin, Region 4 Assistant Superintendent Pablo Resendiz, and Executive Principal Kim Greer to tour special education and inclusion classes. These programs enable every student to reach their full potential. Students were very busy working on all sorts of projects and also looking forward to lunch. Go Lionsl
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 Get2Green Symposium
Earlier this month FCPS staff hosted the Get2Green Symposium to share experiences on green initiatives at the school level by classes and clubs. From Annandale Terrace Elementary School to West Springfield High School, many students, staff and faculty are engaging in all sorts of activities to promote a better environment and better stewardship. I love the many ways our students are learning about taking care of our planet and the environment.
Some of the Braddock schools had the following initiatives:
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- Annandale Terrace ES - watershed and native pollinator gardens, recycling team which have improved recycling efforts tenfold!
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- Canterbury Woods ES - raised bed gardens, weeding, and environmental film viewing
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- Wakefield Forest ES - growing crops and harvesting them to share with a local food bank
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- West Springfield HS - environmental club which has helped with watershed and pollinator gardens, raised plant beds, STEAM outreach to pyramid schools, clothing swap, supplies swap, gardening, cleanups, and weekly recycling efforts.
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 5k Steps Toward a Cure
Join us for the Steps Toward a Cure 5K on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in beautiful Fairfax! This exciting event, hosted by the Max Pound Foundation, features a 5K Race/Walk and a Fun Run, making it the perfect opportunity for friends, family, students, and community members of all ages to come together for a great cause.
Lace up your running shoes and participate in this vibrant community event aimed at raising funds for pediatric brain cancer research. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking to enjoy a fun day out, the Steps Toward a Cure 5K promises a memorable experience filled with camaraderie and purpose. Spread the word and help us make a difference in the lives of children battling this challenging illness! You can register here.
 Bruins Summer Sports Camps
The Bruins welcome athletes of all ability levels in our camps for grades 3-12. Athletes will be grouped by age and skill in their respective sports. We offer a balanced program of instruction in fundamentals and game competition. Our camp staff is Lake Braddock Secondary coaching staff, alumni, and current players. Some of the sports offered include: baseball, basketball, dance, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, softball and field hockey.
You can sign up and find more information here.
 Camp Fairfax
FCPS students have a great opportunity to continue their education while having fun this summer at Camp Fairfax! Rising first to seventh grade Fairfax County and Fairfax City students are eligible to attend various camps focused on basketball, STEAM, 3D printing, dance, theater, painting, flag football, and more from June to August. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack will be provided. You can learn more and register today.
 Teens in Action Summer Camp
Open to rising middle schoolers and high schoolers, these free camps across the county will provide your students with opportunities to develop team building, leadership and workforce development skills. Topics in STEM, music, art, sports, health, fitness and nutrition are available. Lunch, morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. You can sign up here.
 Therapeutic Recreation Camps
Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) offers affordable summer camp experiences for individuals with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, physical disabilities, emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and/or attention deficit disorders. This is a great opportunity to pack your student's summer with special events, art activities, sensory play, games, sports, outdoor play, music activities and more. Ages 5-22 are served and camps run from 10am-3pm Monday through Friday starting in June and ending in July. You can register here.
 Woodson Field Hockey Camp
Rising 2nd-9th graders can participate in a field hockey camp from June 16-20, 9amm-11:30am at Woodson HS for $150 for the whole week, or $30 per day. All ages, genders, and abilities are welcome to join. Players will be placed in groups based on their age and ability to provide the best environment for becoming a better field hockey player and having fun! To register, visit woodsonsports.com
Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know
Measles cases continue to rise in the US. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:
- High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.
The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.
No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Although the school year is winding down, virtual therapy sessions are still available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
🌱 Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other options.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
🥗 Remember to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2025-26 school year will be available this summer.
If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2024-25 school year.
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Throughout May and June, you will receive your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit the FCPS website for additional information about how test results are reported to families. Individual test websites provide report translations and help with interpreting test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s schools with any testing questions or for additional information about how schools and teachers use test results to support student success.
Access Test Results and Grades in SIS ParentVUE
Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success! Caregivers can view important information like attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores through ParentVUE.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. And information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up to date. Learn more about updating your information on ParentVUE.
 🚀 Register Today for Summer Camps and Enrichment Programs
Registration closes Friday, June 6 for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9 (which fulfills a graduation requirement), music, and theater. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
 🧩 Get Clued in to the FCPS and Safe Routes to School Puzzle Hunt!
FCPS and Safe Routes to School return with an engaging activity to help get families outside this summer. The Fairfax County Puzzle Hunt, which begins Sunday, June 1, will offer online puzzles that lead to a location in Fairfax County and additional clues toward the final puzzle.
Participants who submit the final answer will be entered into a chance to win a prize. Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be challenging and accessible for all skill levels, as well as teaching about bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Plan ahead and think creatively: Last year, some folks created solving teams and scheduled meet-ups to solve together. How will you participate? For more information, visit the hunt’s How to Play page.
 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.
 Mental Health Awareness Month
 Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
FCPS in the Media
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.
© 2023 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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