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Hello Braddock Community!
Welcome to the end of the school year!! What a busy few weeks it has been of celebrations, "lasts," awards, parties, projects, field days, shows, and lots of smiles and tears! It was a joy to attend the 6th grade promotion ceremonies and see the young faces as they get ready to make the journey from child to teen to young adult. Such a special moment filled with promise and possibility.
And it was an honor to attend the Braddock District school graduations and celebrate hard work and many successes of the Class of 2025! This class started high school already adept at navigating change, showing resilience and determination Their high school years were filled with building friendships, developing talents, passions, skills, and gaining knowledge along the way. Their hard work and kindness showed throughout their journey, and I cannot wait to see the amazing things they do as they start their adult lives and adventures.
Please see below for Class of 2025 celebrations and School Board meeting news.
 
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Congratulations to Lake Braddock Secondary School Class of 2025!! It was an honor to celebrate you at your graduation! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful reflections on your years in high school and your excitement for your future. I cannot wait to see the great things you will do! Go Bruins!
   
Robinson Secondary School
Congratulations Robinson Class of 2025! It was a honor to celebrate your graduation with you! I know you have a bright future ahead! Go Rams!
  
West Springfield HS
Congratulations to West Springfield High School Class of 2025!! May you always stay curious and inclusive and inspire us all! Go Spartans!
  
Woodson HS
Congratulations to the first graduating class from Carter G. Woodson High School! It was an honor to celebrate you today!
As a class built on teamwork, experience with navigating change, and leadership, you truly have demonstrated what it means to be #OneWoodson I cannot wait to see the amazing adults you will become. Go Cavaliers!
  
TJHSST
Congratulations to the Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology Class of 2025!! You've already learned how to hold your head high and believe in yourself no matter what! I cannot wait to see the amazing things you will accomplish! Go Colonials!
Pulley Career Center
Loved celebrating the Pulley Career Center students at their transition ceremony! Their enthusiasm and pride in theie accomplishments was infectious and it was wonderful to hear of all their plans when they leave FCPS. Congratulations all!
 
Canterbury Woods ES 6th Grade Promotion
Congratulations to Canterbury Woods Elementary School's 5th grade students! Go Cougars!
Braddock ES 6th Grade Promotion
And congratulations to Braddock Elementary School's 5th grade students as they are promoted form elementary to middle school!! Their families and loved ones and the Braddock Elementary teachers, staff, and administrators have done a fantastic job giving the students strong roots so now they can start to grow their wings in middle and high school. I can't wait to see them soar and succeed!
Go Eagles! 
June 12 School Board Meeting Recap
Last night’s school board meeting included goodbyes, congratulations, some good news and a few tears.
Here are the highlights:
Good news:
- Our teachers are our most valuable resource and I am so happy to announce that the board approved a much-deserved $1,000 year-end bonus for qualifying staff. Nearly 63% of the funds are coming from a one-time disbursement of state monies earmarked only for this use for all state SOQs funded positions. I want to thank staff for allocating additional funding from one-time, year-end funds so we could manage this bonus for all qualifying staff, not just SOQ positions, and thus be able to take advantage of the state funding.
- Our open enrollment policy for IB and AP courses continues to pay off for our students as more students successfully take higher level classes. Taking these classes, and/or Dual Enrollment classes, builds college level skills and confidence, helps students stand out during the admissions process and may save families and students money on tuition by earning a qualifying exam score (AP/IB) or applicable credit.
 I was proud to co-sponsor a proclamation honoring the life and service of Gerald “Gerry” Connolly, who served our community for more than three decades as supervisor, chair of the Board of Supervisors and Congressman. Among his many accomplishments: he was a steadfast supporter of Fairfax County Schools; a tireless advocate for increased federal education funding and school renovations; and a champion of providing services for students in need. When you’re riding the Silver Line, enjoying the Mosaic District, playing in our many parks, or sending your child to full-day kindergarten, think of Congressman Connolly, who fought for all this and more, while protecting federal workers and representing the best of American democratic values at NATO. His legacy, laughter and wit will never be forgotten.
 The board also honored the life and service of Jane “Janie” Strauss. Her devotion, including 26 years on the Fairfax County School Board, was tireless as an advocate of our public school system to provide all children with a world-class education, and, along with her husband Bill, co-founded the Cappies awards, celebrating excellence in high school performing arts and creating a performing arts critics program to bolster student journalism. Her legacy of support for the arts and for each and every child will last long after her passing.
 It was bittersweet to say goodbye to Megan Sawant, the 54th Student Representative to the School Board. Megan has been a powerful advocate for deepening student engagement with the School Board. Her perceptive comments reflecting the student experience and built on the perspectives she heard through her deep engagement with students has enriched our discussions and work. She will be missed, but I wish her all the best as she joins Harvard’s class of 2029 this fall. She is truly a powerhouse of a woman, intelligent, driven, hard working, kind, and humble. I know she will be successful in her next chapter of life!
 Immigration Heritage Month was celebrated with a proclamation celebrating the diversity of our county and the many contributions immigrants bring. I was proud to share my own experience as the child of immigrants and as someone for whom English was not my first language. Sesame Street helped me to learn English, public education taught me how to take my place as a citizen of this great country, and my Dad instilled in me a love of all things Bollywood and all things American (but especially a deep love for American football and the Fourth of July - his favorite holiday!) You can click on the video above or watch it here.
The Board also honored and recognized:
- Juneteenth, as a holiday commemorating Emancipation Day and the journey of African Americans, celebrating their achievements and remembering their hardships. As President Barack Obama once said, “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. Instead, it’s a celebration of progress.”
- Caribbean American Heritage Month, recognizing over 8.5 million Caribbean individuals have come to the United States, bringing diverse cultures and enriching us all. Our country is made up of a beautiful tapestry of immigrants, and their heritage and cultures enrich us all.
- Gun Violence Awareness/Wear Orange Day, bringing awareness to the dangers of gun violence and its toll as the leading cause of death for children. We must address the dangers of gun violence to truly have safe schools and protect our children.
- LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, respecting and honoring our diverse LGBTQIA+ community and their contributions, and advancing policies that protect them and enhance their experiences in our schools. To quote Harvey Milk: “Hope will never be silent.” We continue to hope and work towards a world where all are included, affirmed, and can live and love freely.
These proclamations recognize and lift up the importance of inclusivity, for supporting each and every person’s right to live fully, authentically as who they are, in a society safe from gun violence, that truly believes equality and justice for all, where each of us are equally valued, respected, included, and affirmed.
Tuesday, June 17 Work Session
The School Board is still working and will have an all-day session tonight. Here is what we will be discussing:
- Risk Assessment and Audit Topics
- Annual Reports - Foundation for Applied Technical Education (FATE) and PreK and Early Head Start Parent Policy Committee (PKEHSPPC)
- Board Budget Process
- Boundary Update
You can view the complete agenda for tomorrow’s meeting here and learn how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of service to you.
In gratitude
Rachna
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