• New Fort Hunt ES Playground Opening. I was pleased to join Principal Jean Consolla, Region 3 Executive Principal Jesse Kraft, and the Fort Hunt PTA to cut the ribbon on Fort Hunt’s new playground. After Principal Consolla reminded everyone of the safety rules, the kids tested out all the new equipment and had a blast. Click here to watch a video of the new playground.

• Back to School Nights in Mount Vernon. It was wonderful to see so many families and staff come together with a shared sense of excitement and community. Getting to meet so many of you and hear about your hopes for the year ahead was truly inspiring. The energy and enthusiasm in our schools are contagious, and it's a powerful reminder of what makes our district so special. Thank you Hayfield SS, Bucknell ES, Hollin Meadows ES, Whitman MS, and Belle View ES for welcoming me into your school communities. I am looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth for all our students!

• September and October Boundary Review Community Meetings. In September, I heard from constituents about school boundaries and school start times during at community meeting held at West Potomac HS. In October, I was excited to attend community meetings about proposed boundaries for the Hayfield/South County Pyramids on October 22, the Edison/Lewis Pyramids on October 24, and the Mount Vernon/West Potomac Pyramids on October 25. Thank you to all of the community members who attended in-person and online to ensure that potential changes are aligned with our community needs and priorities. Please continue to share your feedback. The Boundary Review Advisory Committee and FCPS staff and consultants are actively reviewing and making recommendations based on the input received.
  • Click here to submit comments online by no later than November 14
  • Please also email me directly at MountVernon@fcps.edu. 

• Recent School Visits. I recently visited Laurel Hill ES, Island Creek ES, Bryant HS, and Lorton Station ES. Thank you to our wonderful principals for the in-depth conversations about their success and challenges. These visits are an opportunity to see the daily excellence of our schools firsthand and they are a chance to talk to staff about their innovative work and best practices. These visits also allow me to directly assess facility needs—from classroom updates to larger maintenance issues—so I can advocate effectively for the resources our schools require to maintain their high standards of excellence. 

• Mount Vernon Pyramid Night. Mount Vernon HS and its feeder schools gathered for its 2025 Pyramid Night. It was amazing to see our entire Mount Vernon Pyramid, from current students to our future Majors, packed in the stands to cheer on our football team. The energy was electric! A huge shout-out to everyone who came out to support our school and community. Special thanks also to the FCPS Region 3 Office for its fantastic efforts to create community and collaboration among our pyramid schools and principals. Let’s keep building that Mount Vernon spirit! Watch a brief video clip here. 

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a true pillar of our community, Judge Rohulamin Quander. His life was a testament to service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to both Fairfax County and our nation. Just one week before his passing, I had the profound honor of joining Judge Quander at Fort Hunt Park to celebrate the Quander Family's 100th Family Reunion. The event was a powerful reminder of the incredible impact and lasting contributions the Quanders have made to Fairfax County Public Schools and our country. In June, the Fairfax County School Board passed a proclamation recognizing the Quander family as the nation's oldest documented African American family, a remarkable and well-deserved honor. The Quander family's legacy is a beacon of inspiration for us all, and Judge Quander's life epitomized their remarkable story. Our deepest condolences go out to his beloved wife, Mrs. Carmen Quander, their children, and the entire Quander family. 

• Read Judge Quander's Obituary
• Watch this short video commemorating school board's proclamation to honor the Quander Family's Centennial Anniversary

On October 23, I sponsored a motion to postpone any division-wide changes to school start times until no earlier than the 2027–28 school year. The motion passed. Read the motion here. Watch my remarks here. 

I believe this action is a direct and necessary response to the feedback I have heard from you, my constituents, and from staff and families across the county. I heard your repeated concerns about the initial options and the rapid timeline. The results of the Fall 2025 survey clearly signal that the community needs and wants better alternatives, with nearly 26% of respondents choosing "Neither option". Your concerns about work schedule coordination (84% concerned), extracurriculars/athletics (83% concerned), and transportation (75% concerned) are simply too critical to ignore. I am grateful Board Chair Sandy Anderson seconded my motion to delay the implementation of any changes to allow for the full integration of new transportation routing software and to properly account for major changes like boundary adjustments and the opening of the new Western High School.

By securing this extension, FCPS can engage in a more thoughtful and comprehensive planning process that prioritizes your family's needs while staying committed to finding healthy school start times for our students. Furthermore, the Board has directed the Superintendent to present a plan by December 2026 with viable options that are budget-neutral and minimize impacts on staff, confirming our commitment to a practical and well-supported solution. This is about getting it right, not rushing it!

I am excited to announce that I was recently named the new liaison to the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC). In this role, I look forward to increasing awareness, access, and participation in all Career and Technical Education programs across the county, particularly at schools in the Mount Vernon District and where Mount Vernon District students attend. I believe it is vital that all students are well-prepared for the workforce. Click here to see Career and Technical Education in action in FCPS schools.

On September 4, I joined Dr. Reid, Chief of Facilities Services Erik Gordon, and school leadership for an early morning tour of Hayfield SS to learn more about the status of the mold remediation efforts. I returned to campus for Hayfield SS's Back to School Night on September 10 and again on October 15 for a Family/Community Town Hall to hear directly from parents, staff, and community members who wanted to share their concerns.

I was troubled by what I saw and by what I heard from school staff and the community so I will continue to advocate for accountability and transparency with respect to mold remediation measures. View the 09/10/2025 mold report online. 

Please continue to report to school administrators and to my office any new or continuing issues, so we can ensure they are promptly addressed and resolved. You can reach me directly at MountVernon@fcps.edu. 

I am thrilled to recognize Mount Vernon District All-Star Student Ralph-Brayden Abamba (Brayden), a Mount Vernon High School Class of 2025 graduate who now attends the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS).

Brayden's success is a powerful testament to self-discipline and perseverance. While Brayden's mother was a travel nurse who was often deployed during the pandemic his freshman and sophomore years, he had to be responsible for himself at a much earlier age than most of his peers. Despite the circumstances, Brayden excelled academically and in extracurriculars. He established habits of self-discipline and determination that prepared him to achieve academic excellence and a strong SAT score. He also successfully navigated the complicated military academy application process to earn a prestigious Congressional recommendation from U.S. Representative Don Beyer.

Brayden is currently spending ten months at USMAPS, proving himself before transferring to join his peers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He looks forward to his service, embracing the values of the Academy: "I respect the military discipline, the regimentation they implement, learning how to get stuff done, the concept of character development," he said. "I hope to grow as a person. Knowing you are part of the U.S. Military, that is a strong name to carry and uphold, and I truly look forward to that."

We salute Brayden for his hard work, focus, and aspiration to represent America. His journey strengthens our community and inspires us all! Read Brayden's full story here. 

Twenty (20) Mount Vernon District schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2025 Purple Star Schools. 

• First time designees include: Groveton ES, Key MS, Laurel Hill ES; and Mount Vernon Woods ES.
• MVD's 5 second-time recipients are: Edison HS, Silverbrook ES, Twain MS, West Potomac HS, and Woodlawn ES.
• MVD's 11 third-time recipients include: Fort Hunt ES. Gunston ES, Hayfield SS, Key Center, Mount Vernon HS, Sandburg MS, Saratoga ES, Stratford Landing ES, Washington Mill ES, Whitman MS, and Woodley Hills ES.

I am incredibly proud of the many schools in our district that have earned the Purple Star School designation. For a community that is home to so many military-connected families, this designation is a profound expression of our commitment to ensure military kids are prepared to thrive. We recognize that military students move frequently—often six to nine times during their K-12 education—which can create significant academic and emotional stress, especially during a parental deployment. The Purple Star award assures military families moving into our area that their child will receive consistent, high-quality academic and emotional support from a staff trained to meet their specific needs. Read the full list of FCPS 2025 Purple Star Schools here. 

• Sandburg MS Principal Jennifer Laxton. Mrs. Jennifer Laxton has been selected as the new principal of Carl Sandburg MS. As the former principal of Fort Belvoir Upper School, she has over 20 years of experience in education, including eight as a principal, Mrs. Laxton is known for her collaborative leadership style and her dedication to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven ability to foster a positive and supportive school community. I look forward to working with her in this new role and am excited to welcome her to the Sandburg MS team! 

Help Keep Students Safe — Become a Crossing Guard. Dependable and caring adults are needed to serve as crossing guards, helping students safely bike and walk to and from our schools. This is a great opportunity for retirees, stay-at-home parents, or anyone looking to make a difference in their community. Crossing guards will earn $16.50 per hour and receive bonus time: Work 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after school for a total of one hour a day and earn $33.00.

The Fairfax County Police Department has engaged a company, ACMS, to recruit crossing guards. Please visit their website to learn more and apply.