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September Newsletter
Message from Ilryong Moon
 Click to watch the Back to School Night video.
Welcome to the 2025–2026 School Year!
I wish each of you the very best as we begin this exciting new chapter together. Students and families have been anticipating this moment, a fresh start filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate. Our teachers, administrators, and staff have been hard at work throughout the summer, preparing classrooms and programs to ensure every student is welcomed into an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
As we begin, please take note of this important calendar change when schools will be closed:
Labor Day Holiday: Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1
Special Election Day in Virginia: Tuesday, September 9 (schools closed for polling)
I understand that instructional time is precious, and I am committed to minimizing any loss of school days whenever possible. However, for the safety of our students, all schools will be closed on September 9 for the special election.
Here’s to a year of learning, achievement, and community—together, we can make this year be more fruitful and bright!
Best,
Ilryong Moon
What’s happened in August
Great Beginnings
 With my colleague Ryan McElveen (At-Large)
Energy, enthusiasm, and excitement describe the 2025 Great Beginnings Summer Institute that I attended August 6 at Hayfield Secondary School.
This annual professional learning opportunity for novice and veteran teachers who are new to FCPS set our newest team members on their way with the essential resources and connections they need to have a great school year and impactful career in our county.
I was pleased to be joined by several school board colleagues, and of course I had to take the opportunity to get a selfie with my fellow At-Large board member Ryan McElveen.
School Visits Recap
 L-R) Dr. Reid (Superintedent), Pablo Resendiz (Region 4 Assistant Superintendent), Kimberly Greer (Region 4 Executive Principal), me, Joan Carter (Interim Assistant Principal), Megan Counts (Principal), Kyle Averill (Assistant Principal), Ryan McElveen (School Board Member, At-Large)
Laurel Ridge Elementary – 55th Anniversary
I was honored to join Laurel Ridge Elementary School’s 55th Anniversary celebration.
Laurel Ridge, my neighborhood school, has long been a shining example of what is possible when dedicated educators, supportive families, and an engaged community come together. Their programs such as Spanish Immersion, Enhanced Academic Achievement for Special Education, full-time Advanced Academic Program services, and their Purple Star designation since 2019 demonstrate their excellence and commitment. Here’s to another year of success.
Every Lion. One Roar. Go Lions!
Woodson High School – Open House and Go Program
 I attended Woodson High School’s open house to meet with teachers, staff, families, and community members as they prepared for the new school year. The excitement was unmistakable as students connected with their teachers and classmates.
One highlight was the introduction of the game of Go to the school community, supported by the American Go Association. Jacob Sensiba, a Langley High School graduate and association officer, joined to demonstrate this ancient board game of strategy, skill, and patience. It was wonderful to see students learning about Go and its rich cultural history.
Go Cavaliers! Wishing you a successful and rewarding year ahead!
Falls Church High School – First Day of School
 On the first day of school, I visited Falls Church High School to encourage students, teachers, and staff as they began the year. The energy was electric—the marching band filled the air with music, the color guard performed with precision, and the cheerleaders lifted school spirit with their enthusiasm.
I arrived at Falls Church High School early in the morning, around 5:00 a.m., then went to the Gatehouse Administration Center around 6:15 a.m. and met bus attendant Daryl. He was already walking laps in the cafeteria, aiming for 5,000 steps before the school day began. In our conversation, I learned that Daryl was an Oakton High School graduate who had served as a youth director at his local church for many years. He and his bus driver partner pick up a student from home and travel all the way to Leesburg each day to transport a student receiving special education services back to the student's home afterwards.
It speaks volumes about the compassion and dedication behind our transportation staff. Just like the parable of the one lost sheep, they go the extra mile every day to ensure that every student is cared for and given access to their education.
This was a powerful reminder of the vital role our bus drivers and attendants play in safely transporting our students, day in and day out. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our transportation staff for their unwavering service.
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Go Jaguars! Here’s to another great school year!
Closing Reflection
From anniversary celebrations to open houses and first-day festivities, these visits remind me of the strength, compassion, and commitment that make Fairfax County Public Schools extraordinary. Whether it’s through innovative programs, cultural opportunities, or the simple yet profound daily acts of service, our schools embody the spirit of community and care.
As we embark on this new academic year, I am confident that together we will continue to nurture an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
George Mason University’s OSCARS
 The future of bilingual education is being shaped right here in our community. I had the privilege of seeing this firsthand this year after meeting with researchers from George Mason University and later speaking at their Summer 2025 OSCAR Celebration, where they unveiled key findings from their vital work with local dual language immersion (DLI) programs. Their studies, focusing on two local elementary schools, provide a powerful roadmap for fostering equity and sustainability.
At Colin Powell Elementary, home to Virginia's first and only Korean-English DLI program, two studies offered a deep dive into the program's dynamics. Research presented by Suk Young Yoon and Sarah Choudhary revealed how immersion teachers skillfully adapt their language use to meet students' diverse backgrounds, adopting a flexible approach that fosters greater equity. Complementing this, a project by Giselle Concepcion and Roslyn Brown highlighted the critical need to align expectations between parents and teachers and address resource imbalances, concluding that this is essential for the program’s long-term success.
Meanwhile, a study at Laurel Ridge Elementary’s Spanish-English DLI program emphasized that a strong community is the bedrock of a thriving program. Researchers Melody Campos and Yamileth Hernandez-Becerra found that success hinges on intentional outreach. They champion the power of cross-district collaboration to boost enrollment, the creation of at-home materials to support families, and the meaningful integration of language-minority parents to build a truly inclusive and successful educational environment.
80th Anniversary of National Liberation Day of Korea
 I was honored to be invited to speak at the Ernst Cultural Center in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day, known in Korean as Gwangbokjeol (광복절), which translates to the “Restoration of Light Day.” This historic day marks Japan’s unconditional surrender in 1945, which brought both the end of World War II and the liberation of Korea after 35 years of Japanese occupation.
The event was especially meaningful as it brought together descendants of Korea’s independence fighters, as well as the Korean veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars—whose sacrifices and service connect past struggles for freedom with the ongoing pursuit of peace and justice.
 I am deeply grateful to Korea’s independence fighters whose sacrifices brought freedom and hope to future generations. Because of their courage, I have been able to live in freedom here in America. As a Korean American and as a School Board Member, At-Large, I believe it is our responsibility to honor not only their legacy, but also to uphold the legacy of our own country—protecting the freedoms we cherish, nurturing the American Dream, and working together to ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Meeting with the President of South Korea
 L) President Lee Jae Myung (Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea)
On Sunday, August 24, I had the distinct honor of representing Korean Americans across the United States at a dinner with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during his visit to Washington, D.C. It was humbling to serve as a voice for our community at this important gathering.
In my three-minute remarks, I extended my best wishes to President Lee for his upcoming summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, which was scheduled to take place on the following Monday. I emphasized the need to have the outcome of the summit be beneficial to both countries and their peoples. Our shared values should continue to guide us toward a stronger and more prosperous future.
I also shared highlights of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Global Ambassador Program. This year, we welcomed 30 outstanding international educators, 10 of whom came from South Korea. These teachers are already enriching our classrooms with cultural exchange and academic excellence, and they embody the bridges of friendship that tie our two countries together.
President Lee, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the contributions of Korean Americans, calling our resilience and achievements a “precious beacon for the future” and a “strong bridge connecting Korea and the United States.” His words resonated deeply with all of us in attendance.
The evening was a powerful reminder that the Korean American community is not only rooted in history but also actively shaping the future of the U.S.-Korea partnership. I left the dinner encouraged by President Lee’s vision and reassured of the important role that education, culture, and shared values will continue to play in strengthening the ties between our two nations.
What's new in School Board
 L-Chair Sandy Anderson (Springfield), R-Vice Chair Robyn Lady (Dranesville)
The School Board’s meetings for FY2025-2026 are underway.
In July, the Board welcomed new leadership– my colleagues Sandy Anderson (Springfield District) will act as Chairwoman and Robyn Lady (Dranesville District) as Vice Chairwoman.
The committees I will be joining
I will serve on the Administration and Audit Committees, and act as Board Liaison to the Community Advisory Committee for Adult and Community Education, and the Fairfax County Affordable Housing Advisory Council.
For the upcoming year, I have appointed community members to several advisory committees that help inform and guide the work of the Board. The following individuals have been selected to serve on these committees– I want to thank them for volunteering their time for this important work.
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Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC)
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Will Chilcutt
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Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACEAC)
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Brian Thoreson
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Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD)
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Darcy Kim
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Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)
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Rich Kang
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Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC)
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Jinyoung Hwang
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School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
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Li-Hui Ueng
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Welcome New Student Representative to the Board
Faith Mekonen
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Faith Mekonen, the School Board’s Student Representative for the 2025–26 school year, joined us for her first public meetings this summer!
A senior at South County High School in the Mount Vernon District, Faith will serve as the voice of FCPS students throughout her term, representing their perspectives and priorities to the Fairfax County School Board.
For more details, please read her bio at here.
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Plan Ahead
 Find your Back To School Info Here
All Back-to-School event dates are listed on individual school websites and on each region's website.
Region 1 Back to School Events
Region 2 Back to School Events
Region 3 Back to School Events
Region 4 Back to School Events
Region 5 Back to School Events
Region 6 Back to School Events
TJHSST Back to School Event
School Year Calendars
2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028
Upcoming School Board Business & Meetings
Broadcast & open to the public:
- Tuesday, September 2, 7:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. Facilities Planning Advisory Council
- Thursday, September 4, 8:30 a.m. Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
- Tuesday, September 9, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All Day Work Session
- Wednesday, September 10, 6:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee
- Thursday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 p.m. School Health Advisory Committee
- Thursday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
Individuals should check BoardDocs for the agenda for School Board meetings since there are closed meetings that often occur before the public portion of the meeting begins.
School Board Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are broadcast live and available to the public on several platforms:
If you miss the live broadcast of any School Board Meeting or Work Session, you can also watch archived broadcasts:
** Dates & times are subject to change. Please check the 2025 School Board Annual Work Calendar for the latest information *
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.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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