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Hello Braddock Families,
Last Friday, I was honored to join the Woodson High School community for their annual Homecoming Parade. The weather was as close to perfect as you could get.🍁 All along the parade route, future Cavaliers enjoyed the festivities and the candy! The event was planned and managed with maximum student participation. The outreach, logistics, parking and more were all staffed by students - it was a wonderful example of how learning takes place inside and outside of the classroom - plus it was a lot of old-fashioned fun.
 I love all the fun fall events at our schools - be sure to check out your local school’s newsletter for upcoming events for your family.
For example, I am excited for fun for the Bonnie Brae and Terra Centre communities! Bonnie Brae Elementary will be celebrating with a Fall Festival this Friday evening, October 24. The event will include pizza, drinks, candy, games, prizes, glow sticks, swag sales, a special DJ, Monster Mash, and a costume contest! On Monday, November 3, Terra Centre Elementary joins the fun with a Pumpkin Drop & Movie Night. I hope you and your family have a chance to participate in the fun activities at your school.
I am very grateful for the strong partnerships with our administrators and the PTAs/PTOs/PTSAs/PTSOs for helping make all these amazing events happen. What a great community we are building in our schools!
The next School Board meeting is this Thursday, October 23 at 7 p.m.. Tune in to watch and participate in School Board meetings from home. The full agenda is available for review. Topics to be covered include:
- Proclamation Honoring National Red Ribbon Week
- Proclamation Honoring Student Athletics and Activities Month
- A presentation on the impact of pre-K on student achievement and FCPS progress in this area
- An update on the K-12 School Start Time Project and Survey
- A discussion of the information gathered from the Fairfax County Youth Survey 2024-25
- Additional Advisory Committee Appointments
- Award of Contract for Architectural Services
As always, my team and I are available to answer any questions you might have or address any concerns. Please feel free to reach out to my office at braddockconstituent@fcps.edu.
All my best,
In this issue
Scenario 4 Boundary Maps
The new Scenario 4 Boundary Maps have been posted and I am glad to see many of the issues previously raised by our community have been fixed. If you have any feedback on the Scenario 4 Boundaries, please reach out and share it, either by leaving a comment on the map, by reaching out to your member of the Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee, or by sharing your concerns with my team. And remember, there are still upcoming meetings for the following pyramids with Braddock District families:
School Start Times
While Dr. Reid and the board have been exploring possibilities for healthy start times, no decision has been made on this nor are there current plans to change start times. We are also exploring possibilities of start time changes as part of the comprehensive boundary review. I have been and will continue to advocate for robust stakeholder engagement before we make any changes to start times.
Western High School Update
Many families across Fairfax County are excited by the news of the new Western High School purchase. This school will save the county about $350 million (as opposed to building a new high school from scratch) and puts Fairfax County multiple years ahead of schedule in relieving overcrowding in the Western part of the county with space for nearly 2,000 students. The school is already outfitted with athletic fields, parking, three buildings, a state-of-the art lab and collaborative work spaces. As part of the ongoing Boundary Review process, boundary maps for the Western High School are expected to come out around the end of the month (hopefully October 25). Although no Braddock District families should be impacted by the new boundary, I wanted to share an exciting update on the new school.
Speak Up for Special Education!
 Join the Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) for its annual "Town Hall Meeting" Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7-9 p.m., 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Room 1000B, Fairfax, VA
This is your chance to share concerns, kudos, or ideas about special education in FCPS. Each speaker will have three minutes to offer their thoughts about students with disabilities and learning differences in the division.
Can't attend in person? Participate via Zoom, send a video in advance, or submit written comments that will be read aloud on your behalf during the meeting.
Email ACSDChair@fcps.edu by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 11 to request virtual access. There is no need to RSVP if you plan to attend in person.
Senior FCPS leaders and school board members will be invited to attend. All comments will be shared with the school board, central office staff, and included in the ACSD Annual Report. Please note, these public meetings are recorded and published on the ACSD website; parents should be cognizant of personally identifying details about their children when preparing their comments.
SEPTA Membership Drive
 The Special Education PTA for Fairfax County, SEPTA, was very helpful to me as I advocated for my own child. SEPTA specifically focuses on addressing the unique needs of special education, special needs, and disabled students and families. This month SEPTA is holding a membership drive, and they are looking to add 300 members by October 30. If you think SEPTA would benefit you and your family, please join today!
 Congratulations to all of the incredible Impact Awards winners! The Impact Awards recognize employees committed to collaboration, equity, innovation and student achievement. The awards are divided into the Collaboration and Partnerships, Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Innovation and Improvement, and Student Achievement and Success categories. Congratulations to all of the award winners, and a special shout out to the following winners who have had an incredible impact in the Braddock District.
- Nicholas Hartman - Assistant Principal at Holmes Middle School
- Karen Olarinde - Resource Teacher at Annandale High School
- Erin Rock - History & Social Studies Teacher at Lake Braddock Secondary School
Outstanding Principals Build Empathy and Community
 This National Principals Month, we celebrate two outstanding FCPS principals who demonstrate what exceptional leadership looks like: Georgina Aye of Fairfax High School (pictured above) and Justin Simmons of South County Middle School. They were honored last spring at the FCPS Honors celebration.
Georgina and Justin are focused on helping students grow and feel like they belong, and ensuring every teacher and parent has the resources they need to best support those students. Read about these outstanding principals.
Fall Theater Programs
 Mark your calendars! This fall, fantastic student performances are coming up at schools attended by Braddock District students! If you haven’t caught one of our high school productions yet, you are in for a treat with these incredibly professional and entertaining performances. (You can click on each production for more information on that school's website.)
You can find more information on each school’s website. As we learn of more fall shows, we will make sure to share them!
Thank you for supporting your local high school and middle school performing arts programs!
Rolling Valley Haunted House
 Halloween is quickly approaching! Although many families and students have lots of fun on this spooky holiday, it is important to ensure students with special needs can partake as well. That is why I am happy to share information about the Haunted House and Fun Fair at Rolling Valley Elementary School. Although it isn’t in the Braddock District, this haunted house will have a dedicated time for ‘no spooks’ and ‘lights-on’ haunted house, as well as a sensory friendly room. Online ticket sales have ended already, but you can always bring cash to purchase tickets at the door. If this is something that may benefit your family, I hope you attend and have lots of fun!
Roadmap to College: What Students Should Do Each Year of High School
Join FCPS’ Family Resource Center for a webinar on what high school students should do to stand out on college applications. Receive clear strategies for college preparation and success. This webinar will take place on Friday, October 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and is for families of eighth graders and high school students. Register to attend.
📝 Applications Open Monday, October 20, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application opened Monday, October 20, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, November 14. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
Reid All About It: How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning
 In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid talks about a recent School Board work session discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI). She shared information on how AI is being integrated into teaching, learning, and getting our students ready for the workforce of the future as well.
Dr. Reid also promoted Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with division leadership, which will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. All are encouraged to attend to:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
- Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
- Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
- Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Register for the AI conference. Agenda details will be shared with registered participants in the coming weeks. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.
Read Dr. Reid’s latest Weekly Reflections.
 These one-stop shop job fairs offer candidates the opportunity to complete nearly every step of the hiring process in a single day, including physicals, fingerprinting, orientation sessions, and interviews. Though no pre-registration is required to attend, applicants should prepare in advance by bringing completed reference forms, a copy of their driving record, and an updated resume.
School Bus Driver job fairs will be held throughout the Fall, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:
▪️Thursday, October 23 at the Lorton Center
▪️November 7 at Stonecroft Transportation Center
▪️November 21 at Lorton Center
▪️December 5 at Stonecroft Transportation Center
▪️December 16 at Lorton Center
🩹 Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are available. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student.
 When Cell Phones Are Down, Learning and Engagement Are Up: Help Keep Our Schools Phone-Free
Cell phones can significantly impact academic performance — research has shown that it takes students 10 minutes or more to shift their focus back to learning after being interrupted by a single cell phone notification! You can help keep our schools phone-free (and your child focused on learning) by:
- Reminding your child about FCPS’ cell phone policy and telling them why you support it.
- Contacting your school’s front office (rather than your child directly) if there is a family emergency during the school day.
- Contacting your child about non-urgent matters before or after the school day.
- Waiting to respond to non-urgent texts from your child until the school day is over.
Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone and personal device policy. Also, view our Media Balance and Well-Being Toolkit for resources to help your child maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with technology at home.
Explore Lifelong Learning Through FCPS Adult & Community Education (ACE)!
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Increase your skills. Raise your value. Enrich your life through FCPS ACE courses. Be on the lookout. The 2025-26 FCPS ACE Course Catalog is hitting mailboxes now!
Explore hundreds of continuing education, career certification, and personal improvement classes available through FCPS ACE. Affordable classes are conducted in person or online to meet your busy schedule. Even before your catalog arrives, you can browse all classes online anytime.
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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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