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Hello, Springfield District,
As we near the end of the school year, I am reminded of how much there is to celebrate across FCPS. This month offered many opportunities to recognize the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our students, and the strength of our school communities. From honoring our retiring employees at the FCPS Retirement Ceremony to seeing student learning and belonging in action at the Phase 1 Inclusion Exhibition of Learning, I was grateful to spend time with Springfield school communities, including Greenbriar East Elementary, Hunt Valley Elementary, Rocky Run Middle, Saratoga Elementary, and South County Middle.
I also had the opportunity to celebrate innovation, leadership, and collaboration across the division. The Lighthouse Schools Celebration highlighted the important work happening at several schools across the division, including Hunt Valley Elementary and the Davis Career Center, while the Fairfax County 2026 Shark Tank Technology Challenge Awards Ceremony showcased the creativity and problem-solving skills of our students. I also appreciated joining the FCCPTA Awards Ceremony, the Leadership Fairfax Board of Supervisors Breakfast, the Mock Student Leadership Development Program Work Session, a visit to Powell Elementary School with Sully District School Board Representative Seema Dixit, and the Centreville Pyramid AVID Site Visit.
In addition to these celebrations and school visits, we continued important conversations about the future of FCPS through our Virtual Budget Town Hall and community engagement around the boundary review process. This included discussions related to Rolling Valley Elementary split feeders, the Keene Mill Elementary attendance island, and surrounding schools such as Cardinal Forest and White Oaks elementary schools. Finally, I want to remind families and community members that this is the last call to apply for volunteer opportunities on the Advanced Academic Advisory Committee and Educational Technology Advisory Committee. Your voice and participation help strengthen our schools and support every student’s success.
Finally, I’m hosting a virtual Technology Town Hall to host an open and welcoming environment for all community members to voice their feedback on the making of our Instructional Tech policy. Please register to join me on Thursday, June 4, at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
I will be in touch soon,
Sandy
Top row left to right: Lighthouse Schools Celebration featuring Hunt Valley Elementary; Phase 1 Inclusion Exhibition of Learning featuring South County Middle School; Fairfax County Council PTA President Debbie Kilpatrick and me; and speaking to students at Colin Powell Elementary.
Bottom row left to right: attending the Community Boundary Review Meeting for Rolling Valley Elementary split feeders, the Keene Mill Elementary attendance island, and surrounding schools such as Cardinal Forest and White Oaks Elementary; Student Representative to the School Board Faith Mekonen leading the Student Leadership Development Program mock work session; students receiving their awards at the Fairfax County 2026 Shark Tank Technology Awards Ceremony; and Sully District School Board Representative Seema Dixit and me with Colin Powell Elementary principal Catherine Han.
This newsletter includes information on the following issues:
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs. Please note that times are subject to change.
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May 30 at 10 a.m. - Advisory Committee Summit: Advisory Committee for Students in Disabilities (ACSD), Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC), Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)
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June 11 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
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June 13 at 10 a.m. - Advisory Committee Summit: Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC), Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACEAC), Title 1 Parent Advisory Committee (TPAC)
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June 15 at 4 p.m. - Audit Committee
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June 18 at 4:30 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee
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June 23 at 10:30 a.m. - Forum
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June 23 at 11:30 a.m. - All Day Work Session
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June 25 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
Watch and Participate:
Stay Informed:
Support & Accessibility:
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Interpretation: Contact the Board Clerk if you require language or ASL support.
Springfield District Community Opportunities
Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee
Springfield District residents: Help shape the future of advanced academic programs in our schools! I am accepting applications for a one-year term on the AAPAC advisory committee. Members meet monthly to advise the School Board and advocate for community needs.
AAPAC represents the community and brings to the School Board’s attention resource and programmatic concerns associated with advanced academics programming.
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The Role: Advocate for community interests and make annual program recommendations to the School Board.
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Commitment: One-year term (August–July), meeting monthly (usually evenings).
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Eligibility: Must reside in the Springfield District.
To learn more about AAPAC, visit the AAPAC webpage. You may also learn about the School Board’s other Community Advisory Committees.
If you are interested, please fill out this brief Google Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Educational Technology Review Committee
FCPS is launching the Educational Technology Review Committee (ETRC) to advise leadership on classroom technology and AI use.
We need parent/caregiver representatives from all levels (elementary, middle, and high) to serve a one-year term. We are especially looking for perspectives on accessibility, disability support, and multilingual learning. Advanced tech skills are not required—your perspective as a parent is what matters most! Find additional details about the committee's focus.
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The Role: Serve a one-year term, meeting regularly during the school year to advise division leadership.
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Who We Need: Parents, caregivers, students, teachers, and administrators from all school levels.
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No Tech Expertise Required: We welcome all parents, especially those who can share perspectives on accessibility, disability support, and multilingual learner needs.
If you are interested, please fill out this brief Google Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
School Board Work
School Year Calendar Updates
Our Governance Committee met on May 19th to discuss the school year calendar, and I want to make sure our community stays informed as these decisions take shape. The calendar affects everything from instructional time to family planning, and we take that responsibility seriously. During the last meeting, there were several recommended changes to the policy proposed to the committee, and they will be brought to the full board for a vote on June 11th.
The calendar policy was revised to clarify language across several key areas, including the full school week, academic calendar, philosophy, instructional time, teacher work days and professional development, the last day of school, student holidays, observance days, community engagement, calendar adoption, school-year closures, and elections. The updated language also strengthens expectations for how the school calendar is developed, how instructional time is protected, and how community input is considered before calendar adoption. The revised version of the policy that Governance sent forward to the full board also updates language related to religious and cultural observances, creating a clearer place in the policy for guidance on religious holidays.
Meeting Materials | Video
Fiscal Year 2027 Adopted Budget
On May 14, the Budget Committee of the Whole met to finalize the details of our FY2027 budget ahead of its adoption on May 21st. This budget reflects our commitment to students, staff, and fiscal responsibility, and I’m proud of the work our team put in to get here. About 89% of the budget is dedicated to employee compensation, and this plan continues to protect classroom instruction while being a thoughtful steward of public funds. FCPS’ budget reductions over the last two years exceed $200M, including items such as enrollment and staffing formula adjustments, benefit rate changes, classroom monitors, central office reductions, and curriculum materials adoptions. Most of our funding comes from the County; however, because there was a gap in funding, our Superintendent adjusted our funds accordingly. We are still hopeful of funding from the State, and will adjust accordingly if that funding comes through in July.
Meeting Materials | Video
Secondary Literacy Update
At our May 21 regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Reid brought us our second literacy update of the year, and the progress our students and educators are making is something worth celebrating! Literacy is foundational; it underpins everything we do, and we remain committed to ensuring every student in Fairfax County has the skills they need to thrive.
The Superintendent’s presentation highlighted our ongoing efforts to strengthen reading and writing proficiency across our middle and high schools. By shifting to evidence-based literacy practices, expanding targeted interventions for students who need extra support, and investing in specialized professional development for our secondary educators, we are seeing meaningful progress. I encourage everyone to view the full presentation from Dr. Reid. I am incredibly grateful to our hardworking teachers and staff who are dedicated to ensuring every student graduates as a confident, capable reader and critical thinker.
Meeting Materials | Video
FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2
At our May 7 meeting, we received an update on Goal 2 of our strategic plan: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. This goal is deeply personal to me because students cannot learn if they do not feel safe, valued, and connected to their school community.
The presentation offered a helpful roadmap for reviewing student data, identifying areas of growth, and focusing our resources where they are needed most. As a Board, we remain committed to using this information to guide future budget and policy decisions and to deliver on our promise of excellence, equity, and opportunity for every child in FCPS. I invite you to review the presentation slides to learn more about this important work.
Meeting Materials | Video
Superintendent Review of EL11: Facilities, Transportation, and Nutrition
Also at our May 7 meeting, Superintendent Reid presented her monitoring report on Executive Limitation 11: Facilities and Transportation. These monitoring reports are a cornerstone of the way our Board evaluates the Superintendent; they also help ensure that our Superintendent is operating within the boundaries the Board has established and that we are accountable to our community.
This annual review outlined how the Superintendent is successfully aligning our physical infrastructure, from school cleanliness and classroom space to bus efficiency and healthy school meals, with our core commitments to equity and environmental sustainability. Ensuring our students have safe, inviting environments to learn and have reliable transportation to get there remains a top priority for our Board.
These safety measures are the foundation of student success, and we will continue to utilize these reports to keep operations transparent. You can view the full report below.
Meeting Materials | Video
Student Rights and Responsibilities
The School Board shares a commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for our students, and that requires clear expectations. At our May 7th meeting, the School Board officially voted to adopt the updated Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document for the upcoming school year. This approval follows a comprehensive review process involving months of collaboration, public feedback, and thoughtful discussion between the Board, FCPS Staff, parents, and students. Our updates focus on streamlining disciplinary language for consistency across all schools, clarifying cell phone and personal device expectations to protect instructional time, and enhancing our substance abuse prevention and intervention protocols.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the revision process to help us maintain safe, fair, and positive learning environments for all.
Meeting Materials | Video
Superintendent Updates
🛟 New Advanced Swimming & Lifeguard Certification Course Coming This Fall
Fairfax County Public Schools will offer a new course, Advanced Swimming and Lifeguard Certification, for the 2026-27 school year. This course will be open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and will be held at Skyview High School. Students from all FCPS high schools are eligible to enroll.
Students enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to take the lifeguard certification test in spring 2027. Those who successfully pass will earn American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, including deep water certification.
Information about transportation between base schools and Skyview High School is being finalized and will be shared once it is available. Directors of Student Services will begin enrolling students by June 1. If your student is interested in this opportunity, please encourage them to speak with their school counselor.
🏆 Reid Reflects: It’s an Honor to Be Nominated
In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shares that FCPS has received two nominations for the 68th Capital Emmy Awards for Girls Flag Football: Be a Trailblazer — Get in the Game! and Touching History.
These nominations highlight the incredible stories unfolding across FCPS every day. Read more about these videos in Weekly Reflections.
Save-the-Date!
☀️Summer Online Campus Registration Closes June 5
Registration for summer classes with FCPS’ Online Campus will close on Friday, June 5. Email OnlineCampus@fcps.edu or call 703-503-7781 with any questions.
☀️ Register Today for Summer Camps and Enrichment Programs
Registration closes Friday, June 6, for summer camps and learning opportunities offered to all students by FCPS.
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 two to five 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.
🚣 National Learn to Row Day with Lake Braddock Secondary School
Join the Lake Braddock Crew Team for a morning on the water, Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon, in celebration of National Learn to Row Day at Bull Run Marina. Participants must be aged 12 and older and will learn how to use an ergometer, tour the team's facilities, and row on the water. No experience is necessary. Sign up for a time slot. Contact Ops@bruincrew.com for more information.
🏢Careers with FCPS
FCPS welcomes their expertise to help shape the future of our students. Visit our careers website for more information about current job openings, job fairs, and recruitment events.
Upcoming hiring events include:
🗓️Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)
Wednesday, June 17, is the last day of school. All secondary schools and high schools will operate on a two-hour school day schedule:
- High schools: 8 to 10 a.m.
- Secondary schools: 8:10 to 10:10 a.m.
All middle and elementary schools will operate on a two-hour early release schedule that day. Check with your child’s school for its dismissal time.
🎓 Share Graduation or Promotion Ceremony Photos!
Graduation season is almost here! FCPS, students, families, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures from this year’s graduation or promotion ceremonies on Facebook or Instagram by tagging FCPS and their school and using the hashtag #FCPSgrad26.
View the FCPS high school graduation schedule.
Follow FCPS and Your School on Social Media
Visit the Social Media in FCPS webpage to find FCPS social accounts and a school social media directory.
The Highlight Reel!
📰 Student Journalists Meet With Superintendent to Discuss AI in Education
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi met with student journalists from every high school last week for a discussion about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education.
The hour-long question-and-answer session was the second in an ongoing series of student journalist roundtables with division leadership. Watch a video about the panel. Read about the panel and the students’ thoughtful questions.
🪧 Elementary School Receives National Recognition for Inclusive Programming
This school year, Bush Hill Elementary School was named a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School for the second time. It was also named to the 2025 ESPN Honor Roll.
Both achievements led to the school being one of only three selected this year for an unveiling ceremony for its new National Unified Champion Schools banner. Important figures from ESPN and Special Olympics joined the school community on April 30 to celebrate. Read about their celebration of unified sports.
🪈 Feeling the Beat: Technology Brings Music to Life for Students at Canterbury Woods
Students at Canterbury Woods Elementary School recently experienced a live orchestra in a way they never thought possible. During a special instrument petting zoo, students who are deaf or hard of hearing used cutting-edge technology to experience a performance in real time. Read about the instrument petting zoo.
📜 FCPS Recognized with Financial Reporting and Transparency Awards
FCPS received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the Association of School Business Officials International. It also received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. FCPS was recognized for its financial reporting work for the fiscal year ending in June 2025.
🎧 From Classroom to Control Room, FCPS Grows Its Own
From student producer at McLean High School to multimedia production technician for FCPS, Arman Nikmorad’s journey is a testament to the “grow your own” culture at FCPS. A 2022 graduate and a 2026 George Mason University graduate, Nikmorad now supports everything from School Board livestreams to student TV studios — all while mentoring the next generation of interns.
Read about Arman’s FCPS journey.
🧠 Teaching the Whole Child: Student Mental Health and Well-Being
FCPS not only provides students with opportunities for academic growth and excellence, but our staff members also know that students cannot learn their best when they do not feel their best. Bethany Demers (pictured on the right) supports this work in schools. Read about her impact.
🌟 Military Child Finds Home at FCPS and Is Bound for West Point
In ninth grade, Audrey Ortiz-Peterson became a student in FCPS. She started at Mount Vernon High School, where she’ll graduate this June before heading to the United States Military Academy at West Point. She’s aware that her life story so far can be quite typical for military-connected students like her, but she counts her blessings for what she has learned from attending eight schools in her K-12 experience.
🏆 FCPS Receives Regional Gold Level Baldrige Award
FCPS has been named a recipient of the 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence by The Partnership for Excellence. This recognition marks the first time an education applicant has won the Gold Award the first time they applied.
The award, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, represents the region’s highest level of recognition that a U.S. organization can receive for demonstrating its performance excellence, resilience, and long-term success. Read about this honor and what FCPS practices were highlighted as excellent.
In Case You Missed It
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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.
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