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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Second Edition June Newsletter
Message from Ilryong Moon
 Wrapping Up Another Outstanding School Year
Summer is in full swing and I hope you are enjoying a fun, restful and well-deserved season with family and friends.
As we close another remarkable school year, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026. This year, I had the privilege of attending 25 out of 36 graduation ceremonies this year. At each ceremony, I was inspired by the resilience, achievements, and aspirations of our students as they reached this important milestone.
Graduation season is one of the most rewarding times of the year, offering an opportunity to celebrate not only our students, but also the families, teachers, and staff members who have supported them along the way.
Congratulations to all of our graduates and their loved ones. I am excited to see what the future holds for the Class of 2026 and wish them continued success in the years ahead.
Best,
Ilryong Moon
What's New & What's Next
Join our School Board Community Advisory Committee
Public Hearing on the Skyview High School Boundaries
Last Days of the School Year
 Congratulations, Graduates!
The end of the school year is such a busy time for our students and schools, and it was for me as well! I celebrated high school graduates all across Fairfax County–from Herndon in the north, to South County, to Westfield, and Bryant in the east, and so many in between.
I love the graduation season because of the reflection and promise that is celebrated. Graduation is a launchpad into a world of opportunity. I hope the next stage–whatever you choose to do–is filled with continued happiness, achievement, exploration, and impact.
FCPS Honors
 The end-of-year celebrations continued at the FCPS Honors event, recognizing the excellence of employees across the division. Listening to the contributions of these remarkable educators reminded me of the teamwork that it takes to build a supportive and thriving environment. These employees have gone above and beyond in their contributions to FCPS, and it is a privilege to highlight their dedication.
This year’s 12 winners:
- Clark Levine, Outstanding Elementary New Teacher.
- Charlotte Smith, Outstanding Secondary New Teacher.
- Lindsey Kearns, Outstanding New Principal.
- Kimberly Roman, Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee.
- Kevin Brown, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Operational Employee.
- Cori Lonnett, Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee.
- Purvis Dawson, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Professional Employee.
- Tricia Wayland, Outstanding School-Based Leader.
- Melissa DeAngelo, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Leader.
- Amanda Blevins, Outstanding Elementary Teacher.
- Scott McCormick, Outstanding Secondary Teacher.
- Rashida Green, Outstanding Principal.
Congratulations!
For more details click here.
 Washington Korean Women's Society Scholarship
 I was pleased to have my staff assistant, Dane Pototsky, represent me at the Washington Korean Women's Society (WKWS) Scholarship Awards Ceremony.
The WKWS has a longstanding tradition of supporting student achievement and higher education through its annual scholarship program. This year, four Fairfax County Public Schools seniors were selected to receive $1,500 scholarships as they prepare to begin their college journeys this fall.
Congratulations to this year's FCPS scholarship recipients:
- Aliza Alwadud, Lewis High School
- Gina Chae, Annandale High School
- Zineb Laraichi, Justice High School
- Blady Martinez, Mountain View High School (was unable to attend the ceremony due to a work commitment.)
In recognition of their accomplishments and future aspirations, Dane presented each recipient with a copy of my book, Hamburger Coke. I hope the stories and experiences shared in the book will encourage these students as they embark on the next chapter of their educational and personal journeys.
Congratulations to all of this year's scholarship recipients. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are truly commendable, and I wish them continued success in college and beyond.
I also extend my sincere appreciation to the Washington Korean Women's Society for its continued investment in supporting and empowering our students.
 Asian Leadership Alliance Scholarship Banquet
It was an honor to join my colleague, School Board Member, At-Large Ryan McElveen, along with our Leadership team, Dr. Ponce, Ms. Vroman, educators, families, and community members at the Asian Leadership Alliance Scholarship Banquet.
Congratulations to this year's FCPS scholarship recipients:
- Manas Puri, Lake Braddock Secondary School (Stanford University, Major: Management Science and Engineering and Computer Science)
- Elaina Rivers, Hayfield Secondary School (University of Virginia,
Major: Nursing)
- Sophia Shi, Thomas Edison High School (University of Pennsylvania,
Major: Sociology)
These outstanding students exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and service. I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
To learn more about their stories, click here.
 Cappies
I was honored to attend the Annual Cappies Gala and present the award for Outstanding Costumes with my colleague Ryan McElveen. In the spirit of the evening, I joined in the fun by wearing a modern interpretation of a traditional Korean hanbok, paired with a pink bow tie and a hat. While I certainly was not competing for any awards myself, it was a wonderful way to celebrate the creativity, artistry, and cultural expression that make student theater so special.
The Cappies continue to showcase the incredible talent, dedication, and imagination of our students both on stage and behind the scenes. From acting and music to costumes, set design, and technical production, these programs provide students with meaningful opportunities to grow as performers, artists, and leaders.
I was lucky to join Nathan Lee of Lake Braddock Secondary School who won the Cappie as Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Musical. I was also able to find his friends at Lake Braddock theater program which received the award for Outstanding Musical.
Thank you to the Cappies for the invitation and for continuing to celebrate excellence in student theater throughout our region.
✍️ What Is the Cappies?
The Cappies program was established to recognize excellence in student journalism and theater. It trains students in critical writing, fosters leadership, and builds bridges between schools through the arts. In the 2024–25 season, 46 high schools from across the DMV participated, with over 300 student critics submitting more than 2,000 reviews. Its founders included the late Janie Strauss, former Fairfax County School Board member, and her late husband, Bill Strauss.
 End-of-Year Go Festival at Skyview High School
At the beginning of this school year, I was proud to help announce the launch of Go Clubs at several schools throughout our division through a partnership with the American Go Association.
To celebrate another successful year, I attended the End-of-Year Go Festival at Skyview High School on May 30. The event brought together students and families from across the county to play, learn, and connect through the ancient strategy game of Go.
Beyond being a challenging and engaging game, Go helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and mathematical skills. It was inspiring to see students of all ages participate and demonstrate the growth they achieved throughout the year. I look forward to seeing this program continue to expand and benefit even more students in the future.
 Summer Extravaganza
I was pleased to attend the annual Summer Extravaganza at Woodson High School. Thank you to our Community Relations team for organizing another successful event that connected students and families with valuable resources, programs, and opportunities available throughout the summer months.
The event featured numerous community organizations, engaging activities, and helpful information designed to support student success and family well-being.
I was also grateful to attend alongside Dr. Ponce. As he prepares to leave FCPS this summer to serve as Superintendent of Champaign Community Unit School District 4 in Illinois, I want to thank him for his dedicated service to our students, staff, and families. We wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter.
 Family Seminar at Colin Powell Elementary School
I recently had the opportunity to attend a Family Seminar at Colin Powell Elementary School titled, "How to Raise Bilingual Children."
As the home of FCPS' Korean Dual Language Immersion Program, Colin Powell Elementary School provides a unique opportunity for students to develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural understanding. The seminar brought together many families eager to learn practical strategies and resources to support language development both at school and at home.
During my visit, I also had the pleasure of meeting a couple of college professors who specialize in dual language education. They were observing our programs and shared positive feedback about the high-quality instruction and learning opportunities being provided to students. Their compliments reinforced the outstanding work being done by our educators, staff, and families to support multilingual learning.
I was encouraged by the strong parent engagement and grateful for the school's continued commitment to helping students thrive academically, linguistically, and culturally.
 Madison High School MTC Presentations of Competency
During a recent visit to James Madison High School for its MTC (Master of Transcript Consortium) presentations, I had the opportunity to meet Max Choe and learn about his inspiring work with the Unique Learning Center (ULC) in Washington, D.C.
Recognizing that many students in underserved communities have limited access to advanced technology programs, Max created a bi-weekly 3D printing and modeling initiative that introduces students to hands-on STEM learning experiences. Through project-based activities, students develop creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence while exploring emerging technologies. I commend Max for his commitment to expanding educational opportunities for younger students and look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work.
Max also shared with me that his father had met with me nearly 30 years ago, when he was a high school senior, to discuss college options at the encouragement of Max's grandfather. Hearing that story was both surprising and humbling. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with and support students across multiple generations throughout my career.
During my visit, I also participated in a student-led discussion on artificial intelligence. Students and community participants exchanged thoughtful and candid perspectives on the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. It was encouraging to hear students engage in meaningful conversations about a topic that will undoubtedly play an important role in their future education, careers, and daily lives.
 Robinson v. Hayfield Baseball
I had the opportunity to attend the Occoquan Region Tournament Semifinal baseball game between the Hayfield Hawks and the Robinson Rams at Hayfield Secondary School.
Fans were treated to an exciting and hard-fought contest, with Hayfield earning a thrilling 9-7 victory and extending its winning streak to 13 games. The energy, sportsmanship, and determination displayed by both teams made for a memorable evening and showcased the very best of student athletics.
Congratulations to both teams on an outstanding season, with a special shout out to Hayfield for winning the Occoquan Region and advancing to the semifinals of the VHSL Class 6 state tournament!
As another successful spring sports season comes to a close, I want to congratulate all of our student-athletes, coaches, and families for their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout the year.
For those interested in state championship results, information is available through the Virginia High School League.
 Retirement Ceremony at Braddock Elementary School
I went to a retirement celebration honoring Principal Keesha Jackson-Muir of Braddock Elementary School and recognizing her remarkable 29 years of service to Fairfax County Public Schools.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Jackson-Muir served in numerous roles, including classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. As the leader of Braddock Elementary, she fostered a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusion while ensuring that every student felt valued and supported.
Known for her strong relationships with students, staff, and families, Mrs. Jackson-Muir championed programs that expanded opportunities for students and celebrated the rich diversity of the Braddock community. Her outstanding leadership was recognized when she was named the 2018 FCPS Outstanding Principal.
I am grateful for Mrs. Jackson-Muir's dedication to our students and school communities and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.
 Belvedere Elementary School Primary Years Programme Exhibition
As an At-Large School Board member, I receive invitations to many wonderful events across our division. While I am unable to attend all of them, it is especially difficult to decline an invitation that comes directly from a student.
 I had the pleasure of attending Belvedere Elementary School's Primary Years Programme Exhibition, where students showcased the results of their research, creativity, and learning. I was impressed by the variety of projects and the thoughtful questions students explored.
One group shared survey results about the types of after-school sports they wanted to see offered in middle schools. Unsurprisingly, basketball and soccer emerged as the top choices. Another group was advocating for additional tricycles for students and invited visitors to sign a petition in support of their proposal. I was happy to add my name and support their efforts.
As I visited the exhibits, students confidently presented their findings and answered questions from visitors. During one discussion about food waste, I jokingly asked whether "wasting time" could also be considered a form of waste. Students quickly pointed out that time was intangible! What a thoughtful response that brought smiles to everyone involved.
I enjoyed seeing younger students exploring the exhibition, reading display boards and sharing their own observations and questions.
Thank you to the students and staff of Belvedere Elementary School for inviting me to celebrate their learning and accomplishments.
Join our School Board Community Advisory Committee
Make Your Voice Heard!
Fairfax County Public Schools is currently accepting nominations for Community Advisory Committees for the 2026–27 school year. These committees serve as important bridges between the community and the School Board, helping shape policy, improve programs, and amplify diverse voices across FCPS.
🕒 Deadline to apply: Tuesday, July 7 at 5:00 p.m.
Here are the committees currently seeking members:
If you’re interested in serving, please email SBMoonStaff@fcps.edu with your resume, contact information, and a short statement explaining your interest in the specific committee.
Interviews will be conducted with selected applicants, and final appointments will be made at a School Board meeting in July.
July 13 Public Hearing
 The Fairfax County School Board announces a public hearing on the Skyview High School boundaries at 6:00 p.m. on July 13, 2026, at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Signups to speak at the public hearing will open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, and close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. Individuals may sign up using the Google form at this link.
Individuals will have two (2) minutes each to address the School Board and may do so in-person or virtually via Zoom. However, pre-recorded videos are not permitted. If you have any questions about the public hearing, please contact the School Board Office by emailing communityparticipation@fcps.edu or calling (571) 423-1075, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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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