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Braddock Bravos, Instructional Technology Town Hall Recap, Summer Resources, and More
Good evening, Neighbors!
I hope you all are having a wonderful summer. So far, we’ve spent a lot of time at the pool, hosting playdates, and ferrying both of our kids to various camps.
Though school is out, we still have two School Board meetings left to go, including one tonight, where we’ll discuss future school year calendars, review the FY2026 budget, and hear about Special Olympics partnerships. You can find more information here.
The summer break has also been a great opportunity for me to have deeper conversations with educators, advocates, and volunteers, while planning for what to prioritize in the coming year.
Earlier this week, I hosted a Town Hall on Instructional Technology with many Braddock residents and educators, where we discussed how technology should look in classrooms, actions that could be taken in the coming school year, and what topics community members hope the new Educational Technology Review Committee will address. You can read more below.
Late last month, I joined my colleague, Kyle McDaniel (At-Large), on a Facilities Condition Assessment led by our FCPS Facilities team. As background, several years ago, the Board voted to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our more than 200 facilities to help ensure a fair, data-driven process to guide the future planning, design, funding, and implementation of improvements to FCPS.
I was impressed by the level of detail that the team used to conduct this evaluation. One item worth mentioning is that the consultant team shared how FCPS has one of the best sets of facilities information they've ever seen—which means more efficient, consistent, and effective analysis. You can learn more on the FCPS website, and stay tuned for more information and ways to provide your inputs in this assessment.
Earlier this week, I also got to meet with World Food Movement, which has been providing 200 weekend food boxes twice a month since November to our neighbors at Braddock Elementary School, and we’re hoping to expand their services to more communities.
I’ve also spent time engaging with community members around the boundary reviews, and recently took some time to drive around the neighborhoods surrounding Keene Mill and Cardinal Forest to get a better sense of some of the areas being discussed. You can learn more about that study here.
Finally, I would like to thank Supervisor Sizemore Heizer for holding a Town Hall yesterday on the storm damage that came through Burke. You can watch the video here.
Thank you all for your feedback and input as we work to support our kids, our schools, and our communities.
In Service,
Tom Dannan
Braddock District Representative
Community Input on Instructional Technology
On Tuesday, I held a virtual Town Hall centered around how we can be intentional with using instructional technology, where I was joined by my colleague, Mr. Ilryong Moon (At-Large). We had more than 20 participants, including parents, educators, administrators, and advocates—and one student! The discussion went for more than an hour, and covered a range of questions we had for our community, including:
- What does the “ideal” classroom experience look like to you?
- What are the biggest benefits you’ve seen from technology usage in the classroom?
- What changes do you think could be made for the coming school year that would have a positive impact?
- What would good communication look like from FCPS on this topic?
I’m grateful to everyone who joined, especially for the fact that, while we identified a range of issues—we also talked a lot about potential improvements and changes. A couple of big themes emerged, including how technology could best be used as a supplement, as an enhancement, and as a reinforcement. There was also strong agreement around the importance of developing soft skills and educating about technology, rather than simply giving access to technology.
As with any issue, I welcome comments, feedback, and questions from our community on this. You can reach me at Braddock@fcps.edu.
Robinson Secondary Wins The VHSL Class 6A Army National Guard Cup🏆
Robinson Secondary School has won the 2026 VHSL Class 6A Army National Guard Cup! This honorable award recognizes the most successful overall athletic program in Virginia’s largest classification.
Including this championship, Robinson has been awarded three Army National Guard Cups in the last 4 years, and five Army National Guard Cup titles overall.
Congratulations to the dedicated student-athletes, coaches, staff, families, and entire Robinson community for such a huge accomplishment!
Braddock District All-State Athletes
VHSL Class 6 All-State Boys Lacrosse
- First Team: Peyton Larsen- Robinson Secondary School
- First Team: Thomas Agents- Robinson Secondary School
- Second Team: Brady Hanson- Fairfax High School
- Second Team: Nathan Frazer- Robinson Secondary School
Furthermore, Peyton Larsen from Robinson Secondary School has been named VHSL Class 6 Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year!
VHSL Class 6 All-State Girls Lacrosse
- First Team: Emma Lunday- Robinson Secondary School
- First Team: Diana Craig- Robinson Secondary School
- First Team: Abby Taphorn- Robinson Secondary School
- Second Team: Olivia Lundy- Robinson Secondary School
- Second Team: Claire Berry- West Springfield High School
- Second Team: Arin Lee- Woodson High School
VHSL Class 6 All-State Girls Soccer
- First Team: Gia Papadopoulos- Robinson Secondary School
- First Team: Eliana Ramirez- Lake Braddock Secondary School
- First Team: Bella Holliday- Lake Braddock Secondary School
- First Team: Allison Barry- Robinson Secondary School
VHSL Class 6 All-State Boys Soccer
- First Team: Sebastian Braxton- Robinson Secondary School
VHSL Class 6 All-State Boys Baseball
- Second Team: Matt Schaeb- Lake Braddock Secondary School
Seventy-seven schools across Fairfax County Public Schools were recently honored with a Green Flag award from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) through the Eco-Schools U.S. program.
At these schools, students and teachers committed to sustainability measures that led to enough points to earn the award. Some of these measures included engaging the local community, forming an action team, creating a plan, collecting data, taking solution-based actions, and measuring impact.
Nearly half of the schools across the U.S. that earned the Green Flag honor are part of FCPS, more than any other school division in the country.
For the 2025-26 school year, FCPS schools earned 86 awards through Eco-Schools, including 77 Green Flags. The Braddock District was awarded 1 Gold Award as well as 12 Green Flag Awards.
This student-led program provides opportunities for youth leadership, raising environmental awareness, connecting students to the natural world, and driving positive environmental change. Building these lifelong skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and resiliency are part of the division’s Portrait of a Graduate program.
Green Flag Awards
- Braddock Elementary School
- Canterbury Woods Elementary School
- Kings Glen Elementary School
- Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Laurel Ridge Elementary School
- Little Run Elementary School
- Ravensworth Elementary School
- Terra Centre Elementary School
- Wakefield Forest Elementary School
- West Springfield High School
- Woodson High School
Gold Award
- Robinson Secondary School
Virginia Department of Education’s Principal Distinction
Shawn DeRose, Annandale High School Principal, was one of three FCPS leaders who were part of the inaugural class of the Virginia Department of Education’s Principals of Distinction. This recognition is a testimonial to the exceptional leadership of Principal DeRose and the hard work he is committed to putting in to cultivate a culture for teachers, students, and families in his community to feel supported, and set up for success. Congratulations Principal DeRose, this distinction is very well deserved!
Commitment to community involvement and family engagement are two of the reasons the Virginia Parent Teacher Association honored Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid with a 2026 Power Partner award during its June 5 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.
The award recognizes a school principal or division superintendent who demonstrates that strong family-school partnerships are key to student success through effective collaboration with the parent-teacher association (PTA) and by creating a school climate that values and welcomes volunteer and parent involvement in support of students' academic success, health, and well-being.
Dr. Reid was honored for her commitment to community and family engagement across the division through the Family Vision Group, Community Conversations, Employee Conversations, Community Boundary Review Meetings, Skyview High School Community Meetings, and the State of Our Schools presentation, resulting in more than 100 community meetings held during the 2025-26 school year.
I first met Dr. Reid, early in her tenure at FCPS, at an event she hosted for PTAs. I was immediately struck by her accessibility, kindness, and willingness to engage with us.
While at the event, I offhandedly invited her to attend our upcoming fall fundraiser, though I assumed she'd be too busy in a division of 200 schools.
A few months later, the evening of the event...she quietly showed up. She's done that many times over for our PTAs, which is why this award is so well-deserved. Congratulations, Dr. Reid, and thank you to Virginia PTA for recognizing her!
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FCPS Job Opportunities
 Visit our Operational Gateway for all Operational jobs. View our most recently posted operational jobs.
Visit our Administrative Gateway for all Administrative jobs. View our most recently posted administrative jobs.
Visit our Instructional Gateway for all Instructional jobs.
Visit our Current Job Openings web page for all posted positions.
For coaching positions, visit our coaching opportunities web page.
Now Hiring: School Board Deputy Clerk
Come work with me and the Fairfax County School Board!
We are seeking a Deputy Clerk to help ensure our elected School Board is meeting its mission to provide an excellent education to our 180,000+ students and maintains its status as a top employer for our 45,000 educators and staff!
This high-level job is fast-paced; includes working with policy and legal matters; requires strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills; and will require flexible hours that may include weeknights and occasional weekends. The position works from the FCPS Central Office in Falls Church, right off of I-495 (the Capital Beltway).
Find out more at this link.
Now Hiring: Residential Electrical Instructor
Full-Time | High School Level | Fairfax Academy CTE Program
Fairfax County Public Schools is launching a brand-new Residential Electricity pathway at Fairfax Academy! We are seeking an experienced, passionate electrical professional to lead this three-course sequence (Electricity I, II, and III) and prepare the next generation of tradespeople.
The Role
This is a full-time high school teaching position where you will shape a new program from the ground up—covering everything from foundational theory and OSHA 10 safety to hands-on circuit wiring, conduit installation, and blueprint reading.
What We’re Looking For:
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Experience: Minimum of 2 years of full-time occupational experience in the electrical field within the past 5 years.
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Credentials: Eligible for a Virginia CTE endorsement in Electricity/Electrical Technology.
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Skills: Strong knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical theory, and safe lab practices. Familiarity with panelboards, grounding, and commercial/residential systems is a big plus.
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Passion: A genuine desire to mentor young people and build a high-impact program.
Know a licensed electrician or electrical professional ready for their next chapter? Help us spread the word and empower students to hit the ground running in a rewarding career!
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Cook, Academy Administrator
Fairfax Academy | Fairfax County Public Schools
AmCook@fcps.edu | 703-219-2387
Whitney Ketchledge, Senior Manager III
Career and Technical Education | Fairfax County Public Schools
wsketchledge@fcps.edu | 703-223-1939
Middle School Students Can Now Access Virtual Mental Health Services
Since 2023, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students. Beginning July 1, 2026, these services are available to students enrolled in all FCPS middle schools.
Parents are encouraged to contact Hazel Health directly if they are seeking mental health support for their child, have noticed changes in their child’s mood or behavior, or are having difficulty connecting with a therapist in the community.
Hazel Health provides therapy through secure video sessions that students can access from home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Licensed therapists can help with:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, sexual identity challenges, peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
These virtual therapy services are provided by locally licensed clinicians. Fifty percent of Hazel providers identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and 40% of Hazel providers are bilingual, speaking more than 15 languages.
To make it easier for families to access services, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to streamline the referral process. Parents can visit the Hazel Health in FCPS website to enroll their child in services.
Families may also contact their school’s counselor, psychologist, social worker, or director of student services for assistance with connecting to care.
More information can be found on the FCPS Teletherapy webpage under the section “How to Access Services.”
E-Bike Safety
As summer goes on and e-bikes, scooters, motorized skateboards, and other recreational ride-on devices continue to grow in popularity, it is important that riders and parents know and understand the laws, safety requirements, and responsibilities that come with using them.
Read more information from the Fairfax County Police Department on E-Bike safety for riders, parents, and drivers here.
Math Basal Resources
Provide Feedback on Secondary Mathematics Instructional Resource
Access the proposed resource for middle school Math 6 through Algebra 2 in person or on the Mathematics Basal Resource webpage through Sunday, July 12. Those reviewing instructional materials will provide feedback through a digital form. All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and the Fairfax County School Board before a board vote in July.
Hard copies of instructional materials will be available for review at Willow Oaks Welcome Center, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you need to review materials outside of these hours, please email MathBasalReview@fcps.edu.
Summer Resources
Help Students Stay Curious, Healthy, and Busy
FCPS’ Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests, from camps and activities to health and safety resources.
Be sure to check back over the summer, as more resources may be added.
The FCPS Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students throughout the summer. It’s the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged!
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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