🌟 Shine Into September: Update from Ilryong Moon

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/24/2026 07:00 PM EDT

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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.

First Day of School Newsletter

Message from Ilryong Moon

Click to watch the Back to School Night video.

Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!

As we begin this exciting new chapter together, I extend my very best wishes to each of you for a successful and rewarding school year. The start of a new year brings a renewed sense of excitement and possibility for our students and families—a chance to reconnect, set new goals, embrace new opportunities, and celebrate the growth and achievements ahead.

Throughout the summer, our dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff have been working thoughtfully and intentionally to prepare welcoming classrooms, engaging programs, and meaningful learning experiences for every student. Their commitment reflects my shared belief that every student deserves to feel a strong sense of belonging and have access to the opportunities and support needed to succeed.

As we move forward together, we remain committed to fostering inclusive, equitable, and inspiring learning environments where every student feels welcomed, valued, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Here’s to a wonderful year of learning, growth, connection, and success!

Please take note of a few important dates:

First Day of School: Monday, August 24

Labor Day Holiday Dates: Friday, September 4 & Monday, September 7

Yom Kippur: Monday, September 21

Here’s to a year filled with learning, achievement, connection, and growth. Together, we can make this a meaningful and memorable year—one filled with bright possibilities, shared successes, and opportunities for every student to thrive.

Best,

Ilryong Moon

Adult and Community Education (ACE):

Driver's Education

SAT and Study Skills

What's Happened in August

Selfie with my friend and fellow School Board Member Marcia St. John-Cunning (Franconia District)

Summer Equity Symposium

I was pleased to attend the Summer Equity Symposium at Lewis High School, and would like to thank the Multilingual Learners Office for the invitation. This year’s theme Together We Rise: Cultivating Inclusive Excellence, shared insights and strategies focused on promoting equity, academic achievement, and high expectations for multilingual learners.

As a lifelong and continuing Multilingual Learner myself, I support FCPS’ ongoing efforts to recognize the strengths and assets of every learner and advance equitable and inclusive practice across the district. The global diversity in FCPS is remarkable, with 34,644 Multilingual Learners representing 188 home languages and 198 different countries, all of which are the tops in the state of Virginia.

Great Beginnings Summer Institute

The excitement of a new school year was unmistakable at the 2026 Great Beginnings Summer Institute at Fairfax High School. I was delighted to join our newest FCPS educators as they came together for a day of learning, connection, and preparation for the journey ahead. I was especially excited to see FCPS’ 31 newest Global Ambassador Teachers.

Great Beginnings is an important opportunity for both novice teachers and experienced educators who are new to FCPS to build relationships, discover valuable resources, and gain the tools and support they need to start the year with confidence. Seeing their enthusiasm and commitment was a wonderful reminder of the talented educators who make a difference for our students each day.

It was also a pleasure to share the experience with several of my School Board colleagues.

Celebrating with FCPS student Jayden Lee

81st Anniversary of National Liberation Day of Korea

I was honored to speak at the Korean Embassy in celebration of the 81st Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day, known as Gwangbokjeol (광복절), or “Restoration of Light Day.” This historic day commemorates Korea’s liberation in 1945 after 35 years of Japanese occupation and the end of World War II.

The commemoration was especially meaningful as it brought together descendants of Korea’s independence fighters and Korean veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. Their courage and sacrifice connect the struggles of the past with our continued commitment to freedom, peace, and justice.

As a Korean American who immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1974, this occasion was deeply personal. Both of my children were born in the U.S., raised in Fairfax County and are proud graduates of our public schools. Today, the D.C. metropolitan area is home to one of the largest Korean American communities in the nation, and Northern Virginia—particularly Annandale and Centreville—has long been an important center of Korean American culture, business, and community.

I remain deeply grateful to Korea’s independence fighters, whose sacrifices brought freedom and hope to future generations. Their legacy reminds us of our responsibility to protect the freedoms we cherish, preserve opportunities for future generations, and work together toward a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

School Visits

Skyview High School Grand Opening Ceremony

The moment we’ve all been waiting for, Skyview High School is opening its doors on Monday, August 24th for the first day of school! It is remarkable how quickly this process has transpired, from the purchase of the building all the way up to the grand opening.

I was especially impressed with the coordination of the Skyview performing arts department and marching band, which put on an impressive display in less than ideal weather to energize the crowd!

I wish the best of luck to the Aviators and principal Dave Jagels as they "fly in" to the new school year.

L to R: SBM Ryan McElveen (At-Large), SBM Ricardy Anderson (Mason District), Principal Laena Lee, Me

Braddock Elementary School New Principal Ceremony

I was pleased to welcome Ms. Laena Lee as the new principal at Braddock Elementary School. Ms. Lee is joining the FCPS community from DC Public Schools, with over twenty years of experience at the same school, where she started as a classroom teacher and rose to the position of principal!

Thank you to my colleagues, friends, and fellow School Board Members Ryan McElveen (At-Large) and Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District) for joining me on this exciting occasion.

I wish Ms. Lee and the Braddock Elementary School community the best of luck as the school year begins!

L to R: Me, SBM Ryan McElveen ( At-Large), Dr.Jameile Choice (R1 Asst. Superintendent), Principal Elizabeth Baxter, SBM Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill), SBM Kyle McDaniel (At-Large), Jamie Lane (R1 Executive Principal)

Terraset Elementary School New Principal Ceremony

Thank you to the Region 1 Leadership Team for inviting me to Terraset Elementary School for the announcement of Ms. Elizabeth Baxter as the new principal!

Ms. Baxter joins Terraset from Herndon Elementary School, where she has been an assistant principal for the last six years.

Congratulations to Ms. Baxter, and I want to send my well wishes to her and the Terraset community.

Mount Vernon High School Majors Gear Up Open House

Thank you to Principal Cary Dimmick for inviting me to the Mount Vernon High School “Gear Up” Open House, and for taking the time to speak with me, explain his vision/mission for the school, and answer some of my questions!

I appreciate his transparency, dedication to safety/security, and commitment to inclusion in the Mount Vernon Community. I am looking forward to attending athletic, academic, and performing arts events in the near future in my new Mount Vernon Majors t-shirt. Go Majors!

L to R (Bottom Picture): Ms. Regina Green, Dr. Saejin Lee, Mrs. Melanie Hoffman

New Ambassador Teacher at Island Creek Elementary School

Not everyone likes surprises, but I felt obligated to “drop in” on new Island Creek Elementary School teacher Dr. Saejin Lee, who is starting his first year teaching in the United States. Dr. Lee is one of 31 new FCPS global ambassador teachers recruited through FCPS’ partnership with Participate Learning.

Through collaborations with partners like Education Fairfax and Participate Learning, our diverse school communities get to have opportunities to benefit from the highly-qualified and passionate teachers from around the world, such as Dr. Lee.

I would especially like to thank Island Creek teachers Ms. Regina Green and Mrs. Melanie Hoffman for being so kind and helpful in acclimating Dr. Lee to his new school.

Good luck to the Island Creek Community as the school year begins!

Bulletin

Driver's Education

SAT and Study Skills

Plan Ahead

A teacher helps a student at a white board

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

Skyview HS Back to School Event

School Year Calendars

2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | 2028-2029

Upcoming School Board Business & Meetings

Broadcast & open to the public:

Thursday, August 27, 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

Tuesday, September 8, 11:30 a.m. All-Day Work Session

Thursday, September 10, 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:

FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11),
FCPS YouTube Channel, and
FCPS website

If you miss the live broadcast of any School Board Meeting or Work Session, you can also watch archived broadcasts:

FCPS YouTube channel (English), and
FCPS en Español YouTube channel (dubbed in Spanish)

** Dates & times are subject to change. Please check the FCPS School Board Meetings website 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.

Contact: Ilryong Moon | 571-423-1089

Director: Sarah Park | 571-423-1074

Staff Assistant: Dane Pototsky | 571-423-1074

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