|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Mason District Community,
Happy October! As we officially pass the halfway point of the first quarter, the Mason District is full of momentum and activity. This month, we proudly celebrate National School Principals Month by recognizing the dedicated leaders who guide our schools every day. Congratulations are also extended to our outstanding band and orchestra programs - several of which recently earned prestigious Program of Honor recognitions for their excellence in music education.
In this issue, I invite your feedback on topics on which the School Board will vote next week including the Board’s legislative priorities and a proposal to roll back the device restrictions previously adopted for Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Families are urged to reach out to their child’s teachers to review your student’s academic progress and to discuss any needed support.
There are many upcoming community meetings during which your voice can be heard, including a second session on Glasgow boundary recommendations and a presentation on the proposed Advanced Academic Program (AAP) expansion at Holmes Middle School.
I value input from the Mason District community and will address questions or concerns via email at rjanderson@fcps.edu or by scheduling a phone call with Ms. Coffey at cmcoffey@fcps.edu.
In this issue:
Feedback Needed
2027 School Board Legislative Priorities
The School Board will vote to adopt its State and Federal Legislative Priorities which are a part of the Board’s full legislative program. The revisions address emerging issues and reflect the Board’s current policy positions.
Please share your feedback on the revised 2027 priority positions ahead of the Board’s adoption scheduled for October 8, 2026.
Pre-K / Kindergarten Tech Device Use
In July 2026, the Board voted to limit the use of devices for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. At this time, the Superintendent is requesting a rollback of those restrictions to allow limited use of Lexia for a select group of Kindergarten students requiring additional reading support for 15 minutes each day and a maximum of 75 minutes per week. This allowance would be in addition to existing Board approved exceptions for Kindergarten students who require access to and use of technology devices for Individualized Education Programs, 504 plans, translation purposes, or multilingual education support. The Superintendent’s recommendation will also provide families of Kindergarten students with an option to opt-out of Lexia use.
Please review the Superintendent's Presentation to the Board and provide your feedback prior to the Board's vote scheduled for October 8, 2026.
Executive Limitation #5: Financial Planning
The Strategic Plan Goals are the primary factors used by the School Board to evaluate progress and achievement in Fairfax County Public Schools, however, the Board is also responsible for monitoring the operations of the school system.
The thirteen (13) Executive Limitations reflect the School Board's guardrails for how the Superintendent is to achieve division goals. Executive Limitations serve as a measure of accountability for the Superintendent and are reviewed annually through monitoring reports to ensure compliance and progress.
At the October 8, 2026 Regular School Board Meeting, the Board will receive the report and vote whether to approve Executive Limitation 5 (EL-5): Financial Planning.
EL-5 requires the Superintendent to establish a transparent, sustainable, and data-driven multi-year financial planning process aligned with the Strategic Plan. It ensures long-term fiscal responsibility and stakeholder engagement by mandating accurate and realistic annual budgets, five-year financial projections, timely updates on budget variances, and proactive action in securing financial resources.
I invite you to review the EL-5 Monitoring Report and share your thoughts and feedback prior to next week’s vote.
Community Meetings
Holmes Middle School AAP Expansion
In August, the Board voted to approve a public engagement plan for the expansion of Middle School AAP Centers to every FCPS middle school. The plan proposes four phases, with Holmes Middle School included in the first phase to be considered for programming in the 2027-28 school year.
A community meeting is scheduled at Holmes Middle School to share information about the program. This will be an opportunity for families to learn more and have their questions answered. Interpretation services are available.
The Board is scheduled to vote on the first phase of the proposal in December 2026.
|
Superintendent Community Conversations
The Community Conversations with the Superintendent provide an opportunity for parents/guardians and community to share feedback and ask questions regarding activities in FCPS schools.
All of the meetings are open - however, two meetings are scheduled this month in or near the Mason District (click date to register):
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Additional locations and registration links can be found on the Superintendent Engagement page.
October is National School Principals Month
Please join me in celebrating the incredible work of our Mason District school leaders! We are grateful for their vision, dedication, and focus in promoting the success of our students. Feel free to share a kind note with your child’s principal in recognition of this month.
| Elementary Schools |
Elementary Schools |
| Annandale Terrace: Ms. Ingrid Badia |
Mantua: Ms. Linda Shannon |
| Bailey's: Ms. Satonya Dews |
Mason Crest: Ms. Sherry Shin |
| Bailey's Upper: Ms. Holly Dowling |
North Springfield: Ms. Fatima Smith |
| Beech Tree: Ms. Taiia Clarke |
Parklawn: Ms. Rebecca Forgy |
| Belvedere: Ms. Cecilia Vanderhye |
Sleepy Hollow: Ms. Mirnaly Vega |
| Braddock: Ms. Laena Lee |
Timber Lane: Mr. Benjamin Chiet |
| Bren Mar Park: Ms. Elizabeth Williams |
Westlawn: Mr. Christoph Hill |
| Camelot: Ms. Aileen Flaherty |
Weyanoke: Ms. Felicia Usher |
| Columbia: Mr. Mike Astudillo |
Woodburn: Ms. Jamey Chianetta |
| Glen Forest: Ms. Diane Herndon-Wilson |
|
| |
|
| Middle Schools |
High Schools |
| Glasgow: Ms. Lisa Barrow |
Annandale: Mr. Shawn DeRose |
| Holmes: Ms. Jessica Tippins |
Edison: Mr. Justin Simmons |
| Jackson: Ms. Megan Sherrill |
Falls Church: Dr. Ben Nowak |
| Poe: Dr. Sarah Eqab |
Justice: Dr. Sean Rolon |
| |
TJHSST: Mr. Michael Mukai |
| |
Woodson: Mr. Kevin Greata |
Program of Honor
The Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) presents the Program of Honor award to secondary music programs that demonstrate consistent excellence.
Congratulations to the following schools who received the Program of Honor recognition for the 2025-26 school year:
Band
-
Glasgow MS, Andrew Sharrock and Tamara Freeman, directors
-
Justice HS, Brian Thomas, director
-
Thomas Jefferson HSST, Steve Ballard, director
-
Woodson HS, Aaron Morgan and Helen Landers, directors
Orchestra
-
Annandale HS, Annie Ray, director
-
Edison HS, Nathi Jeerakul, director
-
Falls Church HS, Andrew Lisowski, director
-
Glasgow MS, Amanda Mossey and Khoa Nguyen, directors
-
Jackson MS, Mike Klucker, director
-
Justice HS, Cassandra Haynes, director
-
Thomas Jefferson HSST, Allison Bailey, director
-
Woodson HS, Devyn Wilcox, director
|
 |
The Annandale HS student and parent orchestras recently performed at the School Board's meetings. Thank you to Ms. Ray and to the students and parents who shared their talents with us.
Glasgow Boundary Update
It was great to see so many community members in attendance on Monday evening at the meeting for Boundary Study #4.
Staff presented four options. SPA 5002 is the only area in the Mason District affected by any of the scenarios. You can find your SPA here - click on the second magnifying glass near the top right corner of the page and enter your address. Proposed changes include:
-
Option 4A: No change to boundaries in the Mason District;
-
Option 4B: Reassigns a portion of SPA 5002 from Beech Tree ES to Timber Lane ES, Glasgow MS to Jackson MS, and Justice HS to Falls Church HS;
-
Option 4C: Reassigns a portion of SPA 5002 from Beech Tree ES to Graham Road ES, Glasgow MS to Jackson MS, and Justice HS to Falls Church HS;
-
Option 4D: Reassigns a portion of SPA 5002 from Beech Tree ES to Timber Lane ES, Glasgow MS to Jackson MS, and Justice HS to Falls Church HS;
Elementary School Proposed Changes
This map shows the existing elementary school boundaries for the study. The portion of SPA 5002 proposed to be reassigned in scenarios 4B, 4C, and 4D is outlined and marked with a red star.
Middle School Proposed Changes
This map shows the proposed middle school boundaries and includes a hashed area that identifies the portion of Glasgow MS (section of SPA 5002) that is west of Annandale Road that is proposed to be reassigned to Jackson MS in scenarios 4B, 4C, and 4D.
High School Proposed Changes
This map shows the proposed high school boundaries and includes a hashed area that identifies the portion of Justice HS (section of SPA 5002) that is west of Annandale Road that is proposed to be reassigned to Falls Church HS in scenarios 4B, 4C, and 4D.
Additional Community Meeting
A second meeting has been planned to focus specifically on the Glasgow, Beech Tree, and Belvedere portion of the larger Study #4.
Reminder: October 5, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. - Glasgow Middle School
Register to attend October 5th: in person or virtually
The presentation to be shared at this meeting will be the same as the one presented earlier this week at Falls Church HS.
 |
|
School Board Decision Alert |
Quantum Computer Acquisition
The School Board voted 10 - 2 to authorize the sole source contract in the amount of $684,000 for the purchase of a Quantum Computer to be used for programming at Skyview High School.
I strongly support bringing quantum science and engineering into our schools, and believe our students should have access to real quantum hardware and meaningful partnerships with universities and industry. My concern is not the educational value of the technology itself, but rather whether the right infrastructure is in place at this time.
George Mason University has just announced the Virginia Quantum Hub, supported by approximately $3.7 million in GO Virginia funding, with a stated mission that includes K–12 education, shared quantum infrastructure, workforce development, and partnerships with Fairfax County Public Schools. George Mason is also bringing a $7.7 million open-architecture quantum computing system to Northern Virginia, designed specifically to support multiple quantum technologies and research partners.
Given those developments, I believe FCPS should first establish exactly how our students and teachers can participate in that regional infrastructure before committing school-system funds to a separate quantum computer and facility – especially given the challenging budget climate. I believe FCPS would have been better positioned to engage in a discussion to make this purchase after the following are put in place:
- a formal partnership framework with George Mason,
- a clear five-year total-cost analysis,
- a clear curricular plan, and
- a platform-neutral evaluation of the available hardware options
Those are the primary reasons I did not vote to support the contract on Sept. 24th. I did not vote against quantum education; I voted against a plan that failed to include key details related to the fiscal and educational duties expected of the Board and the Division.
As an educator, I am always in pursuit of the strongest education possible for students. That commitment extends to making sure FCPS builds the strongest quantum education program possible before committing to a particular piece of hardware.
VIDEO: September 24, 2026 School Board Meeting [3:10:53]
Executive Limitation #9: Instructional Program
At the School Board meeting on September 24, 2026, the Board voted 11 - 0 to find the Superintendent in compliance with Executive Limitation #9 (EL-9): Instructional Program.
The Superintendent’s Monitoring Report for EL-9 is available for review.
The questions and comments I raised following the presentation are below.
-
Use of Novels in the Language Arts Curriculum: Staff will reinforce that novel studies are a mandatory core requirement.
-
Digital Assessments: Staff will provide a comprehensive list of all physical and digital assessments administered to students.
-
Predictive Assessment Pilot: Students in 22 schools are taking these assessments in place of standard internal common assessments.
-
Instructional Time at Year End: Staff agreed to the continuing need to ensuring consistent post-SOL instructional quality across all schools.
-
Rolling Gradebook: I shared feedback that implementation issues have created disadvantages for students.
-
Grade 3 in the Water Program: Plans must be in place to remove barriers to student participation.
-
Montessori Expansion: Sleepy Hollow as a possible expansion site to be considered in the 2027-28 school year.
-
Carnegie and Amplify Math Pilots: Concerns about performance results in the schools that piloted these programs in the 2025-26 school year.
VIDEO: September 24, 2026 School Board Meeting [4:25:51]
Prohibition of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) Systems
The School Board voted 12 - 0 to prohibit the installation, procurement, or leasing of ALPR systems, including, but not limited to, Flock cameras, on property owned by the Fairfax County School Board. While FCPS did not plan to install such cameras, this motion serves to signal the Board’s position on the matter.
Please note that this action does not prohibit or restrict the installation, operation, or continued use of speed cameras or school bus stop-arm cameras.
VIDEO: September 24, 2026 School Board Meeting [2:57:38]
Office of Auditor General
The Office of Auditor General (OAG) reports to the School Board and the mission of that office is to independently determine whether the ongoing FCPS processes are functioning effectively and efficiently.
Sign up for their newsletter, Audit Buzz, to receive updates on OAG’s work at FCPS News You Choose.
The next Audit Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 12 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 1600 at the Gatehouse Administrative Center. These meetings are open to the public.
Learn more about OAG on their webpage.
|
Freshman Applications for TJHSST
Applications for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) will be available on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 4:00 pm.
Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
|
College Fair and Postsecondary Virtual Night
The annual FCPS College Fair will be held Sunday, October 18, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at George Mason University - Eagle Bank Arena. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented.
A virtual postsecondary night event is also scheduled for Monday, October 19, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and Postsecondary Virtual Event.
Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- October 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
- October 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- October 6, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
- October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Where can you watch the meetings?
How can you speak at a Board Meeting?
-
Registration Timeline and Process: For Regular School Board Meetings, registration opens at 8 a.m. four (4) business day before the meeting (usually a Friday) and closes 48 hours before the meeting (usually 7 p.m. on a Tuesday).
- Sixteen (16) speaker slots available. Random lottery process when more than 16 registrations are received.
Please see the Community Participation webpage for additional details.
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.
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
|
