It's that time of year again…FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!  This is a wonderful way to recognize the dedicated, amazing teachers and staff we’re fortunate to work and play with every day.

To submit a nomination for a Louise Archer outstanding employee in one of the following categories, please click on the appropriate nomination link. You may nominate more than one employee, or employees, across multiple categories. All that is required for this preliminary nomination is a brief statement. If your nomination progresses within FCPS, you will be contacted to provide additional detailed information with specific examples. Additional information regarding each of these awards, as well as the eligibility requirements, are included within each link.

Outstanding Teacher – a teacher or librarian with 3 or more years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher - a teacher or librarian with less than 3 years of experience

Outstanding Principal – a building principal with 3 or more years of experience

Outstanding Professional Staff Leader - these positions include Assistant Principal, School-Based Technology Specialists, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Reading Specialist, Special Education Dept Chair

Outstanding Operational Employee – these positions could include custodial staff, food service staff, and all other hourly employees

Outstanding Educational Services Employee – these positions include Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, SIA, IA, Family Liaison, PHTA

Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Following our Louise Archer Elementary School tradition, we will be honoring all veterans who have a connection with our students and staff. To help us identify the veterans in your family, we ask that you complete this survey by October 27, 2026. It will only take a moment - but it will be worth it! We will showcase these amazing individuals, as well as their connection with your child throughout the month of November. 

Art BEAM is Louise Archer PTA's new art docent program!

Sign up - https://forms.gle/T5Dtne57XrqPdQmC6

No art experience or knowledge needed! Here’s what to expect:

• 45-minute sessions: Teams of 3–5 parent volunteers introduce students to a renowned artist and guide them in creating artwork inspired by the artist’s style.

• Flexible roles: Choose to present the artist or to set up supplies while another volunteer presents. Everyone pitches in to support artists and clean up.

• Everything provided: Presentations, instructions, and art supplies.

• Flexible commitment: Volunteer once or for multiple sessions. Each class will explore one artist per quarter.

2026–2027 artists: Piet Mondrian, Faith Ringgold, Gerhard Richter, and Salvador Dalí.

Did you hear the great news! Louise Archer Elementary School was rated as Distinguished by the Virginia Department of Education by scoring 102.59 out of a possible 100 points. That means we not only reached the threshold for satisfactory performance, but we exceeded the standard for: 

• Ensuring our students can pass their end-of-year SOLs in Reading, Math, and Science,
• Ensuring our students continue to show growth from year to year on their end-of-year SOLs in Reading and Math,
• Helping our multilingual learners make progress from year to year in their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, and
• Engaging our students so they come to school regularly (we have one of the lowest chronic absenteeism rates in the entire county)

Congratulations to our students and staff. And thank you for your continued support in making Louise Archer Elementary School S.H.I.N.E.

Louise Archer Elementary has proudly been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as a Purple Star School. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. A special thank you to Mrs. Brigit Akpinar, our school counselor and her team for leading this initiative! 

FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers

FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.

Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. The last upcoming meeting is scheduled for:

• Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.

Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.

FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5) 

Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.

Superintendent's Community Conversations

Join your neighbors for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.