Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is preparing for the new academic year by highlighting a range of summer initiatives and welcoming new staff. Superintendent Michelle Reid reflected on recent activities and programs designed to support students, families, and staff.
Reid met with Tim Jones, the newly appointed executive chef for Food and Nutrition Services. She described his commitment to “reimagining student meals that are not only nutritious and delicious, but also culturally diverse and student-approved.” According to Reid, “He’s already thinking big — reimagining student meals that are not only nutritious and delicious, but also culturally diverse and student-approved.”
A collaborative effort between Falls Church High School and Annandale High School took place this summer as Falls Church hosted its Science and Math SOL Bootcamp at Annandale due to campus renovations. Leadership from both schools ensured the program ran smoothly.
On July 21, Reid attended an event at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., organized by Participate Learning. The event welcomed about 200 new ambassador teachers as part of a U.S. cultural exchange program aimed at promoting global education. FCPS also greeted 20 international teachers who will join the division this year.
Reid visited Liberty Middle School to observe the Algebra Power Up summer program. The initiative supports rising eighth graders in preparation for Algebra 1, aligning with FCPS’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence. Over 200 students participated across three school hubs.
The Warehouse Operations team assisted Kids R First, a nonprofit providing school supplies to students in need throughout FCPS. Supplies were distributed across schools in support of Goal 1: Strong Start: Pre-K–12 and Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity of the district’s strategic plan.
Reid helped launch the Office of Communications’ 2025 Comms Camp at Willow Oaks Administrative Center, emphasizing the importance of effective communication within schools.
She also joined School Board Member Rachna Sizemore Heizer at West Springfield High School for the Special Education Department Chair Summer Academy, where they discussed topics relevant to supporting students with special needs.
At Fairfax High School’s Summer Graduation ceremony on July 24, Reid recognized the achievements of 104 graduates from 21 high schools who completed credits through a summer recovery program. Principal Georgina Aye addressed families, while Dr. Michelle Boyd delivered a commencement speech encouraging graduates to be “unshaken, unstoppable, and unapologetically you.”
Reid met with Chantilly High School graduate Arushi Surve regarding Mission Green Global—a youth-led nonprofit focused on environmental action—and discussed forming a student advisory group on environmental issues.
Theater arts were celebrated through productions at Hayfield Secondary School (“Mamma Mia!”) and Langston Hughes Middle School (“Cinderella”), both involving students from multiple schools working collaboratively on performances.
On August 2, FCPS partnered with Blue Star Families to host a Back-to-School Military Fair at Edison High School for military families with secondary students. The event offered free supplies and resources from both FCPS offices and community organizations such as George Mason’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative as well as the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
Looking ahead, FCPS will hold its First Annual Military Connected Youth BBQ at Mount Vernon High School on August 13 to foster connections among military-connected students countywide.
Summer programs like Money Camp at Oak Hill Elementary returned after a five-year break due to COVID-19 disruptions. The camp uses a mini-economy model where students earn income, pay taxes, make financial decisions, and run small businesses—a hands-on approach to financial literacy education.
At Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Production Camp (part of Institute for the Arts), middle and high schoolers developed skills in music, theater, dance, and visual arts by staging “SIX: TEEN EDITION” over three weeks—supporting goals related to academic growth and innovation in alignment with FCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate framework.
This summer also marked the launch of FCPS’s paid internship program for current students and recent graduates. With nearly 950 applicants for just 21 positions, interns worked on projects tied directly to Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation within the division’s strategic plan.
Superintendent Reid closed her reflections by expressing gratitude toward staff efforts during summer programming: “I truly believe our work continues to transform lives! Thank you one and all for your work; it matters.”
