I trust this note finds you enjoying an abundantly joyful summer week. This warm and active outdoor season is so important in the rhythm of our lives.
As you may recall from a previous issue of Weekly Reflections, I shared that Kara Payne, office assistant at Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS), was named as one of three recipients of this year’s A. Heath Onthank Award. This award was established by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and recognizes accomplishments of outstanding worth in advancing and improving public service in the Fairfax County Government and school system. In late June, Kara (pictured below in teal) was formally recognized at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, along with the other recipients of the award. She was joined by supportive colleagues from KJMS and members of our Human Resources team. Go Team FCPS!!
Some more good news to share with you is that five FCPS teams and 17 individuals won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 championship in their respective sports, and five teams and 20 individuals were the state runners up! In addition, FCPS teams and individuals won several Crew and Rifle championships, which are non-VHSL sports. A complete list of all the winners and runners-up is available on our site. Congratulations to all our outstanding student-athletes!! Consistent availability and accessibility to electives, extracurricular, co-curricular, and enrichment activities is part of Goal 4 of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
Maintaining a safe learning environment for our students and staff continues to be a priority for FCPS. To this end, we will soon have access to a continuous background check monitoring system called Rap Back. Starting this month, new legislation in Virginia authorizes all public schools to enroll employees, volunteers, and contractors into this system. FCPS will enroll all employees, volunteers, and independent contractors within Rap Back over the next year. Of note, as the largest school division in Virginia, FCPS is paving the way for this critical enhancement across the state. This work extends far beyond FCPS, and will go on to ensure that employees, volunteers, and contractors are enrolled in continuous monitoring in school divisions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia; ultimately keeping nearly 1.3 million K-12 students safe.
I recently had the opportunity to participate in the AASA (formerly known as American Association of School Administrators) Summer Consortium. Attending this year’s meetings was a revitalizing opportunity! I engaged in rich discussions with fellow superintendents especially around innovative approaches to learning these conversations reaffirmed collaboration’s critical role shaping strong school systems I’m grateful chance both learn contribute toward brighter futures students must continue ensure power promise public education
Late last month we held a meeting Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee Key takeaways available website You can also see materials shared committee reviewed summaries community feedback received eight hybrid meetings spring well summaries platforms committee members also hearing communities identified top priorities further work consultant
I am excited share ITServe Alliance generously contributed $30k Educate Fairfax support Public Schools donation includes $26k college scholarships $4k STEM grants value partnership organizations like committed educational excellence equity Together fostering community learners thrive matters
Recently attended Northern Virginia Technology Council Annual Member Meeting connected leaders driving innovation region reinforced importance strong partnerships between education industry prepare opportunities tomorrow left inspired shared commitment developing generation talent right here Northern Together anything possible
Also had opportunity visit Twice Exceptional Academy class Nonye Oladimeiji Willow Oaks Administrative Center appreciate staff taking time attend professional development activities summer
Academic Matters section last School Board meeting discussed Portrait Graduate POG may recall includes skills part five important attributes Communicator Collaborator Ethical Global Citizen Creative Critical Thinker Goal Directed Resilient Individual Presentations Learning POG POL give every learner multiple opportunities demonstrate growth toward grade level expectations outcomes As part remarks shared video explored different types presentations using share grew prove matters take variety forms such one small group conversation exhibition similar science fair formal student led presentation follow questions Portrait Graduate part Strategic Plan’s Goal Academic Growth Excellence Leading Tomorrow Innovation
Superintendent Matters portion thanked participating Extended Year ESY program began late June followed SOAR Summer Olympians Aspire Reach Algebra Power Up Credit Recovery programs started July Our vibrant full learning even summer Thank educational experience possible highlight free breakfast lunch available designated children under during commitment support each child well being inside outside classroom Food Services hard make happen every work matters Superintendent Mattersportion past offered reminder survey commenting function Explorer Tool close Friday July Academic multilingual learners progress WIDA tests Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA requires annual assessments identified monitor proficiency English divisions use ACCESS purpose assess reading writing listening speaking progress measured comparing score consecutive years proud gains two years Students Meeting Multilingual Learner Progress Total Counted Percent Progress There still moving direction presentation shared video English Language Development Instruction Action shows instruction receiving Timber Lane Elementary fundamental unlocking potential ensuring thrive subjects Development part Strategic Plan’s Academic Growth Excellence Equitable Access Opportunity Strategic Update portion discussed Graduation Over students received diploma recent graduates staff relationships personalized sense belonging helping thrive real stories bring life showing preparing graduate confidence skills path future choose Last Friday joined Office Chief Operating Officer Session Leadership Journey titled Understanding Style focused developing self awareness core competency set foundation four leadership series designed strengthen operational across Participants completed Myers Briggs Type Indicator personality assessment better understand natural tendencies communication preferences potential blind spots directly supports aligning following goals pillars Safe Supported Included Empowered encouraging empathy inclusive practices Leading Tomorrow Innovation helping recognize adapt styles lead diverse through complex challenges Diverse Adaptive Supported Workforce investing enhances communication collaboration culture Culture Equity Accountability promoting intentional grounded reflection continuous growth concluded identifying insight committing strategy apply before session Graham Road Elementary check Learning greeted Nicole Scesney principal Jessica Nelson director Melissa Chang specialist First stopped rising second classrooms Sarah Heier Allyson Norris working reading Madison Harpham preschool autism weather calendar Chelsea Andrade first writing sensory poems Brooke O’Donnell fourth creating storyboard project based stopped Meredith Jessen fifth sixth multiplication capped Erin Donovan seventh Explorers Program states matter making slime young engaged goo ing ready start Next went Annandale High Raine Bradley Angela Linker Stacey Kiggins Michael Gillespie nearly participating Credit Recovery Continuation courses variety subjects including English science math social studies health physical short visit able geometry yay Ahmed Gahein Nadia Akram pilot Jen Cory technology Jae Lee assistant initiative gives build completed apply earning credit Jen Jae data date earned credits graduation actively working Well done everyone Team helping stay academics activities extracurriculars Speaking activities spring early Safe Routes SRTS annual Puzzle Hunt activity innovative community centered promote creative thinking joyful across The co created California parent Marcy principal Hillary connected passion engagement What began simple idea struggling find joy evolved Solving Fun mission driven effort spark curiosity creativity ages drawn than community approximately successfully completing challenge Thank members supported assisting signage placing clues parks deeply rewarding collaboration bringing together families neighbors interactive promotes problem solving exploration connection join fun August visiting happy puzzling Learning fun think behind yet ahead reminded thoughts Let light shines brighter Dabo Swinney resolutely regardless challenges face Take care Michelle Reid Ed.D Superintendent
