A Legacy of Love: Navy Students Learn That Every Child Is Supposed to Feel Safe
At Navy Elementary School, there is a strong sense of care that runs through the building, seen in small moments and quiet traditions among the people who make up its community.
Among them is Chrissy McLaughlin, Navy’s school-based technology specialist. You might notice her trademark blue hair first — unmistakable and full of personality. Despite her hair’s cool tones, McLaughlin herself is anything but distant. She brings warmth, authenticity, and a deep sense of care to everything she does. For her, the color blue is more than a style choice; it carries a deeper meaning. It represents her son, Zach.
McLaughlin’s advocacy for Child Abuse Awareness began with the unimaginable loss of her son, Zach, who passed away at just 14 months old.
Though his life was brief, his impact has been profound. In the years since his passing, McLaughlin has transformed her grief into action. In sharing her story, she is educating others and working to create change so that other children are protected from child abuse.
Zach’s story is not isolated. Nearly 260,000 children live in Fairfax County. In 2025, more than 4,300 of those children encountered Child Protective Services. Nationwide, more than 1,700 children died from abuse and neglect in 2024, and two out of three of those were younger than three years old.
“It’s called the silent epidemic because [child abuse] happens to our most vulnerable and often behind closed doors,” McLaughlin shared. “They don’t know how to speak out.”
So McLaughlin speaks for them by raising awareness for children who cannot.
This year, McLaughlin’s work is being recognized in a powerful way. For the first time, April is officially recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month across Fairfax County. It was marked by a proclamation from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 17. Together with community partners, including the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and FCPS, the county has taken a united stand to support children and families by raising awareness.
It is a strong reminder that this work matters, and it belongs to all of us. At Navy’s entrance, that message takes shape in a tree wrapped in blue ribbons.
As spring begins to breathe new life into the flowering tree in front of Navy Elementary, McLaughlin is doing the same for her son’s legacy. Working with a small group of students, she helped them understand the meaning behind Child Abuse Prevention Month and how even small acts can carry powerful messages.
For the students, awareness begins with understanding, and understanding can lead to action. It’s learning that small symbols, like colored ribbons or pinwheels, carry big meaning. The blue pinwheel specifically represents what every child deserves: safety, love, and protection.
It also means recognizing when something might not feel right — when someone may be hurt, unsafe, or need help — and knowing to speak up to a trusted adult.
Andy, a sixth grader, shared why he was proud to participate. “So we can show others who might be going through child abuse that we support them and they don’t have to feel alone.”
Sixth grader Sanaya shared a similar sense of purpose. “I think it’s important because it happens to so many children around the world. We want to stop this from happening and help more children feel safe.” She added, “I feel really honored that Mrs. McLaughlin included me in this.”
Sixth grader Valeria put it simply, “I think it’s important to talk about because kids need a safe and friendly environment to grow up in. Some kids don’t have safety in their homes. This topic should be talked about. It lets people know this is something in our world we need to work on.”
That understanding came to life as students gathered around the tree in front of Navy. Together, they looped fishing lines through strips of blue ribbon and carefully placed them along the branches, watching the tree transform before them. What began as individual actions became something collective — a shared act of care, each ribbon adding to a larger message: every child deserves to feel safe.
By giving students language, symbols, and confidence at an early age, we empower them to notice when something isn’t right, to speak up, and to care for others.
“I want students to know, ‘I’m supposed to be cared for, I’m supposed to be happy, I’m supposed to feel safe and loved,’” McLaughlin said. And that message is taking root.
It lives in the relationships she builds with students who return years later, still wearing blue, still remembering. It lives in small acts of kindness: blue pancakes made at home, donations collected in classrooms, handwritten notes, artwork, and shared stories. It lives in the spaces she creates, both physical and emotional, where others feel safe to reflect, connect, and grow.
Even now, her former students continue to gather each year, finding ways to honor Zach’s memory together. What began as a classroom lesson has become something lasting: a community rooted in empathy and action.
And that is the quiet power of the blue ribbon tree. It is not just decoration. It is not just tradition. It is a living lesson and a reminder that even in the face of loss, light can grow. As the pinwheels spin and the ribbons flutter, they carry a message that reaches far beyond Navy Elementary: every child deserves to feel safe. Every voice matters. And even the briefest life can leave a lasting legacy.
Resources
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Fairfax County Child Protective Services (CPS) hotline at 703-324-7400. You may give your name or remain anonymous. See these additional resources from FCPS and Fairfax County:
