Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS,

Wow, I continue to be so concerned about the Groundhog predictions :>)!! Hoping that whatever you are enjoying this evening, you are staying warm. So many exciting and poignant Olympic moments these past several weeks. I remain inspired by so many incredible performances, whether or not they won gold … each athlete and their experience is such a story and such a model for reflection and rejoicing.  

Recently, FCPS received a letter from the office of Senator Mark Warner, congratulating us for our designation as one of the 2025 Best Communities for Music Education by the National  Association of Music Merchants. 

Sen. Warner writes, “This award is a testament to your commitment to providing students access to a well-rounded education that facilitates learning in a variety of ways. Music education allows students to put active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication skills into practice. It fosters confidence, spurs creativity, and promotes setting goals. Participating in a music program also helps students feel more connected to their schools, teachers, and peers. Your commitment to funding, staffing, and holding high standards for music instruction has benefitted your students. I commend you for your tremendous service.”  

We are proud to receive this recognition and grateful for the support of leaders like Sen. Warner as we continue to provide exceptional music education opportunities for all FCPS students. Learning happens best in community, and we continue to be grateful for our community and their support of a world class education for each and every one of our students. Go Team FCPS!!

Last Thursday, which was a cold and rainy day, we broke out the tropical shirts, bright colors, and warm vibes to help wish winter away. Thanks to our students and staff for bringing the heat and the smiles to the #FCPSThaw! Hoping to see more sun soon!!

Thank you to all of our school-based staff who completed the Intent to Return Form - we had an incredible 99% response rate, with 97% of staff saying they will return for the 2026-27 school year! Having consistent access to high-quality educators and staff is the strongest driver of student learning and success. This valuable input supports FCPS in remaining a region-leading place to work and grow, while ensuring students are positioned to achieve their highest promise and fullest potential. This is the most important work in our country, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for choosing to continue changing student lives as a part of Team FCPS. This work matters!!

This Thursday during the regularly scheduled School Board meeting, the board will be voting on the approval of our Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget. I invite each of you to watch. And if you haven’t yet done so, I encourage you to watch the video from last week’s School Board Budget Committee Meeting of the Whole . During this work session, we discussed the budget presented by the Fairfax County Executive on February 17. 

It’s important to know that additional state funding could significantly reduce the current funding gap. Further information from the Commonwealth on the status of any additional funding will be available around March 14. In the meantime, we will continue to remain hopeful, staying in the light, and continue working with our funding partners to secure the funding that we need to sustain excellence here at FCPS. Thank you to everyone who has been following along with our budget development process! You can visit our webpage to learn more and view upcoming engagement opportunities. Together, all things are possible …

On Tuesday night, I attended the Seize the Moment Student Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Challenge at Herndon High School, held in partnership with the FCPS Department of Information Technology, Amazon, and Playlab. The event brought together families and community leaders to see how students are using Artificial Intelligence to solve real-world problems. I appreciate our measured approach to safely exploring this evolving technology, it matters.  

Students designed custom apps using Playlab, a sandboxed AI tool — which is a safe, controlled environment where students can experiment with AI without accessing private data or the open internet. They demonstrated a range of opportunities they were passionate about, including improving mental health supports, government policies, and international student transitions. More than 1,100 students from every FCPS high school participated, and Tuesday evening featured the top-placing teams from each school sharing their hard work with families and community leaders.

The grand prize winner was McLean High School ninth-grade student Emmanuel Beakal, who developed MyCompass. His innovative app connects mental health resources and makes them more accessible to his peers. Woodson High School’s Joelle Rice won second place for her app, Genetic Guard, which aims to aid cancer patients’ families by presenting complex genetic data in a way that is understandable, encouraging, and calming. Wow!

Both apps include strong security measures and make it clear to users that they are not substitutes for medical professionals. Allowing students to explore newer technologies, such as AI, in a safe environment, supports Goal 5 of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan : Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. The children will lead us!!

On Wednesday, I visited the Auto Tech program at Fairfax High School, where teacher John King and students received the keys to a donated van from FACETS (Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services). FACETS is a Fairfax County organization providing daily hot meals, food pantry staples, and emergency assistance to vulnerable individuals. The van was coming to the end of its useful life on the road having served thousands of meals and driven thousands of miles over the past 20 years. Now, the vehicle will continue its life of service by providing students hands-on practical experience under John’s guidance. Thank you to FACETS and all of our community partners, including McKay Chevrolet, for their support. Together, all things are possible!!

On Wednesday evening, I held the third meeting of the Superintendent’s Youth Environmental Council (SYEC). Students from eight high schools engaged in lively discussion about writing an op-ed on the Potomac River sewage spill, grant writing, and expanding students’ reach to engage in SYEC and other environmental work. Students also joined one of four working groups that will organize SYEC’s work:

• Policy and legislation advocacy.
• FCPS-wide events: division wide events that engage students in environmental action.
• School awareness programs: communications and advisory lessons on environmental topics.
• Tangible school resources: hands-on action in schools such as recycling and food sharing.

SYEC would like representation from every high school! If you know a high school student who has a passion for the environment and would like to join, students or their families can email [email protected] with their name, school, and contact information to join. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Gatehouse Administration Center Café, 8115 Gatehouse Rd., in Falls Church. I’m so inspired by the enthusiasm and determination of these students and look forward to seeing their ideas blossom Prioritizing student voice is part of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s  Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

On Thursday afternoon I attended and spoke at a meeting of the Annandale Rotary Club at the American Legion Post. We had a chance to discuss data on progress towards our 2023-30 Strategic Plan , budget planning, career paths of the future, and the next generation of the workforce. Rotary Club International has seven goals. We are so thankful for all that they do to help Annandale High School’s young people, including:

• Sponsoring Annandale’s Just World Festival.
• Rotary sponsored student contests for speech and music.
• Student leadership opportunities including the Interact Summit.
• Improving campus grounds.

This collaborative relationship between the Annandale Rotary and Annandale High School with AHS Principal Shawn De Rose is a perfect example of building capacity and a supportive partnership in action! Learning happens best in community, and we have a great community!!

On Friday evening I had the opportunity to watch two girls’ basketball district finals playoff games, with the first game being Hayfield Secondary School against Edison High School at Hayfield. The second game was Oakton High School against Centreville High School held at South Lakes High School. Both of these games were amazing. The athleticism and competitive sportsmanship are inspiring. I look forward to seeing what our student athletes will continue to achieve. I also appreciate everyone who supports these events, it matters. Go Hawks and Eagles!! Go Cougars and Wildcats!!

Saturday afternoon, I had the opportunity to attend the Lake Braddock Secondary School production of the musical “Legally Blonde.”  Whether performing under the lights or working behind the scenes, students who are a part of these performances develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. I was incredibly impressed with the performance of all involved in the production, including the boosters who support our students and their hopes and dreams. These are experiences that help our students thrive long after the curtain closes. Go Bruins!!

As we approach the winter week ahead, I am both thoughtful and reflective as I reread this passage from Amanda Gorman's poem,  The Miracle of Morning , -- 

“While we might feel small, separate, and all alone,  
Our people have never been more closely tethered.  The question isn’t if we will weather this unknow, 
But how we will weather this unknown together.” 

All the best and take good care as we weather these times together,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D. Superintendent