Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS,

What an incredible, almost spring like weekend!!  Looking forward to the week upcoming, and as we have adjusted our clocks again, this time springing forward, we will have more light each evening though it may be darker each morning for a while.  As we adjust to the new time, I would suggest we all get to bed early Sunday night ;>)  

Lots of good news to share this week, as the College Board announced that 17 FCPS high schools have been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll ! Schools earn bronze, silver, gold, or platinum distinction based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. 

Also, two Fairfax County public schools — Chantilly and McLean high schools — are among 26 schools nationwide selected as recipients of the 2026 First Amendment Press Freedom Award . This is the 12th consecutive award for Chantilly and the 9th consecutive award for McLean. The award recognizes private and public high schools that actively support, teach, and protect First Amendment rights and responsibilities of students and teachers. It places a special emphasis on student-run media where students make all final decisions of content. Go Chargers and go Highlanders!!

In addition, 80 Fairfax County Public Schools students have been named as 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates . They are part of a group of 5,000 students from around the country, and represent more than 38% of Virginia’s candidates, selected for the honor. This recognition reflects not only the extraordinary accomplishments of these students, and our staff, but also the power and promise of public education. Across Fairfax County, our public schools continue to provide students with access to rigorous academics, innovative programs, and dedicated educators who help them discover their strengths and reach their full potential. These 80 students exemplify what is possible when talent, hard work, and opportunity come together. 

Students from 28 Fairfax County public schools have also been named recipients of the 2026 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, designed to recognize young people who work as peacemakers. The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County began in 2006 as a way to encourage people to think more about peace as both a means and an end, and to recognize young people who work as peacemakers. A complete list of recipients and their projects is available on our website . I highly encourage you to take a look to feel inspired by the future potential of these student peacemakers. Our students will continue to lead us!!

Finally, I would like to pass on some good news I received from Monika Vereb, principal of Herndon Elementary School. She writes, “I wanted to share a point of pride from Herndon Elementary that also connects closely to our division’s strategic work around mathematics and multilingual learners.”

“Several members of our instructional team (Emily Keffer, Jamie Stratford, Jessica Penley, Ellen Leach, and Kendall Helton) recently had an article published in Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK–12 , a peer-reviewed journal of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The article, A Sense of Belonging for Multilingual Learners , highlights multi-year study on lesson work conducted in partnership with Dr. Jennifer Suh from George Mason University. It showcases instructional practices designed to strengthen belonging and engagement for multilingual learners in mathematics classrooms.

“This work aligns closely with the FCPS Strategic Plan focus on instructional excellence and equity in access to rigorous learning, particularly in mathematics. The team’s lesson study cycles centered on ensuring multilingual learners are positioned as capable mathematicians through culturally responsive tasks, collaborative discourse, and high-cognitive demand problem solving.” Congratulations Emily, Jamie, Jessica, Ellen, and Kendall! This work matters! Go Team FCPS and go Bees!!

As you may recall from last week’s Weekly Reflections , I attended the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge at Hayfield Secondary School, which highlighted unique student and FCPS recipes and our students’ culinary talents. I’m proud to say that the team from Luther Jackson Middle School came in third place in the lunch category for their Zesty, Zingy, Zen Bites over Rice, Crunchy Cukes, and Pearls of Sunshine entry! Go Tigers!! 

On Monday afternoon, I went to Aldrin Elementary School for its celebration of Read Across America Day. This year’s theme is “Epic Readers,” which highlights the connection between strong literacy skills and leadership. I joined a fourth-grade class to read the book Be You by Peter Reynolds. Go Eagles!!

Later in the week, I continued the celebration at Daniels Run Elementary School, where Read Across America Week wrapped up with special guest readers visiting classrooms across the school. I had the pleasure of reading Be You again, this time with Ms. Denton’s fourth-grade class, as we celebrated each student’s unique strengths and the joy of reading. Moments like these are a great reminder that strong readers grow into confident learners and leaders. Go Dragons!!

On Monday, I attended the third Strategic Plan Advisory Group meeting of the year, held at the Gatehouse Administration Center. The group is composed of parents and community members whose purpose is to provide feedback that informs the implementation of the Strategic Plan and to share ideas for potential partnerships with community organizations as we work to advance our strategic priorities. The focus of this meeting was the data related to Goal 3 – Academic Growth and Excellence of the FCPS 2023–30 Strategic Plan , as well as the Division’s work with Artificial Intelligence.

On Tuesday evening, I went to Waples Mill Elementary School for a Community Conversation. We had a great discussion about artificial intelligence and technology, safety and security, the school year calendar, academic rigor, special education, and the budget. Learning happens best in community, and I continue to appreciate and feel so grateful for our community that shows up and supports our students, staff, and families, together all things are possible.

On Wednesday evening, we held a meeting of the Family Vision Group for Quad 1 at Providence Elementary School. The main topic of discussion was Artificial Intelligence. We had a great conversation and shared a variety of perspectives on this rapidly evolving technology. More to come on this topic…

And on Thursday, I went to Centreville Elementary School for an Employee Conversation where we talked about the budget, multilingual learners, employee retention, and boundary changes. It was great to connect with our staff and share ideas and perspectives, together all things are possible. If you weren’t able to attend a meeting this week, there are several more scheduled. Employee Conversations will be held at the following times and locations:

• Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 7 p.m., at Lemon Road Elementary School.
• Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 6 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
• Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Wolftrap Elementary School.

Community Conversations are open to all and will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted below: 

• Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

Registration information is available on the superintendents engagement webpage . I always appreciate the staff members, parents, and caregivers who make the time to attend and share feedback and concerns about their schools. Together, all things are possible!!

On Thursday evening, I went to Woodson High School for a Pre-Assessment Band Concert. The performance was amazing!!  I continue to be so impressed and inspired by what our students and staff are able to produce. Our young student musicians are simply incredible!! Go Cavaliers!!

Friday morning, I attended the Annandale High School’s Annual Special Olympics FanQuest event. According to Annandale HS Assistant Principal, Jae Lee, “FanQuest is one of our most spirited events of the year, bringing together students, staff, and community members to cheer on our Unified athletes and celebrate the power of inclusive sports. This year, Centreville High School joined us for an exciting matchup that highlighted teamwork, and sportsmanship. We were also thrilled to feature a halftime performance by our Adapted Theatre Arts program and Crescendo Orchestra, showcasing the incredible talents of our students both with and without disabilities, further uplifting the spirit of inclusion that defines our school community.” I must say the energy in the gym was electric and inspiring, together all things are possible.  

Friday morning, we enjoyed a performance by the Key Middle School Advanced Theatre class at the Gatehouse Administration Center. Ashley Promisel, theatre arts director at Key, shared the following about the show, The War of Winter . She says, “Things are getting chilly on Olympus as Boreas, the God of the Winter Wind, continues to steal days from spring. Demeter, Goddess of Harvest, has a big issue with this because it means her daughter, Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, cannot come home. Demeter and Boreas cannot find common ground, so Zeus demands that they vote to see who wins: Boreas or Demeter.” The performance was a wonderful showcase of our students’ creativity and talent, and a great reminder of the powerful learning happening in our theatre programs across FCPS. Go Patriots!!

On Friday evening, I went to Oak View Elementary School for its sixth-grade performance of Newsies Jr.  Wow, what a great performance and performed in front of a full house. To think of putting on a production such as this with sixth graders is ambitious and the performance was fabulous. I especially appreciated how many students were involved in all aspects of the production, teamwork makes the dream work ;>)!!  Go Eagles!! 

Early on Saturday morning I went to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) for the Virginia State Scholastic Chess Championships. I was honored to be able to make the first ceremonial move of the tournament. I also made a bold move and took on TJHSST Principal Mike Mukai in a game of chess. A picture of our game is shared below. Playing chess is not always about winning or losing, but rather the lessons learned in playing the game ;>)

In late breaking news, I’m pleased to announce that TJ won every state title that they were eligible to compete in at the Virginia State Chess Championships! Excellence, equity, and opportunity continue to be the focus of our mission driven work. Go Colonials!!

Next, I went to Hayfield Secondary School for the FIRST Chesapeake Alexandria District Robotics Competition. There were 40 teams competing from Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, including our own Herndon, Langley, Chantilly, Madison, Westfield, Centreville, and Marshall high schools. Events like this give students something incredibly valuable: high-quality experience working with complex robotics systems. By tackling these problems head-on students are preparing to tackle even tougher challenges in the future. I appreciate that our students continue to stay curious just a little bit longer, it matters.  

These events need so many volunteers to support our students. I remain grateful for our volunteers and our community that over and over show up to support our students. I am also inspired by the many alumni of the robotics program that come back to help and pay it forward, it matters.

The world will need creative problem-solvers who can collaborate, think critically, and adapt quickly. In Fairfax County Public Schools, we are committed to expanding access to robotics and STEAM opportunities so that every student, in every school, can experience this kind of powerful learning. Because when students engage early and often with engineering and technology, they begin to see themselves as creators, innovators, and leaders. The students will continue to lead us here too!!

Early Saturday afternoon, I stopped by West Springfield HS to attend their Ballin’ with Buddies event.  The gym was crowded, and the energy was electric as student leaders, staff, and community members cheered on a great friendly competition on the basketball court.  Learning happens best in community and our community once again showed up to cheer on the student athletes.  A special thanks to the Unified Team coaches and fans from West Springfield HS, South County HS, Rolling Valley ES, and Irving MS.  As we strengthen our culture of inclusion, we celebrate the hard work and efforts of all of our student athletes and those that support them, it matters.

Later Saturday afternoon, I went to Mantua Elementary School for one of its league championship basketball games between fourth grade boys. Learning happens best in community and the Mantua community definitely showed up to support the student athletes. Go Raccoons!!

On Sunday afternoon, I attended the Northern Virginia Football Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. One of the highlights was seeing Oakton High School honored as our inaugural girls’ flag football champion. Go Cougars!! It was great to hear from the Hall of Fame inductees on the importance of hard work, character, and teamwork. One of my favorite lines was a reminder that “hard work beats talent every time, when talent doesn’t work hard.” 

As I think about the week ahead, and the lengthening days, I am reminded of the simple advice that seems so timely;  “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”   — Albert Einstein.  I look forward to seeing you as I am out in the schools and community in the coming days and weeks.  

All the best and take good care,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D. Superintendent