Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS,

It is so great to be back to school this past week !! So many exciting and inspiring events going on across our amazing school division. As we continue through this glorious spring, I love the quote;  "Always be on the look out for the presence of wonder."  -- E.B. White. After visiting schools recently, I see wonder aplenty!!

Each April, the National Association for the Education of Young Children invites us to celebrate the Week of the Young Child. It is a time to honor early learners and the educators who support them. In FCPS, early childhood education goes far beyond preparing children for school; through strong relationships and developmentally appropriate experiences, it builds the language, social-emotional, and cognitive foundations that shape a child’s entire educational journey. We are proud to serve more than 7,100 early learning students through a continuum of programs designed to meet children where they are — many of whom face economic and educational risk factors. At the heart of this work are our educators, whose dedication and compassion create classrooms where every child feels safe, seen, and ready to learn. By doing so, our teachers leave a lasting impact on students, families, and our broader community. Go Team FCPS!!

Speaking of our educators, I have exciting news to share about one of our stellar teachers!! This week, Sherisse Kenerson, a multilingual learner specialist at Holmes Middle School, will appear on The Kelly Clarkson Show ! Sherisse advises Holmes’ after-school Cursive Club , which has received national attention this school year from news outlets including The Washington Post and NPR . She loves teaching cursive handwriting to a new generation, and her students love learning it. Many of them have started taking their classroom notes in cursive! Sherisse is excited to introduce the Cursive Club to the original American Idol, and we’re all excited to watch! I hope you will join me in cheering her on when she appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Tuesday, April 14, at 1 p.m., on NBC. Go Team FCPS!!

As you may remember from a previous Weekly Reflections , I recently spent time at Justice High School with some of our military-connected students. In April, FCPS celebrates the Month of the Military Child, honoring our more than 14,000 military-connected students and their families. These students demonstrate incredible strength through deployments, transitions, and new beginnings, bringing resilience and perspective to our schools each and every day. I’d also like to highlight that Purple Up Day is Wednesday, April 15! I encourage everyone to wear purple that day to show support and remind our military families: you belong here. You can learn more about FCPS’ support of military families in this video . 

Congratulations to Westfield High School’s Jemon Price and Kevin Harris, who were chosen as the Virginia High School League Class 6 Boys Basketball State Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively! Go Bulldogs!! FCPS was also well represented on the All-State First Team by Nate McComb of Lake Braddock Secondary School and Isaiah Brown of Westfield, as well as on the Second Team by Johnny Anderson of South County High School and Jake Bell of McLean High School. FCPS was also well represented on the Girls Basketball All-State First Team by Sophie Toole of Oakton High School, and Laila Tull and Natalia Wooten of South County High School, and on the Second Team by Dawn Houston of West Potomac High School, Mariah Armah of Langley High School, and Malia Siriwardene of Centreville High School. Congratulations to these student-athletes for their dedication and hard work and thank you to our coaches on Team FCPS for helping them hone their skills! 

During Spring Break I had the opportunity to join FCPS Executive Director of Activities and Athletics Tom Horn for an interview on the All Hitches NoVA Football Podcast . The podcast is produced by Daniel Mesa, history and social studies teacher, and Ramine Dash, health and physical education teacher, at Woodson High School. We had a great conversation about FCPS athletics, with a particular focus on football. You can watch the full interview online .

I recently learned that a team from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) was chosen as a Virginia winner for the 2026 Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge! The team, pictured above from left to right, consisted of Alexander Cordova, Andrea Oraze, and Audrey Na. Their project was an AI Application called “Discern.” It allows a person to verify the nature of internet content: is this content real or fake? The Presidential AI Challenge is a national challenge where K-12 youth, educators, mentors, and community teams come together to solve real-world problems in their communities using AI-powered solutions with an opportunity to showcase their solutions at a national level. Congratulations Alexander, Andrea, and Audrey! The TJHSST team now advances to the southeast regional competition. Go Colonials!!

Spring theatre season is upon us, and I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy one of the many outstanding productions happening across FCPS. These experiences (along with so many extracurricular opportunities) are made possible through the continued support of our community and strong, sustained funding. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which provides approximately 70% of FCPS’ funding, will finalize its Fiscal Year 2027 Budget on May 5. Community members can share input during public hearings at the Government Center Board Auditorium on:

• Tuesday, April 14 , at 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 15 , at 3 p.m.
• Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m.

Together, we can sustain excellence by continuing to invest in the resources and opportunities that support every student. And that investment is making a difference:

• Nearly half of our fifth through ninth graders passed an above-grade-level Math SOL (almost twice the statewide percentage).
• 32% of FCPS high school students were enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses in 2024-25, compared to 26% of all Virginia students.
• We have 88 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates in FCPS (43% of all the candidates in Virginia).
• We have 37% more National Merit Semifinalists in the Class of 2026 than we did in the Class of 2025.

Learn more about how our budget supports student success by visiting the FCPS Budget Story on our website.

Speaking of events on the horizon, I hope to see you at the 2026 Special Education Family Conference at Marshall High School on Saturday, April 18 , from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.! I’m excited for this annual event that brings our families, staff, and community partners together for a day of learning and connection. Participants can look forward to hearing from keynote speaker Dr. Shelley Moore (educator and inclusion advocate), exploring the Student Showcase, participating in breakout sessions led by FCPS staff and community partners, and visiting the Exhibitor Hall for valuable resources. Attendees will leave with practical strategies, meaningful tools, and new connections, and FCPS staff can earn continuing professional development hours. I look forward to learning together, because our community is strongest when we come together in support of every student.

This week was the FCPS 2026 Transportation Roadeo. The event showcased the skill, precision, and professionalism of our transportation staff across a series of competitive driving and safety stations, including parallel parking, backing maneuvers, student loading procedures, and pre-trip inspections. The “roadeo” highlighted teamwork and a clear commitment to safety and operational excellence. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Big Bus (Standard Type C) Division:

1. Sandy O'Grady (Area 4).
2. Gauge Campbell (Area 4 Floater).
3. Min Kang (Area 3 Floater).

Small Bus (Lift-Equipped Special Needs Type C) Division:

1. Natasha Watford-Sturgis (Area 2).
2. Il Seon Kim (Area 4).
3. Lucia Valentino (Area 1).

Our first-place winners, Sandy O'Grady and Natasha Watford-Sturgis, will represent FCPS at the Region IV School Bus Roadeo on April 18 in Dumfries, followed by the Virginia State Bus Roadeo in May. Thank you to all participants, organizers, and volunteers for delivering a strong event. Special recognition to Jessica Carroll, Peter Gado, and Lisa Ellis for their leadership and coordination. We look forward to building on this momentum and encourage staff to participate in future “roadeos.” Go Team FCPS!!

During Spring Break I had the chance to stop by Lynbrook, Annandale Terrace, Sleepy Hollow, and Pine Spring elementary schools to check out Spring Sprouts, a program held at select Title I schools. Students enrolled in the program receive extra lessons and work in smaller groups, strengthening core math and literacy skills through four days of engaging, hands-on learning. At Sleepy Hollow I observed students participating in a guided movement activity connected to their learning about the plant life cycle. Using the Metamorphosis lesson from the Yoga 4 Classrooms curriculum, students discussed how metamorphosis means change and related it to how plants grow and transform. Students began by imagining themselves as seeds in the ground. As they “felt” the sun and rain, they slowly grew — carefully uncurling and reaching upward while imagining roots extending into the soil. Once fully “grown,” they kept their feet rooted and moved their arms and faces to represent plants turning toward the sun.

At Lynbrook, third grade students were focused on economics, and were engaged in learning about the roles of buyers and sellers through a farmers market activity. Meanwhile, in kindergarten, students were participating in a math lesson focused on determining the sum of two numbers rolled on dice. They were estimating sums and using the colors of the dice to support their thinking during a number talk. And first grade students were exploring shapes in real life by walking through the school building to identify and draw shapes they found in their environment. Spring Sprouts is part of Goal 1 of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan - Strong Start: Pre-K-12. You can read more about Spring Sprouts on our website. This work matters! Go Leprechauns, Cougars, Dolphins, and Bobcats!! 

Last Monday evening, I stopped by Lake Braddock Secondary School for a girls’ soccer game against McLean High School. It was a beautiful evening and a competitive athletic game. I continue to enjoy watching our student athletes compete in so many ways. Go Bruins!! Go Highlanders!!

On Tuesday evening, I hosted an Employee Conversation at Newington Forest Elementary School, where staff shared thoughtful perspectives on what it takes to support strong schools and student success. We discussed several key topics, including feedback on the math pilot, the need for stronger alignment to Virginia standards, and more effective instructional resources. Staff emphasized the importance of building strong foundations in math and reading, maintaining high expectations, and providing consistent guidance around practices such as reassessment and student readiness while also navigating budget constraints, shortened instructional weeks, and inconsistent use of time across schools. One comment that stayed with me was, “Teacher happiness is one thing that makes a great school.” It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting our educators, together all things are possible.

On Wednesday, I hosted a Family Vision Group meeting for Quad 3 at Oak View Elementary School. Similar to other recent Family Group meetings, the topic was artificial intelligence. As we look toward developing a family resource for this topic, our families are integrally involved. I’m always grateful to the parents, caregivers, and employees who take the time to attend these meetings and share feedback to help us make our schools even better! Learning happens best in community!!

Thursday morning, I attended a meeting of the Public School Leadership Network (PSLN) at Mason Square. It was a great opportunity to join with our school board leaders across the northern Virginia region as well as connecting with the new state level education leadership. 

In the Strategic Plan Update portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, I discussed Goal 1 – Strong Start: PreK-12 ,with a focus on English Language Development, or ELD. Under federal law, school divisions are required to simultaneously accelerate English Language Development and remove language barriers to accessing grade-level academic curriculum. ELD services must be grounded in research-based practices and fully supported by qualified staff using evidence-based curricular resources. 

At the elementary level, the FCPS ELD model provides evidenced-based ELD curriculum (Benchmark Express) that pairs with the new Language Arts basal materials (Benchmark Advance). At the secondary level, the FCPS model provides an evidence-based, two-pronged approach including a targeted ELD course and co-teaching support in core content classrooms.

Why do we use ELD foundational (also referred to as basal) resources?

1. Ensures Consistent Curriculaso that every student receives the same rigorous ELD instruction across and within schools.
2. Delivers Explicit Instruction in all language domains to help students master the complex language of the classroom.
3. Empowers Teachers by shifting the focus from finding materials to internalizing and personalizing lessons to meet the language needs of their students.

At FCPS, the specific basal resources used include:

• Elementary Schools:Benchmark Express, our K-6 English Language Arts curriculum.
• Middle Schools:HMH English 3D, which focuses on academic discourse.
• High Schools:Cengage National LIFT and Pathways, which is for our most advanced learners.  

I also shared this video about providing a rigorous ELD curriculum for our multilingual learners. This consistent, routine-based approach ensures teachers have the high-quality materials needed to support students in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The impact of these resources goes beyond academics; it builds the self-confidence students need to succeed. From mastering new vocabulary to constructing complex sentences, our learners are gaining the fluency required for academic and professional success.

On Friday morning I went to the Fairfax County Government Center for the Shark Tank Tech Challenge. The challenge supports the Fairfax County Economic Success Plan. That plan seeks to grow and diversify our economy through innovation, social equity, and expanding science, technology, engineering and math education. Students from across Fairfax County are challenged to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. The event challenges students to develop innovative technological solutions that can help people live independently and make the world more user-friendly. 

I then attended the Taste of FCPS event to experience the innovative work of our Office of Food and Nutrition Services firsthand. The event highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen student wellness through thoughtful menu development and meaningful student engagement. I was able to sample menu items that have been featured in schools across the division throughout the year, all expertly prepared by our FCPS executive chef, Tim Jones. It was a great reminder of the care and creativity that go into providing nutritious, appealing meals for students every day.

I also heard brief highlights of key initiatives supporting student wellness across the division, reflecting a continued commitment to ensuring students are nourished, supported, and ready to learn. It is great to know that we have healthier food and scratch cooking at each of our schools, it matters.  

I then made my way to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. for a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. This meaningful event commemorated American independence and honored Japan’s generous gift of 250 additional cherry trees to the United States. Such a beautiful day to share with our global friends.  

It was especially meaningful to share this moment with Fox Mill Elementary School’s Japanese Immersion students, who delivered a speech and performed a Japanese song with sign language. I am incredibly proud of their poise, dedication, and hard work — they represented FCPS beautifully on this special occasion. Thank you for your continued support of our students and for helping make this celebration so memorable. Moments like this reflect the strength of our community and the bright future of the students we serve, together all things are possible.

Later, I went to the Herndon Pyramid Art Show at the Herndon United Methodist Church to celebrate the incredible creativity and talent of students across the pyramid. It was inspiring to see artwork from elementary through high school students displayed together, showcasing both individual expression and the strength of a shared K-12 arts experience. Our fine and performing arts remain a cornerstone of a world class education. 

And my last stop on Friday was to see a performance of Grease at Langley High School. Saxon Stage brought incredible energy to this classic story of friendship, identity, and love, following weeks of dedicated rehearsals that began in February. Langley Theatre Director Brian Kaufman shared, “This has been such a joyful rehearsal process. The students brought so many ideas and talents to the table that it made every day special,” highlighting the strong sense of community and inclusion among the cast, crew, and pit musicians.

From iconic numbers like “Summer Nights” and “Greased Lightnin’” to the high-energy “Born to Hand Jive,” the performance truly captivated the audience and showcased the incredible talent of our students. Go Grease Lightnin’ ;>) Go Saxons!!

Friday evening, like so many people around the world, I took a moment to watch the Integrity capsule safely touch down in the Pacific Ocean after traveling some 695,000 miles to the moon and back. The success of the Artemis II mission is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when innovation, perseverance, and collaboration come together in pursuit of discovery. Moments like this mirror our work in FCPS, where we prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and curiosity they need to reach ever further into the universe of the possible. Artemis II inspires young people to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and explorers, and reinforces the importance of creating opportunities at FCPS that spark a lifelong love of learning. As Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson shared before liftoff: “On this historic mission, you take with you the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of a new generation.” 

On Saturday morning, I had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the Great Falls Little League Opening Day, one of those moments that truly captures the spirit of connection, teamwork, and joy. It was inspiring to see so many families, volunteers, and young athletes come together to kick off the season. I’m especially grateful to the coaches, organizers, and volunteers whose time and dedication make opportunities like this possible for our students. 

But what stood out most was the excitement of the players. Whether it is their first season or their last, they are building friendships, learning teamwork, and developing resilience and sportsmanship. These are lessons that extend far beyond the field. Events like Opening Day are a reminder that in Fairfax County, our schools and communities work hand in hand to create meaningful experiences for our young people. Learning happens best in community, and I am grateful to be part of a community that values and supports these opportunities! 

I then went to the Instructional Job Fair at Lake Braddock Secondary School. It was great to see so many school teams represented and to visit with all of the human resources staff supporting this important event. Go Team FCPS!!

Next, I had the privilege of joining the Langley High School community to celebrate its 60th anniversary, an opportunity to reflect on a proud legacy of excellence and connection. Since opening in 1965 during a time of growth and desegregation in FCPS, Langley has built a strong tradition of academic achievement, vibrant programs, and deep commitment to student success. What stood out most was the enduring sense of community, past and present, brought to life through tours, a time capsule, and shared memories across generations. I left grateful for the alumni who built this legacy and inspired by the students and staff who carry it forward each day. Congratulations to Langley High School on 60 remarkable years. Go Saxons!!

Next, I visited the Fun Fair at Terra Centre Elementary School, where it was wonderful to see the school community come together for a day of fun, connection, and celebration. The event was filled with games, activities, and smiles, creating a joyful space for students and families to spend time together outside the classroom. One especially memorable moment? Meeting a tortoise and a hare — who, I learned, aren’t racing rivals but actually roommates! Who knew? I also had the opportunity to learn more about Terra Centre’s strong commitment to environmental education, including the work of Get2Green leader Laure Grove, who was recently recognized with a national award for her leadership in sustainability and hands-on learning. Go Tigers!!

And later on, Saturday afternoon, I took in a performance of The Sound of Music at Justice High School. The Wolfpack Theatre cast and crew delivered a fantastic performance, with incredible vocals and a production that truly brought this beloved story to life. Experiences like this are a powerful reminder of the important role the arts play in FCPS. Through theatre and the performing arts, students build confidence, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills – bringing learning to life in meaningful and memorable ways. The show was one of my favorite things ;>) this week. Wunderbar! Go Wolves!!

As we approach another beautiful spring week, I trust you will find time to enjoy the outdoors and its ever evolving moments. During this beautiful season, I am reminded of a quote I hold dear; “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”  -- Nelson Mandela

Wishing each of you, both a hopeful and joyful week ahead….

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools