Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Hello Team FCPS,

Well, we just completed the first full week of December and all through this amazing school division, many students and staff have been busy with projects and full of the winter spirit. The winter concerts and activities are in full swing. The schools and streets are alive with a festive energy as we await winter. I love this time of the year. (Especially when the snow stays in the mountains ;>)

Having said that, I want to thank each of you for your patience and grace as we navigated snow related challenges this past week. This promises to be a winter wonderland of interesting proportions ;>) I want to especially give a shout out to our facilities and grounds team as they make sure our facilities and grounds are safe when we experience inclement weather. I also want to thank our transportation team who have to leave home before many of the rest of us do to prepare the buses and safely transport our students to and from school each day – even in challenging winter conditions. Finally, I want to thank each of you for your patience and grace as we continue our teaching and learning journey in our world class school division this winter, it matters. 

Last Friday morning, Dr. Ponce, our chief of schools, and I visited several schools in the morning. Visiting Shrevewood Elementary School, we had an opportunity to celebrate the 67 ^th day of the school year. I am still not sure what the significance of this number is but it certainly has garnered a great deal of excitement ;>) We also visited Graham Road Elementary School and Woodburn Elementary School as we greeted students, staff and families on a snowy morning. I continue to be impressed with our students and staff, especially these young safety patrol members who support younger students at Woodburn Elementary School. It is my understanding that these Wildcats like snow ;>)

In an update from our Chief of Facilities, Erik Gordon, “we deployed a full internal team, with 46 Grounds employees on site, supplemented by staff from Equipment Repair, Pest Control, the Stock Room, and Grounds Management. In addition, sixteen Plant Operations employees supported custodial coordination across facilities. This was an all-hands-on-deck effort completed entirely in-house, with no contractor support , demonstrating strong budget stewardship and a commitment to maximizing efficiency and protecting taxpayer resources. 

A significant amount of treatment material was applied, and the final tonnage total will be confirmed during post-event reporting.” Note Jonathan Marchante, equipment repair technician with the Grounds Department, treating the paved parking areas at Fairfax High School (below).

Every snow morning, the weather management team is working from the updated Woodson Complex (see below). This past week, the command center was open and operational at 4 a.m. It is nice to know that the team is ready for action early on these winter mornings, this work matters!!   

Recently, William Solomon, FCPS’ chief of human resources, shared that 24 members of our HR team are participating in a cohort with bi-weekly in-person training sessions as they work toward earning Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification, the leading credential in the HR field. Because so much of an organization’s strategic work flows through Human Resources, having our team pursue an industry-recognized certification helps ensure we’re applying best practices and bringing current, relevant HR expertise to our daily work and to key strategic decisions. In short, this is the kind of continuing education that will provide benefits to all of us, from hiring new teachers to managing personnel challenges. Go Team FCPS!!

I want to take a moment to congratulate the Lake Braddock Bruins Boys Cross Country team on a truly historic season, capturing the Patriot District, Occoquan Region, and Class 6 State Championships. This remarkable sweep reflects exceptional talent, discipline, and dedication both on and off the course. Congratulations, Bruins, on an unforgettable championship run. Go Bruins!!

Congratulations to the Robinson Girls Cross Country team, who repeated as Class 6 State Champions with an impressive 28-point victory! The team delivered a powerhouse performance, placing three runners in the top 15 and showcasing exceptional grit, focus, and teamwork from start to finish. Go Rams!!

And a big congratulations to the Langley Saxons, the 2025 VHSL Class 6 Field Hockey State Champions! The Saxons delivered an extraordinary postseason performance, defeating Western Branch 6–0, Independence 2–0, and Madison 1–0 in a hard-fought state final. They closed out their remarkable season with an outstanding 22–1 record. This championship run reflects not only skill and discipline, but also the heart, teamwork, and perseverance that define our student-athletes. Go Saxons!!

Also, congratulations to the West Springfield Spartans on an unforgettable comeback to win the 2025 Class 6 Volleyball State Championship! In their first-ever state final appearance, the Spartans showed remarkable resilience battling back from two set losses to Colgan to claim a dramatic five-set victory. Powered by steady veterans, key contributions off the bench, and the momentum of true team unity, West Springfield (30–2) proved what’s possible when student-athletes believe in one another. An extraordinary achievement for the entire Spartan volleyball community. Go Spartans!!

Last Monday evening, I had the privilege of attending the Oath of Office Ceremony for Dr. Dustin Wright, the new superintendent for City of Fairfax Schools. Dustin is a former FCPS team member who will now lead the four-school district, which operates under a School Services Agreement (SSA) with FCPS. Through the SSA, FCPS provides curriculum, staffing, and transportation, while the City of Fairfax retains ownership and oversight of its four school buildings, including capital improvements, renovations, and SSA management. Congratulations, Dustin!

(photo courtesy of Fairfax City Schools)

On Tuesday afternoon, along with the FCPS School Board, we joined a Joint Budget Committee meeting with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget. This meeting is when both groups discuss their forecasts for the next fiscal year and set the stage for the upcoming budget cycle. I will present the FCPS FY 2027 Proposed Budget on January 22, 2026, and the County Executive will release his Advertised Budget on February 17, 2026. You can see the slides from the presentation and can also  watch the meeting .

A strong budget funds the exceptional and nationally-recognized educational experiences that FCPS students deserve and that our parents expect. FCPS has:

• 7 of top 10 Virginia high schools.
• 5 of top 10 Virginia elementary schools.
• 1 of the top 5 high schools in the U.S.
• 40% increase in number of National Merit Semi-Finalists year over year (261 this year)

I encourage you to follow along as we develop our FY27 budget. You can  learn more on our website . 

Later Tuesday evening, I went to Carson Middle School for their Choir Concert. The student vocalists performed well and the gym full of excited parents and community members enjoyed a great evening of music. Music remains such an integral part of our world class FCPS education. Go Panthers!!

On Wednesday morning, I visited West Potomac Academy for the launch of an expanded Ignite Partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). This event marked an exciting new chapter in our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals through an enhanced collaboration designed to broaden work-based learning opportunities for students across all Academy programs.

Through this strengthened partnership, MWAA will significantly expand work-based learning experiences, offering students deeper insights into high-demand careers, hands-on engagement, and clear pathways that connect classroom learning to meaningful futures. Thank you to MWAA and all of our industry partners helping us open doors, create opportunities, and equip students with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Together, all things are possible!

On Wednesday night, we held a  Family Vision Group meeting for Quad 3 at Edison High School. Similar to other recent Family Vision Group meetings, our discussion focused on expanding access to Algebra 1 by sixth grade, which was led by Dr. Ellen Reilly, assistant superintendent of Instructional Services and Dr. Amy Hunter. We also discussed upcoming school construction and renovations, which was led by Erik Gordon, chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs; Scott Eschbach, director, Design and Construction Services; and Holli McKinley, manager, Design and Construction Projects. Thank you to all who participated and offered your insights. Parents play an important role in FCPS, and we truly appreciate your partnership as we work to help every student grow and excel. Learning happens best in community!!

See an accessible version of the slide above . 

In the  Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, I discussed  Standards of Learning (SOL) cut score impacts and proposed accountability revisions . In November, the State Board of Education decided that cut score changes would begin in the 2026-27 school year (no changes for 2025-26) and phase in over four years, with an increased bar to pass each year. The new temporary “Approaching” level would count as pass/proficient during the phase-in so students and schools aren’t penalized right away. The state Board will continue the discussion at its December 10–11 meetings, where they are expected to set the eligibility criteria for locally awarded verified credits (LAVCs) and for expedited SOL retakes. You can see some examples of the new cut scores in the graphic above. Using spring 2025 SOL results as a baseline, the new standards would significantly lower pass rates — for example, math pass­ rate estimates could drop from 78% under current standards to 52% under full implementation; reading could drop from 79% to 51%.

I also outlined some proposed updates to the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). Some of the suggestions include: 

• Extending support for newly arrived multilingual learners from 3 semesters to 5.
• Changes to academic growth-measurement methods.
• Adding history as a subject included in SPSF calculations, resulting in additional required SOL tests.
• Changing high school mastery performance to include all tested students (not just seniors).
• Expanding advanced middle school coursework to include earth science and world geography by eighth grade.

And in the  Strategic Plan Update portion of the meeting, the topic was  Pillar D: Culture of Equity, Excellence, and Accountability . I provided an overview of FCPS’ warehouse operations. If you’ve never had a chance to visit the warehouse, it is quite the operation! This team keeps our system running smoothly by managing logistics and support services, daily mail operations, and surplus and sustainability efforts. Here are a few highlights about the scope of their work supporting the ninth largest school division in the nation:

• A dedicated team of 50 staff members.
• Service to more than 200 schools and offices.
• 500 deliveries and pickups each week — totaling about 24,000 each year.
• A fleet of 13 distribution trucks and nine Pony mail trucks.
• More than 200,000 miles driven annually by distribution trucks, and 133,200 miles by Pony mail trucks.

As part of my presentation,  I shared this video , which shows how the FCPS warehouse ensures every student has access to the same high-quality learning materials. It follows the journey of ladybug larvae from the FCPS warehouse to classrooms across Fairfax County and introduces the people who make hands-on learning possible for every student. Go Team FCPS!!

On Friday evening we held a Community Conversation at Churchill Road Elementary School. I want to thank the parents and members of the community who came out on a wintry and very cold night to share their opinions, ideas, and concerns – it matters.

Later Friday evening, I went to Falls Church High School to watch a performance of  Between the Lines . It was also a great opportunity to celebrate the new FCHS theatre as the Jaguars performed before a large crowd. First year FCHS Theatre Director Madeline Willard shared, “the show encourages teenagers to embrace who they are, to be themselves, and to not care what other people think. Your differences are wonderful, and you make this world better. It can be a challenge to follow the beat of your own drum when it feels like fitting in would be easier. The characters help show us that not everyone is meant to have the same story and it’s up to you to tell yours.” Sounds like a great life lesson to me…

On Saturday morning, I went to the Mount Vernon High School PTSA's Annual Holiday Market. Learning happens best in community, and I remain so grateful for so many in our community who continue to show up for our children. Many of the funds raised will support the MVHS Senior Class activities upcoming this spring. 

Next, I had the joy of attending the 2nd Annual Queen of the Ring Girls Wrestling Tournament at Herndon High School. This incredible event brought together 156 student-athletes, up from 140 last year, from schools across Northern Virginia and even West Virginia. Wrestlers from Herndon, Stafford, Prince George, Henrico, Meridian, Freedom-South Riding, Morgantown (WV), Annandale, Langley, Robinson, Lightridge, McLean, Woodbridge, James River–Buchanan, Westfield, and Chantilly showcased remarkable determination, sportsmanship, and strength throughout the day. It was a powerful celebration of skill, confidence, and community and a reminder that when our students set their goals, nothing can hold them down. ;>

On Sunday evening, earlier tonight ;>), I was honored to be a reader for the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at the historic Christ Church in Alexandria. I joined a number of our students and families as we celebrated an evening of music and lessons related to the Advent season.  As a national historical building that was built more than 235 years ago where history says George Washington attended, you could almost feel the presence of so many who have worshiped there before. I will say that finding parking is likely different today than it was when the church was originally built in that quiet wooded location of 1749 ;>).

As we navigate these winter days, I am reminded of the importance of simple life lessons,  “May we be given the courage to choose love each day, the grace to show compassion to those we find hard to love, and the strength to work together to build the world we long for.” – Maria Shriver. Wishing each of you an amazing week!!

Take good care,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D. Superintendent