Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Well, what a week of contrasts. Stormy weather and beautiful sunny days … As I think about all that we are doing, and the context in which we are doing it, I continue to be both grateful for the efforts of so many and hopeful for the future, this work matters. 

Good news to share this week! Eight students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and one student from Chantilly High School have been named scholars in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search! The students are part of a group of 300 scholars selected from 2,600 entrants in the 2026 competition. The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS), a program of the Society for Science, is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. Alumni of STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world’s most distinguished science and math honors, including the Nobel Prize and National Medal of Science. Each student will receive matching awards of $2,000 along with the school. A total of 40 finalists will be announced on January 21. Those finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C., in March to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, meet with notable scientists, and compete for awards, including the top award of $250,000. You can see the complete list of FCPS’ Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars online . Go Colonials and go Chargers!!

Monday evening, I had the opportunity to visit with the Robinson Secondary School Rifle Team before a match against Wakefield High School. It was a great time meeting and talking with the team members, coaches, and parents. A lot of great energy as our student athletes prepared for strategic competition.  

High school rifle is one of the few sports where young men and women student athletes compete side by side equally. Robinson is one of the seven FCPS rifle teams in the 12 team Potomac High School Rifle League (PHSRL) and was the winner of the 2024-25 PHSRL regional match. On Monday, Robinson won a hard-fought match 1582.2 to 1447.1 at the Woman’s Club of Arlington. Go Rams!!

On Tuesday morning, I had the pleasure of kicking off a half-day training on ChatGPT for Teachers for our technology support specialists (TSSpecs) and school-based technology specialists (SBTS). OpenAI's education lead, Sam Kanning-Caplan, led an in-depth training on platform capabilities and instructional applications. We also convened a leadership panel including our chief information and technology officer, chief academic officer, chief equity officer, and the assistant superintendent of instructional services, to answer questions directly.

Our commitment remains strong: we will continue investing in professional development that builds staff knowledge, practical skills, and ethical understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. FCPS educators play a critical role not only in shaping how AI enters our classrooms, but in safeguarding equity, opportunity, and meaningful learning for each and every student. I share more on AI in my Academic Matters update below. Go Team FCPS!!

On Tuesday afternoon, I met with the Rotary Club of McLean at the Redeemer Lutheran Church. We had a chance to discuss data on progress towards our 2023-30 Strategic Plan , our upcoming budget planning, career paths of the future, and the next generation of the workforce. The Rotary Club of McLean is dedicated to supporting literacy at Timber Lane Elementary School. The school’s “Love of Reading Program” was championed by the rotary club 17 years ago and continues now through an annual grant to the school to purchase books for students. As part of their support, rotary club members, alongside invited community members, select a day to read grade level books to students in pre-K through second grade. Learning happens best in community, and we have a great community!

Later Tuesday afternoon, I visited and toured the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) to learn more about the programming and work that supports students and young people in a different setting. I appreciated meeting staff and learning about the role specific work that supports our young people who have connected with our juvenile justice system and appreciate the efforts of our staff to refocus our young people on paths for success moving forward, this work matters.  

On Wednesday afternoon we held the second meeting of the Student Youth Environmental Council. Founded by students for students, the Council represents students from across the division who are dedicated to making FCPS a global leader in sustainability. Working together, they bridge the gap between student passion, district policy, and key initiatives like Get2Green, which provides a strong foundation for students to build on. Their work also serves as an important reminder that our division has a distinct need for a dedicated, student-led sustainability council. Because through their work, the council and its members help sustainability efforts move beyond voluntary and into the realm of policy and systemic change.

The key objectives of the Student Youth Environmental Council include but are not limited to: 

• Student-Led Governance: creating a space specifically for student voices, modeled after the success of other county advisory councils.
• Resource Integration: implementing Mission Green Global’s toolkits, monthly environmental challenges, and workshops within the existing FCPS infrastructure.
• Policy Influence: empowering students to influence environmental policy at both the school division and statewide levels. 

Based on initial student feedback and council discussions, the following areas have been identified as high-priority initiatives for FCPS: 

• Waste Management: improving recycling programs and implementing "share tables" to reduce food waste.
• Academic Integration: establishing a division wide Science Fair specifically focused on environmental concerns and innovations.
• Actionable Outreach: engaging families and local communities through toolkits that bridge the gap between school initiatives and home habits.

The Student Youth Environmental Council has officially launched and transitioned into a monthly meeting schedule. And they are always accepting new members. If you know a student who has a passion for the environment and would like to join us, please ask them or their family to email [email protected] with their name, school, and contact information. The next meeting is scheduled for January 27 at 5 p.m. in the Gatehouse Administration Center Café, 8115 Gatehouse Rd., in Falls Church. Together, all things are possible!

Thursday, as a part of the five member AASA National Blue Ribbon selection panel, I had the opportunity of participating in the selection of the new National Superintendent of the Year award. As I review the work that happens around this great country, I continue to be so inspired by so many who care so deeply.  

In the Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School meeting, I provided an Artificial Intelligence (AI) @ FCPS Update . I am very excited about the opportunities ahead as we thoughtfully integrate AI into education to expand access and support for our students! Studies show our students are already using AI , so it is essential that we begin by training adults who can guide this work responsibly. Our AI guiding principles include: 

• Humans in Control: recognize teachers as the experts responsible for learning and decision-making. AI augments, it does not replace.
• Ethical and Responsible: we must uphold academic integrity and protect student privacy and security.
• Intentional Adoption: continuously monitoring AI's impacts, maximizing its benefits, and implementing safeguards to avoid harm.

I believe this is our “Sputnik moment” — a time when educators must recognize how rapidly the world is changing and respond with purpose. To remain globally competitive, we must build a strong understanding of emerging AI technologies and integrate them into learning in ways that honor human connection, uphold legal and ethical standards, and protect student privacy. As we move forward, FCPS is committed to leading with both innovation and humanity. We are engaging trusted partners, rigorously evaluating tools through our procurement and privacy processes, investing heavily in staff training so that knowing becomes doing, and launching an FCPS AI Think Tank to establish FCPS as the premiere global model for AI-infused education. We are also listening to and learning from our community through work sessions, public events, and ongoing dialogue. Through all of this, we will shape an approach that is intentional, reflective, and centered on what matters most: preparing our students to thrive as ethical, creative, and critical thinkers.

Also on Thursday, I presented my proposed school boundary changes to the School Board. The meeting materials included: 

• Superintendent’s Presentation to the School Board : these slides detail my recommendations. If approved, these changes would affect approximately 2,210 students at 52 schools. Of these students, an estimated 1,174 are elementary students, 447 are middle school students, and 589 are high school students.
• Comprehensive Boundary Review Executive Summary : this document outlines the 16-month process, data analysis, and community engagement that informed my recommendations, as aligned with School Board Policy 8130 .

I encourage you to explore how the recommendations would affect school boundaries by using our Boundary Explorer Tool . The School Board will vote on my recommendations for boundary changes and implementation on Thursday, January 22. You can also go to the FCPS website for public hearing details and other boundary information .

Saturday morning, I attended the General Assembly Pre-Session public hearing at the Fairfax Government Center. Learning happens best in community, and we are indeed blessed to have such thoughtful and committed public servants working hard on behalf of all of our students, staff, and families – together all things are possible.  

I had the opportunity to spend the rest of my Saturday morning and early Saturday afternoon listening to our community and their thoughts, affirmations, and concerns about the current boundary recommendations. As I reflect on this process and all we can learn from it, I continue to be grateful that our community shows up in so many thoughtful ways to collaboratively problem solve. Learning happens best in community, and we continue to benefit from the strength and support of our great community.   

I love the winter season and find its tempestuous nature both compelling and exhilarating, reminding me that;  “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Let's continue to treasure the gifts of this winter season...

Michelle Reid, Ed.D. Superintendent