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Fairfax County Public Schools has eliminated more than 70,000 pounds of plastic waste since replacing plastic utensils with wooden alternatives in March 2024, one of several developments highlighted by Superintendent Michelle Reid in her February 10 update.
The Food and Nutrition Services team, led by Shawn Sawko, coordinated with vendors, adjusted supply chains and explained the sustainability benefits to school communities before making the change.
Environmental efforts continued February 6, when students and Get2Green leaders hosted a screening of the food-waste documentary “Just Eat It” at Woodson High School. Representatives from Food and Nutrition Services, Food for Others and Hands on Harvests joined student leaders for a discussion about share tables, food rescue programs and other ways to reduce waste in Fairfax County.
The district also held its second annual Mid-Year Virtual Conference, drawing nearly 800 employees for discussions about artificial intelligence in education. Reid joined Chief Equity Officer Nardos King and four high school students on a panel moderated by Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi.
Boundaries, federal policy and the budget
Reid met Monday with Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. David Stewart. FCPS operates two elementary schools on the installation and serves more than 13,500 military-connected students across the division.
That evening, the Boundary Review Advisory Committee met at the Gatehouse Administration Center. Its membership includes parents, caregivers or community members from each of the district’s 24 high school pyramids, along with teachers, administrators, operational employees and other representatives.
The final community boundary meeting was scheduled as a virtual session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. February 10. Attendance was capped at 400 people, with language interpretation available.
On Tuesday, Reid and other area superintendents met with U.S. Rep. Don Beyer to discuss proposed and newly enacted national policies, student and employee safety, and the role of public education.
The School Board later examined the proposed fiscal 2026 budget, including enrollment projections, support for students with additional needs, employee pay comparisons with neighboring divisions and progress toward the Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence.
More than 85% of the proposal is directed toward teaching and learning at school sites. Its priorities include competitive employee compensation and a 7% salary increase for all staff.
County Executive Bryan Hill was scheduled to present his advertised budget February 18, when the School Board also planned another work session. The board was expected to adopt its advertised fiscal 2026 budget February 20, followed by a joint budget meeting with the Board of Supervisors on February 25.
Reid also met Thursday with leaders from Real Food for Kids, a nonprofit working to improve access to whole foods, nutrition education and policies affecting children and families in the Washington region.
Student champions honored
Before Thursday’s School Board meeting, the division recognized athletic and performing-arts achievements from the fall 2024 season.
Langley High School won the Class 6 golf championship and repeated as the Class 6 girls volleyball champion. Robinson Secondary School captured Class 6 titles in girls cross-country and cheerleading.
Chantilly High School won the fall League of Legends esports tournament, while Woodson High School took the Rocket League title. Frost Middle School won both the FCPS boys and girls cross-country championships.
Selected Virginia Music Educators Association performing groups included the Falls Church High School Chamber Orchestra, Lake Braddock High School Symphony Orchestra, Thoreau Middle School Symphonic Band, West Springfield High School Wind Symphony, Glasgow Middle School Wind Ensemble and Woodson High School Wind Ensemble.
The Robinson Secondary School Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the 78th Midwest International Band Clinic.
FCPS urges caution with national test results
During the board meeting, Reid addressed the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly called the Nation’s Report Card.
Only eight FCPS elementary schools and 13 middle schools participated in the 2024 assessment. The 466 participating students represented less than 2% of the district’s fourth- and eighth-graders and about 0.25% of total K-12 enrollment.
Because NAEP reports results only at the state and national levels, FCPS does not receive individual student, school or division scores.
The district considers Virginia Standards of Learning exams more useful for local conclusions because they included 26,020 FCPS students. FCPS students accounted for 14% of Virginia’s fourth- and eighth-grade SOL test takers and exceeded statewide averages in reading and mathematics.
New teachers receive intensive coaching
Reid also presented an update on the Novice Teacher Instructional Coaching Program, launched during the current school year using existing positions.
The initiative is intended to help new educators manage a profession that can take three to seven years to master. Nationally, 44% of new teachers leave within their first five years, while research connects sustained coaching with stronger teacher retention, improved effectiveness and better student results.
Since August, the program has supported 436 FCPS teachers. In district feedback, 93% said their coach helped them reflect on their teaching, 94% said they received data or feedback that helped them adjust instruction, and 97% believed their coach was invested in their success.
A presentation showed first-year Centreville Elementary School teacher Emma Patane working with instructional coach Sarah Phillips to strengthen classroom practices and create engaging lessons.
The School Board also approved the proposed fiscal 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which outlines the projected timing and cost of school renovations, additions and new construction. The plan is intended to modernize classrooms, improve safety and energy efficiency, and accommodate enrollment growth.
Celebrations continue across the county
Reid attended an honor-roll celebration Friday at Langston Hughes Middle School, where this year’s theme is “Striving for the Gold.” She thanked Principal Mizell, school employees and student musicians for organizing the event.
Weather concerns shaped Saturday’s athletic schedule. Employees had monitored the possibility of snow, while Annandale activities director Brandon Sutphin and South County activities director Marvin Wooten arranged for swimming finals to be completed Friday night.
At the National District girls wrestling event at Annandale High School, Reid met Sandra Benitez, a government teacher for multilingual learners who is pursuing a master’s degree and also works as a ticket taker during home games.
Reid later attended the annual Mount Vernon District Town Meeting at Mount Vernon High School, where the school’s string quartet performed.
At a girls basketball game between West Potomac and South County, South County Principal Khoshaba reported that junior Leila scored her 1,000th career point on the opening tip. Reid also attended one of several choral concerts hosted that afternoon at Hayfield Secondary School.
Military readiness gains weight in state accountability
The update also examined the enlistment component of Virginia’s “3E Ready for Life” framework, which measures preparation for college enrollment, meaningful employment and military enlistment.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery assesses skills in verbal, mathematical, scientific, technical and spatial areas. Although primarily associated with military enlistment, several FCPS high schools also use it for broader career exploration.
Students receive customized score reports connecting their strengths with possible careers. When paired with a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, the assessment can satisfy industry credentialing graduation requirements.
Under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework, schools receive between 0.5 and one point toward the 3E readiness measure for students earning an Armed Forces Qualification Test composite score of at least 31. The scores affect a high school’s state accountability category but do not count toward an individual student’s grade-point average or other performance measures.
FCPS has 96 Purple Star Schools, representing nearly half of the division’s schools and recognizing their support for military-connected students and families.
At Cunningham Park Elementary School, second-grade teachers Susan Haas, Elena Heyer and Kelly Krek connected a reading lesson about “Stone Soup” with a classroom cooking activity. Students contributed ingredients and prepared soup together as a lesson about sharing, cooperation and community.
Reid concluded the week by participating in an annual parent summit organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. The panel focused on practices for preventing and responding to antisemitism in schools.