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Fairfax County Public Schools moved forward on several major initiatives during the week of October 21, including artificial intelligence in classrooms, a countywide boundary review and expanded opportunities for students.
Superintendent Michelle Reid also visited schools, recognized employees and attended student activities across the division.
AI takes a larger role in education
Reid joined AI specialist Dr. Babak Mostaghimi and FCPS Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi for the first episode of the Department of Information Technology’s new video podcast, “Ctrl + Learn + Grow.”
Their conversation explored using AI across subjects and grade levels rather than treating it solely as a STEM topic. They also discussed building AI literacy early and using the technology to support students, including neurodivergent learners.
FCPS will continue that discussion at “Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI and the Future of Learning” from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 3, at West Springfield High School.
The event will examine AI’s opportunities and challenges, its potential role in student achievement and workforce preparation, and the future of innovation in FCPS. An interactive expo featuring AI companies and partners will run from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Teachers who attend will receive two recertification points.
Boundary review meetings continue
Community Boundary Review meetings were held at Robinson Secondary School and Herndon, Langley and Falls Church high schools.
The sessions covered the review’s priorities, the Boundary Review Advisory Committee, earlier community engagement and the next stages of the process. Attendees also learned how to examine Scenario 4 and submit comments through the Boundary Explorer Tool, including feedback about proposed changes affecting individual school pyramids.
Additional meetings were scheduled for:
- Tuesday, October 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Annandale High School for the Justice and Annandale pyramids.
- Wednesday, October 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School for the South County and Hayfield pyramids.
- Friday, October 24, at Lewis High School for the Edison and Lewis pyramids.
- Saturday, October 25, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Sandburg Middle School for the West Potomac and Mount Vernon pyramids.
- Monday, October 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Irving Middle School for the Lake Braddock and West Springfield pyramids.
- Tuesday, October 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Fairfax High School library for the Woodson and Fairfax pyramids.
- Wednesday, October 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at McLean High School for the Madison and McLean pyramids.
- Thursday, October 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Chantilly High School for the Westfield and Chantilly pyramids.
In-person and virtual participation were available. Every high school pyramid also has representation on the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee.
Schools showcase achievement and instruction
Reid began the week at Spring Hill Elementary School, recognizing employees for the school’s selection as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.
Spring Hill was one of three Virginia schools and 356 nationwide to receive the distinction. It was designated an Exemplary High Performing School based on reading and mathematics achievement during the 2022-23 school year.
The U.S. Department of Education has since discontinued the recognition program.
At Kilmer Middle School, Reid visited Principal Steven McFarlane, Resource Teacher Corey Thombland and several mathematics classes. In an “Equation Scrabble” lesson developed by an algebra teacher and school librarians, pairs of seventh graders solved equations while racing to complete a puzzle.
She also observed educators team-teaching algebra in Mathematics Teacher Phillip Prevost’s classroom and visited a smaller Algebra Readiness class led by Mathematics Teacher Lena Zein. Zein said she expected every student in the class to meet the algebra requirements.
Reid later toured Providence Elementary School with Principal Andrew Pratt. The visit highlighted student writing, literacy instruction and the Benchmark curriculum.
She recognized Grace Yuan, who has taught Chinese in Fairfax County for 19 years, and visited Lydia Li’s second-grade Chinese Foreign Language in the Elementary School class. Students used a song to practice Chinese color vocabulary and memorization.
Athletics, leadership and student support
Before a boundary meeting Tuesday evening, Reid attended a girls flag football game between Herndon and South Lakes high schools.
FCPS was piloting the sport at every high school during the fall, with support from the Washington Commanders. Girls flag football already offered college scholarship opportunities and was scheduled to join the Olympic program in 2028.
On Wednesday, Reid met with the 2025-26 Supporting the Mission cohort. The FCPS leadership-development program gives participants an overview of the school division while helping them build leadership skills and plan positive changes intended to produce fairer outcomes.
The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Twice-Exceptional Programming met Thursday at the Gatehouse Administration Center. Its teams were working on staff knowledge of twice-exceptional learners, family communication, understanding of IEP and Section 504 accommodations, improvements to the IEP process and programming across different settings.
The work supports the academic inclusion and engagement component of Goal 2 in the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
HVAC workers turn a repair into a lesson
Three HVAC technicians received surprise CARES of the Quarter awards Friday after transforming a routine air-conditioning repair into an educational experience for students.
James Patterson, Kevin Vo and Duy Nhan Nguyen were nominated by Deer Park Elementary School teacher Nicole O’Neil. When curious students gathered around their work, the technicians explained the machinery, answered questions and delivered an impromptu hands-on HVAC lesson.
Educate Fairfax coordinated a $500 check for each recipient, with funding from Apple Federal Credit Union and Walmart.
Arts, athletics and college planning draw crowds
Reid attended Chantilly High School’s production of “Newsies” on Friday evening. Directed by Shannon Spicer, the performance used choreography and dramatic performances to recreate New York City in 1899.
The production supported Goal 3 of the FCPS strategic plan, Academic Growth and Excellence, while giving students opportunities to develop creativity, confidence and collaboration.
On Saturday, Reid attended middle school cross-country meets at Twain and Stone middle schools, where student-athletes competed and supported their teammates.
The division’s College Fair followed Sunday evening at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena. Thousands of students and family members attended one of the region’s largest college fairs, which included more than 200 colleges and universities from across the country. Representatives of U.S. service academies and military branches also participated.
Postsecondary planning was set to continue Tuesday evening with virtual “Look to the Future” sessions for students and families.