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Two Willow Springs Elementary School students brought their award-winning vision for AI-powered crop pollination to national leaders as Fairfax County Public Schools continued a busy summer of student programs, staff preparation and community events.
Luciana and Scarlett were among only eight teams nationwide named winners in the 2025 ExploraVision competition. During a trip to Capitol Hill, they presented the work they had shared with members of the House and Senate and Toshiba executives.
The students also met staff from Sen. Mark Warner’s office and spoke with Bill Nye, who asked them about Electro-Buzz, their project using AI-powered drones to imitate bees and pollinate crops.
FCPS leaders, meanwhile, gathered at Hayfield Secondary School for the division’s 45th annual Leadership Kickoff. The four-day professional-development event helped principals, assistant principals, student services and activities directors, and central office leaders prepare for the 2025-26 school year.
Superintendent Michelle Reid’s Tuesday address emphasized visible, results-driven leadership and the importance of showing how the school division’s work benefits students, employees and families.
The kickoff introduced a video series highlighting school and department initiatives. Featured efforts included expanding access to Advanced Placement success at McLean, supporting growth at Whitman, strengthening food services, improving reading performance by more than 10 points at Saratoga, boosting belonging and attendance at South County, and accelerating access to algebra at Herndon. FCPS plans to feature every school and department during the year.
Keynote speaker Dr. Shelley Moore addressed inclusion, assumptions and the ways stories can shape beliefs. Mount Vernon High School theater students also performed “Find Your Grail” from Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Summer programs reach thousands of students
At Thursday’s School Board meeting, Reid highlighted FCPS’ Middle School After School program, which provides free activities five days a week at every county middle school.
The activities support academic achievement, behavior, social skills, relationships and community involvement. Each middle school offers about 12 to 15 hours of weekly programming, with late buses available to transport students home.
Across the division’s 27 middle schools, students can choose from more than 940 activities. Average weekly attendance exceeds 15,000 students.
FCPS data shows relationships between participation and higher rates of passing grades, along with lower rates of chronic absenteeism, discipline and behavioral infractions. Research also indicates that middle-school extracurricular activities can strengthen protective factors while reducing risks.
A presentation to the board featured the middle school track and field program, where students compete in events ranging from the long jump to the 1,600-meter run. The program gives participants opportunities to build confidence, friendships, resilience and sportsmanship while preparing some athletes for high school competition.
The after-school initiative supports three parts of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: safe and inclusive schools, academic growth and excellence, and equitable access to opportunity.
Reid also thanked Food and Nutrition Services employees operating 112 summer meal sites. At the time of her update, the division had served approximately 31,000 breakfasts and 51,000 lunches.
She discussed visits to summer learning programs at Graham Road Elementary School and Annandale High School and promoted an instructional job fair scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. FCPS was seeking special education teachers and educators interested in entering that field.
Staff and students remain active across the region
Reid visited the Department of Information Technology’s summer picnic Thursday at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center. Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi presented employee service awards, while the Department of Human Resources recognized Tim Roberson as the May 2025 “CARES of the Month” honoree.
During a tour, Reid visited the Tech Support Desk and the Teaching Materials Production Center, which provides printing and customizable promotional materials to FCPS schools and offices.
On Friday evening, she attended Westfield High School Summer Stage’s production of Urinetown: The Musical, featuring student performers and a stage music crew.
Saturday brought a trip to the Mubadala Citi Open at Washington’s Rock Creek Park Tennis Center with Groveton Elementary School’s “Girls Rule the Court” group. The expanding national program introduces young students to tennis with support from school staff and parent volunteers.
Reid closed her weekly update by encouraging FCPS employees to use the slower pace of summer for rest, reflection and renewal before the new school year begins.