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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Hello, Springfield District,
I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather. I, for one, would love to keep this true spring a little longer. I am not quite ready for the heat yet. I hope everyone had a wonderful break. The end of the school year is approaching quickly.
We have many exciting activities outlined below, and I have been busy visiting our schools. Last week, I was thrilled to join my colleagues Marcia St. John-Cunning, from the Franconia District, and Ilryong Moon, one of our at-large members, at Lewis High School’s inaugural Meet Your Legislator event. It was a great opportunity to connect with students and share more about my role as a school board member.
In an event close to my heart, this last Monday I visited Garfield Elementary with Congressman James Walkinshaw, and my colleague, at-large member Kyle McDaniel, to recognize our amazing military-connected students during the Month of the Military Child. We were joined by the principal Kerry Peerman and several members of the Springfield VFW Post 7327. Our kids are truly amazing and asked some fascinating questions of Congressman Walkinshaw!
I also had the chance to visit a White Oaks Elementary School strings class with the new Braddock District School Board Representative, Tom Dannan. Our teachers continue to inspire, and Austin Johnson-Stawarz highlighted the impressive progress his cello students have made this year. I look forward to hearing how their concert goes!
I will be in touch soon,
Sandy
Left to right clockwise: Franconia District School Board Representative Marcia St. John-Cunning and me at the Lewis High School Meet Your Legislator Event, Braddock District School Board Representative Tom Dannan and me attending a White Oaks Elementary School strings class with teacher Austin Johnson-Stawarz, and Congressman James Walkinshaw’s visit to Garfield Elementary School with VFW Post 7327, At-Large Member Kyle McDaniel, and me.
This newsletter includes information on the following issues:
Springfield Scene
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Centreville High School’s Student Equity Ambassador Leads, including Ash Montgomery, recently visited Liberty Middle School to work with 7th and 8th-grade students on fostering a positive school culture. Their presentation addressed the impacts of bullying, how to respond when it occurs, and ways to build a culture of acceptance and belonging. This peer-led experience provided students with meaningful strategies and strong role models. |
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Chantilly Academy health and medical science students hosted a blood drive with Inova, volunteering alongside Inova's Blood Donor Services team to ensure that students and faculty at Chantilly could safely donate blood. It was a successful day that contributed to supplying our local blood banks with a critically needed blood supply.
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Shout out to Fairfax High School’s Adel Al Jumaily for winning first place in Electric Vehicle in the Science Olympiad State Tournament
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George Mason University’s Center for the Arts invited the internationally renowned Silkroad Ensemble to lead a master class in the Fairfax Academy Music and Computer Technology lab. Students had an intimate setting in which to learn from and be inspired by their mission: to create music that engages with difference, sparking radical cultural collaboration and passion-driven learning for a more hopeful and inclusive world. Awesome!
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FCPS recently featured Irving Middle School Instructional Assistant Samina Butt for Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Samina has served at Irving for the past seven years, where she is widely known for her compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment to students with diverse learning needs. She approaches each day with a deep sense of purpose, helping students build independence, confidence, and a sense of belonging in their school and beyond. Read more in FCPS News.
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Congratulations to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Amelia Cole for being named to the 2026 VHSL Girls Indoor Track All-State Team in the 55-meter hurdles and to Nate McComb for being named to the 2026 VHSL Class 6 Boys All-State Basketball Team!
Amelia also recently broke Girls Outdoor Track school and meet records in the 100 and 200-meter runs and the 100-meter hurdles! Way to go!
Bravo to the Lake Braddock Symphony Orchestra for being accepted to perform at the 2026 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic! This annual conference will take place in Chicago this December and is the premier professional development conference for band and orchestra directors in North America. 20,000 teachers regularly attend it, and the ensemble selection process is extremely rigorous. The Lake Braddock Symphony Orchestra will be the only orchestra representing the state of Virginia at this conference! Best of luck!
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Great job to Robinson Secondary School’s Petra Gruendel for being named to the 2026 VHSL Girls Indoor Track All-State Team in the 1600-meter run, to Addison Rowland for being named to the 2026 VHSL Girls All-State Gymnastics Team in Floor and All-Around, and to Lilla Wilbur for being named to the 2026 VHSL Girls Swim and Dive All-State Team in the 200 IM and 100-meter breaststroke! Way to go, ladies!
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Rocky Run Middle School French 2 students worked on a choice summative project to demonstrate their mastery of directional phrases. Choices included a Google Maps Guide, a Lost Tourist, and making a 3D map of a neighborhood. By selecting their preferred project, students took ownership of their learning and showed off their French directional skills in a way that was best for them! C'est fantastique!
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South County High School art teacher Justyne Fischer recently added a new mural to the school walls. Our SoCo World is a vibrant, large-scale world map that beautifully reflects the diversity and global connections within its school community. Featuring vibrant colors, crisp borders, and detailed labels of continents, countries, and states, this mural invites students and staff to see themselves as part of a global community.
It’s more than just a map; it’s a visual testament that while our individual journeys start across the globe, they converge at South County. This artwork celebrates the diverse cultures and stories that define what it means to be a Stallion: curious, connected, and proud.
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Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Andrew Liu and the TJ Computer Security Club for winning the 2026 International Capture the Flag Competition and to the Science Olympiad Team for winning the 2026 Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament!
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FCPS recently featured Union Mill Elementary School Assistant Principal Dominic Williams for National Assistant Principals Week! In FCPS, our assistant principals go above and beyond each day to ensure our schools are places where students thrive and staff feel valued. Their tireless commitment, leadership, and compassion are foundational to our mission — and we’re proud to honor them this week.
Mr. Williams was recognized as the 2025 Outstanding School-Based Leader at FCPS. Read more in FCPS News.
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Shout out to West Springfield High School’s Nicholas Bailey for being named to the 2026 VHSL Class 6 Boys Indoor Track All-State Team in the 500-meter run and to Michael Santos for being named to the 2026 VHSL Class 6 All-State Wrestling Team in the 113 lb. weight class! Great job!
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