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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 you are all hanging in there as things ramp up toward the end of the school year. As the weather starts to warm over the next few weeks, I will definitely be appreciating our long spring!
This month, I was grateful to host our April PTA/O and PTSA/O Roundtable, where we discussed issues important to our school communities and continued the partnership that helps keep families informed and engaged. If you are a PTA/O or PTSA/O leader in the Springfield District and would like to join us, we would love to have you!
I also had the chance to visit Irving Middle School’s After-School Program and see firsthand the creativity, connection, and enrichment opportunities available to students beyond the regular school day. These programs provide vital enrichment for our middle school students, and I always love seeing them in action with excited kids!
Next week, I am looking forward to visiting Powell Elementary School and spending time with students and staff there. School visits are always one of the best parts of this work because they provide such a meaningful window into the learning, leadership, and community-building happening every day in FCPS.
I also want to highlight two important opportunities for community involvement. I am currently accepting applications for Springfield District representatives to serve on the Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee and the Educational Technology Review Committee. These committees provide valuable feedback and perspective on programs and practices that directly impact our students, and I encourage interested families and community members to consider applying.
I will be in touch soon,
Sandy
Left to right: Speaking at the FCPS Retirement Ceremony; Member At-Large Ilryong Moon, Member At-Large Ryan McElveen, Mason District School Board Member Dr. Ricardy Anderson, Vice Chair and Dranesville District School Board Member Robyn Lady, and me celebrating a retiree; and visiting Irvning Middle School’s After-School Program with After-School Specialist Natalie Duncan.
This newsletter includes information on the following issues:
Springfield District Community Opportunities
Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee
Are you looking to become more involved with the Fairfax County School Board and help shape the direction of Fairfax County Public Schools programs?
I am seeking applications from Springfield District residents interested in serving a one-year appointment to the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC) and the. AAPAC represents the community and brings to the School Board’s attention resource and programmatic concerns associated with advanced academics programming.
AAPAC is one of seven volunteer community advisory committees focusing on specific issues affecting FCPS students and makes annual recommendations to the School Board. Seven of these include one appointee representing each of the county’s nine magisterial districts, as well as at-large appointees, a school board liaison, staff liaisons, and other members. For six of those, including AAPAC, terms are one year, running from August to July, and most committees meet once a month, usually in the evenings.
To learn more about AAPAC, visit the AAPAC webpage. You may also learn about the School Board’s other Community Advisory Committees.
If you are interested, please fill out this brief Google Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Educational Technology Review Committee
Fairfax County Public Schools is establishing a new Educational Technology Review Committee (ETRC). The ETRC will serve as an advisory body to division leadership, providing recommendations on the responsible, effective, and equitable use of educational technology, including artificial intelligence use in the FCPS classrooms.
Membership will include parents/caregivers, students, teachers, and school-based administrators and will be representative of elementary, middle, and high school levels. The committee will meet on a regular basis during the school year, with additional working group meetings as needed. Members will be asked to serve a one-year term and may be reappointed. Find additional details about the committee's focus.
We are looking for FCPS parent/caregiver representatives, including those with perspectives on accessibility, disability support, and multilingual learner needs. All FCPS parents/caregivers are welcome to express interest, regardless of their level of technology expertise. What matters most is your commitment to students and your willingness to engage thoughtfully on issues that affect their daily learning experiences.
If you are interested, please fill out this brief Google Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the students of Fairfax County Public Schools.
Class of 2026 Graduation and Transition Ceremony Dates
The dates, times, and locations for Class of 2026 FCPS graduation and transition ceremonies have been published. I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our hard-working students. From late-night study sessions to championship wins and lifelong friendships, our students have shown remarkable resilience and spirit. Whether they are heading to a new career, pursuing further education, or taking time to explore the world, I couldn't be prouder of them!
Springfield Scene
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Bryant High School students recently showcased their skills and creativity, including Dr. Waddell’s Construction Technology classes, who spent the semester crafting beautiful Adirondack chairs and stools to create a new seating area. For their end-of-year project, they are building a children’s playhouse for the United Community Daycare. Way to go! |
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The Centreville High School Model United Nations earned Outstanding Small Delegation at VIMUNC XIV (hosted by Langley High School) and Best Small Delegation at TECHMUN XXXIII (hosted by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology). These prestigious regional competition awards are among the highest honors given at Model UN conferences and recognize the overall performance of a school’s delegation across multiple committees. Earning distinction as a “Small Delegation” is particularly meaningful, as it highlights the team’s ability to compete at the highest level with a smaller group of students, demonstrating exceptional preparation, depth of knowledge, teamwork, and leadership. These honors reflect not only the academic excellence of our students but also their commitment to global awareness, civil discourse, and thoughtful advocacy.
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Shout out to Chantilly High School Technology Student Association member Sathwik Erabelly for winning first place in Drone Challenge at the Virginia Technosphere Competition! |
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Chantilly Academy Korean 3 students had the opportunity to participate in a Korean cooking class (and friendly competition) thanks to a generous grant from Educate Fairfax. Students chose from three types of Korean stews to make: kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), budae jjigae ("Korean Army stew"), and sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew). Following traditional Korean recipes while also adding their own culinary flair, students served up a delicious array of Korean cuisine. |
Members of Chantilly Academy’s AFJROTC Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors at Dulles International Airport during the arrival of an Honor Flight carrying veterans to Washington, D.C. While there, cadets had the privilege of meeting and taking a photo with a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, creating a meaningful connection between generations of service members.
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Congratulations to Fairfax High School’s Nardos Gelashe for being awarded an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, worth $40,000! Amazon Future Engineer is a computer science and STEM education program that seeks to afford all young people the opportunity to explore their potential.
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The winning continues with Fairfax’s Carrie Chau and the Family, Career, and Community Leaders Association Team (FCCLA) winning first place in Food Innovations at the State FCCLA competition!
Kudos to Fairfax’s Isabelle An for winning the state-level Rotary Speech contest!
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Irving Middle School students have continued their efforts to beautify the courtyard and grow some delicious fruits and vegetables. Their hard work is making Irving’s outdoor learning space beautiful and functional!
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Kings Park Elementary School Instructional Assistant Pam Lieber was recently featured in FCPS News for her 26-year calm and cheerful impact on her students! Read more online. |
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Congratulations to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s middle school students for winning the FCPS Middle School Battle of the Books competition! The program, created by school librarians, incorporates book trivia for students where they read a set number of books and then play games and answer questions.
Shout out to Lake Braddock’s Amelia Cole for breaking the school record in the 100 and 300 hurdles in Outdoor Track and Field!
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Robinson Secondary School’s intellectual disabilities teacher, Paul Arena, is committed to creating and promoting opportunities that empower students in and out of the classroom. As a strong advocate for fostering meaningful connections, Mr. Arena plays a vital role in the partnership class and the Partners’ Club, helping build connections between students with special needs and their peers in general education. Read more in FCPS News!
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Rocky Run Middle School Spanish 2 classes visited the library to create a project related to Feria, a popular Spring festival in Seville, Spain. Students pretended they went to this year’s festival and, using their knowledge of past tense verbs and vocabulary, chose from three choices of mini projects: creating a set of social media posts with photos and captions, making an artistic poster that is a traditional part of the festival, or recording a podcast with a partner talking about what they did when they visited the festival.
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Landscaping at Rolling Valley Elementary School looked a bit different last month! Lawn mowers were left in the sheds while a flock of lambs trimmed the school’s grass by nibbling it for their breakfast and lunch. Read more about this unique learning experience.
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South County High School’s Combined Drumline earned a bronze medal at the Winter Guard International World Championships, marking the first time the ensemble has medaled at this prestigious event and only the third FCPS group to do so! Comprised of students from South County, Hayfield, and West Potomac, this talented group has been perfecting their show, “Redacted,” since just before Thanksgiving, captivating audiences with its creative theme of obscured and disappearing elements. Under the direction of Grant Butters and with the dedicated support of staff members Merold Saffa, Holden Brettell, Will Egger, Raatib Rahman, and Charlie Gorham, their hard work truly paid off on the world stage. Take a moment to celebrate this incredible achievement and check out their | |
