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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.
November Newsletter
Message from Ilryong Moon
As we enter November, I want to take a moment to share my appreciation with all of our students, families, staff, and community members. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on gratitude and connection, and I hope you enjoy a joyful and restful holiday surrounded by loved ones.
This season is also a time to reflect on the strong community partnerships that make Fairfax County Public Schools thrive. Our schools serve not only our students but also the broader Fairfax County community — hosting more than 500,000 events each year in spaces that welcome millions of visitors. From school gyms to athletic fields, our buildings are hubs for learning, recreation, and connection.
Bond Referendum: Vote on Tuesday, November 4
A $460 million FCPS Bond Referendum will be on the ballot on Tuesday, November 4. This bond will fund essential school renovations, planning, and construction projects that help keep our facilities safe, sustainable, and welcoming for all.
FCPS has two separate budgets:
- Operating Budget supports daily instruction, programs, and staffing.
- Bond-Funded Capital Budget supports school design, construction, and renovation projects.
Your vote helps ensure that our schools remain strong, well-equipped, and accessible for all students and community members. Learn more about the 2025 Bond Referendum at www.fcps.edu/bond.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving.
Best,
Ilryong Moon
What’s happened in October
 Lake Braddock Secondary School Homecoming Parade
I had a wonderful time attending the Lake Braddock Secondary School Homecoming Parade with my colleague School Board Member, At-Large Ryan McElveen. It was a fun and festive event that brought together students, staff, families, and community members in celebration of school spirit.
The energy and pride of the Bruins were on full display, from the creative floats to the enthusiastic performances by the band, cheerleaders, and student organizations.
Events like this remind us how strong the sense of community is within our schools. Thank you to everyone at Lake Braddock who helped organize such a joyful and memorable day. Go Bruins!
 FCPS CARES of the Quarter Award
It was a pleasure to take part in recognizing three of our outstanding HVAC technicians, James Patterson, Kevin Vo, and Duy Nhan Nguyen, as recipients of the CARES of the Quarter Award. Each was presented with a $500 check made possible through the support of Apple Federal Credit Union, Walmart, and Educate Fairfax.
Their nomination came from Nicole O’Neil, a teacher at Deer Park Elementary School, who shared how this team turned a routine maintenance visit into a special moment for students. While working on the school’s air conditioning system, they noticed a few curious students and took the time to explain how HVAC systems work, answering questions and sparking real interest in the process.
I was grateful to be present to congratulate them in person, help delivering checks, and share in the joy of this well-deserved recognition. Their dedication and kindness remind us what it means to serve with heart.
I am so thankful for all members of Team FCPS who continue to make a difference every day!
 Korean Education Center Director Visits Gatehouse to Deliver Grant Support
The Director of the Korean Education Center from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Youngsill Koo, visited the Division’s Gatehouse Administration Center to present a grant check in support of Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) World Languages programs.
We have been fortunate to receive ongoing support from the South Korean government over the years. No other foreign embassy has demonstrated such consistent generosity and commitment to language education within our division. These grants have been instrumental in sustaining and expanding our Korean language programs.
Superintendent Dr. Reid received the check from the Director during the visit. Currently, FCPS offers a Korean Two-Way Dual Language Immersion Program at Colin Powell Elementary School, which continues at Liberty Middle School to further students’ Korean language proficiency, as well as a Korean language program for high school students (grades 9–12) at Fairfax Academy.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Korean government for their continued partnership and generosity in supporting our mission to provide diverse and enriching world language opportunities for all students.
 Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
I had the great pleasure of joining Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in celebrating its 40th Anniversary, alongside my colleague At-Large School Board Member Ryan McElveen, as well as alumni, teachers, and community members.
The celebration was a joyful reflection on four decades of innovation, academic excellence, and leadership that have made TJHSST one of the nation’s premier high schools. Principal Mukai welcomed everyone, and alumni shared heartfelt stories about how their experiences at TJHSST shaped their careers and inspired them to give back to their communities.
This school holds a special place in my heart, as both of my sons graduated from TJHSST. It was also wonderful to reconnect with many familiar faces, such as Heather Murphy, Jerry Berry, Patricia Gabriel and others.
Congratulations to the entire TJHSST community on 40 years of extraordinary achievement and here’s to the next 40 years of inspiring future leaders in science, technology, and beyond.
Boundary Review and Western High School
 Boundary Meeting
My team and I have been actively participating in the boundary review community meetings held throughout September and October to listen to the concerns and feedback shared by our families and community members.
With the release of Scenario 4, the latest draft map, the division has continued collecting feedback through a total of 24 community meetings — 12 held in September and 12 in October.
Looking ahead, on November 12, the Boundary Advisory Committee will begin reviewing proposed changes based on community input, including comments submitted through the Boundary Tool and Let’s Talk messages. The committee will continue its review process through November 14.
On November 24, recommendations will be presented to the Superintendent, and any proposed boundary changes will then be shared with the School Board in December or January.
The School Board will hold a public hearing to gather additional feedback on the recommended boundary adjustments before voting at a public meeting in January.
I want to sincerely thank all of our families and community members for your advocacy, engagement, and collaboration throughout this process. Your input has been invaluable in helping us understand the needs and priorities of our communities as we move forward together.
 Western High School — Expanding Opportunities in the Western part of our division
On Friday, August 15, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) finalized the purchase of the former King Abdullah Academy site in Herndon, Virginia, marking an important milestone in addressing student growth and facility needs in the western part of the county.
The purchase of the land and building—including all furniture, technology, and equipment—was for $150 million. This acquisition represents a fiscally responsible investment for our community. Estimates to buy land and build a comparable new school in the area exceed $430 million, meaning this purchase saves more than $200 million in taxpayer dollars.
The nearly 33-acre site features 325,000 square feet of modern educational space, including multipurpose halls, libraries, study areas, fine arts facilities, and athletic spaces. These amenities will allow FCPS to offer innovative instruction and 21st-century learning opportunities for students across the division.
The new Western High School, designed to serve more than 2,000 students, will help relieve overcrowding in neighboring high schools while expanding academic and career programming in the region. The campus includes three gyms, a heated indoor pool, a 650-seat theater, science and robotics labs, and outdoor learning areas, reflecting FCPS’s commitment to creating dynamic, student-centered environments.
The Superintendent has recommended that Western High School operate as a comprehensive high school with traditional boundaries, while also offering specialized programming pathways in fields such as Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Humanities, and Leadership. These programs are being developed to prepare students for emerging careers and provide equitable access to rigorous, future-focused learning.
 On the last Saturday of October, I had the opportunity to visit the Western High School Open House to listen to community feedback and meet with Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter L. Alcorn and Vikram R. Iyer, Outreach Representative for U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner.
Together we discussed the importance of school facilities in our division and how meaningful it is for FCPS to have such a remarkable addition to our educational landscape. Touring the building, I continued to remain truly impressed by its modern design and state-of-the-art resources that would serve our students for generations to come.
 The School Board values the voice of every family and community member, and I was happy to see the hundreds of people who came out to tour the building and provide their input.
Your input is essential in shaping the vision for Western High School and ensuring it reflects the needs, aspirations, and diversity of our community.
Search for your opportunity
 Shark Tank
Open to all students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church, the 2025-26 challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers or wounded warriors. A winning device should enhance independence and life enjoyment for the target audience, foster social connection and help reduce isolation, and be truly innovative – either by introducing something new to the marketplace or significantly improving an existing product.
The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a spring 2026 reception.
In the challenge, students make a pitch for funding to corporate leaders, community leaders and County supervisors. The winning pitch for the 2024-25 challenge came from Varsha Ayala and Eesha Viswanathan from The Madeira School in McLean. The team developed RapidX, a wearable health device that allows paramedics to retrieve patient data instantly, improving emergency response outcomes.
The competition is an initiative of the Fairfax 50+ Community Action Plan, which was passed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2014. It supports Fairfax County’s Economic Success Program that seeks to grow and diversify the economy through innovation, social equity and expansion of science, technology, engineering and math education.
Key Dates:
- December 19, 2025 - Deadline for initial proposals
- February 25, 2026 - Deadline for full submissions
- April 10, 2026 – Board of Supervisors reception for challenge winners
Please visit the Shark Tank Technology Challenge website for more details, including a detailed application packet. For additional assistance, email NCSTechChallenge@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Give Your Input on the Consolidated Plan
I serve as the school board's liaison to the Affordable Housing Advisory Council which advises the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors regarding the county's progress on the preservation and new development of affordable housing opportunities. The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is collecting information to inform the next Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2027-2031.
Community input is essential to ensure the Consolidated Plan captures the needs, concerns and observations from Fairfax County. Plans are developed with input from residents, county leaders, service providers, advocates, and community partners. You can complete the survey online.
Survey questions cover housing affordability and other housing issues that the community has experienced or observed. The survey is confidential, will take about five minutes to complete, and is available in multiple languages. Responses will be used to inform the new Consolidated Plan.
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COMPLETE THE SURVEY BY SCANNING
THE QR CODE OR
BY VISITING THE LINK BELOW
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HTTPS://PUBLICINPUT.COM/FY27-31_CONSOLIDATEDPLANSURVEY
SURVEY CLOSES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Upcoming School Board Business & Meetings
Broadcast & open to the public:
- Monday, November 3, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Public Engagement Committee
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Work Session
- Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- Monday, November 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Audit Committee
- Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Legislative Reception
Individuals should check BoardDocs for the agenda for School Board meetings since there are closed meetings that often occur before the public portion of the meeting begins.
School Board Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are broadcast live and available to the public on several platforms:
If you miss the live broadcast of any School Board Meeting or Work Session, you can also watch archived broadcasts:
** Dates & times are subject to change. Please check the 2025 School Board Annual Work Calendar for the latest information.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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