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Graduations, Educational Technology, School Renovations, and More!
Dear Neighbors,
Graduation season is in full swing, bringing a time of celebration, reflection, and excitement for what lies ahead. As we honor the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and prepare to close another school year, this week’s newsletter highlights the many achievements, events, and opportunities that continue to strengthen our schools.
A particularly exciting moment for our community was the ribbon-cutting celebration for the newly renovated Mosaic Elementary School, the culmination of years of planning, investment, and hard work. It was wonderful to join students, staff, families, and community members in celebrating the opening of this beautiful new learning environment that will serve generations of students to come.
This week’s newsletter also announces our district’s representative on the new Educational Technology Review Committee, recognizes outstanding student achievements, and celebrates the school division’s continued status as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education. You’ll also find highlights from recent community events.
Looking ahead, I encourage you to explore upcoming opportunities such as Congressman Walkinshaw’s Youth Leadership Council and the Providence District Community Blood Drive. Families of young children may also be interested in learning more about enrollment in Pre-K and Early Head Start for the coming school year.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students, schools, and community. I wish all of our graduates, families, and educators a joyful end to the school year.
In service,
Karl Frisch
Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents
Our New Educational Technology Review Committee Representative
Recently, the School Board approved a proposal that I co-authored with my Braddock District colleague, Tom Dannan, to establish the Educational Technology Review Committee (ETRC), which will provide recommendations to the Superintendent and division leadership on the responsible, effective, and equitable use of technology in our schools.
I was fortunate to receive applications from many highly qualified and deeply committed Providence residents, making the selection process both competitive and challenging. After careful consideration, I am pleased to announce that Douglas Cheeseman has been selected to represent the Providence District on the ETRC.
Douglas has more than 15 years of experience in technology and public policy. He has led the development of strategies, implementation plans, and risk mitigation frameworks to enable the effective deployment, adoption, and use of advanced technology for federal, state, and local organizations, with a focus on responsible, effective adoption.
In addition to his professional expertise, Douglas has the perspective of an FCPS parent and a strong commitment to ensuring that decisions related to educational technology are academically sound, aligned to school division priorities, equitable, accessible, secure, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to educator, student, and family needs and experiences.
I am grateful to everyone who expressed an interest in serving. The strength of the applicant pool reflects the deep commitment of Providence District residents to supporting our students and schools. I look forward to Douglas bringing his expertise, perspective, and dedication to the ETRC as it begins this important work on behalf of our students, families, and educators.
Ribbon Cutting for Mosaic Elementary’s Renovation
Mosaic Elementary School recently celebrated the completion of its renovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked by joy, pride, and an appreciation for the collective effort that brought the community to this moment.
I was grateful to join my School Board colleagues Ryan McElveen and Ilryong Moon, Superintendent Reid, FCPS leadership, and Mosaic teachers, staff, students, and families for this special occasion. I also want to thank the voters of Fairfax County, whose continued support of school bonds and investments in public education helps make projects like this possible.
Congratulations to the entire Mosaic community on this exciting milestone and for continuing to make this school such an extraordinary place to learn and grow.
School Board Student Leadership Program Completion Ceremony
Congratulations to the students who completed this year’s Student Leadership Development Program. I have been incredibly impressed by Oakton High School sophomore and Providence District representative Nadia Meares, who did an outstanding job representing our community.
Tribute to Labor
The Northern Virginia Labor Federation’s “Tribute to Labor” Dinner was a great opportunity to recognize the labor leaders, union members, and advocates who work tirelessly to support working families and strengthen communities across Northern Virginia. I’m grateful to the organization for bringing people together to celebrate and support this important work.
Luther Jackson Middle School’s Production of “The Wizard of Oz”
From the moment I walked into the Luther Jackson Middle School auditorium and followed the Yellow Brick Road to my seat, I was transported to the world of Oz! Bravo to Ms. Stacey, and the cast and crew — what a performance! From the performers on stage to the students working behind the scenes, everyone played a part in creating an outstanding production.
Visiting the Oakton Historic Schoolhouse
It was wonderful to join the Greater Oakton Community Association’s Open House at the Oakton Historic Schoolhouse. I enjoyed catching up with former Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth and was especially impressed by the excellent presentation on the building’s history given by a Madison High School student.
Providence District Student Achievements
I am proud to recognize these Providence District students whose remarkable achievements exemplify the talent, determination, and promise of our future leaders. Congratulations to:
Caroline Chu, a junior at Oakton High School, earned a Silver Key Award, and Minchan Kim, a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, earned a Gold Key Award in the 2026 DC Metro Region Scholastic Writing Awards Competition.
Ashley Claros-Roca, a senior at Falls Church High School, earned a $1,000 scholarship from the Hispanic Leadership Alliance.
Sophie Burrell, a senior at Oakton High School, earned a 2026 National Merit General Dynamics Corporation Scholarship.
Juliet Phillips, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, earned a 2026 National Merit Scholarship.
Parham Yeganeh, a junior at Marshall High School, won third place in the Physics and Astronomy Category at the 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair.
And, last month, Dr. Reid and Mr. Sethi met with student journalists from across the division to discuss the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in K-12 education. It was great to see five Providence student journalists in attendance, and asking great questions:
- Amelia Cho, McLean High School
- Annie Chun, Oakton High School
- Joseph Davitch, Woodson High School
- Nicole Hernandez, Falls Church High School
- Keira Locey, Marshall High School
June is Pride Month
Join me in celebrating Pride Month as we honor the courage and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community! FCPS is committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces where every student can thrive as their authentic self. Let’s support and uplift our LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families — this and every month.
Calendar Survey: Your Feedback Matters!
FCPS values your input as we plan future school calendars.
On Friday, June 5, all caregivers and FCPS staff received an email from noreply@fcps.edu containing a unique link to complete the FCPS Calendar Survey. Please take a few minutes to share your priorities and perspectives by Monday, June 22, at 11:59 p.m.
Your individual responses will be kept confidential and will not be shared with school staff or used in any way that identifies you or your student. Only aggregate, summary-level results will be reported to the Fairfax County School Board.
If you did not receive a link to the survey or have technical difficulties completing the survey, please contact the FCPS Office of Research and Program Evaluation.
Pre-K and Early Head Start Applications
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County.
Acceptance into the program is based on need, not “first come, first served,” with priority given to 4 and 5-year-olds (not eligible for kindergarten). Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for the school year starting in September 2026.
Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
Congressman Walkinshaw’s Youth Leadership Council
Congressman Walkinshaw’s Youth Leadership Council provides high school students in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District with a platform to engage directly with issues impacting their communities while developing meaningful leadership and civic engagement skills. Council members will meet with a diverse group of peers from across the district to discuss issues of importance, review legislation, develop policy recommendations to present to the Congressman, and hear from leaders in government and the community. Students in grades 9 through 12 who reside in the district are eligible to apply. Applications will close on June 30 at 5:00 PM. [More Information]
FCPS Among Nation’s Best for Music Education
FCPS has once again been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation — one of just 1,008 school districts nationwide to receive this distinction in 2026.
The award honors the collective efforts of educators, families, students, and community leaders who make music part of a well-rounded education, recognizing districts with exceptional commitment and access to music programs.
Providence District Blood Drive
Supervisor Palchik’s office is hosting a blood drive in partnership with INOVA, Saturday, June 13, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Jim Scott (Providence) Community Center, 3001 Vaden Dr., Fairfax, VA 22031. Blood donations are always needed, and your participation can help ensure a reliable supply for patients in our community. [Register Here]
Careers with FCPS
Many in our community have lost their jobs serving us in the federal government, where they played critical roles in scientific advancements, national security, law enforcement, and other vital areas. FCPS welcomes their expertise to help shape the future of our students. Visit our careers website for more information about current job openings, job fairs, and recruitment events.
School Bus Driver, Transportation Attendant, and Transportation Van Driver Job Fairs: Explore school bus driver employment opportunities with FCPS this summer. All job fairs are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No pre-registration is required.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m.
All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the | 