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June Newsletter
Message from Ilryong Moon
Counting our blessings, celebrating your journey
 As the school year comes to a close, there is so much to celebrate, especially our incredible Class of 2025. Whether you have already graduated in May or are preparing to walk across the stage this month, congratulations! This accomplishment reflects years of hard work, growth, and dedication. I am so proud of you all!
This milestone is not only about our graduates, but also the families, guardians, teachers, and staff who have supported them throughout their journey. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and this achievement belongs to everyone who played a part in helping our seniors succeed.
To all of our seniors, as you take your next steps, whether that means attending college, starting a career, serving in the military, or exploring another path, know that you are always a graduate of Fairfax County Public Schools. Through our Portrait of a Graduate, you have developed essential skills and qualities that will help you succeed in life. You are a communicator, a collaborator, an ethical and global citizen, a creative and critical thinker, and a goal-directed and resilient individual. These strengths will carry you forward wherever life takes you.
As we begin the month of June, I would also like to take time to honor the diverse heritages and stories that make up our community. Immigrant Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of those who have made Fairfax County and the United States their home. With nearly 30 percent of our county’s residents born outside the country, our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, invites reflection and celebration of freedom and resilience. We also recognize LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, honoring the history, achievements, and ongoing efforts of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Caribbean American Heritage Month, which highlights the cultural richness and influence of Caribbean Americans. Thank you to all students, families, and staff for an extraordinary year. Wishing you a joyful, restful, and well-deserved summer break.
Celebrating the Contributions of FCPS Retirees
The We Honor You ceremony celebrated 180 Fairfax County Public Schools retirees this year. Collectively, they had more than 4,000 years of service with FCPS. Thank you to all our newly retired staff members for all the ways you have supported and empowered our students and families, each other, and our division over the years. You’ve made an invaluable impact on our community!
View the ceremony program, photos, and video.
 From left to right: Chair and Providence District Representative Karl Frisch, 49-year employee Joyce Sisk, Vice Chair and Springfield District Representative Sandy Anderson, me, and Braddock District Representative Rachna Sizemore Heizer.
Surprising Centreville High School Retiree James We
I had the privilege of presenting a certificate honoring the service of one of these retirees, James We, a History and Social Studies teacher at Centreville High School. Mr. We came to teaching as a second career after being a lawyer. It was an honor to work with Centreville Principal Erik Healey to surprise Mr. We in his classroom, with students, family, and friends alongside. A funny fact is that I encouraged Mr. We to consider teaching at the high school level instead of college when he was ready to retire from law and considering teaching. He did just that, but after his first few days in the classroom, he called me to report that it was exhausting work! I encouraged him to stick with it, and 7 years later he leaves behind a wonderful legacy of dedication and hard work. It’s a great reminder that teachers come to the profession through many different paths.
 James We receiving his retirement certificate with his family, friends, and Principal Erik Healey.
FY26 Budget Wrap-Up
As we conclude this year's budget process, I’m proud to support a final budget that prioritizes compensation for our educators and maintains the high standards we’ve set for FCPS.
The nearly $3.9 billion budget reflects a 4.7% increase over last year. At the heart of this package is a significant investment in staff compensation. Employees represented by the Fairfax Education Unions (FEU) will receive a 6% salary increase, and non-FEU-represented and hourly pay band employees will receive a 5% increase. Investing in FCPS professionals ensures we can continue to attract and retain excellent educators, especially the teachers. This budget also marks an historic milestone––it represents the first collective bargaining agreement in FCPS since the 1970s.
Even though we were unable to bring the beginning teacher salaries to our desired goal of being the top starting salary in northern Virginia, it will be the second highest for the region! An area of disappointment for me was not being able to match the pay increases for hourly employees, who are the least paid employees and do not receive benefits.
Making the last-minute budget reductions required some difficult decisions this year, as they resulted in cutting some positions. However, we were able to provide elementary schools with greater flexibility by increasing the allowable carryover funds from 10% to 25%. This change empowers principals to tailor spending to meet their schools’ specific needs.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the budget process this year, and a special thanks to the budget staff for your tireless work behind the scenes. Looking ahead, I anticipate that we will continue to navigate strained financial conditions that require tough choices—some of which we can mitigate through proactive, early planning.
With continued input from the FCPS community, we can meet these challenges by prioritizing students and staff. Your feedback will remain essential in shaping future priorities that reflect our shared values. Thank you for your continued active participation.
What's Happened in May
Thomas Jefferson HS Theater Arts Performance of Big Fish
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Theater Arts presented a beautifully staged production of Big Fish, a musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the film directed by Tim Burton. The story centers on Edward Bloom and his son Will, a soon to become a father, on Will's journey to understand the truth behind his father’s larger-than-life stories as a traveling salesman.
The performance showcased the creativity, dedication, and collaboration of the entire cast and crew.
 The cast of Big Fish, playbill, and cast member Bonna Koo (clockwise from top left).
That evening, I had the pleasure of meeting Bonna Koo, a 10th grade student who performed in a supporting role in the play. Her expressive movement and stage presence stood out and left a lasting impression on me. It served as a wonderful reminder that while lead roles often receive the most recognition, every contribution is essential to the success of a production.
Congratulations to all the students involved, as well as the teachers and families who supported them throughout the process. Big Fish was a shining example of what can be achieved when passion and teamwork take center stage.
Mean Girls at Luther Jackson Middle School
Mean Girls Jr. at Luther Jackson Middle School was, in fact, So Fetch! It’s special to see a performance come together because of the collective investment of students, staff, family, and community members. The musical included wonderful songs and dance numbers, and the costumes were so colorful! Congratulations to everyone and a special thanks to theater arts teacher Stacey Jones for pulling it all together.
 Student performers in Mean Girls, Jr. at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Art Gala at Silverbrook ES
Silverbrook Elementary School held its Art Gala, and I had the joy of attending this wonderful celebration of the creativity of our elementary school students! The school was alive with color, talent, and community spirit from the moment I arrived.
 Silverbrook Elementary School's custodian, Mr. Lopez, plays piano with a parent.
One of the most memorable moments was meeting the custodian Mr. Lopez, who was playing the piano with a parent. It was a beautiful reminder of how each member of a school community contributes to its heart and culture.
I was especially amazed by the incredible artwork displayed by the youngest students. Seeing first graders create such thoughtful, expressive pieces was truly inspiring. Their creativity knows no bounds! A special thanks goes out to the many parent volunteers and dedicated staff who made this event possible. Your time, effort, and support brought the Art Gala to life and gave the students a space to shine. Thank you for the invitation and go Seahawks!
 Silverbrook Elementary School art teachers Laura Lajin and Elke Whittle with Principal Pamela Simpkins (from left to right) with student art work.
Mission: Not Impossible with Woodson Music
I had the privilege of attending a powerful event at Woodson High School where deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students experienced music in a whole new way. In partnership with Music: Not Impossible, the school introduced Vibrotextile technology, a wearable harness system that allows users to feel music through vibrations across the body. With eight vibration zones synced to live orchestral elements such as strings, percussion, and bass, this technology transforms sound into an emotional and immersive “surround body experience.”
Woodson is a top school for DHH students and is home to 25 DHH students and five DHH staff members. This innovative initiative is a testament to the school’s commitment to equity and inclusion in the arts. Led by orchestra director Ms. Wilcox and supported by co-founder Paddy Hanlon of Music: Not Impossible, the students were able to do more than just observe; they truly felt the music. Their reactions—smiles, tears, and pure joy—spoke volumes.
This event establishes Woodson as one of the first high schools in the nation to pilot this transformative technology. It’s a reminder that accessibility in the arts isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. The hope is to expand the use of these devices so every DHH student can experience music as part of everyday learning and performance, not just in special moments.
 Paddy Hanlon fits Maia Kim in a Vibrotextile harness; I'm all geared up for the performance; Ms. Wilcox and Ms. Kim wearing harnesses; Derick "DJ" Joynes, Carlos Guillen, Interpreter Shane Westmoreland, and Aelaa Elsabbahy getting ready (clockwise from top left).
Summer Extravaganza at Woodson High School
Woodson High School again hosted this year's Summer Extravaganza, an event for FCPS families that helps students engage with fun and educational activities and resources designed to inspire curiosity and growth. The Student Program Marketplace offered hand-made crafts and products created by various programs in FCPS. I had the opportunity to meet students and staff from the Marshall Academy's Culinary Arts program and the South Lakes High School Career Prep program. The event also featured student performances, food trucks, and a moon bounce and fire truck. Summer Extravaganza and the Student Program Marketplace are both sponsored by Educate Fairfax.
 Student participants at the Summer Extravaganza event.
Asian Leadership Alliance Scholarship Recipients
I attended the Asian Educators Association’s Asian Leadership Alliance Scholarship banquet to celebrate three outstanding scholarship recipients. Kimberly Hoang from Lewis High School will attend Virginia Tech and study Business; Woodson High School student An Duong will be studying Business Information Technology at Virginia Commonwealth University; and Sophie Zhang from McLean High School will study Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Congratulations!
 School Board Member, At-Large Ryan McElveen, Kimberly Hoang, An Duong, Sophie Zhang, and I.
South Lakes High School AVID Celebration
At South Lakes High School, I joined students to celebrate their accomplishments as part of AVID, the Advancement Via Individual Determination program. AVID is an elective class designed for students who want to take challenging courses that lead to enrollment in a four-year college. They receive instructional support to help them develop higher-level thinking and independent study skills, hear from guest speakers, and make a college visit.
These determined students’ goal is to push themselves into Honors and IB classes to be successful in their college plans. AVID’s other goals are to support students to participate in mainstream activities and become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society. I am so glad to have the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these high schoolers.
 Panelists Rymas Mohamed, Heriberto Jovel-Nunez, Alba Alvarenga Rivera, Lindsey Poole, Johnny Fuentes-Umanzor, Jovanna Rosales-Menendez, and Reda Boulaflous (photo at top); I'm standing with Jovanna Rosales-Menendez, Ms. Poole, Priscila Ramirez Garcia, and Ms. Mohamed (photo at bottom)
Japanese Children's Day Matsuri
I attended the 20th anniversary of Fox Mill Elementary’s Japanese Children’s Day Matsuri. Matsuri is the Japanese word for festival, and Fox Mill had many activities to ensure it was festive! Fox Mill offers a Japanese Immersion Program where students spend about half of their day learning math, science, and health in Japanese. Thank you to the many students, staff, and parents who made the event such a success. Keiko Endo, Japanese Immersion teacher, was celebrating her last Matsuri at Fox Mill. I want to give Ms. Endo a very special thank you for her devotion to students in FCPS and wish her the best of luck in her retirement. For fun, check out the video below from the 2014 festival where I make an appearance enjoying the activities.
 Japanese Children's Day Matsuri (picture at left) with Fox Mill Principal Brian Moose, World Language Immersion Specialist Beatrix Preusse, and 4th grade Japanese Immersion teacher Otsuka Sensei; (picture at right) with second grade Japanese Immersion teacher Keiko Endo, Mr. Moose, Ms. Preusse, and Fox Mill graduate Judah Younger.
 FCPS video from the 2014 Matsuri.
Korean Dual Language Immersion Program Opportunity at Halley Elementary School.
I had the pleasure of joining my colleague, Mount Vernon District School Board Member Mateo Dunne, at Halley Elementary for a community meeting about a potential Korean Dual Language Immersion program. During the discussion, community questions about the application process and transportation were answered.
Families, staff, and students from Colin Powell Elementary—home to FCPS’s first Korean immersion program—offered valuable insight into the benefits of this unique learning experience. One parent spoke movingly about commuting daily so her child could attend Powell, highlighting smaller class sizes, strong community support, and her child’s deepening love for Korean language and culture.
Students Thaddeus Kowalski, Atlas Sura, and Rhea Sura shared their experience, proudly describing how they learn subjects like math and science in both Korean and English. With Korean now the fastest-growing language in U.S. higher education, expanding this program to Halley reflects both a growing demand and a meaningful investment in our children’s future. Thank you to the Halley and Powell communities, principals, and staff for welcoming us and contributing to such a vibrant conversation.
 Students Thaddeus Kowlaski, Atlas Sura, and Rhea Sura shared their experiences; Mount Vernon District School Board Member Mateo Dunne and I spoke with families about the Korean Dual Language immersion program.
Come and Go!
The American Go Association (AGA) and FCPS joined forces to host “Come and Go!” bringing together learners, experts, and fans of the 3,000 year old board game. This collaboration has been highly successful in introducing Go to students, and thanks to the AGA’s generous support, clubs have now been established at schools across the county. More than 55 students participated in this inaugural celebration.
At the event, inter-school teams of three students competed against each other, while the Open tournament featured one-on-one matches. Another exciting highlight was a one-versus-many challenge, where a single, highly skilled elementary or middle school player played multiple games simultaneously! This demonstration gave attendees a chance to observe gameplay across varying levels of experience and skill. Between watching the competition in action, a teaching station was available for parents and students to take a turn at learning the rules and strategies.
Every participant received a certificate to commemorate the event. In the Open tournament, competitors vied for titles such as Most Wins, Most Games, Most Schools Played, and Fighting Spirit.
I was joined at the event by Dr. Geovanny Ponce, FCPS Chief of Schools; Gurujeet Khalsa, President of the AGA and Founder of the National Go Center in Washington, D.C.; and a dedicated group of volunteers, including Dr. James Bonomo, Gary Smith, Bin Duan, and Tel Monks. A special thanks to TJHSST Principal Mike Mukai; Michael Roth, TJHSST Communications Support Specialist; and, Amos Simms Smith, Principal on Special Assignment, Department of School Improvement and Supports.
Give Go a try on the AGA’s website!
 Competition winners and students playing Go at the "Come and Go" event.
Upcoming School Board Business & Meetings
Broadcast & open to the public:
- Thursday, June 12, 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- Saturday, June 14, 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Advisory Committee Annual Report Summit
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Monday, June 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Governance Committee; 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Audit Committee
- Tuesday, June 24, 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Work Session (HOLD)
- Thursday, June 26, 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- Monday, June 30, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Audit Committee
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 2024 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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