Astronaut George Nield describes his experience in space. [FCPS]
The following information is from Fairfax County Public Schools unless otherwise noted.
AI for schools – Fairfax County Public Schools, working with OpenAI, will be in the first cohort of school systems that will help guide how ChatGPT for Teachers will be rolled out across the United States.
“We are, in essence, trailblazing a path for hundreds of other school divisions and communities to follow,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said.
Educators will be able to use ChatGPT for Teachers for such tasks as planning, communication, and translation – with strong privacy and security safeguards in place, Reid said.
OpenAI will provide ChatGPT to school staff at no cost until June 2027.
According to Reid, this project supports the FCPS goal to “Meet the Moment with AI” by adding another artificial intelligence tool for staff. Educators already have access to Google’s Gemini.
Teacher honored – Falls Church High School English teacher Margaret Moran won the Parr Shakespeare Prize, a national award for high school educators who excel at making Shakespeare accessible and impactful for students.
The Parr Prize is awarded to just three educators annually. Winners receive $10,000 and a trip to the awards ceremony in January.
Astronaut returns to his old school – George Nield, an astronaut who flew a Blue Origin mission in 2022, spoke about his space journey to second and third-graders at North Springfield Elementary School in November.
Nield attended North Springfield and graduated from Annandale High School. Currently the chairman of the Global Spaceport Alliance, he had been dreaming of space travel since he was a child.
Nield shared photos of Blue Origin’s Texas training facility, the launch pad, and himself floating in zero gravity. One of the small items he was allowed to bring with him was the whistle he used as a member of the Annandale High School marching band.
He visited North Springfield through a new partnership between FCPS and the Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports space education through outreach programs. Space Foundation instructors led fourth and fifth-graders in a hands-on learning exercise about the James Webb Space Telescope.
“Is there anybody here who thinks that someday they might want to go to space?” Nield asked the 370 students sitting on the gym floor. About two-thirds shot their hands up. He told the students that going to space is not out of reach for anyone in the room. In the past, you had to be selected by NASA to become an astronaut. Now, there are many space companies with lots of different career opportunities.
North Springfield students work on a project led by the Space Foundation. [FCPS]
A new principal – Shannon Mueck has been appointed principal of Ravensworth Elementary School. Mueck has led the school for the past three months as the interim principal.
She was previously the assistant principal at Silverbrook Elementary School in Fairfax Station. Before that, Mueck was a teacher and administrator at tribal schools and Department of Defense schools. She has received multiple awards from the FCPS Special Education PTA.
Purple Star Schools – Forty-nine Fairfax County public schools have been recognized for the first time as Purple Star Schools by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Ten of those schools enroll students from Mason District: Annandale and Falls Church high schools and Bailey’s, Beech Tree, Braddock, Camelot, Mantua, Mason Crest, Parklawn, and Westlawn elementary schools.
The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.
An additional three schools serving Mason District students renewed their Purple Star designation, including Edison and Woodson high schools and North Springfield Elementary School.
Veteran visits – Columbia Elementary School welcomed veterans and active-duty military members to classrooms on Veterans Day. They shared stories of courage, patriotism, and the meaning of service, while answering children’s questions and providing a glimpse of life in the military.
Members of the military visit Columbia Elementary School. [FCPS]
AHS principal honored – Annandale High School Principal Shawn DeRose is one of 31 principals selected for the Virginia Department of Education’s Principal of Distinction Program. This program honors principals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, inspire excellence, and improve student outcomes.
Cursive club – Holmes Middle School is going old school with a club on cursive writing.
A story on WUSA9 says the Cursive Club is “boosting brainpower, confidence, and creativity as students rediscover the joy of writing.”
When ESOL teacher Sherisse Kenerson started the after-school club four years ago, she didn’t think it would attract much interest. Instead, it’s led to “a full-fledged writing renaissance,” WUSA9 reports, and has become one of the school’s most popular activities.
According to Kenerson, cursive writing activates more regions of the brain than printing or typing.
Citrus sale – The Falls Church High School Band Aides is sponsoring a citrus sale fundraiser. In addition to navel oranges, mandarins, and grapefruits, the sale offers other goodies like cookie dough and cheesecakes. Orders must be submitted by Dec. 14.
Science stars – A Woodson High School science team has earned the Spirit Award at the 2025 Science Olympiad National Tournament at the University of Nebraska. This award is one of the highest honors in the Science Olympiad program. It recognizes teams that exemplify positivity, teamwork, character, and citizenship throughout the competition.
Sustainability challenges – Seven Annandale High School students attended the Sustainable Development Goals Youth Summit on Nov. 15 at Georgetown University. The students explored such issues as ecological sustainability, responsible consumption, and how young people can advocate for meaningful change.
Related story: Educators honored with FCPS Impact Awards
CPR training – A new initiative by the Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education program (ACE) offers CPR certification training courses for teams from non-medical businesses and organizations.
The training is available for houses of worship. scout troops, athletic leagues, park and recreation departments, and social service organizations, as well as employers.
The program includes Heartsaver and Basic Life Support training, pediatric-focused CPR, and first aid courses tailored for childcare providers, teachers, and camp counselors.
All courses reflect the latest American Heart Association guidelines and are led by instructors with clinical experience.
Over the past few months, nearly 200 people have earned CPR certification through ACE.
“The significant interest in our CPR programming and training from students and the wider community underscores the region’s recognition of this essential lifesaving skill,” said Jerry Hinn, health and medical program specialist at ACE. “Not only is this skill vital for saving lives, but it also provides community members with enhanced employment opportunities.”
