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We need to allow people to talk and we need to be open-minded. Our differences don’t need to divide us–they can bring us together. - Dr. Shedrick McCall, an Associate Tenured Professor of Psychology at Virginia State University On Saturday, Sept. 30, the public education forum “Raise Your Hand for Healthy School Environments” was held in Midlothian, VA. It was produced through a partnership between 4 Public Education and Virginia Public Education Partners (VPEP). VPEP is a grassroots group of parents, teachers, and others from across Virginia who are dedicated to supporting public education and protecting its funding and resources. It was formed in 2018 in response to the many attacks on public education on local, state and national levels. More than 100 participants from across Virginia attended the forum in person and virtually. Attendees included parents, teachers, school administrators, candidates for school boards and legislative offices, a state senator, and many education advocates. The program consisted of a keynote speech on Separation of Church and State and six panels that are available on the Virginia Public Education Partners YouTube page. The facts, stories, and recommendations from all of the panels will help any education and school safety advocate. Please watch here: Anti-LGBTQIA+ and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rhetoric, Legislation and School Mental Health. Closing down the expansive world view of youth, impacts everyone, not just trans people who are uniquely and extremely impacted. School Safety, Gun Violence, and School Mental Health. Common myths about gun violence and school safety were addressed, and solutions to improve school mental health were discussed. Censorship, Book Banning, and the Effect on Student Learning. Panelists cover what and who are driving censorship and an anti-historical approach to world and VA history. They answer the questions: How does book banning and censorship suppress the truth? How does suppressing freedom to read suppress our democracy? Corporate Career and Technical Education (CTE). Panelists share surprising information about how corporations are driving the education conversation in the arena of CTE, while addressing best practices in CTE. Charter Schools, Lab Schools, Educational Vouchers, Tax Credits and Critical Education Funding. Panelists discuss the lack of accountability in an educational system that "robs from the needy and gives to the greedy. Misinformation, Astroturfing and Dark Money. Panelists share how dark money props up fake grassroots groups, and their role in disinformation about education. Information about the speakers, moderators and panelists can be found at https://www.raiseyourhandva.org/, as well as a list of sponsors. The entire event was recorded and can be accessed at https://www.raiseyourhandva.org/stream-the-event. One person with the right power can make space for others. Being that one ally will affect lives and you will never know it. Small things can be impactful. –Justin Sykes, School Mental Health Panelist

School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars, so 4 Public Education is introducing a new blog called “School Board Matters” for 2023-24. It will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s), including links to primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education. We hope this will provide better access to and understanding of the Fairfax County School Board, including their powers and duties, as governed by the Code of Virginia. Although this blog will primarily focus on Fairfax County, we will share school board meeting reports from around the state, as possible. Fairfax County School Board Meeting: September 28, 2023 The 9/28/23 Fairfax County School Board meeting began with two proclamations, one of which may inspire others to do good in their community: National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, in honor of Meg Gallagher who experienced childhood cancer, after which she started “Meg’s Giveback” that runs twice-annual toy drives for other children fighting cancer. Fort Hunt ES Baseball Diamond Naming in honor of Peter Webster, a standout player and valued teammate. Public Input A freshman from Falls Church High School (HS) spoke to the impact of rising temperatures and increasingly bad air quality–she asks that they continue their commitment to goals adopted from the Joint Environmental Task Force. 4 Public Education’s own Robert Rigby emphasized the need to value each and every student so that they can succeed, and reminded everyone of Banned Books Week. Otherwise, it was a very small crowd at the meeting with far fewer speakers than normal. Normally, there are 15+ speakers/videos, but there were only 6 last Thursday. Speakers and parents spoke to: A demand for SROs in all schools. Need for improvement of indoor air at FCPS (two speakers). Refusal to sign the SR&R over expectations of respect for transgender students, Many concerns about mental health issues, gun violence, and learning the English language. School Board Business Literacy by grade three was front and center! Dr. Reid spoke to the need to be intentional with updates about the Strategic Plan. She proceeded to highlight the division-wide work to ensure all students are reading by the end of 3rd grade. Dr. Ricardy Anderson asked a series of critical questions about the baseline (i.e., where are we now), early literacy, and the plan going forward. This is such a critical issue that the flood gates opened with other School Board members asking how FCPS will address needs of “high mobility” schools (high student turnover, often combined with high poverty), need to keep board abreast via regular reports, efforts in struggling communities (e.g., English language learners, low income), family engagement component, and importance of Science of Reading. During Academic Matters continues discussion of Reading by 3rd grade through FCPS’s Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. This is part of a Virginia-wide and Fairfax County effort to provide evidence-based literacy instruction. In fact, this is the result of the Fairfax County School Board’s commitment to move toward instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. (Parents of elementary-aged students should really check this out to understand how their kids are being educated in reading. See video about the Science of Reading for more information.) Student Representative Matters: Once again Ms. Karim had a great list of updates on student concerns and student-led initiatives: HS student representatives for Technology and Youth Empowerment (TYE) (501c3 started by students in the SEAL program), reach out to career specialists at your high school. Renaming of W.T. Woodson High School Name change of W.T. Woodson and students have shared their support for name change inclusivity and diversity in our future. They suggested a display case honoring Carter G. Woodson, like the one at Marshal H.S. Annandale grading policy that emphasizes tests so much that it has adversely affected student outcomes. Need to re-evaluate grading policy across the schools, b/c Annandale is not alone–Edison has 95% evaluative and 5% performative. Woodson HS is the only HS to have a Portrait of a Graduate career day which included DOJ attorneys, FBI officials, engineers from NASA, and many more. It can enrich educational experience. USDA has lowered the eligibility of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) free lunch access for all students, which means more schools in FCPS may qualify Superintendent Matters: Dr. Reid shares great Back To School experiences, celebrates the custodial team (Oct 2nd is National Custodian Day), and discusses the Superintendent Advisory Council meeting where students gave feedback. Other key items discussed by the School Board from the agenda, included: Emergency Superintendent Succession (EE2) Monitoring Report (video) Monthly Report on Employee Separation Proposed Changes to Proclamations and Recognitions (video): Ms. Rachna Sizemore Heizer shares that the FCSB has been working on this for 3 years to ensure a balance between recognitions and other board business. Consent Agenda Items (video) Division-wide Comprehensive Plan (video) The meeting ended after about 3.5 hours of public input and discussion.

After more than 60 years of being named for an active promoter of Massive Resistance to desegregation and FCPS's second longest FCPS Superintendent, W.T. Woodson High School is undergoing a renaming process which includes opportunity for public input: Complete the online feedback form (September 15-October 12, 12 p.m.) Attend a Community Meeting at Woodson High School Cafeteria “A” (October 4, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.). Pre-registration is requested. Attend the Public Hearing at Luther Jackson Middle School (October 10, 5:30 p.m.) The School Board will vote to initiate the school name change October 12, which will kickoff a second round of community engagement. Woodson High School students, parents, and community members have long demanded a name change. 4 Public Education reported on the history of W.T. Woodson's namesake in A Tale of Two Woodsons. Historic records demonstrate W.T. Woodson’s endorsement of Massive Resistance, including 1959 comments that desegregating schools is not fair and “highly improper and infringes on human rights.” 4 Public Education and others have recommended potential new names, including Carter G. Woodson, a fellow Virginian and educator, who supported public education for all people and whose efforts continue to contribute to American society and culture. Whether you are a current Woodson family, Woodson alumni, or neighbor, please consider participating in the renaming process.

You may know that early voting began on Friday, September 22, 2023. To help you navigate school board election season in Virginia, 4 Public Education is offering a webinar on October 4th–register here. What you may not know is that every school board position is on the ballot in Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. In many cases, these races are tight, but they are also highly contentious, particularly after three years of “culture wars,” that have led to divided communities, the undermining of public education, and even school board parking lot conflict! In the middle of these conflicts over personalities, ideology, and policy, it feels like students and educators are forgotten while “parents’ rights” are being used as a red herring by candidates--if you are not sure what we mean, read our blog on the subject! This is quite evident when one looks closely at the platforms of some of the school board candidates. Although you may think that all candidates are running for a low-paying, high pressure, professional job “for the children,” it becomes patently obvious that some are clearly in it for the politics, which is concerning for a supposedly nonpartisan position that controls millions or billions of dollars and has such an impact on hundreds of thousands of minor children and their families. School Board candidates are not even identified by party on the ballot. So, how is any busy voter to choose among candidates, outside of accepting a sample ballot from your party of choice? School Board Voting 101 guidelines below will help you pick school board member(s) who will focus on students over politics. On or before November 7th, choose a school board candidate who: School boards across the country, from Newberg, OR to Spotsylvania County, VA, have been invaded by those who do not have the best interest of students and teachers in mind. If you don't believe it, read the stories of anguished families watching their public schools devolve in to chaos as newly elected officials use schools to wage battles over funding, truth in history, transgender students, and libraries. To make the best choice at the ballot box, heed the advice of a current school board in Spotsylvania County: [You] have to get to know who is running. Talk to people to find out where they honestly [stand on policy and education]. Ask the hard questions about public education. What would you do with X or Y. How are you going to support kids and staff? - Dawn Shelley Before you vote: do your research and ask questions. Then choose your school board members wisely.

Former Fairfax Superintendent W.T. Woodson and noted historian Dr. C.G. Woodson are two Virginians who both became supervisors of large school systems; however, their origins, their lives, and how they chose to support education could not be more different. Both Woodsons were born in Virginia in the 19th century: Wilbert Tucker was born in 1893 in Crozet, VA while Carter Godwin was born in 1875 in New Canton, VA to former enslaved people. Both served as principals and school system supervisors, but Dr. Woodson was also a teacher. Notably, Dr. Woodson was the second African American to earn a PhD at Harvard University, second only to noted historian and civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois. Mr. Woodson graduated from the College of William and Mary and did some graduate work at George Washington University. W.T. Woodson was superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) from 1929 to 1961 where he brought the system from 64 one or two-room school houses to a 20th century system of 93 consolidated schools. His commitment to Massive Resistance to school integration in the 1950s and 60s is well-known, but infrequently discussed. Lesser known is his failure to support Black student learning during his entire 32-year tenure as Superintendent–there was not even a school for Black students over 7th grade in Fairfax County until Luther Jackson High School was built in 1954. His “gradualist” approach of integrating one class of students per year was intended to delay integration. For much of Woodson’s tenure, Black students were educated in 1- or 2-room school houses without heat or water while white students increasingly enjoyed brick buildings with multiple classrooms that had cafeterias, running water, and modern heating. Woodson underfunded and impeded the educational opportunities of Black students whose families had to fight for an education for their children. He left behind an entire community while bringing the white community into the modern era of public schools. FCPS has retained and published historic records demonstrating Woodson’s complicity in Massive Resistance, including his 1959 comments that desegregating schools is not fair and “highly improper and infringes on human rights”. Dr. C.G. Woodson was a renown historian, the author of over 27 books and articles, journalist and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and founder of the Journal of Negro History. Notably, Dr. Woodson was not allowed to participate in the segregated halls of white historians. He was denied entrance to American Historical Association conferences, despite being a dues paying member. Nevertheless, Dr. Woodson was a positive force who used history to look toward the future. He was a scholar, advocate, and supporter of public education for all people. He believed history belonged to all, not just the historians. He was one of the first scholars to study African history, including studying and preserving African-American history. C.G. was dismayed that Black Americans were not included in American history. He noted that African-American contributions "were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them" which sadly rings true today. Thus, C.G. started Black History Week in 1926, which is the precursor to Black History Month which is celebrated in the month of February. Dr. Woodson hoped that one day Black History week would no longer be necessary “when all Americans would willingly recognize the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country.” Two Woodsons born in the 19th century dedicated their lives to education and knowledge. W.T. Woodson promoted segregation and actively limited educational opportunities for Black students while Dr. C.G. Woodson raised up Black History as American History and remains an inspiration to us all. Nearly 100 years ago, Dr. Woodson was determined to “convince the general public to embrace the past, including the dark chapters on slavery and segregation.” Today, some supposedly modern Virginians, like Governor Youngkin, are labeling such history discussions as “divisive” and seemingly wish to outlaw the teaching of slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement even going so far as to create a “tip line” for Virginians to report violations of his Executive Order. Since 2015, there have been movements to rename W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA, including an effort inspired by current students and parents. However, change has been stalled for the past year. A student journalist at the Woodson Cavalcade has noted that, “just as in the early days of integration efforts, these [name change] appeals have been met with massive resistance.” Photo credit: W. T. Woodson https://www.fcps.edu//sites/default/files/media/inline/fcps-supt-06-wilber-tucker-woodson.jpg Photo credit: C. G. Woodson https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/02/celebrating-black-history-months-founder/

Respect Student Voices My heart broke listening to adults demonizing and dehumanizing students at the last school board meeting demonize and dehumanize students, which is why I am so appreciative of your continued support of FCPS regulation 2603 regarding Gender-expansive and Transgender Students. Your action supports the rights of students and parents, while abiding by state and federal civil rights regulations and policies. Those same speakers demanded that you get “back to the basics” like “reading, writing, and math.” This “get back to the basics” rhetoric only focuses on subject matter, while ignoring key basics like safety and inclusion, which are critically necessary to ensure that students have the opportunity to succeed in and out of school. Research shows that when students feel unsafe or excluded at school, their ability to learn and succeed in school decreases dramatically. Students cannot learn if they fear their hijab will be ripped off or that a gunman will enter school. Students cannot learn if they fear being outed by a teacher, or are prevented from using the bathroom of their gender identity. Students cannot learn if they are abused at home or excluded at school. Inclusion means making sure that every student can see themselves in the books and history lessons, but also among the educators. It means equitable support and accessible classes for students with disabilities and English language learners, yet it also includes offering advanced math for all. Students support school safety and inclusion. They have said this again and again in surveys and their advocacy. They have walked out against gun violence and in support of inclusion of and respect for LGBTQIA students. Thus, it makes me wonder why so many adults seem to be so angry about these “basics,” since most adults do not spend half of their lives in school every day.

School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars, so 4 Public Education is introducing a new blog called “School Board Matters” for 2023-24. It will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s), including links to primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education. We hope this will provide better access to and understanding of Fairfax County School Board, including their powers and duties, as governed by the Code of Virginia. Although this blog will primarily focus on Fairfax County, we will share school board meeting reports from around the state, as possible. Fairfax County School Board Meeting: September 14, 2023 The 9/14/23 Fairfax County School Board meeting began by commending Mr. Daniel Aminoff for his years of service to FCPS related to facilities planning and capital improvement, and proclamations celebrating Lake Braddock High School’s 50th anniversary and the Virginia School Board Association Business Honor Roll recipients (Children’s Science Center, Greater Washington Partnership, and Real Food for Kids). Public Input Students were on fire! Six students from Langley High School who advocated for making volleyball a varsity sport in FCPS based on high interest level, and immeasurable health and academic benefits. A brave 6th grader from the Climate Change Initiative advocated for reduction in disposable plastic utensils and a return to sustainable utensils, because if one-half of students used plastic utensils every day, it would be the equivalent of two statues of liberty in landfills after a year. (Wow!) Other speakers gave passionate input, including a parent advocating against de facto segregation of Black and Hispanic students who are more likely to be assigned to split-feeder schools. Jennifer Litton Tidd advocated for trusted relationships between students and their school, since 57% of CPS abuse reports come from schools and 77% of child abuse is by parents. She also shared statistics that show that LGBTQIA youth are more likely to be abused, abandoned, or neglected by their parents. A small group of people booed this speech, which was surprising, since one would hope everyone should be against child-abuse and child neglect. There was a speech against book banning, because censorship tends to remove diverse books which results in lack of empathy and othering of marginalized groups. In contrast, there was another parent speech that supported removing Toni Morrison’s Beloved from high school shelves, which included a reading of graphic descriptions of rape and abuse of an 11 year-old child. Although, I strongly oppose book censorship, I was deeply disturbed that an adult would choose to read graphic descriptions of child sexual abuse to an audience that contained dozens of students and adults, many of whom may have personal stories about and trauma from such abuse. I choose not to read books containing scenes of child physical or sexual abuse, because I find them traumatizing, not salacious. The beauty of books is that one can choose what to read or not to read. Being read to in a public meeting removes that choice. Banning books also removes that choice. 4 Public Education founders, Marianne Burke and Vanessa Hall spoke regarding false political claims about the decline in SAT scores and the need to focus on safety and inclusion to enable students to succeed academically and socially, respectively. Finally, there were technical difficulties during both Ms. Burke’s speech and a parent’s video input, the latter took twelve minutes to resolve, so the meeting was adjourned for a short recess. Safety Alert! There was a surprising altercation in the parking lot afterward when a school board candidate blocked Dr. Burke, and then accused her of racism, because her speech shared the well-known bias of SATs against low income test-takers that results in lower standardized test scores. He then went to twitter to push this lie and impugn her character, possibly as a campaign tactic. The full text of Dr. Burke’s speech can be found here. Feel free to determine whether such data should be suppressed as racist. Unfortunately, this was not the only altercation after the School Board meeting; therefore, as we enter election season, please be aware that tensions are heightened. Candidates and their supporters may approach you; however, it is easy to see who has genuine interest or who has ill intent. Here are tips to remaining safe at school board meetings wherever you are: Maintain situational awareness as you enter and exit school board meetings. Be clear about your boundaries. For example, if you don’t want to talk, clearly state that. Be aware that people may be recording you, so behave accordingly and use appropriate language. Ask security or other trusted people to walk you to your car. If something happens, document it immediately and report it to security, as appropriate. School Board Business Following public input came a presentation by Dr. Reid about Compensatory Services for Special Education which covers compensatory services families paid for out of pocket during the pandemic for special education services for 6,266 eligible students. Staff members have worked diligently to assess and implement these services. Families have had to be patient with delays. Student Representative Matters: First, Ms. Karim honored those who were affected by the events of September 11th before launching into discussions of student-led initiatives: Limited availability of STEM activities for students across the county, and the establishment of Technology and Youth Empowerment (TYE) to bridge the gap among elementary schools for STEM opportunities. A compilation of student perspectives on equity and grading and recommendations for change. 45 schools have adopted Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) free lunch access for all students. It is imperative that the rest of the schools in Fairfax County work to adopt this initiative so that no student goes hungry. The need to accommodate midday prayers with dedicated prayer spaces that are free from prejudice or questions by staff. Renaming of W.T. Woodson High School to align the school name with FCPS values. Carter G. Woodson is one figure being seriously considered for the renaming. Superintendent Matters: Dr. Reid introduced the new Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs, Ms. Janice Symanski). She also shared a colorful data-filled evaluation of 2023 Opening of Schools for 2023 and announced the 264 National Merit Semi-Finalists who hail from 15 schools–this is the most students Fairfax County has ever had as semi-finalists. The Fairfax County Electoral Board asked that the FCPS school calendar be revised for March 25, 2024, since it is Presidential Primary day (mark your calendars!) since election activities would pose security and logistical interference with student education. School board members described concerns with return to school, including: transportation issues, using instructional leaders to direct traffic at schools, HVAC issues across a number of schools that required chillers and emergency HVAC repairs during the recent heat wave. One member asked why there was not a more detailed report, as they have received previously. Around 11:30 pm, the school board unanimously approved the revisions to the Strategic Governance Manual revisions. It is important to note that this meeting had an hour of proclamations before public input began. An hour. With so many eyes on these meetings, there is universal agreement that these proclamations are taking too long, eating into the valuable time of dozens of citizens, employees, and the work of the school board. Nevertheless, these proclamations are important. Although we need to acknowledge heritage months and celebrate accomplishments of students, adults, and groups in our school system, we also need to respect everyone’s time. It would be great if the school board could consider the length of their public comments.

School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars, so 4 Public Education is introducing a new blog covering Fairfax County School Board meetings called “School Board Matters” for 2023-24. It will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s). Where possible, we will provide links and primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education at FCPS. We hope this will provide a better access to and understanding of Fairfax County School Board, including their powers and duties, as governed by the Code of Virginia. Fairfax County School Board Meeting, August 31, 2023 August 31, 2023 marked the first Fairfax County School Board meeting of the 2023-24 school year that began after the dedication of the Family Resource Library in honor of Dr. Larry Bussey, a civil rights powerhouse who was a founding member of the Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee and championed the re-examination of curriculum and improved outreach to parents. The meeting was a doozy in terms of public comment. Seven speakers–including three confirmed parents, one candidate, and a grandfather who has sued FCPS–supported Youngkin’s anti-trans model policies, used dehumanizing anti-LGBTQIA rhetoric, spoke of grooming, and/or challenged transgender students’ civil rights. In one speech, a costume was involved. At least one of these speeches used ableist language that devalues those who have disabilities. As a mom and active volunteer in FCPS and my church, I found these comments to be discriminatory and harmful to students. In fact, they made me weep. A fellow mom in the audience was upset to learn that her child had listened to these speeches, as she was waiting to speak. In truth, the comments above were out of line with views in the United States where only 10% strongly oppose protecting transgender people from discrimination; however, these numbers are shifting dramatically in light of culture wars that use the transgender community as pawns. Additionally, these polls neglect to focus on the voices of those who are directly impacted by such discrimination: transgender students and their families. In contrast, three parents and an FCPS alumnus spoke in support of transgender and non-binary students, rejected anti-trans rhetoric and bullying, and spoke of the need for inclusivity in FCPS for all students. Attempts to create division and sow fear demonizing queer students and staff will fail because they are baseless. It is important now more than ever to stand strong against weaponized politics aimed at our children. Children in general have little to say in their day-to-day lives. Kids, like transgender kids, are even more vulnerable when attacked or demonized by adults who should know better. - Public input from parents supporting transgender students Other comments covered the need for increased executive functioning skills instruction in elementary school to help students with self-control, use of federal pandemic relief funds for Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and a demand by an at-large school board candidate for an apology from the current school board regarding their efforts to protect children and teachers during the pandemic over two years ago. The agenda of items discussed and voted upon by the School Board, include: Strategic Plan Update and other Academic Matters from Superintendent Dr. Reid Student Representative input from Ms. Karim who shared that September is Suicide Prevention Month, described concerns raised by students about unpredictable grading structures that differ among classes and schools, and disparity in access to free lunches. Action Items included long discussions about and approval of: year-end review of FY 2023 accounts, School Board committee assignments, School Board meeting calendar, and revisions to hearings and appeals procedures. The Board approved several Consent Agenda items, including Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC), Audit Committee Community Participant appointments, and other Advisory Committee appointments. School board committees are a great way for parents, guardians, students, and other Fairfax County citizens to be involved in and provide input to FCPS–apply today if you have relevant experience and there are openings. In new business, they discussed the Challenged Materials Committee among other items. The entire meeting ran for three hours from 7-10pm.

All these school board seats are up for election this November, and you can tell things are heating up because false claims are circulating about this current school board. One false claim is that the decline in SAT scores shows that Fairfax County Public Schools are failing, and the claim suggests that this will lead to a drop in property values in the county. This lie is on the website of one of Fairfax County political parties. But school districts across Virginia, in other states, and around the globe had similar declines in SAT scores between 2018 and 2022, and Fairfax County students perform above both the state and global SAT averages. Rather than blaming the decline in SAT scores on ones’ opponent, candidates should recognize other factors that influence SAT scores. Fewer students now take the test compared to in the past. Only ¾ of the students nationwide took the test in 2021 compared to 2020. 80% of colleges and Universities no longer require SAT scores with applications. So fewer students are reporting their scores to colleges, and fewer students are retaking the test for a better score, Also, there is a shift in the profile of students taking the test. Free and more accessible testing has allowed more students from lower-income families to take the test, and data show that these students tend to score lower than those from higher income families. And students who do not plan to attend college are now taking the test because it is free and during the school day so why not? Fairfax County is part of a nationwide movement to de-emphasize entrance exams within the college admissions process.” Don’t be fooled into thinking FCPS are failing. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please see Marianne Burke's full blog on the subject.

Hi, my name is Megan, and I am a teen advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Earlier this year, I shared my thoughts on how parents can help prevent suicide and support their kids at the 5/25/23 Fairfax County School Board meeting , but today, during Suicide Prevention Month , I will get more personal. When choosing a Girl Scout Silver Award topic, I wanted to do something that I could relate to, and genuinely understand. I’ve always been a strong believer in not judging people’s coping skills, especially if you have never been in their shoes. That being said, I have been through something that no one should ever have to go through, and it is my mission to bring awareness to youth around Fairfax County that they are not alone, and there is someone who does indeed get it. I am not just writing this to bring awareness to this very important topic, but also to help bring closure to myself. Suicidal thoughts is something I do not wish upon anyone, as it is very difficult to deal with, especially as a child. When I was 11-12 years old, I was deeply suicidal due to my mother’s death earlier in 2020. My suicidal thoughts first bubbled up during a Florida vacation in August 2020. I am forever traumatized by the PTSD I have from that trip. I remember it like it was yesterday: having multiple panic attacks not knowing what was going on, and even hitting myself to try and get the bad thoughts out. I was 11 years old, so I still didn’t really know what was going on in my head and body, but I was terrified. Today, I genuinely believe if it weren’t for that nurse on the other end of the phone during our family trip to the aquarium, I wouldn’t be here today. I wish I knew her name just to thank her for her genuine act of kindness. I have yet to go back to Florida due to the remembered trauma. My experience shows how young and innocent someone can be, yet still have these thoughts, even if they don’t know what they are. This is why we need better mental health education and support in our schools and everyday society. If I had known there was proper, readily accessible help, I wouldn’t have been as scared to tell someone–I even was petrified to ask my dad for help. We need mental health support and education as early as late-elementary school. During my first mental health crisis, I was a rising 6th grader. No 6th grader should ever have to go through that, feeling trapped and alone. No one should ever feel like that. I’m here to stand up for this, because if I don’t, who will? We need change now. When I was suicidal, there were a only three people who, I feel confident in saying, that if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today. I will forever be grateful for Eliza, my rock, my lifesaver, and built-in best friend. Every 1 am phone call I made, she answered whether she was sleeping or not. Throughout her busy schedule, she would still find time to talk to me and listen to me wail. Nights were the hardest, so most nights we would fall asleep on the phone and she wouldn’t hang up until she knew I was asleep. She is genuinely one of the most selfless and compassionate people I know. The other two people who I love dearly, and have slowly started to open up as to what truly happened during that time, are my Aunt Lana and Uncle Mickey. They are both my mom’s siblings, so they sort of understood what I was dealing with, as they were also going through a big loss, the loss of their baby sister, my mom. However, with that being said, they still didn’t know the full situation. They probably assumed I was suicidal, but I never told them because I was so scared. I was scared they wouldn’t believe me, tell my dad, or send me to a mental hospital. I didn’t say anything to them until well after I started feeling better. The upside of what I’m trying to say is that there is someone there for you and that you’re not alone. Never feel like you’re the only one who feels this way, because there is most definitely someone else who is experiencing something similar, and someone else who is willing to listen. You’re not alone. (Side note: if Aunt Lana, Uncle Mickey, or Eliza is reading this, I love you so much. Words cannot express how grateful I am. Thank you for helping me when you could’ve easily walked away. You’re the reason I’m still here, and I am so so grateful for this life. I’m so sorry if I’ve never said that I’ve just been scared and have never known how to or when.) Today, I find that it hasn’t really gotten easier, I just got stronger. It’s like exercising: the workout never gets easier, you just get stronger and are able to work through it better. It is kind of like a quote I like: A new mind doesn’t go back to old dimensions. It means that when you’ve survived something, you have survived and you will continue to survive . Survival helps your brain know how to fight off those bad thoughts, since it knows what they are and what damage they are capable of doing (kind of like the covid vaccine fighting the virus!) With everything said here, don’t forget that your loss happened. Acknowledge the pain. You survived and are still surviving. You’re undefeated. Keep fighting. I’m Meg, a teen advocate for suicide prevention and awareness, and I’m here to say, “You’ve got this. I’m so proud of you for still being here. Your life is worth living, even if it doesn’t seem like it right now. You will get there, I promise.” I’ve been at rock bottom, and I’m still standing. I am living proof that you can dig yourself out of a dark place with the love and support of others. On the other end of loss, you can still be an amazing human being, and in most cases, an even better one. If you are a parent of a high school student who would like to know more about the free online teletherapy services offered through FCPS, please check this link . Additional mental health resources in Fairfax County and in public schools can be found here . Photo credit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/september-suicide-prevention-month