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May Newsletter

Message from Ilryong Moon

Celebrating May - Family, Teachers, and Heritage

In South Korea where I grew up for the first 17 years of my life, the month of May is widely known as Family Month, a time rich with meaningful celebrations. May 5th is Children's Day. It's a national holiday, so most parents are off work and take their children to museums and amusement parks, and children receive gifts from parents and elders in recognition of their joy and importance.

A few days later, on May 8, the nation celebrates Parent’s Day, combining what we in the U.S. observe separately as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Then May 15th is Teacher’s Day, a special occasion when students show gratitude and respect to their teachers for their dedication and guidance.

Interestingly, here in our country, we also honor our educators in May with Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs from May 5 to May 9 this year. Celebrated annually since 1984, this week is a time to recognize the vital contributions of our teachers and school staff.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our dedicated team members in the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Teachers, instructional assistants, specialists, technicians, counselors, safety and security personnel, career center staff, family liaisons, food service workers, custodians, and both school-based and non-school-based employees. Your tireless service empowers our students to grow, thrive, and pursue excellence every day.

Lastly, May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history, culture, and impact of AAPI communities across the nation. These communities have played a crucial role in shaping America’s past and present. Yet, their stories are too often overlooked or reduced to narrow stereotypes like the "model minority" myth.

Fairfax County is proud to be home to the fifth-largest AAPI population in the United States, with 20.3% of its residents identifying as AAPI. Nationally, we follow only Santa Clara County, CA; Honolulu County, HI; Middlesex County, NJ; and Queens County, NY. Across Virginia, more than 770,000 AAPI residents contribute to the rich cultural fabric of our state.

Within this vibrant and diverse community, FCPS serves nearly 183,000 students from pre-K through 12th grade. Our students represent more than 200 languages spoken at home, reflecting the global diversity of Northern Virginia. Among them, over 34,000 students or 18.7% of the total K-12 population identify as AAPI, highlighting the essential role these students and families play in our school system.

We are proud to be the ninth largest school division in the country, reflecting the vibrant multicultural makeup of our community.

Let us continue to celebrate and uplift every voice, every culture, and every contribution that makes our schools and communities stronger.

Best,

Ilryong Moon

In Memory of Janie (Jane) Strauss

With Ryan McElveen and Janie Strauss at Langley HS Fashion Show in 2014

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Janie Strauss, a longtime champion of public education and a beloved member of our Fairfax County community. And, she was a friend of mine.

Janie devoted more than 40 years to education, serving both in the classroom and on the Fairfax County School Board. She brought experience from urban and suburban settings, public and private schools, and worked across all grade levels from preschool through Grade 12. A former elementary and preschool teacher, Janie held a Master of Arts in Teaching from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a bachelor's degree in history from George Washington University.

Beyond the classroom, Janie was an active and passionate advocate for students and families. She served as president of the Franklin Sherman PTA, president of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs, and chair of the council’s education and budget committees. Her leadership extended to important district initiatives, serving on the FCPS Career and Technical Preparation Task Force, the Division Planning Committee, the Citizens Bond Committee, and the Fairfax Framework for Student Success. She was also a proud mother of four FCPS graduates.

Janie’s service on the Fairfax County School Board spanned decades, from June 1991 to 1993, and again from 1996 through her retirement in 2019. She served as Board vice chairman in 2000 and as chairman in both 2001 and 2011. Her leadership, wisdom, and commitment to students left a lasting impact on our schools and community. I had the privilege of serving with her on the school board for 20 years out of her 26 years.

Celebration of Life

Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: McLean High School Auditorium
1633 Davidson Rd, McLean, VA 22101

Please RSVP at the following link: https://pp.events/bzLXq8Md

I invite all who knew Janie or were touched by her work to join in celebrating her extraordinary life and legacy.

What's happened in April

Melissa Stockwell, the first female American soldier to lose a limb.

NSBA in Atlanta, Georgia 

From April 3 to 7, I had the opportunity to attend the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This was an especially meaningful event this year as it marked NSBA’s 85th anniversary. While the post-pandemic atmosphere was noticeably different, smaller crowds, fewer sessions, and a quieter energy, it was still a powerful experience rich with learning, reflection, and inspiration. 

One of the most memorable moments came from our keynote speaker, Melissa Stockwell. A true embodiment of resilience, Melissa was the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat after a roadside bomb struck her vehicle in Iraq on April 13, 2004. Despite the loss, she trained for and competed in the Paralympics and triathlons, sharing with us, “Life is all about the decisions you make.” Her story was especially poignant as she showed a photo taken on the 1 year anniversary of her injury, a reminder of how strength and purpose can grow from even the most painful events.

Throughout the conference, I attended many sessions, including a couple that broadened my perspectives on multilingual learner support, cultural education, and technology’s evolving role in schools. One standout session was titled “A System Approach to Language and Culture Immersion in the Lower Kushkokwim School District (LKSD)”, based in Bethel, Alaska, serving about 4,000 students. For over an hour, we explored how LKSD’s Strategic Thinking Model and Key Measures have driven success across 19 of their 28 schools through the Yugtun/Cugtun Dual Language Enrichment (DLE) Model. Their localized indigenous curriculum and fully translated materials have set a high standard for cultural preservation and academic excellence. 

Another inspiring moment came from Artesia High School in Lakewood, California. Despite serving a population where 88% of students live in poverty and 30% of parents lack a high school diploma, the school boasts a 97.4% graduation rate, with 91% of students going on to college. As we work on challenges for our own multilingual learners, learning from Artesia’s story provides valuable insight and hope.

In one session that I attended, discussions touched on timely challenges such as combating disinformation and deepfakes in an era dominated by artificial intelligence. In another, many attendees expressed concerns about the implications of new federal policies and directives on public education.

Despite the more modest scale, this year’s NSBA conference was still filled with stories of resilience, bold ideas, and new frameworks for student success. I return with renewed motivation and a toolkit of strategies to help strengthen our programs and continue advocating for equitable and inclusive education for every student.

Student Leadership Development Program 

It was a tremendous honor to speak to our Student Leadership Development Program during a cohort session. Seema Dixit from the Sully District shared her reflections and wisdom on What Does Success Look Like during the first part of the meeting, and after she left, I was joined by my colleague, Rachna Sizemore Heizer.

It was a time filled with storytelling, reflection, and connection, the kind of experience that reminds us why nurturing young leaders is so important.

I shared my own journey of arriving in the United States as a high school student in the 1970s. Adjusting to a new country and culture, I went on to a college, thus becoming the first one in my family to attend college, and then practiced law for 40 years. Over the past three decades, I have dedicated much of my work to advocating for strong public education systems. Education opened doors for me, and I believe passionately in ensuring it does the same for every student.

Together, Rachna and I spoke on the topic Tough Lessons Learned on My Leadership Journey. We reflected on the setbacks, unexpected turns, and growth experiences that helped shape who we are today. We shared with the students that leadership is not about perfection. It is about resilience, purpose, and learning through each experience.

About the Student Leadership Program Cohort:
Throughout the program, students explored key leadership themes such as Leadership 101, Being an Informed Leader, Goal Setting, Thoughtful Leadership, Interpersonal Communication, and Active Leadership. During a special workshop, they participated in a reflective activity called Finding Your Why to explore their motivations and goals. They also delivered leadership talks, sharing personal stories and insights on What Does Success Look Like and Tough Lessons Learned on My Leadership Journey.

I was deeply impressed by the students' thoughtful questions, reflections, and the energy they brought to the discussion. Their passion and curiosity are truly inspiring. It was a privilege to be part of their leadership journey, and I am excited to see all that they will accomplish in the future.

With my colleague School Board Member Seema Dixit and Principal Branford.

London Towne Elementary School Visit

I had the pleasure of visiting London Towne Elementary, thanks to an invitation from my colleague Seema Dixit, Fairfax County School Board Member for the Sully District. It was truly a rewarding experience to see firsthand the incredible work the teachers and staff have been doing, turning their dedication into outstanding programs that help our students succeed and thrive.

A special thanks to Principal Banford for her warm welcome and for taking the time to share both the successes and challenges of this school year. I greatly appreciated her insights, especially regarding the significant changes to literacy instruction in FCPS, particularly the shift to evidence-based practices aimed at ensuring every student develops strong literacy skills and achieves reading success by Grade 3.

As an At-Large member, I remain committed to listening to our school communities, addressing your concerns, and working together to ensure you have the tools and support needed for continued success.

Go Lions!