School news roundup
Top chefs – A team from Falls Church High School won in the breakfast category at the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge in March. The professional chefs who served as judges deemed the students’ Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito the best morning meal.
Luther Jackson Middle School came in third-place in the main event – the lunch category – with their Beantastic Medley, Fried Okra with Mint Chutney, Crunchy Munchy Salad, and Caramelized Banana Parfait.
The culinary challenge gives students the opportunity to mirror the responsibilities of school nutrition professionals by creating delicious, healthy school meals that represent the diverse culinary traditions in the community. The meals created by students must stay within the nutrition parameters and cost thresholds of the federally funded National School Meal Program.
Herndon High School was the top winner, and C.D. Hylton High School in Prince William County came in second. Herndon’s entry – Creamy Dreamy Gnocchi, Soup Dippers, and Zesty Sunshine Salad – will be served in Fairfax County schools.
Top coach – The Washington Capitals named Annandale High School varsity football coach Chris Bagot the Educator of the Year. “Chris was recognized for his dedication to our students and staff in and out of the classroom, on the sports fields, and in our community,” says AHS Principal Shawn DeRose.
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Moving up – Annandale High School Assistant Principal Sarah Eqab has been named the interim principal at Poe Middle School. At AHS, Eqab led the English and ESOL departments and supported collaborative teaching practices.
Prom shop – The Justice High School PTSA wants all students to have an opportunity to go to prom, so it’s hosting a free prom shop at the Wolf Shack. The shop, open Wednesday and Thursday afternoons through the end of April, has dresses, suits, ties, shoes, and accessories. Donations can be dropped off at the front office.
A dedicated educator – Alyce Pope has been named a Support Professional of the Year Finalist by the National Education Association.
A feature article by the FCPS communications department highlights Pope’s 42-year career with Fairfax County Public Schools’ Head Start program.
As a family services specialist at the Higher Horizons Head Start program in Bailey’s Crossroads, Alyce enrolls children, follows up on families’ health needs, connects families with resources, monitors attendance, and conducts training for parents.
“I enjoy being able to give voice to some of the most at-risk children, families, and workers in our community,” Alyce says. “It’s my pleasure working to serve children and families and in developing a school system where ALL are valued.”’
Alyce is the great-granddaughter of Minnie Peyton, the namesake of the Minnie Peyton Community Center in the Springdale neighborhood in Bailey’s Crossroads. Minnie Peyton sold land to the Fairfax County School Board to establish the Lillian Carey Elementary School for Black children. That site is now occupied by the community center and Higher Horizons.
Movie night – Annandale High School invites the community to watch a documentary film, “Letters from the Battlefield,” by Jackeline Lundquist, a 1982 graduate of AHS, at 6 p.m. on April 8. The PTSA is hosting a social gathering at 5:15 p.m.
The film explores her father’s experience in the Vietnam War through his letters and audiotapes. Decades after his passing, Jackeline retraced his footsteps and unexpectedly connected with a former North Vietnamese soldier, revealing two parallel yet deeply human stories.
The director of “Letters from the Battlefield,” Jude Pago, and videographer Andre Jones were also members of the AHS Class of 1982.
Global educator – Kirsten Salonga, a teacher at Justice High School, was named the 2025 AFS-USA Global Educator of the Year. Kirsten chairs the school’s science department and teaches biology and environmental science to multilingual learners.
The Virginia Department of Education also named Salonga a finalist for the 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
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Grant supports AHS – Annandale High School was awarded a $1,000 ExxonMobil Education Alliance Grant. The funds will help the school enhance math and science programs.
Saturday school – Justice High School offers one-on-one assistance in any English, math, science, or history class on Saturday mornings, April 5, April 26, May 3, and May 17. Teachers help students understand key concepts and are prepared for end-of-the-year assessments. Students do not have to sign up in advance.
Energy savings – FCPS says it reduced its energy use by 31 percent since 2014, surpassing its 10-year goal of a 20 percent reduction. This has led to more than $100 million in cumulative energy cost savings since 2013 across more than 28 million square feet of building space.
FCPS has achieved these reductions through innovative technologies, sustainable building practices, and a strong commitment to behavioral change.
Additionally, despite adding over three million square feet of building space and increasing student enrollment to more than 180,000, FCPS has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent since 2008.
FCPS’s approach to sustainability includes building energy-efficient schools, transitioning to LED lighting, adding solar panels, installing smart meters, and promoting energy conservation among students and staff.
