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“Every community has neighbors, and almost every school system has bus stops — but what makes attending the schools in Falls Church special is that nearly all the neighbors end up at a bus stop for the same schools.” — Kathleen Tysse, vice chair, Falls Church City School Board
Enter Name soul“FCCPS’ Secret Sauce is the connection within and between the community.” — Tricia Minson, legal counsel for FCCPS
Enter Name we're all heart“In Falls Church City, you can’t separate the school system from the community; they are one and the same.” — Shannon Litton, Fall Church City School Board (former chair)
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Insights from college student Nachala Waters
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Journalist Jamie Falgie teaches us about “Clothing and Gender”
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Get cooking with Chef Alina Z, creator of the #1 Best Diet in America, as selected by Harper’s Bazaar Magazine
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Eva Ross is a Certified Life Coach and Board-Certified Health, a Wellness Coach and Mentor who helps people become their own life leaders
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International Journalist, Author, Activist Natalie Jacobsen gives us a history lesson on Pre-WWII Japanese with her novel, Ghost Train
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Meet Rúna Bouius: A visionary thought leader and activator from Iceland, empowers future-focused leaders to thrive in a changing world
Enter Name spirit“As amazing as they are, it’s not just the kids that make FCCPS different from other schools. It’s the adults.” — Diane Kidder, second grade teacher at Mount Daniel Elementary, FCCPS
Enter Name we're all heart“During my seven years as superintendent, I saw many aspects of the secret sauce at work and play, but the most outstanding ingredient for me was the schools and what they did for my husband, Larry.” — Lois F. Berlin, Ed.D., Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent (2004 – 2011)
Enter Name spirit“Teachers make the difference.” — A (very) personal essay by Laura McNamara, Kindergarten Teacher
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Illuminate Philanthropy: Adapting to Eight Trends in Philanthropic Advising
In Season 1, we feature Daylight’s current research on, “Adapting to Eight Trends in Philanthropic Advising.” welcome
Explore Dien Yuen’s Daylight: The global home for learning, practice, and research
Redefining Philanthropy spirit
I asked Dr. Noonan recently: “Is IB working?” His answer: “It is absolutely working.” — Justin Castillo, Falls Church City School Board (2012-present)
Enter Name mind“By empowering students with technology, FCCPS has created a more engaging and effective learning environment.” — Dang Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, FCCPS
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“Recognizing that there is this standard of excellence and holding ourselves and each other to that standard makes FCCPS the special place it is.” — Josh Singer, IB Diploma Program Coordinator at Meridian High School, FCCPS
Enter Name mind“I am part of the Kindergarten team—a team that is like a tree. It changes through the seasons but remains strong and steadfast.” — Karen Bevan, Kindergarten teacher, Mount Daniel Family Literacy Program
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“There isn’t a way to mass market our secret sauce; the addition of all the finest ingredients, prepared at the proper temperature using the best methods, takes us from a series of numerical data to a recipe for success.” — Lisa Eaton, English Collaborative Team Leader Yearbook Adviser Meridian High School, FCCPS
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January 2025: Barbara Tarlow Radler, mom, grandmom, and owner of the BTK Group, a healthcare communications business focusing on video production
Enter Name spirit“Embracing innovation is woven into the division’s core values.” — Eric Duchaj, teacher, Individuals & Societies, PE/Health and Economics and Finance at the Hybrid Learning Center
Enter Name mind“The secret sauce lies in each student’s growth, curiosity, resilience, and willingness to engage with the world.” — Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
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“FCCPS is thriving community where excellence isn’t just an expectation. It’s a way of life.” — Dave Serensits, Assistant Principal, Meridian High School
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“How many educators get to say that they have had an opportunity to work at every school in their school division? This is what makes Falls Church City so special.” — Allison Klink, Director of Early Childhood Education at Jessie Thackrey Preschool in FCCPS
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Ep8 Illuminate Philanthropy Show — Trend 8: Messy Marketplace with Daylight’s founder Dien Yuen
https://inkandescentradio.com/podcast/trend8-messy-marketplace/ mind“The Secret to the Sauce is Dr. Noonan himself.” — Brian Fowler, Director of Facilities, Falls Church City Public Schools
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“No matter the task, the work is what brings us together, but the sense of community and camaraderie is what keeps us coming back. That’s the FCCPS way.” — Kim Heddings, Director of Assessment and Accountability at FCCPS
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“When I reflect on what sets FCCPS apart from other divisions across the nation, one thing stands out: Its deeply personal and close-knit nature.” — Lindsey Covey, Assistant Principal of Mount Daniel Elementary School
Beyond the schools, FCCPS is interwoven into the community through wonderful events that bring everyone together. we're all heart
“FCCPS Changes the World!” — Mechelle Coppock, Director of Budget and Finance
A great environment is not enough; there needs to be a catalyst. The catalyst in Falls Church City is the conviction that we can make a difference. mind“Excellence, Enthusiasm, Engagement, Connection: ‘Fine’ just isn’t in our vocabulary.” — Steven Pickering
Enter Name mind“During the few months I have been in FCCPS, I have focused on learning the stories of the amazing people who make up this wonderful community. I look to Finding Nemo for guidance.” — Dustin Wright, Chief of Schools
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“The secret sauce truly is the people.” — Timothy Kasik, Principal at Mount Daniel Elementary School
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“Collaboration and shared values turn advocacy into action throughout FCCPS.” — Kristen Michael, Chief Operating Officer, Falls Church City Public Schools
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December 2024: John Douglas White, CITV alumn turned Emmy Award winning TV editor, husband, whose motto is “Listen more, talk less.”
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“We moved here for the schools!” — Falls Church City Public Schools parent Laura Downs, Former Chair, Falls Church City School Board, Falls Church City Councilwoman (2024-2025)
Just weeks after his commitment to F&M and in the middle of applying for an Army ROTC scholarship, he ruptured his ACL on Senior Night. Coach G jumped into action. we're all heart“Our Secret? FCCPS has a hierarchy without rigid boundaries.” — Jennifer Santiago, Director of Equity and Excellence at Falls Church City Public Schools
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“I am home in The Little City.” — Steven Knight, Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Career and Technical Education, Falls Church City Public Schools
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“We know our kids are in good hands.” — FCCPS parents Brittany and Michael Sakata
When one of our daughters was diagnosed with double-deficit dyslexia in elementary school, her savvy and loving second-grade teacher alerted us to her academic struggles. The consultant said she “would be in good hands.” She still is. we're all heart
“FCCPS is a group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and heed President Kennedy’s famous maxim to always ask what they can do to make their community better.” — Peter Laub, Principal of Meridian High School
FCCPS is a DIY school system. It was created by people willing to work late nights to read and create state code, establish a council and school board, and write policy and zoning regulations. The government was the neighbor, and everything was, and remains, hyper-local. spirit
“At the heart of FCCPS is a commitment to preparing students for the future.” — Dr. William Bates, Chief Academic Officer for the Falls Church City Public Schools
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Ep7 Illuminate Philanthropy Show — Trend 7: AI for Good with Daylight’s founder Dien Yuen
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Ep2: Uprising of Women in Philanthropy Show — Meet 3 more authors of this international social justice playbook who discuss the history of the Women’s Funding Movement
In this episode you'll meet Laura Risimini, Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, and Ana Oliveira mind
“Making a Daily Connection in FCCPS” — John Wesley Brett, Communications Director at the Falls Church City Public Schools
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“Our teachers go beyond teaching calculus or history. They contribute to developing our students into kind people.” — Amy Hall, Director of Human Resources of the Falls Church City Public Schools
Both of my daughters have since graduated from Meridian High School with the knowledge to take them on their continued educational journey and with a genuine attentiveness to the acceptance and well-being of others. spirit
“The title, degree, and experience aren’t the focus of this role. What truly matters is being sincere, understanding others, and offering support in all facets of the day.” — Ann Baleto, PK-12 Literacy Coordinator for Falls Church City Public Schools
Reflecting on the meetings I participate in and the people around the table, I’m in awe of the collaboration and open dialogue. we're all heart
“All hands on deck: There isn’t a single person in our district who is not willing to step in and support our students in ways that go beyond their usual responsibilities” — By Jen Fessenden, PK-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Falls Church City Public Schools
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An interview with Seth Klukoff, Principal of Eoan Strategies, a new consultancy that focuses on thought leadership strategy and communications capacity building
Enter Name mind“Due to our staff’s kindness and genuine caring culture, they embrace each day with lots of enthusiasm and share their joy of teaching with students.” — Marty Gadell, Executive Administrative Assistant and School Board Clerk
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“Our strong commitment to each student’s success from every angle sets our district apart.” — Amie Murphy, Falls Church City School Board
Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is an excellent, award-winning school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, objective student achievement data alone doesn’t tell the whole story of who we are as a division and community. soul
“What makes this school division sparkle? It reminds me of a family recipe that has special ingredients, traditions, personal connections and shared memories.” — Julie Macrina, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
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