When I arrived in Falls Church City Public Schools in the spring of 2017, I knew there was something different about this school system from the others I had the privilege of serving. I didn't know at the time what made this place so special. I learned soon enough!
spirit
Meet Karl Baier, the CIA agent who is drawn into a dangerous operation that has much deeper implications for the war itself and the broader global and strategic competition, of which Vietnam is only one part.
mind
Tim explains: "President Johnson was sworn into office after the Kennedy assassination in November 1963. In the waning days of 1963, President Johnson had those misgivings about escalating in Vietnam. And in the early months of 1964, he was not yet committed to an increased level of military involvement, but he had an election to think about as well as how he would be politically attacked if he didn’t fight communist aggression. After the events in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964, the path toward greater U.S. military involvement in Vietnam was made easier."
soul
When does the killing of political leaders become morally justifiable? Killing the Hitlers, Stalins and Pol Pots of the world is easy to justify. Murderous tyrants need to be killed. But what if our leaders are merely idiots, or perhaps corrupt, petty tyrants who aren’t in the same league as Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot? How much damage can we allow them to do, how many of our rights can we allow them to take away, before killing them becomes justifiable homicide?
soul
March 19, 2025 — We’re counting in weeks the length of time this administration has been in power. To many people, it might feel like it has been much longer. It’s hard to pick just one, two or three things that might have raised blood pressure readings recently.
spirit
March 17, 2025 — Another government shutdown threat hung over members of Congress to do something by the end of March 14: U.S. Congress faces looming funding deadline: What to know Not only are government employees and those relying on government funding and services worried about the future of agencies, but Congress also wrestles with a budgetary funding deadline. Racing to act before funding deadlines has become a regular congressional exercise. As usual, a last-minute deal was struck to avert a shutdown.
mind
Mike Henrich is a career educator for over 40 years as a student and teacher; he points to the splendor and potential of education even while kids, society, and he himself change.
we're all heart
Federal Reserve reports that effects of the 2018-2019 “tariffs led to job losses in the manufacturing sector and higher prices for producers and consumers.
mind
Harriet explains: As a concerned citizen deeply invested in the future of higher education, I write not merely as an observer but as a participant in a society facing a critical juncture.
mind
The Youth Committee of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Association (MBBWA) is pleased to invite young people under the age of 14, residing in any of the bays within our network, to participate in a drawing contest.
spirit
Here’s my question: While the subject of ”rare earth minerals” might be of interest to a limited audience compared to the overall readership of current events, after just a few minutes searching under the topic of rare earth minerals, a long list of articles are found. Even non-science readers will quickly grasp the importance of these minerals after reading just a few articles that describe what they are and the products that incorporate them.
mind
Zamzam is a young boy who enjoys life with Egyptian grandparents in Alexandria, Egypt, and American grandparents in New York City. He shares big and little differences in his daily experiences in each country – including phrases in Arabic and English — but ultimately realizes that the most important experiences are exactly the same across cultures.
we're all heart
Is it just a photo op? Is it just a formality? Is it just ceremonial for families and a few select officials? Or, is there an expectation of respecting and fulfilling the duties as embodied in the words of an oath of office or position?
spirit
Ancient Egyptians are said to have sworn by burning beeswax candles: The beeswax didn’t just purify the air but was also was used in rituals to help their loved ones cross into the afterlife. Short of that, here are some benefits you’ll enjoy when you bring home a set of hand-rolled beeswax candles by Hope.
soul
Nonviolence has been seen as a weak or passive approach to resolving conflicts. However, Cesar Chavez's quote, “Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not a discussion. It is not for the timid or weak. Nonviolence is hard work.
spirit
A Daylight IPA Learner, Advisor of the Year, and founder of COR Philanthropic Strategies, Jaimi is a passionate advocate for transformative philanthropy.
mind
February 11, 2025: The Washington Post reports that dozens of middle school students in Germany walked out of class as a protest of Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s visit to Patch Barracks.
mind
February 10, 2025 — In China-related news this week, CNN reporter Elisabeth Buchwald asked: “Is something you ordered taking a while to be delivered? Tariffs may be to blame.”
mind
True Power Institute founder Rúna Bouius asks: "Can you imagine walking into a room filled with fearless women, all committed to creating a wave of change so powerful it could alter the course of history?"
spirit
Writing books is a passion for attorney Timothy Trainer who for more than three decades focused on intellectual property issues in his day job. Then writing books caught his imagination.
mind
Today’s interview tells the tale of this important book that offers parallel narratives that touch upon several fascinating ideas, including the reach of Nazism—even in rural America—during WWII, the lasting impacts of the January 6 insurrection on today’s world, and the similarities between two time periods each burdened with an oppressive sense of dread. Don’t miss it!
soul
When Tom Haney retired, he wanted to spend some of his spare time giving back to the community while also staying in shape. in 2020 he had another idea: to participate in as many polar bear plunges as possible.
soul
The mood was surreal: ash falling from the sky, news reports showing flames racing across hillsides and communities, and an eerie wind rattling windows in neighborhoods uncomfortably close to the danger zone. Los Angeles was burning.
soul
Who she is: A goal-oriented, purpose-driven woman on a mission to stand up for one another, support one another, and push forward, even in the face of resistance.
soul
Who she is: A hard-working recent graduate of Cabrini University with a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology and double minors in environmental science and writing.
body
Back in the day, we promoted “The Falls Church Way.” Through joyful and challenging experiences, we learned that “process is everything.” If there was a simple “majority of one,” we listened and sought to dignify the voice.
mind
My family’s bus stop was at a busy intersection for many years. This crossroads brought together not just two roads of traffic but dozens of FCCPS students and their families. These families represented almost every house within a block in each direction. While the time spent at the bus stop was usually brief — just 10 minutes once or twice a day—over the years, it added up to hundreds of hours spent building the kind of community I believe is the Secret Sauce of FCCPS.
soul
What did you dream of becoming in high school? I dreamed of becoming an orthopedic surgeon but didn’t really consider what it would take to make that happen. Now, I am so thankful that I switched gears to communications. I can truly say that this is my calling, and I can’t imagine that I would have enjoyed the clinical setting as much as the work I am doing now.
spirit
Last year, I lined the halls with the staff and students at Mount Daniel, awaiting the arrival of the graduating class for their yearly tradition of walking the halls of all the city schools in caps and gowns. I knew I needed a prime spot as I excitedly waited for “The Mayor.” He was no longer the 7-year old boy who walked (or ran) in the building, he was an 18-year old man, but with the same charm and radiant smile.
we're all heart
In this episode: You’ll meet Daylight’s founder and CEO Dien Yuen who shares insights into Trend 8 — The Messy Marketplace. “This includes the current private equity invasion into the world of philanthropy, and new innovation in wealth management.”
mind
There’s a saying: if you build it, they will come. In our roles with the Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF), we’ve had the good fortune to build a wide variety of opportunities for the people and businesses of Falls Church City to come together and show their support for the Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS).
spirit
In the spring of 2005, the FBI foils a government employee’s attempt to provide confidential information to the Chinese. As the FBI struggles to understand why the information is valuable, its investigation entangles Capitol Hill staffer Kellie Liang and jeopardizes her nomination to a State Department position. What does her partner Aaron do next?
mind
In 2009, my wife and I were brand new parents, having just adopted two children, 8 and 10 years old. Neither spoke a word of English. For both, an American school was a new experience; in fact, any school was a new experience. It was an incredibly challenging and exciting time for us with so much new – new language, culture, food, everything. So much change takes time, love, and patience.
mind
What advice do you have for others about creating your best life? John says, "I’ve had some really great breaks in my career, but many of those were opportunities that I created by being as nice as possible while just not taking no for an answer. I think tenacity is not taught, promoted, or valued enough, and I try to tell my students this every day."
mind
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
"At Falls Church City Public Schools, we believe in the power of connection. Connection between educators and students. Between schools and families. Between a community and its future. And at the heart of it all is one of the most transformative tools we’ve ever created: The Morning Announcements."
mind
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Anthropologist Margaret Mead would appreciate the FCCPS Secret Sauce project.
spirit
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
