The Fairfax County School Board used the start of its Nov. 13 meeting to approve proclamations honoring Veterans Day, School Psychologist Appreciation Month and National Family Engagement Month, and to recognize 89 schools that earned the Purple Star designation for military‑connected student supports.

The Veterans Day proclamation, read by Miss Maron, noted FCPS serves more than 14,000 military‑connected students. Mr. Moon presented the School Psychologist Appreciation Month proclamation; both passed unanimously by voice vote for members present.

The Purple Star recognition honored schools across six regions; the chair invited school points of contact, regional leadership and military liaison officers to the dais for photos. Students from Weyers Mill Elementary, Falls Church High School and Robinson Secondary spoke during the public comment period about the importance of Purple Star supports in easing transitions and ensuring academic continuity for military‑connected families. "Being a military kid is a big adventure... Purple Star Schools are so important. They help kids like me feel welcome right away," said third‑grader Brianne Fitzpatrick.

Other public speakers raised separate concerns. Parent Cara Amsden described ongoing cohorting of recess and restricted lunch seating at Deer Park Elementary — remnants of COVID‑era practices — and asked why those policies remain in place at her school but not others; she said students had been left isolated and asked the board to explain who made the decision and why it persists.

Rabbi David Callender and Vicki Fishman of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) described painful recent incidents: student social‑media posts that, they said, depicted or glorified violent acts connected to the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel and other posts that marginalized Jewish identity. Fishman thanked staff for investigative steps taken so far, asked that FCPS implement expedited teacher training on antisemitism, and proposed partnering with JCRC to provide mandatory student peer‑to‑peer anti‑bias programs in affected schools.

Board members and staff acknowledged the comments and said investigations and disciplinary processes were underway where appropriate. The superintendent and staff were thanked for already engaging principals and school leaders; community speakers requested additional, expedited training and clearer communications about consequences and prevention.

Quotable: "When students post videos that depicted violent kidnappings... our schools should not tolerate such blatant insensitivity," Vicki Fishman told the board. Student Brianne Fitzpatrick: "That's why Purple Star Schools are so important. They help kids like me feel welcome right away."