Fairfield Forum Forum Team at FMS

Checking back in with Cornerstone's Farm Manager, Kyle, for Cornerstone Week at Fairfield Middle!

Our HLP spotlight shines in our season finale on Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. James Lane. Dr. Lane has been incredibly busy helping guide the Commonwealth's education response to the coronavirus pandemic, but was generous enough to give us some time and end our first season on a high, hopeful note!

Our topics included critical thinking, excellence, the job of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, impact trade-offs, what does and doesn't worry him about the resiliency of our students when we return to school in fall, how happiness isn't based on the things you have or the accolades you receive,  the best part of the job, what he would have done different at the beginning of the pandemic, how to work with people who disagree with you and what is keeping him hopeful during the pandemic. 
Thank you for joining us, Dr. Lane!

Special Thanks: Charlie Pyle and Maggie Clemmons

Support Henrico Families During Covid-19: https://henricogives.org/covid19/ 
Dr. James F. Lane: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/about/superintendent/index.shtml
Student-Moderated Website: sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home
Fairfield Middle School: fairfield.henricoschools.us/
Original Artwork: 7th Graders Nevaeh and Shayla
Artwork Digitized at Highland Springs High School by Tiana

Our HLP spotlight shines in this conversation on Mrs. Alicia Atkins, the Varina District's representative to the Henrico County School Board. Mrs. Atkins is the first woman and first African American to represent the Varina District on the School Board. She is also our first Forum guest to have attended Fairfield herself! Once a Falcon, always a Falcon!
Our team spoke with Mrs. Atkins about her transition from living on an Army base to navigating life in a public school, quality character, excellence, the role of a School Board representative, the trade-offs that occurred when she decided to run for School Board, community service, the health of our communities, her role model, what is keeping her motivated during quarantine and what is keeping her hopeful during the pandemic. Mrs. Atkins also had a few questions for us!!
Support Henrico Families During Covid-19: https://henricogives.org/covid19/ 
Mrs. Alicia S. Atkins: https://henricoschools.us/school-board/varina-district/
Student-Moderated Website: sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home
Fairfield Middle School: fairfield.henricoschools.us/
Original Artwork: 7th Graders Nevaeh and Shayla.. Digitized at Highland Springs High School by Tiana
Original Music: Produced by 1st Place Rich via Ed Henderson Jr/ Loyalty Over Wealth Records

Our HLP spotlight shines on Senator Jennifer McClellan who represents Virginia's 9th Senate District.  Senator McClellan spoke with our 8th graders about how students and educators can meet this moment of reckoning for systemic racism, pandemic and economic hardship, her process for critical thinking, excellence, the job of a state senator, what is appealing about state office, the decision-making process, emotionally stirring legislative issues, the most impactful movie in her life, the most difficult bill she helped pass, how she works with people on the other side of the aisle and what is keeping her hopeful during the pandemic.  Thank you, Senator McClellan, for joining us!  

Support Henrico Families During Covid-19: https://henricogives.org/covid19/  

Jennifer McClellan: http://www.jennifermcclellan.com/

 Student-Moderated Website: sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home 

 Fairfield Middle School: fairfield.henricoschools.us/  

Original Artwork: 7th Graders Nevaeh and Shayla.. Digitized at Highland Springs High School by Tiana  

Original Music: Produced by 1st Place Rich via Ed Henderson Jr/ Loyalty Over Wealth Records

The HLP spotlight shines on Dr. Danny Avula, Director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Departments.  Dr. Avula brought the energy, clarity and optimism that we've become accustomed to seeing from him throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The topics of the day were the importance of clear and consistent communication, excellence, the mission of the Richmond and Henrico Health Departments, Dr. Avula's journey to public health, remaining calm during a crisis, what is supplying him with hope during the pandemic and how we can best protect ourselves and others from the coronavirus.  Fairfield thanks Dr. Avula and all of the health care workers across Central Virginia and the nation for their courage and persistence in keeping us safe while we have been at home.  Support Students and Families During Covid-19: https://henricogives.org/covid19/ Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ Student-Moderated Website: sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home Fairfield Middle School: fairfield.henricoschools.us/ Original Artwork: 7th Graders Nevaeh and Shayla.. Digitized at Highland Springs High School by Tiana Original Music: Produced by 1st Place Rich via Ed Henderson Jr/ Loyalty Over Wealth Records

The HLP spotlight shines on Dr. Monica Manns, the Chief Equity, Diversity and Opportunities Officer in Henrico County Public Schools.. .and one of our most energetic guests so far! 

We spoke to Dr. Manns about collaboration, excellence, the mission of her office, how to address 'the problem of progress,' the books that have made the most impact on her life, why diversity is important, what she says to critics and how we can help address issues of inequity during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Student-Moderated Website: sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home
HCPS Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunities: https://henricoschools.us/equity-and-diversity/
Fairfield Middle School: fairfield.henricoschools.us/
Original Artwork: 7th Graders Nevaeh and Shayla.. Digitized at Highland Springs High School by Tiana
Original Music: Produced by 1st Place Rich via Ed Henderson Jr/ Loyalty Over Wealth Records