Fairfield Forum

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

Our HLP spotlight shines in this episode on former Philadelphia Eagle, UVA All-American, Henrico High School standout and all around class-act, Billy McMullen. Billy was originally slated to be our final, in-person Forum guest. Our closure prevented that appearance, but Billy lit the fire under us to get the Forum back on track virtually and we were happy to host him on May 22nd.  Our conversation has a little bit for everyone: gratitude, passion, advice for high school athletes, loving the process and Terrell Owens. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!  Student-Moderated Website: https://sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home Billy Mac Speaks :https://www.billymcmullen.com/ Fairfield Middle School: https://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 first panel featured leaders who have served in all levels of our government. Our guests spoke about what motivates excellence, what their passions are, tips for urban gardening and the importance of our community and our service to it. Dr. Basil Gooden served as the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2016-2018 and was appointed by President Barack Obama to serves as the head of USDA-Rural Development in Virginia. John Montgomery is an attorney and represented the Varina District on Henrico County's School Board, a twelve-year tenure that included a chairmanship from 2015-2019. Nicole Anderson Ellis is a professor at VCU and the chair of the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Kyle Dosier is the farm manager at Cornerstone Farm. Student-Moderated Website: https://sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home Cornerstone Farm: https://henrico.us/projects/cornerstone-community-farm/ Fairfield Middle School: https://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 in this episode on Delegate Lamont Bagby who represents the 74th House District in the Virginia House of Delegates and was a Fairfield administrator once upon a time! In this conversation, our Forum-first on Zoom, Delegate Bagby spoke with us about creative problem solving, what the ESPN documentary "The Last Dance" can teach us about 'Excellence,' what he's learned about the government during the pandemic and what keeps him hopeful and motivated. Student-Moderated Website: https://sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home Henrico Learner Profile Website: http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/hlp/ Fairfield Middle School: https://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 in this episode on Dr. Amy Cashwell, Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools. Our very first Forum program was held on December 6th, 2019. Dr. Amy Cashwell, Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools, arrived early to speak with our students and was well prepared for our questions about Excellence, her upbringing and the future of our schools! Student-Moderated Website: https://sites.google.com/henrico.k12.va.us/fairfieldforum/home Henrico Learner Profile Website: http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/hlp/ Fairfield Middle School: https://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