BEAM Update
August 14
A word from the principal, Mr. Wright
Dear Fitzgerald Families,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I hope your summer has been filled with joy, rest, and special moments with family. It is with great excitement that I welcome you back to another outstanding year at Fitzgerald Elementary. This year marks my sixth year serving as the proud principal of this incredible school community, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in supporting our students' success.
Our theme for this school year is TEAM FITZGERALD. Just like a great team, we achieve more when we work together, support one another, and stay focused on a common goal. TEAM FITZGERALD reflects our belief that students, families, and staff each play an important role in helping every child succeed.
This theme aligns closely with our vision of "A Place to Connect, Experience, and Thrive." We want every student and family to feel connected to our school community, experience engaging and meaningful learning opportunities, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we will continue Lighting the Way to the Future for every Fitzgerald student.
Over the past several years, our school has experienced many successes. We have continued to increase student achievement in both reading and mathematics, expanded targeted supports through programs such as Core Extension and tutoring, strengthened collaborative teaching practices for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, and increased family engagement opportunities that support student learning. Our commitment to continuous improvement has allowed us to build strong systems that help students grow and succeed.
This year, we will continue focusing on several key priorities:
- Increasing student achievement in reading, writing, mathematics, and science.
- Strengthening supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
- Expanding opportunities for students to engage in meaningful problem-solving, critical thinking, and written responses.
- Providing targeted interventions and enrichment opportunities to meet the needs of all learners.
- Strengthening our partnership with families through communication, engagement opportunities, and shared responsibility for student success.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I am eager to welcome our students back and look forward to another amazing year of learning, growth, and success as TEAM FITZGERALD.
Please join us for Meet the Teacher as we kick off the school year. Grades 1-5 will attend on one evening (August 20), while our Pre-K and Kindergarten families will have a dedicated event designed just for our youngest learners (August 21). Details can be found here:
👉 Meet the Teacher Information
Thank you for being an important part of TEAM FITZGERALD. Together, we will continue to connect, experience, thrive, and light the way to the future.
Sincerely,
George Wright
Principal
Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary School
Upcoming Dates and Events
Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ Freedom HS 11am-2pm
Back to School Community Event
Thursday, August 20, 2026 @ 5-7pm
Meet the Teacher Night: Grades 1-5
Friday, August 21, 2026 @ 9-11am
Meet the Teacher Night: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Friday, August 21, 2026 @ 9-11am
Deadline to submit Immunizations and School Physicals
Monday, August 24, 2026
First Day of School
Friday, September 18, 2026
Deadline to submit Back-to-School packet
Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 5:30-7:30pm
Back-to-School night
The calendar for the entire school year can be found here on the Division's website. Please coordinate any vacations and/or appointments around the school calendar.
Use KioskVUE to Sign-in Your Students 📱
New Grading Policy 📝
Free Back-to-School Community Event: August 15
Meet our New Teachers Joining TEAM Fitzgerald! 🌟
Pictured from left to right
Marcus Ferguson: Grade 4, Level 1 Teacher
Experience: 7th year teaching Special Education, Led mentoring program for 3 years, earned Masters in Special Education at George Mason University
Fun Facts:
- Born on Leap Year (Feb. 29)
- Kansas City Chief "FANATIC"
- Own over 100 ties
- Married, 1 son and 2 daughters
- Born and raised in Alexandria, VA
- Oldest of 4
Rebecca Webb: Art
Experience: Taught for 4 years at Potomac View ES
Fun Facts:
- Lifelong Prince William County resident
- Loves reading and drawing
- Working on a graphic novel
- Traveled throughout Europe and Japan
- Visited France this summer for 3 weeks and visited Monet's Water Garden
George Nyarko: Grade 3, Level 1 Teacher
Experience: Taught 5 years in Elementary, 5 years in High School, and 1 year in Kindergarten. Going on 11th year teaching in both Special Education and General Education. I always use positive reinforcement and love to share cultures together.
Fun Facts:
- Proud Ghanian
- 21st century teacher
- Love to sing, cook, and play the keyboard
- Love to travel to places of interest & fun
Tatyana Bibbs: Grade 1
Experience: Student taught in 3rd and 2nd grade in Henrico County Public Schools. Most recently taught 4th grade. I graduated from VCU with a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters in teaching. New to PWCS and very excited to embark on my new journey here at Fitzgerald.
Fun Facts:
- Had First born baby boy recently
- Husband and I and so in love with him!
Elena Araujo Borisoff: ESOL
Experience: Master's in TESOL, Bilingual in both Spanish and English, taught 1 year of Middle School Spanish and English as a foreign language.
Fun Facts:
- Born in Spain
- Lived in Hawaii for 12 years
- Loves gardening, yoga, and traveling
Alexis Prator: Grade 3
Experience: Graduated from Penn State (WE ARE!) and did short-term substitute teaching for 3rd Grade.
Fun Facts:
- Born in Guatemala
- Grew up in Gathersburg, Maryland
- Huge Boston Celtics fan
- Favorite color is yellow
- I can write with both hands (ambidextrous)
Janell Keller: Grade 5
Experience: Graduated from James Madison University, begin Master's program in Special Education this fall. Provided Autism support and was a teacher for Extended School Year students.
Fun Facts:
- From Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Eagles fan
- I am a twin
Jasmine James: Grade 4
Experience: Bachelor's Degree from Virginia State University (Hail State!) Master's Degree from Liberty University, 6 years teaching 4th and 5th Grade, Lead building mentor, Teacher of the Year for the 2025-26 school Year in Richmond Public Schools.
Fun Facts:
- Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Attended High School in Woodbridge, VA
- Philadelphia Eagles fan
- Has 4 beautiful God-daughters
- I am a Bride-to-Be!
Pichamon Alvarez: Grade 1 - Level 1 Teacher
Experience: Worked with the Pre-school Autism program for 2 years
Fun Facts:
- Born in Thailand
- Loves to cook and bake Thai food
- Can read and write in Thai
- Has 1 boy and 1 girl
- Collects lots of shark teeth
Nicketa Holmes: Grades K-2, I.D
Experience: Certified in Applied Behavior Analysis ABA, Middle School Educational Psych., 6 years teaching self contained classes Grades K-5, going into 7th year teaching.
Fun Facts:
- Loves to travel
- Visited 8 different countries, Italy is my favorite
- Has 1 younger sister
- Philly Eagles fan (Go Birds!)
- Favorite colors are Olive Green and Rose Gold
- Loves being in/near water
- Likes to cook
Jennifer Mirabella: Reading Specialist
Experience: Spent entire teaching career in Fairfax County, classroom teacher for grades K, 2nd, and Middle School in addition to being a Reading Specialist. Excited to begin teaching in PWC.
Fun Facts:
- Has twin daughters and 2 step-sons
- Loves to hike, ride bikes, and stand up paddle board
- Daughter attended ES where I taught, then I joined them in HS while teaching at a secondary school
- Has an 80 lb. Lab and 11 lb. Poodle
- One daughter getting married this Fall
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