Congratulations to School Counselor Sharon Powers on being named the FCPS 2018 Region 1 Outstanding Leader and one of five finalists for this year's Outstanding School-based Leader Award! 

When Mrs. Powers became counselor at Vienna Elementary, she instituted an official “month of kindness” at the school. Two years on, kindness seems to have become a year-long theme there. Students credit Mrs. Powers for changing the way they treat each other. A “buddy bench” she set up for kids to sit on at recess when they’re looking for friendship has helped ease isolation. Meanwhile, Mrs. Powers' lessons on cyberbullying prompted some fifth graders to end a group chat they felt might be hurting their classmates. Whether she’s helping an anxious kindergartner or working alongside the SCA, one student noted, “She always has a smile on her face to welcome others.”

• See Mrs. Powers' page on the FCPS website.

Congratulations also to Special Education Teacher Maryellen DiSilvio who was recognized as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher School-level Recipient

Thank you to Eben Montaquila for all the hard work with the nomination process by serving as this year's awards liaison.