The PHILLIPS Family
Overcomes Challenges Together

Caring for the youth entrusted to us has been our top priority since the beginning more than 50 years ago. That caring has taken new and unexpected forms due to the current turmoil in the world.

At this time a year ago, who would have thought that the most caring thing you could do is wear a mask and stay away from people? PHILLIPS has taken extensive steps to ensure our students’ physical safety during the pandemic, but our expressions of caring go far beyond that.

It all comes down to personal relationships. To provide the best care for students and their families, PHILLIPS team members have to care for one another and, ultimately, for themselves.

There’s been a constant flow of encouragement and resources from leadership, as well as heartfelt messages among staff and weekly all-hands Zoom calls this month led by Qu'Derrick Covington, a motivational speaker and leadership development coach. The discussions covered timely topics such as racial injustice, staying student-centered, dealing with stress and maintaining work/life balance. One of Mr. Covington’s sessions examined how building trust with students through personal connection is essential for teachers to be effective. It’s something that comes naturally to the PHILLIPS staff. While lifting up each other, they reach out to show their students how much they care.

• Hundreds of “Community Curbside Connections,” socially distanced home visits to deliver school supplies, holiday gifts or just chat in person

• Thousands of phone calls, texts and Zooms with students and their families

• Countless hours spent doing all the extra work required to make learning possible under these unprecedented conditions

The bonds we’ve built within the PHILLIPS family have grown stronger in the face of multiple challenges, creating a safety net that supports all of us.

Living History

Rarely has it been so clear that we are watching history being made. What we’re experiencing firsthand right now will be studied for generations. Teachable moments are happening on a daily basis and PHILLIPS isn’t waiting for the history books to be written. We’re helping our students draw lessons from current events while reassuring them that, no matter what is happening in the world, PHILLPS is there for them..

William Simmons, a classroom teacher in our Building Futures Career Technical Education program, makes time every day for his high school students to talk about what’s on their minds and to listen to each other.

“In addition to the content areas of English, Math, and Science it is important that the students in my class are knowledgeable informed citizens of their community. Their opinions matter. Unfortunately, too often opinions are colored by misinformation. Currently we live in a time where misinformation surrounding current events is normal. Additionally, we have witnessed violence erupting over differences of opinion.

As an educator I try to create a safe place for all students to feel comfortable speaking and listening to each other. Secondly, I seek to provide them with the facts, discuss the source of the information and allow them to share with each other their thoughts surrounding these historic events we all have witnessed.

My students get their information through social media and online. Often the students have been misinformed or lack critical pieces of a story or event, or do not know the preceding historical landscape. One of my roles as their teacher is to provide them with factual information, explain vocabulary and listen to their viewpoints. I try to provide transparency and honesty. 

In our safe space, students learn to listen to one another, respect differences of opinions, and ask questions. Using articles, videos, and websites, the students discuss their thoughts, their experiences and their opinions in relation to the world they live in.”

There are lessons in current events for students of all ages. On the day after the deadly riot at the United States Capitol, PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax teacher Samantha Stirratt shared this encouraging note with the staff.

“In my 3rd-5th grade class, we have been focusing hard this week on paragraph writing as well as the original 13 colonies and events leading up to the American Revolution. Even though they are very young, they are aware of current events and today we got to discuss it a little! We talked about "smart" protesting and using their voices in writing as powerful ways to create change rather than foolish ways to make change such as what happened yesterday. As crazy as these times are, it went great with our history lesson! It also tied in great with emotional regulation. We talked about having the right to your feelings and how sometimes we SHOULD be angry or sad. We got to talk about alternatives for expressing these emotions. 

I don't know what is going on out in the world, but things are going great in our little classroom bubble!”

Ms. Stirratt’s message came in a response to an all-staff email from PHILLIPS Chief People Officer Marbeth Ingle Levy, who shared a personal story of her own.

“My son asked me a very innocent question:  Mom, why didn't those people just wait in line to get into the Capitol Building?  (We have been there twice within 3 months before the pandemic, so he is very aware of the process of how to get in, heavy security, and why people want to visit.) How do you even tell your kids what this was all about and assure them that those people are not in charge now?  I am still trying to use this as a teaching moment but I need to be taught myself! 

… I am grateful to work with you all as you are the front lines in helping our students and clients learn, grow, and process with all their level of abilities which ultimately helps their families and community. I continue to challenge myself to focus and do positive things right now, and YOU all continue to be the positive while working. This is work-life balance like no one has ever done before, but just know YOU ARE SEEN, YOU ARE HEARD and YOU ARE SUPPORTED. We at all levels are here for you. 

We are #ONEPHILLIPS.” 

Annual Campaign Success

Our 2020 Annual Campaign was more important than ever because the pandemic forced us to cancel our Spring Gala fundraiser. PHILLIPS supporters stepped up when we needed them most, contributing over $52,000, more than twice as much as in 2019. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this Annual Campaign a great success.

Mary Ajetunmobi
James Alder
Gail Green Anderson
Martin Anderson
Pamela Baxter
Kevin Boyce
Roberta Bren
Leslie Brent
Kimberly Brooke
Joe Burke
Melissa Panagides Busch
Cross Country Consulting
Roderick & Emily Carmody
Phil & Piper Phillips Caswell
Gloria & William Cherkasky
Mike Condro
Valerie Dennis
DJMM LLC
Dublinske Family Fund
Alice Egan
Adam Eldert (Alphasights, Ltd)
J Ezell
Fairfax Civitan Club
Chloe Ferogh
Amy Findley

Karen Gahm
Joy Getzenberg
Jolie Golomb
Chad Gordon
Maria-Patricia & Michael Herbert
William R & Miriam Heyer Foundation
Ann Ginsburgh Hofkin
Martin & Deborah Hobson
Jenny & Dan Irvine
Elena James
Brad Johnson
Frank Kargbo
Claudia Kern
Ned Korman
Krishnan Family Charitable Fund
Robert LaCroix
Stephanie LaCroix
Desiree Lawley
Randy & Aphy Lennon
Chris Leibner
Erik Linn
Richard & Patricia Linn
Stephen Masten
Eric Meyers
George Napier

Rodney North
Michael Paley & Anna Lucca
Jerry B. Partlow
Sarah Pearson
David Perry
Matthew Phillips
Stephanie Preston
Lynn & Kurt Pritchard
Marc & Anne Rafal
Renaissance Charitable Foundation - Kenneth & Fran Mauer
Robert & Judith Rexrode
Linda Washington-Robinson
Richard Rose
Robert Salerno
Dr. Sally A. Sibley
Carol Skiba
Sharon Stenmark
Lillian St Laurent
United Way of Greater Atlanta
Ramon Vega
Marianne & Robert Werth
Jon Wiener
Dave & Pat Williams
David White

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PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families
7010 Braddock Rd | Annandale, Virginia 22003
703-941-8810 | piper.phillips@phillipsprograms.org

PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families is a private, non-profit organization serving the complex needs of children and youth living with cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral challenges in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Through excellence in specialized education, community programs and individualized support services, we provide our children and families every advantage to ensure they develop to achieve their greatest individual success. Their potential is our commitment.