October 19, 2011

Next Issue: November 2

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, October 26

Thank you for working to provide a quality education for all children in FCPS.

FCPS Posts Graduation Rate of 91.4 Percent for Class of 2011

Graduation rates released by the Virginia Department of Education show that 91.4 percent of FCPS students from the class of 2011 graduated on time. This figure exceeds the state average of 86.6 percent by 4.8 percentage points and is up slightly from 91.2 percent for the class of 2010. (get details)

Redesigned FCPS Website Is Now Live

FCPS has launched a completely redesigned school system website. There are several changes in the new site that have improved navigation and make the site more user-friendly. (get details)

Energy Efficient ConstructionSpotlight: Jay McClain, Director of Cluster III

Watch this SchoolScene video to get to know Jay McClain, director of Cluster III. (watch video)

FOCUS Set to Launch on November 7

Final preparations are underway for implementation of phase I of the Fairfax County Unified System (FOCUS) on November 7. Project team members are executing final testing, and pre-launch training will end in three weeks. Post-launch training will be available for new employees and for current employees who missed completing a course(s) or who have new responsibilities. (get details)

Melanie Crosby Hardy Named News Liaison of the Month for September

Melanie Crosby Hardy, parent liaison at Lane and Laurel Hill Elementary Schools, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for September by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). This recognition program rewards school news liaisons for submitting newsworthy media tips and creative photographs. (get details)

eLearnIT Featured Course—The Voice of Leadership: Effective Leadership Communication Strategies

eLearnITHow effectively leaders share vision and plans, delegate, coach, and motivate people depends on how well they can adapt their communication styles to suit particular situations. Learn how to communicate effectively so that you increase the overall success of your team by taking this eLearnIT course. (get details)

Free Financial Seminar—Identity Theft—Set for November 7 at Gatehouse

Apple Federal Credit Union is sponsoring a free financial education seminar—Identity Theft—for FCPS employees on Monday, November 7, noon to 1 p.m., at Gatehouse Administration Center. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

George Mason Graduate Certificate in Data-Driven Decision Making Planned; Information Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, November 17

The Educational Psychology Program at George Mason University, in collaboration with FCPS, will be offering a graduate certificate program in Data-Driven Decision Making. An information meeting about the program will be held on Thursday, November 17, at Gatehouse Administration Center from 5 to 6 p.m. (get details)

FCPS Online Classifieds System Free for Employees

Online ClassifiedsThe FCPS Online Classifieds system is a free way for employees to post ads for personally owned items that they are seeking to buy, sell, rent, or give away, to find a roommate, or to share a ride to work. (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

FCPS Policy Statements

Be sure to read the FCPS policy statements on nondiscrimination, complying with the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act, sexual harassment, and guidelines on religious accommodations. (get details)

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • A school bond referendum will be on the general election ballot Tuesday, November 8. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents of Fairfax County may vote if they are 18 years or older on Election Day and have registered to vote 21 days prior to the election (by October 17, at 5 p.m.).
    (get details)

  • Currently, benefit deductions are taken each pay period over an employee’s contract length. Effective January 2012, certain benefit deductions will be taken over 10 months for all employees. Because of this change, 11- and 12-month employees will see adjustments to their benefit deduction amounts. (get details)

  • The Department of Professional Learning and Accountability is seeking additional coaches for the elementary and secondary Great Beginnings programs for the 2011-12 school year. The deadline to apply is October 21. (get details)

  • The 2011 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (R.A.T.E.) Conference, which focuses on strategies for using assistive technology to enhance learning for all students, especially for those with special needs, will be held on Saturday, October 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Rachel Carson Middle School. The deadline to register is October 21. (get details)

  • On Monday, October 17, FCPS launched a new online process for scheduling events in FCPS buildings. (get details)

  • George Mason University, in partnership with FCPS, will be offering an Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate program in spring 2012. An information meeting about the program will be held on Monday, November 7, at Gatehouse Administration Center, from 5 to 6 p.m. (get details)

  • Family and School Partnerships, part of the Department of Communications and Community Outreach, is holding workshops for those who supervise or work with their school volunteer programs or parent centers. The next workshop will be held on November 8 at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services. (get details)

  • FCPS, with the generous support of Apple Federal Credit Union, published the first annual State of the Schools Report in the September 28 edition of the Connection Newspapers. The report was included in the print versions, and an electronic version is available as well. (get details) 

Benefits Open Enrollment Ends October 28; Final Open House to Be Held October 27 at Gatehouse Administration Center

This year's benefits open enrollment period ends on Friday, October 28. The final benefits open house will be held on October 27 at Gatehouse Administration Center for employees who have questions about their benefits choices. (get details)

Communications Corner: Creating Successful Relationships With Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher ConferencesParent-teacher conferences are an important tool for establishing positive relationships with parents. Conferences can help build a reputation for your school as one that cares for students and addresses parents concerns. The Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO) maintains tip sheets on FCPSnet to help you organize your parent-teacher conferences and make them successful. (get details)

Mount Vernon High, Whitman Middle Receive DoDEA Grant for STEM Education

Mount Vernon High School and Whitman Middle School are the recipients of a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. (get details)

Office of Equity and Compliance Offers Mediation Opportunities

Do you have a conflict with a coworker? Or maybe with a supervisor? Are you having difficulty communicating and it is affecting your productivity? If you answered yes, did you know that the Department of Human Resources’ Office of Equity and Compliance offers free mediation services to help resolve disputes? (get details)

Understanding Substance Abuse Seminar to Be Held October 26

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides assistance to help principals and program managers in the early identification of employees with problems that may be contributing to deteriorating job performance. To assist in identification of employees that may have a substance abuse disorder, a seminar will be held on October 26 at Gatehouse Administration Center, from 4:45 to 6 p.m. (get details)

Fall Web Curator Conference to Be Held November 8 at Gatehouse

The FCPS web curator user group is an informal group of school-based and office web publishers. The annual fall Web Curators Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 8, at Gatehouse Administration Center.
(get details)

Savings for Staff: A New Discount Program for FCPS Employees and Retirees

Savings for StaffFCPS is pleased to be able to offer all of its employees and retirees a wide range of discounts and deals on merchandise and services from local and national vendors through the new Savings for Staff program. This program includes discounts on purchases such as apartment rentals, health club memberships, and technology, as well as restaurants, theme park tickets, and a number of other great savings. (get details)

Deadline to Submit Apple Federal Credit Union Teacher Grant Proposals Is December 16

The Department of Professional Learning and Accountability is excited to announce that the Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation has provided funding for 2011-12 school year teacher grants. This opportunity provides additional resources for teachers and teacher teams to continue to maintain the highest level of instruction, creativity, and support for students in the classroom. (get details)

People on the Move

Learn who has been promoted, recently hired, or transferred to a new location. (get details)

Nominations Now Open for FCPS Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards

Fairfax County Public Schools sponsors several employee award programs to celebrate excellence among employees and to recognize contributions that promote student success. Consider nominating a teacher or principal who goes above and beyond and deserves recognition for their outstanding work.
(get details)

SchoolSceneThis Week's Insight

To view a promotional clip from this week's show, click here. Some of this week's stories include:

Important Notice for Supergram Article Submissions

Article submissions for Supergram should be sent to Andy Grunig at andy.grunig@fcps.edu. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, Grunig can be reached at 571-423-1212. Please Note: The Career Quest (formerly Job Opportunities) publication and web pages are provided by the Department of Human Resources.

FCPS by the NumbersNumber of Students Named to Honors Choir

The number of FCPS students to be named to the Virginia Honors Choir for 2011. (get details)

Quote to Note

"Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get."

Ray Kroc