Posted on March 21, 2012

Information For Educators

TMPC to Close During Spring Break

Spring Break is coming soon and with it will come a significant change in operating hours at the Sprague Technology Center’s Teaching Materials Preparation Center (TMPC).

The TMPC will cease operations for Spring Break at the close of business on Wednesday, March 28. The facility is undergoing asbestos removal and having new carpet installed during Spring Break. For this event all equipment is being disconnected and removed from the space. The TMPC will remain closed until Monday, April 9, when regular working hours will resume.

Regular hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call the TMPC at 703-503-7430 with any questions.

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Twenty-First Annual Teacher Researcher Conference to Be Held May 24 at George Mason University, Proposal Deadline Is April 10

FCPS will be holding the 21st Annual Teacher Researcher Conference on Thursday, May 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at George Mason University. Teacher Research: Professional Inquiry is a systematic and intentional study of one’s own professional practice through site-based action research in order to effect change. 

Staff members develop research questions about their teaching and learning within their classrooms/grade levels/departments; collect, analyze, and interpret data; and then share with the educational community. 

The Office of Professional Practice, Department of Professional Learning and Accountability, is now accepting proposals for presentations, workshops, round tables, and poster sessions. Proposals are encouraged from all FCPS staff, teachers, administrators, as well as from non-FCPS staff. This is an opportunity for schools, teams, and individuals to share their professional inquiry and action research; and to show how Best Practices for Teaching and Learning are present in their practice. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 10.

For more information, including the 2011 conference program, or to register, go to http://www.fcps.edu/pla/opp/tr/index.shtml. The registration deadline is April 30.

If you plan to attend or need additional information about the conference, send an e-mail to Patty Dimetres, Department of Professional Learning and Accountability, at patricia.dimetres@fcps.edu.

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Applications Due April 13 for 2012-13 Great Beginnings Coaches

The Department of Professional Learning and Accountability (PLA) is seeking coaches for the elementary and secondary Great Beginnings Programs for the 2012-13 school year. Current classroom teachers who have an interest in supporting beginning teachers should consider applying. All Great Beginnings coaches receive a stipend of approximately $3,400, as well as recertification points for licensure renewal. Applicants should possess the following:

  • A minimum of five years of successful teaching experience, with at least three of those years being in FCPS.
  • Extensive knowledge of curriculum and instruction, the FCPS Best Practices for Teaching and Learning, Professional Learning Communities and effective classroom management skills.
  • A strong desire to work with beginning teachers to support their growth and learning in the profession.
  • Strong communication and human relations skills.
  • A commitment to collaboration and teamwork.

Interested applicants must be available two days per month for professional development and after-school seminars during the school year. Applicants must also be available August 13-17 for Coach Professional Development and August 20-24 for the Great Beginnings: The Next Generation Summer Institute. The application, a current resumé, a principal recommendation, a colleague recommendation, and an interview are required.

Application packets are available at http://www.fcps.edu/pla/opp/great_begin/index.shtml. All applications with the principal recommendation and colleague recommendation must be received by Friday, April 13.

For more information, call 571-423-1340.

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Free George Mason University Introduction to Special Education Classes to Be Offered Online

The FCPS Department of Special Services, in collaboration with George Mason University (GMU), is offering free online Introduction to Special Education courses from April 2012 through January 2013. The GMU graduate level course dates vary throughout the year. Content for this course covers the legal foundations in special education and the characteristics of students with disabilities. This course meets Virginia Department of Education requirements for the required course for provisional licensure in special education. 

Priority participation is provided to FCPS general education teachers who are interested in learning more about students with disabilities and those teachers who participated in the Delivering Instruction to Diverse Learners classes offered at varied schools. The course will also meet the needs of provisionally licensed special education teachers and instructional assistants who are in need of initial special education licensure coursework.

For further course information and registration procedures, contact Nicki Conners at naconners@fcps.edu.

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Transitioning to Retirement? Fairfax CASA Seeks Volunteers to Speak Up for Children in Court

A new case of child abuse or neglect enters the Fairfax County Domestic and Juvenile Relations Court system once every 38 hours. These children need caring advocates to help ensure that they grow up in safe and permanent homes.

Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) trains citizen volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court system. All CASA volunteers undergo extensive training; no prior experience in child welfare or the law is required. 

The most successful volunteers are oftentimes educators who bring the skills and the experience needed to build rapport with families and professionals, and to advocate forcefully for the needs of a child. The role is a great fit for retired educators who have the time to devote to this challenging and rewarding opportunity.

If you are transitioning to retirement, and if you seek a volunteer role with real purpose that can create real change, visit www.SpeakForTheChildren.org, or contact Elisa Kosarin, recruitment and training Manager, at 703-273-3526, x22, or ekosarin@casafairfax.org.

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2012 Very Important Paraprofessionals Conference to Be Held April 9 at Hayfield Secondary, Registration Closes March 23

All FCPS paraprofessionals are invited to attend the 2012 Very Important Paraprofessionals (VIP) Conference at Hayfield Secondary School on the teacher workday on Monday, April 9, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participation is voluntary.

The annual VIP Conference provides varied professional development workshops on wide-ranging topics for preK-12 paraprofessionals including instructional assistants (IAs), public health attendants (PHAs), kindergarten assistants, and public health teaching assistants (PHTAs).

Registration for the VIP Conference workshops is now open on MyPLT. Registration for the conference closes on Friday, March 23.  

For more information about the conference, including the registration process, go to http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/ssse/vip/spring/. Contact Nicki Conners at nicole.conners@fcps.edu with any further questions.

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Data-Driven Decision Making Graduate Certificate Program to Be Offered in Fall 2012, Information Meeting Scheduled for March 26

The Educational Psychology Program at George Mason University (GMU), in collaboration with FCPS, will be offering a graduate certificate program in Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) in fall 2012. There will not be a cohort structure for these courses and courses will be offered on GMU’s campus.

This twelve-hour graduate certificate program is designed to increase local school districts’ and schools’ capacity to use data-driven decision-making to support continuous improvement at all levels to include:

  • education leaders’ skill development in the identification, collection, analysis and use of results for decision-making in context of long-term student achievement.
  • interpretation and use of assessment date ( for instructional purposes).
  • the development and application of formative assessments for self-selected areas of instruction.
  • skills in the reporting of assessment results to pertinent stakeholders; and 5) use of appropriate evaluation methods for DDDM.

A representative from George Mason University will provide information about the program at a meeting on Monday, March 26, at Gatehouse Administration Center from 5 to 6 p.m. in room 3050/3051.

For more information, contact Nicki Conners at nicole.conners@fcps.edu.  

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Fairfax County Park Authority Rec-PAC Open Hire Sessions Continue

Looking for a fun and exciting summer job? The Fairfax County Park Authority Rec-PAC Program is looking to hire its 2012 summer staff. Rec-PAC will have programs in 50 Fairfax County public schools. To be considered for employment, interested candidates will need to attend one of the following Open Hire sessions:

Date

Time

Location

Address

April 11

5 to 8 p.m.

Mount Eagle Elementary

6116 North Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22303

May 22

Noon to 4:30 p.m.

Fairfax County Park Authority

12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, VA 22035

May 31

Noon to 4:30 p.m.

Fairfax County Park Authority

12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, VA 22035

Interested candidates will need to bring a social security card, driver’s license, and bank information to be considered for employment. 

For more information, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/employment/summercampjobs.htm, or contact the Rec-PAC office at RecPAC@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

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Deadline to Apply for Accelerated Certification Cohort Program Is March 23

The Office of Leadership Development will sponsor an Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) program in collaboration with the University of Virginia beginning in May 2012. The one-year program features a core curriculum based on Fairfax County Leadership Standards and includes experiential learning, the development of strategies for leading people, and leading learning. Applicants must be currently employed by Fairfax County Public Schools and have a minimum of five years teaching experience, with at least three of those years teaching within FCPS.

The Accelerated Certification Cohort program provides each participant with an administrative endorsement upon completion, without financial cost to participants. All applicants must hold a master's degree in an educational field, but without an administrative endorsement. Interested individuals cannot be currently enrolled in an administrative certification program.

Interested applicants should submit all required materials—as described at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/pla/old/adm_prep/acc.shtml—to Larry Burke, director of the Office of Leadership Development, Fairfax Ridge, no later than March 23.

For more information, contact Tori Escott in the Office of Leadership Development at 571-423-1360, or visit the PLA website at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/pla/.

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K-12 Administrative Internship Applications Due March 23

As part of the LEAD Fairfax initiative for aspiring administrators, administrative internships will be available for the 2012-13 school year. Interns will participate in standards-based leadership training, experiential learning, and professional development. Internships are for one year. 

To qualify, an applicant must currently be employed with Fairfax County Public Schools and have a minimum of five years' teaching experience, with at least three years of teaching experience in FCPS. Applicants must possess a VDOE license in school administration. 

An interested applicant should submit a resumé with a cover letter indicating their interest, a copy of their Virginia teaching and administrative license, and level preference (elementary and/or secondary) to Larry Burke, director of the Office of Leadership Development, Department of Professional Learning and Accountability, Fairfax Ridge, no later than noon on March 23.

For more information, contact Maureen Portch in the Office of Leadership Development at 571-423-1362 or visit the PLA website at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/pla/old/leadership.shtml.

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Proposal Deadline for Academic Diversity Institute 2012 Is April 13

What makes you successful with your students? Do you and your colleagues employ strategies that promote 21st century skills for all students? The Academic Diversity Institute is seeking proposals for the 2012 conference Reaching All: Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century. This event brings together teachers, school administrators, curriculum specialists, and other FCPS staff to share and promote practices that foster academic achievement. Presentation proposals should address how teachers and schools can meet the needs of diverse learners and support one of the following:

  • Creating a college-ready culture for all students.
  • Increasing differentiation and academic rigor for all students.
  • Using research-based best practices in instruction and/or assessment.
  • Building capacity within Professional Learning Communities to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Successful proposals focus on specific strategies for fostering school success among diverse populations such as with English learners (ELs), students with disabilities, and students receiving advanced academic services, but are not limited to these areas. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 13. This year’s institute will be held on August 15 at Hayfield Secondary School. The Academic Diversity Institute Committee will review all proposals and select presentations.

The proposal form, as well as more information, can be found at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/is/summeroflearning/diversity.htm.

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Reading Recovery Training to Be Offered in Fall 2012, Final Information Meeting Scheduled for March 26

Reading Recovery is a short-term early intervention of one-on-one tutoring for low-achieving first grade students. Training is available for teachers in Title I and non-Title I schools with successful literacy experience at the primary level who can devote two and one-half hours each day to individual instruction. A recommendation by the principal is required.

Interested applicants and/or administrators may attend a Reading Recovery information session on March 26, from 4 to 5 p.m., at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, in the reading recovery room, #216.

To receive an application, register for either session, or for more information, send an e-mail to Amy Reznick at ASReznick@fcps.edu. Applications must be submitted by April 20.

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