May 2, 2012

Next Issue: May 16

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, May 9

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

Fairfax County School Board Approves South County Middle School as Name for New School

The Fairfax County School Board voted to name the new middle school at the south county site South County Middle School. The school, which is adjacent to the current South County Secondary School, will open in September 2012. That school’s name will become South County High School. (get details)

New Bell Schedule Released for 2012-13 School Year

FCPS has released the bell schedule for the 2012-13 school year, with many schools starting at new times due to the anticipated addition of 4,000 students to the school system, the opening of two new schools, and the move of Graham Road Elementary School students to a new facility. (get details)

Bryant Winter GraduationSpotlight: Robyn Cochran, 2012 FCPS Principal of the Year

Watch this SchoolScene video to see the surprise award announcement for Robyn Cochran, 2012 FCPS Principal of the Year from Dogwood Elementary.
(watch video)

FCPS Invites County Residents to Blog About Facilities Needs

The Fairfax County Public Schools Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) is hosting an interactive blog and invites all Fairfax County residents to join this online discussion about long-term goals for FCPS facilities. The blog will be available for citizens to post comments until the end of June. (get details)

May 18 Is New Application Deadline 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 by the new deadline of May 18. (get details)

New Service Recognition Program Features Gifts From Lands' End

To show appreciation for those who have dedicated their careers to serving FCPS, the Department of Human Resources has revamped the Service Awards program. Service will now be recognized in 10-year increments, or “decade clubs.” For example, on their 20th FCPS anniversary, employees will receive a new lanyard and badge displaying their induction into the “20-year Club,” and have the opportunity to choose a gift from the newly-created online FCPS Service store, provided through Lands’ End. (get details)

Tips for Your Health: Walking Your Way to a Healthier Life

WalkingWalking is the simplest, most accessible form of exercise and it may also be the best thing you can do each day to improve and maintain health and well-being throughout life. However, you have to leave time in your busy schedule to follow a walking program that will work for you. To start, check out these tips for planning your walking program, courtesy of HR Wellness. (get details)

People on the Move

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

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • The Fairfax County School Board has voted to change the last day of the 2011-12 school year to Friday, June 15, which will be a full day. The School Board decided to release students from school on June 18 and 19—which will be designated as teacher workdays—because FCPS has only used one of three scheduled makeup days this school year.
    (get details)

  • This year's Transfair will be held May 8-9 at Lee and Centreville High Schools. A vacancy list is now posted on UConnect. (get details)

  • Charlie Fontz, librarian at Rocky Run Middle School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for March 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)

  • Apple Federal Credit Union is sponsoring a free financial education seminar, The Golden Years: Planning for Retirement, for FCPS employees on Wednesday, May 16, noon to 1 p.m., at Gatehouse Administration Center. (get details)

  • The spring winners of the FCPS WebStar Award have been announced. (get details)

  • Leonard Bumbaca, math teacher at Annandale High School, will serve as a trustee of the Educational Employees’ Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) beginning July 1. (get details)

  • The FCPS Summer Academy catalog will be available online beginning May 16. Online registration will be available beginning May 29 at 4 p.m. (get details)

Gail Kinsey Named Virginia's 2012 National Distinguished Principal

Gail Kinsey, principal of Fairfax Villa Elementary School, has been selected as Virginia’s 2012 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Kinsey was nominated and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals. (get details) 

FCPS to Receive Grant Funds from VDOE for STEM Training for Teachers

Fairfax County Public Schools has received grant funding from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) that will be used to fund in-service training for teachers to enhance their content knowledge and classroom skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). (get details)

eLearnIT Featured Course—The Value of Peer Relationships

eLearnITPositive interpersonal professional relationships play a key role in determining individual and organizational success. Because of this, they are an important influence on strategic decision making. The unique character of each relationship in an organization may influence the entire group. This hour-long course examines the benefits of positive peer relationships and also explores how individuals can cultivate peer relationships that can make an organization more collaborative and competitive.
(get details)

Teacher Evaluation Task Force Update

The May newsletter, Conversations—Teacher Evaluations, is now available on the evaluation task force website with information about key elements and matrices for standards 1-6 and the new performance ratings. Teachers are encouraged to visit the site often and to send any questions about the new process to HRQuestions@fcps.edu.

Spring Retirement Ceremony to Be Held June 20, RSVP Deadline Is May 11

We Honor YouThe spring retirement ceremony, We Honor You—Celebrating Your Service to FCPS, will be held on June 20 at 6 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School. The deadline for retirees to RSVP for the ceremony is May 11. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

Recently Updated School Board Directives Posted Online

Recent changes and additions to directives that have been made effective within the last 45 days can be found online. (get details)

April State of the Schools Report: Visual and Performing Arts

April 2012 State of the SchoolsTake a look at the latest issue of the State of the Schools Report, which appeared in the Connection Newspapers the last week in April. Discover how students explore the fine and performing arts beginning in elementary school all the way through high school. Art, music, photography, computer graphics, dance, orchestra, theater, band, and many more courses provide students with critical thinking and problem solving skills they will need in the future. 

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

InsightThis Week's Insight

To view a promotional clip from this week's show, click here. (Due to a new file format for FCPS videostreams, either QuickTime or Windows Media Player is required to view the videos listed below, depending on your computer settings.) Some of this week's stories include:

Note: All of these stories have also been posted on the FCPS YouTube Channel.

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 Numbers2012 National Merit Scholarship Winners

The number of FCPS students who have won corporate-sponsored scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. (get details)

Quote to Note

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances."

Martha Washington