September 5, 2012

Next Issue: September 19

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, September 12

Welcome Back!

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

Dr. DaleDr. Jack Dale's 2012-13 Back-to-School Message

Superintendent Jack Dale has a special message for FCPS employees as the 2012-13 school year begins, his last as superintendent. (watch video)


FCPS to Keep EpiPens® in All Schools

Epinephrine auto-injectors, also known as EpiPens®, will be in all Fairfax County public schools when the 2012-13 school year begins, as required by legislation passed earlier this year by the Virginia General Assembly. The new law requires all public schools to establish policies to acquire and administer epinephrine to any student experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. (get details)

Spotlight: 2012 Leadership Conference

2012 Leadership ConferenceCheck out this SchoolScene video to see highlights of this year's Leadership Conference, including Dr. Dale's final address to FCPS administrators and author Tony Gray's keynote speech.
(watch video)

Teachers—Have You Completed the Teacher Evaluation Standards Course?

In June, the first module of training on the new teacher evaluation system was released to teachers and administrators. This module focuses on an overview of the teacher evaluation standards. The overview lasts approximately 15 minutes and needs to be completed by every teacher and administrator by the end of September. (get details)

Walgreens to Rejoin the Express Scripts, Inc. Network

Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) and Walgreens have signed a multi-year agreement restoring Walgreens as a participating network pharmacy. Beginning September 15, ESI members will be able to fill their retail prescriptions at any participating Walgreens pharmacy. (get details)

Want to Learn New Skills at Your Own Pace? Try eLearnIT! eLearnIT

The Department of Information Technology’s eLearnIT program provides, via the Internet, skills development training that is available free of charge to any employee of Fairfax County Public Schools.
(get details)

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Information Meetings Start September 25

Several information meetings on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process will be held this year at Fairfax Ridge starting on September 25. (get details)

Register Now for Fall 2012 Adult and Community Education Classes

Fall 2012 ACE ClassesRegistration is under way for fall 2012 classes offered by Adult and Community Education (ACE). Course offerings may be viewed at www.fcps.edu/is/ace, and classes may be registered for online. The course catalog, ACE Classes, has been mailed to residents and is also available at Fairfax County public libraries and at the Plum Center. As an FCPS employee, you are eligible to receive a 25 percent tuition discount on many ACE classes. (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

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

  • Open enrollment—the time of year when employees can sign up for or make changes to their benefits for the next calendar year—is almost here. This year, open enrollment will be October 4 to November 2. Plan to take care of your benefits elections (including dependent coverage changes and flexible spending account enrollment) at a benefits open house. (get details)

  • Fairfax County Public Schools will adjust the levels of instruction at the sites of the four secondary alternative learning centers (ALC), effective with the 2012-13 school year, and is also making changes to the Woodson Adult High School program, which will be renamed Fairfax Adult High School.
    (get details)

  • The FCPS Fall Academy catalog is now available online for both viewing and course registration.
    (get details)

  • On Monday, July 30, the Department of Information Technology released an updated version of RequestIT, FCPS’ system for fulfilling technology-related needs. The new version offers enhanced features and performance while continuing to support all current processes. (get details)

  • The Volunteer Learning Program (VLP)—part of the Department of Special Services, Office of Intervention and Prevention, Adult High School Completion— needs volunteers age 21 and over to tutor adults in reading, writing or math skills in order to obtain a high school diploma or GED through FCPS’s Adult High School Completion Programs. (get details)

  • Since 1999, Fairfax County Public Schools has had a program—MentorWorks—to connect caring, responsible adults with students. MentorWorks is currently looking for FCPS employees who want to become mentors. (get details)

South County Middle and Mason Crest Elementary Are Newest FCPS Schools; Graham Road Elementary Opens at New Location

South County Middle School in Lorton and Mason Crest Elementary School in Annandale opened their doors yesterday as the two newest FCPS schools. Marsha Manning is the principal of South County Middle, and Brian Butler is the principal of Mason Crest. Graham Road Elementary School has moved to a new facility located at 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church, VA 22042. In addition, South County Secondary School is now South County High School as a result of the opening of South County Middle School.

FCPS Students Pass Most SOL Tests at High Rate; District Sees Anticipated Drop in Math Scores

Based on preliminary data released by the Virginia Department of Education, FCPS students continue to pass the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests at a high rate in English: Reading, English: Writing, History and Social Science, and Science. In mathematics—as expected with the implementation of new standards and assessments—scores dropped. However, even in mathematics, FCPS pass rates surpassed the state pass rates in every grade level. Notably, FCPS pass rates exceeded state pass rates by 17 points in grade 7 mathematics and by 16 points in grade 8 mathematics. (get details)

Free Seasonal Flu Immunizations Available for Eligible FCPS Employees

Free flu shots are available for eligible FCPS employees at fall site clinics and benefits open enrollment open house events. (get details)

Communications Corner: Back to School Night—Make it a Relationship Builder

Back to School NightBack-to-School Night offers a chance for parents and school staff members to develop important relationships and to set the tone for a successful school year. The Department of Communications and Community Outreach has
tip sheets, templates, and other resources on FCPSnet to help principals, teachers, and others organize this important event.

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

Familygram Is Now My FCPS - Family

My FCPS - FamilyLast week, all staff members and parents were sent the debut issue of My FCPS - Family, a new
e-newsletter that is replacing Familygram. My FCPS - Family will be sent more frequently and with timelier information. Translations will be available in Farsi, Spanish, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. A schedule (subject to change) of when new issues will be posted and when articles are due is available on FCPSnet. (get details)

People on the Move

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

GMU Regional Educational Leadership Program Planned, Information Meeting to Be Held October 1 at Fairfax Ridge

George Mason University (GMU) is offering a regional educational leadership program beginning in summer 2013 in collaboration with Northern Virginia school districts. Representatives from George Mason University will provide information about the program, the application and selection process, coursework, and internship requirements at a meeting on Monday, October 1, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Fairfax Ridge.
(get details)

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 Numbers

Number of FCPS EmployeesThe projected number of FCPS employees for the 2012-13 school year. FCPS is the third largest employer in the state of Virginia, behind only the Department of Defense and Wal-Mart. Over 93 percent of FCPS employees are based in schools.

Quote to Note

"There can't be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full."

Henry Kissinger