January 21, 2009

Next Issue: February 4

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, January 28

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

Superintendent Dale Proposes FY 2010 Budget of $2.2 Billion

Superintendent Jack D. Dale has proposed a school system budget of $2.2 billion for FY 2010, a decrease of $10.3 million, or .5 percent, from the FY 2009 approved budget, while the student population is expected to grow by approximately 5,000. The budget increases class size for general education and the minimum class-size ratio for special education by 0.5 students, provides no salary or cost-of-living increases for employees, reduces many programs and services, and does not include any new programs or program expansions. (get details)

High-Performing Fairfax County Schools Recognized by Governor Kaine and Virginia Board of Education

Thirty-one Fairfax County public schools have earned the 2009 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, and 45 Fairfax County public schools have also been recognized by the state Board of Education for 2009 Board of Education (BOE) Excellence Awards.
(get details)

Global Awareness at Bailey's ElementarySpotlight: Global Awareness Project at Bailey's Elementary

Learn how fifth grade students at Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences used technology as part of their projects on global awareness. (watch video)

Nominations Now Open for Outstanding First-Year Teacher Award and Nancy F. Sprague First-Year Administrator Award

Nominations are now open for the 2009 FCPS Outstanding First-Year Teacher Award and the Nancy F. Sprague First-Year Administrator Award. The deadline for both awards is March 13. (get details)

People on the Move

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

Tips for Your Health: Whole Grains

Whole GrainsGrains are important to a balanced diet because they supply vitamins, minerals, fiber, and energy. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid recommend six servings of grains daily. Today, many Americans eat only one serving per day, and over 30 percent do not eat whole grains at all. To learn which foods are good sources of whole grains, check out this tip sheet from the Office of Food and Nutrition Services. (get details)

Pathways to Leadership Conference Set for March 10, Online Registration Begins February 9

The Department of Professional Learning and Training will host the annual Pathways to Leadership Conference on March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Falls Church High School for instructional employees (teachers, assistant principals, and central office personnel) wanting to explore school-based leadership opportunities. Online registration begins February 9. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (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

  • The Keep in Touch (KIT) messaging system has a new feature. Now you can subscribe to receive information on specific topics you choose.
    (get details)

  • Nominations are now open for the 2009 FCPS Support Employee of the Year Award. This award recognizes one school-based support employee and one nonschool-based support employee. The deadline is February 27. (get details)

  • The spring ACCESS (Academy Course Catalog for Employees in Support Services) course catalog has been posted, and registration is now open online.
    (get details)

  • Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology invites all FCPS educators to attend or present at this year’s Jefferson-Overseas Schools Technology Institute (JOSTI) conference. The deadline to register through MyPLT is March 13.
    (get details)

School Board Discusses Changing School Start Times; Employee Survey to Go Live During First Week of February

The School Board discussed the possibility of changing school start and dismissal times at its work session on Monday, January 12. No decision has been made on changing the bell schedule. However, input from FCPS employees is critical in the decision-making process. As such, an online survey for employees will go live on FCPSnet during the first week of February. (get details)

W-2 Forms to Be Mailed This Week; Important Tax Information

2008 Wage and Tax Statements (IRS Form W-2) will be mailed on January 21 to employees at the addresses that were on file as of December 23, 2008. Also, the Office of Payroll Management has some important tax information. (get details)

Communications Corner: Parenting Tips

Parenting TipsDid you know that the Family and School Partnerships (formerly the Family Services and Involvement Section) web site provides daily parenting tips and monthly newsletters on helping children learn? Good Idea: Using some of the tips on your web site or in your newsletter, linking to them directly from your web site, or making printed copies are great ways to help your parents get information they can use today to help their children become successful in school and in life. For information about how to personalize these resources for your school, contact Ann Ulmschneider at Ann.Ulmschneider@fcps.edu.

Application Deadline for Supporting Success Is February 9

The deadline to apply for Supporting Success, a professional development program for support employees US-19 and below, is February 9. (get details)

Summer Curriculum Development Web Site Available February 2

Summer Curriculum DevelopmentThe web site listing summer curriculum development projects from the Instructional Services Department and the Department of Special Services will be available February 2. The deadline to apply is February 13. (get details)

Russell Nadel Named News Liaison of the Month for December

Russell Nadel, music teacher at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for December by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

SchoolSceneThis Week's "SchoolScene"

To view a promotional clip from this week's show, click here. Or, to view any of this week's stories, go to the SchoolScene web page.

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 Job Opportunities publication and web pages are provided by the Department of Human Resources.

FCPS by the Numbers


NBPTS Certified TeachersThe number of FCPS teachers earning board certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), the highest credential available in the teaching profession, in 2008. (get details)

Quote to Note

"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability."

Henry Ford