February 4, 2009

Next Issue: February 18

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, February 11

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

Community Dialogues Scheduled to Discuss Possible Changes to School Start and Dismissal Times; Online Survey to Be Posted Next Week

In response to a report from its Transportation Task Force, the School Board is discussing the possibility of changing school start and dismissal times, beginning with the 2009-10 school year. Seven community dialogue meetings will be held during the last week in February for families and community members to share their thoughts about the possible changes. Also, an online survey will go live next week. (get details)

Compacted MathSpotlight: Compacted Math at Sangster Elementary

Learn how Sangster Elementary is raising the bar and challenging students to advance to higher levels by using compacted math. (watch video)

Plans Begin to Emerge for Summer School 2009

While many details for summer school 2009 are still in discussion, the special education extended school year (ESY) program has announced dates and information for teachers and related service providers who are interested in participating in the summer program. (get details)

People on the Move

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

Winter WebStar Winners Announced

WebStar WinnersThe winter winners of the new FCPS WebStar Awards (previously the Best Practices Awards) have been announced. (get details)

Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council and Office Personnel Advisory Council to Hold Elections, Nominations Due March 6, 13

The Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council (SSEAC) will hold an election March 30 through April 1 to fill two-year term representative vacancies. The deadline for nominations is March 6. In addition, an election will be held in April for school-based office personnel to join the Office Personnel Advisory Council (OPAC). The nomination deadline is March 13.
(get details: SSEAC | OPAC)

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

  • Superintendent Jack D. Dale has proposed a school system budget of $2.2 billion for FY 2010.
    (get details)

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

  • 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)

  • The web site listing summer curriculum development projects from the Instructional Services Department and the Department of Special Services is now available. The deadline to apply is February 13.
    (get details)

  • 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)

Fairfax County School Board Votes to Change Weighting, Grading Scale

The Fairfax County School Board has voted to increase the grade point weight for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment college, and honors courses and has directed Superintendent Jack D. Dale to recommend "variants on a basic ten-point grading scale with pluses and minuses" for implementation at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year. (get details | press release)

Understanding Your 2008 W-2 Form

2008 W-2 forms were mailed to each employee’s home address on January 21. The Office of Payroll Management has provided some information to help you interpret your W-2 when it arrives. (get details)

Communications Corner: Inclement Weather Closing Decisions

Inclement Weather ClosingsDo you know how FCPS administrators make the decision to delay or close schools during inclement weather and how the decision is communicated to staff members, parents, and students? If not, learn more in this short video.

Employee Assistance Program Available to FCPS Staff Members

The employee assistance program (EAP) is a service available to FCPS staff members in need of help with personal and/or family problems. The program provides short-term confidential counseling and makes referrals (as appropriate) to outside providers, community resources, and support groups. (get details)

Reading Recovery Training Offered for Fall 2009, Information Meetings Scheduled for March 2, 9

Reading Recovery is a short-term, early intervention of one-on-one tutoring for low-achieving first grade students. Training is available for teachers with successful literacy experience at the primary level who can devote two and one-half hours each day to individual instruction. Information meetings will be held on March 2 from 3 to 4 p.m. and March 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Lacey Instructional Center for interested applicants.
(get details)

Books 24x7 Featured Title—Self- Confidence Tips You Can Practice Today!

Self Confidence TipsHelping you to recognize where you shine and where you don't, this handy guide will show you how to find opportunity in adversity, find confidence in the face of uncertainty and have a greater impact on others. (get details)

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. Or, to view any of this week's stories, go to the Insight 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


High Schools with Journalism Award WinnersThe number of FCPS high schools to have students named National Gold Key award winners by Quill and Scroll, the International Honor Society of High School Journalists. (get details)

Quote to Note

"To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; to be credible, we must be truthful."

Edward R. Murrow