Volunteer VGLA Scorers Wanted

Elementary and middle school educators with content expertise and experience collecting Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) evidence are encouraged to apply to be volunteer 2009 VGLA scorers. Information on available VGLA scoring opportunities is now available at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/is/VGLAscoring/.  

Mathematics is a critical-need area for scoring. Those with experience teaching mathematics content in grades 3-8 are urged to apply to score mathematics binders. Substitutes will be provided to allow selected individuals to attend a half-day training in April and two full days of scoring in May. Exact dates and times for training and scoring depend on the grade level and subject area selected and will be published as part of the application process. Selection will be based on experience with grade-level content and/or collaboration in collection of VGLA evidence.

Take advantage of this opportunity to use your content expertise and support the VGLA process in FCPS. Applications are due by March 9.

For more information, contact Alnita Baldon at Alnita.Baldon@fcps.edu.

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Samantha Hill Named News Liaison of the Month for January

Samantha Hill, marketing teacher at Woodson High School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for January by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). This new recognition program rewards school news liaisons for submitting newsworthy media tips and creative photographs. Hill submitted news about a fellow teacher who was recognized with a state-level award and news about a visit to the Woodson High Gourmet Foods class by a former White House chef.

Hill also submitted two photos that were used on the FCPS home page in January—one featuring driver education students who received recognition from the Virginia Department of Health for participating in Virginia’s Buckle-Up Challenge and one that featured Future Business Leaders of America members attending a national leadership conference. Hill, who has been employed by FCPS for five years and at Woodson for three years, received a $25 gift card from Starbucks for being named January’s News Liaison of the Month.

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Pathways to Leadership Conference Set for March 10, Online Registration Ends February 20

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.

General session speakers will include Jack Dale, Division Superintendent; Terri Breeden, assistant superintendent, Department of Professional Learning and Training; and Nardos King, principal, Mount Vernon High School. During concurrent sessions, information concerning the LEAD Fairfax Administrative Intern program, the LEAD Fairfax Accelerated Certification Cohort, Instructional Coaching, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and the Assistant Principal Portfolio program will be presented along with other programs provided by the department.

Participants should register for the general session as well as two concurrent sessions. To register, log on to My PLT at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/plt/MyPLT/index.html between February 9 and February 20.

For more information, contact Stephanie Hicks at 703-204-4087 or Stephanie.Hicks@fcps.edu.

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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.

ESY learning community programs will be offered in July and early August. Extended contracts will be available at all grade levels. Those interested are encouraged to apply online. A list of positions and online interest forms is available at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/ssse/SpecialEducation/summerservices/application.htm. 

Positions will be open until filled, with preference given to qualified applicants who apply prior to February 20.

Information about school-based summer school programs, including credit recovery, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), SOL testing, and remediation courses; online campus courses; and test-only classes for FCPS term graduates will be available soon.

For more information about extended school year contracts, contact Mary Ann Panarelli at maryann.panarelli@fcps.edu or 571-423-4190. Note: ESY contracts are contingent upon student enrollment.

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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. Recommendation by the principal is required. Priority will be given to Title I schools. Applications may be obtained by calling 703-846-8635. Applications must be submitted by April 17.

Interested applicants and/or administrators may want to attend a Reading Recovery Awareness session on March 2 from 3 to 4 p.m. or March 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Lacey Instructional Center.

To register for either session, or for more information, call the Title I office at 703-846-8635. 

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School-Based Representatives Needed for Office Personnel Advisory Council, Deadline for Nominations Is March 13

An election will be held in April for school-based office personnel to join the Office Personnel Advisory Council (OPAC). Five representatives will be elected from each of the eight clusters for two-year terms from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011. (It is preferred to have at least one representative from each school level: elementary, middle, and high school). 

A school-based office employee (clerical, office assistant, administrative assistant, finance technician, SASI, SIA) can nominate him- or herself or another school-based office employee who accepts the nomination. OPAC meets September through May on the third Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. until approximately 10 a.m. at Gatehouse Administration Center I. 

Nomination forms are available at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/supt/opac/index.htm and should be returned to Gladys Hatchl at Stuart High School no later than March 13. For more information, send an e-mail to gladys.hatchl@fcps.edu.

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

Nominations are now open for the Nancy F. Sprague First-Year Administrator Award and the 2009 FCPS Outstanding First-Year Teacher Award.

The Outstanding First-Year Teacher Award recognizes outstanding performance during the first year of teaching. Principals may nominate teachers who have begun their teaching careers on or after January 1, 2008. The nomination form and instructions are available at http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awards/fytoy.htm.

The Nancy F. Sprague First-Year Administrator Award recognizes exemplary performance during the first year of principalship. Any FCPS employee or community member may nominate a first-year principal for this award; for more information go to http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awards/fypoy.htm. The deadline for both awards is March 13.

Nominations also remain open for the Support Employee of the Year Award until Friday, February 27. The nomination form and instructions are available online at http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awards/seoy.htm.

For more information, contact Shannon Watson at 571-423-3278.

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