March 4, 2009

Next Issue: March 18

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, March 11

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

Fairfax County Executive Proposes Freezing FY 2010 Transfer at FY 2009 Level

Anthony Griffin, Fairfax County executive, has proposed a transfer to Fairfax County Public Schools of $1.627 billion for fiscal year 2010, which is the same level as the fiscal year 2009 transfer. This is a decrease of $56.8 million or 3.5 percent of the transfer request made by Superintendent Jack D. Dale and, if approved, will require the division to make additional cuts. In addition to the impact of the county transfer, FCPS is also analyzing the state budget and the federal stimulus package, both of which will affect FCPS’ final budget decisions.
(get details)

Purple TideSpotlight: Riding the Purple Tide at Chantilly High School

Learn about the award-winning school newspaper at Chantilly High School, the Purple Tide, which combines excellent journalism skills with modern technology. (watch video)

People on the Move

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

Maintaining Confidentiality for Students and Staff Members

All Fairfax County Public Schools employees are reminded to protect confidential information pertaining to students and staff members, especially medical information. (get details)

Brain HealthTips for Your Health: Keeping Your Brain Healthy as You Age

Recent research findings indicate that the brain does not lose the vast amounts of brain cells with aging as was previously thought. What has become quite evident is that retaining high-level brain function as we age has more to do with practicing a healthful lifestyle and reducing risk factors than it does with aging. Learn how to keep your brain healthy in this tip sheet from Camille Bartus, FCPS wellness specialist. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

Moving Discounts for FCPS Employees

Whether you have an entire household of furniture to relocate or you are planning a do-it-yourself move, as an FCPS employee you are eligible for discounts from several moving companies. (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 School Board has set the boundaries for the two new FCPS elementary schools that will open in fall 2009. (get details)

  • 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    .

  • The spring retirement ceremony, We Honor You— Celebrating Your Service to FCPS, will be held April 22 at Robinson Secondary School. The deadline for retirees to RSVP is April 3. (get details)

  • Elementary and middle school educators with content expertise and experience collecting Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) evidence are encouraged to apply to be 2009 VGLA scorers. Applications are due by March 9. (get details)

School Board Declines to Pursue Administrative Office Consolidation Proposal

The Fairfax County School Board has decided not to pursue at this time the acquisition of the BPG building at 8111 Gatehouse Road in Falls Church, which would have completed Fairfax County Public Schools administrative consolidation. (get details)

Advanced Academic and Resource Teacher Recruitment and Information Meeting to Be Held March 25

Are you interested in learning more about becoming an elementary or middle school advanced academic level IV teacher (formerly gifted and talented) or resource teacher? The advanced academic programs office is hosting an information meeting on Wednesday, March 25, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the Lacey Center multipurpose room. (get details)

Be Green: FCPS' Recycling Program

RecyclingFCPS supports recycling. Did you know that all schools and administrative offices are required to recycle paper, cardboard, glass, plastic bottles, metal, and fluorescent light bulbs, and that by doing so FCPS saves money? (get details)

Recently Updated School Board Directives Posted Online

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

LEAD Fairfax to Hold Information Meetings on Accelerated Certification Cohort and K-12 Administrative Internships on March 10, Applications Due March 17

LEAD Fairfax will be holding information meetings on the accelerated certification cohort and K-12 administrative internships for 2009-10 at the Pathways to Leadership Conference on March 10. Applications for both programs are due by March 17. (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.


ERFC Trustee Election Scheduled for May 12-14, Nomination Petitions Due April 17

An electronic election to fill one trustee position of the Educational Employees’ Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) Board of Trustees will be held May 12 through May 14. Nomination petitions are due by April 17. (get details)

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


Percentage of Budget Funded by CountyThe percentage of FCPS' budget that is funded by Fairfax County. In comparison, the average Virginia school division receives approximately half of its financial support from its local government.

Quote to Note

"The dissemination of knowledge is one of the cornerstones of civilization." 

John F. Budd