March 18, 2009

Next Issue: April 1

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, March 25

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

School Board to Reduce Transfer Request; Board of Supervisors Approves Advertised Real Estate Tax Rate of $1.05 per $100 of Assessed Value

The Fairfax County School Board is preparing to reduce its transfer request for FY 2010, due to an infusion of federal stimulus funding, less enrollment growth than previously projected, and savings from this fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors has approved an advertised real estate tax rate of $1.05 per $100 of assessed value, and a gap of approximately $25 million exists between the transfer request made by Dr. Dale and the amount proposed by Anthony Griffin, Fairfax County executive. (get details)

Spotlight: Wax Museum at Aldrin Elementary School

Aldrin Wax MuseumHear how third grade students at Aldrin Elementary School are learning about history by playing famous people in a wax museum. (watch video)

People on the Move

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

Tara Loehr Named February News Liaison of the Month

Tara Loehr, a sixth grade teacher at Springfield Estates, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for February by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). (get details)

Tips for Your Health: Start! Fitness Challenge Begins April 8

FCPS Fitness ChallengeHR Wellness, in conjunction with the American Heart Association's Start! program, is challenging all FCPS employees to participate in a six-week fitness challenge, starting April 8 and continuing until May 20, by pledging to walk or perform some form of aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

Register Now for Summer 2009 Adult and Community Education Classes

ACE ClassesRegistration is under way for the May-August 2009 term of classes offered by the Office of Adult and Community Education (ACE). Course offerings may be viewed at www.fcps.edu/aceclasses. The course catalog, ACE Classes, has been mailed to residents and is also available at Fairfax County public libraries and the Woodson Central Fairfax registration center. Take a look at the new classes coming your way this summer and mark your calendars.

SSEAC Election to Be Held March 30 Through April 1

An electronic election for representatives of the Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council (SSEAC) will be held March 30 through April 1. (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 advanced academic programs office is hosting an information meeting for prospective teachers on Wednesday, March 25, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the Lacey Center multipurpose room. (get details)

  • 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)

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

  • 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)

New Federal Income Tax Credit Takes Effect This Month

New federal income tax withholding tables reflecting changes from the recently enacted Making Work Pay tax credit were recently released electronically by the Internal Revenue Service. These new tax amounts will be effective for the biweekly payday of March 27 and for the monthly payday of March 31. (get details)

Outstanding Performance Award Nomination Deadline Is May 1

The Outstanding Performance Award (OPA) Committee will meet on May 21. All unified-scale employees (except school-based administrators) and instructional assistants are eligible for nomination. The deadline is May 1.
(get details)

Applications Due April 24 for 2009-10 Great Beginnings Coaches

The Department of Professional Learning and Training (PLT) is seeking coaches for the elementary and secondary Great Beginnings programs for the 2009-10 school year. Current classroom teachers who have an interest in supporting beginning teachers should consider applying. Applications are due by April 24.
(get details)

Communications Corner: Creating Outstanding PowerPoint Presentations

PowerPoint PresentationsDoes your job involve giving presentations to staff members, parents, students, or community members? If so, you probably use PowerPoint. Bob Deluca, school-based technology specialist at Thoreau, and Charmona Whitfield, school-based technology specialist at Mosby Woods, have compiled a list of resources on FCPSnet to help ensure that your PowerPoint slides enhance, and do not detract from, your presentation. (get details)

Proposals for Summer Leadership Seminars Due by April 28

The Department of Professional Learning and Training (PLT) is now accepting proposals for summer leadership seminars. Registration for these seminars will be offered through the new online leadership publication PLT COMPASS. The deadline is April 28. (get details)

Fairfax CASA Seeks Volunteers to Speak Up for Children in Court

A new case of child abuse or neglect enters the Fairfax County Domestic and Juvenile Relations Court system once every 30 hours. Fairfax CASA is seeking volunteers to advocate on behalf of these children and help ensure that they grow up in safe and permanent homes.
(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

Schools with Korean interns
The number of FCPS middle schools hosting Korean teacher assistant interns as part of a cultural exchange program.
(get details)

Quote to Note

"The more you say, the less people remember." 

Francois Fénelon