May 6, 2009

Next Issue: May 20

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, May 13

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

Deirdre Lavery Named FCPS 2009 Principal of the Year; Brian Hull Named Virginia's 2009 National Distinguished Principal by VAESP

Deirdre Lavery, principal at Glasgow Middle School, has been named the Fairfax County Public Schools 2009 Principal of the Year. In addition, Brian Hull, principal at Colin Powell Elementary, has been selected as Virginia’s 2009 National Distinguished Principal by the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals (VAESP). (get details)

Buck PayneSpotlight: Buck Payne, FCPS 2009 Teacher of the Year

Learn more about Buck Payne, 2009 FCPS Teacher of the Year. Payne is an AVID coordinator and educator who changes lives by inspiring students to reach for their highest potential. (watch video)

Brian Binggeli Named Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools

Brian Binggeli, assistant superintendent of Cluster IV, has been named superintendent of Brevard Public Schools in Viera, Florida. (get details)

FCPS Honored for Commitment to Music Education by NAMM

Fairfax County Public Schools is one of 124 school districts nationwide to be cited for its commitment to and support of music education in the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation’s tenth annual Best Communities for Music Education survey.
(get details)

Spring WebStar Winners Announced

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

People on the Move

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

Deadlines Approaching for Spring and Summer 2009 Tuition Reimbursement Requests

The deadlines for tuition reimbursement requests for the spring and summer semesters are May 15 and June 30 respectively. (get details)

New and Improved UConnect to Debut May 19

UConnect, the source for all your payroll, leave balance, and benefits information, is undergoing an upgrade to better serve you. UConnect will debut May 19 with a new look and feel, as well as an easier log on. (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)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

Department Newsletters

The spring 2009 edition of the ERFC member newsletter Retirement Review has been posted online. (get details)

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • If your school is thinking of working with business or community partners or mentors, or if you want to make your existing programs more successful, the Office of Business and Community Partnerships invites you to attend the Partners in Education and MentorWorks Award Ceremony on May 14 at Falls Church High School at 3:30 p.m. (submit RSVP)

  • The FCPS Summer Academy catalog will be available online beginning May 7. Online registration will be available beginning May 20. All employees must register through MyPLT. (get details)

  • Nominations for the Robert R. Spillane Leadership Award are now being accepted. The deadline is May 22. (get details)

  • A National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) information meeting on the certification process will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. (get details)

H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Update

Fairfax County Public Schools is collaborating with the Fairfax County Health Department to monitor the H1N1 (swine flu) virus situation in the country and locally in Fairfax County. Information for FCPS employees has been posted on FCPSnet, including identifying symptoms, practicing prevention, knowing what to do if someone is sick at your location, and preparing contingency plans for learning activities should a school need to close. The page will be updated as new information becomes available. (get details)

Three FCPS Schools Named Title I Distinguished Schools

Belvedere Elementary, Pine Spring Elementary, and Sleepy Hollow Elementary have been named Title I Distinguished Schools by the Virginia Board of Education. The awards recognize schools that have raised academic achievement for economically disadvantaged students and are based on state assessments during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. (get details)

Reduction in Force Information and Resources Posted Online

In response to both manager and employee concerns surrounding reductions in force (RIF), the Department of Human Resources has posted documents on FCPSnet to increase understanding of the policies and processes. (get details)

Spotlight Your School or Department on Red Apple 21, Submit Your Story Idea

Red Apple 21The Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO) is looking for good news to share on FCPS' cable television channel Red Apple 21. Employees can submit their story ideas online through the Media Tips form or to their principal or program director. DCCO meets each June with departments and clusters to identify stories for the next school year. For more information, contact Lori Knickerbocker at 571-423-1205 or lori.knickerbocker@fcps.edu.

Leonard Bumbaca Named ERFC Trustee

Leonard Bumbaca, mathematics teacher at Annandale High School, will serve as a trustee of the Educational Employees’ Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) beginning July 1. (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

University of Virginia Regional Educational Leadership Endorsement Program Information Meeting to Be Held May 18

The University of Virginia is offering a regional Educational Leadership Endorsement program beginning in fall 2009 in collaboration with Northern Virginia school divisions. An information meeting will be held Monday, May 18, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Leis Center in the multipurpose room. (get details)

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.


2009 Leadership Conference Speaker Announced

The 2009-10 Leadership Conference will convene on Wednesday, August 5, at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria. The morning keynote speaker will be Tony Wagner, codirector of the Change Leadership Group (CLG) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
(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

Virginia History Day winnersThe number of FCPS students to win a first place award at the Virginia History Day Competition. (get details)

Quote to Note

"The most important thing an institution does is not to prepare a student for a career but for a life as a citizen."

Frank Newman