May 20, 2009

Next Issue: June 3

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, May 27

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

Carole Kihm Named FCPS 2009 Outstanding First-Year Principal; Tara Murphy Named FCPS 2009 First-Year Teacher of the Year

Carole Kihm, principal at Longfellow Middle School, has been named the FCPS 2009 Outstanding First-Year Principal. In addition, Tara Murphy, sixth grade teacher at Mount Eagle Elementary, has been selected as the 2009 FCPS First-Year Teacher of the Year. (get details)

Terri Breeden to Head Department of Professional Learning and Accountability

Terri Breeden, who has been Fairfax County Public Schools’ assistant superintendent for Professional Learning and Training (PLT) since May 2006, has been tapped to lead the new Department of Professional Learning and Accountability, which combines the former Departments of Professional Learning and Training and Accountability, effective July 1. (get details)

Deirdre LaverySpotlight: Deirdre Lavery, FCPS 2009 Principal of the Year

Learn more about Deirdre Lavery, 2009 FCPS Principal of the Year. Lavery is the principal of Glasgow Middle School and is known for collaborating with staff members to achieve success. (watch video)

Changes Coming to 403(b) Program

At its May 7 meeting, the School Board voted to approve changes to the 403(b) program as recommended by the Selection Advisory Committee. Beginning September 1, contracts will be in effect with Valic, TIAA-CREF, and Great West Retirement Services. Contracts with existing 403(b) vendors will expire on December 31. (get details)

Register Now for 2009 Academic Diversity Institute

The Academic Diversity Institute is a one-day summer opportunity designed to further develop the expertise of
preK-12 teachers and administrators as they work to challenge and engage all learners. This year’s institute will be held at West Potomac High School on August 19, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration opens May 20 at 4 p.m. on MyPLT. (get details)

PregnancyTips for Your Health: Have a Trouble-Free Pregnancy

If you or someone you know is pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, check out this tip sheet from Camille Bartus, FCPS wellness specialist. (get details)

People on the Move

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

Barbara May Named April News Liaison of the Month

Barbara May, special education teacher at West Springfield High School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for April. (get details)

UConnect Has a New Look, Easier Log In

UConnect, the source for all your payroll, leave balance, and benefits information, has undergone an upgrade to better serve you. (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)

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • The deadline for nominations for the Spillane Leadership Award has been extended to May 29.
    (get details)

  • 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 employees has been posted on FCPSnet. (get details)

  • 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)

  • Registration opens in MyPLT on May 20 at 4 p.m. for summer Academy courses. (get details)

  • 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)

School Board Approves New Grading Scale to Begin in 2009-10

The School Board has voted to approve a new grading scale for all Fairfax County Public Schools students that will go into effect beginning with the 2009-10 school year. (get details)

Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority Named FCPS 2009 Business Partner of the Year

The Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority has been named the Fairfax County Public Schools 2008-09 Partner of the Year for its work with Sandburg Middle School. (get details)

Gold MedallionFCPS Wins NSPRA Gold Medallion Award

Fairfax County Public Schools has received the Gold Medallion Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for its campaign, Community Engagement: Changing School Start and Dismissal Times. The Gold Medallion Award is the top national competition recognizing superior educational public relations programs. (get details)

May 22 Is Application Deadline for 2009-10 Secondary Great Beginnings Coaches

The Department of Professional Learning and Training (PLT) is seeking coaches for the secondary Great Beginnings programs for the 2009-10 school year. The deadline to apply is May 22. (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

Distribution of FliersCommunications Corner: Distribution of Fliers in Schools

Recently, the Department of Communications and Community Outreach has been getting calls regarding the distribution of fliers from nonschool-related groups. Policy 1367, originally enacted in 2003, governs the way fliers are to be posted or distributed. Bottom Line: School principals are responsible for determining whether materials from nonschool-related groups satisfy the requirements of this regulation.

Additional NBPTS Certification Information Meeting Added on May 28

A National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) information meeting on the certification process will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, in training room 1 at the Dunn Loring Center. This is in addition to the NBPTS certification meeting being held on Thursday, May 21. (get details)

SchoolSceneThis Week's "SchoolScene"

To view a promotional clip from this week's show, click here. Some of this week's stories include:

  • Happy Birthday Centreville Elementary (watch video)
  • What's Up With That? Poetry Slam at South County Secondary (watch video)
  • Family Science Saturday at Crestwood Elementary (watch video)
  • Putting on a Show for SOLs at Greenbriar West Elementary. (watch video)

Department Newsletters

The May, June, July issue of MoneyTalks, produced by the Department of Financial Services, has been posted on FCPSnet.

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

National Merit Scholarships
The number of FCPS students to win a National Merit Scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. (get details)

Quote to Note

"Outstanding leaders go out of the way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."

Sam Walton