June 17, 2009

Next Issue: July 15

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, July 8

Have a Great Summer!

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

All Fairfax County High Schools Make Newsweek's List of Top High Schools

All Fairfax County high schools have been designated among the most demanding public schools in the country and are featured in the 2009 Newsweek-Washington Post list of 1,478 top U.S. high schools.
(get details)

Janet CameronSpotlight: Janet Cameron, 2009 School-Based Support Employee of the Year

Get to know Janet Cameron, the 2009 FCPS School-Based Support Employee of the Year. Cameron, a public health training assistant, makes a difference by helping the special needs children at Kilmer Center to achieve greater levels of independence and integration into the community. (watch video)

Insulin, Diabetic Supplies Now Available via Mail Order

As of May 1, Express Scripts added insulin and some diabetic supplies to its maintenance medication list. This list represents prescription drugs that Fairfax County Public Schools medical benefits participants must obtain through Express Scripts’ home delivery service.
(get details)

TMPC and Education Library Now on Summer Schedule

The Teaching Materials Preparation Center (TMPC) and the Education Library at the Sprague Technology Center are now operating on a summer schedule, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (get details)

Summer SafetyTips for Your Health: Play It Safe This Summer and Live Easy

Before heading off on vacation or for a few weeks of summer fun, take heed and mind these tips from Camille Bartus, FCPS wellness specialist, so that you can have a fun and safe time. (get details)

People on the Move

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

Proposals for Fall Leadership Seminars Due by August 11

The Department of Professional Learning and Training (PLT) is now accepting proposals for fall-winter leadership seminars. The deadline is August 11.
(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 Fairfax County School Board has voted to grant two additional early release workdays to staff members and students—December 23, 2009 and May 28, 2010—during the 2009-10 school year.
    (get details)

  • The next Facilities Management blood drive will be Thursday, June 25, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Sideburn Support Center. A full breakfast is provided for all who attempt to donate. There is a special need for O negative, B negative and A negative blood types. (get details)

  • Effective September 1, the annual VRS Member Benefit Profile statements will be made available online only. (get details)

  • Online registration through MyPLT for summer Leadership Seminars and ACCESS courses is now open. (get details: Leadership Seminars | ACCESS)

  • FCPS uses a virtual private network (VPN) to allow its employees to access school system computer network resources when they are not at an FCPS site. Every FCPS employee now has permission to use VPN, but a small piece of software is needed.
    (get details)

  • Fairfax County Public Schools now has a profile page on Facebook and is sending out messages, called "tweets," through Twitter. (get details)

  • Overseas teacher exchange opportunities are available for the 2010-11 school year. In addition to meeting the Fulbright eligibility requirements, applicants must have taught three years in FCPS prior to the exchange year. The deadline to apply is September 25. (get details)

Supergram's Summer Schedule

With the school year drawing to a close, Supergram will be shifting to its summer schedule of one issue per month during July and August. Issues will be posted on July 15 and August 12, with article deadlines of July 8 and August 5, respectively. (get details)

FCPS Recognized as Laureate and Finalist by Computerworld Honors Program

Fairfax County Public Schools has been recognized as a Laureate by the IDG (International Data Group) Computerworld Honors program for the Flight School project. (get details)

2009 Best of the Web2008-09 Best of the Web Winners Announced

The 2009 winners of the FCPS Best of the Web contest have been announced.  (get details)

FCPS Wins Five Telly Awards

Fairfax County Public Schools has captured five Telly Awards for 2009. The Telly Awards, similar to the Emmy Awards, recognize exceptional cable programming and are among the most sought-after awards in the television, commercial, and video industry. (get details)

Communications Corner: Have News Clips Sent to You by E-Mail

News ClipsThe Department of Communications and Community Outreach provides FCPS staff members with a daily clipping service of education-related stories from more than 35 publications and also maintains a searchable database of past articles on FCPSnet. Links to stories relating to FCPS, as well as regional and national education news, are e-mailed to staff members every morning. If you would like to receive these "eClips," contact Sara Kolb at sara.kolb@fcps.edu.

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

2009-10 Total Compensation Statements to Be Distributed Electronically

Total compensation statements for 2009-10 will be distributed electronically and will no longer be mailed to employee residences this summer. (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:

Maria Kappel Named May News Liaison of the Month

Maria Kappel, career experience specialist at West Potomac High School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for May. (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 Career Quest (formerly Job Opportunities) publication and web pages are provided by the Department of Human Resources.

FCPS by the Numbers

Number of Buses
The approximate number of FCPS buses needed to transport more than 110,000 students daily using 6,500 separate routes. FCPS transports more students every day than any school system in the U.S. with the exception of New York City. (get details)

Quote to Note

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."

John Lubbock