September 3, 2008

Next Issue: September 17
Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, September 10

Welcome Back!

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

Dr. DaleDr. Jack Dale's 2008-09 Back-to-School Message

Superintendent Jack Dale has a special message for FCPS employees as we begin the 2008-09 school year.
(watch video)


Fairfax County Wants Your Input on Closing the Budget Gap for FY 2010

The Fairfax County government is projecting a budget deficit of more than $400 million for FY 2010 (which begins July 1, 2009) and will be holding 20 community dialogue sessions this fall to gather input to help guide the development of criteria for making budget decisions.
(get details)

"smart" Public Service Announcement: Great Schools Build Great Communities

Great Schools PSACheck out this public service announcement, part of the FCPS "smart" campaign, in which the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors shares the message: Great Schools Build Great Communities. (watch video)

People on the Move

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

Educational Leadership Program Planned, Information Meeting to Be Held September 22

FCPS is offering an Educational Leadership program beginning in summer 2009 in collaboration with George Mason University. An information meeting will be held September 22 at Dunn Loring Center from 5 to
6 p.m. (get details)

FCPS to Honor Retirees on October 29, RSVP Deadline Is October 8

We Honor YouThe fall retirement ceremony, We Honor You—Celebrating Your Service to FCPS, will be held October 29 at Robinson Secondary School. The deadline for retirees to RSVP is October 8. (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

Online Registration Now Open for Fall Leadership Seminars, ACCESS, and Academy Courses

Online registration for fall Leadership Seminars, ACCESS, and Academy courses is now open. All employees must register through My PLT. (get details)

FCPS Online Classifieds System Free for EmployeesOnline Classifieds

Want to save money on gas by carpooling to work? Try posting an ad on the FCPS online classifieds system. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments (go)

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • The School Board voted to allow FCPS staff members to review a purchase and sale agreement for 8111 Gatehouse Road in Falls Church and wants your feedback through an electronic survey before it makes a final decision on September 18.
    (get details)

  • The deadline to apply for a 2009-10 Fulbright teacher exchange is October 3. (get details)

  • The FY 2009 Compensation Handbook has been posted online. (get details)

  • Effective January 1, 2009, FCPS will administer new regulations for its 403(b) plan as required by the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS. (get details)

  • Using the Employee Self-Service portion of UConnect, you can now change your address (and work and home phone numbers, which will be used for KIT messages) electronically from work or home at any time of day. (get details)

  • Effective July 1, pony service to all FCPS schools and offices has been reduced to every other day. The revised pony run schedules are available on FCPSnet. (get details) 

Your Money Your Choice—Check Your Pay Stub; Coming This Fall to an E-Mail Box Near You … Your Electronic Pay Advice

As the new school year begins, the Department of Financial Services has several announcements about employee paychecks. In addition, starting this fall, FCPS employees will be sent their pay advices electronically. (get details) 

Communications Corner: Back-to-School Night Resources

PublicationsBack-to-School Night offers the chance for parents and school staff members to develop important relationships and to set the tone for a successful school year. The Department of Communications and Community Outreach has tip sheets, templates, and other resources on FCPSnet to help principals, teachers, and others organize this important event.

Register Now for a Preretirement Workshop

If you’re planning to retire within the next two years, plan now to attend one of the free workshops hosted throughout the school year by ERFC. (get details)

Learn About Potential Career Opportunities as a Cued Language Transliterator for the Deaf, Introductory Classes Start September 24

Learn about becoming a cued language transliterator in introductory classes that start September 24 at Canterbury Woods Elementary School. (get details)

Technology Tips and Tricks: Reducing Spam E-MailSpam

Spam is unsolicited, unwanted, irrelevant, or inappropriate
e-mail messages, otherwise known as “junk e-mail.” The Department of Information Technology blocks over 90 percent of all spam before it ever gets to your mailbox, but, occasionally, items get through. When you receive an e-mail that you feel qualifies as spam, send the message in its entirety to SPAMREMOVAL@fcps.edu.

For more information on ways to reduce spam to your inbox, check out the spam reduction web site on FCPSnet.

Nominations Now Open for Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards, Deadline Is December 12

Nominations are now open for the Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year Awards. The deadline for both is December 12. (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.


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

Number of Projected StudentsThe average combined SAT score for the FCPS class of 2008, which is 132 points higher than the average for the state of Virginia and 143 points higher than the national average. (get details)

Quote to Note

"I have discovered that patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting."

Joyce Meyer