September 9, 2009

Next Issue: September 23

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, September 16

Welcome Back!

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

Dr. DaleDr. Jack Dale's 2009-10 Back-to-School Message

Superintendent Jack Dale has a special message for FCPS employees as we begin the 2009-10 school year.
(watch video)

 

Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary and Laurel Hill Elementary Are Newest FCPS Schools

Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary in Herndon and Laurel Hill Elementary in Lorton opened their doors yesterday as the two newest FCPS schools. Karen Siple is the principal of Coates, and Suzie Montgomery is the principal of Laurel Hill.

Change Your Personal Contact Information Online With UConnect

FCPS employees can change their address and work and home phone numbers electronically at any time of day by using UConnect. (get details)

Flu PreventionSpotlight: Operation Prevention

Learn how to prevent the flu from affecting you and your family. (watch video)

Learn About Potential Career Opportunities as a Cued Language Transliterator for the Deaf, Introductory Classes Start September 23

Learn about becoming a cued language transliterator in introductory classes that start September 23 at Canterbury Woods Elementary School. (get details)

Update Your Online Travel Profile

At the start of each school year, each Online Travel user is required to update his or her default home-to-base-location round trip mileage and verify personal information in his or her profile. (get details)

Tips for Your Health: FCPS Employees to Receive Free Seasonal Flu Shots

Flu ShotThis year, in an effort to encourage participation and promote employee wellness, FCPS will assume the cost for eligible employees who receive the seasonal flu immunization at an FCPS-sponsored clinic. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

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)

FCPS to Honor Retirees on October 28, RSVP Deadline Is October 9

We Honor YouThe fall retirement ceremony, We Honor You—Celebrating Your Service to FCPS, will be held October 28 at Robinson Secondary School. The deadline for retirees to RSVP is October 9 . (get details)

People on the Move

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

  • Familygram is now an online publication and is no longer available in print. (get details)

  • FCPS employees are eligible for a 25 percent tuition discount on ACE classes. (get details)

  • Registration is under way for fall ACCESS and Academy courses. (get details: ACCESS | Academy)

  • As of September 1, FCPS has partnered with new 403(b) vendors—Great-West Retirement Services and TIAA-CREF—and its incumbent vendor VALIC to provide tax-deferred savings options. (get details)

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

Fairfax County Public Schools is working with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to monitor the progression of the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu). Updated federal guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offer state and local public health and school officials a range of options for responding to 2009 H1N1 influenza in schools, depending on how severe the flu may be in their communities. Continually updated information for staff members is available on FCPSnet.

Your Money Your Choice—Check Your Pay Stub

As the new school year begins, the Department of Financial Services has several announcements about employee paychecks. (get details)

Communications Corner: Back-to-School Night Resources

Back-to-School NightBack-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.

Benefits Open Enrollment Period Starts October 5

This year's open enrollment period for 2010 benefits will begin on October 5 and end on October 29.
(get details)

Registration Begins September 15 for Fall Leadership Seminars

The fall edition of the PLA Compass will be available online on Tuesday, September 15. Online registration for fall Leadership Seminars begins the same day at 8 a.m. (get details)

KITWhat's New With Keep in Touch for 2009-10

FCPS has an electronic mass notification system known as Keep in Touch (KIT). Learn what's new for 2009-10. (get details)

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Information Meetings Start September 24

Several information meetings on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process will be held this year starting on September 24.
(get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

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.


Department Newsletters

The August-September issue of MoneyTalks, produced by the Department of Financial Services, is available 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 Career Quest (formerly Job Opportunities) publication and web pages are provided by the Department of Human Resources.

FCPS by the Numbers

Number of Schools and Centers
The average combined SAT score for the class of 2009 in FCPS is 1664, which is 10 points higher than last year, 149 points higher than the average for Virginia, and 171 points higher than the U.S. average. ACT scores remained stable despite an increasing pool of test takers. (more)

Quote to Note

"Knowledge is power."

Francis Bacon