Posted on September 17, 2008

Information For Educators

Marymount University’s Professional Development School Information Sessions Scheduled for October 2, 15, 20, 22, and 29

Are you an instructional assistant or a substitute teacher who wants to earn a graduate degree and a license to teach? Do you know someone who might make a great teacher?

If you hold a bachelor's degree and want to become a teacher, you can earn a master of education degree and licensure to teach in 12 to 17 months.

Marymount University's Graduate School of Education and Graduate Admissions office is hosting information sessions for prospective teachers who want to learn about Marymount's unique professional development schools (PDS), a collaborative partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools.

To learn more, attend one of our information sessions to be held on the following choice of dates and times:

  • October 2 (Thursday)—Woodlawn Elementary (cafeteria), 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • October 15 (Wednesday)—Silverbrook Elementary (library), 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • October 20 (Monday)—Hutchison Elementary (room 216), 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • October 22 (Wednesday)—Aldrin Elementary (theater), 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • October 29 (Wednesday)—Sunrise Valley Elementary (library), 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

At the session, you will learn about PDS, a full-time program that integrates a minds-on and hands-on internship in FCPS PDS schools with graduate education coursework, and about financial incentives that accompany this program. The next PDS internship program begins in fall 2009, with graduation in May 2010.

Programs include a way to earn these degrees and endorsements:

  • M.Ed. in elementary education (preK-6) in 12 months, including licensure in general education (preK-6).
  • M.Ed. in learning disabilities (K-grade 12) in 12-17 months, including licensure in learning disabilities (K-grade 12).
  • M.Ed. in learning disabilities (K-grade 12) in 17 months, including licensure in learning disabilities (K-grade 12) with licensure endorsement in elementary education (preK-grade 6).

Note: Marymount graduate courses for all learning disabilities and learning disabilities-preK-6 interns begin in January 2009. Courses for preK-6 interns begin in August 2009. The full-time internship in schools for all programs (learning disabilities, learning disabilities-preK-6, and preK-6) begins in August 2009.

To RSVP, send an e-mail to Carolyn.Kazemi@fcps.edu or Jean.Massie@fcps.edu. If you're interested in learning more, but cannot attend an information session, call Debbie Jacobs, associate director of graduate admissions for M.Ed. programs, at 703-284-5905, or send an e-mail to debbie.jacobs@marymount.edu.

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2008-09 Teacher Researcher Network: Group Leader Forums Begin on
September 25

The first session of the Teacher Researcher Network: Group Leader Forums for the 2008-09 school year will be held on Thursday, September 25, at Glasgow Middle School. For group leaders and teacher researchers in their school groups, the choice of morning (8:30 to 11:30 a.m.) or afternoon (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.) half-day session will serve as the first working meeting. 

Leaders and group members will work together to define the nature of teacher research and get started on this year's inquiry, share research interests and identify and respond to questions they want to explore, and begin their research logs and plan their initial data collection. 

Registration for each session is open and required via MyPLT. Leaders who have copies of the text Teacher-Researchers at Work are asked to bring them to the session.

For further information, contact Patty Dimetres at patricia.dimetres@fcps.edu or 703-204-3934.

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Spring 2009 Academy Course Requests Due October 17

It is time to look ahead to the spring Academy semester time line. A review process is necessary to ensure that course information and supporting documents are complete. Course requests, especially new ones, should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than October 17, to facilitate this process. 

Request forms are available online at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/plt/CCRindex.htm. The spring catalog will be online by December 5, and registration will begin Monday, January 5.

  • October 17—Course requests due.
  • January 5—Registration begins.
  • January 16—Registration ends. 
  • January 26—Classes begin.
  • June 5—Classes end.

General Course Information

  • Enrollment maximum is set at 30. Requester must provide justification if requesting less than 30.
  • A resumé must be submitted if the instructor is a new Academy teacher.
  • Technology classes must be held in a facility that has at least 20 workstations.

Approved Course Information 

  • Complete the approved course request form when submitting a request. The form can be downloaded from the web site http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/plt/CCRindex.htm.    
  • A resumé must be submitted if the instructor is a new Academy teacher.
  • Courses offered through GMU must have an updated syllabus each semester.

New Course Information

  • Complete the course application for new courses and include a one-page application and description of the proposed course with appropriate signatures.
  • Include the course syllabus and current resume if instructor is new to the Academy.
  • State clearly whether the course is to be assigned a special designation, e.g., SOL, content, or validation of technology standards. Content designation requires approval from the Department of Human Resources and the state, a process that takes 6-8 weeks.

Spring classes may begin on or after January 26. If you have any questions about offering courses that are already approved, call Betty Davis at 703-204-4085. If you have questions about new course requests, call Elma Hinson at 703-204-4002.

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2008 United Way Campaign to Go Paperless and to Begin on October 20

Recognizing the importance of preserving our natural resources, FCPS has partnered with the United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) to provide all FCPS employees with an easy way to contribute to community organizations through an online pledge system that’s easy, safe, secure, and paperless. Just four clicks … and you’re done. This year's campaign begins on October 20. Look for more information in upcoming issues of Supergram.

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Coming This Fall to an E-Mail Box Near You … Your Electronic Pay Advice

Starting this fall, the Office of Payroll Management will implement an electronic version of the pay advice that will be e-mailed to employees’ FCPS e-mail addresses. No need to wait for the U.S. mail! This will allow you to view your current pay advice two to three days earlier than payday and you can print your electronic pay advice at any time if you choose. Stay tuned for more details.

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Your Money Your Choice—Check Your Pay Stub

Summer Fund Deductions

If you are enrolled in the summer fund program, make sure you see a balance in the Summer Fund Deduction box on the right side of your pay stub. Less-than-12-month employees paid monthly are enrolled by default; less-than-12-month employees paid biweekly are opted out by default. If you think you should be enrolled but do not see a deduction, or if you don’t think you should be enrolled but do see a deduction, call the Office of Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

If you elect to change your participation status in the summer fund program, your request must be received no later than close of business October 1. After this date you will be unable to change your selection until the following school year. Changes may be submitted by sending a completed Summer Fund Withholding Authorization Agreement form (FS73-13) to the Office of Payroll Management, suite 2200, Gatehouse Administration Center I. You may also obtain this form from your work location, the Office of Payroll Management, or the FCPS forms web site at http://www.fcps.edu/fs/payroll/forms/index.htm.  

Additional Flat Tax Deductions

If you request an additional flat amount of tax to be withheld from your paycheck, be reminded that the additional amount will be deducted from all paychecks that are based on earnings. If you receive an additional check for working additional hourly duties outside your regular contracted position, the additional tax amount will also be deducted from your additional duties check.

If you receive a separate check for tuition reimbursements, the additional tax amount will not be deducted because these reimbursements are not considered wages and are therefore not subject to tax withholding.

Have You Married Recently?

If you need to change your name with FCPS, submit a Name and Address Change form (FS73-01). You must have already contacted the Social Security Administration regarding the name change and must submit either a copy of the receipt from the Social Security Administration or a copy of your new Social Security card, if available, along with the Name and Address Change form to ensure accurate credit of your earnings. If you need to also change your tax status and/or exemptions, you must also submit new tax forms. 

Changes may be submitted by sending completed forms to the Office of Payroll Management, suite 2200, Gatehouse Administration Center I. You may obtain these forms from your work location, the Office of Payroll Management, or the FCPS web site at http://www.fcps.edu/fs/payroll/forms/index.htm. On the web site select the Name and Address Change form or any of the tax forms. If you need to make changes to beneficiaries or other benefits coverage, contact the HR Client Services Center (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 571-423-3000.

Have You Moved Recently?

You can now update your address online by using the Employee Self-Service portion of UConnect. You can change your address from work or home at any time of day. Simply log in to UConnect, click “Employee,” and then click “My Address.” Follow the instructions and make your necessary changes. Those changes will be in place for the next payroll cycle. If you have any questions, call the Office of Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

You can also change your address by submitting and sending a completed address change form to the Office of Payroll Management, suite 2200, Gatehouse Administration Center I. You may obtain these forms from your work location, the Office of Payroll Management, or the FCPS web site at http://www.fcps.edu/fs/payroll/forms/index.htm. On the web site, select the Name and Address Change form.

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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. The program is for employees who want to obtain the administrative endorsement necessary for consideration for school-based administrative positions of assistant principal, principal, and student activities director. Enrollment will be limited to 30 people. 

Selection criteria include three years of teaching experience—with at least one year in FCPS—and outstanding teaching and leadership ability. Participants will pay tuition and book costs.  Representatives from the Department of Professional Learning and Training and George Mason University will provide information about the program, application and selection process, coursework, and internship requirements at a meeting on September 22, from 5 to 6 p.m., at the Dunn Loring Center, training room 1.

To register for the information session, contact the Department of Professional Learning and Training by sending an e-mail to Rita Cloutier at rita.cloutier@fcps.edu. Include your name, work location, and telephone number in the
e-mail.

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Nominations Now Open for Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards, Deadlines Are December 12

Nominations are now open for the 2008-09 Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards. Due to changes from the Washington Post, the sponsor of these awards, the nomination periods for Teacher and Principal of the Year are now concurrent and the deadline for both awards is December 12.

For nomination forms and more information, including information about other FCPS employee awards, visit the Employee Awards web site at www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awards/index.htm.

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Fulbright Teacher Exchanges Available for 2009-10 School Year, Application Deadline Is October 3

Overseas teacher exchange opportunities are available for the 2009-10 school year. FCPS participates in the school-year direct exchanges. Other short-term exchanges are not supported by FCPS because of the impact on instructional programs. In addition to meeting the Fulbright eligibility requirements, applicants must have taught for three years in FCPS prior to the exchange year. Opportunities and other eligibility requirements vary by country.

Information and applications are available from the USIA Fulbright Teacher Exchange program at 1-800-726-0479 or by e-mail at fulbright@grad.usda.gov. The application is also available online by going to www.fulbrightexchanges.org. All applications must be approved by FCPS prior to submission.

All FCPS applications must be submitted to the Department of Professional Learning and Training, Dunn Loring Center. Applications must be received no later than Friday, October 3, to meet the Fulbright deadline. Applications will then be submitted by FCPS directly to Fulbright. For more information, call Patty Dimetres at
703-204-3934.

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