October 1, 2008

Next Issue: October 15
Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, October 8


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

Benefits Open Enrollment Begins Next Week; Three Open Houses Scheduled

This year's open enrollment period for 2009 benefits will begin on October 9 and end on October 30. Three open houses will be held October 16, 23, and 30 for employees who have questions about their benefits choices. (get details)

Board of Supervisors Declines to Approve Second Headquarters Building; School Board to Reconsider Potential Acquisition

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors declined to approve financing to purchase a 275,000-square-foot building adjacent to Gatehouse Administration Center I that would further consolidate FCPS administrative staff members into one central location. At its regular meeting on October 2, the School Board will reconsider the potential acquisition of the new administration building. (get details)

Spotlight: Interview With Pat Murphy on FCPS Grading Policies

Pat MurphyPat Murphy, assistant superintendent of accountability, discusses the research being conducted on FCPS' grading policies. (watch video)

People on the Move

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

Spring 2009 Academy Course Requests Due October 17

The deadline for submitting a spring 2009 Academy course request is October 17. (get details)

Books 24x7 Featured Title—Leadership Lessons: 10 Keys to Success in Life and Business

Books 24x7Presenting ten key actions for extraordinary success, this book explores what differentiates extraordinary achievers from others and puts to rest some long-held and passionately defended notions about some great achievers throughout history. (get details)

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

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. This year's campaign—Dare to Share! Your Time! Your Talent! Your Treasures!—begins on October 20. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments (go)

FCPS Online Classifieds System Free for EmployeesOnline Classifieds

The FCPS Online Classifieds system is a free way for employees to post ads for personally owned items that they are seeking to buy, sell, or give away. (get details)

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • The Fairfax County government is projecting a budget deficit for FY 2010 and will be holding community dialogue sessions this fall to gather input to help guide the development of criteria for making budget decisions. The next sessions will be held October 14 and 16. (get details)

  • The deadline to submit a nomination for the Outstanding Performance Award is October 3.
    (get details)

  • The Department of Human Resources has developed new guidelines for employees and managers considering alternative working arrangements.
    (get details)

  • On June 30, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Silver Lining Initiative, a commitment to help first-time homebuyers purchase foreclosed homes. Priority for this program is given to households currently on the first-time homebuyers waiting list and Fairfax County Public Schools and government employees. (get details)

  • The 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)

FY 2010 Budget Update

Employees can learn more about the FY 2010 budget (begins July 1, 2009) in a video featuring Superintendent Jack Dale. You can share your input in an online survey. You may also leave a message at 571-423-3597 or send an e-mail to tips@fcps.edu.

EPAY Pilot Program Launched, Watch Your E-Mail for Electronic Pay Advice

Starting with a pilot group, FCPS has begun converting to a paperless system for pay advices (pay stub information) for employees by e-mailing an electronic pay advice (EPAY). (get details)

Communications Corner: Parent-Teacher Conferences Help Build Positive Relationships

Parent-Teacher ConferencesParent-teacher conferences are an important communication tool in establishing positive relationships with parents. They can help your school build a reputation as one that cares for students and addresses the concerns of parents. The Department of Communications and Community Outreach has tip sheets on FCPSnet to help you learn how to organize your parent-teacher conferences to make them successful. (get details)

Edsall Park Center Officially Renamed The Plum Center for Lifelong Learning

Effective September 4, Edsall Park Center has been officially renamed The Plum Center for Lifelong Learning by the School Board.

Be Green: Sales Tax Holiday on Energy Star and WaterSense Qualified Products to Take Place October 10-13

The state of Virginia will hold a sales tax holiday from Friday, October 10, through Monday, October 13. During this period, purchases of certain Energy Star and WaterSense qualified products purchased for noncommercial use and costing $2,500 or less will be exempt from sales tax. (get details)

Fall Web Curator Conference to Be Held November 4

The FCPS web curator user group is an informal group of school-based and office web publishers. The annual fall Web Curators Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 4, at Gatehouse Administration Center I.
(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.


Mark Your Calendar for Support Employee Recognition Week April 20-24 and Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8

FCPS will celebrate both Support Employee Recognition Week and Teacher Appreciation Week in 2009.
(get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

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

Percentage of Accredited SchoolsThe percentage of Fairfax County public schools that have earned full accreditation from the Virginia Department of Education based on the 2007-08 Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. (get details)

Quote to Note

"A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark."

Chinese proverb