October 7, 2009

Next Issue: October 21

Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, October 14

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

Benefits Open Enrollment Under Way; Open Houses Start Tomorrow

This year's open enrollment period for 2010 benefits is under way and and will end on October 29. Three open houses will be held October 8, 14, and 26 for employees who have questions about their benefits choices. (get details)

Good News with Dr. DaleSpotlight: Good News—Interview With Dr. Dale

Take a look at this interview with Dr. Dale in which he reports on some good news for FCPS. (watch video)

School Bond Referendum to Be on November 3 Ballot

A school bond referendum will be on the general election ballot Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (get details)

FCPS Wins Local PRSA Thoth Award

Fairfax County Public Schools has received a Thoth Award for excellence in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) for its communication campaign, Community Engagement: Changing School Start and Dismissal Times, the second major award the campaign has received. (get details)

Regional Educational Leadership Program Planned; Information Meetings Scheduled for October 14, November 2

George Mason University is offering a regional educational leadership program beginning in January 2010, in collaboration with Northern Virginia school divisions. Information meetings about the program will be held on October 14 and November 2 at Dunn Loring Center. (get details)

Tips for Your Health: Beverages—Think Before You Drink

BeveragesBeverages can be empty liquid calories, a form of hydration, or a nutritional powerhouse. Learn which drinks are the best choices in this tip sheet from the Office of Food and Nutrition Services.
(get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)

Fall Web Curator Conference to Be Held November 3 at Gatehouse

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 3, at Gatehouse Administration Center I.
(get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

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)

People on the Move

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

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County government are teaming up again this year to solicit community input on ways to help meet a significant projected budget deficit for FY 2011. (get details)

  • The 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)

  • The Department of Professional Learning and Accountability wants to hear about the professional development needs of FCPS employees through an online survey. The deadline to complete the survey is October 15. (get details)

  • In August, the Department of Information Technology launched a more secure and more up-to-date virtual private network (VPN) service to provide employees with secure remote access to the FCPS computer network. (get details)

  • Nomination forms for the 2010 FCPS Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards are available online. The deadline for both awards is December 11.
    (get details)

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

Keep up with the latest information on the H1N1 virus. Check out a continually updated web page on FCPSnet. (get details)

Have You Registered for Your Free Seasonal Flu Shot Yet?

This 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)

FCPS Online Discussion Archive Page

An archive of questions and answers from the first FCPS online discussion on September 28 is available on FCPSnet. (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)

FCPS Returns Devonshire and Lacey for Use as Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools has signed a six-year lease to occupy office space in the Fairfax Ridge area at the corner of Route 50 and Waples Mill Road in Fairfax. This lease will enable the school system to return two sites—the Devonshire and Lacey administrative centers—back to use as elementary schools by the start of the 2012-13 school year. (get details)

December 20 Is Deadline to Reenroll for 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

If you are participating in the 403(b) retirement savings plan accounts and would like to continue next year, you must reenroll by December 20. (get details)

Adult and Community Education Hosts Community Day October 25 at Plum Center for Lifelong Learning

Adult and Community Education (ACE) is hosting an open house at the Plum Center for Lifelong Learning (formerly Edsall Park Center) on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. to celebrate its official debut as a unique campus in Northern Virginia. (get details)

InsightThis Week's "Insight"

To view a promotional clip from this week's show, click here. Some of this week's stories include:

Department Newsletters

The fall 2009 issue of the Department of Facilities and Transportation Services newsletter is available on FCPSnet. (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 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
A record number of Fairfax County Public Schools students—219—from 22 high schools have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2010.  (get details)

Quote to Note

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth."

Dan Rather