October 15, 2008

Next Issue: November 5
Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, October 29


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

FCPS Reports On-Time Graduation Rate of 91 Percent

Fairfax County Public Schools reports an on-time graduation rate of 91 percent for members of the class of 2008—which includes students who entered ninth grade for the first time during the 2004-05 school year—as part of the Virginia Department of Education’s new on-time graduation rate report. (get details)

Spotlight: New Principal Matt Ragone

Matt RagoneGet to know Matt Ragone, new principal at Langley High School, who is making a difference. (watch video)


Graham Road Elementary Receives Dispelling the Myth Award From the Education Trust

Graham Road Elementary is one of six schools nationwide to receive the Dispelling the Myth Award from the Education Trust. Graham Road received the award for moving all its students toward high achievement in reading and math. The award is given to schools that succeed in achieving high academic performance and/or in making the most improvement for low-income and minority students. (get details)

People on the Move

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

Tips for Your Health: Calcium Builds Strong Bones and Teeth

CalciumCalcium is a mineral used to produce and maintain dense bones and teeth. It is also required for vital functions like nerve activity, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. It is well known that milk is a good source of calcium, but did you know that broccoli, almonds, and canned salmon contain calcium as well? Learn more in this tip sheet from the Office of Food and Nutrition Services. (get details)

About Our People

Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (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, or give away. (get details)

Department Newsletters

The fall 2008 issue of Retirement Review, produced by the Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement Fund of Fairfax County (ERFC), is now available.

SchoolSceneThis Week's "SchoolScene"

To view a promotional clip from this week's show, click here. Or, to view any of this week's stories, go to the SchoolScene web page.

Other News and News of Continuing Interest

  • This year's United Way campaign will begin on October 20. (get details)

  • 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.

  • 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)

  • The annual fall Web Curators Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 4, at Gatehouse Administration Center I. (get details)

  • 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 16, 21, 25, and 29. (get details)

Benefits Open Enrollment Under Way; Open Houses Start Tomorrow

The benefits open enrollment period is now under way. Employees have until October 30 to select medical, dental, and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for 2009. Three benefits open houses will be held on October 16, 23, and 30. (get details)

School Board Votes to Reconsider Potential Acquisition of Second Headquarters Building

At its regular meeting on October 2, the School Board voted unanimously to reconsider the potential acquisition of the administration building at 8111 Gatehouse Road in Falls Church. (get details)

Communications Corner: Election Campaign Guidelines

Election Campaign GuidelinesWith the election less than a month away, it is important that all FCPS employees are aware of the guidelines pertaining to election campaigns. To help, the Superintendent's Office has published a set of policies on FCPSnet concerning the conduct of political campaigns. Please Note: Some clarifications have been added to this page. In addition, Policy 1800 and Regulation 4426 have guidelines pertaining to political activities by employees. Regulation 3280 provides guidelines for teaching about controversial issues, which include political issues. Regulation 6410 prohibits the use of FCPS e-mail to endorse or promote a candidate for public office.

New Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hot Line Available From Office of Internal Audit

The Office of Internal Audit has a new confidential hot line for Fairfax County Public Schools employees and the general public to report suspected wrongdoing involving fraud, waste, and abuse of school assets and resources. (get details)

Retirement Ceremony to Be Broadcast Live October 29 on Red Apple 21

Retirement CeremonyThe fall 2008 retirement ceremony will be shown live on Red Apple Channel 21 on October 29 at 7 p.m. and will be rebroadcast on Monday,  November 3, at 7:30 p.m. The spring 2009 retirement ceremony will be held on April 29. (get details)

Call for Coaches

The latest position openings are posted. (go)

Want to Learn New Skills at Your Own Pace? Try eLearnIT! eLearnIT

The Department of Information Technology’s eLearnIT program provides, via the Internet, skills development training that is available free of charge to any employee of Fairfax County Public Schools.
(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 Job Opportunities publication and web pages are provided by the Department of Human Resources.

FCPS by the Numbers

National AP Exam RankingOf the 20 largest public school districts nationwide, FCPS is first in the number of Advanced Placement (AP) exam grades of 3 or higher. By comparison, FCPS ranks 12th in size in the U.S. (get details)

Quote to Note

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

Dale Carnegie