November 5, 2008
Next Issue: November 19
Deadline for Articles: Monday, November 10 (note earlier deadline)
Thank you for working to provide a quality education for all children in FCPS.
Message From the Superintendent: FY 2010 Budget Update
Dr. Dale has a special message for FCPS staff members on the FY 2010 budget. (get details)
Be Green—Help FCPS Save Energy, Turn Off Your Computer and Monitor When Not in Use
Monitors and desktop computers consume more energy than all other office equipment combined. To help FCPS reduce its carbon footprint, the Office of Facilities Management, Energy Management Section, and the Department of Information Technology have developed guidelines on computer use. (get details)
Spotlight: Mary Musick
Learn more about Mary Musick, a former teacher and principal who is still making a difference after 50 years in FCPS.
(watch video)
People on the Move
Learn who has been promoted, recently hired, or transferred to a new location. (get details)
Tips for Your Health: Maintain, Don't Gain This Holiday Season
Are you an annual victim of postholiday “tight clothes syndrome?” HR Wellness, in the Office of Benefits, wants to help you avoid the weight gain pitfalls that can abound during the holiday season. How? Sign up for the third annual Maintain, Don't Gain Holiday Fitness Challenge, which will take place between Thanksgiving and January 7.
(get details)
Register Now for FCPS Employee Home Buying Workshops
All FCPS employees are invited to attend one of two workshops presented by Apple Federal Credit Union to highlight mortgage plans, including one created just for FCPS employees. The deadline to register is November 13. (get details)
About Our People
Read about your colleagues' accomplishments. (go)
FCPS Online Classifieds System Free for Employees
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
- This year's United Way campaign will end on November 14. (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.
- 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)
- 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 final sessions will be held Thursday, November 13. (get details)
Critical Teaching Fields Identified for 2009-10 School Year
The Department of Human Resources has announced the critical teaching fields for the 2009-10 school year. (get details)
Earlier Article Deadlines for Upcoming Issues of Supergram
The next two issues of Supergram will have earlier deadlines for submission of articles. The November 19 and December 3 issues will have deadlines of November 10 and November 24 respectively.
(get details)
Communications Corner: Study Finds High-Performing Schools Better at Communication
According to recent research, high-performing schools do a better job of communicating with parents. This was one of the communication-related findings in a report released last week by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (get details)
Important 403(b) Plan Changes Start January 1
Important changes to FCPS' 403(b) savings plans will start on January 1, 2009. Biggest Change: Because of payroll processing time constraints, all 403(b) plan participants who want to continue contributing and deferring income from each paycheck in 2009 must complete a new salary reduction agreement (SRA) and submit it by early December. (get details)
Fall WebStar Award Winners Announced
The fall winners of the new FCPS WebStar Awards (previously the Best Practices Awards) have been announced. (get details)
Call for Coaches
The latest position openings are posted. (go)
This 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.
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
The percentage of FCPS graduates from the class of 2008 who continued on to some form of postsecondary education.
Quote to Note
"A politician thinks of the next election—a statesman, of the next generation."
James Freeman Clarke
Other Calendars:
- 2008-09 Calendar of Noteworthy Events
- FCPS calendar of cultural and religious observances
- Calendar of school-sponsored events that are open to the public
- School Board calendar
Emergency Hot Line for School Closing:
1-888-270-0011
Supergram:
FCPS: