December 3, 2008
Next Issue: December 17
Deadline for Articles: Wednesday, December 10
Thank you for working to provide a quality education for all children in FCPS.
Fall Outstanding Performance Award Winners Announced
The fall 2008 winners of the Outstanding Performance Award (OPA) have been announced. Learn which of your colleagues have been honored for their work.
(get details)
Spotlight: Taking Drama to the Core at McLean High School and Burke Center
Learn how using theater arts techniques in science, math, language arts, and science classes ensures creative learning at McLean High School and Burke Center. (watch video)
Academy Course Schedule Set for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification
The schedule for the Academy courses supporting FCPS teachers as they pursue certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has been set for the 2010 cycle. (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: December 5 Is Deadline to Sign Up for Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Fitness Challenge
December 5 is the deadline to sign up for this year's Maintain, Don't Gain Holiday Fitness Challenge, sponsored by HR Wellness, which aims to help you avoid weight gain over the holidays and continues until January 7. (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, rent, or give away. (get details)
Nominations Now Open for Support Employee of the Year Award
Nominations are now open for the 2009 FCPS Support Employee of the Year Award. This award recognizes one school-based support employee and one nonschool-based support employee. (get details)
Department Newsletters
- The December issue of the Department of Facilities and Transportation Services newsletter is now available on FCPSnet.
- The December-January issue of MoneyTalks, produced by the Department of Financial Services, is now available on FCPSnet.
Other News and News of Continuing Interest
- Facilities Management will host a blood drive on Thursday, December 4, from 6 until 10 a.m. at the Sideburn Support Center. (get details)
- The spring Academy course catalog will be online starting December 8. (get details)
- Registration is under way for the January-April 2009 term of classes offered by the Office of Adult and Community Education (ACE). (get details)
- FCPS Teaching Channel 11 has become Teaching Channel 99. (get details)
- The deadline is approaching to submit required paperwork to continue 403(b) savings plan participation in 2009. (get details)
Who Are You? Does Your W-2 Match Up With Social Security?
If your name and Social Security number, as they appear on your W-2, do not match what is on file with the Social Security Administration (SSA), your account with SSA may not be properly credited. (get details)
All ERFC Members Invited to Annual Retirement Planning Seminar January 26
The Educational Employees Retirement Fund for Fairfax County (ERFC) will host its annual Preretirement Seminar on Monday, January 26, from 8:30 a.m. until noon at West Springfield High School. The deadline to register is January 12. (get details)
Communications Corner: Contact Parents Regularly With Good News
Often, the only time some parents hear from their child's teacher is when their child is in trouble. To help build a positive relationship and improve parental involvement, teachers should strive to contact all parents at least two times per year with good news about their child. This could be done by phone, e-mail, letters, hand-written notes, or person-to-person contact. Make a special effort to communicate positive news to parents of students who have had problems in the past, and keep a record of all contacts to make sure that students are getting equal positive attention.
VPN Available to All Employees
FCPS uses a virtual private network (VPN) to allow its employees to access school system computer network resources when they are not at an FCPS site. Every FCPS employee now has permission to use VPN, but a small piece of software is needed. (get details)
Books 24x7 Featured Title: 10 Steps to Successful Presentations
Including observations of presentations that either wowed the audience or fell short in motivating participants, this book offers a proven ten-step process for developing and delivering an effective presentation.
(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' FY 2009 budget spent on instruction. The remaining budget expenditures are as follows: transportation: 5.1 percent; facilities management: 4.3 percent; general support: 5.1 percent.
Quote to Note
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."
John Quincy Adams
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: