Posted on December 17, 2008

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Kim Moran Named November News Liaison of the Month

Kim Moran, office assistant at Churchill Road Elementary School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for November by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). This new recognition program rewards school news liaisons for submitting newsworthy media tips and creative photographs. Moran successfully placed news about Churchill Road in the Connection newspaper twice in November, complete with photos (“Raising Money for Buddy School" in the November 12-18 edition and “Churchill Road Elementary School First Graders Mark Veterans Day” in the November 19-25 edition).

Moran also submitted a number of photos for the home page of the FCPS web site. Two of the photos—featuring Veterans Day activities and a Thanksgiving celebration—were included in slide shows on the FCPS home page. Additional photos of a field trip to Jamestown and a bake sale for Churchill Road’s buddy school will be featured on the home page in the future. Moran also edits the weekly electronic newsletter at the school.

Her assistant principal and nominator, Kathryn Manoatl, says, “Kim Moran plays a huge part in maintaining the continuous flow of information to the families of Churchill Road and the community at large, which is so important to the successful running of any school.” Moran, who has been at Churchill Road for six years, received a $25 gift card from Starbucks for being named November’s News Liaison of the Month.

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Spring ACCESS Course Catalog Available Online January 5; Registration Begins January 12

Spring ACCESS CatalogThe spring ACCESS (Academy Course Catalog for Employees in Support Services) course catalog will be available online on January 5, 2009, at http://www.fcps.edu/plt/access.htm. Course topics include automated computer inventory system (ACIS), document management, education decision support library (EDSL), library media, school administrative student information (SASI), technology, and time and attendance.   

Registration for ACCESS classes begins January 12, 2009, and will remain open throughout the semester. All courses in the catalog are offered at no cost to all contracted employees.

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Volunteer Learning Program Seeks Tutors for Adult Learners

Do you have an hour or two a week to make a difference in another adult’s life? The Volunteer Learning program, sponsored by the Office of Adult and Community Education (ACE), provides free tutors to adults 18 years of age and over who need to improve their reading, writing, or math skills to obtain a high school diploma or GED, prepare for college, or meet a personal goal such as helping their children.

Tutors are needed in all areas of Fairfax County. You can volunteer to tutor an adult learner one-on-one in a library close to your home or work, on a day and at a time convenient for you, or help teachers individualize instruction in classes. Training is provided but is not required for FCPS teachers. The Volunteer Learning program, founded in 1975, is a tutoring program designed to meet the educational needs of Fairfax County adults by supporting ACE’s three adult high school completion programs (GED, National External Diploma, and Woodson Adult High School) and the educational needs of certain juveniles without high school diplomas.

If you have questions, or for more information, contact Lori Baker at lori.baker@fcps.edu or 703-246-2139. Additional information can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/VLPFAQ.htm.

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Online Travel Updated to Reflect New IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate

Effective January 1, 2009, the IRS standard mileage rate for the use of a personal automobile for business miles driven will be 55 cents per mile. Per Regulation 5310.9, FCPS reimburses mileage in excess of the round-trip daily commute between a traveler’s residence and base location. Additional information regarding local travel mileage reimbursement may be found at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/fs/comptroller/travel/index.htm.

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Early Payday in December for Monthly Paid Employees

This is a reminder that monthly employees are paid on the last business day of each month except in December when they are paid prior to the winter holiday. Payday in December for monthly employees will be December 23.

Reference Notice 5620, Pay Schedules 2008-09, for appropriate pay period work times and paydays. If you have any questions, contact Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

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Electronic Pay Advices to Be E-Mailed December 18

This is a reminder that all monthly paid employees with direct deposit for net pay are enrolled in the electronic pay advice program and may opt out using form FS 73-11 if desired. Any biweekly employee may opt in to receive his or her pay advice electronically by filling out the same form, FS 73-11. Electronic pay advices save money, time, and trees. The pay advice for the December pay date (December 23) will be e-mailed on December 18. 

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W-2 Address Changes Due

2008 Wage and Tax Statements (IRS Form W-2) will be mailed on January 21, 2009, to the addresses on file as of December 23, 2008. To ensure timely delivery of your W-2, make sure the address on your pay stub or pay advice is correct. Please change your address on line on Uconnect—go to “Employee” and then click the “My Address” topic. Follow the instructions on the screens. 

Name/Address Change forms are available at all work locations and online at http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/kam/docmgmt/forms/fs7301.pdf. Send forms to the Office of Payroll Management at 8115 Gatehouse Road, suite 2200, Falls Church, VA 22042.

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Review Your Tax Withholding Status

Review Your Federal Tax Withholding Status

Now is the time for each employee to review his or her federal tax withholding status for the coming year. An employee claiming total exemption from federal tax withholding must file a new W-4 form to continue exempt status in 2009; the new W-4 form must be received by the Office of Payroll Management on or before February 15, 2009.

Each employee is required by the Internal Revenue Service to withhold an amount equal to his or her taxes or at a rate of at least 90 percent of the current year obligation. If the number of personal allowances that an employee is eligible to claim changes, the employee must file a new W-4 form with the Office of Payroll Management within ten days of the change.

Form W-4 may be obtained from work locations, on the web at www.fcps.edu/fs/payroll/forms/index.htm or by contacting the Office of Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

Review District of Columbia and Maryland Tax Withholding Status

The District of Columbia (Form D-4) and Maryland (Form MW507) require new withholding certificate forms to be filed each calendar year by February 15 to certify the exemption from withholding income taxes.  A new withholding certificate must be submitted to the Office of Payroll Management by February 15, 2009, to continue exempt status in 2009. These forms may also be obtained from work locations, on the web at www.fcps.edu/fs/payroll/forms/index.htm, or from the Office of Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

Review Virginia Tax Withholding Status

Now is the time for each employee to review his or her tax withholding status for the coming year.

An employee who wants to continue his or her exemption from Virginia tax withholding in 2009 must file a new VA-4 form. Exempt status is available to single employees whose yearly-adjusted gross earnings are less than $7,000 or less than $14,000 for married employees filing joint returns.

Forms should be submitted to the Office of Payroll Management by December 31. Tax withholding for employees who do not refile by the deadline will be set at the single-with-no-exemptions rate. The Office of Payroll Management is required by the Department of Taxation to report all employees claiming exempt from state taxes and those claiming ten or more exemptions.

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Forms Due for Advance Earned Income Credit Payments

Earned income credit advance payment certificates (form W-5) for 2008 expire on December 31. Any employee currently receiving advanced earned income credit payments must file a new W-5 form for 2009 with the Office of Payroll Management as quickly as possible after January 1 to reestablish payments.

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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.

A nominee must be a contracted support employee and provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through his or her work, demonstrate commitment and leadership in his or her field, and foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community. Winners, finalists, and nominees for this award will be honored at a Support Employee of the Year reception and School Board ceremony to be held in April 2009 during Support Employee Week.

The deadline for Support Employee of the Year Award nominations is Friday, February 27, 2009. The nomination form and instructions are available online at http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awards/seoy.htm.  

For more information, contact Shannon Watson at 571-423-3278.

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