Fairfax County Public Schools

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Kelly Turner, a fourth grade teacher at Lynbrook Elementary School, is ready to teach her eager students.

FY 2024 Salary Scales Posted Online

The Fairfax County School Board adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Revised Budget on October 26, which included a 2% compensation increase for all FCPS employees, effective January 1, 2024. FY 2024 Salary Scales are available online.

Monthly paid employees will see the additional pay on their January 31, 2024 paycheck. Biweekly paid employees will see the additional pay on their January 26, 2024 paycheck.

❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. It is followed by email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Update your contact information in UConnect to receive text messages regarding weather closings from FCPS. When a weather event is in the forecast, be sure to plan for childcare, if needed.

📜 Update Your Address to Receive Your W-2

W-2 tax forms will be issued by the end of January. Employees are encouraged to opt in for W-2 web delivery.

Paper W-2s will be mailed to the address on file (as of Thursday, December 28) for employees who have not opted in for web delivery.

To avoid delivery delays, please keep your address up-to-date in UConnect and submit a forwarding address to the U.S. Postal Service if you move. 

For assistance with online address changes, please call the Human Resources Welcome Center at 571-423-3000.

🎁 Your Gift to Educate Fairfax Impacts Students All Year Long

Educate Fairfax works with Fairfax County Public Schools and our community to create pathways to long-term success for students. Your monetary donation can help Educate Fairfax across all of our focus areas:  

• Gap needs for students (e.g. backpacks, school supplies, grocery gift cards).
• Literacy efforts for our youngest learners.
• Direct grants to teachers to support innovative instruction and learning in the classroom. 
• Retention and recognition of stellar educators. 

With your help, students can achieve their maximum potential, and we can create lasting impact, one child at a time. Thank you for your support!

FCPS Student Speaks at National Educational Technology Meeting

Assistive Technology Services staff members recently participated in the national Leadership Summit for the State Educational Technology Directors Association. 

Emmi (pictured at center), a Chantilly High School student and assistive technology (AT) ambassador, spoke on a student panel. She shared her perspective on the importance of self-advocacy, inclusive technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and accessibility in K-12 education. 

Hear more about how to support all learners on the AT Ambassadors Program page, where you’ll find engaging student voice videos. Topics include inclusive technology tools, promoting inclusive communication, and the importance of choosing accessible learning materials. Every student can succeed when given the right tools. 

Visit the Assistive Technology Services webpage for additional information. Check out Accessibility in FCPS on the Employee Hub.

📰 New Resources to Help Schools Amplify Their Stories

The Office of Communications (OC) has added resources to the Employee Hub to help schools, offices, and departments share their news with target audiences. Sometimes, OC can help spread your story to a broader audience in- and outside FCPS, if it meets certain criteria. Visit the Hub to find out what kinds of stories are most likely to garner attention.

🏅 Submit a Nomination for FCPS Hall of Fame

Do you know an FCPS alum who has made significant contributions to their chosen field and/or our local, national, or global community? If so, nominate them for the Spring 2024 FCPS Hall of Fame!

Educate Fairfax believes FCPS alumni are something special, and they’re excited to share alumni stories. Over the past two years, Educate Fairfax has recognized leaders from business, education, community service, entertainment, military, sports, and government.

FCPS Hall of Fame nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 12, 2024. Visit Educate Fairfax's website for more information. 

Donate Blood During the Holidays

Stop by the Sideburn Support Center on Thursday, December 7, 6-10 a.m., to participate in an Inova Blood Donor Services blood drive. Please register in advance. An awesome free breakfast (scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and bacon) will be provided for all who donate or attempt to donate.

📝 Support the Success of FCPS Through Leadership Development

Supporting Success is a 10-session cohort program for 35 Schedule A employees (non-exempt) that supports budding leadership skills with participants’ strengths in mind. Leadership concepts explored in the program include visibility and belonging, communication, customer focus, and engagement. Please visit this Google site for more information. Apply by Friday, December 15. Supporting Success will begin its Spring 2024 cohort on February 6, 2024.

Earn Your M.Ed. and Graduate Certificate in Education Leadership

George Mason University’s Education Leadership (EDLE) Program is hosting a virtual information session for educators interested in earning a master’s degree or graduate certificate in Education Leadership. Programs are available in a variety of formats designed to fit the busy schedules of working professionals.

To learn more, register on the EDLE website for the virtual information session on Tuesday, December 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

The Spring 2024 final application deadline is Friday, January 5. Classes begin Tuesday, January 16.

If you have questions, please contact the Mason Education Leadership Program office at [email protected] or call 703-993-3633.

Online Professional Development Courses from North TIER

North TIER has a wonderful line-up of online professional development courses, which are only $55 for a 30-hour course. A graduate credit option, earning two graduate credits from Colorado State University, requires extra work and fees.

View the course catalog, how and where to register, and how to get more information. Seats fill quickly, so register early! Contact [email protected] with any questions.

🍼 Expectant Parent Resources

The Office of Benefit Services offers virtual workshops on how to prepare and plan for child-related leaves. Sessions will take place on the following Tuesdays:

• December 5, 4-5 p.m.
• January 9, 4-5 p.m.
• February 6, 4-5 p.m.
• March 5, 10-11 a.m.

Register for an upcoming workshop. All workshop materials, including the voiceover presentation and handouts, will be available online.

🏆 2023-24 FCPS Social Work Services Impact Award

The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services is seeking nominations for the 2023-24 School Social Work Services Impact Award. This award recognizes school social workers who go above and beyond to support their school communities. 

Any staff member can nominate a school social worker who supports their school community for the award. The deadline to submit nominations is Saturday, December 30.

National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on December 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Chanukah and Bodhi Day

Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is a holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for eight days. 

This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7, which will be an evening-only observation day. Major events cannot be scheduled that evening. Learn more about Chanukah in National Geographic Kids.

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as "bodhi" in Sanskrit and Pali. Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum. 

The school calendar recognizes Bodhi Day as a religious observation day. There is school on this day, however, the School Board has directed that certain events will not be held on these observance days.

See the complete school year calendar.

School Board Meeting Scheduled for December 4 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its next business meeting on Monday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m. 

Check Boarddocs later this week to view the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Falls Church Pyramid Team 22 bus drivers were the center of attention during a special “Thank You” event at Jackson Middle School.

Update Your Information, Correct Benefits Elections, Opt-In for Electronic W-2s With UConnect

Uconnect (VPN required) is the employee portal for human resources and payroll information. It is the quickest and easiest way to review your benefits, leave balances, tax withholding, and teacher credentials. You can also use it to review and update your personal information including your preferred name, phone numbers, and home address. Once logged in to UConnect, click on “+” next to Benefits, Employment, Pay, or Personal Information in the left column to explore your information. Click on “My Documents” to review your Total Compensation Statement, Contracts, Open Enrollment Statement, and W-2s. 

Visit the UConnect webpage on the Employee Hub.

Open Enrollment Correction Window Available Through Friday, November 17

You should have received your benefit statement for 2024 in your FCPS.edu inbox last week. If you need to make corrections, please do so this week. To adjust your plans, covered dependents, or flexible spending account (FSA) enrollment, log in to UConnect by Friday, November 17, at 4:30 p.m. Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for more information.

Note: The IRS just announced that the 2024 limit for the health FSA is $3,200. If you elected to participate in the FSA program for 2024 and wish to increase your election, please go to Uconnect during the correction window to make the change.

🧾 Opt in for W-2 Web Delivery

W-2 tax forms are issued by the end of January for earnings in the prior calendar year. Employees are encouraged to opt in for W-2 web delivery. View the Online W-2 Access Guide to find out how.

Paper W-2s will be mailed to the address on file with the Office of Payroll Management as of Thursday, December 28, for employees who have not opted in for web delivery.

Avoid delays in receiving your W-2 or health plan ID cards by updating your address in UConnect or submitting a forwarding address to the U.S. Postal Service. 

For technical assistance with online address changes, please call the Human Resources Welcome Center at 571-423-3000.

🎖️ Thank You Veterans!

Silverbrook Elementary School held a heartwarming tribute to veterans and their families on Friday. Hear Dr. Reid’s remarks and see some of the sights from that day. View more highlights from around the district.

Visit the Employee Blog to read about FCPS employees who are veterans and how their service led them to their current careers.

🎉 Congratulations to 2023 Teacher Grant Recipients!

Educate Fairfax and FCPS are proud to announce that 57 grants will impact more than 16,000 K-12 students across the county.

These grants will fund innovative classroom initiatives that focus on developing career-connected experiences for students. Funded projects should enable students to reinforce and deepen their classroom learning, explore future career fields, and demonstrate their acquired Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills. 

Now in its fifth year, our partnership with Educate Fairfax and the Teacher Grant Program has funded 255 grants to educators and impacted more than 80,000 FCPS students! Learn more about teacher grants.

💛 Thank You to ALL Who Work in Our FCPS Community

For American Education Week, we celebrate everyone who works in the FCPS community! Learn more from the National Education Association. 

Want to recognize someone from your school or office who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS CARES.

🧭 Learn to Lead With Compass Leadership Development Courses

FCPS offers Compass Courses to current and aspiring operational and instructional leaders (unless specified in the course title). Staff from across FCPS lead the courses to promote leadership skills and development. 

Upcoming courses for the second quarter include Leading Your School to Get2Green, Improvement Science, and Engaging in Difficult Conversations. View Compass Quarterly (PDF), a newsletter showcasing all Compass course offerings for the second quarter. Sign up for classes in MyPDE. 

Interested staff can also sign up for Compass Quarterly to plan your professional development calendar. Email [email protected] with any questions.

Learning Tailored to Your Grade Level, Content Area, and Specific Needs

The Great Beginnings Quarter 2 Learning Series will be offered Tuesday, November 28 through Thursday, November 30, with different sessions on a variety of topics each night. 

All sessions will be presented on Zoom from 5:15 to 6:45 pm. You can sign up for one session each night. While the sessions are designed for teachers in their first three years, they are open to all.

Prepare for Your Next Step at FCPS: Resumé and Interviewing Workshop

Join Region 2 Interim Assistant Superintendent Megan Vroman, Groveton Assistant Principal Chris Latham, and Education Specialist for Integrated Professional Learning Sara Royer in this workshop about moving your career to the next level. 

A resumé and interviewing session will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 5-7 p.m., at Willow Oaks for operational and instructional employees at all levels. Participants will learn the do's and don'ts of a great resumé, and receive advice and practice on how to put their best foot forward in a professional interview. Participants should bring a current resumé and job description for a position in which they are interested. Register in MyPDE.

🙋 Student Attendance and Engagement

During the Academic Matters segment of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure of Goal 2 of our Strategic Plan. 

Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely and stressing the importance of attendance to students and parents while providing a multi-tiered system of intervention.

Attendance is critical for academic success. Data shows that:

• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance. 
• Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
• Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

As we start the second quarter of the school year, let’s continue to stress the importance of strong attendance habits.

💲 Financial Empowerment: Your Path to Smarter Spending and Saving

In today's unpredictable economic climate, we all face financial challenges and opportunities, such as budgeting for holiday expenses, supporting aging parents, or preparing for retirement. Imagine a world where you are prepared for the unexpected, confidently navigating economic changes and securing your family's future. 

The 10 Strategies for Improving Your Finances webinar highlights actionable steps for informed decision-making, setting priorities, and reshaping your financial future. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Register today.

For more information, email [email protected].

💯 Don’t Miss Out on Your $100 Wellness Incentive

Employees enrolled in an FCPS health plan as the primary cardholder may earn a gift card worth up to $100 by completing their annual physical and laboratory screenings.

Follow the steps in the guides below by the end of the year to redeem your gift card: 

• Cigna Redemption Guide
• Kaiser Permanente Incentive Reward Guide

Contact [email protected] or visit the Employee Wellness page for more information.

🚶🏽‍♀️ Bravo FCPS Walktober Challengers!

The Employee Wellness Team wishes to extend a huge “Thank you” to every participant in the Walktober Challenge. Every step you took mattered, and every cheer you gave encouraged others. Bravo!

Your support made this year’s wellness challenge a huge success with 4,084 participants, 489 teams, and more than 1 billion steps logged. Congratulations to the three leading schools in the challenge: Mosaic Elementary School, South County Middle School, and Bryant High School.

😴 Rest and Restore Before the Holidays

Join the Wellbeats Wellness Rest and Restore Campaign for soothing meditations to calm your mind, and gentle yoga to release tension and prepare for sleep. The campaign runs through Friday, December 15. Complete the program, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a Wellbeats wellness accessories gift card. 

Use your FCPS email address to access Wellbeats. Please email [email protected] for questions about your account.

New to Wellbeats Wellness? Watch this short video for a preview of classes.

📚 Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources

FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources. The resources may be accessed in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the website during the review period. 

Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be there to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and the School Board.

🦃 Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving Holiday

Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 22, through Friday, November 24. Classes will resume on Monday, November 27. View the Employee Calendar.

Please note, there will be no Employee News next week. The next issue will be sent on Tuesday, November 28. 

💵 Set Yourself Up for Savings This Holiday Season

PerkSpot helps FCPS employees give more while enjoying savings. Make sure you’re set up to stress less and spend less this holiday season with Savings for Staff, FCPS' employee discount program.

Stay tuned for exciting savings opportunities coming your way:

• Early-access deals, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and last-minute gifts.
• Giveaways throughout the season.
• Deals of the week.
• Savings guides to help you find the perfect gift at an affordable cost.

Log in to PerkSpot to join the holiday fun.

🚗 FCPS Online Classifieds: Find a Roommate, a Ride, or a Vacation Rental

The FCPS Online Classifieds system — which is for employees only and can be found on the Hub — is a free way for employees to post ads for personally owned items that they are seeking to buy, sell, or give away. 

Examples include electronics, children’s items, fitness and sports equipment, furniture, cars, and tickets. It's also a great tool to help an employee find someone to share a ride to work, a roommate, or rental property.

🗳️ Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed

Thank you to the Fairfax citizens who supported the 2023 Bond Referendum. Roughly 67% of those voting in the 2023 election supported the $435 million bond referendum, continuing a long history of school bond approvals in Fairfax County. 

Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up-to-date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage.

School Board Meeting Scheduled for Monday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Monday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• Performance and Progress on Strategic Plan Goal 3
• Facilities Engagement Plan
• Annual Legislative Program

Check Boarddocs later this week to view the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Staff and volunteers at White Oaks Elementary School who are military veterans include (from left) Ralphael (Ralph) DiBacco, Harley Stuntz, Alan Peek, and Claire Pruismann. Read about their impact on the school. Veterans, thank you for your service to our country, and for continuing to serve our local community and our children.

🎖️ FCPS Employee-Veterans Continue Shaping Our Country's Future

As we approach Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11, we would like to say a heartfelt “Thank you” to the many FCPS employees who are also military veterans. Read about Moose Bruce (pictured above) and several other employee-veterans on the Employee Blog.

Are you a military veteran who is now working for FCPS? Email us at [email protected] to send photos, tell us what brought you to FCPS, and share how your military career influenced or impacted the work you do now. Your story may be shared in a future blog.

🩺 Benefit Confirmation Statements Are on Their Way

Open enrollment ended on Friday, November 3. Soon, you will receive a confirmation statement in your FCPS.edu inbox, which will show your elected benefits for 2024. Please review this statement carefully. Find out more about benefits and open enrollment.

Benefit Corrections

If you need to make corrections to your 2024 benefit elections, you may do so next week in UConnect. To adjust your plans, covered dependents, or flexible spending account enrollment, login to UConnect Monday, November 13, through Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for more information.

🥗 FCPS CARES of the Month Recipient Cooks Up a Warm, Inviting Environment

FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. One of the September CARES of the Month recipients was Shobana Sen, manager of the Gatehouse Cafe (pictured at left).

“Now that the hot food line is back and the salad bar and customized sandwich bar have returned, there is simply no need to pack a lunch or to leave to grab something to eat,” her nomination stated. “Shobana Sen and her team have always created a warm and inviting environment. I wanted her to know how fortunate we are at Gatehouse to have her! She truly goes above and beyond EVERY day!"

Congratulations to Shobana and other September FCPS CARES of the Month recipients:

• Matthew Brado, Herndon Middle School
• Stacy Kirkpatrick, Chesterbrook Elementary School
• Ronna Petitt, Riverside Elementary School
• Jeni Maenner, Oak View Elementary School
• Jann Canestra, Cub Run Elementary School
• Robin Thibodeaux, North Springfield Elementary School

Read more about all the recipients. Do you know an employee who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Submit their story.

SUBstantial Changes: New Substitute Scheduling Management System Coming in the New Year

SmartFind Express will be phased out in the coming months. The Substitute Office is currently in the testing phase of implementing a new substitute scheduling management system. The new platform will offer more user-friendly and intuitive software, customizable profiles for schools and teachers (including maps, parking information, and photos), data reporting features, and the ability to process requests from anywhere using a phone app.  

All time and attendance processors (TAPs) received an email on Monday, November 6, with upcoming hybrid training sessions. Teachers, substitutes, and school administrators should stay tuned for additional communications starting next week including projected timelines, training reference guides, and tutorial videos.   

Updates and resources will be posted on the Substitute Resources Hub page. Please contact [email protected] with any questions. 

Instructional Coach Learning Cohort: Apply Now

Applications are being accepted for the Winter 2023-24 Instructional Coach Learning Cohort (ICLC). The ICLC is designed to prepare teacher-leaders for the role of an FCPS instructional coach through in-person professional development, experiences leading in their schools, and asynchronous learning and reflection. Cohort participants  are also provided with observations, coaching, and feedback. There will be seven in-person sessions beginning Wednesday, January 10. 

Teachers interested in becoming an instructional coach for the 2024-25 school year should consider applying. Find additional information and application materials. Please contact Hallie Case with questions.

Preventing Employee Burnout Webinar

Join your colleagues Wednesday, November 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m., for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar on reclaiming your well-being and becoming unstuck from a burnout cycle. You will learn practical strategies to regain balance and resilience before stress becomes burnout.

Register for Preventing Employee Burnout to learn how to identify early signs of burnout, create a work environment that makes burnout less likely, and check in with colleagues who are experiencing signs of burnout. 

Find more events on the Hub EAP page and visit the Recorded EAP Workshops page for recordings of previous webinars. 

Access No-Cost Mental Health Support Through the EAP

If you are looking for personalized support, you may want to explore GuidanceResources. This program offers employees and their households information and resources on emotional, financial, legal, family, and work-life issues. You can access up to six confidential counseling sessions per issue, per year, and browse through hundreds of online resources, including mental health toolkits and articles.

Among the things guidance resources can help employees and their loved ones address are relationship problems, stress, grief and loss, energizing a career, or dealing with trauma. If you are feeling angry, lonely, depressed, or just “stuck,” you can visit GuidanceResources for help. 

If you’re looking for self-guided emotional support, you may want to explore KOA Foundation's wellness app. The app provides personalized, on-the-go wellness modules, ranging from dealing with stress and difficulty sleeping, to learning how to manage anxiety. For more information, email [email protected].

School Psychologist Week

School psychologists work to positively impact the academic and social-emotional development of all students by providing mental health services that build resilience, life competencies, and good citizenship. Thank you to all the school psychologists hard at work in our schools every day!

Building Strong Partnerships with Families

Family engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools, community agencies, and organizations engage families in meaningful ways, and families actively support their children’s learning and development. Tips to create strong partnerships with families include:

• Cultivate trust by showing respect and developing mutual understanding. Ask families about their children — their strengths, interests, and challenges — then use this information to differentiate instruction. 
• Communicate with families frequently and consistently. Provide your contact information and connect through multiple communication methods. Survey families to see what method works best for them. Provide the family liaison's contact information to families to support building partnerships between home and school. 
• Use simple, easy-to-understand language and formats. If needed, engage interpreters and translate messages whenever possible. Foster feedback and two-way communication. 
• Design lessons that include family participation and incorporate content from home cultures. Provide resources to support learning at home. 

This Family Engagement Month, visit the Employee Hub to learn more about Family and School Partnerships and their programs for teachers, staff, and families.

💻 Help Students Access Free Resources from Tutor.com

All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works.

School Board Meeting Scheduled for November 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• Renaming of W.T. Woodson High School
• Secondary Course Offerings
• Awarding of Contracts

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Teacher Emily Mextorf uses sand to help students learn letter sounds at Bren Mar Park Elementary School.

Two Percent Raise Effective for All Employees January 1, 2024

The Fairfax County School Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 Revised Budget on October 26, which included a 2% compensation increase for all FCPS employees effective January 1, 2024. 

Monthly paid employees will see the additional pay on their January 31, 2024 paycheck. Biweekly paid employees will see the additional pay on their January 26, 2024 paycheck.

This action is the result of the Virginia General Assembly’s final budget adopted on September 14. 

🩺 Open Enrollment Ends Friday

Friday, November 3, is the deadline for reviewing your current medical, dental, and flexible spending account (FSA) elections and making any changes for the upcoming calendar year. Visit the UConnect Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions on using UConnect during Open Enrollment. 

Current FSA participants are not automatically re-enrolled. You must enroll in an FSA during open enrollment if you wish to participate in 2024. 

Please visit the Open Enrollment webpage for additional information.

Required MyPDE Quarterly Trainings

Specific MyPDE trainings are required on a quarterly basis for several reasons: 

• Some topics are more relevant at different times of the year. 
• Assigning training at the end of every quarter allows employees to focus on a few topics at a time, helping them feel less overwhelmed and potentially increasing information retention.
• Feedback on training throughout the year allows the development team to make improvements that impact the next cycle of assignments. For instance, you may have noticed shortened assignments and the addition of pre-tests to demonstrate understanding. These are a direct result of employee feedback!

First-quarter assignments are available today, Tuesday, October 31. Employees have 60 days to complete training assignments. Be sure to check your email or the Assigned Training page in MyPDE to see your customized list.

📈 FCPS Pass Rates and Accreditation Outcomes

During the Academic Matters segment of the October 26 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed FCPS’ annual pass rates and accreditation outcomes. She stated that we’re seeing a return to baseline levels in pass rates at FCPS. Post-pandemic assessment growth has leveled off. 

Reading, mathematics, and science pass rates for FCPS are up by an average of almost 9% since the 2021-22 school year. FCPS’ annual pass rates on state assessments continue to be higher than the state average by an average of 5%. 

The Virginia Board of Education’s accreditation ratings are based on six to nine school quality indicators. These include state assessment results and achievement gaps, graduation and dropout rates, and participation in college/career readiness programs. 

For the 2023 accreditation ratings, 99.5% of Fairfax County public schools are accredited (compared to the state average of 89%). The remaining 0.5% are accredited with conditions.

Successfully Completing Algebra 1 by Eighth Grade

One of the measures of Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence is successfully completing Algebra 1 by eighth grade. Our Algebra Access Network Improvement Community (AANIC) is working to increase the diverse representation of students who participate and are successful in the rigorous mathematics opportunities available in FCPS. AANIC’s work is collaborative and data-backed, as they learn how we can best implement their findings divisionwide. Learn more about the AANIC cohorts at Kilmer and Key middle schools and hear students explain why algebra matters to them.

Successfully completing Algebra 1 paves the way for an advanced academic trajectory — including Dual Enrollment courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses — that supports postsecondary success. A recent study from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) found that completing Algebra 1 by eighth grade led to 30% more ninth graders and 16% more 11th graders taking advanced courses. 

🖥️ Tell Us What You Think About FCPS’ Websites

FCPS will be updating our central and school websites to improve user experience. Please take our survey in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese to let us know your thoughts about our websites and how they can be improved.

The survey is anonymous, should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and will close on Wednesday, November 1. If you have any questions about the survey, please email our vendor at [email protected].

Provide More In-Depth Feedback

Consider providing more in-depth feedback on the current FCPS website by participating in a usability study. This research is being conducted by our website partner, Forum One. If you are interested, please send an email to [email protected] as soon as possible. Please note in your email what your role is at FCPS.

Partnering with Families for Family Engagement Month

Family engagement is a shared responsibility between schools and families to actively support children’s learning and development. You can share these resources with families to encourage them to become involved with their children’s teachers and school community:

• A family calendar with suggestions for ways to become involved with the school community for each day of November. Consider printing and sharing this calendar with parents. 

• Quick tips for families, which are available in English and Spanish. Review these brochures before meeting with parents, in case they can help provide insight on any specific concerns or topics. 
• Parent-teacher conference tips to share with families in advance of conferences in order to make the most of meetings. 

Access additional materials on the Hub.

From Personal Experience: Putting Students First at Parent-Teacher Conferences

In the Employee Blog, Martha Paz-Espinoza (pictured at left), a resource teacher at Willow Oaks, shares what it was like to be an English learner and have to interpret for her father at parent-teacher conferences.

She also offers tips for teachers to help put students first and better partner with parents during conference meetings.

🎖️ Purple Star Schools Support Military-Connected Families

Eighteen Fairfax County public schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2023 Purple Star Schools.

The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. See the full list of schools.

🎓 Save Money With the Special Education Grow Your Own Pathway

George Mason University will host a virtual information session on Thursday, November 9, at 5:15 p.m., on the cost savings of joining the FCPS Grow Your Own Pathway cohort, as well as the courses needed to become a special education teacher. These FCPS-only cohorts are helpful for teacher trainees and newly hired special education teachers needing coursework for licensure. 

The GMU partnership offers an introduction to special education that qualifies an individual for provisional licensure, and a master’s degree and licensure program in all three areas of special education licensure.   

Special education teachers and trainees who obtained a provisional licensure after June 1 should complete this form to receive an invitation to the virtual information session. For questions or more information, please contact [email protected].

Grow Your Own Pathway at Northern Virginia Community College

Paraprofessionals who have between 30 and 60 college credits and want to become a special education teacher or elementary education teacher may be interested in the FCPS tuition sharing program with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). 

FCPS and NOVA are hosting an online information session Tuesday, November 7, at 2 p.m. Learn about the cost savings of joining the FCPS Grow Your Own Pathway cohort, as well as the courses needed to earn an associate’s degree as the first step to becoming either a special education teacher or elementary education teacher. Complete this form to receive an invitation to the session. 

😴 Why Sleep Is Essential and How to Improve Sleep Practices

We spend about a third of our lives sleeping and for a good reason. Consistent, quality sleep each night is one of the most effective things you can do to support your brain and health. Poor sleep is linked to negative health outcomes, including cognitive decline. 

Join Employee Wellness for a webinar, Sleep: An Essential Component of Health and Well-Being, on Wednesday, November 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m. The session will provide the most up-to-date research on ways to improve sleep to get the most out of each night.

Participants in the sleep webinar will be able to:

• Understand what happens during sleep and why both quantity and quality are important.
• Identify the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on health outcomes and everyday performance.
• Understand typical changes in sleep as we age.
• List risk factors for sleep disturbance in older adults.

For more information, email [email protected].

✅ Election Day Is Next Week

Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 7! It's also a teacher workday and a holiday for students. For more information on voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Bond Referendum on Ballot

Don’t forget that the 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot next week. Learn more about registering to vote.

🗓️ November Is Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories; and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the unique challenges they have faced historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Día de los Muertos and All Saints Day

Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, are observance days this year. 

End of the First Quarter

Friday, November 3, is the last day of the first quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 6, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 7, for a teacher workday. See the Employee Calendar for details on who reports to work those days. 

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight saving time will end Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kings Park Elementary School staff members are ready to support their students for a day of learning! From left to right are Edna Molina, Loan Huynh, Elizabeth Sotomayor, Stephanie Chen, and Sagrario Gomez.

Correction: Election Day

In this evening's issue of Employee News, we incorrectly stated that Tuesday, November 7, is a teacher holiday. November 7 is a teacher workday. Please see the corrected information below. We sincerely apologize for the error.

 

📝 Become a High-Impact Tutor

High-impact tutoring connects small groups of as many as five students with a tutor who meets with them before, during, and/or after school hours. Tutors meet regularly with their groups and routinely assess student growth to ensure the students are meeting or exceeding their goals. Find out how to become a high-impact tutor with FCPS.

As of October 17, FCPS has 161 tutors hired for this school year, working in approximately 60 schools. Additional tutors are continually being added to our roster. Read more about FCPS’ high-impact tutoring program.

💲 Earn Your $100 Wellness Incentive

Employees enrolled in an FCPS health plan as the primary cardholder may earn a gift card reward worth up to $100 for completing their annual physical and laboratory screenings by Sunday, December 31. The gift card is courtesy of our Employee Wellness Incentive program!

• Cigna Members: Earn a $50 gift card reward for completing the Annual Preventive Exam and earn a $50 gift card reward for completing the Biometric Screening.
• Kaiser Permanente Members: Earn a $100 gift card reward for completing the Total Health Assessment and Biometric Screening.

Email [email protected] or visit the FCPS Wellness Incentive Program Hub page for more information.

📜 Update Your Address to Receive W-2

W-2 tax forms are issued by the end of January for earnings in the prior calendar year. Employees are encouraged to opt in for W-2 web delivery. For instructions on opting in, view the Online W-2 Access Guide.

Paper W-2s will be mailed to the address on file (as of Thursday, December 28) for employees who have not opted in for web delivery.

To avoid delivery delays, please keep your address up-to-date in UConnect and submit a forwarding address with the U.S. Postal Service if you move. Undeliverable W-2s will be returned to FCPS. If an updated address is on file when the W-2 is returned, it will be re-mailed to the new address.

For technical assistance with online address changes, please call the Human Resources Welcome Center at 571-423-3000.

🩺 Open Enrollment Ends Next Week

Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll or make changes to your medical, dental, and/or flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming year. 

Now through Friday, November 3, you can log in to UConnect to review your current benefit elections and make any changes. Your login information is your FCPS user ID and password. Visit the UConnect Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions on using UConnect during Open Enrollment. 

Current FSA participants are not automatically re-enrolled. You must enroll in an FSA during open enrollment if you wish to participate in 2024. 

Please visit the Open Enrollment webpage for additional information.

Help Shape the Direction of FCPS Websites

FCPS will be updating our current websites to improve user experience. Our website vendor will be focusing on key elements including design, layout, navigation, content, and accessibility.

Please take our survey in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese and let us know your thoughts about FCPS' central website (fcps.edu) and school sites, and how well they are serving you.

The survey is anonymous, should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and will close on Wednesday, November 1. We will share the survey results later this fall. Thank you in advance for your time. If you have any questions about the survey, please email our vendor at [email protected].

Want to Provide More In-Depth Feedback?

In addition to the Website Redesign Survey mentioned above, we are looking for volunteers to provide more in-depth feedback on FCPS' current central website by participating in a usability study. This research is being conducted by our website partner, Forum One. You may participate by downloading an app on your personal phone or viewing a website. 

If you are interested, please email Sara Tetreault, [email protected], as soon as possible. Please note in your email what your role is at FCPS.

📊 Results of the 2022-23 Fairfax County Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey provides insights about the behaviors and attitudes that affect the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth. 

Most Fairfax County students reported they feel safe at their school in the 2022-23 survey. Overall, the percentage of students who reported risky behaviors continued to decrease in many areas including substance use, sexual activity, and aggressive and delinquent behavior. 

Mental health indicators including feelings of sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts also improved noticeably compared to 2021. Students who reported the recommended amount of physical activity increased compared to the prior year as well. 

Read more about the report’s findings, and find the full report on the county’s website.

Protective Factors Support Healthy Habits and Positive Choices

Results from the Fairfax County Youth Survey highlight the importance of students having three or more protective factors. Protective factors are individual, family-based, school-based, and community-based assets (such as participating in extracurricular activities, having parents available for help, or having teachers recognize good work) that support healthy habits and positive choices. Learn more about promoting positive outcomes. 

Survey data shows that students with at least three protective factors have a lower likelihood of reporting mental health challenges and engaging in a variety of risky behaviors, including substance and opioid abuse. These findings led to the development of the Three to Succeed program, which is being implemented divisionwide to educate FCPS students, families, and staff on the importance of protective factors and increasing the number of high school students with three or more of them.

Lynette Henry Named Executive Director of Educate Fairfax

The Chief Experience and Engagement Office announced the selection of Lynette Henry as the new executive director of Educate Fairfax, effective Wednesday, November 1. 

In alignment with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, Lynette will be responsible for building on the foundation’s work and growing its contributions in support of excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student. 

Lynette is currently the manager of FCPS' College Success Programs, where she supervises programming and services districtwide to increase access to resources and opportunities for student populations most in need of these services. 

Her philanthropic work has resulted in funding that provided wraparound services and support to students and families; increased mentoring, parent engagement, and college and career opportunities; and extended after school and summer programs. She is known to reach across the division and broader community to engage multiple and diverse stakeholders, build and nurture relationships, and work tirelessly to achieve goals. 

Lynette’s motto is, “Imagine the Best for Every Child … and Make It Happen!”

⭐ Employee Recognition: Nominate and Celebrate Your Colleagues

We know FCPS employs some of the best and brightest! Recognize your colleagues by nominating them for one of the following:

• The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to acknowledge FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
• Excellence Awards celebrate the efforts and achievements of individual employees and teams whose job performance produces exceptional results that support FCPS’ mission and vision. 
• The FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards program (Honors) celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of exceptional school-based and nonschool-based employees throughout the district. Awards liaisons from participating schools and departments work with the Employee Awards Team throughout the selection process. 

Employees are also honored upon their retirement at the We Honor You ceremony. Visit the Hub for more details on all the programs.

🌸 EAP Healthy Lifestyles Webinar

Join your colleagues Wednesday, October 25, 4:30-5:30 p.m. for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar that will take you on a transformative journey to explore the connection between mental and physical health, paving the way to a happier and healthier you.

Register for Healthy Lifestyles: Changing the Way You Think About Diet and Exercise to learn how to cultivate a holistic mindset, focus on long-term sustainable habits, prioritize balanced nutrition, and incorporate regular physical activity into your routine.

Visit EAP Guidance Resources Online (use Web ID: FCPS) to learn more. Find additional events on the Hub EAP page and find recordings of previous webinars on the Recorded EAP Workshops page. 

Email [email protected] or call 1-855-355-9097 for additional information. Sign up for the EAP Wellness newsletter to get monthly updates.

🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Día de los Muertos and All Saints Day

Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, are observance days this year. Watch this video to learn more about Día de los Muertos.

See the Employee Calendar. See the complete school year calendar.

🕰️ End of the First Quarter

As a reminder, Friday, November 3, is the last day of the first quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 6, for a school planning day and Tuesday, November 7, for a teacher workday. See the Employee Calendar for details on who reports to work those days. 

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight saving time will end Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

✅ Election Day

Remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and teacher workday. For more information on voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

🏗️ FCPS Buildings Benefit All Community Members

FCPS buildings aren’t only used by our students and teachers; we estimate that visits from community members, students from other school districts, and other members of the public number in the millions. Most of the public meeting and recreational facilities available in the county are FCPS facilities. FCPS works with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and with the Fairfax County Park Authority to ensure that school facilities and athletic fields are available to the public after school hours. 

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. 

School Board Meeting Scheduled for October 26 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• FY 2024 Revised Budget
• Awarding of Contracts

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

Web | Facebook | X | YouTube

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kings Park Elementary School staff members are ready to support their students for a day of learning! From left to right are Edna Molina, Loan Huynh, Elizabeth Sotomayor, Stephanie Chen, and Sagrario Gomez.

📝 Become a High-Impact Tutor

High-impact tutoring connects small groups of as many as five students with a tutor who meets with them before, during, and/or after school hours. Tutors meet regularly with their groups and routinely assess student growth to ensure the students are meeting or exceeding their goals. Find out how to become a high-impact tutor with FCPS.

As of October 17, FCPS has 161 tutors hired for this school year, working in approximately 60 schools. Additional tutors are continually being added to our roster. Read more about FCPS’ high-impact tutoring program.

💲 Earn Your $100 Wellness Incentive

Employees enrolled in an FCPS health plan as the primary cardholder may earn a gift card reward worth up to $100 for completing their annual physical and laboratory screenings by Sunday, December 31. The gift card is courtesy of our Employee Wellness Incentive program!

• Cigna Members: Earn a $50 gift card reward for completing the Annual Preventive Exam and earn a $50 gift card reward for completing the Biometric Screening.
• Kaiser Permanente Members: Earn a $100 gift card reward for completing the Total Health Assessment and Biometric Screening.

Email [email protected] or visit the FCPS Wellness Incentive Program Hub page for more information.

📜 Update Your Address to Receive W-2

W-2 tax forms are issued by the end of January for earnings in the prior calendar year. Employees are encouraged to opt in for W-2 web delivery. For instructions on opting in, view the Online W-2 Access Guide.

Paper W-2s will be mailed to the address on file (as of Thursday, December 28) for employees who have not opted in for web delivery.

To avoid delivery delays, please keep your address up-to-date in UConnect and submit a forwarding address with the U.S. Postal Service if you move. Undeliverable W-2s will be returned to FCPS. If an updated address is on file when the W-2 is returned, it will be re-mailed to the new address.

For technical assistance with online address changes, please call the Human Resources Welcome Center at 571-423-3000.

🩺 Open Enrollment Ends Next Week

Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll or make changes to your medical, dental, and/or flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming year. 

Now through Friday, November 3, you can log in to UConnect to review your current benefit elections and make any changes. Your login information is your FCPS user ID and password. Visit the UConnect Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions on using UConnect during Open Enrollment. 

Current FSA participants are not automatically re-enrolled. You must enroll in an FSA during open enrollment if you wish to participate in 2024. 

Please visit the Open Enrollment webpage for additional information.

Help Shape the Direction of FCPS Websites

FCPS will be updating our current websites to improve user experience. Our website vendor will be focusing on key elements including design, layout, navigation, content, and accessibility.

Please take our survey in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese and let us know your thoughts about FCPS' central website (fcps.edu) and school sites, and how well they are serving you.

The survey is anonymous, should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and will close on Wednesday, November 1. We will share the survey results later this fall. Thank you in advance for your time. If you have any questions about the survey, please email our vendor at [email protected].

Want to Provide More In-Depth Feedback?

In addition to the Website Redesign Survey mentioned above, we are looking for volunteers to provide more in-depth feedback on FCPS' current central website by participating in a usability study. This research is being conducted by our website partner, Forum One. You may participate by downloading an app on your personal phone or viewing a website. 

If you are interested, please email Sara Tetreault, [email protected], as soon as possible. Please note in your email what your role is at FCPS.

📊 Results of the 2022-23 Fairfax County Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey provides insights about the behaviors and attitudes that affect the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth. 

Most Fairfax County students reported they feel safe at their school in the 2022-23 survey. Overall, the percentage of students who reported risky behaviors continued to decrease in many areas including substance use, sexual activity, and aggressive and delinquent behavior. 

Mental health indicators including feelings of sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts also improved noticeably compared to 2021. Students who reported the recommended amount of physical activity increased compared to the prior year as well. 

Read more about the report’s findings, and find the full report on the county’s website.

Protective Factors Support Healthy Habits and Positive Choices

Results from the Fairfax County Youth Survey highlight the importance of students having three or more protective factors. Protective factors are individual, family-based, school-based, and community-based assets (such as participating in extracurricular activities, having parents available for help, or having teachers recognize good work) that support healthy habits and positive choices. Learn more about promoting positive outcomes. 

Survey data shows that students with at least three protective factors have a lower likelihood of reporting mental health challenges and engaging in a variety of risky behaviors, including substance and opioid abuse. These findings led to the development of the Three to Succeed program, which is being implemented divisionwide to educate FCPS students, families, and staff on the importance of protective factors and increasing the number of high school students with three or more of them.

Lynette Henry Named Executive Director of Educate Fairfax

The Chief Experience and Engagement Office announced the selection of Lynette Henry as the new executive director of Educate Fairfax, effective Wednesday, November 1. 

In alignment with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, Lynette will be responsible for building on the foundation’s work and growing its contributions in support of excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student. 

Lynette is currently the manager of FCPS' College Success Programs, where she supervises programming and services districtwide to increase access to resources and opportunities for student populations most in need of these services. 

Her philanthropic work has resulted in funding that provided wraparound services and support to students and families; increased mentoring, parent engagement, and college and career opportunities; and extended after school and summer programs. She is known to reach across the division and broader community to engage multiple and diverse stakeholders, build and nurture relationships, and work tirelessly to achieve goals. 

Lynette’s motto is, “Imagine the Best for Every Child … and Make It Happen!”

⭐ Employee Recognition: Nominate and Celebrate Your Colleagues

We know FCPS employs some of the best and brightest! Recognize your colleagues by nominating them for one of the following:

• The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to acknowledge FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
• Excellence Awards celebrate the efforts and achievements of individual employees and teams whose job performance produces exceptional results that support FCPS’ mission and vision. 
• The FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards program (Honors) celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of exceptional school-based and nonschool-based employees throughout the district. Awards liaisons from participating schools and departments work with the Employee Awards Team throughout the selection process. 

Employees are also honored upon their retirement at the We Honor You ceremony. Visit the Hub for more details on all the programs.

🌸 EAP Healthy Lifestyles Webinar

Join your colleagues Wednesday, October 25, 4:30-5:30 p.m. for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar that will take you on a transformative journey to explore the connection between mental and physical health, paving the way to a happier and healthier you.

Register for Healthy Lifestyles: Changing the Way You Think About Diet and Exercise to learn how to cultivate a holistic mindset, focus on long-term sustainable habits, prioritize balanced nutrition, and incorporate regular physical activity into your routine.

Visit EAP Guidance Resources Online (use Web ID: FCPS) to learn more. Find additional events on the Hub EAP page and find recordings of previous webinars on the Recorded EAP Workshops page. 

Email [email protected] or call 1-855-355-9097 for additional information. Sign up for the EAP Wellness newsletter to get monthly updates.

🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Día de los Muertos and All Saints Day

Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, are observance days this year. Watch this video to learn more about Día de los Muertos.

See the Employee Calendar. See the complete school year calendar.

🕰️ End of the First Quarter

As a reminder, Friday, November 3, is the last day of the first quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 6, for a school planning day and Tuesday, November 7, for a teacher workday. See the Employee Calendar for details on who reports to work those days. 

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight saving time will end Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

✅ Election Day

Remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and teachers (only 12-month personnel report). For more information on voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

🏗️ FCPS Buildings Benefit All Community Members

FCPS buildings aren’t only used by our students and teachers; we estimate that visits from community members, students from other school districts, and other members of the public number in the millions. Most of the public meeting and recreational facilities available in the county are FCPS facilities. FCPS works with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and with the Fairfax County Park Authority to ensure that school facilities and athletic fields are available to the public after school hours. 

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. 

School Board Meeting Scheduled for October 26 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• FY 2024 Revised Budget
• Awarding of Contracts

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

Web | Facebook | X | YouTube

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

 

October is National Audiology Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to spreading awareness about the services provided by audiologists — including those in the FCPS Department of Hearing and Vision, pictured above, who support our deaf and hard-of-hearing students. 

👩‍⚕️ Open Enrollment Is Underway!

Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll or make changes to your medical, dental, and/or flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming year. 

Now through Friday, November 3, you can log in to UConnect to review your current benefit elections and make any changes. Your login information is your FCPS user ID and password. Visit the UConnect Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions for using UConnect during Open Enrollment. 

The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) staff will be hosting an open house on Thursday, October 19, 4-7 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. (By the way, welcome to OBS’ new Director of Benefits Services Lisa Edmonds!) Chat with benefits vendors, including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente representatives, and OBS staff to get answers to your questions.

You must enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) through UConnect during open enrollment if you wish to participate in 2024. Current FSA participants are not automatically re-enrolled.

Please visit the Open Enrollment webpage for additional information.

🏆 Celebrating Employee Excellence

FCPS Excellence Awards recognize employees who have exhibited extraordinary achievement in one of four areas: Growth, Impact on Others, Innovation, and Student Achievement. Among those honored for Innovation was the West Springfield High School Spartan Tech Team. Pictured above (from left) are Jerry Mason, Miriam Lynch, Betsy Fawsett, and Julie Halse. 

There were 227 employees nominated across the individual excellence and team excellence awards. Of those, 29 individuals and 70 other employees across 12 teams were selected as recipients. These employees represent 25 schools and nine central office departments. 

See the full list of Excellence Awards recipients.

🔔 “My First Year” Teacher Series: Episode 2 - The First Bell

Ms. Vivi is back for episode 2 of the “My First Year” teacher series. With her first school year well underway, watch how she fosters a sense of community in her classroom and juggles the tasks that come with being a teacher, all while developing personal connections with her students.

Watch the second episode and read more about Ms. Vivi and her journey as a first year teacher.

🗳️ Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential Primary

The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested schools to close on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.

As a result, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. As outlined in Regulation 4421, School Planning Days are directed by school-based administrators in order to devote time to school improvement efforts, including collaboration around data, common assessments, and responsive instruction. Central offices and school offices will remain open.

FCPS CARES Recipient Advocates for Students

FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. One of the summer FCPS CARES recipients was Iris Stubblefield from West Potomac High School. 

“Iris will always seek out information or assistance from her colleagues and former co-workers to help her students,” her nominator said. 

Iris brought a recent West Potomac graduate to Bryant High School, so they could work with Bryant Principal Karen Hertel to help advocate for vocational training. “The young man worked through the steps of applying and followed up with professional email communication and is well on his way to career training. Iris is an amazing teacher, encourager, and advocate!! Thank you, Iris!"

Congratulations to Iris and our other summer FCPS CARES recipients: 

• Latika Barnes, Stonecroft Transportation Center
• Juliet Frimpong, Blanca Hernandez, Deron Elmond, and An Tran, Navy Elementary School
• Lisa Russell, Timber Lane Elementary School
• Maria Canas, West Springfield High School
• Blair Smith and Paul Osei Akrasi, Woodson High School
• Sabrina Kessenich and Scott Saunders, Lewis High School

Read more about all the recipients. Do you know an employee who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Submit their story.

🎤 Share Your Thoughts About FCPS

The final Employee Conversation for the fall will be held Thursday, October 19, 4:30-6 p.m., at Langley High School. Dr. Reid invites all employees to share their thoughts and questions. Visit the superintendent’s webpage at any time to submit a question to Dr. Reid or email [email protected].

🔒 Enhancing Security: Transition to Stronger MFA Methods

Many employees have their Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method set to send a text message with a code to verify their identity. The Department of Information Technology will be phasing out the use of text message-based MFA, also known as Short Message Service (SMS) MFA, in favor of more secure MFA authenticator apps.

FCPS will soon require all staff to retrieve authentication codes from an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator to strengthen the security of our systems and protect your accounts. Both authenticator apps work on Apple and Android devices. These apps only generate MFA codes, so installing one on your device does not make it subject to FOIA requests. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to set up an authenticator app for your FCPS accounts today.  

Please review the Multi-Factor Authentication FAQs on the Employee Hub. Contact your TSSpec or the IT Service Desk if you have questions.

🚶🏽‍♀️ Register for the Walking for Mental Health EAP Webinar

Register for the Walking for Mental Health webinar to boost your emotional, spiritual, or mental well-being for a healthier, happier you! The event will take place on Wednesday, October 18, at 4:30 p.m. Participants will learn meditative techniques, how to appreciate the therapeutic influence of nature, how to get started with labyrinth walking, and grounding practices through barefoot walking. 

Find additional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) events on the Hub EAP page.

Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online

FCPS is asking all families to fill out the Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is available online in SIS ParentVUE this year. School-based staff, please encourage families to complete the online form for each school-aged child in every household. This is important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

📊 Academic Matters: SAT Outcomes

During the Academic Matters segment of the Thursday, October 12, School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared SAT outcomes and opportunities for FCPS students. View her slide presentation.

As in years past, the FCPS class of 2023 average score of 1181 was higher than the state average (1113) and the global average (1028). The percentage of FCPS seniors taking the SAT has also remained consistent, despite the sharp decrease in participation statewide.

🏅 Submit a Nomination for FCPS Hall of Fame

Do you know an FCPS alum who has made significant contributions to their chosen field and/or our local, national, or global community? If so, we would love to celebrate them! Educate Fairfax believes that FCPS alumni are something special, and they are excited to share alumni stories. 

Over the past two years, Educate Fairfax has recognized leaders from the realms of business, education, community service, entertainment, military, sports, and government.  

Nominations for Spring 2024 FCPS Hall of Fame inductees will be accepted through January 12, 2024. Learn more about the FCPS Hall of Fame. 

🏗️ Updates to School Facilities

Trends of development and housing turnover are inconsistent across the county and continue to present a facilities capacity challenge. Spaces in schools may be outdated from when buildings were originally built. 

Projects funded by the 2023 Bond Referendum may be updated to meet the current needs of students or may increase space to help relieve overcrowding and provide spaces for small-group and specialized instruction. 

Additionally, all updates to school facilities are made with energy efficiency in mind. FCPS has 220 buildings and 26.5 million square feet of building space. These buildings cost tens of millions of dollars to power each year. As the footprint of FCPS continues to grow, conserving energy for cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions is of the utmost importance.

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.

America’s Safe Schools Week

The National School Safety Center, state governors, and state school superintendents sponsor America's Safe Schools Week, which is celebrated this week. 

School safety includes keeping campuses free of crime and violence, improving discipline, and increasing student attendance. Schools that are safe and free of violence, weapons, and drugs are necessary to ensure the well-being of all children and the quality of their education. Thank you to all our school and central office staff — including Joseph Morton (left) and Joseph Goins (right) from the Office of Safety and Security — who work together to keep our students safe!

🚌 National School Bus Safety Week

Thank you to our more than 1,800 bus drivers and Transportation Services staff who work every day to ensure our students get to and from school safely. 

The FCPS bus fleet is one of the largest in the U.S., transporting approximately 131,000 students on 1,625 buses each day. Read about how some bus drivers tested their safety skills last year at FCPS’ Road-eo competition.

Calendar Reminders: Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day

Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, are “O” Days this year. Watch this video to learn more about Día de los Muertos.

While Día de los Muertos is largely celebrated in Mexico and Latin America, it also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and are believed to have gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day).

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Shaun Sawko (above), new executive director of Food and Nutrition Services, is sharing some of the upcoming changes to school lunches this National School Lunch Week.

Collective Bargaining Update

FCPS believes that collective bargaining will ensure employees feel seen, heard, and supported; and will position FCPS as an employer of choice. The Office of Labor Relations provides strategic leadership and direction to FCPS’ labor relations initiatives and collective bargaining functions.  

FCPS has an approved Collective Bargaining Resolution (CBR), allowing FCPS to move toward the next stage of the process: certification of organizations seeking to become exclusive representatives of the bargaining units. Organizations that win elections will be able to bargain with FCPS for employee compensation, benefits, and working conditions. 

Please visit the Employee Hub for collective bargaining resources, including an outline of the bargaining process, regular status updates, and FAQs.

👩‍⚕️ Open Enrollment Starts Monday, October 16

Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in medical or dental insurance or to make changes to your existing plans. You can also enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) for the upcoming calendar year. 

The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) will host two open houses to discuss 2024 benefits. Speak to benefit vendors, including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente, and OBS staff to get answers to your questions. 

Open houses will be held:

• Thursday, October 19, 4-7 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School (Cafeteria).
• Tuesday, October 24, 4-7 p.m., at Chantilly High School (Cafeteria).

Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for additional details.

🎤 Share Your Thoughts About FCPS

Employee Conversations continue across the school division as Dr. Reid invites employees to share their thoughts and questions. Upcoming conversations will take place on:

• Monday, October 16, 6:30-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.

• Thursday, October 19, 4:30-6 p.m., at Langley High School.

Dr. Reid would like to hear from you at any time of the year. Visit the superintendent’s webpage to submit a question or email [email protected]. 

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 911. 

Opportunity to Evaluate FCPS’ Website

FCPS will be working with our website vendor to enhance user experience on the school division’s website. This will include improving key elements such as design, layout, navigation, content, and accessibility.

Your input is an important part of this process. A staff and community survey will be sent next week. The survey will provide an opportunity to tell us how the website works for you and what could be improved.

📱 Smartphone Security Tips

 

For the second week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are sharing ways to stay safe while using our smartphones. Being vigilant about cybersecurity is crucial, especially since cybercriminals can be incredibly cruel and persistent.

Follow the tips below to help keep you and your smartphone data protected:

• Reduce spam calls and texts. Register your home and mobile phone numbers for free with the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry.
• Don’t respond to unknown texts. Block and report unknown texts as spam. See how to manage this on Apple or Android devices.
• Don’t use SMS (texts) for sensitive data. SMS is unreliable and insecure. Just as you shouldn’t send sensitive information using unencrypted email, don’t send private information in text messages.

Visit the Office of Cybersecurity’s Hub page for additional Smartphone Security Tips.

Self-Reporting Through StaffConnect

As noted in Regulation 4116, employees must disclose and notify the Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER) of any arrests — including misdemeanors, felonies, or acts that impact a person’s ability to work — that occur after being hired and while employed at FCPS. This can now be done through StaffConnect. 

Access FCPS StaffConnect on the Employee Hub or via the Contact Us page on the public website. You may also direct questions to Human Resources at 571-423-3000.

Brush Up on Engagement Skills with Academy Courses

Family and School Partnerships is offering an academy class for instructional staff who want to learn strategies to better meet the unique needs of military-connected youth. The class, Supporting Military-Connected Youth in FCPS, will provide a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning. The class will meet virtually on Wednesdays beginning November 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Interested staff members should register in MyPDE. Please contact Krystle Trammell for more information at [email protected].

🍼 Expectant Parent Resources

The Office of Benefit Services offers virtual workshops providing information on how to prepare and plan for child-related leaves. Sessions will take place:

• Wednesday, October 18, 4-5 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 7, 10-11 a.m.

• Tuesday, December 5, 4-5 p.m.

Register for an upcoming workshop. All workshop materials, including the voiceover presentation and handouts, will be posted to this site.

🏗️  How School Building Projects Are Selected

 

Each year, the School Board and staff members work with the community to develop an updated five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system reviews changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions, to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal. 

The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $6.5 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students across FCPS have effective and efficient learning environments.

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.

💰 Access Thousands of Deals

Fairfax County Public Schools and PerkSpot have partnered to give you access to thousands of exclusive and unbeatable deals from top brands across 25+ categories. From apparel and food to home and auto, the savings are amazing! Visit Perkspot today.

FCPS Celebrates Ombuds Day October 12

Office of the Ombuds staff engage with employees, families, and students to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

The ombuds is available to: 

• Share strategies to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
• Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or involving employees in the workplace.
• Provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.

Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

School Board Meeting Scheduled for October 12 at 7:30 p.m.

 

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• Global Executive Expectations
• Woodson High School Renaming
• Awarding of Contracts

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Principal KJ An, FCPS Honors 2023 Outstanding New Principal, welcomes a student as they enter Eagle View Elementary School. October is National School Principals Month. Thank you, principals, for the essential role you play in making our schools great!

👩‍⚕️ Open Enrollment for 2024: October 16-November 3

Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical or dental insurance, and enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) for the upcoming calendar year. 

The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) will host two open houses to discuss 2024 benefits. Chat with benefit vendors — including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente — and OBS staff to get answers to your questions. 

Look for more details in your annual Employee Benefits Briefing, which will arrive in your inbox soon. An electronic version will also be available on the Open Enrollment webpage, where you can find up-to-date benefits announcements, materials, and resources.

Providing Students With Access to Learning

FCPS is committed to serving the needs of each and every student. For Quinton, pictured above, that includes providing cutting-edge assistive technology that allows him to communicate through eye movement. Tools such as these allow Quinton to participate in his kindergarten classroom. 

Watch this video to learn more about Quinton and how FCPS is helping unlock opportunities for him.

Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference

The 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in the Department of Special Services, will be held Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at West Springfield High School. 

The RATE Conference focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students. Parents/caregivers, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to attend. 

Check out the conference webpage to register, and to view the schedule and session descriptions.

🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Employee Conversations across the school division this fall. Events are planned for:

• Monday, October 9, 4-5:30 p.m., at Twain Middle School

• Monday, October 16, 6:30-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School

• Thursday, October 19, 4:30-6 p.m., at Langley High School

These events are an opportunity for employees to share thoughts and ask questions. Keep in mind that Dr. Reid would like to hear from you at any time of the year. Visit the superintendent’s webpage to submit a question or email [email protected]. Your voice matters!

💲 Strengthen Your Financial Health

Join the Employee Wellness team and Apple Federal Credit Union on Wednesday, October 4, 5-6 p.m., in the Gatehouse Administration Center Café for a financial wellbeing workshop.

Learn how to pay down debt quickly, improve your credit score, start an emergency fund, and save for vacations, retirement, home mortgages, and insurance. Pizza will be provided. For more information contact [email protected].

Register for FCPS Affinity Groups

The Office of Professional Learning and the Office of Equity and Cultural Responsiveness are excited to announce affinity groups to provide FCPS educators and staff with a safe place to build community, share stories, and find support from others with similar identities and backgrounds. This includes:

• Affinity groups for Asian Educators, Black Educators, Latinx Educators, LGBTQIA+ Educators, Neurodiverse Educators, Military-Connected Educators, Middle Eastern Educators, and Aspiring Leaders of Color.
• Support for new and veteran teachers, such as monthly group meetings and connection with an FCPS mentor of the same affinity.

Affinity groups help employees feel welcome, improve retention, promote diversity and inclusion, and foster relationships. If you are interested in participating, please sign up or visit this Google site for more information. 

If you need support forming an affinity group not mentioned above, please contact Julia Braxton or Manuel Gomez Portillo.

🏆 25 FCPS Schools Honored with Exemplar Awards

Twenty-five Fairfax County public schools have been awarded a 2023 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Award. Four schools received the Highest Achievement Exemplar Award, and 21 received the Continuous Improvement Exemplar Award. View the list of awardees.

📖 Students Reading by the Third Grade

During the Academic Matters and strategic plan update segments of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented information about our divisionwide target to have students reading by third grade. 

FCPS has continued to improve and refine our approach to reading over the last several years through our Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. Reading by third grade is also one of the measures of Goal 3 (Academic Growth and Excellence) in our 2023-30 strategic plan. Literacy is an essential skill. Research shows that a person’s chances of experiencing unemployment, underemployment, and incarceration are higher when they struggle with literacy.

By focusing on foundational skill instruction for our young readers and literacy intervention for upper grades, FCPS has made significant progress toward narrowing the achievement gaps in reading and writing. Watch this video to learn how Woodlawn Elementary School is undertaking this work.

💻 It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month

In today's digital age, where technology is integral to our personal and professional lives, a wide range of sensitive information, including your personal information, could be stolen and used for criminal activities such as identity theft and financial fraud. Learn more below:

• Cybersecurity Fast Facts
• Education is impacted far more than any other industry by cybersecurity threats.
• School districts experience up to three weeks of loss of learning per breach.
• $3.65 million is the average cost of a data breach.

• What You Can Do

• Never exchange sensitive or confidential data via email.
• Do not use SMS for MFA. Use an authenticator App.
• Never share passwords or authenticator codes with anyone for any reason.
• Always report suspicious emails sent to your FCPS account using the PhishAlarm® button.

Get more information and register for Cybersecurity training on the Employee Hub.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Staff Development Day on October 9

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 9, is a student holiday and staff development day. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian. 

See the Standard School Year Calendar or the Employee Calendar.

❓ HR Question? Ask FCPS StaffConnect

Additional topics are being added as part of the StaffConnect portal each week! Starting this week, employees can ask questions about salary and UConnect in StaffConnect. 

This new application is replacing HR Connection. It can be used by current employees to request access to HR platforms, submit badge replacement requests, and ask questions about many other HR topics. Additional services will be available through this portal in the coming months. 

Access FCPS StaffConnect on the Employee Hub or via the Contact Us page on the public website. Questions may also be directed to Human Resources at 571-423-3000.

October Is LGBTQIA+ History Month

LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

🚶 Last Call to Join the Walktober Challenge

Embrace the social and emotional benefits of regular physical activity. Reduce loneliness and build meaningful relationships by creating your Walktober team.

Watch this short video and “fall” into the Walktober experience. The Walktober challenge began Sunday, October 1.

Participate in team or individual competitions and enjoy the fun of walking outdoors. Register by Friday, October 6, to get moving and connect with your colleagues.

🚨 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Scheduled for October 4

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4, at 2:20 p.m.

We anticipate this may cause some disruption, as every cell phone should receive a text message. Also, any televisions and radios that are in use at the time will broadcast an alert. Read more in the FEMA news release. 

This will only be a test. There is no cause for alarm. The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. If the October 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date will be October 11.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Third graders at Westbriar Elementary School join their teacher, Alexandra Lujan, for a photo.

October 2 Is National Custodian Appreciation Day

Monday, October 2, is National Custodian Appreciation Day. FCPS employs more than 1,300 custodians, field custodians, and building supervisors to maintain our more than 28 million square feet of infrastructure. Thanks to our colleagues on the custodial team, we all have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work. 

One of our amazing custodial employees is last year’s Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee Leonard Roberts, a custodian at Bull Run Elementary School. Visit the Employee Blog to see what makes Leonard so special.

🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid

Your voice matters! And, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you. A series of Employee Conversations with Dr. Reid will be held this fall across the school division. Events are planned for the following dates:

• Monday, October 2, 6:30-8 p.m., Stone Middle School

• Monday, October 9, 4-5:30 p.m., Twain Middle School

• Monday, October 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Hughes Middle School

• Thursday, October 19, 4:30-6 p.m., Location TBD

These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. You may reach out to Dr. Reid at anytime of the year by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing [email protected].

Extended Hours for Fingerprinting

As FCPS continues to review and update employee background checks, the division is working on ways to streamline this process. Some school-based employees hired prior to 2006 recently received an email inviting them to schedule an appointment to submit digital fingerprints. Client Services is now offering extended hours for fingerprinting on select days at the Gatehouse Administration Center for those who were recently emailed. Mobile fingerprinting services are also being re-introduced at schools starting in October.  

To schedule an appointment during extended hours, please follow the personal link you received via email and select the best time for you. To make use of mobile services in October, please await separate email communication with more details in the next few weeks. 

If you have not received an email notification asking you to set up an appointment, no action is required by you.

For more information, visit the Background Checks FAQ page, access the new StaffConnect portal, or call 571-423-3000.

🎖️ Blue Star Welcome Week at Frost Middle School

Approximately 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families move each year. Blue Star Welcome Week, held from September 23 to October 1, is a nationwide campaign to build a better sense of community and belonging for those who serve and their families.

Julia Kim, an eighth grader at Frost Middle School, is one of the 134 military-connected students who make up almost 11% of their student population. She has moved eight times and has lived internationally. She is currently in her third year in FCPS and is an ambassador to help other military-connected students feel welcome at Frost. 

Read more about Blue Star Welcome Week at Frost Middle School.

Watch this Blue Star Welcome Week message from Dr. Reid.

Additional Steps Added to the SBA and Schedule C Salary Scales

After a full compensation and market review, FCPS is adjusting employees on the School-Based Administrator (SBA) and Schedule C salary scales to align FCPS' market-oriented salary maximums, while also considering salaries from comparable school districts. 

Funding of $1.8 million was approved to adjust SBA and Schedule C pay ranges by extending the scales from 17 to 20 steps and raising the increment from 1% to 1.5% beginning at Step 12. Adding the three additional steps helps with recruitment and retention challenges, and allows FCPS to retain experienced and knowledgeable employees.

This change will take effect Sunday, October 1, and will not be retroactive. Visit FCPS’ Salary Scales webpage for a complete list of salary scales.

Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference

The 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in the Department of Special Services, will be held on Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m at West Springfield High School. 

The RATE Conference focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students. 

The keynote speaker is Dell McDonald, a technical support specialist in the Department of Information Technology. Dell will share how assistive technology tools positively impacted his educational experience and are an integral part of his career. Breakout sessions will focus on inclusive technology, reading and writing strategies, assistive technology in the early childhood classroom, communication tools, and other topics. 

Teachers, staff, and parents/caregivers — from FCPS and the broader community — are invited to attend. FCPS employees will receive five recertification points for attending the conference. 

Check out the conference webpage to register, and to view the conference schedule and session descriptions.

Great Beginnings Week-Long Learning Series

This year, the Great Beginnings team will be offering a week-long learning series each quarter. Teachers in their first three years at FCPS are invited to participate in additional professional development tailored to their grade level, content area, and/or specific needs.  

The Quarter 1 Learning Series will be offered from Monday, October 9, to Thursday, October 12, with different sessions occurring each night. All sessions will be presented virtually from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.

Learn about the Quarter 1 Learning Series sessions and register for no more than one session each day.

Information Sessions for George Mason Leadership Program

George Mason University’s Education Leadership (EDLE) Program is hosting virtual information sessions for spring 2024 applicants.

Educators interested in pursuing a pathway to leadership and earning licensure in administration and supervision can earn a master’s degree or graduate certificate in Education Leadership in a format designed to fit the busy schedules of working professionals.

Several program options are available. Click on the links below to register for an upcoming virtual information session:

• Tuesday, October 3, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 30, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

The spring 2024 application priority deadline is Wednesday, November 1. The final application deadline is Friday, January 5. Classes begin Tuesday, January 16. Contact the EDLE office at [email protected] or 703-993-3633 for more information.

🏗️ Projects Funded by Recent School Bonds

Thanks to the support of Fairfax County citizens who approved the 2019 and 2021 bond referendums, projects have been funded at Armstrong, Bonnie Brae, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Brookfield, Crossfield, Dranesville, Fox Mill, Herndon, Hybla Valley, Lees Corner, Louise Archer, Mosaic, Oak Hill, Wakefield Forest, Washington Mill, and Willow Springs elementary schools; Cooper and Frost middle schools; and Centreville, Falls Church, Justice, Madison, and West Potomac high schools. 

Not only do our facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, from both a technological and instructional standpoint. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students across the division have high quality, effective learning environments.

Watch some of the ribbon-cutting celebrations. Follow the status of FCPS capital projects for updates on renovation projects. 

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn about registering to vote.

🧪 Free COVID-19 Tests

Beginning Monday, September 25, every U.S. household can place an order for four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Review health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Starts in October

Students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener in October/November and March. This screener helps students evaluate their school community's efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. School teams and families use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students. 

Parents/caregivers may opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Read more about SEL.

👟 Get Ready to Walk and Roll to School!

FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 4. The purpose is to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.

Employees and students are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work on October 4, where it is safe to do so. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. Watch Marshall Road Elementary School’s bike train in action.

Get more information about Walk and Roll to School Day.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Staff Development Day on October 9

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 9, is a student holiday and staff development day. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian. 

See the Standard School Year Calendar or the Employee Calendar.

School Board Meeting on September 28 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• Executive Expectations. 
• Academic Matters.
• Divisionwide Comprehensive Plan. 

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Parklawn Elementary School office staff members are ready to help their school community! Meet (from left) Cristen Centra, Luz Laguna, Ann Lewis, Lanh Nguyen, and Reina Martinez.

🏆 Teacher Honored by Fred Rogers Institute with Helper Award

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood at Katherine Johnson Middle School. 

Science Teacher Eric Haapapuro, known as “Mr. H” by his students, was honored by the Fred Rogers Institute with a Helper Award. Inspired by the legacy of Fred Rogers, the Helper Award recognizes individuals who care for children and communities in their daily and professional lives in “ordinary and extraordinary ways.”

Mr. H, a career switcher, only began teaching three years ago. Watch him in action.

Visit the Employee Blog to learn about Mr. H's journey to teaching for FCPS and why he was one of only 14 recipients of this award. While you’re there, tell us about the helpers in your life. Reply in the form on the blog or email us at [email protected].

Changes to Annual and Sick Leave Plans

All FCPS employees who are eligible for sick and/or annual leave will now receive their annual entitlement at the beginning of each fiscal year (July 1).

This year, monthly paid employees will see this impact in their Friday, September 29, check, and biweekly paid employees will see this impact in their Friday, October 6, check. Going forward, the allotment will occur on July 1 annually.

Although employees will see the leave available on July 1, they may not access the current year’s leave until August 1. Please remember that leave is processed one month after the leave is taken. 

Employees who joined FCPS or had a position change in September will see their available annual leave beginning in their October paycheck. 

Contact payroll at [email protected] with any questions.  

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Kick Off 

Join Dr. Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation at Hayfield Secondary School on Tuesday, September 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., or at Whitman Middle School on Wednesday, September 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions. 

These events are part of a series of Community Conversations this fall and spring in each region. Days and times for the additional region events will be shared soon. Visit our webpage to find out when and where you can engage with Dr. Reid.

Register to attend. Pre-registration is not required but helps us to plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. 

Your voice matters, and we look forward to seeing you at any of our upcoming Superintendent Community Conversations.

✍️ Check MyPDE for Required Training

MyPDE training modules that were assigned in July are due on Monday, September 25. Check your MyPDE portal for assigned mandatory training.

📓 My First Year: Meet Ms. Vivi

Varvara “Vivi” Zakharevich knew from the time she was in first grade at Lemon Road Elementary School that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. 

Our My First Year video and blog series will follow Ms. Vivi this year, as she remembers being a first grade dreamer and experiences being a third grade teacher at Shrevewood Elementary School.

Watch the first episode and read more about Ms. Vivi and her journey toward her first day of school.

Do you remember how you were feeling before your very first day at FCPS? Share your memories on the Employee Blog or email us at [email protected].

💲 Substitutes to Receive High-Volume Pay on High-Volume Days

The School Board has approved a list of 18 days for substitutes to receive high-volume pay. All substitutes who work a full-day or half-day job will receive high-volume pay. This includes long-term substitutes and site-based substitutes.

Substitutes will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $80 for each high-volume day they work. All substitute instructional assistants will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $55 for each high-volume day they work. See the list of high-volume days.

Work More, Earn More

A bonus program for substitutes who accept more than the 10 required days has also been approved. Subs will earn a bonus for each milestone:

• Substitutes working 50 days within a school year will earn a $200 bonus.
• Substitutes working 100 days within a school year will earn a $300 bonus.
• Substitutes working 150 days within a school year will earn a $400 bonus.

A day is defined as a three-hour job or seven-hour job. Bonuses will be paid quarterly in December, March, June, and July. Get more information about the pay schedule. 

💵 Two Pensions — Only at FCPS

Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System (ERFC) is a second pension for full-time, monthly-paid instructional, administrative, and educational support employees. 

Each month, you contribute 3% of your paycheck to ERFC, and FCPS contributes 6.48%. Stay with FCPS for five years to get vested, and when you retire, you’ll receive an ERFC pension on top of your VRS pension and Social Security.

ERFCDirect is a 24/7 secure portal. Visit ERFCDirect to:

• Create your login. Be sure to use a personal email address — not your FCPS — email when setting up your account.
• Name your beneficiaries.
• Run retirement estimates.
• Confirm which ERFC plan you have.
• See how much you’ve contributed so far. 

Call ERFC with any questions at 703-426-3900, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email [email protected].

🍎 Edison High School Principal’s Children Start Their Teaching Careers at FCPS

Since 2000, Edison High School Principal Amanda Burke (center) has been a familiar face at Fairfax County Public Schools. She started her career teaching at the high school she now leads. Today, Principal Burke’s infectious enthusiasm for education reflects in her two children, who now also work for FCPS.

Principal Burke’s daughter, Corinne (left), is in her first year as a multiple disabilities teacher at South Lakes High School. Her son, Zachary (right), is a special education and biology teacher at Woodson High School. Read more about this FCPS family connection, and how Zachary and Corinne got a great start with mentors and support systems.

❓ Have a Question? Ask FCPS StaffConnect

If you need a new badge, you can now make that request through StaffConnect. The new application is replacing HR Connection. It can be used by employees to request access to HR technologies such as Brassring and Smartfind Express, submit badge requests, and ask questions about UConnect. Applicants can also use the platform to request assistance. Additional services will be available through this portal in the coming months. 

Access FCPS StaffConnect on the Employee Hub or via the Contact Us page on the public website. Questions may also be directed to Human Resources at 571-423-3000.

Academic Matters: COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan

During the Academic Matters segment of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the school division’s actions regarding FCPS’ COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan. As a reminder, the plan was created to support the needs of students with disabilities whose learning was impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since last December, FCPS has held more than 30,000 individualized education plan (IEP) and Section 504 meetings with families and provided more than 27,000 compensatory service hours to students. Through the compensatory meeting process, the school division has allocated more than $5.5 million in reimbursements to families for private services. 

For more updates, please watch Dr. Reid’s presentation on YouTube or view the slides.

Resources for Families

The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides resources, confidential consultations, and webinars for all families and staff.

The FRC has created a Google folder that contains informational flyers. These flyers — which have been translated into several languages — can be printed and given to families and staff if they are seeking resources or supports. These flyers should only be printed for sharing. The Google link is not accessible to anyone outside of FCPS staff and students. 

The FRC is available year-round to assist school communities. Contact them at 703-204-3941 or by email at [email protected].

🎥 Reminder: How to Handle Media Requests

The Office of Communications has a Media Relations team dedicated to helping connect news outlets to FCPS. If you are contacted by a member of the media, you should always notify your principal or program manager before providing information, conducting an interview, answering a reporter’s questions, or agreeing to a visit. The principal or program manager must notify the Office of Communications as soon as possible. Please do not initiate contact with the media. 

If you have a great story to share, please reach out to the Media Relations team. They may be able to help publicize it. Please contact Julie Moult, Kathleen Miller, and Steven Brasley at [email protected]. Read FCPS' media regulation (PDF).

🍁 Register Today for the Walktober Wellness Challenge

Registration is now open for the Walktober challenge. Register and/or join a team on the Walktober website by Friday, October 6. 

The challenge takes place Sunday, October 1, through Tuesday, October 31. Teams can include four to eight colleagues. Walktober has both individual and team competitions, daily health tips, and an interactive message board.

Learn about other wellness opportunities available to employees on the Employee Wellness Program webpage.

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow's Innovation

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five student-centered goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Under Goal 5, every student will graduate ready to thrive in life after high school with the skills they need to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future. Using data gathered from students, we will ensure they are ready for a wide variety of options for their futures. 

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 5.

Yom Kippur — Schools and Offices Closed September 25

All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com.

🗓️ September Is Suicide Prevention Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people aged 10-24. When school personnel, families, students, and community members take an active role in suicide prevention, lives can be saved. 

Students in FCPS learn about suicide prevention using the Acknowledge, Care, Tell model (ACT). We can all support someone in need of help by ACTing. First, acknowledge signs that someone is in crisis or considering suicide. Next, show the individual that you care about them. Finally, tell a trusted adult or support the person by connecting them with help. 

If someone indicates that they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, emergency services can be accessed by visiting the nearest emergency room or by contacting emergency services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health at 703-573-5679, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. You can also call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free 24/7 support. 

Learn more about suicide prevention. 

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

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Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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FCPS and Fairfax County Health Department staff help a student get her required school immunizations at the FCPS Welcome Center in Dunn Loring.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Community: On the Road with Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Superintendent Community Conversations and expanded school visits this year. The events are opportunities for community members to share thoughts and ask questions. 

Superintendent Community Conversations are open to all and will be held in each FCPS region; one series this fall and a second in the spring. Visit our website for a full schedule of events and to register to attend. Dr. Reid will also be hosting separate conversations with FCPS employees this fall; dates and locations will be announced soon.

You may also have an opportunity to talk with Dr. Reid at an expanded school visit during this school year. She will invite families and caregivers to join her for a morning meeting before she visits schools. She will also meet with students to learn more about their school experience. School communities will be contacted by email as her visits are announced. 

Dr. Reid is also interested in hearing from you at any time of the year! Feel free to submit a question via her webpage or email [email protected].

🤧 Tips to Stay Healthy This School Year

Flu season is quickly approaching and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. We are committed to maintaining a safe environment for in-person learning. Staff members are encouraged to follow the health practices below to prevent the spread of illnesses:

• Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone six months old or older should get a flu vaccine (with rare exceptions). Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. An updated COVID booster for the 2023-24 season should be released in the coming weeks and will more effectively target the current circulating strains of the virus. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting Vaccinate Virginia, or call (877) VAX-IN-VA or (877) 829-4682.
• Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Employees are advised to stay home and get tested when feeling sick.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 school health practices is available on the Health and Safety Guidance webpage. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy!

🙋 FCPS StaffConnect Can Answer Your Questions

As FCPS continues to update technology and streamline processes, the HR Connection application will be replaced by a new portal called FCPS StaffConnect. 

Beginning Monday, September 18, employees and applicants will be able to request support for HR technologies such as Brassring, Smartfind Express, and UConnect; submit badge requests; and ask general HR questions. 

Employees can already submit concerns about harassment and discrimination via FCPS StaffConnect and will be able to self-report arrests starting in September. More services will be available through this portal in the coming months.  

Find FCPS StaffConnect on the Employee Hub or the Contact Us webpage. You may also direct questions to Human Resources by calling 571-423-3000.

🍂 Fall into Fitness with Walktober Wellness Challenge

Fall is the perfect time to get outside, get moving, and enjoy the brisk beautiful weather. Join Walktober, a virtual wellness challenge, taking place Sunday, October 1, to Tuesday, October 31.  

Create a team with four to eight colleagues, or you can join an existing team. Register on the Walktober website between Monday, September 18, and Friday, October 6.

Walktober has both individual and team competitions, daily health tips, an interactive message board, and recipes. For more information, visit the Employee Wellness Hub page.

💡 Leadership Skill Development for Middle Managers

The Middle Managers RoundTable (MMRT) is a seven-month collaborative leadership development program for both operational and school leaders, conducted by the FCPS Office of Professional Learning and the Fairfax County Government. Coordinators, managers, and school-based administrators (not principals) who have a supervisory or management role can apply for the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Apply to participate by Wednesday, September 27.

Program participants build leadership capacity and collaborate on a group capstone project. Get more information on MMRT (Fcpsschools.net login is required). Please email Tiffany Lee with any questions.

Academy Program Offers Microcredentials for Teachers

The FCPS Academy Course Program, which provides professional learning opportunities for instructional staff, has been expanded to include microcredentials.  

Microcredentials are personalized, flexible, and performance-based. Similar to Academy Courses, teachers can earn licensure renewable points and salary credit when they successfully demonstrate competencies or skills in a “stack.” A stack is a collection of related microcredentials. 

Rather than attending classes on a given topic, the learner can demonstrate how they incorporate the knowledge in their current role. Microcredentials can be completed at the learner’s own pace. 

Registration is available in MyPDE starting Tuesday, September 19, and will close in December. For more information, watch the Microcredential video or visit the Microcredential page on the Employee Hub.

🧭 North TIER Professional Development Courses

Now is the time to invest in new learning you can apply throughout the year. North TIER has a wonderful line-up of online professional development courses that are only $55 for a 30-hour course. A graduate credit option, earning two graduate credits from Colorado State University, requires extra work and fees.

For more information, view the course catalog and learn how and where to register. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials

The FCPS accessibility team is launching FCPS Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials, a campaign to support our commitment to Universal Design for Learning. 

Join colleagues as we explore using accessible text — it's one of the most important things we can do to provide accessible learning materials. Throughout the year, watch for updates through Schoology groups, newsletters, and social media with simple insights, tips, and tricks that will allow FCPS to Keep C.A.L.M. and make learning accessible for everyone.

Join the Campaign

Post on X (Twitter) how you champion universal access. Use the hashtag #FCPSKeepCALM and tag @accessible_fcps. Or if you're not into social media, complete this very short C.A.L.M. Google Form. 

To learn more about accessibility visit Accessibility in FCPS and follow @accessible_fcps on X.

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will monitor our progress toward those goals.

Under Goal 4, high-quality academics will be available to all students. They will have access to excellent resources that support their success. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 4.

🏗️ School Bonds Benefit Students

A bond referendum to benefit Fairfax County Public Schools will be on the ballot this election season.

The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the school system’s operating funds, but through bonds. Similar to obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment. The county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes. 

Watch this video to hear from teachers about how good schools benefit students. 

Read more about the FCPS 2023 Bond Referendum. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. If you aren’t a registered voter, learn how to register.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Fairfax Fiesta

Fairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Fairfax Fiesta, will be held Saturday, September 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons, 8508 Leesburg Pike. The Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax! will host the free event for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.

Rosh Hashanah: Evening Only Observance Day

Friday, September 15, is an evening only Observance day (O day) in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown. Evening only O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Learn more about Rosh Hashanah from PBS.

Yom Kippur

All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com.

See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.

🩹 Free Breakfast and Gift for Blood Donors

Sideburn Support Center will host an Inova Health System blood drive for FCPS employees on Friday, September 21, from 6 to 10 a.m. All who donate will be offered free breakfast and a gift. Register in advance.

💲 Apply for Educate Fairfax’s Work-Based Learning Teacher Grants

Educate Fairfax, the nonprofit that supports FCPS, invites teachers, counselors, and other school-based personnel to apply for a Work-Based Learning Teacher Grant for the 2023-24 school year. Educate Fairfax is proud to fund innovative classroom initiatives that focus on developing career-connected experiences for students. Funded projects should enable students to reinforce and deepen their classroom learning, explore future career fields, and demonstrate their acquired Portrait of a Graduate skills. 

Grant awards range from $1,000 to $2,000, and the application will be open through Friday, September 22. Awardees will be notified by Wednesday, November 1. Funding will be provided in November for the second half of the school year.

Find information about the grants, descriptions of last year’s projects, and the application on Educate Fairfax’s website.

School Board Meeting on September 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, September 14, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• Executive Expectations. 
• Academic Matters. 
• Fairfax County Purchasing Resolution. 

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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The Burke School administration team includes (from left) Kelly Willis, school-based technology specialist; Samantha Weiss, assistant principal; Thomas Sweet, principal; and Kate George, assistant principal.

💲 Important Pay and Leave Information

Monthly paid employees (teachers, instructional assistants, and other contracted educational and support personnel) are paid “current month” for regular duties. They are paid on the last business day of each month, except in December. In December, they are paid on the last school day before the winter break. 

Monthly paid employees who complete additional duties, positions, or jobs are paid one month after the work is completed in a separate payment. Leave is also posted one month later. 

Biweekly paid employees (bus drivers, attendants, food service workers, custodial staff, and maintenance personnel) are paid every other Friday, two weeks after work is completed. A work week starts on Saturday and ends on the following Friday. A biweekly pay period consists of two work weeks.

Benefits and Deductions

Every year from October to June, biweekly paid employees have benefits and other deductions spread over 20 pay periods. Monthly paid employees will see payroll deductions resume in September after a two-month break. In the summer, deductions were taken for retirement contributions and Virginia Retirement System (VRS) basic life insurance. Soon, deductions will resume on health insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability, and optional life insurance.

If you have any questions about payroll, visit the Payroll Management webpage or email [email protected].

Review and Update Personal Information in UConnect

The beginning of the school year is a great time to review and update your personal data in UConnect (VPN required). View the UConnect User Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to log in to UConnect and update your preferred name, address, dependents, and other personal profile information. 

If you need to update payroll information — direct deposit information, a legal name change, address change, or tax withholdings — visit the Changing Payroll Information webpage. Please note that if you ask for an additional flat amount of tax to be withheld from your pay, it will be taken from all payments based on how much you earn. If you receive a payment outside of your regular contracted pay, the additional tax amount will also be deducted from that payment.

For changes to beneficiaries or other benefits coverage, contact HR Client Services at 571-423-3000. Please remember that changes made to your school or office contact file will not update the HR/Payroll system.

Be the First to Know About Closings and Other Emergencies

Want to be the first to learn about closings, delays, and other critical information? While you’re in UConnect, add your cell phone number(s) to receive important text messages from FCPS. 

Log in to UConnect, click Bookmarks > Employee Self Service > Personal Information > Contact Numbers. Click the blue Add button. In the Detail section, click the magnifying glass in Contact Type, then select Cell Phone. Enter your cell phone number in the Phone Number field. Click Update.

For help, view the UConnect User Guide on the Employee Hub or contact HR Client Services at 571-423-3000.

🌍 FCPS Hosts 31 Ambassador Teachers in New Global Exchange Program

Christopher Jones, a sixth grade teacher at Woodlawn Elementary School, is one of 31 ambassador teachers in FCPS this year through the Participate Learning Global Exchange program. Each ambassador teacher has at least a bachelor’s degree, and combined, they have 274 years of teaching experience from all over the globe. Read more about the Global Exchange.

📝 Your Feedback Matters: MyPDE Required Training Update

Thank you to all who have completed the optional survey at the end of required training. The average survey response rate for all training is about 35%. Responses have been overwhelmingly positive! The survey will continue, and the data will be used to inform future decisions. Some of the feedback includes:

• More than 86% felt confident with the new knowledge/skills acquired.
• More than 95% agreed or strongly agreed the content was relevant to their current work.
• More than 92% agreed or strongly agreed the pre- and/or post-assessment adequately assessed their knowledge of the content.

One improvement is that required training will be scheduled on a quarterly basis. Training assigned in July is due on Monday, September 25. The next round of assigned training will begin Tuesday, October 31. In October, most FCPS employees will be assigned training/acknowledgements around cybersecurity, FERPA, Trust Policy, religious and cultural observances, and other topics.

Check out your MyPDE portal for assigned mandatory training.

🍂 Fall Teacher Leadership Cohorts

Teacher leaders contribute to improvement and innovation in their schools and across FCPS. This fall, three teacher leadership cohorts will be offered for those interested in learning how to create professional learning environments that cultivate collaboration, continuous learning, and transparency:

1. Facilitation Skills for Leading in a Collaborative Culture: Participants develop skills and strategies to support adult learners and will explore strategies for managing common challenges and conflict.
2. Communication Skills to Promote Professional Growth for Adult Learners: Participants will develop skills that build collaborative cultures and will learn how to have conversations that promote student-focused reflection.
3. Becoming a Transformational Leader: Participants will utilize transformational leadership principles to reflect their values, vision, theories, and beliefs about their leadership and to inform and direct the actions they take in their work environments. 

These cohorts complement each other and can be taken in any order. To learn more, visit the Teacher Leadership website. Registration is open in MyPDE and will close on Monday, September 11.

😷 2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools

COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia over the last few weeks and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease.

September 11 National Day of Service

The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and to act in service to others as a way of honoring those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks. FCPS acknowledges the loss of life that day, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. 

All students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it also supports Portrait of a Graduate attributes, and social and emotional learning skills. Middle and high school students can find out more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.

Understanding the Root Causes of Student Absences

Understanding why a student is chronically absent can help form a better partnership between a school and its teachers, and the student and their family. 

Attendance Works offers a worksheet to help guide your thinking as you try to pinpoint what is leading to a specific student’s absenteeism. The worksheet can help teachers and school staff better understand what support systems might be needed for that student. Understanding the root cause of absenteeism helps find the best chance for improving school attendance and performance.

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success. 

Under Goal 3, every student will learn to use critical and creative thinking. They will meet or exceed academic goals. Students will reach their full potential. 

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information. Watch this video to learn about the many voices that came together to create the plan. 

☀️ Academic Matters: 2023 Summer Learning

At the August 31 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented data from learning programs that took place during the summer of 2023.

Nearly 34,000 students took part in 23 programs at 87 sites across the county. Programs included Extended School Year, High School Credit Recovery, Institute for the Arts, Career and Technical Education summer camps, and others. 

Watch the presentation. View the slides.

☎️ Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First

If you have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, FCPS’ Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone at 571-423-2020.

If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.

Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

If you have concerns about programs, regulations, policies or other topics that do not impact the safety of our schools, please contact the FCPS ombuds online, at 571-423-4014, or [email protected].

FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees

Looking to sell your old guitar or share a ride to work? The FCPS Online Classifieds system — which is for employees only and can be found on the Hub — is a free way for employees to post ads for personally owned items that they are seeking to buy, sell, or give away. It's also a great tool to help an employee look for someone to share a ride to work, find a roommate, or rent real estate. FCPS' Online Classifieds system is completely self-service and allows users to post new ads or update or renew existing ads at any time. View rules and frequently asked questions. 

For more information, contact Andy Grunig.

Sexual Harassment Prohibited in FCPS

Regulation 4950 – Sexual Harassment by Employees states that no person in Fairfax County Public Schools shall be subjected to sexual harassment. It is the intent of the School Board to maintain an environment free from sexual harassment of any kind.

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature amounting to or constituting harassment are prohibited. Employees should report complaints of sexual harassment to their supervisors or program managers. Students and parents of students should bring concerns to their school principals.

If, for any reason, an individual prefers not to address their concerns directly with a principal, supervisor, or program manager, they may consult or file a complaint with the Office of Employee Relations by calling 571-423-3070.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Office Assistant Weris Jama celebrates the beginning of the school year at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

💲 Tuition Reimbursement Window Opening

The portal to apply for reimbursement for summer 2023 courses will be open Friday, September 1, through Saturday, September 30. Contracted employees may apply for up to $700 in reimbursement for one course that ended between May 16, 2023, and August 31, 2023. 

Tuition reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the current priority list. Detailed information on the priority list, how to submit the request, and the documents needed for upload are available on the Tuition Reimbursement page on the Employee Hub. 

Apply through the Tuition Reimbursement Portal (VPN required). Remember to have your tuition paid receipt and grade report handy to complete the request. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Professional Learning Communities Resources

The Office of Professional Learning has updated resources for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These resources — available on their Hub page — can help build the capacity of all members of the collaborative team.

Some updated highlights within the site include:

• A page on PLC fundamentals that shares the purpose of the work.
• More tools and protocols teams can utilize to enhance collaboration and learning.
• New asynchronous modules to support teams with being self-led and self-directed.

If you have questions about the resources or would like support implementing PLCs, please contact one of the educational specialists at the bottom of the PLC homepage.

🍂 Register Today for Fall Teacher Academy

Through the Teacher Academy Program, FCPS teachers have access to free professional development opportunities that deepen and sharpen their understanding of and skills around content, pedagogy, and classroom management. The Academy offers engaging learning opportunities and a chance to demonstrate competencies through microcredentials. Learn more on the Microcredentials Hub page. This fall, there are nearly 60 course offerings. View the course catalog in MyPDE.

Course syllabuses, outcomes, and assignments are listed in the Academy course catalog. Registration opened today. Visit the Academy Hub page to see how to register. Email [email protected] for questions.

FCPS CARES Recipient Earns Parent’s Trust

FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. One of the June recipients was Elizabeth Goodfriend from Eagle View Elementary School. 

“Mrs. Goodfriend is an example for schools on what it looks like when someone spends the extra time to hone their craft,” the nominating parent said. “I want you to know that it was a welcomed relief working with someone who had the patience to earn my trust. My son gained confidence and life lessons because of her actions. Words will never describe the appreciation both me and my son have for the actions of your school and the caring acts of Mrs. Goodfriend.”

Congratulations to Elizabeth and our other June  FCPS CARES recipients:

• Celine Sinclair-Peebles, Transportation Support Resource Center
• Dianne Stansbery, Saida Bouzaher, and G. Garoni; Cedar Lane School
• James Wears and Michael Davis, McLean High School
• Sarah Bracken Payne, Key Center
• Rachel Acosta and Maggie Murphy, West Springfield Elementary School 

Read more about all the recipients. Do you know an employee who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Submit their story.

SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

Key updates to the screener this year include:

• Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12. 
• Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning. 
• Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity. 

Results are mailed home to families after each screening. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success. 

Goal 2 states that every student will be part of a school community that cares for their health, well-being, and opinions. We will listen to students and use their input to guide our decisions. We will respect their individuality, identity, and experiences. We will make sure they feel safe and supported at school.

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 2.

🎣 Keep Hackers From Ruining Your Holiday Weekend

Looking forward to the Labor Day weekend? Unfortunately, hackers are too, as people tend to be more relaxed during a long holiday weekend. Don’t let them ruin your Labor Day! Please watch out for phishing emails. They’re designed to deceive you into sharing private information which can lead to personal identity theft and financial fraud, and can put all of FCPS at risk for compromise of student and staff confidential information. Get ahead of hackers by viewing these tips for spotting a phish.

If you’ve opened an email in your FCPS inbox and suspect it’s a phish, don’t reply and don’t click any links! Instead, click the “Report Phish” button at the top-right of your Outlook email app. By reporting the phish, you give IT an opportunity to contain the threat before someone else who receives the same phish mistakenly clicks it. The Office of Cybersecurity can be contacted with any questions at: [email protected].

🏗️ Projects Supported by the 2023 Bond Referendum

The 2023 $435 million Bond Referendum — which will be on the ballot this Election Day — is expected to fund projects at Franklin Middle School and Armstrong, Bren Mar Park, Brookfield, Centre Ridge, Cub Run, Dranesville, Herndon, Lees Corner, Poplar Tree, Sangster, Saratoga, Union Mill, Virginia Run, Waples Mill, and Willow Springs elementary schools.

The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. Read more about the 2023 Bond Referendum. Learn about registering to vote.

Vote on Tuesday, November 7. 

🩹 Free Breakfast and Gift for Blood Donors

Sideburn Support Center will host an Inova Health System blood drive for FCPS employees on Friday, September 21, from 6 to 10 a.m. All who donate will be offered free breakfast and a gift. Register in advance.

📅 Calendar Reminder: Labor Day

Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends.

View the School Year Calendar and the Employee Calendar.

School Board Meeting on August 31 at 7:30 p.m.

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, August 31, at 7:30 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda (English only). 

The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and the FCPS website. 

Agenda highlights include:

• Fiscal Year 2023 Year-End Review
• Committee Assignments and Appointments
• Summary of Appointments and Separations

If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on any School Board action items the morning after the School Board meeting.

Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

FCPS Statement on Non-discrimination: Americans With Disabilities Policy Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, Title IX, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information in its programs and activities. These protections apply to students, employees, and other members of the public.

FCPS also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. FCPS is committed to equal access and equal opportunity in all services and employment; to include its policies, complaint process, program accessibility, religious accommodations, and other Equal Employment Opportunity matters. FCPS prohibits retaliation against individuals who report allegations of discrimination, file a formal complaint, or participate in the investigative process.

Compliance is coordinated by the directors of the following:

• Office of Equity and Employee Relations, Department of Human Resources, 571-423-3070, TTY 711, [email protected] regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment issues.
• Office of Special Education Procedural Support, Department of Special Services, 571-423-4290, regarding programs and activities for students with disabilities.

For more information, visit the non-discrimination policy webpage or the non-discrimination/ADA webpage (contact information).

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Marina Rozick, a resource teacher at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School, helps students line up in the hallway on the first day of school.

🎉 Congratulations on a Successful First Day!

All hands on deck! Even Media Relations Manager Julie Moult pitched in with kindergarten lunch at Annandale Terrace Elementary School.

There were celebrations across Fairfax County Public Schools yesterday as teachers and administrators welcomed students back to the classroom.

Enjoy some highlights from #FirstDayFairfax on Instagram, Facebook, and our photo gallery, or check out the video of sights and sounds below.

Thank You for Following Us

FCPS celebrated reaching 20,000 followers on Instagram before the first day of school. Thank you for following and celebrating with us! If you’re not among the 20,000, please follow us @fairfaxcountypublicschools.

Updated Employee COVID-19 Reporting and Procedures

Employees should continue to practice safety and health protocols by staying home if feeling symptomatic, and reporting positive COVID-19 test results to their supervisor. 

When the COVID-19 public health emergency ended in May, standard coverage for FCPS medical and pharmacy plans and benefits resumed. 

Administrative leave for COVID-19 ended on June 30. Employees should follow pre-pandemic reporting processes for sick leave in alignment with Regulation 4819. 

Employees and case reporting managers may reference the COVID-19 Return to Work Reporting and Procedures and Employee COVID-19 Resources pages on the Employee Hub for more information.

💵 Compensation, Salary, and Leave

UConnect is the online gateway to your human resources and payroll information. The start of the school year is a good time to log in and verify your contact information. By providing your cell phone number through UConnect, emergency text messages from FCPS — such as weather closings — will reach you through the eNotify/School Messenger system. 

Use UConnect to verify your benefits selections and leave balances, and view your pay and teaching credentials. To log in, enter the same username and password that is used with your @fcps.edu email. UConnect is only available to users when connected to the FCPS network or through VPN. 

Time and attendance should be logged through MyTime, which can be accessed online or through the desktop application on FCPS computers. For more information, review leave policies or visit the Time and Attendance Hub page.

Visit the Payroll Management page on the Hub for resources on pay, paychecks, tax withholding, and W2s. Visit the Salary Services page for information on salary scales, employment verification, and job specifications. 

Start Saving Today to Set Aside Summer Pay

FCPS partnered with Apple Federal Credit Union to provide a summer pay program to assist 10- and 11-month employees. While Apple offers a convenient program including interest earnings and payout options, any financial institution likely will afford similar opportunities. Find out more information about receiving pay during non-contracted months.

Enhancements to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Our FCPS sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Guidance Resources just got better with even more resources to support you and your household! 

Each household member can now get up to six counseling sessions per concern, per year. Please call our EAP line at 1-855-355-9097, to receive a referral to a local counselor that supports your family’s health.

Online Therapy Tools

Guidance Resources offers an evidence-based interactive Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) program that addresses the most common issues associated with behavioral health in a user-friendly fashion. CCBT offers expanded alternative access to behavioral healthcare when used in conjunction with other platforms and/or counseling.

Created to support mental well-being, the program includes a library of evidence-based content grounded in science to help deal with depression, stress, poor sleep, worry and anxious thoughts, low self-esteem, and other concerns.

Register today on the Guidance Resources website and click on “Digital Self-Care Tools” after you sign in. If you are new to Guidance Resources, register with Organization Web ID: FCPS.

Find additional EAP news on the Hub EAP page. Sign up for our EAP-Wellness Newsletter for monthly updates and announcements.

Check Your MyPDE Portal for Required Trainings

Professional development is an important tool that supports growth and learning throughout your career. It also supports FCPS’ ability to best serve our students. Requirements have been streamlined. Most of the annual trainings now have a pre-test option!

You can play your part by completing all required training by the assigned deadlines. Not only does this ensure you have all the information you need to start the year strong, it also is a part of your professional responsibility and an expectation noted in employee evaluations. Check out your MyPDE portal for assigned mandatory training.

FCPS CARES of the Month Recipients

FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. 

“Mrs. Carroll calls her students her ‘smart cookies’ and gives them the confidence to live up to that name,” said a parent with a student in Jaime Carroll’s first grade class at Canterbury Woods. Jaime (right) received her award from Principal Leslie Malkowski (left). “Mrs. Carroll is also wonderful at truly living out the FCPS ideal of meeting each child as an individual. She really connects with her students and sees them for who they are, then brings out the best in them.”

Another parent said Mrs. Carroll is “warm and supportive and just the right amount of tough. I have seen so much growth from [my son] and I attribute it all to her."

Also recognized in May as FCPS CARES recipients of the month were:

• Jordan Simmons, Bryant High School
• Cara Chaapel, Herndon Elementary School
• Patience Galvan, Kent Gardens Elementary School
• John Grey, Groveton Elementary School
• Missy Chappell, Hunt Valley Elementary School

Read more about all the recipients. Learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee.

🙋 Importance of Accurate Attendance

Improving student attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism districtwide starts with taking accurate and timely attendance each day. 

When attendance is not taken daily, it affects:

• Safety: Families will not receive a safety text/call alerting them that their child is not at school. 
• Chronic Absence Data: This data can impact a school’s accreditation status.  
• District Records: FCPS automatically reports attendance data to the state. It is important that it is reported correctly. 

We appreciate your best efforts to take attendance within the first 10 minutes of class.

💪 Sharing Our Success

We invite you to look back at the 2022-23 school year and relive some of our greatest moments. See how our amazing students and staff excelled last year, and together, contributed to making FCPS a premier school division.

🎓 Earn Your Masters and Graduate Certificate in Education Leadership

George Mason University’s Education Leadership (EDLE) Program is hosting virtual information sessions for the spring semester. To register for a session, click the date and time below:

• Thursday, September 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Monday, September 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m. 

The program is for educators interested in pursuing a pathway to leadership and earning licensure in administration and supervision. The EDLE Program’s master’s degree and graduate certificate options are designed to fit the busy schedules of working professionals.

To learn more, visit the EDLE website, email [email protected], or call 703-993-3633.

Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning (POG POL) Innovator Cohort

POG POL allows students to think about how they have grown and share the impact with others. By the 2025-26 school year, FCPS is committed to making sure every student can take part in POG POL. The goal is for students to say, "I grew, I can prove it, and here's why it matters."

POG POL supports academic success and prepares students for the future, in line with our strategic goals.

Instructional Services is offering a POG POL Innovator Cohort to support divisionwide POG goals. Any instructional staff can join. This year-long professional learning program helps participants increase their POG and POG POL practices together with educators across the division.

Learn more about and sign up for the POG POL Innovator Cohort.

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start: Pre-K - 12

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success. 

Our first goal in the 2023-30 plan is to help all students develop academic skills, curiosity, and a love for learning. These skills and attitudes are crucial for success from pre-K to 12th grade.

We are dedicated to equity. We will collaborate with families to make choices that support each student's success. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of goal 1.

💲 Savings for Staff

What’s left on your summer bucket list? The employee discount program might help make it happen! Take advantage of end-of-season sales while setting yourself up for success for the months ahead. If possible, take one last trip, finish work around the house, and make fond memories with family and friends.

Thanks to your FCPS Discount Program (Perkspot), you can enjoy your time while saving money! Learn more about Savings for Staff and log in to your Perkspot account to start saving.

📅 Calendar Reminder: Labor Day

Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends.

View the School Year Calendar and the Employee Calendar.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Wakefield Forest Elementary School teachers celebrated their first day back at school Monday with a spirit day. Teams dressed in coordinating outfits celebrating the 1980s.

👋 Welcome Back from Human Resources and Communications

Welcome back, FCPS staff! We hope you are having a great summer. Now, more than ever, we know that two-way communication with our community — especially employees — is invaluable. We’ve been hard at work this summer strategizing how best to engage with one of our most valuable assets: You! 

Bookmark this page in Employee News to keep these resources at your fingertips.

Get to Know Employee Communications

Employee News is your helpful resource for day-to-day work and accessing support for professional development and work-life balance. This newsletter is distributed on Tuesdays via email during the school year. Scroll to the bottom for links to FCPS calendars, job opportunities, job transfers, and other popular pages. Have a tip for something other employees will find useful? Submit it to Employee News. 

Our Employee Blog has stories about your colleagues, awards and recognitions, and other employee-focused news and updates. Email story ideas to [email protected]. 

For answers to employment questions, the Human Resources Client Services Team is available through the HR Connection portal on your desktop (soon to be renamed FCPS StaffConnect). You may also call 571-423-3000, or email [email protected]. The team is also available for in-person assistance Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Gatehouse Administration Center.

The Employee Hub offers employees information, forms, tools, and resources. The Hub is available anywhere and on any device. Watch a tutorial for shortcuts and helpful advice. Visit the Employee Hub Support page (located in the Hub Footer) for more resources and tutorials to help you get started.

Tech Support

All employees are issued two emails when hired: your main account in Outlook (@fcps.edu) and an account for Google (@fcpsschools.net). Both accounts share the same password. 

To reach the IT Service Desk with any technical questions, call 703-503-1600, email [email protected], or access the “RequestIT” platform through the desktop icon on FCPS computers.

Six Days to Go Until the First Day of School!

Thank you to all our employees who are hard at work kicking off another great school year! 

Are you ready? Join our countdown on the FCPS homepage, Facebook and Instagram!

Since Friday, we’ve encouraged caregivers to be sure to register their children, bookmark the school year calendar, update immunization records, and sign up for SIS ParentVUE.

Today’s reminder is to make sure you’re signed up for your school newsletter and following your school on social media.  

Share in the countdown fun with us and make sure you, too, are ready for #FirstDayFairfax!

📅 First Day of School

The first day of the 2023-24 school year is Monday, August 21. FCPS staff, caregivers, and students are invited to share their favorite pictures or videos from the first day of school on social media using the hashtag #FirstDayFairfax. We will share some of the photos on the FCPS Facebook and Instagram pages.

New Leadership and Restructured Regions

FCPS leaders have spent the summer aligning resources to ensure that every student receives the premier educational experience FCPS is known for. There have been a number of changes in staff assignments across the regions, and the addition of a new Region 6. 

Learn more about the Leadership Team, school regions, and central offices and region leadership.  

🍎✏️ Great Beginnings for New FCPS Teachers

Nearly 1,300 teachers turned out for the annual Great Beginnings Summer Institute at South County High School. 

The program aims to support new teachers, teachers who are experienced but new to Fairfax County, and career switchers with professional development coaching, network building, and resource sharing. Read about what brought them to teach for Fairfax County Public Schools. 

While you’re there, tell us: Why did you say yes to FCPS?

🚲 What Was the Highlight of Your Summer?

Visit the Employee Blog to learn about how some FCPS staff rested, relaxed, and recharged this summer! Selwyn Lawrence, (right) business and information technology teacher at South Lakes High School, enjoyed spending time cycling. 

Want to contribute your own story? Tell us more by completing the form on the blog or email your story and photos to [email protected]. 

🍼 Expectant Parent Resources

Thinking about expanding your family? The Office of Benefit Services will offer virtual workshops providing information on how to prepare and plan for child-related leave on the following dates:

• Thursday, August 17, 11 a.m.-noon

• Tuesday, September 12, 4-5 p.m.

• Wednesday, October 18, 4-5 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 7, 10–11 a.m.

• Tuesday, December 5, 4-5 p.m.

To register for an upcoming workshop, please visit the Expectant Parent Workshop webpage. All workshop materials will also be posted to this site.

Apply for Educate Fairfax’s Work-based Learning Teacher Grants

Educate Fairfax, the non-profit that supports FCPS, invites teachers, counselors, and other school-based personnel to apply for a Work-based Learning (WBL) Teacher Grant for the 2023-24 school year. Educate Fairfax is proud to fund innovative classroom initiatives that focus on developing career-connected experiences for students. Funded projects should enable students to reinforce and deepen their classroom learning, explore future career fields, and demonstrate their acquired Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills. 

Grant awards range from $1,000 to $2,000, and the application will be open through Friday, September 22. Awardees will be notified by November 1, and funding will be provided in November for the second half of the school year.

View information about the grants, descriptions of last year’s projects, and access the application on Educate Fairfax’s website.

Cybersecurity – Know Before You Click

Much like we run physical safety drills, phishing tests are a key tool to check our staff understanding around cybersecurity awareness. Here are some tips on things to check for when you get a suspicious email:

• Examine the sender's email address and be suspicious of any strange domains.
• Review the salutation for any odd spellings or references.
• Check for spelling and grammar errors in the subject or body of the message.
• Observe the tone and context — look for a sense of urgency and threats.
• Be wary of unsolicited attachments.
• Verify requests for personal information. If the message claims to be from an organization or FCPS department, reach out directly to the office to confirm the request is legitimate.

For more information about why we do phishing awareness campaigns, take a look at this conversation Dr. Reid recently had with VJ Rao, Director of Cybersecurity.  

You can find additional cybersecurity tips and information on the Cybersecurity Hub Page.

Educational Equity Policy Adopted by School Board

In June, the School Board adopted an Educational Equity policy that demonstrates our commitment to the diverse FCPS community, the promise of welcoming and culturally responsive school and work environments, and the guarantee of access and opportunity for the entire FCPS community. Learn more about educational equity priorities and the plan in practice.

Verification of Current National Board Certified Teachers

The Office of Professional Learning is required to confirm the eligibility of all National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and counselors every year in order for qualified staff to receive the Virginia Department of Education Incentive Award. 

All NBCTs must provide the necessary information by completing the annual verification form by close of business Friday, September 22. 

Current NBCTs that are pursuing Maintenance of Certification are invited to join their NBCT colleagues in an Academy Cohort beginning in September. Teachers interested in initial certification can also register for the NBPTS Candidacy Academy course when the window opens on Tuesday, August 29. Visit the FCPS NBCT website to learn more about the program and how FCPS can support you.

🏗️ What is a Bond?

Fairfax County Public Schools will have a bond referendum on the ballot this election day, Tuesday, November 7. 

To finance large-scale construction and renovation work, the county sells bonds, which allows the county to pay for these projects over time — like a home mortgage. By maintaining its triple-A bond rating, Fairfax County bonds are purchased by institutional investors at very low rates, saving the county considerable amounts of money that might otherwise be paid in interest. The county estimates that the triple-A rating has saved taxpayers at least $1 billion in financing costs. 

Read more about the FCPS 2023 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote.

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Foundation of Four Pillars

The division’s new strategic plan is built on a foundation of four pillars — what FCPS must do well to reach its goals for all students. The pillars are:

• We design innovative learning experiences that meet the needs of each and every learner, and implement professional practices that engage, empower, include, and challenge the whole learner through varied opportunities.
• We share responsibility to build trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning and work, and we collaborate proactively with respect, honesty, and transparency.
• We recruit and retain staff who reflect the diversity of students and families; provide meaningful continuous learning, exceptional compensation, and balanced workload; and create a safe and culturally responsive environment that values staff voice.
• We nurture processes and structures that are grounded in intentional partnerships, shared responsibility for equitable resource allocation, and data-driven continuous improvement and innovation.

Stay tuned for more information on the goals of the new strategic plan. In the meantime, please visit our Strategic Plan webpage.

Central Tutoring: Meeting Student Needs and Watching Students Grow

Last spring, FCPS started advertising for a new kind of tutoring position. As part of a response to pandemic-related learning loss, the Office of School Support and Tutoring Services analyzed the needs of students across the division and pinpointed the schools where there were the largest gaps between what students were achieving and the goals they should be reaching. Starting with the schools with the greatest needs, they began to match tutors to small groups of students. 

Cheryl Temple, an adjunct instructor at George Mason University and a retired teacher, saw an ad for the position and was interested in the opportunity to get to help students at times flexible to her schedule. She had worked as an intervention teacher, and was interested in a similar position. Read more about why Cheryl became a tutor and why she recommends the job to others!

Want to Be a Tutor Like Cheryl? 

FCPS needs qualified tutors to provide in-person academic support to small groups of students. These tutors will be paid hourly at a rate of $48.58. The position is flexible, and the amount you work and where you work will be based on your availability, qualifications, and the needs presented throughout FCPS. However, tutors must work at least three days a week for a total of 12 hours a week on a consistent basis. Email [email protected] for more information.

📃 Updates to High School Transcripts

For all enrolled high school students in the 2023-24 school year and beyond, high school course titles will now reflect:

• An HN (Honors) for any course that has a 0.5 additional weighting. 
• An AV (Advanced), AP (Advanced Placement), DE (Dual Enrollment), or IB (International Baccalaureate) for any course that has a 1.0 additional weighting

The new AV label was created to address several college-level courses that previously had a 1.0 additional weighting without a designation. Read more about transcript updates.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff
• Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email [email protected] with questions. 

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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