(From left to right) Jennifer Spears, Dede Bailer, and Teresa Johnson are part
of FCPS’ dynamic Department of Special Services. Dr. Jonathan Dalton, also pictured, is from the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change.
Based on employee feedback received from the Pay Schedule
Survey taken in December 2017, FCPS will change the number of scheduled
payments for less-than-12-month employees to accommodate returning to work when
the school year begins prior to Labor Day.
Effective Fiscal Year 2019,
10-month paid employees (excluding 180-day personnel) will be paid over 11
months (August-June) and 11-month employees (excluding 209-day personnel)
will be paid over 12 months (July-June). Access the survey results, pay examples
from the survey, and additional information on the intranet.
As mentioned in last week's Employee News, the IRS has published new federal income tax
withholding tables. FCPS will implement the changes with the biweekly pay date
of February 16, 2018 and the monthly pay date of February 28, 2018. See how
your pay may be impacted by visiting the Payroll Management page on the intranet
or public website.
It's been a particularly severe flu season this year. Follow these practical tips and reminders from our friends at the Fairfax County Health Department to help prevent you from getting the flu. And, yes, this applies even if you've already had a flu shot!
FCPS employees and retirees who were enrolled in FCPS health plan coverage (or who were eligible for coverage but did not enroll) will receive IRS Form 1095-C in late February. Much like Form W-2 and Form 1099, which include information about the income you received, Form 1095 provides information regarding your health insurance eligibility and enrollment. Learn more about IRS Form 1095.
As a reminder, Marty Smith, FCPS Chief of Staff, will officially assume the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective February 1. Marty will replace Susan Quinn, who
is retiring as COO. Superintendent Brabrand announced Marty's new role last October, as part of several key leadership changes. The Chief of Staff role will be eliminated as a cost saving measure. Find out which departments will report to Marty Smith.
Our Employee Engagement Survey is now open to all contracted FCPS employees, including teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, transportation staff, custodians, food service workers, and other staff members. We’ll use the results to better support our employees and provide an innovative and productive work environment. Check your FCPS email account for your invitation and survey link (sent from survey administrator, K12 Insight). Make sure to share your thoughts by February 19. All responses are strictly confidential! Visit the Employee Engagement Survey page.
A school picture with guinea pigs? Yep, but these aren't just any guineas. Meet Fern (left) and Rosemary (right), also known as the Glasgow Guineas. They live in the library at Glasgow MS, under the watchful eyes of librarians Amber Couch (left) and Sarah Allen (right). See how the guinea pigs promote reading and positively impact the school's culture.
Criminals are always exploring new methods to steal your hard-earned money. As the public becomes more educated in avoiding scams, criminals develop new and more elaborate scams. The latest scam is faking a principal’s name (but not his or her email address) and pressuring staff members to provide the principal with a large amount of money in iTunes gift cards with the promise of reimbursement when they meet the principal in the office.
As always, please do not be defrauded of your hard-earned money. Think twice and pay attention to the details of unexpected or out-of-character messages you receive. Take a look at this USA.gov site for information about some common scams as well as how to avoid or report them. Contact the IT Service Desk with questions at 703-503-1600 or ITServiceDesk@fcps.edu.
Twelve FCPS educators earned recognition as new National Board Certified Teachers, and 20 educators renewed their certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) during the 2017-18 school year.
The newly-certified teachers are the first to have achieved this recognition based on new standards implemented by the NBPTS in 2016. Each of these educators earned the profession’s highest mark of achievement through a rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process, demonstrating their proven impact on student learning and achievement. Read the news release.
#OurFCPS Faces: Chris Kawchak
We're happy to highlight the wonderful Chris Kawchak, a second grade teacher at London Towne ES. One of Chris' former colleagues describes her as "warm and caring with a bubbly personality." A current London Towne parent sang Chris' praises to the FCPS Cares team, which resulted in Chris being named an FCPS Cares of the Month winner. Here's what the parent wrote:
"Mrs. Kawchak is an exceptional teacher that deserves recognition. She goes above and beyond for her students. She acquired a grant to purchase fish for her classroom, which she will be using to teach science. She constantly purchases things for her classroom (from her [own] pocket) to enhance the learning experience. Through email and video, Mrs. K. is in constant communication with the parents, keeping them in the loop with what she's teaching and how they're learning. She volunteers at school events, which makes children extra excited to go. I love that she challenges the children's minds and keeps them thinking and questioning. She also provides incentives to boost their effort. You can always tell she's happy to learn from, listen to, and lead her students, which makes her an amazing teacher!"
Chris, you represent the very best of #OurFCPS. Thank you!
Pathways to Leadership Conference to Be Held March 1
The 2018 Pathways to
Leadership Conference will take place on Thursday, March 1, at Willow Oaks in
Rooms 1000A/B from 4-7 p.m. This year’s conference will highlight
leadership opportunities for both instructional and support employees. From
university cohort information to improving
your interviewing skills, there will be something for
everyone. Additional details and the registration link will be available in early February on the Leadership
Development intranet page.
The
Education Leadership Program at George Mason University (GMU), in collaboration with
FCPS, is offering a cohort to begin in Summer 2018. The program is designed to
prepare candidates for leadership and management positions in a range of
educational settings. With strong emphasis on the complex changes that are
happening in our schools and communities, this program will help you gain the
knowledge and skills to become the kind of leader who can motivate, guide,
advocate, and make a positive impact on our schools. The
30-hour MEd degree in Education Leadership fulfills Virginia's education
requirement for licensure in Administration and Supervision for Pre-K-12.
Interested in learning more? Register for the information session. It will be held on Thursday, February 22, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Gatehouse rooms 3050-3051. You can also visit GMU's website or contact Stefanie Kline at skline@fcps.edu.
Data News is a new
publication that offers school and central data leaders essential
information for effectively accessing and using data. Data News
highlights support and professional development
opportunities, tools to inform conversations around equity, and tips for
leveraging data from recent assessments to address student needs and improve
academic programs. The newsletter and additional data resources can be
accessed from the DDCT intranet home page.
Staff Staples
Note: Intranet access is required to open some of the links in this email. If you're using a mobile device or working remotely, you can connect to the intranet via the Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email RequestIT@fcps.edu with questions.
Employee News is sent to all FCPS employees every Tuesday. Please email EmployeeNews@fcps.edu with potential submissions or questions. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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