Irving MS teachers were ready and set to go for a great day of learning at EdCamp NoVa. (Photo: Cindy Conley, Irving MS)
It's Teacher Appreciation Week!
We're kicking off this issue of Employee News with a huge "Thank you!" to our awesome, brilliant, creative, and hard-working teaching professionals who make magic every day! Some Fairfax County public schools honored their teachers last week. So, this is our second week of seeing Teacher Appreciation celebrations across the division. We say, "Let the good times roll," and let's always show our teachers how much we appreciate them!
Nominations for individual Excellence Awards close Friday, May 11! This is the date that packets must be at the region or department assistant superintendent’s office for signature and submission.
Excellence Awards celebrate teams or individuals who exceed expectations in supporting the initiatives of the FCPS strategic plan. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash award and a certificate from Superintendent Brabrand to be presented at a ceremony in the fall. Get the details on award eligibility and the nomination
process.
If you spend any time engaging on social media platforms, be sure
to review FCPS' new Social Media
Guidance for Staff. Its three guiding principles will help
prevent mishaps that may impact you personally and professionally. Also, watch this short
video for a quick recap of the guidance.
Photo of the Week
Life is a beach at Bull Run ES, especially when you enter the school's sensational Staff Lounge. Bull Run PTA did a fantastic job with tropical-themed decorations in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Check out this tweet for additional photos. (Photo: Jason Pensler, Bull Run ES)
It's true–a $1,000 recruiting bonus is available for any FCPS or Fairfax County employee who recruits a school bus driver! Applicants are required to pass hiring and training standards, and drive for a minimum of 90 school days. *Other conditions may apply. Learn more about driving for FCPS or view the job description. Please email driveforfcps@fcps.edu with questions.
#OurFCPS: Together It's Possible
Westbriar ES staff take time to show off their #OurFCPS pride during the school's 5K Fun Run and One Mile Walk.
Join the ERFC Ambassador Program
Help spread the
value of the Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of
Fairfax County (ERFC) throughout the FCPS community! Ambassadors are
workplace retirement plan resources for their peers and represent ERFC in
schools and centers located throughout the division. Becoming an ambassador is
easy. Simply attend one training session, become familiar with very basic plan
information, receive your ambassador resource box, and return to your workplace
as an ERFC representative!
Every ERFC member should be
well-informed about the value of their retirement benefit. Help ERFC reach its
goal of having an ambassador in every FCPS work location. Please send your name
and work location to Lisa Scott, lbscott1@fcps.edu,
to join an upcoming training session.
Master’s Degree Programs with George Mason University
George Mason University (GMU) representatives will be presenting opportunities to join cohorts starting in summer 2018. There are opportunities to join the Transformative Teaching-M.Ed. concentration or one of the cohorts in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL). Through our partnership with GMU, all teachers accessing one of the select degree programs will be eligible for a 25 percent discount off of the advertised tuition rate! Additionally, information on programs for Fall 2018 will also be available. Please register in MyPLT. Contact Tuition Benefits for more information at tuitionbenefits@fcps.edu or 571-423-1344.
The Foundation for FCPS is pleased to announce a new discretionary grant aimed at supporting teachers in the classroom. Amounts will range from $500-$2,500 and will be funded for the 2018-19 school year. Grants will assist teachers in enhancing or expanding work-based learning opportunities in the classroom to guide students of all levels to explore and develop interest in various career paths. The grant cycle will close May 18.
Find out more about the FCPS Foundation's Teacher Grant Opportunity. Questions? Please contact the Foundation at foundation@fcps.edu or 571-423-1031.
Kristen Matthews has been at
FCPS for almost seven years, but the preschool home teacher/speech therapist
claims she’s been with FCPS “my whole life.” She attended and graduated from
FCPS and says, “I can honestly say that it’s a great place to learn and
teach!”
Kristen’s role is multi-faceted. In addition to responsibilities related to lesson planning
and instruction, she also provides families with resources in the community and
activities that can be done at home. “I get to visit community preschools,
HeadStart programs, public libraries, and homes when working with my students. Another important role is working in collaboration with specialists at
different elementary schools as well as in private settings. I am always
learning something new from the experiences I have, and the fellow educators I
get to work with.”
In an FCPS Cares submission, a Kings Park ES parent said, “From the moment Kristen walked through our front door,
she was enthusiastic, positive, creative, funny, and nurturing. [...] We could never
have imagined the change in our daughter over just a few short months. Her
communication skills improved exponentially; her teachers now report that they
can understand everything she says. Friends and classmates no longer ask her to
repeat herself. We can tell that her confidence has skyrocketed [...].” Amy Fieldman, manager, Early Childhood Identification
and Services, adds, “Kristen is a hard-working and dedicated early childhood
special education teacher, who uses a child-first, best-practice philosophy in
order to meet the diverse needs of the children she provides services to.”
Kristen’s
favorite part of her job is watching students progress and building
relationships with families. When she’s not working, Kristen loves to organize activities for her family and friends and to bake. "Yoga is also up there on my list, as I’ve found that
it’s one of the best ways to decompress after a long day at work.” Kristen, you’re tops on our list! Thank you!
FCPS will participate in Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 9, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work. Find out more about Bike to School Day.
Fairfax County
Asks for Help with Fighting Opioid Crisis
According to the latest
statistics from the Virginia Department of Health, the number of
fatal overdoses in the state caused by opioids rose for the fifth
straight year. In 2017, an estimated 1,227 died from overdoses
involving prescription medications and illicit opioids–a 114 percent
increase over 2012, which had 572 deaths.
The opioid crisis is also affecting our
local community. In 2016, there were more than 100 drug-related deaths in
Fairfax County, 80 of which were caused by opioid overdoses–more than any
other jurisdiction in the state. Fairfax County Government has prepared
information explaining what opioids are, the signs of opioids use, and what you can do
to help fight the crisis in our community.
Many students struggle with emotional and behavioral issues
that can affect their learning and overall wellness. Mental Health Awareness Month is an
opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and its
many different aspects. Thursday, May 10, is National Children’s Mental Health
Awareness Day, which puts a spotlight on the significance of children’s mental
health. Adults play a
critical role in fostering assets that lead to positive mental health in
children. See
what you can do to help promote resiliency in youth.
CrisisText Is Available
for Students 24/7
This is a quick reminder for staff that
any student who is feeling extremely overwhelmed or is in crisis can
connect with CrisisText. All students have to do is text “NEEDHELP” to 85511 or call
1-800-273-TALK. Please feel free to share this information, as appropriate.
Correction
In last week’s Employee
News, we misinterpreted a quote in our profile on Whitman MS Assistant
Principal Matthew Johnson. Please see Matthew’s clarification below. We
apologize for the misunderstanding.
"As a product of Title I
schools, I understand the experience of many of our students and I firmly
believe that each student has the ability to be successful. The likelihood of
success increases for students who have at least one adult (or champion, as the
late Rita Pierson says) with whom they connect. I hope to be one of those
adults here at Whitman MS, the same way my parents were for many in the
community when I was a kid growing up on Richmond Highway."
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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