What's on the minds of these Hughes MS staff members? Maybe...,"Ice Cream!" (Photo: Hughes MS)
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical, dental, and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Be sure to visit FCPS' Open Enrollment webpage for detailed information about FCPS benefits, so you can ensure your plan elections continue to meet the needs of you and your family.
Fort Belvoir ES students could barely contain their excitement when Dr. Brabrand stopped by their school. But, it wasn't a classroom visit that had them clapping and cheering; it was seeing their superintendent show off his jump rope skills! See for yourself in this video clip.
In compliance with requirements of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the Fairfax County School Board established a wellness policy (2100) for FCPS that promotes the health and well-being of students and staff. The corresponding regulation includes physical education; physical activity; health education; health services; healthy and safe school environment; counseling, psychological, and social services; health promotion for staff members; and several other components.
In May 2018, schools completed wellness reporting, which outlines progress made toward implementing the wellness policy. View individual school reports as well as the division level executive summary. School staff are encouraged to contact their School Wellness Committee and determine ways to collaborate with students and community members on promoting wellness in their school communities. Find additional wellness resources.
Photo of the Week
Camelot ES' annual Staff Pumpkin Decorating Contest did not disappoint. Design teams were given the task of creating a pumpkin that represents a Positivity Project character strength. What a LOVEly idea! This pretty pumpkin features the American Sign Language sign for "love," along with a pink ribbon in support of breast cancer awareness. (October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.) Art Teacher Aimee DeSoto led the team who decorated it.
Check out other amazing pumpkins on Camelot's Twitter. Contest winners will be announced soon. (Photo: Camelot ES)
For the past four years, Jay Corwin has worked as a bus driver for FCPS. His schools include Oakton HS, Navy ES, and Waples Mill ES. Prior to joining FCPS, Jay was a career fireman, who retired after 30 years. He decided to drive a bus, because he enjoyed helping people as a fireman and wanted to continue helping others. He asks, “Who better to help than our children, our youth?”
Jay says one of his favorite parts of his job is getting to know the kids who ride his bus. “I like seeing the individual personalities come out in each child.” According to Jay’s supervisor, Shannon Jones, “Mr. Jay Corwin is adored by students, parents, school staff, fellow drivers and attendants, and supervisors. He always goes above and beyond to provide a helping hand to others. Mr. Corwin always has a smile on his face and is truly an [asset] to Fairfax County Public Schools Transportation.” In his spare time, Jay loves traveling anywhere in the United States and seeing things that he’s never seen before.
Jay is part of FCPS Recruitment's video series, "In the Driver's Seat." Watch him in action.
Thanks, Jay, for being a driving force in education for FCPS students!
As you may have heard in the news, there has been a sharp increase in the number of students using vaping devices nationwide. The number of FCPS students vaping has risen dramatically as well. While usage is primarily seen at the high school level, middle school students are also engaging in this harmful activity. Teens are able to secretly vape in the halls and in class, as these devices are often easy to hide. Some even look like USB drives.
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) was updated in September 2018 to include vaping as a prohibited activity. Students found to be using or in possession of vape products on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities may receive disciplinary consequences, as noted in the SR&R. The Office of Student Safety and Wellness is encouraging school-based staff to review information about e-cigarettes, vaping, and juuling. It’s available on the intranet as well as the public website. Questions? Please contact Stefan Mascoll at 571-423-4270 or smascoll@fcps.edu.
#OurFCPS: Together It's Possible!
Bailey's Upper ES Principal Marie Lemmon and Special Education Teacher Leona Hyatt beamed with #OurFCPS pride at FCPS' recent Great Beginnings Summer Institute. Great Beginnings is a four-day professional learning opportunity for novice teachers as well as veteran teachers who are new to FCPS. (Photo: Marie Lemmon)
In collaboration with the Workhouse Arts Center, FCPS' Fine Arts Office presents the 11th annual Artist Teacher Exhibition, recognizing the creative endeavors of FCPS art teachers, from September 26-October 20, in the McGuire Woods Gallery, Workhouse Arts Center. A reception will be held on the evening of Saturday, October 13, from 6-9 p.m.
FCPS art teachers were invited to submit original works for consideration. Forty-one pieces of art were selected from 110 submissions. Read the news release.
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10, in an effort to raise awareness of mental health issues. It serves to remind us not to take mental health for granted. People suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression not only suffer from a lower quality of life, they are at a higher risk for developing health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. Learn the warning signs, get tips on resiliency, or seek professional assistance for early intervention with Guidance Resources, FCPS' Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Visit Guidance Resources online and register with web ID "FCPS" to view resources. Or, call FCPS' dedicated EAP line at 1-855-355-9097 (toll-free) and speak to a guidance consultant 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Digital Citizenship Week is being recognized October 15-19. This year’s theme is Building a Culture of Shared Responsibility. Each day during the week, instructional staff, parents, and caregivers are offered simple steps to partner together to educate and support students' digital life. Schools can access the materials for the week using their GSuite account. Schools should decide how to best introduce and communicate this information with their staff and families.
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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