Riverside ES staff members are rocking their school spirit wear! Pictured from left to right: Sarah Addo, Morgan Woodyard, Michaela Kim, and Catherine Godly. (Photo: Sarah Addo, physical education teacher)
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), receiving the flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting yourself from the flu. Flu immunizations are available for free to all FCPS employees, this includes all full-time, part-time, and hourly employees as well as substitute teachers on contract for the 2018-19 school year. Visit the Employee Wellness website for the flu clinic schedule and other details. Questions? Please email flushots@fcps.edu.
The Chantilly Pyramid School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) Team won a 2018 Excellence Award in the Innovation category.
A total of 109 staff members—11 teams and 14 individuals—were recognized at FCPS' 2018 Excellence Awards Ceremony on October 16, at Fairfax HS. Superintendent Scott Brabrand and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Helen Nixon kicked off the event. Members of FCPS' Leadership Team and the School Board participated in the celebration along with other guests. Congratulations to all of the winners! Visit the Excellence Awards page on the intranet.
The next Benefits Open House will be held at Hayfield SS on Wednesday, October 24, from 4-7 p.m. It's a great opportunity to get your questions answered by benefits staff, health plan vendors, and retirement savings plan vendors. You can also receive assistance using UConnect. Find out more.
Photo of the Week
Speaking of free flu shots, Aldrin ES Principal Shane Wolfe already took care of business. Now it's your turn! (Photo: Aldrin ES)
Build healthy habits for the holiday season by joining the new virtual wellness challenge, Health for the Holidays. During this six-week online wellness challenge, hosted by Employee Wellness, you and your co-workers will try to earn inches of snow each week by recording your minutes of exercise, healthy eating, and self-care habits. As participants accumulate inches of snow, a new winter scene from a famous city around the world will be revealed.
As a bonus, participants will have chances to win Fitbits; instant pots; gift cards to Amazon, Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods; as well as other health-related prizes. The challenge begins on November 5. Register now through November 12 on the Health for the Holidays website. Get details on the Employee Wellness website or email fitnesschallenge@fcps.edu.
#OurFCPS Faces: Sara Lunasco
Sara Lunasco has worked at FCPS for eight years. All of those years have been at Garfield ES. As the school's lead ESOL teacher, Sara juggles numerous responsibilities. In general, she provides services to students in first, third, fourth, and fifth grades. Sara says, “I also co-teach Virginia studies for fourth grade and Global Awareness and Technology Project (GATP) for fifth. I assist with Project Momentum for those grades as well." Additionally, she enrolls and monitors ESOL students on Imagine Learning, an educational software program.
Sara strongly believes that all children can learn. So, it’s not surprising that her favorite part of the job is "seeing students’ faces light up when they finally understand a concept.” A co-worker said, "Sara is an amazing ESOL teacher. [...] She learns each and every one of the children's names (with correct pronunciation), takes the time to meet families in the Parent Resource Center or during conferences, and really builds a special bond with children. She truly cares about the culture of a child and [his or her] religious beliefs. Recently, an activity was done in fourth and fifth grade science classes. Sara made sure to inform teachers of the importance of not using marshmallows with gelatin because it was against a student's culture and religious beliefs to eat or even touch items with gelatin. [...] As Dr. Brabrand stated, 'Every child by name and by need.' This is a philosophy Sara has always stood by."
Garfield ES Principal Christine Slattery says Sara "values collaboration with her colleagues and is willing to share ideas in order to best meet the needs of students. I appreciate her dedication and enthusiasm at Garfield!”
In her spare time, Sara enjoys being with her family, especially her two sons, and expressing creativity through sewing, pottery painting, and baking. We are so appreciative of your efforts, Sara!
#OurFCPS: Together It's Possible!
Annandale HS English Teacher Kathleen Mathis, an Excellence Award winner, is all in for #OurFCPS!
Did you know that many full-time FCPS employees are automatically enrolled in the Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC)? ERFC membership begins with your first FCPS paycheck and continues as long as you remain an eligible full-time FCPS employee. See how this guaranteed retirement benefit can help you gain financial independence! Visit ERFC's webpage on the intranet.
Take advantage of a free, convenient, confidential, and safe disposal of unused or expired medications during Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout on Saturday, October 27. Drop off medications (pills or liquids only, no pressurized canisters or needles) at any of the eight Fairfax County District Police Stations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout is a partnership with local businesses in collaboration with several Fairfax County government departments. Learn more.
Correction
In last week's Employee News, under the September Cares of the Month Winners article, we inadvertently left out Kevin Smith's school name. Kevin works at Fairfax Academy, and they are extremely lucky to have him! Find out some of the reasons why.
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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