Employee News - Tuesday, 2/26/19

College Success Programs staff members

 

College Success Program (CSP) staff members recently participated in a day of professional development. (Photo: CSP)


IRS Form 1095 Has Been Mailed

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 within the next few days, if it hasn't been received already. Much like Forms W-2 and 1099, which include information about income you received, Form 1095 provides information regarding your health insurance eligibility and enrollment. Learn more about IRS Form 1095.


Foundation for FCPS Teacher Grant Applications Available March 1

The Foundation for FCPS invites teachers to apply for its discretionary grant program for the 2019-20 school year. Grant awards will range from $1,000-$2,500 and will be given to projects that are innovative and creative, enhance the standard curriculum and teaching methods, and have connections to Portrait of a Graduate. Grant applications will be accepted from March 1-April 5, with funding provided to the schools in August. Please come back to this link on March 1. In the interim, you can visit the Foundation's website, call 571-423-1031, or email foundation@fcps.edu.


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Photo of the Week 

TJHSST's Boys Basketball Coach Mark Gray-Mendes


Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's (TJHSST) Mark Gray-Mendes for becoming the winningest boys basketball coach in TJHSST's history! Mark earned that title with a win against Trinity School in Falls Church. Mark is also an administrative assistant in TJHSST's Athletic Department. (Photo: TJ Colonial Sports)


Apply for Summer Curriculum Development Starting March 7

The website listing summer curriculum development projects from Instructional Services and Special Services will be available on Thursday, March 7. Projects will begin the latter part of June and vary in length. Interested teachers are encouraged to apply online by March 21. Please email questions to SCD2019@fcps.edu. Or, contact Kristin Koelsch (elementary) at 571-423-4636 or LouEllen Brademan (secondary) at 571-423-4853. Summer Curriculum Development projects are contingent upon approval of the FY 2020 Advertised Budget.


Special Education Extended School Year (ESY) Employment Opportunities

Special education summer positions for Extended School Year (ESY) teachers, related service providers, and support staff will be posted in Job Opportunities beginning Wednesday, February 27. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online. Hourly summer contracts for teachers and support positions are available at all grade levels. Positions will be open until filled. Get more information. Please note that ESY contracts are contingent upon student enrollment. Questions? Contact Ellen Agosta at emagosta@fcps.edu or 571-423-4111.


2019 Extended School Year (ESY) Summer Administrator Opportunities (All Levels)

The Office of Special Education Instruction will again be providing ESY services to students this summer. The ESY administrator position is an opportunity for qualified candidates to demonstrate their ability to manage and maintain accountability for the planning, assessment, instructional leadership, communication, community relations, safety, and security of an ESY program. Ideal candidates should possess the skills and experience required to supervise a large summer instructional program for students with disabilities as well as the ability to supervise the facilities of a host school that has been assigned as an ESY site. Candidates must hold a Postgraduate Professional License with endorsement as a school principal or in preK-12 administration and supervision. Assistant principal experience is preferred. Please check Job Opportunities under Other Career Opportunities for 2019 Extended School Year (ESY) Summer Administrator. Questions? Contact Ellen Agosta at  emagosta@fcps.edu or 571-423-4190.


#OurFCPS Faces: Brian Hannon

Brian Hannon, teacher, Hayfield SS

 

Meet Brian Hannon, one of the very talented English teachers at Hayfield SS. In addition to teaching, Brian sponsors Hayfield's Poetry Club, National English Honor Society Club, and Lit Mag. He is also an Education and Youth Development Fellow at Split This Rock, a nonprofit organization.

Principal Martin Grimm says, “Brian is an excellent teacher in every sense. He is an engaging teacher who works well with all students. He has coached varsity and intramural teams, and his work with poetry slams at HSS and in the [DC, Maryland, and Virginia] area is exceptional. He is truly a pleasure to work with in all areas!!”

Brian says, “I absolutely love teaching, and I take pride in the fact that I play a role–no matter how small–in my students’ personal and educational growth. But I think I enjoy the conversations I have with my students the most. Each of them has their own unique story to tell, and it’s always fascinating to hear about each of their own distinct cultures, interests, and plans for future.”

Brian, who is Region 3's 2018 High School Teacher of the Year, has a gift for teaching English in a way that appeals to everyone. “He can reach and stretch our strongest [Advanced Placement] students,” said a colleague. “At the same time, he can reach and empower students who are accessing the general English curriculum for the first time as well as students with learning challenges."

Brian is a big fan of 80’s and 90’s pop culture, especially Jean Claude Van-Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. In his spare time, he works part-time for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and as a Muay Thai kickboxing instructor. Brian is also the father of “two loud boys.” They are lucky to have you, Brian, and so are we!


2019-20 Accelerated Certification Cohort

The Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) is a partnership with the University of Virginia for FCPS employees to obtain the Virginia PreK-12 license in Administration and Supervision in a one-year cohort setting. All coursework, which is non-credit bearing, is instructed by approved Curry School of Education and Human Development full-time faculty and adjuncts with terminal degrees. The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement provides this program at a cost of $1,650 to the selected ACC members. The application process will go live on Blackboard on March 1. Find more information online or contact Andria McMichael at abmcmichael@fcps.edu.


Leave of Absence Application Due March 1

Employees who intend to request or extend a Leave of Absence (LOA) for the 2019-20 school year must indicate their intentions by or before March 1. An LOA is an approved, unpaid, extended absence from work which exceeds 30 calendar days. Additional information about leaves of absence and the application process can be found on the FCPS Leaves of Absence webpage. Please contact the Disability and Leaves Unit with questions at HRConnection@fcps.edu or 571-423-3200, Option #1.

Note: If you are expecting a baby or planning to adopt a child, the March 1 due date does not apply to you. If you are currently on an LOA for child care, it does apply to you.  


Volunteer at Fairfax County's Science and Engineering Fair

The 2019 Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair is in need of teachers and other staff members to help at this exciting event. The science fair will be held March 15-17, at Robinson SS. It’s for high school students throughout the county, including private school students, that have won a local school science fair. Volunteer opportunities include setting up the exhibit hall, registering students, preparing awards, distributing awards folders, and other activities. Please register to volunteer. Find out more about the science fair. Please contact Tim Harazin, Tim.Harazin@fcps.edu, with questions.

“You can’t go back and make a new start, but you can start right now and make a brand new ending.” James R. Sherman

Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council (SSEAC) Representatives Needed

The SSEAC election will be held April 9-11, to fill the following two-year term representative vacancies: Group 1 – Bus Drivers and Attendants; Group 3 – Food and Nutrition Services; Group 4 – Custodial and Plant Operations; and, Group 8 – Educational Support.

A petition to nominate candidates is available on the SSEAC’s Advisory Council webpage on the intranet. Interested candidates must submit a petition signed by 20 employees who work in their specific community-of-interest group (i.e., instructional assistants and public health assistants should sign for group 8 candidates) and must also submit a statement of no more than 50 words describing why they would best serve in the position. Petitions and statements must be returned to Gatehouse Administration Center, Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER), Suite 2517, by March 26. If you have any questions, please contact EER at 571-423-3252.


ERFC Trustee to Be Elected

An electronic election to fill one trustee position on the Board of Trustees for the Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) will be held May 7-9. View Notice 4771, which outlines the election process and includes a petition for interested candidates to use in qualifying for the election.

Candidates must also submit a statement for inclusion in election materials, explaining in 100 words or less, their qualifications for the trustee position. Petitions and candidate statements must be returned to the Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER), Suite 2517, Gatehouse Administration Center, 8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, by 4:30 p.m., on April 12. Please contact EER with questions at 571-423-3252.


Staff Staples


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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!