The Spring Hill ES staff basketball team had a ball before their game against Haycock ES! (Photo: Spring Hill ES)
Wondering how to access your FCPS email when you're not at work? Looking for quick links to licensure, payroll, or benefits information? Find those links and more on the Employee Resources page!
Nominations for team and individual Excellence Awards are now open! 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, which will be presented at a ceremony in the fall.
This year, the entire nomination process is online. Nominators will enter information about the individual or team into an online portal, then complete a nomination packet. The packet must be submitted electronically, via the portal, by Friday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m. Please visit the Excellence Awards webpage for details on award eligibility and the new online nomination process.
Whether you are writing an email, a newsletter article, or drafting language to be posted online, your communication should be clear, consistent, and aligned with FCPS’ brand identity. Why? It's important because every message you communicate reflects upon you, your school or department, and ultimately, the school division. FCPS' Brand Guidelines include an Editorial Style Guide with information on abbreviations, acronyms, punctuation, possessives, and other elements of writing. Please take a few minutes to view FCPS' Editorial Style Guide. Consider bookmarking it, too!
Photo of the Week
From the Archives
There's no limit to the hidden talents of FCPS teachers. For example, although Doug Mooney is a technology education teacher at Rocky Run MS, he's also pretty handy. Check out the three new shelves Doug built for the graphic novels shelving unit. Now that's a job "weld" done! (Photo: Rocky Run MS)
myVRS System Will Be Offline for Maintenance April 18-24
The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is a mandatory defined benefit program sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia. All full-time educational, administrative, and monthly-paid operational staff are members. VRS will be updating their myVRS system later this month. Members will not have access to the system from close of business April 18-24. For urgent needs, members may call the VRS Customer Contact Center at 1-888-827-3847, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The system is expected to be back online on April 25. However, there may be some delays in processing times as the new system comes online.
Michael Greene is the school-based technology specialist (SBTS) at Irving MS. He previously worked at Whitman MS as a business and information technology teacher and at Oakton HS as a marketing teacher.
As an SBTS, some of Michael's responsibilities include "planning, training, coaching, and modeling directly with teachers to help the faculty and students learn new skills with instructional technology." He adds, “I create digital learning resources for our staff and students, and disseminate information regarding digital tools, software updates, and best practices for learning with technology in the classroom. I also serve as the school's web curator, social media manager, and as a news liaison alongside our librarians. Additionally, I provide educational technology leadership, produce and facilitate teacher-driven professional development, and manage many of our online resources, portals, and software programs.”
Michael loves "being a part of such an awesome community and team of FCPS SBTS." He says, "My job is often made much easier by our continual sharing of ideas and resources to help each other help our schools [...].” Michael also considers it a "privilege to work directly with the incredible teachers and staff at Irving MS." He adds, “I enjoy collaborating and brainstorming new ideas with teachers the most, as well as coaching and guiding them to learn new skills [...]."
Principal Cindy Conley says, “Mr. Greene has been our SBTS for two and half years and has really grown the knowledge base of available technology for our teachers and students. [...] Most notably, this year we have been able to expand our students’ opportunities to use technology and improve reading skills via Flipgrid. [...] It has been wonderful to see our students’ confidence in reading aloud grow over the year and see their excitement about reading to their elementary buddies. [...] We are very fortunate to have Mr. Greene at Irving Middle School."
In his spare time, Michael enjoys “photography, playing and watching a wide range of sports, especially basketball and baseball, and being an awesome uncle for all of my nieces and nephews!” As a side note, Michael was featured on an episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as one of the blue-hat volunteers!
Thanks, Michael, for the many hats you wear while serving as an excellent source of support, knowledge, and inspiration for students and staff alike.
Attention: Transportation, Food Service, Trades and Maintenance, Custodial, and Part-Time Teaching Staff
The electronic election of one trustee for the Fairfax County Employee Retirement System (FCERS) will be held on May 21-23. More than 6,000 FCPS employees receive their retirement benefit from Fairfax County Employee Retirement Systems (FCERS). This includes transportation, food service, trades and maintenance, custodial, and part-time teaching staff. All FCPS employees who are FCERS members are eligible to be nominated and to vote for the vacant position. Interested candidates: Please obtain a nomination petition on Human Resources' intranet page.
Candidates must also submit a candidate statement of no more than 75 words stating why they would best serve in this position. Petitions and statements must be returned to Gatehouse Administration Center, Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER), Suite 2517, by 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 14. Please contact Sherri Burris at 571-423-3252, if you have questions.
In FCPS, our diversity is a strength that helps to create resilient, open, and innovative global citizens. The Equity and Cultural Responsiveness Team invites staff to share examples from their schools and communities that foster a responsive, caring, and inclusive culture where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and supported. Please tag photos with "#FCPSWeseeyou" on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow Equity and Cultural Responsiveness on Twitter.
 Every Tuesday, we highlight one of FCPS' amazing teachers on Instagram as part of our #TeacherTuesday series. Please stop by FCPS' Instagram page and check out today's #TeacherTuesday profile.
Each year, our nation designates April as the Month of the Military Child to recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle. Wednesday, April 10, is “PURPLE UP! for Military Kids.” On that day, all school staff and students are encouraged to wear purple in recognition of the strength and sacrifices of military connected youth (MCY).
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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