Region 1 and Herndon HS celebrated Julio Ramirez Rivera (third from left), who was named Region 1 Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee. (Photo: Herndon HS)
Beware of Email Scam Targeting FCPS Employees
Criminals are always exploring new and creative ways to steal people’s hard-earned money, which can make it difficult to spot a scam. Unfortunately, some FCPS employees recently became victims of a scam. Here's how it works: Someone emails school staff using their principal’s name as the sender but from a non-FCPS email address. The criminal pressures staff members to purchase a large amount of money in iTunes gift cards with the promise of reimbursement. Once a staff member emails the gift card codes to the criminal, the employee’s money is gone.
Please do not be defrauded of your money! Remember:
- The official FCPS email address is from @fcps.edu–not gmail, aol, or other public domains.
- No FCPS staff member should ask another employee to make large FCPS-related purchases using personal funds.
- Pay attention to the details of unexpected or out of character messages you receive.
Visit USA.gov for common scams as well as how to avoid or report them. Contact the IT Service Desk with questions at 703-503-1600 or ITServiceDesk@fcps.edu.
Congratulations to the unopposed candidates in the following job groups! They will be the new SSEAC representatives beginning July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021:
- Group 1: Bus Drivers and Attendants, David Swan.
- Group 3: Food and Nutrition Services, Andrea O’Shea.
- Group 4: Custodial and Plant Operations, Russel Wade.
- Group 7: Management and Administration, Courtney Saddler.
- Group 8: Educational Support, Elissa Berger.
Visit the Superintendent’s Support Employee Advisory Councils webpage.
Spring break is next week! To help continue saving energy during that time, please take a look at FCPS' Energy Conservation webpage for reference documents and checklists. Questions? Contact Justin Moss at jrmoss@fcps.edu.
Photo of the Week
Now this is a candy bar! Last Friday's Teacher Work Day was sweeter than usual for staff at Fairfax Villa ES, thanks to Principal Dave Gerstner, Assistant Principal Kyungjoo An, and office staff. (Photo: Fairfax Villa ES)
For 2019, FCPS has been named an Energy Star® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence for its continued efforts to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings and facilities. The school district’s accomplishments will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., on April 11. Read the news release.
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. Notice 4771 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., this Friday, April 12. If you have questions, please call EER at 571-423-3252.
#OurFCPS Faces: Kristen Resutek
Kristen Resutek has taught first grade at Timber Lane ES for six years. In addition to teaching, Kristen is also a team leader, Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) committee member, and an English Language Learner (ELL) cohort member.
At Timber Lane, Kristen teaches 21 students who speak multiple languages, and come from diverse cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. As a team leader, Kristen facilitates weekly Collaborative Learning Team (CLT) meetings, where she and her colleagues spend time "unpacking standards, planning differentiated and engaging lessons, gathering resources, creating assessments, and analyzing student data in order to ensure that all students are learning."
As part of the MTSS team, Kristen works with the committee to ensure that all students at Timber Lane are receiving the instruction they need in order to learn. Her ELL cohort role involves working with the committee to ensure that Timber Lane’s English language learners are receiving instruction that is developmentally appropriate and effective.
Principal Kimberly Cook praises Kristen’s teaching practices: “If you need to see a 'Caring Culture', just step into Ms. Resutek’s first grade classroom [...]. Ms. Resutek has built strong relationships with her students and their families. [...] Ms. Resutek has such a kind soul, and has motivated and encouraged students to take pride in themselves and what they produce, because she truly believes in everyone!"
Kristen adds, “My favorite thing about my job is working with my students each day. Every day is different, every day is fulfilling, and every day my students bring me joy. One thing I love about first grade is the amount of student growth you see–not just from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year, but the amount of progress you see your students making from day to day is incredible."
Kristen connects with this quote by Ignacio Estrada: “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” She says, “I think it is important that teachers believe that ALL students can learn, even if they are learning in different ways and at different paces."
Kristen, thank you for fostering such a caring learning environment in which all students can grow!
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.
Heads Up, Phones Down
Warmer weather brings more people and animals outside. With that in mind, the Fairfax County Police Department is asking all of us to keep an eye on where we're going. So, please put your phone away and remove your headphones when you hit the streets–for everyone's safety.
PURPLE UP! Tomorrow for Military Kids
Last week, we mentioned that April is Month of the Military Child. Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 10, is PURPLE UP! day. All are encouraged to wear purple in recognition of the strength and sacrifices of military connected youth. Why purple? Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military; it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.
Employee News Is Going on Spring Break
Employee News will be taking a break next week along with many FCPS staff. We will resume publication on Tuesday, April 23. Enjoy your time off!
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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