Employee News - Tuesday, 5/28/19

Longfellow MS school counselors

 

Longfellow MS counselors are always there for their students. (Photo: Longfellow MS)  


Fairfax County School Board Passes FY 2020 Approved Budget

The Fairfax County School Board has adopted the FCPS FY 2020 Approved Budget of $3.0 billion. The Approved Budget includes a $55.2 million investment in teacher salary scales–including a 1.0 percent market scale adjustment, $46.8 million for a step increase for eligible employees, and a 1.0 percent market scale adjustment for non-teacher salary scale employees. Read the news release


April Cares of the Month Winners

Congratulations to FCPS Cares of the Month recipients for April! The winners are:

  • Central Office: Stephanie Tamashiro, Transportation, Stonecroft Transportation Center.
  • Region 1: Meghan Ehrman, Terraset ES.
  • Region 2: Maria Degadillo, Annandale HS.
  • Region 3: Ann Jopke, Matt Rivera, Tamara Wilson, Tonja Walden, Maura McVeigh, Viki Wilson, and Anna Webb; Hollin Meadows ES.
  • Region 4: Eileen Voss, Kings Park ES.
  • Region 5: Gabrielle Auza and Alexandra Dilldine, Daniels Run ES.

See what makes the winners special. Acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee


Photo of the Week 

Key Center office staff performing "deskercise."


Key Center School staff added a bit of deskercise to their day. Key Center reports that everyone felt better afterward, and no injuries were sustained! (Photo: Emily Kaltenmark, assistant principal)


Applications Accepted for 2019 Administrative Development Cohort 

The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is accepting applications for the 2019-20 Administrator Development Cohort through June 27 at noon. This Academy Course is worth 60 points/two Academy credits; 45 hours are in class, and there are 15 hours of work outside of class. The course offers an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills around FCPS' leadership standards. Participants will engage in learning from guest speakers, projects and assignments, as well as school-based learning experiences. This cohort is for those who are interested in school-based leadership. You must have three years of teaching experience and an administrative certification to participate. Read about the application process and see a draft course schedule for the 2019-20 cohort


#OurFCPS Faces: Tisa Frederick

Tisa Frederick, Career Center Specialist, West Springfield HS

 

Tisa Frederick has worked for FCPS at West Springfield HS for five years. As a Career Center specialist, Tisa assists students with college and career readiness, job and volunteer opportunities, and SAT/ACT preparation. She also manages the school's x2VOL, a tool that tracks service learning opportunities and hours. Additionally, Tisa is the lead advocate for the College Partnership Program (CPP) and sponsors four after-school clubs (learn more about those below).

Tisa “loves building relationships with students and seeing them mature into young adults.” She says, “It’s my life’s work to help high school-aged students discover their identity.”

Through an FCPS Cares submission, a WSHS parent wrote: “My son is a high school senior who moved to Virginia from California as a sophomore. One day, he did not come straight home after school. I was almost in tears, because he was new and had no friends yet and was not happy about moving. […] Seeing me almost in tears, [Ms. Frederick] stopped and talked to me, then went back to her locked office and used the loud speaker, repeatedly calling for him. I had not even asked her to do that as I could not think. I will always appreciate her caring. Besides that, over the last three years, we have been getting her emails, encouraging students to apply for scholarships and career events, tirelessly urging them with repeated reminders because she cares so much. After one of her email reminders, I pushed my son to apply, and we just found out he got $3,500 toward his college and will receive it in June."

Tisa also started a food pantry at WSHS. She says, “I work with our WAT [Work Awareness and Transition] Teacher, Lindsey Warren, and the WAT kids manage the pantry."

It’s no surprise that Tisa was named the 2018 Career Center Specialist of the Year. Rebecca Cousins, the co-worker who nominated Tisa for that honor, says she is a "leader, communicator, collaborator, and relationship builder. She motivates both colleagues and students with her exceptional work ethic and high educational standards."

By sponsoring the CPP, Black Student Union (BSU), Ethiopian and Eritrean Club, Dynasty Step, and Girl Up, Tisa is able to connect with students on a deeper level and foster their trust in and relationship to WSHS. She feels strongly connected to the Black Student Union and the Black History Month assembly. Through these endeavors, Tisa believes that the African-American population at WSHS “now feels that they have a voice and an outlet to express and celebrate our culture. The BSU has also provided an outlet for non-black students to join in on the discussion of race issues.” 

Outside of FCPS, Tisa enjoys traveling and spending time with friends. Fun Fact: Tisa shared that she once skydived! Clearly, the sky’s the limit for your students, Tisa, thanks to you!


P.T. Barnum quote about comfort being the enemy of progress.

Check Out the Latest Issue of Audit Buzz

In this issue of Audit Buzz, you will find key takeaways from recently completed performance audits, including the use of trades and staffing reserve, and Medicaid reimbursement program. Other news includes highlights from the School Board's recognition of Internal Audit Awareness Month, the 31st Annual Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) Conference, and peer review conducted by the auditor general. Read Audit Buzz now.


Follow FCPS on Instagram

Follow FCPS on Instagram @fairfaxcountypublicschools.


Follow @fairfaxcountypublicschools on Instagram to see our amazing students and staff captured in beautiful imagery and videos. You’ll find awesome animations, too! Be sure to catch our weekly features including #FCPSTeacherTuesday, #WellnessWednesday, and #TGIFcps posts on Fridays.


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!