Deans of students (DOS) from across FCPS participated in their first Collaborative Learning Team (CLT) meeting of the 2019-20 school year. (Photo: Susie Lilburn, DOS, Justice HS)
Save Money on Healthcare Expenses
Employees participating in an FCPS health plan as the primary cardholder may earn a $100 wellness incentive when they complete their online health assessment (HA) by December 31!
The HA is an online questionnaire related to your general health and well-being. It's easy to complete, takes about 15-20 minutes, and is confidential. Only you and your health plan will receive the individual information. It is never shared with FCPS, in compliance with state and federal privacy laws.
Choose your health plan to get started:
Learn more by visiting the Employee Wellness website. Please email questions to HRWellness@fcps.edu.
In conjunction with Inova Well, FCPS Employee Wellness is offering a convenient opportunity for employees to know their numbers. Staff members can receive a free health screening that includes a fingerstick for glucose and cholesterol, as well as a blood pressure and body mass index measurement. Participants can also complete their online health assessment to earn a $100 credit on their deductible through their FCPS health plan, and participate in fun wellness activities such as a smoothie station, sleep deprivation goggles, and fitness demonstrations. Health screenings will be held on Thursday, September 26, at Hayfield SS, from 3-5:30 p.m.
Appointments are required. Get more information or sign up for an appointment. Please email HRWellness@fcps.edu with questions.
Photo of the Week
Wouldn't it be awesome if we could click and smell these flowers? McNair ES Teacher Alice Luea received these beauties as a kick-off to the new school year. Alice tweeted: "It's the start of my 18th year of teaching and my mom continues the tradition...she has always sent me flowers at school during my 1st week. She may be in Michigan, but she's always with me. I am one lucky lady." Indeed you are, Alice. (Photo: Alice Luea)
Participate in Employee Wellness' Financial Wellness Workshop
Employee Wellness, in conjunction with FCPS' Employee Assistance Program (Guidance Resources), is offering a Financial Wellness Workshop entitled Managing Personal Finances. Money is a huge stressor for many people, but it doesn’t have to be. This workshop will help you demystify the numbers and stop living paycheck to paycheck. Workshop objectives include identifying financial warning signs, good credit behaviors, and practical savings tips. Participants will also get advice on how to create a budget. Choose one of the following sessions:
- November 13, 4:30 p.m.
Hayfield SS, High School Lecture Hall
Register on MyPLT. Go to Course Offerings, then search #HR-808039. Select Section 2019-1.
- November 19, 4:30 p.m.
Gatehouse Administration Center, Café
Register on MyPLT. Go to Course Offerings, then search #HR-808039. Select Section 2019-2.
- December 3, 4:30 p.m. Chantilly HS, Lecture Hall
Register on MyPLT. Go to Course Offerings, then search #HR-808039. Select Section 2019-3.
If you are looking for guidance on how to better manage your personal finances, please consider attending!
#OurFCPS Faces: Luke Stoothoff
“I listen to my music loud, love cold weather, and drink my coffee black,” says Luke Stoothoff, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher at Poe MS. This school year marks Luke's 10th year teaching ESOL in FCPS! He’s proud to say that all of his years in FCPS have been at Poe MS.
Luke, along with his colleague, Jennifer Blanco, are co-department chairs for ESOL. Luke says, “Together, we handle all aspects of implementing ESOL services for our 300+ students and 10 staff member department. Additionally, I co-teach Pre-Algebra with Ms. Anita Lockett. Ms. Lockett and I have team taught for the past six years." This school year, Luke became the ESOL representative to the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Guiding Coalition.
School Counselor Brig Carrie says, "Under our MTSS protocols, we have been supporting a 7th-grade student who has had little success in his academic career, moved schools more than 5 times, has a history of truancy throughout elementary and middle school, and faces mounting financial and social barriers which significantly impact him and his family system. [...] Luke, his math teacher, has been working with me (the student's counselor) and our grade-level administrator to support this student, who has been presented with consistent and disruptive behavior concerns in math class throughout the [last] school year. After a powerful conversation, Luke shifted his approach with this student with such success that the student earned his daily goal for work completion in math the following four classes in a row. Additionally, the student's grade has increased. [...] For a student who has always hated math, Luke's self-reflection, patience, and growth mindset have already made a huge impact on this student's trajectory."
For Luke, the best part of his job is, “Simply, being able to make a difference in someone's life. Whether it is through a learning experience in math class, a relationship that has been built through the After-School soccer club, or by making a connection through music, being able to help support middle school students is what I like the most.”
Principal Jason Pannutti says, “Through his actions, Luke constantly sends the message that there is always room for growth when working with kids!”
In his free time, Luke says, “I am usually found either playing or watching soccer, playing the drums, or spending time cooking. However, I am just as content sitting with my boys watching cartoons and eating a bowl of cereal on a Saturday morning.”
Luke, we truly appreciate your efforts to meet each student by name and by need.
Tanya Siwik, assistant principal at Centre Ridge ES, served up plenty of #OurFCPS pride during FCPS' annual Leadership Conference. (Photo: Tanya Siwik)
The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is delighted to host the Pathways to Leadership Conference for Operational Employees on Tuesday, October 8, from 4:30-6:45 p.m., at Willow Oaks. The conference will showcase departments and offices within the Chief Operating Office. Leaders within those departments will host two 30-minute sessions that highlight the knowledge and skills needed to advance, and how to acquire these skills. Additionally, there will be sessions and booths to exhibit professional learning opportunities and resources for FCPS operational employees. More specific information about the schedule, breakout sessions, and booths will be posted on the Leadership Development page on the intranet by the first week of October. Please log into MyPLT, select Course Offerings, and search Pathways to Leadership. If you have questions, please contact Baek Chong at bochong@fcps.edu or 571-423-1334.
Need something fun, engaging, and educational for your child during teacher workdays? Adult and Community Education (ACE) has the solution! Introduce your child to a foreign language and related cultural culinary activities taught by enthusiastic and experienced instructors at ACE’s news FCPS Teacher Workday/Student Holiday Camps! FCPS employees who register their third-eighth grader(s) will receive a $29 tuition discount per day, per student. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. Camp dates are October 14, November 4, November 5, and December 23.
For camp fees and other details, please visit the K-12 Classes & Camps page on ACE's website, then select Elementary Enrichment or Secondary Enrichment, as appropriate. Register online, by phone at 703-658-1201, by mail, or in person. Spaces are limited; please register today!
International Walk to School Day will be held on Wednesday, October 2. The goal is to promote physical activity, and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Students and staff are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work. Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Read the news release.
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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