Employee News - Tuesday, 10/8/19

FCPS Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs)


Meet FCPS' new advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs)! (Photo: Lori Bedsole, advanced academic education specialist)


Open Enrollment Starts October 14!

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical, dental, and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming calendar year. As you prepare to make important benefit decisions, you may want to talk to ALEX®, the virtual benefits counselor. ALEX provides personalized, confidential benefits guidance on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Visit the Open Enrollment webpage to get detailed information and to connect with ALEX.


Office of the Ombudsman to Support FCPS Employees

The Office of the Ombudsman is now offering services to employees. This service was requested and approved as a follow-on motion at the May 23, School Board meeting. The ombudsman will provide employees with a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal resource to obtain information and resolve problems. The services of the ombudsman are optional, will function in parallel to FCPS structures, and do not assume the responsibilities of any existing FCPS office, manager, or employee association.

The Office of the Ombudsman has no authority to make or change decisions, practices, policies, or regulations. As an impartial and informal resource, the ombudsman can listen to employee concerns and identify options for their desired outcomes. The ombudsman does not make recommendations for next steps. 

This plan has been created with input from Division Counsel and Human Resources, and after consulting with ombudsman offices in various K-12 divisions. If you have questions, please contact the Office of the Ombudsman 571-423-4014 or ombudsman@fcps.edu.


Photo of the Week

Glasgow MS and Jackson MS principals participate in PACER test as part of Jackson's After-School Program.


On September 24, Jackson MS Principal Mike Magliola and Glasgow MS Principal Shawn DeRose were literally on the run. As part of a friendly competition, Mike and Shawn ran the PACER test during Jackson's After-School Program. (The PACER is a part of wellness testing that measures students’ strength, flexibility, and endurance.) With sheer determination, the two pushed through to run the full length of Glasgow's gymnasium 81 times. Whew! And there may be a Part 2–Mike tweeted, "Next time, it's at our house." (Photo: Mike Magliola) 


Register Now for the Feel Like a Million Virtual Wellness Challenge!

Register now to participate in Feel Like a Million, the new game show-themed, six-week virtual wellness challenge hosted by Employee Wellness. The challenge begins on Monday, October 28. The goal is to earn one million virtual dollars by practicing healthy habits. Solo participants are welcome, or staff can choose to form a team of four or more colleagues to join the Millionaire’s Club. Participants can earn health-related prizes such as gym bags, yoga mats, Fitbits, as well as gift cards to Target, Amazon, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Get the details on the Employee Wellness website on the intranet. Then, visit the Feel Like a Million website to create an account and register for the challenge. Questions? Please email fitnesschallenge@fcps.edu. 


FCPS Employee Engagement Survey Coming Soon

Help make FCPS a great place to work and grow professionally by taking our fourth Employee Engagement Survey! All contracted employees–teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, transportation staff, custodians, and food service workers–are invited to participate in this confidential survey. The results will be used to determine our division’s strengths, opportunities, and challenges, and to bring about meaningful improvements. Your invitation and survey link will arrive in your FCPS email account on Monday, October 21. Visit the Employee Engagement Survey page on the intranet.


#OurFCPS Faces: Brooke Majors

Brooke Majors, safety and security assistant at Stone MS

 

“Surround yourself with people that want the best for you in all areas of your life.” That's the motto by which Brooke Majors lives. And, she’s making sure she’s doing just that for the students at Stone MS.

Assistant Principal Phil Hudson commented, “Brooke truly enjoys working with kids. She has an ability to build relationships with all students while setting high expectations. During the day, she works collaboratively to support a safe environment for all students and staff. She can be found reteaching and reviewing information with students prior to a reassessment or working with a group on a new step dance routine. Brooke will do about anything to support student success at Stone.”

Brooke is homegrown–an FCPS graduate who attended London Towne ES, Stone MS, and Westfield HS. For the last eight years, she has been working with Stone's After-School Program and assisting Student Services with testing. Last year, she became the school's safety and security assistant.

“In my role with safety and security," Brooke says, "I do my best to ensure the teachers’ and students’ safety while conducting all safety drills that [are] required by the state.” She also serves as a mentor to students, is the Step Team coach, and monitors after-school activities and school grounds.

Brooke adds, “The thing that I enjoy most about my job is the ability to make an impact in the students’ lives and to build positive relationships with them, so that they know there is at least one adult that does care about them holistically." 

In her free time, Brooke enjoys hiking, cooking, going to movies, and experiencing new restaurants alone or with friends. Brooke loves Chick-fil-a ice and is "obsessed with blue crabs!!" 

Stone students and staff are lucky to have you, Brooke!


Teaching Artists Display Their Creativity at Annual Artist Teacher Exhibition

In collaboration with the Workhouse Arts Center, FCPS' Fine Arts Office presents the 12th annual Artist Teacher Exhibition, an art exhibition recognizing the creativity and technical expertise of FCPS art teachers, beginning Wednesday, October 9. 

This year, 56 teachers submitted 111 original works of art. Fifty pieces will be featured. The exhibition will be open to the public Wednesday, October 9-Saturday, October 26, in the McGuire Woods Gallery at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. A reception will be held on Saturday, October 12, from 6-8 p.m. Read the news release.  


Arthur Ashe quote: You have got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

40 Seconds for Mental Health Awareness

World Mental Health Day is Thursday, October 10. Each year, the World Health Organization promotes this day as an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. This year’s theme is Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention. Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. Let’s put those 40 seconds into action and raise awareness! Now is the perfect time to review, share, and promote mental health resources available through FCPS' Employee Assistance Program, Guidance Resources. It's your free, confidential, and 24-hour support network.


Register for the 2019 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference

FCPS will host its 2019 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference at Carson MS, on Saturday, October 19, from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The RATE Conference is an educational technology conference focusing on the use of assistive technology to support all students, especially those with special needs. This year's keynote speaker is Fadel, an FCPS post-secondary student. He will share how assistive technology has impacted his life and school experiences.

FCPS employees will receive five recertification points for attending the conference. View the conference schedule and sessions. Register now


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!