Whitman MS staff wore red after the Washington Nationals' secured their first World Series berth in franchise history! #stayinthefight (Photo: Whitman MS)
FCPS' Excellence Awards was another cause for celebration last Wednesday. Seventeen teams and 14 individuals were recognized at Fairfax HS. In total, 106 staff members were honored across four different categories: Growth, Impact on Others, Innovation, and Student Achievement. See the list of winners.
Congratulations to FCPS Cares of the Month recipients for September! The winners are:
- Central Office: James Swider, Lorton Transportation.
- Region 1: Jillian Bickelman and Jennifer Lawrence, Herndon HS.
- Region 2: Allison Mallon, North Springfield ES.
- Region 3: Donna Eyler and Marye Carter, Riverside ES.
- Region 4: Shakila Asif, Cherry Run ES.
- Region 5: Peggy Linski, Woodson HS.
See what makes the winners special. Acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee.
FCPS’ Employee Engagement Survey is now open! Please check your FCPS email account for your invitation and survey link sent from K12 Insight, our independent research and communications partner. Your feedback will help ensure that FCPS is a great place for all employees to work and grow professionally. All responses are strictly confidential. Watch this short video to learn more and please take the survey today!
Benefits staff, health plan vendors, and retirement savings plan vendors will answer questions about your FCPS benefits at the Benefits Open House on Thursday, October 24, 4-7 p.m., at Hayfield SS. The event will also include a mini-workshop for expecting parents as well as a flu shot clinic. Please register for the mini-workshop and clinic in advance. For more information, visit FCPS' Open Enrollment webpage.
FCPS employees have so many hidden talents! This time around, we're "wheely" amazed by Jared Shields, a second grade teacher at Rolling Valley ES. As you can see, Rolling Valley students were very impressed, too.
Did you know that FCPS staff should not wear campaign buttons, T-shirts, hats, or other items promoting political candidates during work hours? Are you aware that anyone wanting to use school facilities for political activities outside school hours must apply for such use? Visit the intranet for more campaigning do's and don'ts at FCPS.
Register now for Feel Like a Million, Employee Wellness' new game show-themed, six-week virtual wellness challenge! It begins Monday, October 28. During the challenge, participants earn virtual money by logging healthy habits in five core areas. The goal is to accumulate one million virtual dollars while building healthy habits, managing stress, and inspiring camaraderie and friendly competition among staff. Participants can also choose to form a team of four or more colleagues to join the Millionaire’s Club. Individuals who would rather not be on a team can still earn and track Feel Like A Million dollars. Prizes can be earned weekly as well as at the end of the challenge. They include gym bags, yoga mats, Fitbits, and gift cards. Get details on the Employee Wellness webpage. Then, visit the Feel Like a Million website to register for the challenge. Questions? Email fitnesschallenge@fcps.edu.
#OurFCPS Faces: Shakila Asif
Cherry Run ES staff members Shakila Asif, preschool autism class instructional assistant, and Mark Bibbee, principal.
Shakila Asif is a preschool autism class instructional assistant (PAC IA) at Cherry Run ES. This is her eighth year at FCPS. Before joining Cherry Run’s team, Shakila worked at Parklawn ES and Annandale Terrace ES.
As an IA in a PAC classroom, Shakila has many responsibilities. She says,”I execute instructional delivery as planned by the teacher using best practices. This includes data collection on student IEP [individualized educational plan] goals and supporting generalization of their goals to other activities and environments. I use positive reinforcement to help students develop skills.”
Shakila ensures that classroom materials are ready for same-day use according to the teacher’s lesson plans. She adds, “During the week in designated planning time, I prepare materials for planned future activities, organize student work bins, and participate in collaborative planning with my classroom team.”
Preschool Autism Teacher Leslie Lauth-Torres truly appreciates Shakila's efforts. The following is an excerpt from Leslie's FCPS Cares submission on Shakila's behalf: "Shakila Asif is an instructional assistant with a commitment to excellence. Shakila and I have had the pleasure of working together for four school years in a preschool autism class. Shakila brings many talents to our classroom team, especially in the area of organization. Details make a big difference in the smooth running of a classroom. This fall we welcomed a new member to our classroom team. I quickly realized how many details Shakila just quietly handles in a day as we began to teach our new team member. Shakila has taken our new colleague under her wing and is patiently teaching her about the many tasks that need to be completed each day for our students to have successful days at school."
What's the best part of Shakila's job? “The kids, because I love them," she says. We are certain that they feel the same about you, Shakila.
Would you like to gain a better understanding of how offices, departments, and schools within FCPS work together to support the mission of our school division? Are you interested in building your knowledge and skills around core leadership competencies?
If so, please consider applying for the spring 2020 cohort of Supporting the Mission! Eligible employees include teacher leaders, and Schedule B and C staff (formerly US-20 and above). Interest and recommendation forms are due by November 13. Forms will be shared with FCPS Leadership Team members. They will forward nominations for the cohort.
Acceptance to participate in Supporting the Mission is highly competitive. Applicants and supervisors are encouraged to provide evidence as to why applicants are prepared to participate in the cohort and how they will utilize what they learn to support the Division's goals. Please visit the Supporting the Mission webpage for more details or contact Tiffany Lee at ttlee@fcps.edu.
Did you know that the building and renovation of schools is not financed through the school system’s operating funds, but through bonds? Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over many years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over many years.
As long as debt service costs do not increase significantly as a percentage of combined general fund disbursements, the county’s bonded debt will not be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes.
A school bond referendum will be on the general election ballot Tuesday, November 5. Get more information.
Take advantage of a free, convenient, confidential, and safe disposal of unused or expired medications during Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout on Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop off medications at any of the eight Fairfax County District Police Stations (pills or liquids only, no pressurized canisters or needles). Find out more about Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout.
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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