Employee News - Tuesday, 11/26/19

Key MS staff dressed in black for a team spirit activity.


Key MS staff members show they're #1 in team spirit! All staff and students are divided into four teams. Each team earns points for helping one another and the Key community through service and spirit. (Photo: Amy Holleb, Principal)


VRS Hybrid Members: Take Advantage of Matching Retirement Contributions!

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is a mandatory defined benefit program sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia. All full-time educational, administrative, and operational employees (monthly-paid) are members of VRS. Most staff hired after January 1, 2014, are members of VRS' Hybrid Retirement Plan. If you are a hybrid member, it’s time to enroll or make changes to voluntary contributions.  


VRS Hybrid Voluntary Contributions to Increase in January 1, 2020, Unless Opt-Out Submitted

The VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan is designed so that voluntary contributions automatically increase or auto-escalate by 0.50 percent every three years, continuing until members reach the maximum 4 percent in voluntary contributions. The purpose is to encourage members to maximize their retirement savings. Hybrid members who want to opt out of auto-escalation must do so by 4 p.m., December 16. Review the schedule of employer matching contributions.


Video of the Week

Hayfield SS staff getting ready to run in their annual Turkey Trot.


Walking into Thanksgiving Break like... Watch as Hayfield SS administrators get pumped up before running the nearly one-mile long Turkey Trot with staff and PE classes. This is serious business, folks. (Video: Hayfield SS)


Attend ERFC's Retirement Information Session on December 3

Attention: Full-time, Monthly-Paid Instructional, Administrative, and Educational Support Employees 

The Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) hosts Retirement Plan Information Sessions throughout the school year for all of its members and their financial partners. ERFC's last session for 2019 will be held on Tuesday, December 3, from 4-6 p.m., at Gatehouse Administration Center. Register today through MyPDEFind ERFC’s full Information Session Schedule on ERFC's webpage on the intranet. 


#OurFCPS Faces: Command Sergeant Major Clint Pearson and Colonel Gary Bullard

Colonel Gary Bullard and Command Sergeant Major Clint Pearson are JROTC NRO instructors at West Potomac Academy.


Command Sergeant Major Clint Pearson (left) and Colonel Gary Bullard (right) have worked at FCPS for four years and five years, respectively, at West Potomac HS. Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Pearson is a Junior Reserve Office Training Corps (JROTC) Army Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) instructor. Colonel Bullard is a JROTC Army senior instructor. 

After serving 35 years in the Army, CSM Pearson brought his wealth of knowledge to teaching Leadership Education and Training (LET) Level 1 and the second year LET class, which is split into two units. He is responsible for "motivating young people to be better citizens." CSM Pearson adds, "To accomplish this purpose, the text discusses citizenship, leadership, and a number of other courses designed to help the cadets succeed in high school and after graduation.” There are also extracurricular activities such as Color Guard, Drill Team, Rifle Team competition, and participation in local community events. 

What does CSM Pearson like most about being a JROTC instructor? His quick response is, “My cadets.” He also states emphatically, “I believe in our school, teachers, parents, and our students.”

Colonel Bullard joined FCPS after serving 30 years in the Army. He says, “In the classroom, I'm the primary instructor for the 3rd and 4th level cadets (primarily juniors and seniors).” Some of his responsibilities include managing the operational and administrative functions of West Potomac's JROTC program. He also conducts communication efforts with the school's administrative staff and local community officials.

CSM Pearson and Colonel Bullard are a tag team of sorts. West Potomac HS Principal Tangy Millard cannot contain her enthusiasm when speaking about these two instructors. She describes them as holding a high standard for their students, "super inclusive, and top-notch.” She adds, “They are bringing a high level of excellence to the JROTC program that permeates the whole school. You can see a sense of pride in the cadets around West Potomac. They have a selfless dedication to their students and they will not give up on them.”

As an example, CSM Pearson and Colonel Bullard took students to a rifle competition in Richmond on a Friday, then turned around to accompany them to New York City for a Veterans Day parade. Tangy beams, “I believe we are the only school in Virginia that received an invitation to participate in this prestigious event. That invitation is based on a level of excellence.”

For Colonel Bullard, the best part of his work is “assisting cadets to reach their fullest potential, and helping them establish and achieve their short and long-term goals (to include post-high school plans).” He adds, “2019 was our best year for JROTC graduates. Three of our students received Service Academy appointments and five received ROTC Scholarships.” 

It is easy to see why Colonel Bullard and CSM Pearson won an FCPS Excellence Award in the Impact on Others category! We thank both of these outstanding gentlemen for their service to our country and to FCPS cadets.


Become Familiar with the FCPS Editorial Style Guide

Whether you are writing an email, a newsletter article, or drafting language to be posted to your website, your communication should be clear, consistent, and aligned with FCPS’ brand identity. Why? It's important, because every message you communicate reflects upon you, your school or department, and ultimately, the school division. Our Brand Guidelines include an Editorial Style Guide with information on abbreviations, acronyms, punctuation, possessives, and other elements of writing. Please take a few minutes to review FCPS' Editorial Style Guide


"For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile." Elie Wiesel

Help Support Homeless Students for the Holidays!

More than 2,400 homeless children are enrolled in FCPS; roughly 24 percent of them are without a parent or guardian. In keeping with FCPS’ Caring Culture, and as part of the mission of the Foundation for FCPS to serve our kids in need, we are supporting homeless and unaccompanied students this holiday season by collecting gift cards for them to buy personal items. Here's how you can help:

  • Purchase as many gift cards, in any amount, as you would like. (Walmart, Target, and grocery store gift cards are suggested.) Be sure to mark the value on the back of the card(s).
  • Send gift cards to Patti Parisi, Financial Services, Gatehouse, Room 4214; Tina West, Special Services, Willow Oaks, Room 2109; or Amy Verdin, Foundation for FCPS, Gatehouse, Suite 5101.
  • No time to shop? Send cash or checks to The Foundation for FCPS or donate online. The Homeless Liaison Office will do the shopping for you.

Last year, because of the kindness and generosity of FCPS employees, families, and friends, more than $9,200 was collected in cash and gift cards. We hope you will help again this year! Please contact Patti Parisi, 571-423-3750, with questions. 


Thanksgiving Break Starts Tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving--Gather and celebrate!


Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday, November 27-Friday, November 29. We hope you will carve out some time to relax, recharge, and enjoy some really delicious food! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!


Inclusive Schools Week Is December 2-6

FCPS will be celebrating Inclusive Schools Week next week. This year’s theme is Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools. All schools are encouraged to share their story about steps taken to promote greater access, participation, and support for students with disabilities in inclusive settings. If you would like to have your school highlighted and celebrated on FCPS' Inclusive Education webpage, please share your success story! Submit information, including photos if possible, describing how your school embraces a culture of inclusiveness to Erica Jones, at ejones1@fcps.edu


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!