Halley ES staff members enjoyed breakfast at their second family gathering of the school year. (Photo: Halley ES)
Superintendent Brabrand presented a $3.2 billion Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) Proposed Budget to the School Board at its business meeting on January 9. The budget focuses on employee compensation. It also represents an increase of $172.2 million, or 5.8 percent, over the FY 20 Approved Budget. Dr. Brabrand said, “In FY 20, we completed a multi-year plan to bring teacher salary scales to the market average. The proposed FY 21 budget continues to prioritize market competitive compensation for our teachers and staff." Read the news release.
Your FCPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Guidance Resources, has some new upgrades for 2020! These upgrades will allow for even stronger work/life balance support to FCPS employees and their families. Find out what’s new! Please contact EAPQuestions@fcps.edu with questions.
"No way!!!" That's the feeling Fort Belvoir Upper staff members Tamala Thompson-Griffin (left) and Sasha Smith (right) had when they realized, after working together for one year, that they shared a special connection. Tamala, a school-based technology specialist, was Sasha's second grade teacher! Sasha currently teaches fourth grade. Thanks to our friends at Fort Belvoir Upper for tweeting this sweet story.
Leave of Absence Applications Due March 1
Employees who intend to request or extend a Leave of Absence (LOA) for the 2020-21 school year must indicate their intentions by March 1. An LOA is an approved, unpaid, extended absence from work which exceeds 30 calendar days. If you are expecting a baby or planning to adopt a child, the March 1 due date does not apply to you. However, if you are currently on an LOA for child care, it does apply to you. Visit the FCPS Leaves of Absence webpage for additional information. If you have questions, please contact the Disability and Leaves Unit at HRConnection@fcps.edu or 571-423-3200, option #1.
Attention: Transportation, Food Service, Trades and Maintenance, Custodial, and Part-Time Teaching Staff
More than 6,000 FCPS employees are members of the Fairfax County Employees’ Retirement System (FCERS). This includes transportation, food service, trades and maintenance, custodial, and part-time teaching staff. FCERS is looking for members to volunteer on its Retirement Systems Outreach Team to share information about FCERS retirement benefits with coworkers. The next training session will be held Tuesday, January 28, 10-11:30 a.m. View session information and other details.
Frost MS Staff Recognized for Saving a Student's Life
Frost MS staff members are honored by Deputy Superintendent Francis Ivey (left), Assistant Superintendent for Region 5 Rebecca Baenig (third from right), and Superintendent Brabrand (right).
Teamwork is a critical part of Frost MS' success. This concept was tested on December 3, as 13 staff members worked together to support a student in medical distress just before dismissal. In recognition of their life-saving efforts, Rebecca Baenig, assistant superintendent for Region 5, honored the Frost staff members with an ABC (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) Award. Rebecca said, "I’m most grateful for the leadership, initiative, and impact demonstrated by this team in the moments during this emergency and in the days that followed as they took time to debrief and determine areas for improvement." We join Rebecca in recognizing the extraordinary efforts of this #OneFrost family!
Current employees, including substitutes, who would like to become special education teachers will be able to access EDSE 501–Introduction to Special Education tuition free this spring with George Mason University. Preference will be given to classroom support employees (instructional assistants, public health attendants, and public health training assistants). Eligible candidates must have a principal or manager recommendation, agree to the terms of the program, and at a minimum, hold a bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion, candidates will be eligible to apply for current vacancies in special education.
EDSE 501–Introduction to Special Education is an online, on-demand master’s level class, where students work through self-directed modules. Once registered, candidates will have six to 12 weeks to complete the course. Get course details. If you are interested, please complete this form.
This year's Pathways to Leadership Conference will take place on Monday, February 10, at Willow Oaks, in Rooms 1000A/B, from 4:30-7 p.m. Breakout sessions and booths will highlight instructional leadership opportunities such as graduate programs in educational leadership, the Accelerated Certification Cohort, Middle Managers Round Table, Supporting the Mission, National Board Certification, and the Administrator Development cohort. The conference will also feature panels on school-based and nonschool-based leadership positions. Get tips on interviewing, and building a cover letter and resumé, too. Register in myPDE (search 001546).
The Office of Special Education Instruction will again provide Extended School Year (ESY) services to students this summer. The ESY administrator position is an opportunity for qualified candidates to demonstrate their ability to manage and maintain accountability for the planning, assessment, instructional leadership, communication, community relations, safety, and security of an ESY program. Please check FCPS' Other Career Opportunities page for additional details. Contact Ellen Agosta with questions at EMAgosta@fcps.edu or 571-423-4190.
The Office of ESY and Assessment will be offering a training entitled: Extended School Year (ESY), Navigating the Guidelines and Procedures for Schools, on January 28. Please register on My PDE (search 44022).
#OurFCPS Faces: Rashida Williams
Rashida Williams, College Success Program (CSP) manager, joined FCPS as a school counselor at Woodson HS almost 10 years ago. After five years at Woodson, she transferred to West Potomac HS. In October 2017, Rashida joined the Office of Counseling and College and Career Readiness as an educational specialist for the College Success Program. One year later, she became the program's manager.
The College Success Program is comprised of four individual programs that provide college access, readiness, and success services to students who are traditionally underrepresented on college campuses. Many, but not all, CSP students are the first in their family to attend college and/or do not have the financial means to attend without significant support.
Rashida explains, “I supervise a small but mighty team [of four], all of whom are passionate and dedicated to our mission to close gaps in access, opportunity, and achievement. My primary role is to help build the capacity of each individual team member by providing support and guidance for their professional development. I also work to build a collaborative team that is able to lead and coordinate various countywide programming, events, and professional learning.”
Rashida adds, “I am responsible for monitoring and managing each program’s budget, and finding ways to maximize opportunities and experiences, while also being fiscally responsible.”
Stephanie Gray, coordinator, Counseling and College Success, says, “Rashida is a reflective leader who is also able to engage her team in self-reflection, which encourages their growth and development. She is also kind and very thoughtful of others. She is a great example of someone who does not just talk the talk, she walks the walk.”
Rashida lives her motto–always do what is best for students–daily. She explains, “All that we do in CSP and all that I have ever done in my 20-plus years as an educator is student-centered.”
The Duke University graduate is a "proud Blue Devil and a huge college basketball fan!” She adds, "My favorite author is Octavia Butler. [...] I have read all her books." Rashida has also read and watched the entire Game of Thrones series and is eagerly awaiting the final book.
Thank you, Rashida, for your leadership and for enriching the lives of FCPS students.
The Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) is calling for applications for outstanding school librarians and library teams. Principals can provide a letter of support and encourage their school librarian or library team to apply. Please visit the VAASL webpage for information and deadlines. Contact Priscille Dando with questions at pmdando@fcps.edu or 571-423-4632.
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. See the complete 2019-20 Employee Calendar.
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!
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