Employee News – Tuesday, 5/19/20

Herndon ES staff in a virtual collage holding signs.


Herndon ES' pre-K team wants their students to know how much they are missed. (Photo: Maggie Mack, Family and Early Childhood Education Program/Head Start Teacher )


Face Masks Required in FCPS Buildings

In addition to maintaining 6-feet social distancing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Fairfax County Health Department advise the use of cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus. This added level of protection is due to evidence that individuals with novel COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others without developing symptoms themselves.

Effective immediately, all FCPS employees are required to wear cloth face coverings when in spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain within FCPS buildings. For staff members working in offices, cloth face coverings must be worn at all times outside of the office space. For employees who work in open spaces or cubicles, cloth face coverings must be worn at all times. Also, maintain awareness of your own proximity to others and physically distance yourselves (6 feet), particularly in places like hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. 

In addition to the above, please remember to practice the following basic preventative measures regarding the spread of a virus:

  • Frequent hand washing.
  • Social distancing.
  • Covering a cough or sneeze.
  • Staying home when ill or symptomatic.

Please contact your program manager with questions.


April Cares of the Month Winners

Congratulations to FCPS Cares of the Month recipients for April! The winners are: 

  • Central Office: Kate Adams and Shira Brothers, Special Services, Graham Road Community Building and Willow Oaks. 
  • Region 1: Bertha Sanders, Herndon ES
  • Region 2: Kelly Seibold, Lemon Road ES
  • Region 3: Cory Yeager, Fort Hunt ES
  • Region 4: Lupe Fuentes, Cardinal Forest ES
  • Region 5: Luc Nguyen, Chantilly HS

See what makes the winners special. Recognize a staff member today

FCPS Cares – Going the Distance Update

Last month, we announced FCPS Cares – Going the Distance, a way to honor staff members who have put in a herculean effort to support students, parents, and their FCPS colleagues since the school closure. The response has been overwhelming! Those individuals will be announced in conjunction with the May Cares of the Month recipients. Please stay tuned!


Photo of the Week

FCPS buses in an empty lot positioned to spell "2020" and form the shape of a heart.


In case you missed it: Check out the incredible way FCPS Transportation Services honored the Class of 2020! This amazing idea was very much appreciated by students, staff, and parents. It received more than 6,400 likes across the school division's social media channels. See it on Twitter. (Photo: Transportation Services)   


FCPS Instructional Employees’ Transfer Window and Virtual Job Fair

Current teachers, librarians, and school counselors interested in transferring to another school for the 2020-21 school year may do so during the FCPS Voluntary Transfer Window, which opened February 3 and ends June 26. Instructional staff interested in transferring to another school or work location should apply via the FCPS Instructional Candidate Transfer Gateway. All instructional staff are permitted one voluntary transfer during the FCPS Voluntary Transfer Window.

Along with applying via our Internal Transfer portal, current teachers, librarians, and school counselors may register to attend the upcoming FCPS Virtual Instructional Job Fair. The elementary job fair is scheduled for May 26 and May 27. The secondary job fair is scheduled for May 28. Visit the FCPS Instructional Employees' Transfer Window webpage on the intranet.


Coates ES Principal Jesse Kraft Named Washington Post Principal of the Year

Jesse Craft, principal, Coates ES, named Washington Post Principal of the Year


Congratulations to Jesse Kraft, who was named Washington Post's Principal of the Year! Jesse has served as principal at Coates ES since 2016. He was selected from a group of 19 finalists who lead schools in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. "Jesse has taken strides to make our community feel welcome and to partner with them as much as possible,” says nominator Josie Mani, a gifted education teacher at Coates. Read the news release.


#OurFCPS Faces: Rashida Green

Rashida Green, assistant principal, Willow Springs ES


Rashida Green, assistant principal at Willow Springs ES, believes in “making magic happen!” And she’s worked her magic at FCPS for the past 11 years. Rashida started at her alma mater, Mount Vernon HS, as an English teacher. She has also served as an instructional coach at Mount Vernon, Centreville HS, and at the division level with the Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement.

Rashida says her “why” is deep rooted in her upbringing. While attending Mount Vernon Woods ES, Whitman MS, and Mount Vernon HS, she noticed the correlation between access and opportunities. She explains, “While my mom was an educator and my father an entrepreneur, I had friends whose parents lacked knowledge around the educational system. There were clear disparities between myself and my friends. Knowledge is power. I had access and was given opportunities. My hope as an educational leader is to be a champion for students who might not have champions outside of school.”

Principal Dylan Taylor says, “Rashida Green has tireless enthusiasm for student and teacher success. Through relationships and strategic thinking, she paves the way for everyone to reach their full potential.” Rashida believes it takes a team to pull that off. She adds, “I’m always a learner. Our staff is brilliant and continues to teach me new things every day.”

While talking about the school closure due to COVID 19, Rashida recalls having to help figure out a way to keep the learning going under very different circumstances. "It has been quite the ride and has required long days," she says. "However, when I look back over my staff and these last few weeks, we are an even tighter family than we were before, and our hearts are open to ensuring that our students are connected to continue their learning. The school closure has caused me to be an even more intentional leader than I was before—focused on relationships and creating plans to ensure that students have access to technology and engaging experiences with their teachers.”

Rashida continues, “I truly believe that magic happens when we’re outside of our comfort zone. This is true for school leaders, teachers, and students. When we’re able to take risks, try new things, and open our minds to new possibilities, then the impossible becomes possible, and we grow and benefit as a result.”

When she's not working, Rashida loves spending time with her daughters, also known as her "#GirlGang:" Sydney (16), Skylar (15), and Sanai (3). She cherishes the opportunity to raise girls who will "transform into powerful, inspiring, and passionate young women.” (That sounds a lot like Rashida to us!) She also enjoys going to the beach with her husband and extended family.

Thank you, Rashida, for making magic happen at FCPS.


Check Out the Latest Issue of Audit Buzz

In the latest issue of Audit Buzz, Office of Auditor General (OAG) summarizes the results of two recently completed performance audits, recaps its breakout session at the January 2020 Finance Technician Conference, and provides a look into current and upcoming tasks. OAG also introduces its newest staff member. Read Audit Buzz now


Coronavirus Information

Bookmark the following webpages for the latest information regarding FCPS operations during the pandemic: 


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 ITServiceDesk@fcps.edu with questions. 

Please email EmployeeNews@fcps.edu with potential submissions or questions. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!