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Jackson MS staff connected virtually to send a thoughtful message to their Jackson Tigers. (Photo: Vivian Yun, Spanish Language Teacher)
The Fairfax County School Board has approved the revised Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) budget. The budget, which was revised due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced the previously recommended transfer increase from Fairfax County from $85.5 million to $7.3 million and includes a reduction of $4.8 million from the state. Along with other budget cuts, the total amount of the FY 21 budget was reduced by $67.0 million. Read the news release.
Reminder: Summative (Final) Evaluation Deadline Information
All summative evaluations for instructional and operational staff returning for the 2020-21 school year must be completed in MyPDE by June 15. Evaluations must be signed and submitted in MyPDE by the evaluator. Failure to enter summative evaluation ratings into MyPDE means the individual’s evaluation status will not change. This will result in an incomplete evaluation for the 2019-20 school year; the individual will need to repeat the evaluation process in the upcoming year.
MyPDE summative evaluation training is available for evaluators (administrators, program managers, and supervisors) and school-based technology specialists (SBTS) during May and June. Participants will need to register for the training sessions in MyPDE. Quick reference guides and training videos are available in MyPDE, under User Guides. The upcoming training schedule follows:
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Dates
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Time
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Wednesday, May 27
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9-10:30 a.m.
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Thursday, May 28
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Noon-1:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, June 2
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2-3:30 p.m.
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Thursday, June 4
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2-3:30 p.m.
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If you have questions, please contact your designated Equity and Employee Relations specialist. Find additional evaluation resources. *Intranet access is needed to open links.
Packing up at the end of the school year is completely different this year. Not only will school-based staff pack up their classrooms, many of them are also packing up contents from students' primary lockers and gym lockers. Centreville ES teacher Sarah Wood added a special touch to this effort by leaving a hand-written note on each bag. See Sarah's tweet.
We are excited to acknowledge our newest principals:
- Melissa Miller, Olde Creek ES
- Dave Pietzman, Greenbriar East ES
- Holly Walker, Floris ES
Please join us in congratulating them! Read the announcement.
Tuition Reimbursement Portal Opens June 1
The portal to apply for reimbursement of Spring 2020 courses will be open June 1-June 30. Interested and eligible contracted employees may apply for up to $700 in tuition reimbursement for one course that ended between January 1-May 15. Apply for tuition reimbursement by using FCPS’ Tuition Reimbursement intranet page (VPN required if accessing remotely) to access important information and the link to the request portal.
Tuition reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the current priority list. Remember to have your tuition paid receipt and grade report handy to complete the request. Please email Tuitionbenefits@fcps.edu for more information.
Learn About JMU School Administration Programs
James Madison University offers a master's degree or certificate in School Administration. If you are interested in learning more, please attend one of the following information sessions on Zoom:
- Tuesday, June 9, at 3 p.m
Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 891 3885 3091; Password: 865237
- Wednesday, June 10, at 4 p.m.
Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 891 3885 3091; Password: 865237
For more information, please contact Dr. Roger Collins at colli5rd@jmu.edu.
#OurFCPS Faces: Faiza Alam
School is home for Faiza Alam (above, right). She explains, “In a manner of speaking, I was raised in a school, as my parents ran an elementary school in our large residential complex in India. It is no surprise therefore that I chose school teaching as a profession for myself.”
In December 2005, Faiza joined FCPS as a special education math teacher at Lanier MS. She remains there today, but as a special education Science 7 teacher and, at times, a Science 8 and Algebra teacher. (Faiza is also National Board Certified.) Faiza established an outdoor living classroom and has led various environmental stewardship projects. These projects have earned Lanier a United States Department of Education Green Ribbon School Award, Permanent Eco Schools USA Green Flag, and a Virginia Naturally School Recognition for the past eight years.
Faiza says, “It gives me immense pleasure to pass on the passion I have for science to my students, see them engaged as environmental stewards, and demonstrate traits of Portrait of a Graduate. To have students of yesteryear return to say thank you, and say how much they enjoyed and benefited from the middle school science projects is especially rewarding.”
Faiza taught in Delhi, India before she and her husband moved to America in 1999. She recalls, “It was a lot of hard work, toil, and sweat but finally things worked out for us. All my struggles were worth it, since working at FCPS is such a satisfying and rewarding experience.”
Principal Tammara Hanna says, “Our courtyard garden is still producing vegetables during COVID closures, in no small part due to [Faiza’s] weekly ongoing maintenance. For our students, she invests many hours in personalized contacts and increases their achievement abilities with her consistent parent communication. She helps students learn to be global citizens by taking them on international trips that usually include some type of volunteer opportunity. [...] Lanier and FCPS are stronger because of Faiza.”
Faiza feels very fortunate to be part of the FCPS family. She treasures her relationships with colleagues, parents, and students. She adds, "FCPS has provided me so many memories to cherish; Lanier is my second home, and I feel very fortunate to say that I enjoy what I do and where I work.”
In her free time, Faiza likes gardening, traveling, reading, sewing, and being with family and friends. Her favorite quote is by Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” She is truly inspiring that change among her students.
2020 ERFC Trustee Election Results
The election for the Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) Board of Trustees to fill one three-year term trustee vacancy was electronically conducted May 12-14. Kathie Pfeffer-Hahn, a teacher at Terraset ES, will serve as an ERFC trustee for three years beginning July 1. Congratulations, Kathie!
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!
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