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Fairfax HS ESOL teachers gave a special send-off to their students last week. (Photo: Fairfax HS)
Staff presented preliminary findings and recommendations for the 2020-21 school year to the Fairfax County School Board at its work session yesterday. The plan complies with the guidance set forth by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the safe reopening of schools using health and social distancing protocols. View the reopening scenarios.
Thanks to everyone who participated in last Wednesday's Town Hall for staff. Superintendent Brabrand is hosting a second Town Hall for the FCPS community tonight, Tuesday, June 16, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. View the livestream online or watch Channel 99. You may submit questions before or during the forum by emailing ReturntoSchool@fcps.edu or calling 1-800-231-6359 (during the forum). Get more information.
Looking at Rocky Run MS' new pond makes us feel calm. We hope it does the same for you. See Principal Amy Goodloe's tweet.
May FCPS Cares of the Month Recipients
Congratulations to FCPS Cares of the Month recipients for May! The winners are:
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Central Office
Dana Griffith, Stonecroft Transportation; Natalie Baumstark, Sprague Technology Center; and Lisa DeHart, TSRC Fairfax, Instructional Services.
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Region 1
Stephanie Howell, Armstrong ES; Jill Moore, Hunters Woods ES; and Claudia Davis, Cunningham Park ES.
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Region 2
Ericka Lackey, North Springfield ES; Eun Ji, Justice HS; and Kristen Mattix, Kilmer MS.
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Region 3
Lynda Rupp, Washington Mill ES; Arlyncia Pina, Franconia ES; and Annalee Schnebele, Hayfield SS.
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Region 4
Anna Cooper, Cardinal Forest ES; Jessica Wheaton, Fairview ES;
Claudia Dieguez, Emily Gardiner, and Marcia Salgado; Lake Braddock SS
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Region 5
Laura Muscar, Deer Park ES; Faiza Alam, Lanier MS; and Hailey Colman, Mantua ES.
See what makes the winners so special. Recognize a staff member today.
Take FCPS’ Return to Schools and Worksites Survey
All FCPS staff should have received an email last Saturday regarding an important survey about returning to schools and worksites this fall, as well as experiences with distance learning and teleworking this spring. If you have not taken the survey, please look for a reminder email from ajpappas@fcps.edu on Wednesday, click on the survey link, and complete it by Friday, June 19. Staff feedback will provide valuable insight as we plan for the coming school year.
#OurFCPS Faces: Demarco Brooks
There is something to be said about having a cheerleader on your side. Demarco “Marc” Brooks is all that and more to students and staff at Woodson HS. A former team mascot and cheerleader himself, Marc brings that enthusiasm and positive spirit with him to work each day.
He began his career at FCPS 19 years ago as a cheerleading coach at Falls Church HS. He later moved to Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology, Herndon HS, and Langley HS. While at Langley, Marc was a special education teacher for five years. He transferred to Woodson HS two years ago as dean of students and is currently an interim assistant principal.
Marc states, "I love the energy of high school students. I love going to their events and seeing how excited they get when they are successful, or being an ear to help them when they suffer a failure. The energy of a high school is infectious and makes it a joy to come to work every day.” Principal Carlyn Floyd adds, “Mr. Brooks is a prominent face in the hallways, greeting students throughout the day. [He] always has a smile and a positive comment for everyone. Mr. Brooks jumps in to any situation and will problem solve with his colleagues for student-centered decisions.”
As dean of students, Marc was responsible for implementing the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process as it related to students with attendance challenges. As interim assistant principal, he is responsible for Career and Technical Education (CTE), Fine and Performing Arts, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), along with the 10th grade class.
Marc's “why" are the teachers who "went above and beyond the call of duty" to ensure his success despite the many personal challenges he dealt with as a student. He explains, "These teachers stood behind me and my family, pushed me, and believed in me, and made me believe that I was capable of anything despite all that life had thrown my way at such a young age. I owe all of my success to those teachers, and the only way I felt I could ever pay them back was to pay it forward to other students through education.”
Marc's efforts are continuing in spite of the closure. He says, "We are working very hard to make sure that students continue the connections that they had before school closed and have the support necessary to be successful."
When he’s not cheering on the students at Woodson HS, Marc coaches the cheerleading team at George Mason University and a competitive cheerleading team at a private cheer gym in Chantilly. He adds, “I am a HUGE college sports fan and a diehard University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball fan!” Marc also enjoys jazz music and plays the trombone.
Marc, we love your passion and commitment to student S-U-C-C-E-S-S!
Participate in a Listening Session
The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is hosting virtual Listening Sessions to share what has been on employees' hearts and minds. The sessions will be safe and brave spaces for staff to listen and learn from one another. Listening Sessions will be held:
Please use this link to join the conversation. Or call in anonymously using the following information:
- Dial-In: 571-392-7650
- Pin: 7006315465
If you have questions, please contact Shannon Anderson at sdanderson2@fcps.edu or Lisa Felder at lwfelder@fcps.edu.
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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