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Westlawn ES' first grade team is already missing their precious students. (Photo: Westlawn ES)
The Fairfax County School Board is considering a 2021-22 Standard School Year Calendar that was developed with a focus on instruction and learning for students and includes four religious observance holidays. Two options for the 2021-22 school year were presented to the Board at its business meeting on June 18. Read the news release.
Since schools and offices physically closed in March, countless FCPS staff members have put in a herculean effort to support students, parents, and their FCPS colleagues during this challenging time. Please join us in applauding employees who have been recognized for going the distance. To recognize an employee with an FCPS Cares, please fill out this form. Staff members who appear on the FCPS Cares–Going the Distance page will be chosen from among FCPS Cares submissions.
Photo of the Week
Dr. Brabrand hosted his second, virtual Return to School Town Hall last Tuesday at Sprague Center. Lorraine Trouton, manager, School Health Services, and Jeff Platenberg, assistant superintendent, Facilities and Transportation Services, joined the superintendent. Between the two Town Halls, several thousand emails with questions and comments were received. Also, seven phone lines were lit for the entire hour during both events.
Resignation Deadline for Contracted, Licensed Employees Extended to June 30
At its June 15 School Board work session, the Board voted to extend the resignation deadline for contracted, licensed employees to June 30. This extension is not applicable to employees who hold positions which require two weeks notice in order to separate (e.g. operational employees and instructional assistants) as these employees are able to resign at any point during the year by providing proper notice. Employees who would like to resign should complete and submit Form HR-2 to their supervisor. Please contact HR Connection with questions about the resignation process.
FCPS Welcomes Three New Principals
We are excited to acknowledge our newest principals:
- Hoang Nguyen, Kilmer Center.
- Erica Loesch, Saratoga ES.
- Jennifer Cunneen, Forestdale ES.
Please join us in congratulating them! Read about Hoang and Erica. See Jennifer's announcement.
#OurFCPS Faces: Kathleen Otal
Kathleen Otal’s motto is “Work hard, play hard, rest hard.” She’s been putting those words to the test at FCPS as a school counselor for the past 20 years. Kathleen started as the counselor at Brookfield ES. She has been at McLean HS for five years.
Recently, Kathleen was named the 2020 Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) Secondary Counselor of the Year. She was recognized by VSCA for having a positive impact on students, their families, and colleagues; for demonstrating innovation and leadership in counseling; and for providing exceptional service in the community.
In addition to her school counselor role, Kathleen serves as McLean HS' Equity Team co-lead. She also coordinates services for students receiving free and reduced lunch, helps coordinate Parent University sessions, sponsors the Girls Leadership Club, records podcasts on parenting, and leads parenting book clubs.
Kathleen loves working with students and her amazing colleagues. Her favorite part of the job is the feeling that she is helping students. She adds, “My goal has always been to try and level the playing field for all students and work toward helping each child be the best they can be. FCPS is a great place for that work, and there are many people in the county who share this vision. I will fight for each individual child and never give up on anyone.”
Principal Ellen Reilly recognizes Kathleen's incredible impact. She notes, “The other day, I was talking about how fortunate we are to have Kathleen at our school…she is a person that is hard to keep up with because she has so much energy. Kathleen is always a person who greets you with a genuine smile and gives you 100 percent of her attention. [...] Kathleen believes in every student. She is just invested in their lives and helps them find their path in their own way and time."
Ellen adds, “In regards to parents, [Kathleen] guides parents authentically, and she shares with them her own experiences with her own teenagers at home. Her daughter just graduated high school so she has been able to sit with parents and have a real conversation about the college application process and what it is like to have a senior at home.”
In her spare time, Kathleen enjoys running, cooking, and reading. But with so much on her plate, we're wondering when she has time to “rest hard!”
Thanks, Kathleen, for your dedication and service to students and families.
Every Tuesday, we highlight one of FCPS' amazing teachers on Instagram as part of our #FCPSTeacherTuesday series. Please stop by our Instagram page and check out today's #FCPSTeacherTuesday profile. And, remember to follow @fairfaxcountypublicschools!
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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