Mount Vernon pyramid administrators welcomed Mount Vernon HS seniors who took the SAT last Wednesday. (Photo: Jamey Chianetta, Principal, Fort Belvoir Upper School)
Congratulations to Fairhill ES and Poplar Tree ES for being named 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education! The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors high performing schools and schools making exemplary progress toward closing achievement gaps. Poplar Tree was recognized for overall achievement. Fairhill was recognized for progress toward closing achievement gaps. Read the news release.
Photo of the Week
Melanie Odria, a graphic designer at the Teaching Materials Preparation Center (TMPC), is one of many operational employees who are committed to supporting our schools. Gisele Gray, a community activities specialist at Fairfax HS, describes Melanie as a “behind the scenes hero." Melanie recently completed a project for the school with very short notice. Gisele adds that Melanie "delivered on time, under budget, and with professionalism and grace." (Photo: Gisele Gray)
See more staff photos on the FCPS website.
FCPS staff members do an amazing job of using social media to showcase creativity, collaboration, and learning at its best. But sometimes, staff social media posts are not aligned with FCPS’ mission or values. Examples include using inappropriate language or being disrespectful to others.
As FCPS employees, we are all considered FCPS brand ambassadors. With that in mind, please review FCPS Social Media Guidance for Staff. Its three guiding principles are:
- Protect our students.
- Be professional.
- Use common sense.
Remembering these three tenets can help avoid situations that detract from our ability to effectively serve our students. Please contact the Office of Communication and Community Relations with questions at ccrsocial@fcps.edu.
Please join us in congratulating Jamie Gadley, the new principal of Dranesville ES! Read the news release.
Learn How to Improve Your Life with Mindfulness
Mindfulness is being completely engaged in the present moment. It's when you are not thinking, reflecting, judging, or deciding, but simply experiencing the "now." Staying in the present moment can be challenging, especially during stressful times, when our minds tend to wander and worry. That’s why it's so important to incorporate a mindfulness practice into your daily life. Doing so can yield numerous benefits including sharpening your focus; reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; lowering blood pressure; and helping with pain management.
Please consider registering for Employee Wellness' webinar: Mindfulness–Being Present in Your Work and Life. It will be held on Monday, October 5, at noon, and at 4 p.m. Please click the appropriate link to register.
NOTE: If you are not available to attend one of the live sessions, please register anyway to receive a link to the recording.
Employee Wellness is continuing to host free live fitness classes in October, in partnership with Inova Well. Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Choose from Zumba, Mat Pilates, and many more options. Please view class descriptions and recordings on the Employee Wellness webpage on the intranet (VPN required). Sign up for a class on the Inova Well website. Participation in live classes is on a first come, first served basis.
#OurFCPS Faces: Lisa Alexander-White
Lisa Alexander-White has spent her career looking out for others in the Fairfax County community. The proud graduate of FCPS' Fort Hunt HS (which was open from 1963-1985) began working for the school division in 2017. She is one of three internal investigators under the Department of Human Resources.
Lisa worked at Fairfax County Child Protective Services (CPS) for 12 years before joining FCPS. She says, “I have spent a large portion of my professional career on 'the front lines,' trying to look out for the safety and well-being of others–children in particular. Working for FCPS in my current role allows me the opportunity to continue doing that very important work, but on a more macro level.” Lisa's primary responsibility is looking into allegations of potential misconduct by employees against students or against another staff member. She regularly works with school administrators, CPS, and the Fairfax County Police Department.
It is daunting work, but her collaboration with other agencies has earned her a prestigious honor. Lisa was recently awarded the Fairfax County Police Department Citizen Award, which is given to “an individual who has gone beyond the expected community involvement, by act or deed, and has provided an invaluable service to the Department in the interest of public safety.”
Major Ed O’Carroll, commander of the Major Crimes Bureau, nominated Lisa for this award. Here is an excerpt from his nomination:
As a Human Resources investigator, Ms. Alexander-White routinely collaborates with the Major Crimes Bureau through a multi-disciplinary teams approach including maintaining a very collaborative relationship through Safespot [Children's Advocacy Center]. Lisa is often complimented for her ability to assist detectives who are assigned some of the most heinous cases that come to law enforcement. She embodies strong cooperation along with unparalleled support to the mission of seeking justice for the victims, who are oftentimes FCPS students.
Catherine Carroll, director of Equity and Employee Relations, adds, “Lisa is a dedicated investigator. She is responsive, thoughtful, and works hard to ensure the safety of our students. Lisa’s expertise and background are a great asset to FCPS.”
Lisa enjoys meeting teachers and administrators during the course of her work. She describes them as upbeat, gracious, and positive. In her free time, she and her husband like spending time with their adult children and their 3-year-old grandson. She's also looking forward to the arrival of a new baby granddaughter later this year.
Lisa, thank you for your commitment to the safety of FCPS students!
When comfortable, staff members are encouraged to share their gender pronouns next to their name on virtual platforms. Gender pronouns are words an individual would like others to use when others are talking about them or to them. Examples include: “He, him, his” or “she, her, hers” and gender neutral pronouns such as “they, them, theirs” or “ze/hir” (pronounced "zee/heer"). Sharing gender pronouns helps us build a more inclusive work and classroom environment. Find out more about gender pronouns.
FCPS’ Office of Auditor General (OAG) publishes Audit Buzz to provide a look into OAG’s work. Highlights from the latest issue include the Construction Contract Management audit, a summary of current engagements, and a new Knowledge Hive topic: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. Stay up to date with OAG’s current and planned work by reading the latest issue of Audit Buzz.
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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