The administrative team at Holmes MS celebrated Twin Day today. (Photo: Margaret Barnes, Principal)
Congratulations to FCPS CARES of the Month recipients for September! The winners are:
- Central Office: Tony Klepic, Department of Information Technology.
- Region 1: Tamara Durfee, South Lakes HS.
- Region 2: Sarah Wegener, Justice HS.
- Region 3: Rachael Smith, Fort Hunt ES.
- Region 4: Maria Eliana Lopez Reyna, Mountain View HS.
- Region 5: Andrew Garcia, Chantilly HS.
See what makes the winners special. Recognize a staff member today.
Virtual Open Enrollment Information Sessions
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical, dental, and/or flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming year. Office of Benefit Services staff will be hosting virtual information sessions to discuss 2021 benefits for active employees on the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 21, 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, October 29, 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, 11:30 a.m.
To register for a virtual session or find additional details about Open Enrollment, please visit the Open Enrollment webpage. Watch the 2021 Benefits Sneak Peek video.
Evelyn Ransom, a kindergarten teacher at Hollin Meadows ES, celebrated a successful week of virtual learning. (Photo: @RansomRockets)
Every year, influenza (flu) causes millions of illnesses and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. Now more than ever, it’s important for everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu and COVID-19. Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will help keep you and your loved ones out of a medical setting and lower your risk of COVID-19 exposure. For more details about the flu and Fairfax County flu vaccine clinics, visit the Health Department's website.
After administering a flu shot, a nurse from Inova puts an adhesive bandage on an FCPS employee.
Employee Wellness, in conjunction with Inova, will offer a drive-through flu clinic on Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Gatehouse Administration Center garage, level P1. Employees will remain in their cars while pulling up to a nurse station where their immunization will be administered. Advance registration is required. Make an appointment today. (The registration link will close 48 hours prior to the event.) Find more information on the Employee Wellness webpage (VPN required). Questions? Please email flushots@fcps.edu.
Win Prizes by Registering for Worldwide Wellness!
Travel the globe virtually while building healthy habits with the Worldwide Wellness Challenge. In this six-week virtual challenge, participants will earn points by logging their physical activity, active relaxation, and produce servings. The challenge begins November 2. Registration is open now through November 9. The first 75 employees to register will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. The region with the highest registration percentage will win a trophy and bragging rights! Get details on the Employee Wellness webpage on the intranet (VPN required). Questions? Please email fitnesschallenge@fcps.edu.
#OurFCPS Faces: Jakelin Lake
Some people say she’s the bridge to opportunity for families in her school. She is Jakelin “Jackie” Lake, office assistant at Braddock ES. Prior to joining the Braddock team, Jackie served as a Language Services certified Spanish interpreter, a parent liaison at Parklawn ES, and a parent liaison and outreach leader at Braddock ES.
Coworker Joyce Matthews is one of Jackie's biggest fans. She says, “Jakelin Lake is an amazing person! [She] has worked tirelessly to help build a strong school/community partnership with parents as well as community organizations to support the needs of our high poverty/high needs community."
Jackie’s inspiration to serve others is simple—she can relate to their experiences. In 1983, Jackie and her family left Peru and settled in Fairfax County. She and her three sisters enrolled in FCPS. Jackie explains, "It was not always easy being the first Latinas in our neighborhood schools, but we persevered and saw the advantages the school system had to offer. I had a rough time adjusting […] and ended up being literally saved by my ESOL teacher, Ms. Peggy Forrey. (She passed away several years ago.) I graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary, attended NOVA where I got an associates in Engineering Technology, then got married and had two amazing sons (24 and 26 years of age).”
Jackie is very passionate about the work she does to support families. She states, “I LOVE people, especially children! I love helping people! It is such an amazing feeling to be able to help someone in their greatest time of need access resources that are available (if you know where to find them) to resolve issues with food, clothing, shelter, medicine and transportation.”
However, Jackie has found that COVID-19 has impacted the lives of immigrant families more so than other families. She says, “There is a higher need for food, medicine and funding for everyday needs. Thanks to the network of partners at Braddock Elementary, our families have been able to cope!"
Jackie is grateful to all of her community partners, coworkers, custodians, and principal, as they have made serving families possible. Principal Keesha Jackson-Muir sums up Jackie and her efforts in this acrostic poem:
J: Jack of all trades. There is nothing that she cannot do.
A: Admirable; a person who everyone admires for the things that she is able to accomplish within a day.
K: Knowledgeable. She has the ability to stay abreast on important community topics and is willing to share her knowledge with others.
E: Effective. Whatever she is assigned to do, know that it will be completed accurately with precision.
L: Laborer. She was born to serve others.
I: Immeasurable. Her worth cannot be measured or calculated.
N: Newsworthy. She is an extraordinary person who goes above and beyond in everything that she does.
L: Lively. Her personality is honest and straight forward.
A: Adept. She is a skilled person who is a research learner.
K: Kindhearted. She has the biggest heart and is willing to give the shirt off her back to others in need.
E: Energized. I have never met a person who has the energy that this amazing woman has. Time is not an obstacle for her. She is able to accomplish so much within a 24-hour period. How does she get it done? I am always amazed.
Jackie, thank you for your passionate support of families and students.
Attend an Effective Communication Webinar
Guidance Resources, FCPS’ Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is hosting a webinar for staff who would like to improve their communication skills. The Effective Communication webinar will discuss why interpersonal communication is important for success at work and at home, and will identify characteristics of effective communication. Please click one of the dates and times below to register:
NOTE: If you cannot attend the live session, please register to receive the recording.
For additional information, visit Guidance Resources online and use Web ID: FCPS, or call our EAP at 1-855-355-9097.
Audit Buzz provides a look into the Office of Auditor General (OAG)'s work. The latest issue highlights:
- current engagements including FY 2020 Local School Activity Funds, and Procurement and Contract Management.
- OAG's first National Association of State Boards of Accountancy accredited training: Understanding the Mindset of Fraudsters.
- FCPS Regulation 5350, which provides details around reducing the risk of procurement cards being used for unintended purposes.
Read the latest issue Audit Buzz.
Jan Rayl, interim director of Falls Church Academy’s Practical Nursing Program, was excited to welcome some of the first FCPS students to return to in-person learning. Watch the story on NBC4.
Take advantage of a free, confidential, and safe disposal of unused or expired medications during Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout. This event will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at one of eight drop-off locations. Visit Fairfax County Government's website for details.
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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