Rose Hill ES celebrated their administrators during Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week. (Photo: Tara Boone, Instructional Coach)
Today, the Fairfax County School Board gave unanimous support for an updated timeline that will offer all students the opportunity to return to school buildings two days a week beginning Tuesday, February 16, through Tuesday, March 16. The first students to return will include students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and younger students. Read the news release.
Please Complete Vaccine Survey
A message regarding the Vaccine Status Survey was recently emailed to all FCPS staff. As noted in the message, all employees are being asked to complete the survey. FCPS must provide the Health Department with a list of employees who need their first vaccination appointments by Wednesday, February 3. If you have not returned your survey by that time, and you still wish to receive the first dose of the vaccine, you may have to wait until the general population is able to register. Please fill out the survey today.
FCPS is using additional approaches for "snow days" this winter, including synchronous and asynchronous instruction. If conditions warrant, there will likely be "snow days" as we have had in the past.
While weather decisions impact everyone in different ways, the superintendent makes the decision based on the safety of our students and staff, and FCPS' desire to maintain continuity of instruction, if possible.
Each weather event is unique. For example, poor road conditions may affect bus transportation for distributing grab and go meals to thousands of students, in addition to the staff who must get to work and prepare the meals. Also, power outages can impact students and staff during an instructional day whether they are in person or remote. Fortunately, all students have been provided devices to be able to participate in virtual learning.
Please see Dr. Brabrand's inclement weather message for more information.
Important Update: Required Compliance Training and Notifications
A few weeks ago, all employees were asked to review the completion status of required compliance training by February 1. All assigned training can be viewed on your Assigned Trainings page in MyPDE. To locate this page, watch this short video.
In the coming weeks, additional required training will appear on all employees’ Assigned Trainings page and Timeline in MyPDE. Employees will also see new MyPDE notifications related to assigned required compliance training.
MyPDE will auto-generate notifications and send to the employee’s FCPS email in the following circumstances:
-
Assignment–A new assignment has been made. The email will contain important information on how to access the course or activity.
-
Reminder–The due date is approaching, and the activity is incomplete. Reminders will be sent only if the activity remains incomplete prior to the established due date.
-
Overdue–The due date has passed, and the activity is incomplete. Notifications will be sent weekly, and the employee’s name and status will be included on their supervisor's and/or program manager’s exception report.
If you believe you have been assigned a training in error, please check with your supervisor, or reach out to the course sponsor or contact.
Yesterday marked the beginning of Black History Month. In his message to staff, Superintendent Brabrand wrote, "During this month, and throughout the school year, we are dedicated to telling a more complex and inclusive story of our shared past by acknowledging and honoring Black lives." Read the full message.
Since last September, bus drivers Jenny Yoon (left) and Joanne Cha (right) have been coming to the Powell ES library on Thursday and Friday afternoons to help prepare mystery book bags for kindergarten and first grade students. Read all about it.
Professional Development Opportunity for Teachers: Interactive Google Slides
The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is pleased to offer When a Slide is Not Just a Slide Part 2, professional development focused on Interactive Google Slides to support student learning.
Whether this is your first time attending, or you joined Part 1 last summer, you will walk away with valuable strategies to engage students using Interactive Google Slides during virtual, concurrent, or in-person instruction.
This professional development includes both asynchronous and synchronous learning. Please click one of the dates below for more details and to register:
Elementary Teachers
Secondary Teachers
Please contact Michelle Lis with questions at Mllis@fcps.edu or 571-423-1359.
Pathways to Leadership 2021: Breakout Sessions and Panels for Aspiring Instructional Leaders
The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is pleased to offer a new, asynchronous Pathways to Leadership for instructional employees. The event will be hosted on an asynchronous Google site to meet instructional staff's diverse career goals and interests, and allow participants to view all sessions and booths. Please register in MyPDE. A link will be sent to you Tuesday, February 23, in the morning. The participation window will be open through Monday, March 1. Attendees will be able to engage with panelists using FlipGrid. Please contact Sara Royer with questions at smroyer@fcps.edu or 703-732-9952.
It's National School Counseling Week!
National School Counseling Week highlights the essential contribution of our country's school counselors and their tremendous impact on student success. FCPS school counselors are doing outstanding work with our students and helping them to realize their full potential. Please take a moment to thank a school counselor this week!
Employees who intend to request or extend a Leave of Absence (LOA) for the 2021-22 school year must indicate their intentions by or before Monday, March 1. An LOA is an approved, unpaid, extended absence from work which exceeds 30 calendar days. In late-January, FCPS' Disability and Leaves Office emailed staff currently on an approved LOA, asking them to indicate their leave intentions by the March 1 deadline. Learn more about LOAs and the application process. If you have questions, please email DisabilityandLeaves@fcps.edu or call 571-423-3200 and select Option 2.
Note: If you are expecting a baby or planning to adopt a child, the March 1 due date does not apply to you.
#OurFCPS Faces: Edmon McClam
In his first year working for FCPS, Edmon “Eddie” McClam is already having a great impact on student success. The college and career specialist (CCS) at Oakton HS focuses on guiding students and their families through the college admissions process which can be a daunting one. His main responsibilities include scheduling college visits, offering scholarship opportunities to students, and advising them on the college application process.
Eddie believes, “Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary with just a little extra?” He's putting in plenty of extra effort for his students for sure. Oakton HS' Director of Student Services Jennifer Hogan shares, “As a first year CCS, Eddie did not skip a beat. He was able to successfully plan and organize 140 virtual college visits for our juniors and seniors, and set up virtual college application meetings for all seniors needing extra support.”
Jennifer adds, “Eddie is an amazing team player. He consistently volunteers to help out any way he can stating, ‘That’s what I’m here for.’”
While virtual learning has been an adjustment for everyone, it has given Eddie a different outlook. He’s finding new ways to establish and build relationships with students, while also providing the assistance they need. Jennifer says, “During this pandemic, Eddie’s positivity and enthusiasm has helped our students and staff stay focused and continue working hard to achieve their goals.”
Principal Jamie Lane shares, “We are so fortunate to have Mr. McClam at Oakton High School. He is the epitome of a team player and works tirelessly to provide opportunities that support our students. In a year like no other, he was new to the position and found ways to virtually support our students with college visits, their college applications, and scholarship opportunities. He always has a smile on his face and is passionate about finding ways to help our students as they figure out their next chapter in life.”
When Eddie is not advising students, he enjoys spending time with his family and exploring different places to eat. We also have it on good authority that he really likes football!
Our students are very lucky to have you as their guide, Eddie. Thanks for saying "Yes" to FCPS!
Thank You for Supporting Homeless Students!
The response to FCPS' annual holiday gift card drive for homeless students was amazing. Staff and friends of FCPS contributed more than $21,000 in donations and gift cards, which is more than double the amount received in the previous year's drive!
FCPS usually identifies up to 3,000 children per year as homeless. Many of them are unaccompanied students living without a parent or legal guardian. Thank you so much for bringing some joy into their lives. Please contact Patti Parisi with questions at poparisi@fcps.edu.
Fairfax County's Stuff the Bus food drive is committed to meeting the increased demand for food due to COVID-19. Donate nonperishable foods in person on Saturday, February 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at locations throughout Fairfax County. Social distancing will be in place. You may also make monetary donations by visiting Stuff the Bus partner websites. Get more information.
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!
|
