In celebration of Black History Month, Region 2 recognized their Black principals as “modern day history makers impacting their students, staff, and communities.” (Photo: Region 2)
Staff members can stay informed on the COVID-19 vaccination process by checking Inova's website as well as the Fairfax County Health Department's site. The Health Department also has information about scheduling appointments.
Daily Health Screening Forms
Students and staff are required to complete a daily health screening before accessing in-person instruction and coming to work. Anyone responding “YES” to any of the identified symptoms should stay home. The health screening tool is available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Daily health screenings are completed by students, staff, and visitors on an honor basis and are not required to be submitted to the school or work site.
Dr. Brabrand will discuss the Return to School plan during a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, February 10, at 6 p.m. Email your questions in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or ask a question during the event by calling 1-800-231-6359. View the Town Hall on Watch the Town Hall on FCPS' website or FCPS Cable Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11).
Clarification on Return to School Plan and Timeline
Based on the latest guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education, FCPS will begin bringing back the first groups of students (Groups 1-4) for in-person instruction on Tuesday, February 16.
In preparation for students’ return, schools created staffing plans based on the number of students who selected in-person instruction earlier this school year. Students who have already selected to return to in-person instruction will be able to do so for two days a week. Due to social distancing requirements, schools may not be able to accommodate additional students who wish to change their selection from virtual to in-person instruction.
Who's counting down until students return to school? McLean HS teacher Robert Bouchard! He's excited to start coaching spring soccer, too. (Photo: McLean HS)
Being apart from each other hasn’t been easy for anyone. Check out FCPS' Healthy Minds Podcast to hear how others are handling uncertainty; get new ideas to help you, your friends, and family feel better; and learn ways to feel more energized. Tune in to the Healthy Minds Podcast.
10 Strategies for Improving Your Finances
The current economic climate brings both challenges and opportunities from a financial perspective. If you are wondering what you and your family should be working toward or looking for a path to financial well-being, please join the 10 Strategies for Improving Your Finances webinar on Tuesday, February 16, at 4:30 p.m. Register now.
For additional information, visit our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Guidance Resources, (use Web ID: FCPS) or call our EAP at 1-855-355-9097.
NOTE: If you cannot attend the live session, please register to receive the recording.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Teacher/School-Based Staff Climate and Working Conditions Survey window has been extended to Friday, February 12. The information collected from the survey will help schools ensure that all staff have access to a healthy, positive school environment in which to work, collaborate, and grow. School access codes have been distributed via email to school-based staff by each school's survey coordinator or principal. Please visit the Department of Human Resources webpage (VPN required) for more information.
Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) XVII Information
The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is pleased to announce that the application window for the Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) program will open at noon Monday, February 15. The application window will close at noon Monday, March 15. The ACC is a partnership with the University of Virginia that allows FCPS staff to obtain the Virginia PreK-12 license in Administration and Supervision in a one-year cohort setting. Please refer to this Google site for information on the program experience and application process.
Helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 is everyone's responsibility. Let's all commit to doing our part. Visit the CDC's website for more information on stopping the spread.
February is American Heart Month. To celebrate, Employee Wellness is hosting a five-day Love Your Heart Challenge! Give your heart some love by participating in daily heart-healthy challenges with a focus on fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and awareness/education. Participants who complete all challenges will be entered into a raffle to win prizes like Amazon gift cards and other wellness goodies. Complete this form to register. Find more information on the Employee Wellness webpage (VPN required).
There's still time to sign up for free, live virtual fitness classes in February! Relax with a yoga-based Stretch & Flow or try a class like Cardio Kickboxing to get your heart pumping. Class recordings are available on the Employee Wellness webpage (VPN required). View the schedule and register.
#OurFCPS Faces: Christina Kern
“Aim high and your students will reach for it!” Christina Kern is putting that sentiment into practice as a multiple disabilities teacher at Crossfield ES. Christina began working for FCPS in 2000 as a special education instructional assistant. She has also taught at Lynbrook, Chesterbrook, and Timber Lane Elementary Schools.
As an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teacher in an enhanced autism class, Christina provides instruction and materials to students with a wide range of learning abilities and preferred learning styles. She loves that every day is different. She explains, “You never know what the day’s challenges and triumphs will bring. I understand my students’ areas of need and celebrate every victory alongside them! I am one of their biggest cheerleaders and try to teach to their interests and help them make relevant connections with today’s world.”
Principal Mark Granieri agrees that Christina is all about her students. He says, “Mrs. Kern is a tireless advocate, teacher, collaborator, thinker, and leader for her students and families. Her 'students-first' mindset rubs off on the entire staff, especially her administrators! She finds varied and high-quality educational resources to supplement the Program of Studies, provides the required differentiation for each child, and sets high expectations for her students and vigorously supports them in achieving their goals.”
A Crossfield parent wrote the following about Christina in a recent FCPS Cares submission: “[Mrs. Kern] goes above and beyond to engage the students. She made hard-copy binders of every subject covered in a virtual environment, so the kids had worksheets and handouts to touch, feel, and write on and even went as far as hand-delivering them to student homes. She practiced mask-wearing in the virtual environment every day to normalize and desensitize sensory sensitive kids to wearing them, so they’d be ready for in-person. She developed and delivered all of her virtual instruction without an IA [instructional assistant], teaching to 8+ kids and ensuring full and equal participation.”
Christina is eagerly anticipating her students' return to in-person learning. She says, “As we return to school, I am most looking forward to seeing the growth my students have had over the last few months at home! Every moment is a teachable moment and life has gifted us with so many natural opportunities to experience, explore, and engage. I bet all of my students have grown physically, mentally, and in maturity. These will be the moments I cannot wait to witness and embrace!”
In her free time, Christina loves to explore other countries, be with her family, and connect with friends (virtually for now).
Christina, thank you for being a staunch advocate for students!
The School Board has approved FCPS' Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP focuses on capital projects, including new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations, reflecting schools for the current School Year 2020-21 and a five-year requirement of approximately $1.1 billion. See the approved the following amendments.
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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