Employee News – Tuesday, 2/23/21

Collage photo of staff at Churchill Road ES


Churchill Road ES shared the love on Valentine's Day. The love of books, that is! (Photo: Churchill Road ES)


School Board Adopts Advertised Budget Focused on COVID Recovery

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously adopted its FY 2022 Advertised Budget placing student health, well-being, and learning at its core, while remaining fiscally responsible during this uncertain economic climate. The FY22 Advertised Budget prioritizes and funds resources that support our students’ academic and social-emotional needs. The $3.2 billion budget also recognizes the sacrifices and commitment of FCPS teachers and staff with a proposed 3% salary increase for all employees. Read more


Updated FCPS Weather Conditions

FCPS Inclement Weather Closing Conditions have expanded to include additional options for the school division to consider as we bring more students back for in-person instruction. Please make a note of the new conditions:

  • All Schools and Central Offices Closed.
  • Virtual Learning for All Students, Division Operations are Open On Time, School and Central Office Building Work Spaces are Available to Employees.
  • Virtual Learning for All Students, Division Operations are Open On Time, School and Central Office Building Work Spaces are Not Available to Employees.
  • All Fairfax County public schools and offices will close two hours early.
  • All Fairfax County public schools and offices will open two hours late.

Visit the Inclement Weather Closing Conditions page for more information.


Draft Calendars for 2021-22 School Year

Draft calendars for the 2021-22 school year were developed with a focus on instruction and learning time for students. FCPS’ Calendar Committee received input and feedback from the Religious Observance Task Force and draft calendars were created to provide consideration for increased absenteeism on four religious observance holidays–Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Diwali, and Eid al Fitr. The Fairfax County School Board will introduce the calendars as new business at its March 4 meeting and vote on the calendar on March 18. View the draft calendars.


Photo of the Week

photo of Mr. Kownacki from South County HS


South County MS Principal Peter Kownacki had a blast performing in a Masked Singer competition organized by the South County MS and HS Choral Department. Teachers and staff from both schools participated in the virtual community event, which was streamed live on YouTube. We hear the show was a big hit with the South County community! Watch the video. (Photo: Sherlee Glomb, director of Choral Activities, South County MS)


Flexible Spending Account Participants Have Increased Flexibility to Make Changes in 2021

The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 recently passed by Congress provides health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) participants the ability to change elections on a prospective basis. Employees who have balances remaining from 2020 also have increased carryover amounts. Please visit the FSA Updates webpage for a summary of the changes provided by the Act and how it impacts the FCPS health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.


Help Improve Employee News

Please help us better serve your needs with Employee News. We’d like to know when you’d like to receive your issue and what content you’d like to see. Take the Employee News Poll.


Custodian Appreciation Week

Custodian riding tractor in the snow


Through rain, sleet, or snow, our custodians make sure our schools are safe, steady, and ready to welcome our students. Be sure to #thankacustodian. Thank you FCPS custodians!


Black History in FCPS: Providence Chapter of the NSDAR Posthumously Honors FCPS Teacher Minnie Beckwith Hughes

Recently, as part of Black History Month, the Providence Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) posthumously honored former FCPS teacher Minnie Beckwith Hughes with its Women in American History Award, which Dr.  Brabrand accepted on her behalf. Learn more about Minnie Beckwith Hughes.


Black History Month: Resources from VDOE and FCPS

In February, people all over the United States celebrate Black History Month—because Black history is American history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Black and African American people year round, and Black History Month is one opportunity to honor these diverse and important stories.

To support teachers and school divisions, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has provided Black History Month resources to celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by Black and African American people to the economic, cultural, and political development of America. 

FCPS Social Studies, in collaboration with a group of teachers and specialists across subject areas, developed a new Google site: Planning for Black History Month.  A link to the site will be shared directly with social studies department chairs, social studies leads and Equity Leads.


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 registered participants Tuesday, February 23, in the morning. Participants that register after Tuesday can find the link in the MyPDE offering description. 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.


Accelerated Certification Cohort XVII Information Session 

An Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) information session will be held Thursday, February 18, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn about the structure and requirements of the program. Current ACC members will share their experiences and answer questions. 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 cohort setting. ACC cohort members complete a one-year intensive program which includes an administrative internship and coursework. The information session will also be recorded and posted to the Pathways to Leadership webpage from Monday, February 22, to Friday, March 5. Please register on MyPDE before 3 p.m. on February 18.


OurFCPS Faces: Brittany Rogers

Photo of staff Brittany Rogers


Brittany Rogers, instructional coach at Shrevewood ES, always strives to do her best and over deliver on her promises. Instilled in her by her parents that “Excellence is rewarded by increase,” Brittany believes the role of an educator is invaluable, and the job is too important to not give it one’s best.

Brittany has been teaching for Fairfax County Public Schools for 10 years, previously teaching first and third grades at Rose Hill ES. Her responsibilities as an instructional coach include supporting teachers in collaborative teams as they use data and high quality instructional practices to support students, providing one on one coaching for teachers in which they set small, measurable goals that have a huge impact on student achievement, and supporting the school’s School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) through creating and delivering professional learning for teachers. Brittany is also an active member of Shrevewood’s professional development team which is a collaborative team including administration and other school leaders.

 “One thing I love about being an instructional coach,” Brittany says, “is the ability to serve as a thought partner alongside other teachers in the building. It brings me so much joy to collaborate with teachers on strategies that will help them reach the goals they’ve set for their students. My position allows me to be creative, thoughtful, and thorough in serving teachers and students.”

Principal Josh DeSmyter, says, “Brittany Rogers models excellence with everything she does. She is consistent with her work in CLTs [Collaborative Learning Teams], her coaching with staff members, and she demonstrates high quality instruction in both a virtual and in-person classroom. Ms. Rogers is someone we can always count on as a true professional. I am very proud of her work at Shrevewood Elementary, and I am proud to be her principal!”

What makes it all worth it? Brittany believes that every student deserves love, respect, and the opportunity to achieve at high levels. She adds, “As teachers, we are the architects of the joy and possibilities that school can bring. My “why” revolves around leaving every school that I serve better than when I came, because that’s what our students deserve.”

In the virtual world, Brittany explains that virtual learning has been an opportunity for her “to flex a new muscle.” She elaborates, “This year has felt like year one for a lot of us, and I am happy to say that I’ve been able to work with teachers in new and different ways as a result of virtual learning. Many of the main tenets of my position such as working with individual teachers and teams have remained the same, what comes out of that work might need to look different due to our setting. I look forward to seeing students and teachers back in school!”

In her free time, Brittany enjoys long walks through Target, binging a great TV show, and trying out new recipes. 

Brittany adds, “I can be a little extra at times, but I mean well!”

We believe that Britany is “extra” ordinary! Thank you for your dedication to excellence, Brittany.


VDOE Requests Public, Educators’ Comments on Proposed History and Social Studies Standards of Learning

FCPS is encouraging staff and the community to provide comments to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for its review and revision of the History and Social Science Standards of Learning. The public comment period is open through Monday, March 1. View the press release.


SEPTA Honored with 2021 Outstanding Advocacy Award

National PTA announced its 2021 Outstanding Advocacy Awards honoring state, local, and individual PTA advocates for taking action to improve the education, health, safety, and well-being of every child. New this year, National PTA honored a PTA for advocacy specifically in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) received the 2021 Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy award by showing demonstrated true dedication and leadership through their determined advocacy on the issue of restraint and seclusion in schools. As a result of their advocacy, a new policy was passed on December 17, 2020, banning seclusion and limiting restraint use in Fairfax County Public Schools.The honorees will be recognized during the 2021 National PTA Virtual Legislative Conference, Wednesday, March 10.


Eating Healthy on a Budget

Don’t let the idea that healthy food is expensive keep you from a balanced diet. Learn new strategies to stick to your budget while enjoying healthy, nutritious foods. Anyone looking to improve their nutrition while being mindful of the cost can register for the Eating Healthy on a Budget webinar with one of the links below:

March 1, at noon 

March 1, at 4 p.m. 

For additional information, visit our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Guidance Resources online, and use Web ID: FCPS, or call our EAP at 1-855-355-9097. Sign up for our EAP-Wellness Newsletter to get monthly updates and announcements of our Employee Wellness offerings.


Stuff the Bus Was a Success!

On January 30 and February 6, Fairfax County held Stuff the Bus food drives at various locations to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries. The food drives resulted in 33 tons of food, surpassing the 27.6 tons donated during the previous Stuff the Bus drives in September 2020. The county would like to thank everyone who helped fight hunger in our neighborhoods. If you missed the drives but wish to donate, you can make a monetary donation by visiting Volunteer Fairfax’s Stuff the Bus Donation page.


Staff Staples


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