McNair ES staff welcomes the final group of students returning to in-person learning. FCPS has returned over 109,000 students and staff to schools and offices, which represents the largest return in the area! See what 109,000 means!
Return to School Update
Video: From Classroom Monitors to Aspiring Teachers
Meet three of our classroom monitors from Lanier MS, Woodson HS and Fairhill ES who are studying education, or now have plans to become a teacher. We are excited they've had the opportunity to experience to support and work with students as they prepare for their career. Watch the video.
New Encouraging Three-Feet Guidance Opens Possibilities of More In-Person Learning - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated guidance on social distancing for schools, adjusting six feet of social distancing to three feet to the greatest extent possible. FCPS will be reviewing this new guidance over the coming week and will provide an update on what this means for students and schools. Read Dr. Brabrand's letter to the community.
Additional In-Person Learning Opportunities - Our attendance data shows that some students who registered to return to school in person have not done so. This has left some empty seats in some schools and classrooms. FCPS is working to fill these seats to maximize in-person learning opportunities.
Updates, including summer programs and opportunities, will be posted online and shared as we continue to develop, plan, and support our students, families and FCPS community.
Grading Policy Changes - In response to family feedback and student check-in results, FCPS will be seeking to lessen the stress and anxiety posed for some students who have been challenged by the virtual learning environment during the past (and ongoing) pandemic year. FCPS will provide three additional grading changes to support middle and high school students. More information on the grading policy changes is available online.
Calendar - The FCPS School Board Approved the 2021-22 Calendar that is designed to recognize, respect, and honor the plurality of religious and cultural observances in Fairfax County. The calendar recognizes 15 religious and cultural observances in the school year as well as decouples Good Friday from Spring Break. This will ensure students will not have to make choices between honoring their religious or cultural observance, or taking a test this coming school year, and is designed to minimize disruption to instruction. In addition, two updated regulations reflect that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, and FCPS-scheduled athletic events cannot be scheduled on any of the 15 religious and cultural observances.
For staff, the calendar mitigates any financial impact to employees who are not paid on holidays and ends the school year in the first half of June, so 10- and 11-month employees can pursue summer employment opportunities earlier. View the press release.
The Employee Hub Launches in April!
View the teaser video to see what’s in store for you!
2020 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Claims Deadline Is March 31
Mark your calendars. If you participated in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2020, the deadline to submit claims for all 2020 FSA expenses is Wednesday, March 31. File claims through the Optum Bank account. Visit the Benefits News and Updates webpage for details on filing a claim.
February FCPS CARES of the Month
Congratulations to the February FCPS CARES of the Month!
Central Office: Central: Nishi Langhorne (Willow Oaks) and Lindsey Fisher (Langley HS)
Region 1: Deana Dueno – Terraset ES
Region 2: Stephanie Duffield – Haycock ES
Region 3: Juliane Wines – Springfield Estates ES
Region 4: Claudia Dieguez – Lake Braddock SS
Region 5: Isaac Bumgardner, Tina Tagliavia, Terri Towle – Westfield HS
Find out what makes them special. Nominate a deserving employee.
Our Commitment to Keeping Equity at the Center
In keeping with our commitment to ensure equity is at the center of FCPS and, as a continuation of our learning around Cultural Proficiency Module VII, two trainings will be assigned in MyPDE on March 31 with the due date of June 1. Supporting Gender Expansive and Transgender Youth will be assigned to all school-based personnel and additional staff who support students in various capacities, and Title IX Reporting Obligations for All K-12 Employees will be assigned to all FCPS employees. A MyPDE notification will be sent to staff on April 1. Both trainings can be found on the Assigned Trainings page in MyPDE. To learn how to access Assigned Trainings, view this short video.
Thank you for your commitment to create an inclusive climate that affirms the identities and voices of traditionally marginalized students, so every student feels a strong sense of belonging in our schools.
2021 Retirement Recognition Reminder
Due to the current COVID safety protocols and limits on gatherings, FCPS is regretfully unable to host a central in-person Retirement Ceremony in 2021. Retirees will be recognized on the FCPS website, and each retiree will receive an engraved retirement gift and a commemorative program. Those planning to retire should submit their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) as soon as possible.
Letters have been sent to the homes of those who have retired since April 2020, and to those who have submitted their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) with a retirement date prior to December 31, 2021. If you received a letter, please go to the link provided to enter your information for the engraved gift and program. If you did not receive a letter and you believe you should have, please email elboivin@fcps.edu.
Photo of the Week
The FCPS Science Fair team is ready for the big event, which was held last weekend. Congratulations to all participants and the winners! View the award recipients.
The Foundation for FCPS invites teachers, counselors, and other school personnel to apply for its annual grant program for projects to be completed in the 2021-2022 school year. The Foundation will provide up to $1,500 for classroom initiatives that respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and new needs that have arisen in classrooms. Grants should focus on one of three areas: continuity of learning, building or recovery of math and literacy skills, or social-emotional learning. Detailed grant guidelines and application can be found on the Foundation’s website.
The application period is March 22 through April 23, and funding will be provided in August for the 2021-22 school year. Please contact the Foundation office with questions at foundation@fcps.edu or 571-423-1031.
2021 First-Class Awards – Nominations Open (All Levels)
First-Class Awards are presented each year at the FCPS Annual Special Education Conference to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Please complete this form to learn more and nominate an administrator, a staff member, or a student who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close April 5.
Special Education Summer Clinic Opportunity
The Department of Special Services (DSS) will hold Summer Clinic from June 21 through August 6, at Hayfield SS and Lake Braddock SS, in order to meet special education timelines regarding child find, eligibility, reevaluation, Section 504, and Individualized Education Programs (IEP). General education and special education teachers are needed to staff this program. Applicants will designate their weekly work availability during the application process. Teachers selected to work during Summer Clinic will be compensated at their current per diem rate, up to $47.77 per hour, and could be asked to work up to 30 hours per week. Work schedules may vary depending on the needs of the program.
Applicants interested in employment through Summer Clinic must apply and submit their resumes via FCPS Google Apps.
The application deadline is Friday, April 2, at 5 p.m. For additional information, call Due Process and Eligibility at 571-423-4470. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
OurFCPS Faces - Kelly Rankin
Kelly Rankin, substance abuse prevention specialist (SAPS), believes it’s never too late to change a behavior or start something new. She exclaims, “Take that leap of faith!”
She began working for Fairfax County Public Schools on Halloween 2018 transitioning from a substance abuse treatment center where she worked for eight years prior.
Kelly shares that while working the front lines of addiction in a treatment center, she watched the opioid epidemic destroy families. In September 2018, Kelly received a text from a good friend and colleague that her 22-year-old brother had just died of an overdose. It happened to be the same time she was contemplating working for FCPS. She says, “So I took that leap of faith and have no regrets. Families need to understand that these young ’20-somethings’ [who] are dying of an overdose didn’t start off as an opiate addict; the behavior started in high school.”
As a SAPS, she is responsible for substance abuse prevention to include providing education to students and parents about addiction, meeting with students who were caught vaping, drinking and providing education, presenting at community events and PTSA events. She also attends training to stay up to date on current trends, and researching data related to current trends.
What does Kelly like most about her job? She says when a student or parent lets her know they’ve learned something new. She adds, “Some students think they are ‘in trouble’ when I meet with them. Once they know I am not ‘discipline’ they ease up.”
Supervisor Stefan Mascoll says, “Kelly was one of the first hired [SAPS] in Fairfax County Schools. Her knowledge of substance use and abuse and how to prevent and address its negative impacts on young people’s health, relationships, and academic progress is very impressive. It’s easy to see that her approach to this work remains centered around partnering with students, parents, administrators, and school clinical teams for the purpose of doing what is best for students through education, prevention, and intervention strategies. FCPS is truly fortunate to have her on the team.”
With virtual learning, Kelly has found that she’s been able to access larger groups of people. She explains, “When presenting at PTSA meetings or community events, I get a larger turnout. I miss the interaction with the students. Returning to school may not be the “normal” everyone is looking for, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
When Kelly is not busy with students for families, she enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren. She says, “At the beginning of Covid, I started to FaceTime my 5-year-old grandson at bedtime. This has turned into a nightly one-hour call. His imagination has no limits.” She also shares that she’s from a large family; she has five sisters and two brothers.
Thank you for taking the leap of faith and joining the FCPS family, Kelly!
Calm Under Pressure: How to Deal with a Difficult Person
At one time or another, we have all dealt with a difficult person. Whether they are hard to communicate with, acting defensive, or just handling a situation inappropriately, interactions with difficult people can affect our confidence, mood, and focus. Learning to recognize and cope with common difficult behaviors in ourselves and others can help make difficult encounters much more manageable. Improve your ability to communicate with others with this webinar.
April 5 at 4:30 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.
National Athletic Training Month
March is National Athletic Training Month and this year’s theme “Essential to Health Care,” represents the important role and increased responsibilities certified athletic trainers employed by Fairfax County Public Schools play in keeping our students safe. FCPS employs 50 Certified athletic trainers to provide comprehensive athletic healthcare services for high school student-athletes.
Nationally certified and state licensed medical professionals, FCPS athletic trainers dedicate themselves to promoting the health and safety of our student-athletes before, during and after practices and competitions. While the last year has forced athletic trainers to adapt to a changing environment, FCPS athletic trainers remain committed to providing the full complement of athletic healthcare services. In fact, even with the interruptions to the spring athletic season, over 8,700 students received care from an FCPS athletic trainer during the 2019-20 school year, accounting for 67,000 visits to our 25 athletic training facilities.
OAG Auditor General Buzz Newsletter Now Available
FCPS’ Office of Auditor General (OAG) publishes Audit Buzz to provide information about OAG’s role, the service they provide, and the work they do. In this issue of Audit Buzz, OAG summarizes the status of current engagements and highlights a survey that was sent to FCPS instructional staff and parents of students with disabilities. Stay up to date with OAG’s current and planned work by reading the latest issue of Audit Buzz.
Employee News on Spring Break Next Week
Employee News will be on Spring Break next week. See you April 6!
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!
|