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McNair Elementary School kindergarten teacher Grace An is excited to have students back in the classroom!
RTS Update: FCPS Is Expanding to Four Days of In-Person Learning
The updated CDC guidance from March 12 provides us the opportunity to expand in-person instruction throughout the month of April at many of our schools and centers.
Please be aware, though, that these expanded opportunities will be based on community transmission rates as well as each school’s available space and staffing levels. They will not look the same in every school.
Beginning this month, we will offer four days of in-person instruction to students who are experiencing the greatest learning challenges, as identified by school personnel using FCPS’ Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
Starting the week of April 20, FCPS will then offer four days of in-person instruction to PreK-12 students already attending two-days in-person, if space and staffing allow.
It is important to remember that this change in guidance from 6’ to 3’ is with respect to student-to-student ratios, not staff-to-student or staff-to-staff ratios. Additionally, students will remain 6’ apart during lunch when masks are removed. The CDC guidance requires all students to wear face coverings for the 3’ guidance to be in effect. Read Superintendent Brabrand's letter to the community.
Photo of the Week
Ramandip Singh, art teacher at South County MS and 2009 graduate of Lee HS, was commissioned to paint the mural at Lewis HS. Lewis will be hosting a renaming ceremony on April 23, at 4:30 p.m.
Two New Staff Development Trainings
To ensure equity is at the heart of everything we do in FCPS, there are now two new training sessions assigned in MyPDE.
- Supporting Gender Expansive and Transgender Youth is assigned to all school-based staff and additional employees who support students in various capacities.
- Title IX Reporting Obligations for All K-12 Employees will be assigned to all FCPS employees.
Both serve as a continuation of our learning around Cultural Proficiency Module VII and will need to be completed by June 1.
The new trainings will provide participants with:
- An understanding of Regulation 2603 and the key components necessary to implement the regulation in schools.
- The ability to recognize that identities are fluid, and our identities intersect, influencing one another to create unique experiences.
- How to use identified pronouns and a student’s chosen name.
- The ability to understand the steps to take when a transgender or gender-expansive student reports they have been bullied or harassed.
- Information about appropriate facility use.
You can find both of these modules on the Assigned Trainings page in MyPDE. To learn how to access Assigned Trainings, view this short video.
Want to find out more about Regulation 2603 and why this training is now required? OCCR created Talking Points for the School Board on this topic, which you can also view here.
Derek Chauvin Trial Statement
FCPS has issued a statement on the Derek Chauvin trial, which began on March 29. The former Minneapolis police officer is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd. We will continue to listen and learn in order to ensure that equity is at the center of all we do. View the statement.
Benefits of the New Employee Hub Launching This Month!
The new Employee Hub, a state-of-the-art intranet site, is scheduled to launch this month. Here are some of its features:
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No VPN–Log in to the Hub from anywhere without VPN. (You will need VPN for some of the tools and links within the Hub, e.g., UConnect.)
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Powerful Search Engine–Search the Hub and also the FCPS public website (www. fcps.edu).
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Personalization–Customize the homepage with what matters to you.
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Gateway to Applications–View online applications in one place.
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Accessibility–Enjoy the Hub’s ease-of-use no matter your ability or disability.
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Modern–Access the Hub on your computer, tablet, and smartphone.
Visit the Hub page on FCPSnet to learn more (VPN required). You can also watch this video for more information.
FCPS Is Moving to Zoom
Effective July 1, FCPS will be transitioning from Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU) to the Zoom video conferencing platform, which will give staff, students, and the community the opportunity to participate virtually in meetings and events. Zoom will provide users the ability to:
- View an entire classroom of students on one screen.
- Integrate with other learning platforms (Schoology, MyPDE) and live streaming platforms for large broadcasts.
- Modify and blur backgrounds for added privacy while participating in virtual events.
- Overlay multi-language live interpretation for virtual town halls and display captioning options.
Training for all staff will be completed prior to the start of next school year. Stay tuned for more information to come.
Go Plogging to Celebrate Earth Week!
Join the fun and be a good steward of the Earth–go plogging! Plogging is picking up litter while jogging (or walking). Celebrate sustainability this April with Employee Wellness during Earth Week, April 19-24, by taking time to take care of yourself and your community. Share a picture of yourself plogging for the chance to win an eco-friendly gift basket. View the flyer to learn more and access more sustainability resources. (VPN required.) Questions? Email HRwellness@fcps.edu.
Nominations Now Open for FCPS Excellence Awards; Due by May 10
Do you have a colleague who consistently goes above and beyond? The Excellence Awards celebrate teams and individuals who exceed expectations in supporting the initiatives of the FCPS strategic plan. Award categories include: Growth, Impact on Others, Innovation, and Student Achievement. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash award and a certificate from Dr. Brabrand, which will be presented at a ceremony in the fall.
Nominators must be current contracted FCPS employees; enter initial information about the individual or team they are recommending into an online portal; and complete a nomination packet. The packet must be submitted electronically via the portal by Monday, May 10, at 4:30 p.m. Please visit the Excellence Awards webpage for additional details.
Wellbeats: Your Newest Wellness Benefit Is Now Live
Stay fit with a new employee benefit called Wellbeats, an on-demand fitness and well-being benefit to inspire you to stay healthy and feel better than ever! The Wellbeats platform includes more than 800 workouts and nutrition, cooking, and mindfulness classes for all ages, ability levels, and interests. The platform is available to all benefit-eligible FCPS employees. All eligible employees received a “welcome” email from Wellbeats (support@wellbeats.com) on Monday, April 5. This email includes important login information to access the platform. Watch a short two-minute overview!
If you have already created your account, share a picture of your homepage with Employee Wellness on Twitter or Instagram @FCPSWellness, or email your submission before April 30 to HRWellness@fcps.edu to enter a wellness raffle! Questions? Visit the Wellbeats page or email HRWellness@fcps.edu.
April 12 Webinar Helps Staff Manage Emotions in the Workplace
We all experience emotions at work including frustration, worry, and (at times) anger. Learn how to remain calm and avoid impulsive acts during stressful times at work with a webinar on April 12, at 4:30 p.m. Registration is available online.
For additional information, visit Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Guidance Resources, online; use Web ID: FCPS. Or, call the EAP at 1-855-355-9097. Sign up for the EAP-Wellness Newsletter to get monthly updates and announcements.
Our FCPS Faces Profile: Matt Shipley
Matt Shipley is a career-switcher who came to FCPS after walking into his child’s school to get his laptop fixed during COVID. He had worked in the federal government for 26 years and served 20 years in the Navy when he found himself in the principal’s office at Franklin Middle School. Now he is a business and information technology teacher at Franklin who does his best to adhere to three fundamental principles: integrity, respect, accountability. By using these traits, he hopes he is an effective communicator, a positive role model, and helps others to meet their potential.
Last fall, Matt was at Franklin MS checking out a replacement laptop for his child, he mentioned to someone in administration that he was in the process of submitting an application to the VIrginia Department of Education to obtain a teaching license.
A few months later, he received a call from Franklin MS assistant principal Robert Gibbs, asking if he was still interested in becoming a teacher. Matt interviewed with Principal Dustin Wright and began teaching at Franklin in January. Matt currently teaches students a variety of computer skills including Computer Solutions, website coding, and one class of computer game development, using JavaScript at an online educational portal. He hopes these skills will serve students well while at FCPS and beyond.
What does he like most about his job? Matt says, “I can help fill a need for education during the challenging times our students are facing right now. Remote learning has been incredibly difficult on the children of our nation, and I felt a strong desire to do some small part to help. As an FCPS parent for almost two decades…it has been truly eye-opening to be on the teaching side…The job is incredibly challenging and the responsibilities are substantial. I have certainly learned a lot about the students, the teaching process, the administrator requirements, and not least, about myself over the past two months. I think that would be the most enjoyable aspect of this job–that I get to keep learning new skills, meet new people, understand new concepts, tackle new challenges, and solve new problems–every day.”
Principal Wright says, “We are thrilled that Mr. Shipley joined our school family this spring. His positive attitude, determination, and focus on relationships has allowed him to make an immediate impact with his students. When you enter his classroom, you can immediately tell that it is a student-centered environment where everyone matters. Franklin MS and FCPS are fortunate to have an educator like Matt Shipley join our ranks.”
As a Navy officer, Matt says he was fortunate to spend a lot of time with young men and women, mentoring them and helping them advance their careers. “It was one of the most satisfying aspects of the job,” he says, adding, “I saw a natural connection between that and teaching young students in the classroom. Thus far, it has truly been an incredibly fulfilling experience and I have enjoyed every moment.”
When he is not teaching or mentoring, Matt enjoys reading, cooking, coaching, and watching lots of kids’ sports.
Thank you, Matt, for sharing your wealth of knowledge and your commitment to the students of FCPS!
April Is Month of the Military Child; Purple Up Day Is April 21
Military-connected youth face unique circumstances living the military lifestyle. By understanding the lifestyle of military-connected youth we can better meet their needs as they transition with their family members who serve our nation. Currently over 14,000 military-connected youth call FCPS home. Each year, our nation designates April as the Month of the Military Child to recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle. April 21 is Purple Up! day. All are encouraged to wear purple in recognition of the strength and sacrifices of military-connected youth.
Tune in to FCPS’ New Multilingual Podcast Series!
In case you missed it, FCPS recently launched multilingual podcasts for families in Arabic, Korean, and Spanish. These podcasts provide timely and important information related to school news. Listen to the most recent podcast featuring Dr. Brabrand, who shares a message of hope, appreciation, and readiness.
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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