 
Westfield HS teacher Sofia Wainwright gets ready to show off her hula hoop skills to her students at the CatB Field Day.
Application Window Opens May 17 for Fall Virtual Instructional Opportunities
As you are aware, we are anticipating the return of all staff and students to five days of in-person instruction this fall, while offering a limited, centralized Virtual Program for students with documented health/medical needs.
Are you a current FCPS teacher, instructional assistant, or public health training assistant interested in transferring to the FCPS Virtual Program for the 2021-22 school year? If so, please apply via the FCPS Instructional Candidate Transfer Gateway. Applications will be accepted starting Monday, May 17, through Tuesday, June 1. Read the letter to instructional staff.
Apply for Tuition Reimbursement: Request Portal Opens June 1
The portal to apply for reimbursement of Spring 2021 courses will be open from June 1-June 30. Interested and eligible contracted employees may apply for up to $700 in tuition reimbursement for one course that ended between January 1-May 15. Apply through the Tuition Reimbursement Portal (VPN Required). Detailed information is available on the Tuition Reimbursement page in the new employee hub.
Tuition reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the current priority list. Remember to have your Tuition Paid Receipt and Grade Report handy to complete the request. Questions? Contact Tuitionbenefits@fcps.edu.
Interested in Becoming a Special Education Teacher? Sign Up for the FCPS/George Mason University Special Education Cohort Information Session on May 24
Join the FCPS/George Mason University (GMU) special education information session held on Monday, May 24, from 4-5 p.m. This session will provide information and answer questions for those interested in becoming a special education teacher and provisionally licensed teachers considering GMU. The FCPS/GMU Special Education Cohorts begin in early August; completing a cohort leads to a Virginia license within special education. If you are interested in joining, please register now. A meeting link will be sent via email before the session. Also, please visit our FCPS/GMU Cohort website for additional information. NOTE: You must be logged into your FCPS Google account to access this site. Questions? Contact Lynn Beal at lbeal@fcps.edu.
 FCPS Hosts IT and Trade Careers Seminar on Tuesday, May 25
Help us spread the word! Do you know any recent FCPS graduates or current juniors and seniors who might be interested in information technology (IT) or trades careers at FCPS? If so, please tell them about the 2nd Annual (Virtual) Back2Fairfax Operational Employees in IT and Trade Careers Seminar on Tuesday, May 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Participants will have an opportunity to hear from current employees, check out exhibitor booths, and attend breakout sessions on résumé essentials; preparing for an interview; supporting and repairing computer hardware, audio-visual equipment, and software applications in our schools and offices; and learn about trade careers such as carpenters, roofers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. Registration for the event is available online.
Tune into the new Schoology and Me Podcast
FCPS students, families, and staff are transitioning to Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) as FCPS’ divisionwide learning management system beginning July 2021. Schoology is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for students, teachers, and families.
Listen to Schoology and Me, a lighthearted podcast hosted by Aron Sterling from Instructional Services and Shane Wheeler from Information Technology. Listeners will:
- Hear from pilot school communities about their experiences; and
- Learn about updates and cool features available in Schoology to support teaching and learning.
Find the podcast on Apple or Stitcher. Schoology Page on the Employee Hub. For more information, contact the Schoology Project Team at schoology@fcps.edu.
From the Healthy Minds Blog: How to Be Optimistic in Challenging Times
There is no doubt about it, life has a way of throwing you a curveball and pushing you off balance from time to time. The whole world got one this past year and we are still trying to find a way to get our balance back.
Why is it that when faced with substantial life stressors some people seem to easily find the silver lining and bounce back? Scientists know that these people have a natural tendency towards optimism. Optimism serves as a good predictor for recovery from illness, increases work motivation and performance, improves relationships and promotes resilience. So, what is optimism and how can I get some?
Photo of the Week
With warmer weather settling in, Chesterbrook ES PE Teacher Justus Harris can enjoy lunch monitoring duty outdoors.
The Graham Road Community Center and the Arlington Boulevard Community Development Organization rededicated the turf soccer field this week. Graham Road ES Principal Lauren Badini, several Board members, community members, coaches, and Girls on the Run participants celebrated the new field that will provide many year-round opportunities for play.
Register Now for a Summer Safety Webinar; Two Sessions on May 24
Summer’s right around the corner, and school is out June 11. For many working families, summer brings the challenges of balancing the demands of adult work schedules with the desire to provide safe, fun activities for children. Register for a webinar below to get ideas on summer activities and practical suggestions on how to keep your kids safe while you're at work.
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.
Register Now for Fairfax County Summer Camp Programs
Fairfax County’s Neighborhood and Community Services offers several summer camp programs from June through August for students ranging from rising 1st graders to teens. For registration and more information, visit the Fairfax County site.
Visit the Employee Hub; Send Us Your Feedback
Have you checked out the new Employee Hub yet? Find what you’re looking for:
- FCPS online applications and services, including those under FCPSnet Account Sign On, are available in Tools.
- Offices and departments are under Organizations.
- General information pages can be found in Resources.
Take a look around and send your feedback to help the Hub evolve: hub@fcps.edu. (No, seriously - not kidding - we want to hear from you!)
Access Unemployment FAQ’s
If you are an employee who has filed for unemployment through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and have questions regarding claims, the Department of Human Resources (HR) has posted a FAQ document on the HR Equity and Employee Relations (EER) FCPSnet webpage (VPN required). Please refer to the document for any questions about your claims.
OurFCPS Faces Profile - Meagan Bahamonde
Meagan Bahamonde has worked for FCPS for 13 years and is a preschool teacher at Forestville ES.
What’s the favorite part of your job? My very favorite part of being an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher is having the unique and very special opportunity to be a child’s very first teacher and often time a families’ introduction into the school system. It’s an enormous responsibility ensuring our students have a positive start and foster a love for school and learning from a very young age. I love that I get to be a part of that story and help the families navigate school and specifically, the special education program.
Is there something you’d like us to know about you? My Bachelor’s degree is in English and I had always wanted to teach Literature or English at the high school level. I started substitute teaching while home on breaks from college and fell in love with the preschool classrooms and the students. I went back to school to get my Master’s in Education with a concentration in Special Education and never looked back.
What is your favorite place to visit? My favorite place to visit is Banff National Park or Glacier National Park - the mountains!
What’s the top item on your bucket list? Simple answer-Patagonia! I’d love to get as close to Antarctica as I can get!
Share Your Zero Waste Ideas
Did you know Fairfax County is developing a plan to achieve Zero Waste in municipal operations by 2030? The Fairfax County Zero Waste Team is offering County, FCPS, and Park Authority employees the opportunity to share their thoughts on ways to achieve zero waste in their workplaces. Share your feedback and ideas on zero waste in Fairfax County for the chance to win a Zero Waste themed prize!
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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