 
West Springfield ES teacher, Jennifer Quinn, is feeling the love at the school’s end-of-year celebration.
As we celebrated the final day of the 2020-21 school year on Friday, Superintendent Brabrand had a message to share with FCPS families and staff.
FCPS Honors Ceremony Recognizes 2021 Outstanding Employees
Watch a brief interview clip of Outstanding Teacher David Worst, Rose Hill Elementary.
On June 9, FCPS honored its 2021 Outstanding Employees at an event held at Jiffy Lube Live.
The awards, sponsored by the Department of Human Resources, recognized more than 700 employees in both instructional and operational roles. This year, 74 finalists, representing twelve categories, were recognized in the exciting awards ceremony. Learn more about what makes these winners special. View All 74 Nominees.
Congratulations to the winners of this year's awards:
- Outstanding Elementary School Teacher: David Worst, physical education teacher, Rose Hill Elementary School.
- Outstanding Secondary School Teacher: Jenny Hay, English Teacher, Irving Middle School.
- Outstanding New Elementary School Teacher, Amelia Kirsten Carr, kindergarten teacher, Bucknell Elementary School.
- Outstanding New Secondary School Teacher, Melissa Duluc, Spanish teacher, McLean High School.
- Outstanding Principal, Lindsay Trout, principal, Terraset Elementary School.
- Outstanding New Principal, Alfonso Smith, principal, Lewis High School.
- Outstanding Operational Employee, Wanda Talford, instructional assistant, Burke School.
- Outstanding Non School-Based Operational Employee, Maria Miller, multilingual registrar, Dunn Loring Center.
- Outstanding Professional Employee, Margaret Sisler, school-based technology specialist, Westfield High School.
- Outstanding Non School-Based Professional Employee, Christopher Daniels, transportation operations manager, Lorton Center.
- Outstanding School-Based Leader, Kathryn Crump Teague, director, Student Services, Lanier Middle School.
- Outstanding Non School-Based Leaders (Two winners), Tracey Jewell, director, Information Technology Support Services, Sprague Technology Center; and Maria Perrone, director III, Food and Nutrition Services, Energy Zone Food Services Center, Financial Services.
Updated Mask Guidance for Non-School-Based Offices
The Governor is updating health guidance for the Commonwealth of Virginia as of July. As such, we are revisiting our policies in FCPS non-school-based offices.
Starting Monday, June 14, 2021
- Neither masks, face coverings nor social distancing will be required for vaccinated employees in non-school based offices.
- Unvaccinated staff must follow established safety protocols including wearing a face covering or mask, and maintaining social distancing to the greatest extent possible.
Starting Thursday, July 1, 2021
All employees will be expected to return to pre-COVID conditions including:
- Employees should resume their pre-COVID work schedules.
- The revised telework regulation remains in effect and any teleworking options should be discussed with your program manager. (Regulation 4417)
- Buildings will be open to visitors without an appointment.
- All employees should continue to use proper hand-washing hygiene and stay at home if experiencing sickness or a cough.
Updated Mask Guidance for Schools
Updated mask guidance on school property begins June 18, in accordance with Executive Order 79:
Indoors on School Property
- All individuals must wear a mask while indoors on school property. Masks or face coverings must be worn by all students, faculty, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
- Social distancing is not required.
- When school is not in session (or anytime students are not attending programs in the school building), individuals should follow masking recommendations in accordance with CDC Guidance, which allows for fully vaccinated individuals to participate in most activities without masking or distancing.
- Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated should continue to mask and distance in order to protect themselves and the people around them.
Outdoors on School Property
- Individuals outdoors on school property may remove masks.
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Fully vaccinated students, teachers, staff, and visitors may remove their masks or face coverings and six feet social distancing is no longer required.
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated may remove masks or face coverings outside if they can maintain at least six feet distance. If they cannot maintain social distancing, it is recommended that they wear a mask.
Offices and Non-School Property
In office buildings such as Gatehouse, masks and social distancing are no longer required for vaccinated employees.
Deadline for Teacher Resignation Notification Is Today (June 15); Voluntary Transfer Window Runs Through Friday, June 25
Teacher Resignation Deadline: In accordance with the Code of Virginia, any contracted teacher who does not intend to return to teach for the 2021-2022 school year must submit the Notification of Resignation or Retirement Form HR-2 (VPN required) on or before June 15, 2021 in order to resign in good standing ("without prejudice"). Please refer to Regulation 4291 Procedures for Resigning From Employment for more information regarding the FCPS resignation process.
FCPS Transfer Deadline: Teachers and instructional assistants interested in voluntarily transferring to another school or work location for the 2021-2022 school year should apply to the FCPS Instructional Candidate Transfer Gateway to express interest in interviewing for instructional vacancies at other FCPS schools. All instructional staff are permitted one voluntary transfer during the FCPS instructional employees’ Voluntary Transfer Window which runs through June 25, 2021. More information is available on the FCPS Instructional Employees' Voluntary Transfer Window page, or by searching “employee transfer window” when connected to the Employee Hub at https://hub.fcps.edu.
FCPS Foundation Announces Grant Award Winners
Seventy three educators were selected to receive grant funding for their innovative, creative proposals for the next school year. The Foundation’s Grant program launched in spring 2018 to support work-based learning and career exploration for all students in K-12. This year’s grants focused on a strong “Return to School” following the pandemic. Funded projects will enhance learning around literacy or math skill recovery, continuity of curriculum, or social-emotional learning for all students. Grant awards range from $400 to $1,500, and the amount distributed totals over $96,000. Projects will be implemented throughout the 2021-22 school year. Find out more about the grant awards on the Foundation's website.
Secretary Cardona Engages Teachers
Watch Kathryn Desmond, first grade teacher from Silverbrook Elementary, who met for a conversation with Secretary of Education Miquel Cardona last week.
Video: Congratulations, Class of 2021!
The Class of 2021, more than 14,000 strong, persevered through a pandemic, toggled between virtual and in-person instruction, and missed time with friends and family. Through it all, they found ways to connect, to create, and to celebrate their amazing achievements. Congratulations to all our seniors!
Getting Ready for Summer
3,200 Summer School Supply Kits. Packed and Shipped.
FCPS warehouse workers from the Johnny Forte Center have been busy packing school supply kits for this year’s summer learning programs.
 Employee Hub: Using Tools and Favorites
Account Sign On Applications are Tools. Find your FCPS applications and online services in the Tools section of the Employee Hub. Speed up your access by making Quick Links or create your own personalized Account Sign On by using the Favorites feature.
Try our short tutorials:
Your feedback and questions have already helped improve the Employee Hub (e.g. Forms Table)! We truly appreciate all the insights and questions we have received so far. We want more! Send us your feedback: hub@fcps.edu.
 Ten Ways to Take Care of Yourself this Summer
Make this summer the best ever by sprinkling your days with self-care activities. Take advantage of the increased sunlight, switch up your routine a bit, and enjoy what the season has to offer.
Try these 10 ideas for increasing your summer wellness:
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Go Off the GridTake a break from social media for 24 hours. It’s the latest type of cleanse.
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Eat a New FoodBuy a fruit or vegetable that you have never cooked with before (bonus points if you discover your edible adventure at a farmers market). Find a recipe and prepare a dish that includes your new food.
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Go for a StrollFor example, walk through a forest; close your eyes and listen. Use the Wellbeats app to find a new workout.
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Create a Summer PlaylistBring on the feel-good summer tunes! Keep in mind that your playlist can never have too many songs.
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Reflect on the Past YearWrite down what living through the pandemic taught you about yourself and the world. What do you hope to carry into the future?
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Reconnect with SomeoneFor example, send an email to a former colleague and tell them how they had an impact on you.
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Read a BookYou may be thinking “beach read” here. But let’s go bigger. Give your brain something new to chew on by selecting from a new genre, such as historical fiction or mystery.
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Have a PicnicEnjoying a meal outside is a great way to get into fresh air and out of your daily routine.
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Practice MindfulnessOr add meditation, yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, or an afternoon nap to your day.
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Eat Watermelon. It’s the quintessential fruit of summer. Enough said.
 OurFCPS Profiles--Melissa Green
Melissa Green, a 3rd grade teacher at Woodburn ES, has worked for FCPS for ten years.
What’s the favorite part of your job? Being a part of the growth and development of students and staff. In so many words, we are all lifelong learners. We are always looking at ways to be greater than what we are. As a facilitator of change, I am always looking at ways to offer strategies for both students and teachers. In addition, the other favorite aspect of my job is supporting my school community in instilling an environment that is inclusionary and culturally proficient and respectful.
What is something you’re proud of? The National Endowment for the Humanities offers tuition-free opportunities for K-12 educators and higher education faculty to study a variety of humanities topics. I am excited because I was recently selected for the following seminar this summer: FROM IMMIGRANTS TO CITIZENS. The workshop shows how Asian and Pacific Islander Americans play and have played significant roles in the transformation of regions, cities, and communities. These immigrants, refugees and citizens are greatly ignored in the discourse on which peoples helped build America, whether the railroads, in mining, salmon or other fisheries, aquaculture, aviation, civil rights and social change. The week-long Landmarks programs focus on the themes of Immigration and Exclusion. There will also be a focus on the hidden histories of the earliest Native Hawaiians in addition to the Chinese, South Asian, Filipino, Korean and Japanese immigrant laborers.
Do you have a favorite memory? One of my fondest memories actually took place last summer. A colleague and I supplied a student with a variety of books to read over the summer months. This took place during a time where we were greatly in quarantine (due to COVID-19) and could not socialize with others a lot. A combination of chapter books and graphic novels. It helped a lot and supported this student through a very challenging time.
What’s the top item on your bucket list? Visiting all my family and friends while supporting them as best I can.
Do you have a hobby? Write books for children.
Employee Assistance Program Pandemic Pet Contest Winners
In the last edition of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Wellness Newsletter, EAP posted an article asking employees to send pictures of their furry friend who helped them through the roller coaster of emotions during the pandemic. EAP was overwhelmed with the response of many submissions and is happy to announce the winners. Thanks for sharing your pictures to brighten our day!
The top prize winner is Duffey and his owner-mommy Liz Huse (Area 3 Transportation-Stonecroft: featured far right)!
The runner-ups are:
- Molly Payne’s (McLean HS) dogs - Boshi and Buster
- Breanne Melikan’s (Leis Center) dog - Chica
- Anna Mikelinich’s (Riverside ES) dog – Lucy
- Erin Rinker’s (Lorton Station ES) feline friend – Tanker (named after her grandfather, a WWII tanker)
For additional information to find your furry friend and other personal work-life solutions, 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.
FCPS Employee Assistance Program Offers Five Summertime Wellness Tips
Do something for yourself this summer by taking advantage of your wellness benefits
Wellbeats is your newest wellness benefit featuring over 800 classes including, fitness classes, healthy recipes, challenges, and more
Live virtual fitness classes will continue through the summer, make sure to sign up soon as space is limited
Primary cardholders participating in an FCPS health plan can earn a $100 wellness incentive for completing their health assessment
Take the pledge to wear SPF daily and protect your skin from harmful UV rays to receive a sun safe goodie
Stay up-to-date on your wellness benefits by favoriting the Employee Wellness Program page on the Hub
Questions? Email employeewellness@fcps.edu
View the Virtual 2021 Cappies National Capital Area Gala
The 2021 Cappies National Capital Area held a virtual watch party at Langley High School on Sunday, June 13, to celebrate the 22nd annual Cappies season where theatre students and audiences from all over the DMV area. View the Virtual Cappies.
FCPS Music Teacher is Grammy Finalist
Mx. Ær Queen (they/them), general music teacher at Braddock ES, has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award. The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. A joint partnership and presentation of the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, the recipient will be recognized during GRAMMY® Week 2022. Semifinalists will be named in September. We wish them all the best.
Cherry Run ES staff gathered to celebrate Pride Month all decked out in rainbow colors and posters.
Have a Great Summer!
This is the last issue of Employee News for the 2020-21 school year. We would again like to thank staff members for their perseverance, resiliency, and support during the past year. See you in August!
FCPS will continue to keep in touch over the summer, and we hope you are able to relax, recharge, spend time with family, and come back ready for a strong return to school with five days of in-person learning on the first day of the 2021-22 school year, Monday, August 23. See the complete 2021-22 employee calendar.
Staff Staples
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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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