 
Ibironke Ayilaran, bus transportation attendant, assists with summer learning students and gives the thumbs up as our staff gets ready to return strong!
Returning Strong and Safe: We’re ALL Masking Up Indoors
Everyone Mask Up!
As we bring larger numbers of staff and students back into buildings, out of an abundance of caution, FCPS will now require everyone to wear a mask indoors. In preparation for a strong return to 5 days of in person instruction, we will also continuously monitor our community health conditions as well as adhere to FHD, VHD and CDC guidance.
We are all committed to a safe start to the 2021-22 school year and universal masking for all supports our effort. ALL staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a face mask indoors, unless you are alone in an office or room. Outdoor masking is recommended for anyone who is not vaccinated in crowded settings.
There are some situations in school when students and staff are permitted to remove their masks, including:
- When actively eating or drinking (if eating indoors, individuals are required to put their masks back on when not actually eating or drinking)
- When outside (e.g. outdoor recess, outdoor physical education, outdoor instructional groups; anyone not fully vaccinated is recommended, but not required, to wear a mask in crowded settings)
Schools will use outdoor eating and instructional areas to increase opportunities for physical distancing as permitted by space, weather, and supervision. While FCPS is unable to implement full physical distancing in our schools with the return of 99.5% of our students, we will implement it to the best of our ability when space permits.
Vax Up!
Thank you to everyone who got vaccinated this week! Vaccination rates in Fairfax County are increasing- let’s keep that trend going. FCPS’ goal is for all students and staff to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. To help make that more convenient, we will be hosting dozens of school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics starting in September. We will share more details over the coming weeks.
Read more about all seven FCPS layered prevention strategies.
Join Superintendent Brabrand at Two Return to School Town Halls
Superintendent Brabrand will be hosting two virtual community Town Halls:
Monday, August 16, from 6-7 p.m. (In English) where he will be joined by Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, director of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Fairfax County Health Department. The Town Hall will focus on returning to five full days of in-person instruction for the new school year and layered prevention strategies that will be implemented to help keep students and staff safe. Watch the Town Hall on FCPS’ website or on Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11). Please send your questions in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or ask your question live during the event by calling 1-800-231-6359.
Tuesday, August 17, from 6-7 p.m. (In Spanish)
The superintendent will answer questions about returning to five full days of in-person learning and measures to help keep everyone safe for a strong return to school. The Town Hall will be streamed live on FCPS Facebook en Español. Please email your questions to ReturntoSchool@fcps.edu. You may also send us a message on our Facebook page or leave it in the “Comment” section during the Town Hall.
FCPS Encourages Leaders to Affirm, Assess and Advance at Leadership Kickoff
Last week’s 2021 Leadership Kickoff launched the Affirm, Assess, Advance message that will be at the center of all our work this school year. Dr. Brabrand welcomed FCPS administrators and leaders back for the 2021-22 school year and presented a shift in FCPS’ approach to education. The kickoff focused on the Affirm, Assess, Advance orientation necessary to forward the centering of equity in all we do. Learn more about the AAA approach.
“Give me an A. Give me an A! Give me one more A!” Tiffany Lee and Jenna Reeder from the Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement cheer on FCPS leaders at the annual Leadership Kickoff event in preparation for a strong return to school guided by the Affirm, Assess, Advance framework.
Calendar Note: Work from Alternate Location Day for Teachers
 When the School Board adopted the 2021-2022 calendar, Friday, August 13, 2021, the first teacher workday, was designated as an “optional work from alternate location” day for teaching staff. This means that teachers may choose to work from a location other than their assigned school building. Please let your principal know if you plan to work from an alternate location on this day.
Dance Your Way Into the School Year!
Kick off the school year with a fun-filled virtual dance party! Join other schools and sites across Fairfax County Public Schools on Friday, August 20 and dance your way into the weekend together. The party is from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., drop in whenever you can. A live DJ will get the party going with fun music, dance contests, raffles, and more! Questions? Email employeewellness@fcps.edu
Join on Zoom: Meeting ID: 881 2839 2116; Passcode: 098470
Treat Yourself to On-Demand Fitness, Mindfulness, Nutrition Classes and More!
Treat yourself to your on-demand fitness and wellbeing benefit before summer ends! Wellbeats has 800+ wellbeing classes for all ages, ability levels, and interests and is available to all benefit-eligible employees. Classes range from 5-minute office stretches to 50-minute dance workouts.
Forgot your login information? Here is how to access your account:
- Visit Wellbeats
- Click Login and enter your FCPS email address
- Click “Forgot My Password”
- Wellbeats will email you a code to reset your password
Questions? Email employeewellness@fcps.edu
From Student to Proud Principal: Meet the New Columbia Elementary School Leader Who Once Walked the Halls as a Child
If you look closely at a faded copy of the Columbia Elementary School yearbook which sits on the desk of new principal Michael Astudillo, a little boy with an impish grin stands out.
“That’s me, right there,” Astudillo said, pointing to his first grade photo on page 14 of the 1983-84 year book.
Forty years on and while the hair has changed, the smile remains the same as Astudillo recalls how this school was a second home to him. Now, on his return as leader, he hopes to create that same home away from home atmosphere for the current students. Astudillo joined the school as its principal last month and is using those fond memories as the basis for his leadership strategy at the school.
Learn more about Michael Astudillo and his Columbia Elementary School story.
OurFCPS Faces - Stella Noda
We caught up with Stella Noda, early childhood and family services assistant, a finalist for the 2021 Outstanding Nonschool-based Operational Employee. Her glowing nomination reads “Stella’s genuine connections with families and excellent customer service have allowed her to build lasting relationships with FCPS families. Stella’s enthusiasm and love for her work, her colleagues, and the families she serves is contagious.”
Learn more about Stella’s role model who inspires her in her line of work.
Read the Latest Issues of Audit Buzz
FCPS’ Office of Auditor General (OAG) publishes Audit Buzz to provide a look into OAG’s work. In the July issue of Audit Buzz, OAG’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Audit Plan was approved at the School Board Meeting on July 15. The issue includes more about the plan, which includes four new audits, as well as other engagements and duties.
Read the June issue of Audit Buzz for the status of current engagements, background information on what audits are in the Knowledge Hive, and recognition for the citizen members of the Audit Committee.
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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