Vienna Elementary School bus driver Yung Wan Jun gives a smile and wave as he prepares his bus for the midday run.
What’s on the Employee News Blog?
Catch up on employee news anytime, anywhere on the Employee News Blog. The Employee News weekly email newsletter will include a recap of what's on the blog so you won’t miss anything you need to know.
This is how you can also give your feedback on specific topics. We want to hear from you! Then we will answer you questions in the blog or Employee News going forward.
In case you missed it, the Employee News Blog for the week of March 14 included:
- Check out the March 2022 Issue of Audit Buzz.
- GMU Education Leadership Program Information Sessions.
- Free COVID-19 Test Kits.
Student Artwork Wanted for Schoology Design Challenge
Help FCPS fill in the big blue space that students, staff, and families see when they log into Schoology. We are looking for talented FCPS students in any grade to participate and have their artwork considered for display.
Students can work individually or as a group designing any form of artwork that represents “How Schoology helps me learn.” Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on May 20.
Details for this challenge and information on how students can submit their work (parent permission required) are available online.
`Set a Goal and Work Like Hell:’ Afghan Refugee Graduates FCPS in Under a Year With College Scholarships
Mountain View High graduate Eltaf Samim traversed six countries, completed seventh, eighth and ninth grade multiple times in different nations and turned in coursework in three languages on the way to get his high school diploma this year.
The Afghan refugee left his home nation in 2015, after his father feared his work with the American military could put Eltaf and his four younger siblings at risk of being kidnapped.
Learn more about Eltaf Samim.
Read more about the great things happening in FCPS on our website.
2021 Flexible Spending Account Filing Deadline Is March 31
If you participated in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2021, you have until Thursday, March 31, to submit claims for your 2021 FSA expenses. You can file your claims through your Optum account. Instructions for filing a claim can be found on the Benefits News and Updates website. As a reminder for plan year 2022 only, any unused Dependent Care or Health Care dollars that you have remaining from plan year 2021 can be used for expenses incurred in 2022. This is a special rollover provision for plan year 2022 only.
Please note: At the end of 2022, standard rollover provisions will apply. No dependent care spending account funds may rollover to 2023; $570 rollover is permitted for the health care FSA.
GMU Education Leadership Program Information Sessions
Have you been thinking about your next steps in leadership and seeking your endorsement in administration and supervision? The George Mason University Education Leadership Program is currently recruiting for a Fall 2022 Fairfax Campus hybrid program. Maximizing the online and face-to-face formats, you will find the perfect balance for furthering your career.
Also, a new hybrid cohort for the Fairfax region is forming for Fall 2022. The intent of this new cohort is to provide professional development training and education to build leadership capacity within and across school divisions.
Learn more at the virtual information sessions:
Family Engagement Survey Closes April 3
The survey was emailed to FCPS parents and caregivers on Sunday, March 13, and will close April 3. Topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Collaboration with the community to see if FCPS is meeting its goals at the school, region, and division levels.
Results will be used to develop a plan to improve family and school partnerships throughout the division. The survey will be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, Amharic, and Pashto. For more information, visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage.
Register Now for the 2022 Special Education Conference on March 26
This year’s Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, March 26, with a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting the conference's theme: Bringing our Inclusive Community Together: Affirming, Assessing, Advancing. Welcoming ceremonies, guest speakers, FCPS presentations, and an exhibit hall are included. Registration for this free conference is open online.
Speakers include:
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Dr. Lisa Cullins, A Conversation About Compassion Fatigue.
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Marlo Keller, Exceptional Family Member Program Pathways: Navigating the Halls of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) School Move.
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Ann Dolin, Less Policing, More Parenting: How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments.
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Dr. Lisa Bateman, Reducing the Stigma Around Mental Health Challenges and How to Support Children in Asking for Help.
Visit the Special Education Conference webpage for more information and to register.
Calendar Reminder: Early Dismissal on March 31 and Student Holiday on April 1; Spring Break Is April 4-8
As a reminder, students will be dismissed two hours early on Thursday, March 31, the last day of the third quarter. Friday, April 1, is a teacher workday and a holiday for students. April 4-8 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.
Next School Board Meeting Is March 24
The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda. The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and on the FCPS website. Agenda highlights include:
- Changes to the Student and Staff Health and Wellness policy.
- Recommended School Operating Fund adjustments based on the third quarter budget review.
- Appointments to School Board citizen advisory committees.
If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk.
Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on any School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.
Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.
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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