South County Middle School physical education teachers Quincy Green and Robbie Smith are all smiles between classes. Those smiles might be a little brighter knowing spring break is just around the corner.
Employee News is taking some time off. Look for the next issue on April 12. Have a great spring break!
Family Engagement Survey Closing Soon
There are only a few more days to complete the Family Engagement Survey before the survey closes April 3. Results will be used to develop a plan to improve family and school partnerships throughout the division. 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.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, Amharic, and Pashto. For more information, visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage.
Building Teacher Knowledge to Support Student Literacy
Fairfax County Public School’s Equitable Access to Literacy Plan is a long-term commitment to align literacy instruction with science-based reading research, giving all students the opportunity to gain the reading skills necessary for life-long success. To support this work, the division is investing in the continued development of teacher expertise by launching five LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Region Cohorts.
These cohorts, which launched in March, include 200 literacy leaders, reading specialists, literacy coaches, literacy resource teachers, ESOL teachers, special education teachers, and classroom teachers.
Learn more about the LETRS Region Cohorts.
FCPS COVID-19 Testing Sites Closed for Spring Break
The diagnostic COVID-19 testing sites at the Sideburn Support Center and Gatehouse Administration Building will be closed April 4-8 during spring break.
Employees and dependents who are covered by an FCPS health plan have access to free, rapid over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 testing kits. Covered individuals may receive up to eight OTC at-home tests per 30-day period. No order is required from your healthcare provider.
Please visit the Benefits News and Updates website for more information on accessing tests and/or obtaining reimbursement.
As always, employees should continue to self-administer the daily health screening questionnaire, stay home if feeling symptomatic, and report positive test results to their program manager.
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 21 included:
- Building Teacher Knowledge to Support Student Literacy.
- 2021 Flexible Spending Account Filing Deadline Is March 31.
- GMU Education Leadership Program Information Sessions.
- FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees.
On-Site Employee Wellness Events Are Back
This sleep goggles cube sorting activity helps employees understand that without proper rest, they may have trouble thinking and concentrating.
The FCPS Employee Wellness team is back on the road to support the health and wellbeing of our employees. The team looks forward to bringing its programs and presentations to more locations in the weeks to come.
Recently, the Employee Wellness team was at the Lorton Center Transportation Office to show its appreciation for the continuous work the “Driving Force Behind Education” has provided amid the continuous driver shortage and challenges due to the pandemic.
With a variety of stress-relief stations, they were recharged! One participant told us they “Loved all of the activities and the staff was spectacular—thank you for de-stressing our team, providing a great day of activities and information on what we can access through Wellbeats and ComPsych.”
Please email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu to schedule a wellness event at your location.
Your Total Compensation Statement Is on the Way—Understand the Real Value of Benefits That FCPS Offers
Next week, FCPS will provide each employee with a personalized and comprehensive total compensation statement—your total compensation includes your salary and benefits. Each statement will include a chart showing your annual base salary (or pay) for the current year as well as the value of contributions made by FCPS on your behalf. Your statement will also include information on FCPS leave programs, optional FCPS benefits, and benefits available to FCPS employees at no cost.
Your annual total compensation statement will be sent securely as an attachment to your FCPS.edu email account the week of April 4-8. You will also be able to view it via UConnect, FCPS’ employee self-service portal. (You will need your FCPS username and password to access UConnect.)
FCPS is committed to maintaining a premier workforce, providing a competitive compensation and benefits package, and sustaining a caring culture. If you have questions regarding your Total Compensation Statement, please contact HRConnection@FCPS.edu.
2021 Flexible Spending Account Filing Deadline Is March 31
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.
2022 ERFC Election Petitions Due by April 22
One Elected Trustee to Serve on the ERFC Board of Trustees
The Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) Board is the governing body of ERFC and supports ERFC’s mission to enhance the financial security of members through prudent financial stewardship. An electronic election to fill one trustee position on the Board of Trustees will be held May 10-12.
For interested active members who seek to be candidates, Notice 4771 outlines the election process and requires:
- A petition of interest.
- A candidate statement of contribution.
Electronic petitions and candidate statements must be received by the Office of Equity and Employee Relations, via email to Skburris@fcps.edu by April 22. If you have questions, please contact Sherri Burris at 571-423-3252 or Skburris@fcps.edu.
“Work Hard and if You Have That Education You Can Go Far”
Frances Ivey, FCPS deputy superintendent, shares her thoughts on Women’s History Month and the “sheroes” who influenced her journey to success. Watch the video.
Celebrate Earth Week April 18-22 with Get2Green Resources
All students and staff are encouraged to join FCPS Get2Green in celebrating our division-wide Earth Week 2022 from April 18-22. Earth Week is an engaging way to foster conversation and learning about environmental topics that are essential in developing students as environmental stewards and ethical and global citizens.
Visit the Get2Green Earth Week webpage for this year’s Earth Week “Bingo” boards, daily themes, driving questions, joke of the day, and fun facts. Engage students with FCPS Earth Week Bingo boards for an opportunity to receive water bottle decals for staff and students.
Earth Week 2022 Themes
Students and staff can wear the color matching each day’s theme to show their Earth Week spirit!
- Monday, April 18, Watershed Day (blue).
- Tuesday, April 19, Zero Waste Day (purple).
- Wednesday, April 20, Climate Change Day (red).
- Thursday, April 21, Energy Day (yellow).
- Friday, April 22, Earth Day (green).
For more information, contact Donna Volkmann at dovolkmann@fcps.edu.
Retiring This Year? Check Your Mailbox!
Print invitations have been sent to the homes of those who have retired since the spring 2021 retirement recognition. The online RSVP for this ceremony is due by Monday, April 18. If you did not receive an invitation and you believe that you should have, please email WeHonorYou@fcps.edu.
Congratulations to the February FCPS CARES of the Month Winners
The following employees were recognized as February FCPS CARES of the Month winners. Read about why these employees are being honored and recognize a colleague who goes above and beyond.
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Central: Eugene Krzynefski, Stonecroft Transportation. “Each time Gene climbs into the (bus) driver’s seat, he contributes to the education and the well being of the students he transports. He is a role model for patience, hard work, kindness, and dedication."
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Region 1: Rena Rose, Dranesville Elementary School. “Mrs. Rose is an inspiration to her students and to her school community. She takes the time to cultivate joy in learning and creates lasting memories with and for her students. She understands that relationships are at the core of learning partnerships between students, families, and teachers.”
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Region 2: Michael Klucker, Luther Jackson Middle School. “Mr. Klucker is our orchestra teacher, and has offered to use his planning time to teach violin and viola lessons to Level 1 and 2 ESOL students who don't normally have room in their schedules for electives due to their double English and double Math requirements.”
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Region 3: Larry Jones, Tory Swanson, Angela Frattura, Vickie Okoye, Pierce Prior, and Marilyn Wilson, Bucknell Elementary School. "In my eight years in FCPS, I have not seen a school team welcome a new student and parent with such hospitality, kindness and warmth as the Bucknell Team on 2/14/2022. Caring Culture was lived out at every turn, from the welcoming administration, to the school social worker and counselor, to the family liaison and to the incredible teacher.”
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Region 4: Peggi Miller, Fred Allard, Mary Bricker, Neena Dosaj, Debbie Supernor, Jesse Horton, Beth Creech, and Cathy Rodriguez, Robinson Secondary School. "These incredible teachers have been providing an after school program for our special education students called ‘The Chill Spot.’ During this time, students are able to come and catch up on missing work with the support of a content teacher or simply receive remediation. This has become something that the students look forward to each week.”
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Region 5: Sarah Beatty, Eagle View Elementary School. “Ms. Beatty is relied upon by every staff member and student and her presence can be felt in all parts of our school community. She is a passionate, proactive, creative, organized, problem solving dynamo who works hard to create positive relationships with students and staff.”
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. 12-month employees report if not taking annual leave. See the complete 2021-22 school year 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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