Advanced Academic Resource Teacher Judy Butler, who will retire this year, hugs one of her former students during their senior walk at Marshall Road Elementary School. Seniors from Madison High School walked the halls May 25 while current elementary students cheered them on.
FY 2023 Budget Focused on Staff Compensation, Student Success, and Safety
The Fairfax County School Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget on May 26, which includes adjustments to support ongoing recruitment and retention efforts for a premier workforce and to ensure market competitive compensation.
The budget includes a 4% Market Scale Adjustment (MSA) for all employees, along with a step increase for eligible employees, a one-step extension to all scales, and market improvements to our bus driver and family liaison salary scales.
FY23 Salary Scales are available on the FCPS website. The updated FY23 Employee Calendar will be posted next week.
The 4% MSA takes effect July 1 for all employees. Step increments are based on the employee’s anniversary date. Employees can find their anniversary date in UConnect. Go to the top left Bookmarks drop down menu and select Employee Self-Service - My Job - Next Anniversary Date.
The budget also includes one additional workday for all less-than-12-month employees, except for transportation employees who will get two additional days. For reference, a summary of the FCPS 2022-23 Work Schedules adjustments is available online.
Visit Employee News to find out more about the budget and projects it will support.
Religious and Cultural Observance Days Regulation Revised
Regulation 2334.11 (“O” Days) has been revised in response to the School Board request to deliver a plan for more effective use of religious and cultural observance days.
Revisions were drafted with input from principals who were charged with making recommendations to prioritize instruction while honoring the religious and cultural observances. Changes to the regulation include:
- New material can be introduced on religious and cultural observance days provided that:
- Content is made accessible in Schoology
- Teachers support absent students
- Graded assignments or activities may occur provided that there are opportunities for students absent because of a religious and cultural observance to make up the assignment or activity
- Details are provided for days on which an observance begins at sundown (1/2 O Day)
Updates will be made to the required training module on Religious and Cultural Observances to ensure all staff are aware of the changes. Guidance documents for managers, teachers, and employees will also be updated to reflect the revisions to the regulation.
The full redlined version of Regulation 2334.11 - Revision is available online.
Board of Supervisors Recognizes Dr. Brabrand
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized FCPS Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand on May 24 for his service to the community.
Dr. Brabrand was appointed FCPS superintendent in June 2017. Having begun his career as an FCPS social studies teacher in 1994, he leaves behind a legacy of life-changing work in our school system.
Wear Orange Day, Friday, June 3
The first Friday in June is recognized as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Also known as Wear Orange Day, it was first organized by students to memorialize the 2013 death of their friend and gun violence victim, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton. After her death, they asked us to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness.
At the May 26 meeting, The Fairfax County School Board recognized National Gun Violence Awareness Day and encouraged everyone to wear orange on June 3. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors declared June 3 Gun Violence Awareness day during a May 24 meeting.
Information about gun violence prevention is available on our website.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Due This Summer
For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students is expected to expire at the end of this school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2022-23 school year. The online application will be available later this summer and accessible via the FCPS homepage.
Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes.
Summer Meal Service
No-cost summer meals will be served at all FCPS summer school locations this year. Please visit our website for updated information during the summer.
Employee Assistance Program—Counseling Help Is Available
FCPS and their families have access to confidential counseling services in areas such as stress, anxiety, and depression. If end of the year stress and anxiety due to recent events is affecting you, help is available. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services are free and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Enrollment is automatic and no paperwork needs to be filled out. A full list of EAP resources for current staff members can be found on the FCPS Employee Hub. FCPS Employees can direct questions to EAPQuestions@fcps.edu.
Bullying Education for Parents
The FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention public website has been updated to include a video to educate parents on what bullying is (according to the Students Rights and Responsibilities document) and what they can expect when a bullying allegation is reported to a school administrator.
The Student Safety and Wellness Office is available to collaborate with school counselors to provide virtual or in-person parent presentations at the request of schools.
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.
In case you missed it, the Employee News Blog for the week of May 23 included:
- Check out the May 2022 Issue of the Audit Buzz.
- Second Virtual Cybersecurity Fundamentals Training to Be Held on July 29.
- Congratulations to the April FCPS CARES of the Month Winners.
- Summer Professional Development Opportunities.
Professional Learning Opportunities for Staff
Family and School Partnerships is offering three Academy classes for staff members. Interested employees should register in MyPDE using the links below.
Please contact Krystle Trammell at kmtrammell@fcps.edu for more information.
As a reminder, registration is also open for Summer Academy Courses and the 2022 Summer Equity Symposium. Visit the Employee News blog for more information on these learning opportunities.
Do Your Part: Mask Up!
FCPS has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases recently as the county has transitioned to the medium community level. Schools continue to apply layered prevention strategies to maintain a healthy work and learning environment. However, each of us has a responsibility to do our part to help keep ourselves, our students, and our colleagues safe.
Easy ways to “Do Your Part” include: staying up to date on vaccinations and boosters, considering when and where to choose to mask up, practicing good hygiene, and monitoring symptoms daily.
During a medium community level, masks are not required in FCPS buildings. However, you may want to talk with your healthcare provider about wearing masks if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised. More guidance about how to reduce your risk during medium community transmission is available on the CDC website.
New Tuition Reimbursement Portal Opens July 1
The portal to apply for reimbursement of spring 2022 courses will open July 1. This is a change from the previous June 1 planned opening and was needed to improve processes in the system.
These changes will allow for faster approvals for Priority 1 and Priority 2 requests. It will also be easier for operational employees to submit reimbursement requests for continuing education credits they need to obtain or maintain certification. The FY23 priority list reflects the division’s support of employee career growth opportunities and the retention of an educated and talented workforce. View the updated priority list online.
Further details will be provided in Employee News in June along with updates on the Hub. For additional information or to contact the Tuition Reimbursement team, visit the Tuition Reimbursement Hub page.
Sideburn Center Holding Blood Drive on June 2
Sideburn Support Center is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, June 2 from 6 to 10 a.m. Please consider donating as there is a nationwide shortage of blood.
To donate please follow the links below to schedule your appointment:
For more information, contact Jackie Roseman at JMRoseman@fcps.edu.
Calendar Reminder: Last Day of School Is June 10
As a reminder, the last day of the 2021-22 school year is Friday, June 10, and students will be dismissed early.
June 20 Is a Holiday for All Employees—Schools and Offices Closed
As a reminder, Monday, June 20 (Juneteenth observed), is a holiday for FCPS employees. Juneteenth celebrates and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
See the complete 2021-22 FCPS School Year Calendar.
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!
|
