Employee News - 6/8/22

Teacher takes a selfie with a student in graduation gown


Lora Bates, ESOL teacher at Mountain View High School, takes a selfie with Tariq Abdelou on graduation day. Tariq is one of three students selected to speak at the graduation ceremony. A refugee from Palestine, he shared the hardships he experienced as he was forced to navigate multiple cultures and bureaucracies before coming to the United States. 

He spoke of his gratitude to FCPS and, in particular, Mountain View High School, where as an older student, he could at last realize his dream of receiving a high school diploma. He leaves Mountain View determined to help others as he has been helped. His personal experience as a refugee working with other refugees will continue to shape his future plans in college and beyond.

Stay tuned for a full celebration of 2022 graduation activities next week.


Keep Supporting Students This Summer With Collect for Kids School Supply Drive

Student holds backpack containing school supplies


To ensure that every child in the school district is prepared for school, Fairfax County Public Schools and Educate Fairfax are once again leading the Collect for Kids effort, a consortium of not-for-profit, for-profit, and government entities providing school supplies to benefit FCPS students who otherwise might go without them.   

More than 56,000 (31%) FCPS students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and struggle to afford basic necessities. Your donation will help provide the school supplies these students need to be successful at school. 

Contributions can be made online through Educate Fairfax. Donations will be used to purchase bulk school supply kits at highly discounted pricing. For more information, visit the Educate Fairfax website.


Celebrating Our Education Heroes

Composite photo of four educators being honored by Cox Communications


Cox Communications and Cox Business selected four FCPS Cox Education Heroes and presented them with $1,000 for a classroom makeover. 

Read their individual stories of student encouragement, engagement, and collaboration. 

The 2022 Cox Education Hero awards honors teachers because, according to Cox, teaching is a work of heart. From early mornings and late nights to parent teacher meetings and testing, it is fitting to call our teachers heroes.


Make a Difference as a Special Education Teacher

Special Education Information Session June 15, 2022 from 5 to 6 p.m.


Are you or someone you know interested in exploring a career as a special education teacher? Join us for a Special Education Teacher Information Session on Wednesday, June 15, from 5 to 6 p.m.


Milestone Celebration

John Zirkle celebrates 50 years with FCPS with his team.


John Zirkle, a 6th grade teacher, celebrates 50 years of service to FCPS Schools with his team at Stenwood Elementary School. Thank you for your dedication and service! 

How many years have you been with FCPS? Employees with multiples of five years of service are encouraged to share their anniversary milestones on Twitter by mentioning @HR_FCPS. It is a great time to highlight some positive and fun stories, individual contributions, or share how your team values that staff member’s service.


FCPS Video Producer Wins Historic Preservation Award

Videographer Jeff Clark with historic artifacts.


Jeff Clark
, video producer in the office of Communications and Community Relations and local historian, has been presented with an Excellence in  Historic Preservation Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. The award was given for a passion project on one- and two-room schoolhouses in the county that were operated in the first 50 years of Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Additionally, Jeff has also worked with DAR chapters to transcribe early records of the school system. Copies of this work will be given to the Virginia Room at the Fairfax City Library.


2022-23 Employee Calendar Available Online

The updated 2022-23 Employee Calendar is now available on the  FCPS website. Employees can also subscribe to the calendar and have dates electronically uploaded to their calendar.

To further support professional development, the Fiscal Year 2023 Approved Budget, approved on May 26, includes one additional workday for all less-than-12-month employees, except for transportation employees who will receive two additional days. A summary of the adjustments made to work schedules is provided online. 

August 12 has been added and designated for the completion of asynchronous required professional development (PD) and training for teachers and most less-than-12-month employees. For other less-than-12-month employees, the additional day has been scheduled on days that were already designated as either School Planning (SP) or Staff Development (SD) days which will include PD and training activities.


Dawn Clements

New Ombudsman for FCPS

The Chief Equity and Superintendent’s Office is pleased to announce that Dawn Clements, current assistant ombudsman for special education, has been named the new ombudsman for Fairfax County Public Schools. Her official start date is July 1.

In her current role in the Office of the Ombudsman she has been able to serve as a resource to and provide support to families, employees, students, and community members in partnership with the ombudsman. She has fostered many relationships, both internal and external, and has been able to build trust with all stakeholders. Clements has been instrumental in tracking and analyzing data disseminated in the quarterly ombudsman reports as well developing and delivering presentations to various stakeholder groups around the outreach work of the Ombudsman’s Office. Clements firmly believes that all stakeholders should be heard and valued and treated with respect. She also makes sure that each inquiry and stakeholder is viewed through the lens of  equity.


Summer is a Great Time to Explore Career Options—Virtual Instructional Job Fair June 22

Virtual Instructional Job Fair Wednesday June 22, 2022


Interested in an instructional job with Fairfax County Public Schools? Instructional positions include teacher, school counselor, librarian, instructional assistant, public health attendant (PHA) and public health training assistants (PHTA), and substitute teacher and assistants.

To learn more, attend the virtual Instructional Job Fair on Wednesday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more and register online.


LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month


In the month of June, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.


What’s on the Employee News Blog?

Employee News blog graphic


Catch up on employee news anytime, anywhere (even over the summer!) 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, recent posts to the Employee News Blog include:


Calendar Reminder: Juneteeth Observed on June 20, Holiday for All Employees

Calendar Reminder


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.  

Tuesday, June 21, is a primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives and local offices. Some schools may serve as voting sites. 

See the complete 2021-22 FCPS School Year Calendar. The first day of school for the 2022-23 school year is Monday, August 22. View the 2022-23 school year calendar.

 


Staff Staples

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