Virginia Run Elementary School leadership—(from left) Nicolas Rousos, assistant principal; Elizabeth Bumbrey, principal; and Kelli Lundregan, assistant principal—show their school spirit in front of a newly painted Viking mural.
Take the Employee Engagement Survey Today!
FCPS’ Employee Engagement Survey opened today, Wednesday, October 26! Contracted employees should check their FCPS email account for an invitation and survey link sent from our independent research partner, K12 Insight.
Your feedback will help ensure that FCPS is a great place for all employees to work and grow professionally. All responses are strictly confidential. Watch this short video to learn more or visit this page on the Hub.
Calendar Reminders: Quarter End
As a reminder, Friday, October 28, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, October 31, for a teacher workday (186- and 188-day personnel do not report).
All Saints Day/Dia de Los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Tuesday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 2, are “O” Days, religious and cultural observances noted in the school calendar. To learn more about Dia de los Muertos, watch this video.
While Dia de los Muertos is largely celebrated in Mexico and Latin America, it also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day).
The school calendar recognizes many O days during the school year. Classes are held on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events not be held on these observance days. Read Regulation 2234.12 for details.
Election Day
Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 8! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and teachers (only 12-month personnel report).
For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.
See the Employee Calendar and the 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
Open Enrollment Starts Tuesday, November 1
Open Enrollment begins next week! Remember to check the Open Enrollment webpage for frequently asked questions about the new Cigna plan, as well as resources available to understand your options for 2023. Also refer to the Employee Benefits Briefing for more information, and dates, times, and locations of benefits open houses.
Students to Participate in Strategic Plan Student Survey
We will soon begin the process of developing FCPS’ new Strategic Plan! Community engagement will be a critical part of this work. This includes a Strategic Plan Student Survey. Schools will administer the survey to students in grades 3-12, whose parents/caregivers have not opted them out, between November 2-18. Survey responses will give us valuable insight into what is important to students and help inform the planning of the school division’s future.
Principals will share additional information with their staff about survey administration in the coming weeks. Learn more on the Strategic Plan Student Survey webpage.
ESSER Funding Information and Feedback
Several federally funded programs were authorized to support schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of these programs was to address the impact the pandemic had, and continues to have, on students and their schools.
Since 2020, there have been stimulus funding opportunities for school divisions to apply for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds in the state of Virginia. Fairfax County Public Schools has pursued stimulus funding grant opportunities that assist our students and families.
FCPS was allocated $84 million for ESSER II and $188.8 million for ESSER III, and has been using this funding to support various divisionwide programs. The $177 million that was recently reported as “available funding” is the remaining balance for both the ESSER II and ESSER III grants combined. As of the end of September, FCPS has spent more than 75% of its ESSER II funding allocation with remaining funds being used for longer term projects (like HVAC and air quality improvements) that have been committed to, but have not been completed. We have until September 2023 to spend that funding.
FCPS has spent 40% of its ESSER III funding, and we have until September 30, 2024 to use the funds. Funding was allocated to 29 programs using an intentional multi-year approach. Detailed information describing how these funds will be used is available online. As a recipient of ESSER III funding, we are required to ask for public feedback on how we used the funds. We would like to hear from you. This feedback form will remain open through October 31. The ESSER III plan will be reviewed at an update to the School Board on November 1.
Feedback Welcome on Family Life Education Changes
The Fairfax County School Board is reviewing recommended changes to the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum and invites public feedback as part of the review process. In May 2022, the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) presented recommended curriculum changes, to go into effect for the 2023-24 school year. Those changes include adopting gender-combined instruction and exploring instruction of gender identity, as well as recommended media and other instructional changes.
The recommendations reflect leading education and child development research and expert advice. According to research cited in the recommendations, these changes will create a more inclusive learning environment, result in higher academic achievement for students, and improve school climate.
Public feedback will be shared with FLECAC and the School Board. FCPS staff and the School Board will consider all feedback but are unable to reply to individuals.
Learn more about the recommended changes. The public feedback form will be open on our website from October 31 through December 1.
Parent Resource Center—Educator Office Hours
The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) provides resources, materials and educational opportunities for families, schools, and our community. As a way to broaden their support for schools, PRC staff have established monthly office hours. They will be available to answer questions around family engagement, share resources from their library (special education, parenting, mental health, behavior, etc.), and to discuss support for families both within FCPS and the community.
Office hours will be the first Tuesday of every month from 10 to 11 a.m. beginning November 1. Please join with this Zoom link.
Healthy Holiday Wellbeats Program
Join Wellbeats’ 14-day Healthy Holiday Program for help coping with holiday stress and feeling your best during the holidays. This program includes a self directed daily schedule of classes, such as healthy holiday-approved recipes, mindful eating and hydration tips, gratitude meditations, and quick workouts.
The program starts on November 1. You will receive an email from Wellbeats to enroll. Complete the entire 14-day program by December 31, to be entered in a drawing for a Wellbeats Fit Kit with fitness and wellness accessories, including a resistance band set and stability ball.
Sign in to your Wellbeats account, select “Programs”, and click on “Healthy Holiday Program” to enroll. Download the Wellbeats app or go to portal.wellbeats.com to get started.
Forgot your login information or new to Wellbeats?
- Visit https://portal.wellbeats.com/.
- Click "Login" and enter your FCPS email address.
- Click “Forgot My Password.” Wellbeats will email you a code to reset your password.
Please email support@wellbeats.com for any account issues!
Register for Second Quarter Compass Courses
Compass Courses are courses offered by FCPS to leaders and aspiring leaders. They are run by staff from across FCPS to promote leadership skills and development. Compass Courses are for both operational and instructional leaders unless specified in the course title.
Upcoming courses for the second quarter include: Overcoming Hurdles to Promote High Performing Teams, Everyday Equity, Preparing for your Next Step: Interviewing and Resume Workshop, and Effective Decision Making.
Compass Quarterly showcases course offerings each quarter. Sign up to get it sent to your inbox to help you plan your personal professional development calendar. Contact COMPASS@fcps.edu, if you have questions.
Audit Buzz Newsletter
FCPS’ Office of Auditor General (OAG) publishes Audit Buzz to provide a look into OAG’s work. In this issue of Audit Buzz, OAG summarizes the status of current engagements, provides a case scenario on conflicts of interest in the Knowledge Hive, and offers a training opportunity for FCPS employees. Stay up to date with OAG's current and future work by subscribing to Audit Buzz.
Staff Staples
Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using 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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