Shrevewood Elementary School Assistant Principal Katie Vandawalker gives students high fives as they arrive at school.
Lewis Leadership Program Reception
Last week, Principal Alfonso Smith hosted a reception at Lewis High School that was attended by family members of the late Congressman John R. Lewis, the school’s namesake, as well as several School Board members. The event was hosted for community partners, staff, and students who have been influential in the creation of the Lewis Leadership Program.
The program adopts the principles of Congressman John Lewis’ life through a curriculum that focuses on government, public policy, leadership, and human rights. Interested students may become more involved through field experiences, guest speakers, service learning, specialized coursework, internships, and university partnerships.
Open Enrollment Is Underway Through November 18
Open Enrollment has begun and will continue through Friday, November 18. This is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical, dental, and/or flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming year. For step-by-step instructions, use the UConnect Quick Start Guide.
Open houses provide an opportunity to chat with benefits vendors and Benefit Services staff. An open house will be held Thursday, November 3, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Hayfield Secondary School cafeteria. See the Open Enrollment webpage for more upcoming in-person and virtual open houses.
Look for your Employee Benefits Briefing to arrive in your mailbox soon!
Strategic Planning: Instructional Focus Team Nominations
Developing FCPS' new Strategic Plan will involve assembling multiple work teams that represent the perspectives of school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. FCPS is currently seeking nominations for instructional staff who are interested in contributing to the strategic planning process as part of the Instructional Focus Team (IFT). School-based instructional staff, including teachers, instructional assistants, instructional coaches, resource teachers, librarians, school counselors, SBTS, administrators, etc., can self-nominate or nominate a colleague using this form. Nominations are due by Friday, November 11! Get more information.
Strategic Plan Student Survey Is Open
From Wednesday, November 2, through Friday, November 18, students in grades 3-12 will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about school by taking the Strategic Plan Student Survey. (Students who have been opted out by their parents/caregivers will not participate in the survey.) Survey responses will help inform the development of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan.
Schools will be showing an informational video to help familiarize students with the concept of a Strategic Plan prior to administering the survey. Students in grades 3-6 will watch this video, and those in grades 7-12 will be shown this version. Visit the Strategic Plan Student Survey webpage for more information.
Purple Star Schools Support Military-Connected Families
Forty Fairfax County public schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2022 Purple Star Schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.
See the full list of schools.
FCPS Receives $2 Million Grant to Fund STEAM
FCPS has been awarded a $2 million Department of Defense Education Activity Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs grant that will support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and computer science integration to advance math learning goals. This grant project, Code UP!, is a five-year grant program that officially began last month.
Visit our website to learn more about Code UP! and see which schools will implement the program.
How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar
In an annual planning process, FCPS uses input from the community to help develop the school year calendar for the following year. Our framework for creating the calendar is available online to ensure transparency, as we work to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable. Stay tuned for information about our upcoming Calendar Survey, which will be shared with employees, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 7-12.
FCPS’ Employee Engagement Survey is still open for ALL employees, including substitutes, hourly workers, and coaches! Employees should check their FCPS email account for the invitation and survey link from our partner, K12 Insight. All employees have the opportunity to provide feedback about their jobs, work environment, and FCPS overall through the Employee Engagement Survey. Survey participation provides valuable insight on what FCPS is doing well and areas for improvement.
All responses are confidential. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Visit the Employee Hub for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Although the community level of COVID-19 in Fairfax County is currently low, cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses are on the rise.
It is still important to wash your hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, monitor your health daily, and stay home if you are sick. For more tips, visit our 2022-23 Health and Safety Guidance webpage.
Interview and Resumé Writing Workshop
Join Region 2 Executive Principal Megan Vroman, Groveton Elementary Assistant Principal Chris Latham, and Education Specialist for Integrated Professional Learning Sara Royer in this workshop about moving your FCPS career to the next level. Participants will learn about the do's and don'ts of a great resumé, and receive advice and practice on how to put their best foot forward in a professional interview.
This session is for operational and instructional employees at all levels. It will be held November 10, at 5 p.m., at Leis Center in Falls Church. Register on MyPDE.
School Improvement and Innovation/ESSER III Plans
Wondering how ESSER funds are being spent at your school? The Fall 2022 School Improvement and Innovation (SIIP)/Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) plans are available. Strategies will be updated periodically as schools have opportunities to adjust their plans and budgets.
November Is Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions recognized by FCPS.
Calendar Reminders: Daylight Saving Time Ends
Daylight saving time will end this Sunday, November 6, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
Remember to Vote!
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.
Veterans Day
As a reminder, Friday, November 11, is a student holiday/school planning day for the Veterans Day holiday (Only 188-day employees do not report). Veterans Day is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf. We thank them for their service. Learn about the history of Veterans Day.
See the Employee Calendar and the 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
Community Conversations Wrapping Up
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has been hosting Community Conversations across the division since August as a way to get to know our school communities. There aren’t many sessions remaining, so mark your calendar!
We invite you to register to attend your school pyramid event or, if you have been unable to attend a previous event in your pyramid, register for a location and date that is convenient for you. See the schedule and register for an event. Language interpretation, childcare, and light refreshments will be provided.
School Board Meeting on November 3, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda (English only). 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:
- Strategic Plan Update by the Superintendent.
- Awarding of Contracts.
Recordings of School Board meetings and work sessions can be viewed on the FCPS YouTube channel. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, you can visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.
If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the Board clerk.
Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.
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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