Sleepy Hollow Elementary School staff, (from left) Ana Maria Menendez, Karla Lobo, Nannie Espinoza, and Clemencia Coto, gather in front of the school’s mural.
Justice High School Honored by Black School Educators
Justice High School and Principal Tiffany Narcisse were honored at the recent National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) 50th annual conference. Justice was selected to serve as a National Demonstration School—an exemplary model of a school that serves a diverse student population. A team from Justice shared best practices to maximize teaching and learning opportunities. Read more in the Employee News Blog.
What Brought You to FCPS?
Last month, we reported on Bunni Cooper, or “Ms. Bunni,” as she’s known to students. After 23 years at the World Bank, Ms. Bunni retired. She wanted to find a way to “pay it forward” and became a regular substitute at Bull Run Elementary School. Ms. Bunni has been subbing at Bull Run for nine years.
“I’m 76—but you don’t act it when you’re around kids all day,” she says. “They taught me a few years back how to do the 'dab’—I’ve learned all sorts of different dance moves in this job. I just have fun with them.”
What brought you to FCPS? Stop by the Employee News Blog and let us know!
New Employee Blog Celebrates and Engages with FCPS Employees
Visit the relaunched Employee News Blog for regular updates on employee-related news, celebrations, recognitions, and more! Blogs are posted regularly (multiple times a week, so check back often!) and many will include comment forms or other ways for employees to share their thoughts.
New blogs this week include:
Bookmark this page and let us know if there’s anything you’d love to see on the blog. Please email us at employeenews@fcps.edu with feedback.
ESSER Community Conversation on Tuesday, December 13
A Community Conversation on ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding will be hosted on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m. The event will be offered on Zoom as well as in person at the Gatehouse Administration Center in the café. All are welcome. Please register to attend.
Watch the video above to see how Poe Middle School used funds to support positive behavior interventions, and how fun and games support values of respect, accountability, and positivity. Learn more about the ESSER III grant.
Get Ready for Winter Weather
In case you missed it last week, here’s a reminder of FCPS’ inclement weather procedures. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities.
After those five days, we will hold virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous (live) instruction following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule which includes a two-hour delay.
Visit FCPS' Weather Cancellation Procedures page to stay informed in case of winter weather or other emergency situations.
Academic Matters
During the Academic Matters segment of last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Rich Pollio, director of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Services, shared data around our English Learner students versus students who speak English and another language. Forty-eight percent of FCPS students speak English and at least one other language. Twenty percent of our students are receiving English language development services. Rich also discussed the value of community in supporting our English Learners in their journey.
First Community Conversations Wrap up
Last week, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wrapped up her series of Community Conversations, which began in August. Twenty-eight in-person events were held, including one for each school pyramid. Thanks to all who attended!
On a related note, in the November 29 issue of Employee News, we shared that virtual Community Conversations had been scheduled for December 12 and January 12. Please note that these events will not be held at this time.
Save-the-Date: Strategic Planning Community Forums
Beginning in late January 2023, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. View the schedule on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage. We will add more details as they become available.
Tools to Handle Stress
The Office of Benefit Services is holding a Tools to Handle Stress webinar on Wednesday, December 7, at 4 p.m. This virtual stress management course focuses on specific, practical activities to reduce stress. Attendees will also be entered into a raffle to receive wellness prizes. Additional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar recordings can be accessed on the Hub EAP page.
For more information, visit our EAP Guidance Resources and use Web ID: FCPS, or call our EAP at 1-855-355-9097. Sign up for our EAP-Wellness Newsletter to get monthly updates and announcements.
Virtual Holiday Fitness Classes
The Employee Wellness Program invites you to stay active during the holidays with virtual fitness classes:
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December 14, from 5 to 6 p.m., Jingle Bell Rock Zumba: Get into the holiday spirit with this dance-focused cardio fitness class.
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December 20, 11 a.m. to noon, Sweating & Sleighing HIIT Workout: Strap on your sleigh bells and crush this high-intensity interval training session.
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December 21, 7 to 8 a.m., Yoga: This ancient practice creates a strong and flexible body through a focused and calm mind.
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December 22, 11 a.m. to noon, Run, Run, Rudolph Cardio Express Workout: Get in shape for the new year and improve your endurance with this cardio workout!
Winter Professional Development Opportunities
In order to support teacher residents on their journey toward certification, the Office of Professional Learning and Equity will offer 10 learning opportunities around the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Exam, and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA exams). Initial Praxis sessions are open and applicable to both elementary and secondary teachers, and will provide attendees with test taking resources and strategies. Subject-specific sessions will review important content and help participants to feel prepared for their subject-area test. Interested teacher residents should sign up directly through MyPDE. Visit the Employee Blog for a list of sessions.
The Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) is a partnership with the University of Virginia for FCPS instructional employees to obtain the Virginia PreK-12 endorsement in Administration and Supervision in a one-year cohort setting. There will be two virtual information sessions for the 2023-24 ACC: Tuesday, December 13, 5 to 6 p.m., and Thursday, January 19, 5 to 6 p.m.
The new Aspiring Principal Academy is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, January 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Also, North TIER has a wonderful line-up of online professional development courses this winter.
Visit the Employee Blog for more information.
Calendar Reminders
Inclusive Schools Week
Inclusive Schools Week (December 5-9) celebrates the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population. This includes students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents/caregivers to discuss what else needs to be done in order for schools to continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme is “Unity Within Our Community.”
Bodhi Day
Bodhi Day, Thursday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as “bodhi” in Sanskrit and Pali. Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum.
The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. Schools are open on these days, however, the School Board has directed that certain events that cannot be made up at another time will not be held on these observance days.
Winter Break
As a reminder, winter break for students and teachers will be held December 19, 2022, to January 2, 2023. Twelve-month employees will continue to work during winter break, except for December 23 and 26, and January 2, when all offices will be closed.
To help make sure school-based staff and students have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments should be due immediately following the break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
See the Employee Calendar and the 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
COVID Diagnostic Testing in January
Mark your calendars! COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county January 3-5 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information.
Remember to Update your COVID-19 Vaccination Status Form
All FCPS employees are required to complete the Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Status Form. It is your responsibility to update the form as your status changes.
This form helps monitor the health and safety needs across the division, and assists principals and program managers with approving administrative leave for eligible employees for COVID-19 quarantine/isolation. For more information, visit Employee COVID-19 Resources on the Employee Hub.
Save on Holiday Shopping
If you still have to finish holiday shopping or just love a good deal, consider signing up for PerkSpot. Or, visit our Savings for Staff page to see offers and discounts from hundreds of merchants including food, clothing, electronics, and travel.
Provide Feedback on Secondary World Languages Basal Resources
Public review for new Secondary (Grades 6-12) World Languages Basal Resources for the 2023-24 school year will end Thursday, December 8. Basal resources are the primary instructional resources used to teach a given subject. A review committee made up of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet to evaluate the materials under consideration as well as feedback from the community. Find more information.
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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