Kathleen Bunch, a gifted education teacher at Colvin Run Elementary, works
with students on literacy and language arts.
Decades of Making a Difference
Dominic Prakash and David Plum, auto technology teachers at Lake Braddock Secondary School, aren’t just colleagues. Their friendship goes back nearly 40 years to when they met in an auto class at South Lakes High School. Now they teach, inspire, and mentor a new generation of students. Watch this FCPS Heroes video to see how David and Dominic are impacting students. Read more on our website.
Visit the Employee News Blog to share with us: Who is a hero in your school community? What unique qualities do they share with students and colleagues?
Make Sure You Receive Your W-2
W-2s for 2022 will be mailed to your address on record as of December 30. Make sure your W-2 is sent to the correct address by checking your address in UConnect. If your address is not up to date, please update it now. W-2s will be mailed by January 31, 2023.
Speed Cameras Target School Zone Safety
On December 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to launch a pilot program that will have 10 speed monitoring devices (speed cameras) installed throughout the county. These cameras will be in nine school zones and one construction zone.
Studies show that speed camera enforcement is effective in improving safety by reducing speeding, accidents, and injuries. Thanks to our county partners for helping to improve the safety of our students and staff. Read more about the school zone speed camera pilot program.
New on the Blog This Week
We’re loving the feedback we’re receiving on stories in the Employee News Blog! Visit the blog this week to share your favorite traditions when it comes to winter holidays and more! Be sure to revisit the blogs below to see feedback from your colleagues:
Also, visit the Winter Professional Development page for updated offerings.
Strategic Planning Community Forums Scheduled
Beginning January 30, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. The completed schedule and locations for the sessions are posted on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage.
Tuition Reimbursement Opens January 1
The portal to apply for reimbursement of Fall 2022 courses will be open January 1-January 31, 2023. Interested and eligible contracted employees may apply for up to $700 in reimbursement for one course that ended between September 1 and December 31, 2022. Please review the priority list for the annual maximum allowed in each priority group. Select “How are requests prioritized?” on the FAQ page. Detailed information is available on the Tuition Reimbursement page in the Employee Hub.
Tuition reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the current priority list. Apply through the Tuition Reimbursement Portal (VPN Required). Remember to have your Tuition Paid Receipt and Grade Report handy to complete the request. Please email Tuitionbenefits@fcps.edu for more information.
Tutor.com Testimonials
Are you curious about the experience our families have had with Tutor.com? FCPS parents have provided some feedback:
- “As a parent, I logged in for the first time to see what my student could expect here. The tutor I chatted with was very helpful with my questions and gave me some great tips to try with my child. Next time, I will log in with my child and hopefully match with a tutor that will help him realize learning can be done in different ways.” —Elementary School Parent
- “My child used tutor.com last night and said her math tutor was EXCELLENT. She was happy and so now I'm happy, too, as she's been grinding it out solo in the hardest math.” —High School Parent
Unless they have been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
10K a Day Wellness Challenge Winners
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 10K a Day wellness challenge and motivated teams at your site. You did a great job inspiring others through pictures and messages on the Walking Wall.
Congratulations to the elementary, middle, and high schools with the highest active participation (logging every day) based on the total headcount for their school! They received a $500 Amazon gift card for the use of approved wellness programs and activities.
The winning schools are: Clermont Elementary School, South County Middle School, and Bryant High School.
We look forward to joining you for Employee Wellness’ next virtual challenge and hope you maintain healthy habits during the holidays.
Please visit the Employee Wellness Programs page on the Employee Hub for more information.
Employee Wellness Virtual Fitness Classes
The Employee Wellness team invites you to get into the holiday spirit while staying fit. Join us for fun virtual fitness classes ranging from Yoga, Stretch, Zumba, and Cardio. Virtual classes are appropriate for all fitness levels, and no equipment is needed. Attendees will be entered into a raffle to receive wellness prizes. For links to the virtual classes, please visit Employee Wellness Programs or email employeewellness@fcps.edu.
Calendar Reminder: Winter Break
As a reminder, winter break will be held December 19, 2022, to January 2, 2023. Twelve-month employees 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. We look forward to welcoming students and teachers back in the new year. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
See the Employee Calendar and the 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
The next issue of Employee News will be sent on Tuesday, January 3. Enjoy the break!
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 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 the Employee COVID-19 Resources page on the Employee Hub.
FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees
The FCPS Online Classifieds system—which is for employees only and can be found on the Hub—is a free way for employees to post ads for personally owned items that they are seeking to buy, sell, or give away. It's also a great tool to help an employee look for someone to share a ride to work, find a roommate, or rent real estate. The FCPS Online Classifieds system is completely self-service, and allows users to post new ads or update or renew existing ads at any time. View a complete list of rules and frequently asked questions.
For more information, contact Andy Grunig.
School Board Meeting on December 15 at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, December 15, 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:
- Public Testimony on Collective Bargaining (during the public hearing).
- Presentation on Capital Improvements.
- FY23 Mid-Year Budget Review.
- Proposed New Policy 3290, Parental Notification Regarding Instructional Materials with Sexually Explicit Content.
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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