Irving Middle School leaders are ready for the new year! Pictured (from left to right) are Carl Klein, Marguerite Gollinger, Cindy Conley, and Emily Cincinnati.
New Year, New Blog!
Have you visited the Employee News Blog lately? Please do and let us know what you think! Are you enjoying learning more about your colleagues? Celebrating each other’s accomplishments? Having a place to share feedback? What do you like most? Leave a comment on the blog.
Building/Renovation Plan Focuses on High Quality Facilities
FCPS outlined plans to build three new elementary schools and to acquire land that will be used for a new high school during the School Board meeting on December 15.
Other projects include three new and/or repurposed school facilities, the renovation of 25 schools, and the relocation of modular buildings. Timelines for capital projects will be posted on Capital Improvement Program (CIP) webpages, where individuals can follow the progress of each approved project.
The proposed CIP will be discussed at the January 10 School Board work session. A public hearing is scheduled for January 12. The School Board is scheduled to take action on February 9. Read more in the CIP news release.
School Improvements Supported by County Bonds
Capital projects reflect a $205 million investment approved by Fairfax County voters in the November 2021 bond referendum.
Funding allocations to FCPS from bond sales have increased in recent years due to positive collaboration and partnerships of the Joint CIP Committee of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the School Board. FCPS appreciates the continued support from Fairfax County leadership.
Voters will have the opportunity to approve additional bond funding for school projects included in the CIP in November 2023, which will support the division’s ability to continue to work through construction and renovation needs.
Forestdale Instructional Assistant: Love Personified
Colleagues and students describe Melissa Richardson, instructional assistant at Forestdale Elementary School in Springfield, as "love personified." Her selfless devotion to Forestdale students over the last 14 years has left an indelible impact on their hearts. Watch Melissa in action in our FCPS Hero video series.
Visit the Employee News Blog to tell us about your FCPS Hero.
New Health Plan ID Cards on the Way
Employees participating in FCPS health or dental plans should keep an eye out for their new identification (ID) cards. Any employee and eligible dependent(s) who changed health or dental coverage, including those who will be enrolled in the Cigna plan, should have received their new ID cards in the mail.
Please be sure to provide your new ID cards to your treating providers, so they are aware of your insurance change. If you have any questions, please email the Office of Benefit Services at HRConnection@fcps.edu or call 571-423-3200, Option 3.
Academic Matters: COVID Relief Spending
At the December 15 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented on how ESSER III funds are being used to support students and address learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, approximately $102.8 million of ESSER III funding has been allocated for student academic and wellness support. In the summer of 2021, FCPS served 34,000 students with robust, tuition-free summer programming. In 2022, we served 32,000 students.
The rate of FCPS academic recovery is outpacing Virginia as a whole. Reading performance is almost back to pre-pandemic levels after just one year. Math performance is progressing toward the pre-pandemic baseline. Watch the full presentation on YouTube.
ESSER III plans for each individual school can be found on each school’s website. For more information on FCPS ESSER III funding allocations, visit the ESSER III webpage.
COVID Diagnostic Testing in January
COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS employees 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 the Employee COVID-19 Resources page on the Employee Hub.
Health Department Has Updated Vaccines for Children
The Fairfax County Health Department has updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines available now for children as young as 6 months. This follows recommendations from the CDC and authorization from the FDA. Fairfax County District Offices will be open for vaccine appointments for children aged 6 months to 5 years by calling the Health Department's Call Center at 703-324-7404. Visit their website for more information on vaccines for children.
Professional Development: Supporting New Teachers Series
The Virtual Supporting New Teachers Series continues in 2023 for any instructional staff wanting to learn more about effectively supporting teachers who are new to their buildings. View the New Teacher Series flyer for session descriptions and links to register in MyPDE. Please email questions to GreatBeginnings@fcps.edu.
Virtual Instructional Coaching Program Information Nights
Teacher leaders interested in applying for the instructional coaching candidate pool for the 2023-24 school year are invited to attend one of two virtual information nights. During these events, teachers will learn more about the roles of an instructional coach, the FCPS instructional coaching model, and the qualifications and application process.
Registration is open in My PDE for sessions on January 31 from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. and February 9 from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. For more information, contact Michelle Lis at MLLIS@fcps.edu.
Administration and Supervision M.Ed. Cohort with UVA
The University of Virginia’s Administration & Supervision summer program is a synchronous online program that assists leaders as they guide teaching and learning, manage the complex needs of students and parents, and help orchestrate school reform. This program is designed for committed, talented educators who have strong academic credentials, demonstrated leadership potential, interest in reflection and inquiry, and a desire to improve educational programs for students. To learn more, register for the virtual information session for FCPS employees on Wednesday, January 18, at 4:30 p.m. The deadline to apply for summer admission is Wednesday, March 15.
Find more information on these opportunities (and others) on the Employee News Blog.
Tuition Reimbursement Window Is Open
The portal to apply for reimbursement of Fall 2022 courses is open through Tuesday, January 31. 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. Detailed information is available on the Tuition Reimbursement page on 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.
January Is Mentor Month: Become a Mentor
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet, one in three children lacks a mentor. All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentoring is not tutoring. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. The mission of the MentorWorks program is to eliminate gaps in opportunity, access, and achievement through mentoring and to ensure that every FCPS student can name an adult they can talk to. Mentors are matched with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. For more information on how to mentor students in FCPS or to learn more about mentoring partnerships with FCPS, please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
Who have you looked to as a mentor while working for FCPS? What kinds of support and encouragement have they provided? Email us at employeenews@fcps.edu, and you may be featured in a blog this month!
Calendar Reminder: Three Kings Day/Epiphany (“O”Day)
Three Kings Day (Friday, January 6), also known as the Epiphany, is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. This marks the official 12th day of Christmas. Learn more at National Geographic Kids.
FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day (O day). There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days.
See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
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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