February 15 is School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. Thank you to all our SROs for working hard to keep our schools safe every day!
We ❤️ FCPS!
Within FCPS, there are many married couples and "legacy" families. Beth (left), Todd (center), and their daughter Megan (right) all work as FCPS teachers. What do families like the Murphys love about the school division that keeps them all employed here? Find out on the Employee News Blog.
School Board Approves 2023-24 School Year Calendar
The Fairfax County School Board approved a calendar for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years at their February 9 meeting. Learn more about the approved calendar.
The first day of the 2023-24 school year will be Monday, August 21, and the last day will be Wednesday, June 12.
Developing a school year calendar is a balancing act, involving multiple factors that must be considered. Community input is one of those factors, and we appreciate our community for being involved in the calendar development process.
School Board Approves Construction and Renovation Plan
At its meeting last week, the School Board unanimously approved an annual update to the Fiscal Year 2024-28 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP outlines plans to build three new elementary schools and to acquire land that will be used for a new high school. Other projects include three new and/or repurposed school facilities, the renovation of 25 schools based on the existing renovation queue, and the relocation of modular buildings.
Project webpages will keep the public informed of the details and progress of each project. Updates will include engagement opportunities, project details and timelines, progress updates, and other information. View timelines for each approved project.
Fairfax County Public Schools relies on taxpayer-approved bond referendums to fund its Capital Improvement Program. The next school bond will be on the ballot for voters Tuesday, November 7.
Academic Matters: School-Based Mental Health Services
At the February 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented information on a recent U.S. Department of Education five-year, $13.5 million grant awarded to FCPS to support a School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Services project. Watch the presentation. Read the news release.
Final In-Person Strategic Planning Community Forums
The final in-person Community Forums will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m., at West Springfield High School, and Thursday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m., at Hunters Woods Elementary School. Click the date to register for that forum. Visit FCPS' Community Forums page for more information.
If you haven’t been able to make it to a forum (or even if you have), be sure to fill out our feedback form to let us know what keeps you optimistic about our school division and what your concerns and frustrations are.
Why Are You a Teacher? Tell Us!
"I feel it is my purpose to be a teacher," says Bailey Chandler, a teacher at Riverside Elementary School. "I am a teacher because I want to help my students grow into critical thinkers who can problem-solve issues that affect them and their communities."
Why do you teach? Tell us about it on the Employee News Blog. Considering a career switch? Learn more about becoming a teacher for FCPS.
Tutors Needed! Looking for a Flexible Position?
FCPS is now actively recruiting qualified tutors to provide in-person academic support to small groups of students. These new FCPS tutors will be paid an hourly rate of $47.17. The position is flexible, and the number of hours worked and location will be based on the tutor’s availability and qualifications, as well as the needs presented throughout FCPS. Apply now! Contact tutor@fcps.edu for more information.
Tutors hired through this program will be strategically placed across the region where there is the most need for in-person tutoring.
Note: Current FCPS staff can only apply to tutor outside of their contracted hours.
Tutor.com Is Still Available; Free for All FCPS Students
Online tutoring through Tutor.com is available to ALL FCPS students as a resource for both support and enrichment. Tutor.com remains available to all FCPS students at no cost. Find out more about Tutor.com.
North TIER Spring Course Registration
North TIER has a great line-up of online professional development courses. Their courses are still only $55 for a 30-hour course. Graduate credit has extra work and fees. View this spring advertisement for details and how and where to register. Seats fill quickly, so register early! Contact admin@northtier.org for more information.
Register for Upcoming Wellness Wednesday Webinars
These 45-60 minute Wednesday webinars are informative and engaging. They’re selected with our staff’s overall well-being in mind. Please join the live sessions to engage with the speaker. If you cannot make it, your registration will give you access to the recording after the session ends.
NOTE: Attendees of each session are entered in a raffle for wellness prizes!
Register by clicking the title of each topic below:
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Acceptance of Others, February 22, at 4:30 p.m.
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The Psychology Behind Saving Money and Other Good Financial Habits, March 1, at 4:30 p.m.
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Emotional Eating: The Connection Between Mood and Food, March 8, at 4:30 p.m.
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Deskercise! Taking Care of Your Body During the Work Day, March 15, at 4 p.m.
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Parenting a Child with Special Needs, April 12, at 4 p.m.
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Sleep: An Essential Component for Health and Well-being, April 19, at 4 p.m.
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Overcoming Your Distorted Negative Thinking, April 26, at 4 p.m.
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Enjoying Your Empty Nest, May 3, at 4 p.m.
Read session descriptions in the catalog. Access 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 1-855-355-9097. Sign up for our EAP-Wellness Newsletter to get monthly updates and announcements.
Request an On-Site Session for Your Work Location
If you would like to schedule an in-person workshop at your work location, please contact Helen Canepa. Workshops are 45-60 minutes long with audience participation. Please place requests at least 30 days in advance to secure the most qualified facilitator with Guidance Resources to be at your worksite.
February Is National Heart Health Month
Heart disease is a health condition that takes the lives of more than 500,000 people each year. According to the Fairfax County Health Department, it is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and Virginia. Thank you to all the schools and offices—including Nadya AbuRish and her class at Beech Tree Elementary School—for sharing your photos with Employee Wellness, participating in National Wear Red Day, and helping raise awareness for heart disease.
Calendar Reminders: Presidents Day
As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, for the Presidents Day holiday. Learn more about Presidents Day in Britannica.com. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 21. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
February Is Virginia School Boards Association Appreciation Month
Thank you to the Fairfax County School Board for all they do throughout the year: hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and reviewing and approving the FCPS budget, calendar, policies, and more! Want to contact your School Board representatives to share your appreciation? Visit their webpage.
How to Add Calendar Updates to Your Personal Calendar
Did you know you can subscribe to FCPS calendars so updates and new events will automatically be added to your Outlook or Google calendars?
You can subscribe to “All Calendars” or specific types of events, including School Year or Employee holidays, featured FCPS events, School Board meetings, fine and performing arts, or religious and cultural observances. To subscribe to updates, visit the subscription page, and click on the calendar to which you would like to subscribe.
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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