Thanks to all of our amazing bus drivers, including Jay Corwin (pictured above)! February is Love the Bus Month, and February 22 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
Employee Calendar Update
Last month, the work schedules for less-than-12-month employees were revised to reflect Friday, April 21, as a holiday. To make up this day, the work schedules for less-than-12-month employees were adjusted. View the revised Employee Calendar.
For additional flexibility, less-than-12-month employees may opt to work on Friday, April 21, instead of working their last scheduled work day at the end of the school year. Employees who wish to exercise this option must follow up with their principal or program manager to make and document arrangements by Saturday, April 1.
To ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees (eligible for overtime pay) who work on April 21 will need to report their time (B1) in MyTime. On their last scheduled work day, they will report Leave Without Pay (LW). Instructions for reporting time will be provided to time and attendance processors to share with staff.
For teacher scale personnel, Tuesday, June 20, and Wednesday, June 21, remain designated as “optional work from alternate location” days. Teacher scale personnel may also opt to work on April 21, instead of working on June 21.
Please contact hrconnection@fcps.edu with questions.
Our Heroes: A TJHSST Athletic Trainer
Dr. Heather Murphy is referred to by some as an "institution" at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Her colleagues say that TJ sports would not be where it is today without her guidance, expertise, and kind heart as an athletic trainer. Learn more about Heather on the Employee News blog.
Share Your Thoughts with Us!
What keeps you optimistic about FCPS? What are your concerns? Answer these and two other questions on our Strategic Plan Feedback Form, and help shape our school division’s future.
Parental Notifications and Policy 3290: Sexually Explicit Content
A Virginia law passed in spring 2022 requires schools to create a policy for parental notification of sexually explicit content/materials. In December 2022, the School Board adopted FCPS Policy 3290: Parental Notification Regarding Instructional Materials with Sexually Explicit Content.
FCPS has had policies in place for many years regarding the review of instructional materials, communication with parents, and options for alternative instructional materials.
An expectation of this new policy is the 30-day parental notification requirement of sexually explicit content in instructional materials assigned or selected by teachers. After reviewing the notification letter, parents or caregivers who prefer to choose alternative instructional materials for their child must submit this form to the appropriate teacher within the 30-day notification window. View Policy 3290 for more information.
“I Can Feel My Brain Getting Stronger:” ESSER Funds at Work
Roughly 35 students at Brookfield Elementary School are receiving intervention services in reading; about 40 receive similar small group help in math. The teachers are trained to help students overcome any learning gaps that may have been made worse by the pandemic.
The intervention teachers’ salaries, training, and instructional materials are all funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief aid (ESSER III) funding—money given to states by the federal government to help address any pandemic-related issues that may be impacting students.
It appears to be paying off. Third-grader Justin struggled to identify most letters and sounds in fall 2021. He has made more than two years of progress in his reading skills in one academic year, according to testing data maintained by his school. Read more about this ESSER project.
A Journey Across the World to Be an FCPS Teacher
Catherine Lee, a multiple disabilities teacher at Powell Elementary School, moved to the United States from Hong Kong 11 years ago. Her family was looking for a place where her son could receive the special education support he needed, “so he could grow at his own pace,” she says.
“I was so impressed by the support offered by FCPS; I studied and became a special education teacher myself!” Read more about Catherine's journey on the Employee News Blog.
What brought you to FCPS? Tell us! Considering a career switch? Learn more about becoming a teacher for FCPS.
We ❤️ Engagement! Employee Blog Updates
Thank you to all who emailed us and commented on social media posts about our FCPS families. We love all the engagement! Be sure to visit that post for some new stories.
Have a story idea for us? Email employeenews@fcps.edu.
FCPS to Honor Retirees on Wednesday, May 3
The annual retirement ceremony, We Honor You—Celebrating Your Service to FCPS, will be held on Wednesday, May 3, at 6 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The evening will begin with an hors d’oeuvre reception for retirees, their family, and friends. The reception will be followed by a recognition ceremony with the superintendent, Leadership Team, and the School Board.
Employees planning to retire should submit their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) as soon as possible. Print invitations will be mailed in mid-March to those who have retired since the Spring 2022 retirement ceremony and who plan to retire prior to December 31, 2023. Find more information on this year’s retirement ceremony as well as previous events. Contact WeHonorYou@fcps.edu with questions.
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. Check out North TIER's spring advertisement for details and how and where to register. Seats fill quickly, so register early! Contact admin@northtier.org for more information.
Every Drop Counts: Donate Blood
FCPS' Office of Facilities Management will host a blood drive Thursday, March 9, from 6 to 10 a.m., at the Sideburn Support Center. Book your appointment.
The Inova Blood Donor Services Bloodmobile will be parked in the lot across from the main entrance. Photo ID and surgical face masks required. Please allow one hour for your donation.
Human Capital Management Software Solution
Employees from the Department of Human Resources, Financial Services, Information Technology, Office of Professional Learning, as well as other Central Office and school-based staff have spent the last nine months completing the preliminary steps of a multiphase project to replace our human resource information system (HRIS), Lawson, with a new Human Capital Management (HCM) software solution.
Project goals include automating and simplifying business processes using updated software tools, elevating employee experience and engagement throughout the hire to retire employment life cycle, and providing better visibility around workforce data for decision making.
The HCM Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on January 13, and represents the HR, payroll, and learning management requirements of FCPS moving toward a secure, modern, and cloud-based technology solution. Vendor proposal submission will end Tuesday, March 7, and cross-departmental teams have been formed to participate on the Selection and Technical Advisory Committees to select FCPS’ new HCM software solution. The outcome of the RFP process is expected to be shared in early fall.
Calendar Reminder: School Planning Day March 3
Students have an early release on Thursday, March 2. There is no school for students on Friday, March 3, due to a school planning day (186, 188, and 191 personnel do not report). See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar and the Employee Calendar.
School Board Meeting on February 23 at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, February 23, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda (English only). Agenda highlights include:
Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
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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