Congratulations to all of our teachers who recently achieved National Board Certification status, including Haeyoung Lee (holding flowers), a learning disabilities teacher at Mount Vernon High School.
School Board Approves Collective Bargaining Resolution
At their March 9 meeting, the Fairfax County School Board voted to approve the FCPS Collective Bargaining Resolution. Collective bargaining is a process by which an employer (such as FCPS) negotiates with a group of employees (a bargaining unit) that is represented by a bargaining agent (such as a union or association) over terms and conditions of employment. Visit the Collective Bargaining page on the Employee Hub to learn more.
What You Need to Know About Employee Political Activity
As the 2023 election cycle approaches, please take a moment to review the policies and regulations governing FCPS employee political activity, including:
All employees are encouraged to engage in their constitutional rights as citizens, but they are not permitted to involve their schools or workplaces in political campaigns, or engage in campaign activities during official employment hours. Employees are also not permitted to use FCPS technology resources, including email accounts, for campaign activities or to advocate for political causes.
If you have questions about what political activities are permitted or prohibited, please contact the Office of Equity and Employee Relations at 571-423-3070.
FCPS CARES Recipient Is a Lifesaving Asset
Melvin Marroquin-Andaluz, a custodian at Oakton Elementary School and FCPS CARES recipient in December 2022, is “a wonderful asset to our Oakton community,” said his nominator Counselor Kim Theberge.
Although his usual demeanor is kind, thoughtful, and positive, an unusual event inspired Kim to nominate Melvin. One day during lunch duty (which he volunteers for), Melvin noticed a student choking and quickly performed life saving techniques on them. Kim adds, “Afterwards, he was very humble and said he was happy to help.”
Thank you, Melvin, and to all the December FCPS CARES recipients! Also recognized that month were:
- Lisa Alonso-Sibenik, Willow Oaks; and Erin Whatley, Joe Berret, Lisa Forrest, and Mark Holbrook, Gatehouse Administration Center.
- Gregory Webdale, Marshall High School.
- Rosa Dobarco, Fort Hunt Elementary School.
- Traci Power, Nancy Sawicki, and Laura Conover, Kings Park Elementary School.
- Michael Ferraris, Woodson High School.
FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Read more about all of the winners. Learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee.
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Academic Matters: Work-Based Learning Experiences
At the March 9 School Board Meeting, Superintendent Reid shared information on work-based learning experiences for students that help develop career readiness.
High School Assessment and Grading Survey
Instructional Services is conducting a survey to gather perceptions and preferences around assessments and grading elements. High school-based staff, high school students, and families will be surveyed. School staff will be asked about experiences with assessment and grading, and grading practices and policies.
The survey results will be used along with information from student focus groups, research, best practices, and benchmarking to propose recommendations to the School Board later this spring. Surveys will be sent Monday, March 20, and staff will have until Friday, March 31, to respond. For more information, contact Michael Gillespie in Instructional Services.
Protect Against Phishing: Never Share Passwords or MFA
The FCPS Information Technology (IT) team is seeing an increase in email phishing attacks targeting employees. FCPS IT staff will never request your password via email, Google form, phone call, text message, or any other means. If you receive a message requesting your password, please forward it or send a screenshot to cybersecurity@fcps.edu.
Additionally, FCPS IT will never ask you to share a multi-factor authentication (MFA) passcode, nor should anyone else ask you to share that code. Do not share MFA codes with anyone for any reason.
When IT observes unusual log-in behavior on an FCPS account, they may lock that account to investigate.
If you find yourself locked out of an account or receive a request that you believe may be phishing and are unsure of what to do, contact the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@fcps.edu or 703-503-1600 immediately, so they can help you regain access. You can monitor sign-ins on your FCPS Microsoft account when logged in on your FCPS computer.
Celebrating Music and Art Heroes in Our Schools
This month, we celebrate all art and music programs in our schools—and the FCPS heroes who help our students learn and appreciate all forms of art. James Monroe and Nicole Anderson-Morgan, who teach general music and chorus at Mason Crest Elementary School, are a dynamic team. They have worked in tandem to build a strong, cohesive music curriculum for all students at Mason Crest. They have created an environment where students feel supported and are not afraid to make mistakes because, as one student stated, "mistakes grow our brains."
Who is your FCPS hero? Tell us more about them in the Employee Blog!
Youth Art and Music in Our Schools Month
The Council for Art Education has designated March as National Youth Art Month, encouraging support for quality school art programs and promoting art material safety. March has also been designated by the National Association for Music Education as Music in Our Schools Month®, when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.
Inspired by “Ah-Ha!” Moments
Mary Fernandez, a kindergarten teacher at Fox Mill Elementary School, did not always think about becoming a teacher. But she knew she wanted to help children. After working at a private school, her “spark” for education was lit.
Mary decided to return to school to obtain her masters in education with a focus on early childhood, “because it is amazing to watch my students have those 'ah-ha! moments' and build their skills throughout the year," she says.
What sparked your interest in working for FCPS? Tell us in the Employee Blog!
Considering a career change? Learn about becoming a teacher.
Virtual Strategic Planning Community Forums Coming Soon
We invite employees, parents/caregivers, students, and community members to join us for a virtual community forum to discuss the first draft of proposed goals for the new Strategic Plan. Forums are scheduled for Monday, April 10, at noon; Tuesday, April 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (in Spanish); and Monday, April 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration links will be available soon.
Principals and Central Office directors are also continuing to host “reality check” sessions with their staff. Please remember to complete a feedback form as an “exit ticket” from that session. Your input will help us know whether we are headed in the right direction—one that will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student. Get more information on our Strategic Planning webpage.
Immigrant Family Reunification Facilitator Training
The Families Reunite Program walks parents through a process of reconnecting with their children after spending one or more years separated, with the goal of establishing a stronger family dynamic. Family and School Partnerships is hosting an online, two-day training for staff interested in becoming reunification facilitators on Monday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 21, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
The training will include national and local immigration statistics; information on immigrant family reunification and how it impacts children; strategies that promote positive family reunions between caregivers and children, and encourage successful school experiences for newcomers; and strategies for dealing with grief and trauma, and building resilience. Both sessions are required. Register for this training.
Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Department of Special Services will be hosting two virtual meetings for the FCPS community regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. Please join one of the meetings below via Zoom (click the date to register):
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the suggested updates and ask questions via Zoom Chat. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish. A certified deaf interpreter will be available as well.
Beginning Monday, March 20, staff and families will also be able to provide input on proposed updates to the SR&R via an online feedback form. Please stay tuned for details. Visit FCPS’ website for more information.
Register for the Deskercise Webinar
Have you ever felt tired and sluggish at work? Do you notice tension in your neck and back pain in the middle of your workday? Spending many of our waking hours sitting at a desk can lead to consequences for our health. However, it can be difficult to find time to exercise.
Register for the Deskercise: Taking Care of Your Body During the Workday webinar to learn practical, easy ways to take care of your body while working at a desk. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 15, at 4 p.m. Attendees will be entered in a raffle for wellness prizes.
Find additional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar recordings on the Hub EAP page.
Join Wellbeats’ Improve Your Mood with Food Program
Whether you are experiencing the blues or need a pick-me-up, food can be a powerful way to improve your mood and energy. Discover how to incorporate healthier options with the Wellbeats Food and Mood Program. Find out:
- The connection between food and your mood.
- Ways to combat cravings and fuel your body.
- How to improve your digestion.
- Tips for maintaining your energy levels.
Join the Wellbeats Food and Mood Program today!
Forgot your login or new to Wellbeats? Click "Login" and enter your FCPS email address. Then, click "Forgot My Password." Check your email for a link from Wellbeats to create a new password. Please email support@wellbeats.com for any account issues.
Calendar Reminder: Ramadan
This year, the first day of Ramadan is Wednesday, March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
Ramadan begins with a half “O Day” on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
Collaborating with Businesses and Community Groups
School leaders looking to learn about partnering with local businesses are encouraged to attend an upcoming Partnerships Virtual Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to noon, on Tuesday, March 21; Tuesday, April 18; or Tuesday, May 16.
Learn what defines an Ignite Partnership, ways to find a partner, if you can join an existing partnership, and the successes and challenges that a partnership brings.
Each Lunch and Learn will last 30 minutes, which includes a brief overview followed by a Q&A.
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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