Sean Youngberg, a teacher at Graham Road Elementary School, leads a class in a math lesson.
New Regulation and Background Checks for All Employees
In a continuing effort to provide safe schools and workplaces for all students and staff, all FCPS employees (including hourly staff, temporary employees, and substitutes) will be reviewed through the Virginia Sex Offender Registry starting this month. This is the first step of a process that will expand over the coming school year. Employees will be notified directly by the Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER) if there is a concern that needs to be addressed.
New Regulation 4116 details the process. The regulation requires employees to disclose and notify EER, at selfreport@fcps.edu, of any arrests—including misdemeanors, felonies, or acts that impact a person’s ability to work—that happened after being hired and while employed at FCPS. Employees will be asked to acknowledge this regulation on an annual basis.
Employees should refer to the email sent from Superintendent Reid earlier today for additional details. An FAQ page on the Employee Hub is also available. For general questions, contact hrconnection@fcps.edu or 571-423-3000.
🚍 FCPS Bus Drivers and Attendants Rounded Up for Road-eo Competition
About 250 school bus drivers, families, and community members turned out for this year’s Bus Road-eo hosted by the Office of Transportation (OTS). Back for the first time since 2007, this exciting team-building event brings together families and the community through fun and friendly competition. Read more about the Road-eo.
🏆 Lead by Example: Be a Champion of Recognition!
Feeling appreciated is an essential part of job satisfaction. Receiving praise from our peers reinforces a positive self-image, encourages a shared sense of purpose, and promotes engagement in the workplace.
Throughout the division, teams and individuals are achieving outstanding results that impact others through innovative and collaborative initiatives supporting FCPS’ values and goals. If you know a team or employee that deserves to be recognized and rewarded this year, let us know! Visit the Excellence Awards Employee Hub page and complete a nomination by Thursday, May 11.
“A Constant Positive Force”
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“Our Heroes” is an ongoing series of portraits of FCPS staff told by colleagues, parents, students, and community members.
Watch this FCPS Heroes video to learn why sixth grade teacher Joslyn Siddiqi is called “a blessing” to Forest Edge Elementary School.
“If you're coming into sixth grade next year and you get Ms. Siddiqi, you're very, very lucky,” a student says.
Read more about her on the Employee Blog and tell us who is a hero in your community!
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Also on the Employee Blog…
”I studied English and American literature in college in my home country, and I was amazed by the positive impact of learning about other people’s languages and cultures in shaping our identities and making us who we are, in addition to getting us closer to those people," says Wisam Moula, Arabic language teacher. Read more on the Employee Blog and tell us what inspires you.
Lawson and UConnect Maintenance and Updates
Please be advised that there will be scheduled maintenance for the Lawson and UConnect portals Friday, April 28, at 5 p.m., through the morning of Monday, May 1. Both portals will be unavailable during this time.
After the upgrade, Uconnect will have an updated look and feel. Directions for how to access your human resources and payroll information will be included on the refreshed UConnect landing page.
Thank You, School Administrative Professionals!
Wednesday, April 26, is Administrative Professionals Day! Please be sure to thank all of our administrative assistants, office assistants, and other office staff on Wednesday. What would we do without them?
Aubrey Hopkins Midgley, an administrative assistant at Cooper Middle School, is featured in the latest Our Heroes video. Her positive energy and can-do spirit have had a tremendous impact on the lives of Cooper students, staff, and community members. Learn more on the Employee Blog and tell us about someone who positively affects your workplace.
Parent Resource Center Is Now the Family Resource Center
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center has changed its name to the Family Resource Center (FRC), as a way to acknowledge and support the broad diversity of families in our community. The FRC continues to offer a wide range of essential resources and education for caregivers and students including:
Families can find printable resource guides and details about the center’s free lending library on FRC’s homepage. They may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.
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Recap: Fentanyl and Other Drugs in FCPS
Families, students, staff, and community members gathered at Woodson High School Monday, April 24, to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs. An earlier event in March presented the topic in a broad sense, addressing the causes and impacts of substance use. Monday’s event narrowed that focus to our schools.
Division staff and county partners presented data about drug use and helpful advice for families. Principals shared experiences and offered ways families can support students and each other as we work to address this ongoing issue. All attendees received REVIVE! Narcan training and left with a supply of narcan.
This important conversation will continue. In the coming weeks, five high schools will host the Silent No More program presented by the Department of Justice.
Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and get help for yourself or loved ones.
Northern Virginia Opioid Response Survey
Would you like to share your thoughts on the resources needed to address the opioid epidemic in Northern Virginia? The Northern Virginia Opioid Response Network is seeking input on potential uses of opioid settlement funds. Take the survey by Friday, May 12.
Community Conversation: School Safety and Security
FCPS will host a community conversation to discuss our approach to safety and security, and the work we do every day to keep our schools safe. Join us Monday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South Lakes High School.
FCPS staff and experts will review our risk assessment processes, the physical measures we already have in place to protect our students and staff, pilot programs to detect vaping, and how we communicate and collaborate with our partners when there is an incident at our schools.
We’re Getting Closer to Having a New Strategic Plan!
Today, the School Board held a retreat to review Strategic Plan feedback that has been gathered so far. Later this week, staff, parents/caregivers, students, and community members will have a final opportunity to provide feedback on the latest version of the draft goals, measures, and pillars. Please stay tuned for the survey link, which will be sent to your FCPS email account.
As Dr. Reid said in her Weekly Reflections, “We are moving closer to having clear and specific goals that will drive our work from now until 2030.” Thank you for being part of this important work! Learn more about the Strategic Planning process.
Learning to Improve Conference
The FCPS/GMU iLEAD team is excited to host the first ever Learning to Improve Conference at George Mason University. Participants will learn to address problems of practice that aim to correct inequities and improve educational outcomes for students in the following areas:
- Access and opportunities in math, literacy, and college access programs.
- Achievement in math and literacy.
- Student discipline and attendance processes.
- Parent and community engagement.
- Central Office programs, projects, and systems.
The registration fee is $15. Please use this link to register.
Are You a School Leader? Wondering If Administration Is for You?
The George Mason University Education Leadership Program is accepting applications for our new regional cohort for FCPS educators for the Fall 2023 semester. The application deadline is Tuesday, August 15.
Our regional cohort program is offered in a hybrid format to accommodate the busy schedule of working educators. If you are interested in advancing your career by earning a master’s degree or advanced Certificate in Education Leadership, register to learn more at a virtual information session on Tuesday, May 2, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
For more details, contact the Mason Education Leadership Program office at edleprog@gmu.edu, or call 703-993-3633.
2023 FCPS Hall of Fame
Educate Fairfax was proud to introduce the 2023 Class of Inductees to the FCPS Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 19. This distinguished group of 12 individuals spans four decades and represents high schools from across Fairfax County. Visit the Educate Fairfax website to learn more about them, view photos from the event, or to nominate an alumnus for the 2024 FCPS Hall of Fame.
Register for the Special Education Conference Today!
The annual FCPS Special Education Conference will take place on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to -12:15 p.m. Please register now for this virtual event. FCPS educators can receive five recertification points for attending five synchronous and/or asynchronous sessions. Speakers will address topics including:
- Five Ways to De-escalate Dysregulated or Defiant Children.
- Unstuck and On Target: Improving Executive Function, On-Task and Flexible Behavior in Students from Pre-K through High School.
- Worry and Anxiety: Using Evidence Based Strategies to Help Kids, Adults, and Caregivers Cope.
- Fostering Resilience and Healthy Self-Esteem in Children with Big Emotions.
Watch the video for information about guest speakers and other important details.
2023 SSEAC Election Announcement
The Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council (SSEAC) will elect five representatives to serve a two-year term for their specific community-of-interest group listed below.
Representatives serve as liaisons between management and employees:
- Group 1 – Bus Drivers and Attendants.
- Group 2 – Central Office Clerical/Technical.
- Group 4 – Custodial and Plant Operations.
- Group 5 – Trades/Maintenance/Security.
- Group 6 – Finance Support and Supply Operations.
- Group 7 – Management and Administration.
- Group 9 – School-Based Clerical.
One person will be elected to serve a three-year term to represent Group 10 – At Large.
Interested employees must submit an electronic nomination petition and a candidate statement of contribution. The SSEAC Election Petition outlines the election process. The Office of Equity and Employee Relations must receive required materials via email at Skburris@fcps.edu by Friday, April 28. An electronic election will be held May 16-18. For more information, contact Sherri Burris at 571-423-3252.
📚 School Library Month
In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth. Watch this video to learn how FCPS librarians make a difference.
🚴 Bike to School Day
May has been celebrated as Bike Month since 1956 to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to give biking a try. Fairfax County has an extensive network of both paved and natural surface bike trails. Access a map to all the trails in Fairfax County.
Wednesday, May 3, is Bike to School Day. You may register as a school, family, or neighborhood. Plan your ride whether you ride to school, to a park, or just within your neighborhood. Register for Bike to School Day.
☑️ FCPS Feedback Opportunities
ESSER III COVID Relief
FCPS received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding beginning in the fall of 2021. The funds are being used to support the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.
FCPS is seeking feedback on how well the school division is responding to the ESSER III focus areas including:
- ensuring continuity of learning services and addressing students’ academic needs.
- maintaining the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff.
- addressing student wellness including their social, emotional, mental health, and other needs.
Please provide your input on this form by Friday, May 5. Your response will inform the School Board and FCPS staff on the community’s view of our work.
Share Your Thoughts About Teaching This School Year
FCPS’ Office of Research and Strategic Improvement (ORSI) is gathering information about FCPS’ teaching and learning efforts via the Spring 2023 ESSER/Return to School Survey. A survey link was sent to all classroom and resource teachers via email. Please complete the survey by Monday, May 1.
Your perspective is vital to understanding the successes and challenges students and teachers have experienced. Survey feedback will help inform the School Board, superintendent, and Leadership Team about the division’s efforts in meeting student academic and wellness needs as well as staff needs. If you have questions about the survey, please email ORSI at research@fcps.edu.
School Board Meeting on April 27 at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. Agenda highlights include:
- Safety and Security Presentation.
- Local Special Education Annual Plan and Report 2023-24.
- Awarding of Contracts.
See the complete agenda. 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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