Joy Carr, a kindergarten teacher, leads a lesson at Union Mill Elementary School.
2022-23 Employee Engagement Survey Results
The results from the 2022-23 Employee Engagement Survey are now available on the Employee Hub for your individual school, department, or office. In total, 20,034 employees took the survey—a 73% response rate! Employee feedback will inform division and school improvement planning to ensure every employee feels supported and valued.
Elementary Planning Time
During Superintendent Reid’s recent Teacher Town Halls, a number of elementary school teachers shared their concerns about a lack of adequate and protected planning time, and inconsistent implementation across the division. Several working groups have been established to explore budget-neutral ways to enhance and protect teacher-directed planning time at the elementary school level for the upcoming school year. These groups include teachers and specialists (e.g., librarians, school-based technology specialists, advanced academic resource teachers, and school counselors). Principals are participating as well.
On May 15, approximately 350 teachers and specialists provided feedback and ideas during three virtual forums. In addition, our asynchronous feedback form received 1,271 responses. Please stay tuned for updates regarding the effort to increase elementary planning time.
💲 Tuition Reimbursement Window Opening
The portal to apply for reimbursement of Spring 2023 courses will be open Thursday, June 1, through Tuesday, June 30. Contracted employees may apply for up to $700 in reimbursement for one course that ended between January 1 and May 15, 2023.
Tuition reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the current priority list. Detailed information on the priority list, how to submit the request, and the documents needed for upload, is available on the Tuition Reimbursement page on the Employee Hub.
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.
📓 Chantilly Teacher Realizes Dream
Luc Nguyen knew in kindergarten that he wanted to become a teacher. Although he applied to districts across Northern Virginia, there was something about Chantilly High School and FCPS that felt like the right fit. Read more about Luc’s journey and background on the Employee Blog. While you’re there, share with us what brought you to FCPS.
Want to become a teacher for FCPS? Learn how!
Also on the Employee Blog This Week…
Read about a congressional honor bestowed on a Lake Braddock teacher.
Charting Our Course for the Future
As Dr. Reid mentioned in her Weekly Reflections, the School Board held a work session last Thursday, where they completed the pillars of our new Strategic Plan. Also, the final survey closed last Wednesday; 8,095 participants weighed in!
The Strategic Plan will be presented as new business at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 25. Find out where to view the Board meeting. Visit FCPS' website to learn about our Strategic Planning process.
Student Assessment Results Coming Soon
Starting in late May, caregivers will receive reports for assessments their children completed this spring. A list of tests by grade level is available. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE, by mail, or from the school or testing organization. See what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Some families will also receive a Virginia’s Visualization and Analytics Solution (VVAAS) Student Assessment Summary report with historical Standards of Learning (SOL) test results from 2015-2022.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Spreadsheets Got You Down?
Operational Staff: Are you looking to learn or enhance your technology application skills? Look no further than the latest Bridges offerings! June and July courses are now available for registration in MyPDE, including:
Most courses will be offered in person. Click the topics above to register. Please email Academy@fcps.edu with any questions.
Summer Teacher Leadership Cohorts
This summer, two teacher leadership cohorts will be offered for those interested in learning how to create professional learning environments that cultivate collaboration, continuous learning, and transparency.
In the Emerging Teacher Leadership Cohort, participants develop skills and strategies to support adult learners and explore strategies for managing common challenges and conflict. In the Developing Teacher Leadership Cohort, participants will develop skills that build collaborative cultures and learn how to have conversations that promote student-focused reflection. These cohorts complement each other and can be taken in any order.
Summer Academy Registration Open
Looking for an engaging way to enhance your professional development this summer? Check out the Summer Academy Course Catalog with more than 40 offerings. Academy courses are designed for all FCPS teachers with learning outcomes that are immediately applicable with students in any classroom.
Whether you're looking to brush up on the latest teaching techniques, explore innovative ways to engage students, or dive deeper into your subject matter, the Summer Academy has something for you! Registration opens at 5 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 23. See how to register or email Academy@fcps.edu with questions.
Is School Administration the Next Step for You?
The George Mason University Education Leadership Program is accepting applications for its regional cohort for FCPS educators for the Fall 2023 semester. The admission application deadline is Tuesday, August 15. 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 at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, or Wednesday, June 21. For more information, email edleprog@gmu.edu or call 703-993-3633.
North TIER Summer Course Registration
North TIER has a wonderful summer line-up of online professional development courses. View their summer advertisement for course catalog details and information on how and where to register. Contact Aron Sterling with questions.
🎓Graduation Celebration: What Was the Highlight of Your High School Graduation?
As we celebrate the class of 2023, we invite you to look back at your high school graduation.
What year did you graduate from high school? Did you graduate from a Fairfax County public school? What was the highlight of the day for you?
Share with us on the Employee Blog, or email us your response (and photos!) at EmployeeNews@fcps.edu and you may be featured in an upcoming blog.
Fairfax County Employee Retirement System (FCERS) Election Results
The unopposed election results for the Fairfax County Employee Retirement System (FCERS) Board of Trustees position identified Daniel McGraw, a bus driver floater at Stonecroft Transportation Center, as the continued FCPS FCERS representative. As the elected member of the FCERS Board of Trustees, Daniel’s four-year term will begin on July 1, 2023, and end on June 30, 2027. Learn about FCERS.
Register for EAP Webinar: Counseling and Therapy, Demystified
Register for the Counseling and Therapy, Demystified Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Webinar, on Wednesday, May 24, at 4 p.m., to gain perspective on what counseling and therapy truly look like and who can benefit. This workshop will explore myths associated with counseling, different approaches used in therapy, and appropriate levels of care.
Find additional EAP events on the Hub EAP page. Recordings of previous webinars can be found on the Recorded EAP Workshops page. Sign up for the EAP-Wellness Newsletter to get monthly updates and announcements.
📈 Building a Better Budget—Achieve Financial Wellbeing
FCPS employees are invited to a budgeting workshop with Katie Knight, community engagement officer at Apple Federal Credit Union (AFCU), at Willow Oaks Room 1000-A on Wednesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. Learn how to deal with the impacts of inflation, healthcare costs, and other topics while making progress toward getting out of debt, or saving for home improvements, vacations, or whatever your goals might be.
Seats are limited to 100 attendees. Sign up to reserve your spot. AFCU will raffle off one $25 gift card for every 25 attendees at the event. Please email questions to EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu or visit the Hub for more information.
Blood Drive, Free Breakfast for Those Who Donate
The Office of Facilities Management will host a blood drive at the Sideburn Support Center on Thursday, May 25, from 6 to 10 a.m. Register in advance. Breakfast will be provided for all who donate or attempt to donate!
💐 Memorial Day Holiday
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, for the Memorial Day holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 30. See the complete school year calendar. See the Employee Calendar.
School Board Meeting on May 25 at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, May 25, at 7 p.m. Agenda highlights include:
- FY 2024 Budget
- Strategic Plan
- Proposed 2023 School Bond Referendum
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 (Virtual Private Network) connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN). 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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