Principal KJ An, FCPS Honors 2023 Outstanding New Principal, welcomes a student as they enter Eagle View Elementary School. October is National School Principals Month. Thank you, principals, for the essential role you play in making our schools great!
👩‍⚕️ Open Enrollment for 2024: October 16-November 3
Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical or dental insurance, and enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) for the upcoming calendar year.Â
The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) will host two open houses to discuss 2024 benefits. Chat with benefit vendors — including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente — and OBS staff to get answers to your questions.Â
Look for more details in your annual Employee Benefits Briefing, which will arrive in your inbox soon. An electronic version will also be available on the Open Enrollment webpage, where you can find up-to-date benefits announcements, materials, and resources.
Providing Students With Access to Learning
FCPS is committed to serving the needs of each and every student. For Quinton, pictured above, that includes providing cutting-edge assistive technology that allows him to communicate through eye movement. Tools such as these allow Quinton to participate in his kindergarten classroom.Â
Watch this video to learn more about Quinton and how FCPS is helping unlock opportunities for him.
Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference
The 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in the Department of Special Services, will be held Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at West Springfield High School.Â
The RATE Conference focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students. Parents/caregivers, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to attend.Â
Check out the conference webpage to register, and to view the schedule and session descriptions.
🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Employee Conversations across the school division this fall. Events are planned for:
These events are an opportunity for employees to share thoughts and ask questions. Keep in mind that Dr. Reid would like to hear from you at any time of the year. Visit the superintendent’s webpage to submit a question or email superintendent@fcps.edu. Your voice matters!
đź’˛ Strengthen Your Financial Health
Join the Employee Wellness team and Apple Federal Credit Union on Wednesday, October 4, 5-6 p.m., in the Gatehouse Administration Center Café for a financial wellbeing workshop.
Learn how to pay down debt quickly, improve your credit score, start an emergency fund, and save for vacations, retirement, home mortgages, and insurance. Pizza will be provided. For more information contact EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
Register for FCPS Affinity Groups
The Office of Professional Learning and the Office of Equity and Cultural Responsiveness are excited to announce affinity groups to provide FCPS educators and staff with a safe place to build community, share stories, and find support from others with similar identities and backgrounds. This includes:
- Affinity groups for Asian Educators, Black Educators, Latinx Educators, LGBTQIA+ Educators, Neurodiverse Educators, Military-Connected Educators, Middle Eastern Educators, and Aspiring Leaders of Color.
- Support for new and veteran teachers, such as monthly group meetings and connection with an FCPS mentor of the same affinity.
Affinity groups help employees feel welcome, improve retention, promote diversity and inclusion, and foster relationships. If you are interested in participating, please sign up or visit this Google site for more information.Â
If you need support forming an affinity group not mentioned above, please contact Julia Braxton or Manuel Gomez Portillo.
🏆 25 FCPS Schools Honored with Exemplar Awards
Twenty-five Fairfax County public schools have been awarded a 2023 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Award. Four schools received the Highest Achievement Exemplar Award, and 21 received the Continuous Improvement Exemplar Award. View the list of awardees.
đź“– Students Reading by the Third Grade
During the Academic Matters and strategic plan update segments of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented information about our divisionwide target to have students reading by third grade.Â
FCPS has continued to improve and refine our approach to reading over the last several years through our Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. Reading by third grade is also one of the measures of Goal 3 (Academic Growth and Excellence) in our 2023-30 strategic plan. Literacy is an essential skill. Research shows that a person’s chances of experiencing unemployment, underemployment, and incarceration are higher when they struggle with literacy.
By focusing on foundational skill instruction for our young readers and literacy intervention for upper grades, FCPS has made significant progress toward narrowing the achievement gaps in reading and writing. Watch this video to learn how Woodlawn Elementary School is undertaking this work.
đź’» It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month
In today's digital age, where technology is integral to our personal and professional lives, a wide range of sensitive information, including your personal information, could be stolen and used for criminal activities such as identity theft and financial fraud. Learn more below:
- Cybersecurity Fast Facts
- Education is impacted far more than any other industry by cybersecurity threats.
- School districts experience up to three weeks of loss of learning per breach.
- $3.65 million is the average cost of a data breach.
- Never exchange sensitive or confidential data via email.
- Do not use SMS for MFA. Use an authenticator App.
- Never share passwords or authenticator codes with anyone for any reason.
- Always report suspicious emails sent to your FCPS account using the PhishAlarm® button.
Get more information and register for Cybersecurity training on the Employee Hub.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Staff Development Day on October 9
Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 9, is a student holiday and staff development day. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian.Â
See the Standard School Year Calendar or the Employee Calendar.
âť“ HR Question? Ask FCPS StaffConnect
Additional topics are being added as part of the StaffConnect portal each week! Starting this week, employees can ask questions about salary and UConnect in StaffConnect.Â
This new application is replacing HR Connection. It can be used by current employees to request access to HR platforms, submit badge replacement requests, and ask questions about many other HR topics. Additional services will be available through this portal in the coming months.Â
Access FCPS StaffConnect on the Employee Hub or via the Contact Us page on the public website. Questions may also be directed to Human Resources at 571-423-3000.
October Is LGBTQIA+ History Month
LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
🚶 Last Call to Join the Walktober Challenge
Embrace the social and emotional benefits of regular physical activity. Reduce loneliness and build meaningful relationships by creating your Walktober team.
Watch this short video and “fall” into the Walktober experience. The Walktober challenge began Sunday, October 1.
Participate in team or individual competitions and enjoy the fun of walking outdoors. Register by Friday, October 6, to get moving and connect with your colleagues.
🚨 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Scheduled for October 4
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4, at 2:20 p.m.
We anticipate this may cause some disruption, as every cell phone should receive a text message. Also, any televisions and radios that are in use at the time will broadcast an alert. Read more in the FEMA news release.Â
This will only be a test. There is no cause for alarm. The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. If the October 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date will be October 11.
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.Â
Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!Â
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