Shaun Sawko (above), new executive director of Food and Nutrition Services, is sharing some of the upcoming changes to school lunches this National School Lunch Week.
Collective Bargaining Update
FCPS believes that collective bargaining will ensure employees feel seen, heard, and supported; and will position FCPS as an employer of choice. The Office of Labor Relations provides strategic leadership and direction to FCPS’ labor relations initiatives and collective bargaining functions.
FCPS has an approved Collective Bargaining Resolution (CBR), allowing FCPS to move toward the next stage of the process: certification of organizations seeking to become exclusive representatives of the bargaining units. Organizations that win elections will be able to bargain with FCPS for employee compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Please visit the Employee Hub for collective bargaining resources, including an outline of the bargaining process, regular status updates, and FAQs.
👩⚕️ Open Enrollment Starts Monday, October 16
Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in medical or dental insurance or to make changes to your existing plans. You can also enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) for the upcoming calendar year.
The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) will host two open houses to discuss 2024 benefits. Speak to benefit vendors, including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente, and OBS staff to get answers to your questions.
Open houses will be held:
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Thursday, October 19, 4-7 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School (Cafeteria).
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Tuesday, October 24, 4-7 p.m., at Chantilly High School (Cafeteria).
Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for additional details.
🎤 Share Your Thoughts About FCPS
Employee Conversations continue across the school division as Dr. Reid invites employees to share their thoughts and questions. Upcoming conversations will take place on:
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.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 911.
Opportunity to Evaluate FCPS’ Website
FCPS will be working with our website vendor to enhance user experience on the school division’s website. This will include improving key elements such as design, layout, navigation, content, and accessibility.
Your input is an important part of this process. A staff and community survey will be sent next week. The survey will provide an opportunity to tell us how the website works for you and what could be improved.
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📱 Smartphone Security Tips
For the second week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are sharing ways to stay safe while using our smartphones. Being vigilant about cybersecurity is crucial, especially since cybercriminals can be incredibly cruel and persistent.
Follow the tips below to help keep you and your smartphone data protected:
- Reduce spam calls and texts. Register your home and mobile phone numbers for free with the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry.
- Don’t respond to unknown texts. Block and report unknown texts as spam. See how to manage this on Apple or Android devices.
- Don’t use SMS (texts) for sensitive data. SMS is unreliable and insecure. Just as you shouldn’t send sensitive information using unencrypted email, don’t send private information in text messages.
Visit the Office of Cybersecurity’s Hub page for additional Smartphone Security Tips.
Self-Reporting Through StaffConnect
As noted in Regulation 4116, employees must disclose and notify the Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER) of any arrests — including misdemeanors, felonies, or acts that impact a person’s ability to work — that occur after being hired and while employed at FCPS. This can now be done through StaffConnect.
Access FCPS StaffConnect on the Employee Hub or via the Contact Us page on the public website. You may also direct questions to Human Resources at 571-423-3000.
Brush Up on Engagement Skills with Academy Courses
Family and School Partnerships is offering an academy class for instructional staff who want to learn strategies to better meet the unique needs of military-connected youth. The class, Supporting Military-Connected Youth in FCPS, will provide a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning. The class will meet virtually on Wednesdays beginning November 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Interested staff members should register in MyPDE. Please contact Krystle Trammell for more information at kmtrammell@fcps.edu.
🍼 Expectant Parent Resources
The Office of Benefit Services offers virtual workshops providing information on how to prepare and plan for child-related leaves. Sessions will take place:
- Wednesday, October 18, 4-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 7, 10-11 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 5, 4-5 p.m.
Register for an upcoming workshop. All workshop materials, including the voiceover presentation and handouts, will be posted to this site.
🏗️ How School Building Projects Are Selected
Each year, the School Board and staff members work with the community to develop an updated five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system reviews changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions, to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal.
The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $6.5 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students across FCPS have effective and efficient learning environments.
The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.
💰 Access Thousands of Deals
Fairfax County Public Schools and PerkSpot have partnered to give you access to thousands of exclusive and unbeatable deals from top brands across 25+ categories. From apparel and food to home and auto, the savings are amazing! Visit Perkspot today.
FCPS Celebrates Ombuds Day October 12
Office of the Ombuds staff engage with employees, families, and students to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- Share strategies to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or involving employees in the workplace.
- Provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
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School Board Meeting Scheduled for October 12 at 7:30 p.m.
The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda highlights include:
- Global Executive Expectations
- Woodson High School Renaming
- 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.
Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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