Dr. Reid and other fifth floor Gatehouse staff sport their favorite college team gear for Central Office Spirit Week.
Mobile Fingerprint Sites Available Throughout the County
All current FCPS employees still requiring digital fingerprints (most of these employees were hired before 2006), should have received an email invitation through their fcps.edu email last week for mandatory fingerprinting, per Regulation 4116 (PDF). These employees must schedule a five-minute appointment at Gatehouse Administration Center or visit one of our mobile fingerprinting service locations as soon as possible.
Employees who did not receive an email will be automatically resubmitted for background checks with their fingerprints already on file and do not need to schedule an appointment.
Employees should download and complete their fingerprint data form (PDF) and bring it with them when they get their fringerprints.
For questions on background checks and reporting requirements, visit the Employee Hub, or contact Human Resources at 571-423-3000 or via the FCPS StaffConnect portal.
Extended Hours Available at Gatehouse
Gatehouse is open for fingerprinting Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Appointments are required. Check your email invitation for a personal link to make an appointment. Extended hours, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., are available on select dates.
Mobile Fingerprinting
Mobile fingerprinting will be available at select high schools, secondary schools, and centers. No appointment is necessary. View details under Fingerprinting Locations, Dates, and Times.
Stay Cyber Safe!
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.
What You Can Do
- Never exchange sensitive or confidential data via email.
- Do not use short message service (SMS), also known as text message-based, multi-factor authentication (MFA). Use an authenticator App.
- Never share passwords or authenticator codes with anyone for any reason.
- Always report suspicious emails sent to your FCPS Outlook account using the PhishAlarm® button.
Get more information and register for cybersecurity training on the Employee Hub.
Licensure Information Sessions for Prospective Teachers
Starting Wednesday, January 17, Licensure Information Sessions for Prospective Teacher Candidates will occur virtually every third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Interested candidates will have a chance to discuss options for obtaining a teaching license and the licensure process. Contact Sedeka Turner or Andrew Drake with questions about the sessions.
Contracted teachers, please direct questions to your assigned licensure specialist.
💡 Professional Development and Learning Opportunities
The spring Academy Course Program provides more than 40 offerings that address teacher needs and support strategic plan goals. Many of the course topics focus on math instruction, classroom management, teacher leadership, and meeting the needs of diverse learners. Details including course syllabus, outcomes, and assignments will be listed in the Academy course catalog in MyPDE.
Registration begins Tuesday, January 16, at 5 p.m. Visit the Employee Hub for registration information or email Academy@fcps.edu with questions.
📜 2024-25 Accelerated Certification Cohort (ACC) Info Session
The ACC is a partnership with the University of Virginia allowing FCPS instructional employees to obtain the Virginia pre-K-12 license in administration and supervision in a one-year cohort. There will be a virtual information session for those interested in participating on Tuesday, January 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Register for this session in MyPDE.
Applications will go live on the ACC Google site on Tuesday, January 16. Program requirements, eligibility, expectations, and other information will also be on the Google site. Contact Sofia Mora with questions.
💻 Teachers: Apply for Artificial Intelligence Innovator’s Cohort
Instructional Services and the Department of Information Technology are partnering to lead an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovator’s Cohort. Educators who are currently utilizing AI in their roles and are eager to expand their knowledge and application of AI in their work are encouraged to apply.
Selected individuals will join a community of innovative staff members engaging in continuous dialogue and collaboration. Please note that the focus of this program is on staff development and currently does not include student use of AI.
View this flyer for more information. Apply by Tuesday, January 16. Participants will be selected to ensure a representation across regions, levels, and content areas.
🏅 Submit a Nomination for FCPS Hall of Fame
Do you know an FCPS alum who has made significant contributions to their chosen field and/or our local, national, or global community? If so, nominate them for the Spring 2024 FCPS Hall of Fame!
Educate Fairfax knows that FCPS alumni are something special, and is excited to share their stories. Over the past two years, Educate Fairfax has recognized leaders from business, education, community service, entertainment, military, sports, and government.
Time is running out! FCPS Hall of Fame nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 12. Visit Educate Fairfax's website for more information.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. The holiday marks the birthday of King, who was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement. The movement protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.
Volunteer with Give Together
FCPS is excited to collaborate with Volunteer Fairfax for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Community members can volunteer on Monday, January 15, at Volunteer Fairfax’s Give Together event. It is designed to engage families with children ages 5-12 in service learning. Projects will include a food drive, assembling caring kits for community members, making no-tie fleece blankets for veterans, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. Children ages 13 to 18 may serve as teen event volunteers.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Orthodox Epiphany (Observance Day)
In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and commemorates the baptism of Jesus.
The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances 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.
See the complete school year calendar and the employee calendar.
School Board Meeting Scheduled for January 11 at 7:30 p.m.
☎️ See Something, Say Something: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline
FCPS provides a way for employees and the general public to report any suspected wrongdoing related to FCPS’ assets and resources. Reporting will help ensure taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately — on our students’ education. It can also help improve employees’ work environment.
Reports can be made in person, by phone, by email, or online. All reports are taken seriously, and every effort will be made to investigate the reports according to the applicable laws, codes, policies, or regulations. Employees can assist with investigations by providing as much information as possible. Please visit the Office of Auditor General webpage to learn more.
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!
|
