First Grade Teacher Alexis Hopkins teaches a literacy lesson at Lake Anne Elementary School.
Supreme Court Decision Regarding TJHSST
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand an appeals court decision upholding the admissions policy for the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), ending a three-year legal challenge. Read FCPS' statement.
🏫 School Board Approves Capital Improvement Program
The Fairfax County School Board approved an annual update to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that includes new school construction and/or repurposing, capacity enhancements, and renovations.
These projects are detailed in the Fiscal Year 2025-29 CIP, which also illustrates FCPS’ alignment with the Fairfax County Joint Environmental Task Force’s (JET) goals with the inclusion of more Net-Zero Energy (NZE) building practices.
New construction of Dunn Loring Elementary School is designed to provide additional capacity in the Dunn Loring, Falls Church, and Tysons areas. Other projects include renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, as well as capacity enhancements at Justice High School. Information about all capital projects will be posted on project webpages on the FCPS website. Read more about the approved CIP.
☑️ School Board to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Advertised Budget
This afternoon, the School Board held a work session focused on compensation strategies to attract and retain employees, and market comparison data for surrounding school divisions. View the presentation (PDF). The board will adopt FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Advertised Budget at its regular business meeting on Thursday, February 22, at 7:30 p.m.
As a reminder, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the FY 2025 Proposed Budget to the School Board on February 8. This needs-based budget prioritizes competitive compensation for employees’ hard work and dedication, and supports FCPS’ unwavering commitment to success for each and every student.
Learn more about the budget. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
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🚌 Going Above and Beyond: Thank You School Bus Drivers!
February is Love the Bus Month, and February 22 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. FCPS employs more than 1,800 drivers who transport an estimated 131,000 students safely to and from school each day. Our drivers and attendants take pride in being the first FCPS face students see in the morning and the last one they see before heading home for the evening.
Driver Synnethia Pacheli, pictured above, knew exactly what to do when she witnessed an accident earlier this school year. Read more about her and the extensive training our school bus drivers receive before getting behind the wheel on the Employee Blog.
Thank you Synnethia, and all our school bus drivers, for the work you do every day and for safely transporting our students!
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3
FCPS is partnering with independent firm K12 Insight to administer our third Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Our families' feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. Topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight on March 3. A public link will be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will also be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
🍎 Apply to Be a Great Beginnings Facilitator!
Applications are now being accepted for the Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool. Great Beginnings program facilitators lead a variety of professional learning opportunities for new teachers and those who support them. Facilitators receive recertification points and are paid for planning, facilitation, and professional development.
To be a part of the pool, candidates must have at least five years of teaching experience, with at least three of those in FCPS (by the end of school year 2023-24). Potential applicants may view the Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool advertisement (PDF) for more information.
Applicants must submit their application, a current resume, and request a recommendation from their supervisor by Friday, March 8.
Please contact GreatBeginnings@fcps.edu if you have questions.
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Great Beginnings Learning Series Continues
The Great Beginnings Quarter 3 Learning Series will be offered Tuesday, February 27, to Thursday, February 29, 5:15-6:45 p.m., with different sessions occurring each night. All sessions will be presented virtually via Zoom.
Learn about the Quarter 3 Learning Series sessions and register. You may register for one session each day.
📝Get Paid to Support Divisionwide Curriculum Development
School educators looking for an opportunity to support divisionwide curriculum development this summer, collaborate with other educators, and get compensated for their contributions should look for an email from Instructional Services and Special Services on Monday, March 4. The email will include a link to a database of summer curriculum development projects.
Projects will begin in late June through July and vary in length. Projects may be virtual, hybrid, or in person.
Interested teachers are encouraged to apply online by Friday, March 22. Please email questions to SCD@fcps.edu.
Note: Summer Curriculum Development projects are contingent upon adoption of the FY 2025 Approved Budget.
💭 Share Your Thoughts About Schoology
The Instructional Services Department will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22.
To hear from all stakeholders, four surveys will be sent to:
- Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
- Secondary students via email from Naviance.
- School-based professionals through eNotify.
- School leadership (principals, APs, DSAs, and SBTS) through eNotify.
Your feedback will inform our use of Schoology and help us improve our processes, communication, and professional learning. Instructional Services will also conduct focus groups for families.
Please contact Schoology@fcps.edu if you have questions.
🥝Learn How to Make Healthy Food Choices on the Go!
A hectic day can easily derail healthy eating goals, but you can stay on track even if you are busy. Join the Healthy Food Choices on the Go webinar Wednesday, February 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m., for guidance on improving your food choices no matter where your day might lead you.
Find additional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) events on the Hub EAP page and recordings of previous webinars on the Recorded EAP Workshops page. For more information, email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
Heart Disease and Its Solutions Workshop
Dr. Monica Aggarwal, a cardiovascular expert, will deliver a webinar about heart disease: What it is, how to test for it, what makes us prone to it, and practical ways to lower our risk. This webinar will be held on Thursday, February 22, at 3 p.m. Register to attend.
Learn more about the Full Plate Living Program.
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👩🏫 Teacher Hiring Event This Saturday
Do you know someone who has an interest in education? Encourage them to attend FCPS' Instructional Job Fair on Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Participants can network and take advantage of interview opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register today.
Rate Decrease for FCERS Optional Life Insurance Participants
Employees enrolled with employee-paid Fairfax County Employees’ Retirement System (FCERS) Optional Life insurance coverage with MetLife will see a slight decrease in their payroll deduction amount starting with the Friday, March 8, biweekly paycheck. No action is needed; this change will occur automatically. This does not apply to Virginia Retirement System (VRS) participants enrolled with Optional Life coverage with Securian.
Future enhancements are coming to the employee-paid FCERS Spouse and Child(ren) Life Insurance coverage. Stay tuned for details.
Employees who wish to elect, change, or cancel Optional Life and/or Spouse and Child(ren) Dependent Life Insurance should visit the Life Insurance webpage.
Life insurance beneficiary updates can be made via the MetLife MyBenefits website. Visit the Updating Your Beneficiaries webpage for more information.
✨ Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Every Student
At FCPS, we believe that learning happens best in community. When we have equally high expectations for every student, we all benefit. Excellence, equity, and access to opportunity are essential for achieving success in all aspects of life. Together, they foster growth, development, and high achievement for all students as they prepare for a world yet to be imagined.
Read more about how FCPS strives to ensure excellence, equity, and opportunity for every student.
📅 Calendar Reminder: March 5 Presidential Primary — Student Holiday/School Planning Day
The Fairfax Board of Elections requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.
March 5 will be a holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day for teachers.
As outlined in Regulation 4421, School Planning Days are directed by school-based administrators to devote time to school improvement efforts, such as collaboration around data, common assessments, and responsive instruction.
Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as it is on other professional work days.
See the complete school year calendar. See the employee calendar.
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📰 Free Online Classifieds for Employees
The FCPS Online Classifieds — which is for employees only and also on the Hub — is a free way for staff to post ads for personally owned items that they are seeking to buy, sell, or give away. It's also a great tool to help an employee look for someone to share a ride to work, find a roommate, or rent real estate.
FCPS’ Online Classifieds system is completely self-service and allows users to post new ads, or update or renew existing ads at any time. View rules and frequently asked questions. For more information, contact Andy Grunig.
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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