Members of Olde Creek Elementary School's administration team proudly represent the Bears! Pictured from left are Stephanie Kaminsky, assistant principal; Courtney Korb, principal; and Alison Butler, assistant principal.
Understanding Step Increases vs. Market Scale Adjustments
In the past, FCPS has increased employee compensation by offering a step increase and market scale adjustment (MSA). A step increase refers to the steps on FCPS’ salary scales, which vary in value and do not equate to years of experience. MSA is a salary adjustment for employees, regardless of their step or salary scale.
Step increases are not consistent from step to step and across different employee groups. The move from one step to the next on the teacher scales is typically an average of more than 2%. In contrast, MSA is an adjustment that guarantees the same compensation rate increase regardless of an employee’s current step or salary scale. Over the last 10 years, MSA increases have averaged 2% per year.
With these factors in mind, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Advertised Budget features a 6% MSA, without a step, to provide all employees with a substantial salary increase.
This improves FCPS' recruitment efforts by increasing our salary rankings compared to neighboring school divisions. FCPS is also working to improve retention by providing employees at the top of the salary scales (who are therefore not eligible for step increases) with a substantial MSA. Whether a salary increase is derived from a step increase or MSA has no impact on pension plans.
Get more details about step vs. MSA (PDF) on the Employee Hub.
Fairfax County’s Funding of the FCPS Budget
The average amount of funds transferred from Fairfax County to FCPS was 52.6% of county disbursements from FY 2019 to FY 2023. It dipped to 51.6% in FY 2024. The County’s budget proposal for next year would transfer 51.4% of total disbursements.
If the county were to return to transferring 52.6% to FCPS for the upcoming year, that would equate to $63 million more to #InvestinExcellence.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget. Give your feedback on the County budget.
💙 FCPS CARES of the Month Recipient Is “Selfless and Noble”
FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Carleen Troup, a teacher at Camelot Elementary School (pictured on the right with her nominator, Kristen Williamson), is one of the winter CARES of the Month recipients.
In January, one of Carleen's colleagues suffered a medical emergency. Carleen was there quickly to support her and call an ambulance. “Carleen has been there every step of the way” as her colleague recovers and “has been a rock for her second-grade team,” according to her CARES nomination. “Teachers like Carleen, who are able to continuously support their students for the benefit of their learning and well-being — while processing their own emotions — are selfless and noble."
Congratulations to Carleen and other winter FCPS CARES of the Month recipients:
- Judie Lieberman, Willow Oaks Administrative Center
- Kim Schauer, Hughes Middle School
- Florence Harrison, Bryant High School
- Karizma Glenn, Bull Run Elementary School
- Lisa Bliss, Nashwa Osmani, and Courtney Mocco; Freedom Hill Elementary School
- Katelyn Bongard, Karli Eddinger, Elizabeth Murphy, and Luis Perez; Holmes Middle School
Read about all the recipients.
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Submit an FCPS CARES Nomination
Do you know an employee who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Submit their story.
Submissions are now made through the StaffConnect portal. Choose FCPS CARES from the first drop-down menu to access the appropriate form.
🎸 “Look at My Capabilities and Talents” — Instructional Assistant Dedicated to Lifelong Learning
Sam Kang, instructional assistant (IA) at Stone Middle School, is constantly thinking about ways he can develop himself and help others. Sam is self-taught in playing guitar, singing, and sketching, and loves to write. He believes in lifelong learning and sharing that gift with other people. In addition to his IA duties, Sam runs an afterschool guitar club and dreams of doing even more for his community.
Read about Sam and the impact he is making at Stone.
🎤 Join a Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation on the opioid crisis in Northern Virginia will be held Monday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. (Please enter through Door #14). Attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services within FCPS and Fairfax County.
This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material presented will be suitable for students in grade 6 and higher. Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed.
Learn more about the event and register online.
🎤 Save the Date: Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! A series of Employee Conversations with the superintendent will be held across the school division this spring. Click on one of the locations below to register:
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Wednesday, April 3, 6:30-8 p.m., Fairfax Villa Elementary School.
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Thursday, April 4, 6:30-8 p.m., Braddock Elementary School.
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Monday, April 8, 4:30-6 p.m., South County Middle School.
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Monday, April 15, 4:30-6 p.m., Frost Middle School.
Employee Conversations are an opportunity to share what's on your mind and ask questions. Reach out to Dr. Reid at any time by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
💭 Share Your Thoughts About Schoology
The Instructional Services Department is conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on Schoology. Surveys were sent on Monday, March 11, to:
- Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
- Secondary students through email from Naviance.
- School-based professionals through eNotify.
- School leadership (principals, APs, DSAs, SBTS) through eNotify.
If you are in one of these groups, please complete your survey by Friday, March 22. Your feedback will inform FCPS’ use of Schoology and help improve processes, communication, and professional learning. Please contact Schoology@fcps.edu if you have questions.
✂️ Family Resource Center Library Named for Education Advocate
FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) has formally named its library the Dr. Larry Bussey Family and Community Library. This honor recognizes Bussey’s legacy and commitment to education and equipping families to effectively advocate for the educational rights and needs of their children.
The FRC helps parents, caregivers, and teachers support the success of all students. One of the ways they accomplish this is through their lending library, which contains more than 10,000 books, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating children. Learn about Dr. Bussey and the FRC.
On a related note, FCPS, in conjunction with the Virginia School Boards Association, observes March as Equity in Education Month. This is a divisionwide opportunity to deepen our commitment to creating a climate and curriculum where all students receive the resources they need to reach their fullest potential.
📚 Literacy Development for Multilingual Learners
In the Academic Matters segment of last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared information on literacy development of multilingual learners (students who are learning the English language). Of the more than 180,000 FCPS students, approximately 48% have a home language other than English, and 20% are multilingual learners (as of January 2024).
Dr. Reid emphasized that the school division’s Equitable Access to Literacy Plan applies to ALL students, including multilingual learners. She shared some of the supports FCPS provides these students, including new elementary language arts basal resources. View Dr. Reid's presentation slides.
Educator Support in New Language Arts Curriculum
Guided Language Acquisition Design (Project GLAD) is a resource to support educators who are new to teaching multilingual students, regardless of the subject they teach. In the coming months, we will continue to roll out this professional development across our division.
Building Cultural Bridges Between Families and Schools
Raheel Ahmed-Litz, pictured (left) with one of her sisters (right) in a photo from the '70s, has nearly 60 years of history with Fairfax County Public Schools as a student and employee.
Because of some of her experiences as a child of an immigrant family, Raheel feels passionate about helping families “who don’t feel seen or heard,” she said. "I want all FCPS families to understand and utilize all the wonderful resources and services we offer in FCPS and through our partners in Fairfax County; to ensure the best educational experience possible.”
Raheel shares more of her inspiration, along with a treasured Ramadan memory, in this Employee Blog.
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🏅 Nominations Open for First Class Award for Inclusion Activities
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First Class Awards. The awards are presented annually to educators, administrators, and students who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The ACSD will recognize award winners at the Family Summit on Saturday, April 20.
Nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in FCPS by Friday, March 22. Email SpecialEdConf@fcps.edu with questions.
Launch My Health With Wellbeats
Looking for support boosting your energy, addressing chronic conditions, or enhancing your kitchen skills? Join Launch My Health for educational nutrition programs led by experienced healthcare, culinary, and nutrition experts. Explore programs in your Wellbeats account including:
- Home Chef Pro (eight weeks)
- Optimizing Brain Health (five weeks)
- Restore Gut Health (four weeks)
- Optimizing Women’s Hormones (five weeks)
- Kids in the Kitchen (two weeks)
Learn more about Launch My Health.
Add Friends and Family to Your Wellbeats Account
Invite friends, family, or colleagues to Wellbeats to promote a healthier lifestyle! Use the friends and family feature to:
- Share positive messages and celebrate achievements.
- Engage in real-time workout challenges and stay motivated through live chat.
- Virtually cook together with entertaining demonstrations and healthy recipes.
Visit portal.wellbeats.com, go to your profile, and switch to sub-accounts to invite up to five people per account. For more information, email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
2024 ERFC Trustee Election
The Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) Board of Trustees will elect one person to serve as trustee. The ERFC Board is the governing body of ERFC and supports its mission to enhance the financial security of members through prudent financial stewardship.
Interested active ERFC members who seek to be candidates must submit a nomination petition and a statement of contribution. The Office of Employee Relations must receive materials by the close of business on Friday, April 26.
Notice 4771 outlines the election process. An electronic election will be held Tuesday, May 14, through Thursday, May 16. Contact Sherri Burris at 571-423-3252 or Skburris@fcps.edu with questions.
📰 Free Online Classifieds for Employees
FCPS' Online Classifieds 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 look for someone to share a ride to work, find a roommate, or rent real estate.
Our Online Classifieds system is completely self-service and allows users to post new ads, or update or renew existing ads at any time. Access it from the Employee Hub. View rules and frequently asked questions. For more information, contact Andy Grunig.
🌷Calendar Reminder: Spring Break
Monday, March 25, to Friday, March 29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed (only 12-month personnel report).
We wish our students, teachers, and school-based staff a happy and restful spring break!
🗓️ Quarter End/Teacher Workday
Friday, March 22, is the end of the third quarter. Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2, are school planning and teacher workdays, respectively.
See the school year calendar and the employee calendar.
🌊 Perkspot Has Spring Break Deals
Savings for Staff (PerkSpot) has great spring break savings! Explore deals on travel, adventure, and more, so you’ll be ready for your next expedition. Whether it's booking a vacation or securing tickets to the Walt Disney World® Resort, PerkSpot has you covered!
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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