Rodneika Smith, a teacher at Oak View Elementary School, poses with her children and their puppy toy in honor of Month of the Military Child. Rodneika’s daughter carries the puppy, named Commander, while her father is serving with the Army in Stuttgart, Germany.
🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid Begin Tomorrow
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites all employees to participate in one of her Employee Conversations this spring. The first event is tomorrow! See the schedule below:
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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.
Please click on one of the locations above to register.
Employee Conversations are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts. Reach out to Dr. Reid at any time by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
FCPS Human Capital Management Project Kickoff
Human Resources staff, including Maike Dunlap (above), director of Employee Services and HR Operations, and FCPS leaders celebrated the kickoff of the new FCPS Human Capital Management (HCM) project.
This system is designed to enhance our efficiency, leverage data to make better informed decisions, increase productivity with modern technology, and improve each employee's overall experience throughout their time at FCPS. The new platform will replace existing FCPS applications such as BrassRing, Onboarding, MyTime, UConnect, and MyPDE, creating a unified one-stop platform for employees.
Implementation is divided into three phases and will wrap up in April 2027. Watch the kickoff video and view the PDF presentation on the HCM Hub page.
😷 Updated Respiratory Virus (COVID, Flu, RSV) Protocol for Staff
FCPS has adopted new Respiratory Virus Guidance for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV. It is based on updated CDC Guidelines and is available on the Employee Hub. Find new information about what to do upon testing positive/experiencing respiratory virus symptoms, returning to work, and reporting procedures for principals/managers. Submit questions through StaffConnect.
Are Your Immunizations Up to Date?
Keeping your vaccinations up to date can help you stay healthy and enjoy any upcoming vacations without getting sick. Most health plans provide routine immunization coverage for no copay when using in-network providers. To receive immunizations through your FCPS health plan:
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Kaiser Permanente members should visit a KP facility to receive no-cost immunizations. Be sure to bring your photo ID and your KP card.
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Cigna members can receive vaccine coverage through their physician’s office, at participating retail pharmacies, or through convenience clinics such as Minute Clinic. View the coverage chart for details on whether you will need your Cigna (health) card or your CVS Caremark prescription card.
Check your plan materials for details, including a current list of covered vaccinations.
👏 Thank You, Assistant Principals!
April 1-5 is National Assistant Principals Week, honoring assistant principals' enormous impact on student success. Last year, while serving as assistant principal at Bryant High School, Karen Hertel (above) was named Outstanding School-Based Leader at FCPS Honors, the annual celebration of outstanding employees. Read about her leadership and support of students and staff—attributes that likely contributed to Karen becoming Bryant's principal!
🔬 Teacher Receives Award From National Science Teaching Association
Kirsten Salonga, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) environmental science and biology teacher at Justice High School, has been named one of six winners of the National Science Teaching Association’s 2023 Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award. Read about Kirsten and this award.
🙋 How Schools Are Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
Learn about the collaborative efforts between schools, families, and the community to support every student’s success. See how our schools are tackling complex issues and connecting families with essential resources such as childcare, medical services, and transportation.
Through personalized communication and reeducation efforts, we are fostering a culture of engagement and prioritizing student attendance. Making sure every student feels safe, supported, included, and empowered is Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
🗳️ Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor Dr. Bussey’s legacy as a founding member of the MSAOC and longtime advocate for students and families.
This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1. The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.
Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
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🏫 Advertised Budget Focuses on Schools and Instruction
Investing in excellence means putting our dollars where it matters most — schools and instruction. Nearly 93% of FCPS full-time staff work directly in our schools. And nearly 86% of our Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Advertised Budget is dedicated to instructional programs across all grade levels, including special education.
Only 5% of the advertised budget is for general support and central administration. Central office administrators represent only 0.8% of total full-time positions.
For more details on our advertised budget, view FCPS budget documents, including the FY 2025 Budget Book.
We are in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for community feedback. See the Budget Calendar for important dates and details.
📐 FCPS Primary Students Apply Math to Real World Concepts
During Academic Matters at the March 21 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared how FCPS is strengthening numeracy — the ability to apply math concepts in the real world — in primary grades.
FCPS has been investing in professional development through Add+Vantage Math Recovery © (AVMR), and teachers are using a scripted intervention curriculum to support numeracy instruction.
See students demonstrating their numeracy. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation or view her slides.
☑️ 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 5 p.m. 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.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Month of the Military Child
Every year, we take an opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have more than 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience.
Learn more about Month of the Military Child and visit FCPS’ Military Families webpage. Get ideas for learning resources in this Month of the Military Child toolkit.
Eid al-Fitr (Half-O Day, Holiday)
In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three-day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Tuesday, April 9, is an evening observance day. There is school on this day, but important events will not be held after school. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday; all schools and offices will be closed. See the school year calendar or the employee calendar.
National Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans.
Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
National Muslim American Heritage Month
Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.
🌏 Earth Week Resources for Schools
Get2Green is hosting FCPS Earth Week from Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26. Check the Get2Green Earth Week webpage for Earth Week spirit days and other activities for students of all ages.
Fairfax County Park Authority's Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Sully Historic Site. The festival will include earth and nature-focused programs, scavenger hunts, and other activities.
Staff Staples
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