First grade teacher Andrea Zyvith laughs with her students during a morning meeting at Mosaic Elementary School.
2024-25 School Year Budget
Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid presented the budget at the School Board meeting last week. Watch the presentation. Tonight, there will be a public hearing on the budget. The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, May 21, before adopting the approved budget on Thursday, May 23.
View the budget calendar and budget documents.
đź’ Reflecting on 42 Years With FCPS
Melanie Dunn-Chadwick, pictured above at the Retirement Ceremony with Dr. Reid, will retire in June after 42 years at FCPS! Melanie is a family services specialist with Pre-K/Early Head Start.Â
The most rewarding part of her job has been supporting a child or their parents through a tough time and seeing them come out on the other side and saying, “Thank you, your help made a difference.” Read more about Melanie’s time with FCPS and her upcoming retirement.
🚲 Register Today for Bike to Work Day
Thank you to the staff at schools who supported National Bike and Roll to School Day on May 8. More schools participated this year than ever before — 104!Â
Safe Routes to School encourages all FCPS staff to consider biking to work on Friday, May 17, for Bike to Work Day. Organizations throughout the county are sponsoring pit stops, where bikers can enjoy giveaways, and free food and beverages before starting their ride. Find your nearest pitstop.Â
The first 16,000 to register and attend a pit stop will receive a free T-shirt. Register today!
🎓 Calling All Alumni and Friends!
Educate Fairfax is proud to introduce FCPS Alumni & Friends, an online network of alumni, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members with ties to Fairfax County Public Schools. Whether you are a recent FCPS graduate or you’ve returned to Fairfax to work or raise your own family, this network will celebrate our alumni and friends of FCPS through stories, news and events, reunions, homecoming, and other activities. It’s also a great way to rekindle old friendships and build new ones. Join FCPS Alumni & Friends today!
🗳️ Vote in the ERFC Trustee Election
All eligible Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) members received an email containing a link to vote in the 2024 ERFC election today, Tuesday, May 14. If you have questions, please call the Office of Employee Relations at 571-423-3252.
Family Life Education Materials Available for Review
Recommended Family Life Education instructional materials are available for community review through Monday, June 10, 4:30 p.m. Find details and a feedback form.
đź’™ CARES of the Month Recipient Welcomes Everyone
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. One of the CARES of the Month recipients for March is Fanny Salazar-Laske, a family liaison from Herndon Middle School (pictured on the right, with Principal Monika Vereb).
Fanny’s work focuses on helping those unfamiliar with the school, community, and even the United States. Her nomination explained how Fanny’s support includes helping an immigrant family register at the school and navigate “all things school, but more importantly, the world and culture they have stepped into.”
“When a child comes to her and asks for food as their stomach is growling so loudly they can not even concentrate on the school day ahead, she welcomes them to the school pantry she has led, organized, and stocked,” her nomination stated. “She treats everyone with respect and dignity.”
Congratulations, Fanny, and all of the other FCPS CARES of the Month Recipients:
- Delia Arnez, Gatehouse Administration Center
- Kirsten Salonga, Justice High School
- Elba Washington and Patricia Jackson, West Potomac High School
- Ashley Khan, Rolling Valley Elementary School
- Stephanie Thomas, Canterbury Woods Elementary School
- Diane Young, Key Center
Read about all the recipients.
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Professional Learning Opportunities for Teachers
Instructional Coach Learning Cohort
Applications are being accepted for two Instructional Coach Learning Cohorts (ICLC) to prepare teacher leaders for the role of an FCPS instructional coach. Cohort participants engage in seven in-person professional development sessions, experiences leading in their schools, and asynchronous learning and reflection. Participants receive observations, coaching, and feedback.Â
The application deadline for Cohort A is Monday, June 3, with a start date of Tuesday, September 3. The application deadline for Cohort B is Friday, October 18, with a start date of Tuesday, November 12. Find additional information and application materials.
National Board Certification
Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is considered one of the most prestigious certifications a teacher can achieve. The Virginia Department of Education recognizes this by awarding $5,000 for the first year of certification and $2,500 each additional year a teacher maintains the certification.Â
Teachers are invited to attend an information session about the benefits and process for achieving National Board Certification on Tuesday, May 21, 5-6 p.m. Register for the information session in MyPDE. View an asynchronous session and additional information on the FCPS National Board Certification website.
The Office of Professional Learning offers a three-credit Academy course to provide support throughout the candidacy process and tuition reimbursement toward the cost of certification. Please email Mary Beth Anderson or Sara Royer for more information.
Check out the Academy Catalog for On-Demand Professional Development
Dive into a selection of more than 35 professional development opportunities designed to empower and inspire teachers. Whether you're looking to support twice exceptional (2e) students or foster culturally responsive family engagement to build strong partnerships with students and families from diverse backgrounds, you’ll be able to choose a course that best supports your learning journey. Academy Courses are available at no cost in MyPDE.Â
We are excited to introduce three new courses this summer:
- PD Playbook - The Basics and Beyond: Develop your expertise in leading effective professional development (PD) sessions for colleagues.
- Demystifying AI - Empowering Educators in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Learn how to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance your current teaching practices.
- Bookmarking and Visual Journaling - Hone your skills in integrating arts-based strategies into your classroom routine.
Summer course hours are flexible, allowing you to craft a learning experience that best fits your schedule.
The Summer 2024 Academy Course Catalog is now available. Registration begins Tuesday, May 21, at 5 p.m. Visit the Employee Hub to learn how to register or email questions to Academy@fcps.edu.
Special Education Teacher Job Fair
A virtual hiring event will be held for those interested in becoming special education teachers on Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m. There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various Fairfax County public schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair! View FCPS’ Special Education Teaching Opportunities page for more information.
Creating Inclusive Learning Opportunities
Thursday, May 16, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion.Â
FCPS has made efforts to update webpages for accessibility, adding text-to-speech and translation tools. We have also added multiple accessibility resources to the Employee Hub and public website. In addition, the FCPS Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials campaign provides insight, tools, and tips for creating more inclusive learning opportunities.
Thank you to everyone who works to maintain high standards for digital and instructional accessibility!
⏰ Share Your Thoughts on Middle School Start Times
Attend a forum to hear about adolescent sleep research from an expert, learn about the ongoing middle school start times study, and participate in small group discussions. Breakout sessions will be held for middle school students to share their voices. Students are encouraged to attend!
Register by clicking on one of the following dates:Â
While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.
Personalized Pathways to Leadership Development
During Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid’s Academic Matters segment focused on the John R. Lewis Leadership Program. Since 2022, the program has offered personalized pathways to leadership development for Lewis High School students, supporting success during and after high school. Watch the presentation.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Memorial Day Â
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the employee calendar and the school year calendar.
Staff Staples
Note: Some links in this email require a connection to the FCPS network. If you have any questions, please visit the FCPS Tech Support Portal to search for self help articles or submit a ticket.
Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!Â
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