Bus Driver Supervisor Kristen Bacus smiles from an electric school bus during a recent event at Lorton Station Elementary School.
School Board to Vote on Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
The Fairfax County School Board will vote to approve the 2024-25 Fiscal Year Budget at their meeting on Thursday, May 23. Watch meetings live on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) or the FCPS YouTube Channel. View the complete agenda for this meeting.
Holistic Review of FCPS Boundary Policy
For the first time in decades, the Fairfax County School Board is conducting a comprehensive review of the Fairfax County Public Schools Boundary Policy (Policy 8130) to consider possible updates that will provide a clear roadmap for any potential future boundary changes. There are no current plans to implement boundary changes.
This holistic policy review is designed to address the community's concerns about a host of issues, including temporary classrooms (trailers), instructional program locations, overcrowding, facility renovations, and transportation. Comprehensive community engagement will take place before any potential future changes. For additional information, please visit this Boundary Policy Review webpage.
🎉 Celebrating 55 Years With FCPS
Andrea "Andi" Bregstone, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Woodley Hills Elementary School, “just loves kids.” Her remarkable tenure is proof — she’s in her 56th year of employment with Fairfax County Public Schools! Find out what inspires Andi in the Employee Blog.
Speech Language Pathologist Day
Friday, May 17, was Speech Language Pathologist Day. Thank you to our dedicated SLPs, such as Andi, who are meeting the needs of our students every day.
Reimbursement Window Closing for Professional Assessment Fees
The window to request reimbursement for professional assessment fees — such as Praxis, Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), or National Board Certification — will close for the 2023-24 school year on Friday, May 31.
Teachers eligible for reimbursement include teacher trainees and provisionally licensed teachers taking professional assessments required for initial licensure, or newly certified or renewed National Board Certified Teachers. See the Tuition Reimbursement Hub page for details.
Professional Development Opportunities
Find more information on these opportunities and others on the Employee Blog.
Family and School Partnerships Training for Educators
The following Academy classes are available for teachers this summer:
Click the links above to view the schedules and register in MyPDE.
Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool
The Great Beginnings team is still looking for cohort facilitators who must be available Monday, July 29, through Friday, August 2, and Monday, August 5, through Wednesday, August 7. View application materials and more information about the roles.
Mentoring Novice Educators
Options for completing the VDOE-required training to become a mentor for novice educators include:
Click the session titles for more information and to register.
Years 2 & 3 Program: Leveling Up
This program is for teachers entering their second or third year of teaching in the fall. Participants will receive up to 20 hours of recertification points, meeting monthly via Zoom. Complete this form to express your interest in participating.
Secondary Educators: Register for InnovatED 2024
The InnovatED Summer Symposium will be held Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Herndon High School. This dynamic symposium is designed for secondary educators as a launchpad to Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. Register on MyPDE by Friday, June 7.
💚 State Counselor of the Year Offers Mental Health Tips
Valerie Peters, middle school counselor at Robinson Secondary School, was chosen by the Virginia School Counselor Association as the 2024 Secondary School Counselor of the Year.
May is Mental Health Month, so Valerie offered some tips for FCPS employees on improving or maintaining good mental health:
- Focus on positivity.
- Embrace self-care: Sleep, exercise, hang out with friends and family, travel, and laugh!
- Practice gratitude: Write down things you are grateful for. Tell someone you appreciate them.
Read about what led Valerie to become a school counselor in the Employee Blog.
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🏆 FCPS Financial Report Recognized
FCPS has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. FCPS was recognized for its financial reporting work for the fiscal year ending in June 2023.
The division also received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the Association of School Business Officials International.
🎓 Share Your FCPS Graduation Memories!
As we celebrate the class of 2024, we invite you to look back at your high school graduation or middle school promotion.
Did you graduate from a Fairfax County school? What year did you graduate from high school? What was the highlight of the day for you? Share your memories with us in the Employee Blog, or email photos and stories to EmployeeNews@FCPS.edu.
Phoebe Dillard (above), theater director, Whitman Middle School, graduated from Westfield High School in 2010 and was nominated to be the class speaker.
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. This network will celebrate our alumni and friends of FCPS through stories, news and events, reunions, homecoming, and other activities. Join FCPS Alumni & Friends today!
⏱️ Ready, Set, Go Team FCPS!
Congratulations to the staff members who participated in the Healthy Strides 5K/10K walk and run event at Burke Lake Park on May 4. This event was organized by Fairfax County Government and included a collaboration with our Employee Wellness team.
FCPS demonstrated a strong showing in all categories. Yumi Lawless, Japanese teacher at Falls Church High School, placed first overall in the women’s 5K category.
A hearty congratulations to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for additional events coming in the fall.
Train for a 5K or 10K Run
Wellbeats offers multiple running training programs. Log in to your Wellbeats account and enter "Train your way to a 5K" or "Train for a 10K" in the search toolbar.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Memorial Day
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. 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!
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