Ines Gianella, left, and Clarissa Rogers, right, both with the Chief Experience and Engagement Office, learn about artificial intelligence at the Department of Information Technology’s Velocity 2024 conference at Oakton High School.
✍️ Employees Start the Year Strong, Too!
Professional development supports FCPS’ ability to provide the best education for students. Required training is due by Wednesday, September 15, for most employees.
In accordance with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) mandates, certain staff members have been assigned additional training courses. Please note that some state-required training — including Seizure Training for School Personnel, Meaningful IEP Meetings, and Understanding the Regulations Governing the Use Of Restraint and Seclusion (De-Escalation Level 1) — are from external vendors and cannot be modified by FCPS.
Completing the assignments will ensure you have all the information you need to start the year strong. It’s also part of your professional responsibility and an expectation noted in employee evaluations. Please go to your assigned training page in MyPDE and complete those labeled “Assigned.” For assistance, please email TechSupport@fcps.edu.
🖥️ FCPS.edu Has a New Look!
Have you visited fcps.edu lately? Take a look around our newly redesigned website! Improvements were made with users in mind. Thank you to the many staff and community members who offered their input and feedback during the redesign process.
✨ Strategic Plan Connection
Our website redesign project was completed with FCPS Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, & Community Partnerships in mind. To build trusting partnerships with families, we share the responsibility to be transparent about our policies and procedures, and provide families with important information and resources to support their child’s success. Visit the new fcps.edu today!
Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools: Steering Committee Update
As a reminder, FCPS is implementing limited early release Mondays for elementary students during the upcoming school year. The goal is to provide elementary teachers additional time to meet new professional development requirements for the Virginia Literacy Act and other professional training.
The Early Release Mondays Steering Committee held their first meeting on July 29. Topics included the supervision of students, transportation logistics, schools’ master schedules, and setting the afternoon schedule for school staff.
Family Survey
Elementary schools will be sending a short survey to families, asking if they plan for their child to return home at early dismissal during the first two early release Mondays. This information will be a big help in planning activities (and staffing) for students who will need to stay at school.
We realize there are many details to be finalized before our first early release Monday in mid-September. Thank you for your patience, as we strive to create a positive and successful experience for students, teachers, staff, and families. View the list of early release dates and other information.
🚀 Supporting the Mission Applications Due August 21
Would you like to gain a better understanding of how the offices, departments, and schools within FCPS work together to support the mission of our division? Are you interested in building your knowledge and skills around core leadership competencies to better lead for equity? Consider applying for the 2024-25 cohort of Supporting the Mission!
Teacher leaders, school-based administrators, and schedule B & C scale employees are encouraged to submit interest and recommendation forms by Wednesday, August 21. Visit the Supporting the Mission site for more information or contact Tu Phillips with questions.
💼 Develop Leadership Skills at Middle Managers RoundTable
The Middle Managers RoundTable (MMRT) is a seven-month collaborative leadership development program for both operational and school leaders conducted by the FCPS Office of Professional Learning and the Fairfax County government.
Participants from FCPS and Fairfax County government will engage in learning experiences that strengthen leadership capacity. They will also collaborate on a group capstone project.
The program is seeking senior managers, managers, and school-based administrators (not principals) who have a supervisory or management role and want to develop their leadership skills.
If you are interested, submit the application by the close of business Friday, September 20. Supervisors of MMRT applicants will need to complete a recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. Visit the MMRT site (@fcpsschools.net login required) for more information or contact Tu Phillips with questions.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
🥇 Go Gold with the Physical Activity Challenge
Boost your health and school spirit with the FCPS Employee Wellness Program’s Go Gold Physical Activity Challenge. Employees can register to participate individually or in teams of up to five. Register by Wednesday, August 14, for a chance to win a custom sport-tek T-shirt.
The challenge takes place September 3 to 30. Every week, five participants on a team with the highest completion rate will win a $25 Amazon gift card. The highest participating teams of five from 80 schools and one center will win custom-designed sport-tek T-shirts.
In the spirit of the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Go Gold Challenge promotes fitness through an easy-to-use mobile app. For more information, email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: First Day of School
We look forward to welcoming returning teachers on Monday, August 12, and our students on Monday, August 19 — the first day of school for the 2024-25 school year! See the school year calendars for 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27. View the 2024-25 Employee Calendar.
✏️ Help Students Who Need School Supplies
Educate Fairfax is excited to continue its yearly campaign to support FCPS students. Thanks to business partnerships and the community, Educate Fairfax helps students begin the new school year prepared for academic success.
This year, they will provide basic supplies to thousands of students in need, from school supply kits and backpacks to gift cards for essentials such as food and basic hygiene items.
Every donation through Educate Fairfax goes directly to students in need and is tax deductible. Thank you for any support you can offer to our students.
✅ Karl Frisch Re-Elected Fairfax County School Board Chair; Sandy Anderson Elected Vice Chair
The Fairfax County School Board confirmed its leadership for the 2024-25 school year at its July 11 regular meeting. Karl Frisch (Providence District) was re-elected chair, and Sandy Anderson (Springfield District) was elected vice chair. Learn more about your School Board members. Their terms run until December 31, 2027.
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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