Mathematics Teacher Rylee Bly uses a whiteboard to teach a lesson at Justice High School.
🍼 How to Apply for Paid Parental Leave
Benefit-eligible employees who have worked with FCPS for at least 12 months can apply to receive eight weeks of paid leave for childbirth, adoption, or foster placement.
To apply, you must submit a Request for Paid Parental Leave form through StaffConnect and provide the appropriate required documentation (e.g. birth certificate, letter of live birth, adoption decree, custody paperwork, etc.). Requests submitted more than 30 calendar days after the birth, adoption, or placement will not be approved.
For questions or assistance, contact the Disability and Leaves team in the Office of Benefit Services via StaffConnect. Choose “Leaves and disability benefits question” from the dropdown list in StaffConnect or call 571-423-3200, option 2.
Congratulations on Expanding Your Family!
The Office of Benefit Services offers workshops to help employees plan and prepare for childbirth and childcare-related leaves (maternity, paternity, adoption, etc.). Participants will learn about FCPS leave benefits, such as Paid Parental Leave (PPL) and leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Additionally, they will learn about their disability benefits, receive a Preparing for Your Absence packet, and be able to ask questions at the end of the presentation. Expectant Parent Workshops are open to all employees and are planned for the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, September 25, 4-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 14, 10-11 a.m.
- Thursday, November 14, 4-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 10, 4-5 p.m.
To register for a session, log in to MyPDE, and search Expectant Parent Workshop.
🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! The first Employee Conversation with Dr. Reid is planned for Thursday, September 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. Register for this event.
Registration links for other events planned for this fall will be shared in a future issue of Employee News. Registration is not required but helps with planning.
These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. You may reach out to Dr. Reid anytime by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
☎️ Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First
If you have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, FCPS’ Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone at 571-423-2020.
If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.
Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.
If you have concerns about programs, regulations, policies, or other topics that do not impact the safety of our schools, please contact the FCPS ombuds online, at 571-423-4014, or ombuds@fcps.edu.
🖥️ How Is FCPS’ New Website Design Working for You?
FCPS recently launched our new website design! Thanks to all of you who provided feedback on ways to improve the central and school sites when we started this process last fall. We plan to start rolling out redesigned school sites next year.
Now that our new central website is live, we are checking to see if it meets your needs. Please take five minutes to tell us what you think in this optional survey, which closes on Monday, September 16.
Responses will be anonymous. Thank you for your time.
🙋 Understanding the Reasons for Student Absences
Understanding why a student is chronically absent can help form a better partnership between a school and its teachers, and the student and their family.
Attendance Works offers a worksheet to help guide your thinking as you try to pinpoint what is leading to a specific student’s absenteeism. The worksheet can help teachers and school staff better understand what support systems might be needed for that student. Understanding the root cause of absenteeism helps find the best chance for improving school attendance and performance.
Virginia Ed Strategies CHOICE Program Grants for Teachers
The Virginia Ed Strategies CHOICE Program is open to pre-K-12 teachers across Virginia who teach math, science, computer science, or Career and Technical Education courses. Each participant will have access to up to $2,000 for professional learning opportunities of their choice. The CHOICE Cohort 2 Flyer has more information. Teachers can apply by filling out the CHOICE Cohort 2 Interest Form. Visit the Virginia Ed Strategies website to see how others have used their grant funds.
Go Team FCPS!
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid reviews a week of meetings with school, community, and business leaders, who all work hard to help our students succeed.
Dr. Reid also shared edits and updates that the Virginia Board of Education has adopted to Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Read Weekly Reflections to learn more.
📝 Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials
FCPS Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials is a digital accessibility campaign spearheaded by the Office of Special Education Instruction that can help you:
- Learn how to use, choose, and create accessible resources.
- Implement inclusive technology.
- Use accessibility features in core tools and basal resources to support all learners.
This campaign supports our implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by ensuring multiple means of representation, engagement, action, and expression.
FCPS staff are invited to learn about accessibility through weekly tips via:
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Schoology Groups: secondary curriculum (DTZN-7MWD-NR6BK), elementary curriculum (5DKP-BPGK-6FMRP), special education (2X9V-8QMW-C7MW8), and/or adapted curriculum (C6FC-J75W-RG788)
- Conversations on Accessible Learning Materials Zoom chat
- Newsletters: School-Based Technology Specialists, Library Services, Assistive Technology Services, and Department of Special Services
- X (formerly Twitter): @accessible_fcps
Join the campaign and earn stickers and prizes! Let us know what you think in Zoom or this Google form.
If you would like to receive direct emails with C.A.L.M. Updates or have an idea for other places to share, please fill out the Google Form or email your request to AccessibilityDSS@fcps.edu. We're excited to help you Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials!
🎨 FCPS CARES Recipients Touches the Hearts of Students
FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents/caregivers, 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 May is Matthew Ravenstahl, an art teacher at South Lakes, pictured above with a student in his inclusive art class.
“Matt’s ability to share his love of art has extended beyond the typical and touched the hearts of our special needs children,” a parent said in nominating him. “Before starting in Matt’s art class, our [son] had sensory problems and did not like the feel of sticky or gooey materials. Now, he does not mind working with different textured materials and he is producing artwork displayed at local community centers. Our son’s future has more options because of Dr. Ravenstahl.”
Congratulations to Matt, and the other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients:
- Jaime Villamarin Perdomo, Stonecroft Transportation Center.
- Rachel Baxter and Krissy Ronan, Marshall High School.
- Ana Mack, Sandburg Middle School.
- Ryan Nigro, Kings Park Elementary School.
- Mike Gerber, Westbriar Elementary School.
- Jackie Lake, Braddock Elementary School.
Read about all the recipients.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.
See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Watch the video above about pre-K.
Fairfax County Pass Rates for State Tests
At last week’s School Board meeting Dr. Reid presented information on FCPS’ annual pass rates for the Standards of Learning (SOL) and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) tests in the Academic Matters segment (video). FCPS continues to outperform the state average in all subjects.
View data from the “Annual Pass Rates on SOL and VAAP Tests” graphic (above) in an accessible format. View the presentation slides.
Employee Use of Social Media Regulation
Regulation 7004 includes definitions and rules for official, professional, and personal social media accounts of FCPS employees.
Official social media accounts represent an FCPS school, department, office, building, program, athletic team, leadership position/title (such as principal or superintendent), or other entity.
Professional social media accounts are employee accounts used for official FCPS business, such as sharing photos of students in class, posting school news and stories, or publishing athletic team information.
FCPS official and professional social media accounts:
- ✅ Are only for FCPS business, such as sharing photos/videos of classes/students.
- ❌ Never post photos featuring students with opt-outs on file. Blurring or covering a child’s face is NOT acceptable.
- ❌ Never post, share, or like inappropriate content.
- ❌ Never block/ban users or hide/delete comments unless they violate the FCPS Social Media Disclaimer.
- ❌ Never post student schoolwork without parent/caregiver permission.
Personal social media accounts should not be used to conduct or communicate about FCPS business. These accounts:
- ✅ Must always be kept separate from Official and Professional accounts.
- ❌ Never post photos/videos of students or their work without opt-in parent permission.
For additional guidance and examples, see the Social Media Guidelines for FCPS Employees.
📰 FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees
Looking to sell your old guitar or share a ride to work? The FCPS Online Classifieds system — available to employees only and found on the Hub — is a free way to post ads for personally owned items to buy, sell, or give away. It's also a great tool to find a roommate or rent real estate.
FCPS' Online Classifieds system is completely self-service and allows employees to post new ads, or update or renew existing ads at any time. View rules and frequently asked questions. For more information, contact Andy Grunig.
FCPS Statement on Nondiscrimination: Americans With Disabilities Policy Notice
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, Title IX, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information in its programs and activities. These protections apply to students, employees, and other members of the public.
FCPS also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. FCPS is committed to equal access and equal opportunity in all services and employment; to include its policies, complaint process, program accessibility, religious accommodations, and other Equal Employment Opportunity matters. FCPS prohibits retaliation against individuals who report allegations of discrimination, file a formal complaint, or participate in the investigative process.
Compliance is coordinated by the directors of the following:
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Office of Employee Relations, Department of Human Resources, regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment issues. Find contact information on their website.
- Office of Special Education Procedural Support, Department of Special Services, 571-423-4290, regarding programs and activities for students with disabilities.
For more information, visit the non-discrimination policy webpage or the non-discrimination/ADA webpage.
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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