Principal Kelly Durso high-fives students on the learning path at Oak Hill Elementary School.
ERFC News: Unused Sick Leave Eligibility and DROP Option
Effective July 1, 2024, the Fairfax County School Board approved two exciting changes to ERFC.
Unused Sick Leave Conversion to Service Credit
Unused sick leave for Tier 1 members (hired July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2017) and Tier 2 members (hired July 1, 2017, to present) will now count as service years toward your ERFC retirement. When you retire, your unused sick leave will automatically convert according to this formula:
- Unused sick leave hours ÷ contract days ÷ work hours per day = credited service
Please note: Your sick leave is part of the ERFCDirect estimate and any sick leave used or transferred to another county prior to retirement will negatively impact your ERFC benefit amount.
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)
Still trying to decide whether to leave your career behind? DROP allows Legacy members (hired before July 1, 2001) who are eligible for an unreduced retirement to retire for purposes of the ERFC pension plan while continuing to work for FCPS.
Under DROP, approved members can continue working full time as active employees and receive a salary and benefits for up to five years. During this time, their monthly pension benefit is held in account by ERFC, with interest, until formal exit from the program. For more details, including how to apply for DROP and important deadlines, visit the DROP webpage.
Questions? Call ERFC at 703-426-3900, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email ERFCRetirement@fcps.edu.
Results of 2022-23 Family Engagement Survey
The results of FCPS’ second Family Engagement Survey are now available. A key finding from the more than 26,000 parents and guardians who responded to the survey is that 92% say they “feel welcome at my child’s school,” an increase from 89% in the 2021-22 survey.
The most recent survey was conducted during the 2023-24 school year to measure the division’s success with family engagement. Its results will also guide our work in order to help deepen that engagement while continuing to build trust and empower families to support their children’s success.
Read more about the survey results. Division and school survey results are available on the Hub.
Survey Outcome: FCPS Family Academy
One outcome of the Family Engagement Survey is the creation of the FCPS Family Academy.
The Family Academy’s goal is to ensure the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy will create a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
These goals align with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home School & Community Partnerships. Pillar B reminds FCPS to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: “Shall vs. May” Focus Groups
FCPS’ 2024-25 Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Guide for Families (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and how adults will respond to promote school safety while ensuring a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
The School Board has recognized the importance of reviewing the “shall vs. may” language within the SR&R document. Clarifying mandatory actions (“shall”) and discretionary actions (“may”) will support consistent and equitable disciplinary practices across all schools.
School-based staff and administrators will receive an email invitation regarding “shall vs. may” focus groups, where participants can share their thoughts on this language. K12 Insight is partnering with FCPS’ Chief Equity Office to host the focus groups and will send the invitations.
If you have questions, please contact Kathleen Walts, executive director, Equity and Student Relations at kswalts@fcps.edu.
MyPath Icon Released
FCPS is introducing the MyPath icon for the new Human Capital Management system. MyPath will replace UConnect, MyPDE, MyTime, our hiring platform, and other legacy systems to improve employee engagement and experience at FCPS from job application through retirement. MyPath will increase the visibility, efficiency, and productivity of many systems we use daily.
The first phase of MyPath (which began in March) focuses on pay-related items and is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of 2026. As part of the first phase, employees will be able to log in to MyPath to enter leave or time worked and view leave balances and pay statements.
Additional self-service “paths” will become available in phases two and three, including job postings, onboarding, evaluations, and professional development.
Updates will be provided as we move closer to the rollout of phase one in January 2026. Learn more about the MyPath Project on the Employee Hub.
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✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered
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.
In the second goal, we commit to our students feeling safe, supported, included, and empowered in their school community. We want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive.
See how Goal 2 is being put into practice. Watch the video above about tackling absenteeism.
🖥️ Website Feedback Needed by September 16
Now that our redesigned 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 are anonymous. Thank you for your time.
📰 Superintendent’s Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shares her travels throughout the division in her Weekly Reflections. Last week, in addition to school visits and back-to-school nights, Dr. Reid hosted her first Employee Conversation of the year. Read all about it in the superintendent's latest issue of Weekly Reflections.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
September 11: National Day of Service
Each year, the United States commemorates the tragic loss of life on September 11, 2001, and the acts of courage, compassion, and sacrifice that followed. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
On September 17 each year, schools honor Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and recognizes “all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”
Resources are listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day website. Information about citizenship and civics is also available at other websites such as the National Constitution Center.
FCPS Social Studies has developed a Constitution and Citizenship Day resource to support teachers with specific ideas for social studies instruction.
🗳️ National Voter Registration Day Is September 17
Tuesday, September 17, is National Voter Registration Day. Learn more about registering to vote. In-person early voting is available in Fairfax County from Friday, September 20, through Saturday, November 2.
School Board Meeting Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, September 12, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Strategic Plan Update
- Awarding of Contracts
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
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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