Sixth Grade Teacher Jessica Devoti smiles as she begins her day at Orange Hunt Elementary School.
FCPS Strives to Become Purple Star School Division to Support Military Families
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, who is from a military family, has established a goal for FCPS to become a Purple Star Division — with 100% of our schools earning their Purple Star Designation — by the 2026-27 school year. Virginia’s Purple Star Designation recognizes schools for excelling in their support of military-connected students.
The division has 69 current Purple Star Schools and expects approximately 33 schools to earn or renew their Purple Star status this year. Read more about our Purple Star Division plan.
🎖️ Thank You, Military Families!
This week is Blue Star Welcome Week, an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our school district.
🩺 Open Enrollment Begins Monday, October 14
It’s never too early to begin thinking about your health plan options for 2025!
FCPS provides a window of opportunity to review your medical and dental elections, update your plan selections, and make decisions on the best option for your situation. Open enrollment will run from Monday, October 14, through Monday, November 4. Learn more about open enrollment.
🏆 Spring Hill Elementary School Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon School
Congratulations to Spring Hill Elementary School for being named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education! Spring Hill is among eight schools in Virginia and 356 schools in the country receiving the honor this year. Amy Briggs (pictured above) is Spring Hill’s very proud principal!
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes high-performing schools and schools making exemplary progress toward closing achievement gaps. Read more about Spring Hill and this award.
📍 Boundary Review Updates
The Fairfax County School Board recently awarded a contract to Thru Consulting to manage a comprehensive school boundary review for Fairfax County Public Schools. The consultant will perform this work during a 16-month period ending in January 2026. In July, the School Board approved updates to Policy 8130, which provides the framework as we consider any potential future boundary adjustments.
One of the first steps in this effort is for the superintendent to establish a Boundary Review Advisory Committee that includes parents/caregivers, school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and community members. It’s also important to know that any potential future boundary changes will include robust community engagement, as required by the policy and the Code of Virginia.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Promoting a Respectful and Inclusive Work Environment
Building a culture that embraces respect, civility, and inclusion is key to creating a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment.
- Discrimination is unequal treatment based on a person’s membership in a protected class, where such treatment is serious enough to adversely impact the person’s employment.
- Harassment is a “form of discrimination that encompasses unwelcome conduct, by a coworker, supervisor/management official, or contractor/vendor based on an individual’s membership in a protected class, where such conduct is so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it unreasonably interferes with an individual’s ability to receive the benefits of their educational programming, or adversely impacts employment.”
FCPS regulations 4951 and 4952 outline the FCPS discrimination complaints management process. All FCPS employees have rights and responsibilities in promoting a respectful and inclusive work environment. Learn more by completing this 15-minute recommended training in MyPDE.
💻 Retirement and Resignation HR-2 Forms Move Online
FCPS will transition from paper-based to electronic submission for HR-2 retirement and resignation forms Monday, September 30. Employees will use StaffConnect to submit their decision to separate from FCPS by choosing either Resignation or Retirement in the StaffConnect menu. This change empowers employees to directly communicate to the division their decision to leave, rather than relying on their supervisor.
This shift to electronic submission of the HR-2 will enhance FCPS' ability to track separation rates and improve the accuracy of processing and reporting. A transition period will allow for both paper and electronic HR-2 submissions; but starting Friday, October 18, only electronic submissions will be accepted. Learn more on this HR-2 page on the Employee Hub.
Pathways to Leadership Conference
The FCPS Pathways to Leadership Conference will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 5:30-8 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School. The conference will feature an inspirational welcome and sessions aligned to four career growth tracks: Careers in FCPS, Further Education, Career Development, and Job Embedded Professional Development. This event is open to all operational or instructional staff seeking information about leadership opportunities in FCPS. Register early in MyPDE. Contact Sara Royer with any questions.
📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration, which is part of the process for selecting new resources, will take place in October. Visit the community review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources in accordance with the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
🌎 Multilingual Teacher Shares Her Passion for Learning
Indiana Obando, a multilingual teacher at Bailey’s Elementary School, was inspired by her background as an immigrant to become a teacher and establish a nurturing environment for others. This year she has been chosen to participate in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program.
Hispanic Heritage Month
It was not until she lived in the United States that Indiana was referred to as “Hispanic.” But now, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, she hopes that people will learn to recognize the history and contributions of Hispanic cultures along with the struggles these groups have faced.
Read more about Indiana and her background in this Employee Blog.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities
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.
The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students, and allow them to explore their passions and talents.
💛 A Path to Support: Suicide Awareness Webinar and Resources
September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness of this urgently important crisis. It is hard to know when someone may be navigating challenging times, whether managing stress, supporting loved ones, coping with loss, or dealing with uncertainty.
Join the upcoming Suicide Awareness webinar on Wednesday, September 25, at 4:30 p.m., to explore common misconceptions about suicide and depression, and learn to distinguish between facts and myths. Participants will also learn about the causes, risk factors, and signs of depression, along with how to support those with suicidal thoughts. Register today.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
For more information, visit the Guidance Resources website or the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Hub page.
🎤 Your Voice Matters! Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Employee Conversations with Dr. Reid are planned for:
Click on the date to register.
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.
📰 Back to School Nights With Dr. Reid in Weekly Reflections
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shares her thoughts on a week full of activities ranging from back-to-school nights — including one at Brookfield Elementary School, pictured above — to community and leadership meetings, and celebrating Hispanic Heritage. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Rosh Hashanah/Teacher Workday
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed for Rosh Hashanah.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Opening of Schools Report
- Dunn Loring Elementary School — Authorization to Negotiate and Execute Proffer Statement
- 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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