Biology Teacher Sahar Agabna smiles after completing a lesson at Stone Middle School.
🎉 All Fairfax County Public Schools Accredited
We are proud to have all Fairfax County public schools accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.
We have seen marked improvement with 191 of our schools improving chronic absenteeism rates. FCPS has a high number of students taking rigorous courses — far higher than the national average. The division also continues to see other state indicators improving, including SOL pass rates and graduation rates. Read more about all our schools receiving accreditation.Â
🏆 FCPS Continues to Surpass State and Global SAT Average
Fairfax County seniors in the class of 2024 continued to perform well above state and global averages on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board.Â
The Fairfax County average score for the class of 2024 (1178) was higher than the state average (1101) and the global average (1024). Read more about the latest SAT results.
✨ Strategic Plan Connection
These divisionwide successes demonstrate how FCPS is achieving our Strategic Plan:
- Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered is measured by student attendance and absenteeism rates.Â
- Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence is measured by growth and performance on state, national, and international assessments.Â
- Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity is measured by the availability of and enrollment in advanced, rigorous coursework and programs.
đź’š Custodian Goes Above and Beyond for School and Community
Wednesday, October 2, is National Custodian Appreciation Day. Thanks to our colleagues on the custodial team, we all have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work. FCPS employs more than 1,300 custodians, field custodians, and building supervisors to maintain our more than 28 million square feet of infrastructure.
One of our amazing custodial employees is Jaime Medina Yrhuay, a custodian at Falls Church High School (pictured above). Jaime was a pyramid winner last year for Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee. Read about what makes Jaime outstanding in the Employee Blog.Â
Distribution of New Badges
The new employee badge pilot was a success, with staff at Dunn Loring and Leis centers receiving their new badges. The new badges have an updated design, offer enhanced security, and enable PaperCut printing access at all locations. Employees working in other locations will receive new badges by spring 2025.Â
Central office employees will be the next group to receive their badges — by the end of November. Employees at schools and centers, please stay tuned for more information regarding the process for your new badges in next week’s Employee News.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect With Others Through FCPS Affinity Groups
The Equity Office is excited to share affinity groups to provide employees from traditionally marginalized backgrounds with a safe place to build community, share stories, and find support from colleagues with similar identities.Â
There are affinity groups for Asian educators, Aspiring Leaders of Color, Black educators, Christian educators, Jewish culture, Latino/Hispanic educators, LGBTQIA+ educators, Middle Eastern educators, Muslim educators, and neurodivergent educators.
If you are interested in participating or would like to lead a group, please visit the Affinity Groups website.
Great Beginnings Quarter 1 Learning Series
The Great Beginnings Quarter 1 Learning Series will be offered between Tuesday, October 15, and Thursday, October 17, with different sessions occurring each night. Learning Series sessions are designed for new educators but are open to any interested educator. Sessions include:
- Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Design for All LearnersÂ
- Engagement Strategies for Instructional Staff
- Setting Up Your Students for Success: Effective Classroom and Behavior Management
- Setting Boundaries for Better Balance
- Tackling Time Management
All sessions will be presented via Zoom from 5:15 to 6:45 pm. Interested participants should register by Friday, October 11.Â
Learn more about the Quarter 1 Learning Series sessions and register on the Great Beginnings Google site.
đź“š How FCPS Is Teaching Reading and Writing
During Academic Matters at Thursday’s School Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on elementary literacy. Watch this video to learn more about how FCPS is teaching reading and writing.Â
Dr. Reid’s presentation included updates on Benchmark Advance Training, the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) Implementation Playbook, topics of Benchmark units, home-school connections of the program, and supports for students — including multilingual learners, special education students, and advanced learners. Watch the presentation.
✨ Strategic Plan Connection
FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence focuses on helping students meet or exceed academic standards and reach their highest academic potential. This includes helping students show growth on reading assessments and read on level by the end of third grade.
✏️ Make an Impact: Become a Special Education Teacher
Virtual information sessions for staff considering becoming special education teachers are held on the second Thursday of every month. The next session will be Thursday, October 10, at 6 p.m. Click the date to register. Learn more about career possibilities in special education.
✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
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.Â
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
Educate Fairfax Receives $131,000 to Support Educational Initiatives
Educate Fairfax received a generous donation of $131,056.80 from the now-dissolved Association of Fairfax Professional Educators. The donation will support Educate Fairfax Grants, which provide students across Fairfax County with equitable access to innovative education experiences that align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan. Read more about the grant donation.
Educate Fairfax is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that builds partnerships and raises funds to support students, families, educators, and schools within FCPS. Educate Fairfax Grants are designed to empower educators, faculty, and staff to bring innovative ideas, creative projects, and learning experiences to life, and provide equitable access and opportunities for FCPS students.
Educate Fairfax Grants Available for Educators
FCPS employees with innovative and creative ideas that will positively impact students and are aligned with the FCPS Strategic Plan are encouraged to apply for an Educate Fairfax Grant of up to $2,000. Â
Find the grant application on the Educate Fairfax website. The application closes Friday, October 18, at 11:59 p.m. For more information, please contact Meredith Ayala, manager of Grants and Program Development at Educate Fairfax.
🏆 Reflecting on a Week of Celebrations
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid highlighted celebrations that happened across the county over the last week, including one with the Office of Budget Services (above), which was recognized for excellence. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
Free COVID-19 Tests Available
Households can once again order four free COVID-19 tests to be delivered to you.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
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.Â
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed for Rosh Hashanah.Â
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students.
Yom Kippur/Evening-Only Observance Day
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Staff Development Day
Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Upcoming School Board Work Session
School Board work sessions are held to examine important subjects in depth, which is usually not possible during regular business meetings.Â
The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 8, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Topics include the Strategic Plan Goal 1 Report and Boundary Review.Â
Watch live on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) or the FCPS YouTube Channel.
Sexual Harassment Prohibited in FCPS
Regulation 4950 – Sexual Harassment by Employees states that no person in Fairfax County Public Schools shall be subjected to sexual harassment. It is the intent of the School Board to maintain an environment free from sexual harassment of any kind.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature amounting to or constituting harassment are prohibited. Employees should report complaints of sexual harassment to their supervisors or program managers. Students and their parents/caregivers should bring concerns to their school principals.
If, for any reason, an individual prefers not to address their concerns directly with a principal, supervisor, or program manager, they may consult or file a complaint online (select Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint).
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!Â
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