First Grade Teacher Joe McGuire leads a lesson at Ravensworth Elementary School.
💙 Thank You, Principals, for Inspiring and Supporting Our Communities
October is National School Principals Month. We celebrate our dedicated school leaders who play an essential role in shaping their communities and paving pathways for success for each and every student and staff member in their schools.
At the 2024 FCPS Honors ceremony, Raven Jones, principal of Luther Jackson Middle School (pictured in the center above) was named Outstanding New Principal. Jamie Gadley, principal of Dranesville Elementary School, was named Outstanding Principal. Read the Employee Blog to learn why these leaders were nominated by their peers for this recognition.
📊 Employee Engagement Survey Opens This Month
Let your voice be heard! On Monday, October 28, contracted and hourly employees will receive an email from K-12 Insight with a link to FCPS’ Employee Engagement Survey. This is your opportunity to share feedback on your job, work environment, and overall opinions about FCPS. Visit the Employee Hub for more information.
New Badges for School-Based Employees
School-based employees will begin receiving new badges in December, by region. To prepare for new badges, employees working in schools should:
Please note that regulations are being updated to require current photos (no older than 10 years) for enhanced security.
Schools will be notified when their badges are ready to be distributed. Central office staff will receive their new badges by the end of November (except for Dunn Loring and Leis Center staff, who received them in June).
The new badges will provide more secure access to FCPS schools and buildings and enable employees to access cloud printing services in any FCPS location. Visit the Employee Hub for information about the new badges and resources for site-based badge administrators.
FCPS Ombuds Is Here to Hear You
Office of the Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of every member of the FCPS community. The team works as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- Share strategies for parents/caregivers to improve communication with schools and teachers.
- Help resolve disagreements involving employees in the workplace or disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools.
- Provide ideas to foster parent/caregiver participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
🌽 Literacy Lessons “Pop” When Teachers Aren’t Afraid to Be Corny
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shares some of her activities from last week, including a highlight of some of the creative and “corny” Benchmark Advance literacy lessons at schools including Bull Run Elementary School. Bull Run’s fifth grade team is pictured above.
Dr. Reid is looking for more creative ways FCPS teachers are implementing the Benchmark curriculum. Share your innovative approaches with her at Superintendent@fcps.edu.
Read Weekly Reflections for more updates on her week.
📚 Opportunity to Review Social Studies Basal Resources
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary materials used to support instruction in a given subject. Part of the process for selecting new resources is a public review of the instructional materials under consideration. This step is currently underway. 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 the School Board before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
Yom Kippur/Evening-Only Observance Day
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur. There are classes 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.
School Board Meeting Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Strategic Plan Update
- Advisory Committee Appointments
- 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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