Ingrid Sánchez-Seymour, a learning disabilities teacher, helps students plant flags as part of a Veterans Day ceremony at Hayfield Secondary School.
🩺 Open Enrollment and Benefits Open Houses
Open enrollment is underway, and benefits-eligible employees can review and make changes to their benefits through Tuesday, November 19. The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) will host open houses for employees to chat with benefits vendors — including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente — and OBS staff on:
Now is the time to review your medical and dental coverage and make changes. Any benefit elections made during open enrollment will become effective January 1, 2025.
For more information about 2025 FCPS benefits, read the annual Employee Benefits Briefing and view the 2025 Benefit Premium Chart. Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for links to benefits vendors’ websites, plan documents, and additional resources.
Have questions? Call your benefits plan provider or contact OBS by calling 571-423-3200 or emailing OE_2025@fcps.edu.
Re-Enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts
Remember, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for medical or dependent care spending must be set up each year during open enrollment. Current FSA participants are not automatically re-enrolled. Any benefit elections made during open enrollment will become effective January 1, 2025.
📣 Your Voice Matters!
Last Chance to Take the Employee Engagement Survey
The Employee Engagement Survey is closing on Monday! If you have not completed the survey, you are likely receiving reminder emails from east@K12insight.com. These emails will continue until the survey closes on Monday, November 18, or until you have completed the survey. K12 Insight automatically generates all reminders. This does not impact the confidentiality of your survey.
The survey is available in multiple languages, takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and can be accessed on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. All responses are confidential. No one at FCPS will know whether you participated or how you responded, so please be candid.
For questions, contact FCPSSurveys@fcps.edu. Visit the Employee Engagement Survey page on the Employee Hub for additional information.
🎤 Employee Conversation With Dr. Reid
Employees are invited to join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid on Tuesday, November 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at Laurel Ridge Elementary School. Click on the date to register. You may reach out to Dr. Reid anytime by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
✨ Creating an environment that values staff voice is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar C: Diverse, Adaptive, and Supported Workforce.
🎖️ 38 Schools Recognized for Supporting Military-Connected Families
Thirty-eight Fairfax County public schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2024 Purple Star Schools. View the full list of new Purple Star Schools.
Nearly half of Fairfax County public schools (96) are currently designated as Purple Star Schools. Earlier this fall, Dr. Reid announced a goal for FCPS to achieve Purple Star Division status by 2026-27, with 100% of our schools designated as Purple Star Schools.
✨ A positive school climate is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
Honoring Our Veteran Employees
Can you guess who this midshipman is?
Let’s say a heartfelt “Thank you” to the many FCPS employees who are also military veterans! Find out who the employee above is and how she journeyed from the U.S. Naval Academy to the education field in this Employee Blog about our FCPS veterans.
School Psychologist Creates Safe and Nurturing Environment
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November 11-15 is National School Psychologist Week. We celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive. Read about Cara Fratta, a school psychologist at Kilmer Center School, who was named School Psychologist of the Year by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists.
✨ Providing access to necessary emotional, behavioral, and mental health services is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
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🔓 Unlock the Power of AI in Your Daily Work
Register now for the upcoming IT Hour of Learning for operational staff on Friday, December 6. Dive into practical ways to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity and streamline tasks. This event will feature three targeted sessions:
Each session is designed to equip you with actionable strategies to help you work smarter, not harder. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your workflow and see how AI can support your role in new, impactful ways. Visit MyPDE for more information.
😴 Recharge and Renew with Wellbeats’ Sleep and Movement Program
Sleep is vital to your physical, mental, and emotional health. A lack of quality sleep can increase stress, impacting your mood, productivity, and overall health. Restful sleep and regular movement can boost your energy, sharpen your focus, and improve your overall well-being.
As an FCPS employee, you have access to Wellbeats Wellness, featuring thousands of on-demand classes designed to help you sleep better and feel your best. Complete the Sleep and Movement Program by Saturday, November 30, and enter for a chance to win a Wellbeats Wellness accessories gift card. Email Employee Wellness for more information.
IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair
School staff, parents/caregivers, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.
The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.
FCPS staff are able to obtain 3.5 credit hours for attending this event. To be eligible, sign up in MyPDE for IEP Palooza.
✨ Every student having access to resources to support their success is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
GMU Special Education Licensure Information Session
Whether you’re a teacher trainee working toward your special education provisional license or a recently provisionally licensed teacher, FCPS has an exciting opportunity for you!
Tune in to a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 20, at 5 p.m., to learn about Special Education Cohorts in partnership with George Mason University. Learn about cost-saving options like the Grow Your Own program, which provides a supportive and affordable path to completing your special education licensure.
Register for the information session. Contact the FCPS Teacher Pathways Office at TeacherPathways.OPL@fcps.edu.
👩🏫 Help Our Teacher Team Grow!
Are you an instructional assistant who is considering becoming a teacher? Know someone who you think would be a good fit for Team FCPS? In-person job fairs for teachers and other instructional positions will be held on Saturday, November 23, and Saturday, December 14, at Sandburg Middle School from 9 a.m. to noon.
There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from FCPS schools. Employment offers for the current school year may be presented during the fair.
Registration is required. Register to attend the November 23 job fair no later than Thursday, November 21. Register to attend the December 14 job fair no later than Thursday, December 12.
Contact the Department of Human Resources through their web portal or call 571-423-3000.
Providing a Safe and Welcoming Space for Everyone
FCPS is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. Our Trust Policy solidifies our commitment. It aligns with Fairfax County’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy to ensure that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials.
Please visit our Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.
If you feel someone has violated the Trust Policy, please email TrustViolations@fcps.edu. If you are a staff member who receives feedback or reports about these issues, please encourage staff, students, and families to contact the ombudsman at ombudsman@fcps.edu or email TrustViolations@fcps.edu.
📐 Pyramid Teachers Solve Math Lessons
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In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid highlights the professional learning she observed last week at Columbia (pictured above) and Annandale Terrace elementary schools. Teachers from the Annandale Pyramid gathered to work together on upcoming math lessons. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
✨Successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
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School Board Meeting Thursday, November 14, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, November 14, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Consideration of Extension to the Division Superintendent Contract
- Comprehensive Facilities Condition Assessment
- Secondary Course Offerings
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving
Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
📰 FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees
 Looking to sell your old guitar or share a ride to work? The FCPS Online Classifieds system is available to employees only and found on the Hub. It’s 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.
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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