Kindergarten Teacher Julie Kercher works with her students during a phonics lesson at Graham Road Elementary School.
💻 Go Paperless; Sign Up to Receive W-2 Electronically
It’s almost tax time. Plan for tax season now and opt in to receive your W-2 electronically by Monday, December 30. Going paperless will not only save FCPS money but will also save you time when you prepare your tax return!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact PayrollHelp@fcps.edu.
School Board Extends Dr. Reid’s Contract
The Fairfax County School Board unanimously voted to extend the contract of Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid through June 2028. Read more about this decision.
Approved Secondary Course Offerings
At Thursday’s School Board meeting, the board also voted to add and adjust middle and high school course offerings for the 2025-26 school year. View the agenda item to see the changes.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Update your contact information in UConnect to receive text messages regarding weather closings from FCPS. When a weather event is in the forecast, be sure to plan for childcare, if needed.
📣 Your Voice Matters at FCPS!
Thank you to all the employees who participated in the Employee Engagement Survey. Division leaders will review feedback in January, which will help them identify FCPS’ strengths, opportunities, and challenges. Schools and regions will also use targeted data to make informed decisions for the 2024-25 school year.
Visit the Employee Engagement Survey page on the Hub for additional information.
✨ Creating an environment that values staff voice is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar C: Diverse, Adaptive, and Supported Workforce.
Teacher Shares Native American Roots
Many teachers look to inspire the next generation. Tony Gray, a Native American and the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher at Wakefield Forest Elementary School, was raised to think seven generations ahead.
A member of the Haudenosaunee’s (ho-dee-no-show-nee) Bear Clan who grew up on a reservation in upstate New York, Tony didn’t realize at first that his upbringing had perfectly trained him for a future in teaching. Read about how his background inspired him and is inspiring students.
Native American History Month
November is Native American History Month. It is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native peoples, past and present, and to acknowledge their important contributions. It is also a time to raise general awareness about the unique challenges Native peoples have faced both historically and in the present, and how tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
🥰 FCPS CARES Recipients Offer Caring Support
FCPS CARES allows parents/caregivers, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Among the CARES of the Month recipients for September are Heather Frei (left), Alejandra Navarrete (right), and Michael Symanski (not pictured) from Pulley Career Center. Principal Peter Kelly is pictured in the center.
A parent of a recent graduate nominated the Pulley Center staff. Even though she is no longer enrolled at Pulley, staff supported her during her transition from the school.
“With their help and guidance over the last couple of weeks, she has been able to get a job that she is enjoying,” their nomination stated. “Pulley Career Center was a blessing to our daughter throughout her time there and continues to be a blessing."
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Jennifer Conner and Felicia Hamilton, Gatehouse Administration Center
- Kenyatta Momon, Langley High School
- David Wall, Justice High School
- Jennifer Quinn, West Springfield Elementary School
- Hannah Miller and Rebecca Hitchings, Greenbriar East Elementary School
- Karen Baxter, Island Creek Elementary School
Read about all the recipients.
✨Supported and successful transitions to postsecondary opportunities are part of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.
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Learn How to Disconnect, Get Better Sleep, or Both!
The Employee Wellness Program provides all FCPS staff with wellness initiatives, support, and resources to enhance their health and well-being. For more information, please email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu or visit the Employee Wellness Hub page.
📵 Digital Detox
Technology is everywhere and is a constant part of our lives. Explore the impact of digital devices on our health at Digital Detox: Reclaim Your Well-Being on Wednesday, November 20, noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will provide practical tips on how to unplug and allow both mind and body to recharge.
Register for the webinar today. This event is part of Kaiser Permanente’s Well-Being Wednesday series. Other webinars are available on preventative care, flu awareness, breast cancer awareness, and other health topics. You do not have to be a Kaiser member to participate.
💤 Boosting Health by Prioritizing Sleep
Recent studies show Americans are increasingly sleep-deprived, impacting health and well-being. While many focus on diet and exercise, quality sleep — which is crucial — is often overlooked. Are you struggling to get enough rest? Sleep: An Essential Component of Health and Well-Being will be presented on Wednesday, November 20, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Register today.
Liaisons Work to Set Families Up for Success
For many families who move to Fairfax County from other countries, the Dunn Loring Welcome Center is a safe haven. There they find staff, such as Community Liaison Beatriz Bucarey, ready to help them learn everything from how to set up email to what forms are needed for school registration. And, they’re greeted in their own language.
Beatriz has been helping families for more than 20 years. Read about her experience in the Employee Blog.
November Is Family Engagement Month
Parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. More than 35 years of research have shown that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in their children’s education. Family engagement is a shared responsibility between home, school, and the community.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
📍 Boundary Review Update
Our first set of Boundary Review Community Meetings kicked off Monday evening at Glasgow Middle School. Participants learned more about the boundary review process, asked questions, and shared their thoughts.
The next meeting will be held Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria (Region 5). Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to register or view other community meeting dates.
Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee
More than 1,600 parents/caregivers applied to participate in the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee! Two parents/caregivers from each of FCPS’ 24 high school pyramids have been invited to join the committee.
Members were chosen randomly from those who confirmed their ability to participate in in-person meetings. Other advisory committee members include school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and representatives from community groups.
The Boundary Review Advisory Committee’s unique perspectives will be invaluable, as we work together to ensure this process is transparent, includes significant community participation and feedback, and always keeps students at the center of every decision.
🎁 Start the Holiday Season by Giving the Gift of Life
The Office of Facilities Management will host a blood drive on Wednesday, December 4, 6-10 a.m. at Sideburn Center. Free breakfast will be available for all who participate. Register to donate blood.
📖 Advancing Literacy Through Bedtime Stories
In the latest Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shared how Principal Josh Douds and other staff at Centreville Elementary School have been engaging with their community and promoting literacy by reading bedtime stories on Zoom. Learn more about this project and other updates on Dr. Reid’s work throughout the week in Weekly Reflections.
✨Students reading on level by third grade is part of Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
📉 Reducing Chronic Absenteeism to Improve Academic Success
During the Academic Matters section of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid talked about FCPS’ work to reduce chronic absenteeism. View her presentation (pdf).
Chronic absenteeism in FCPS rose to 17.1% in the 2022-23 school year. Thanks to our multi-tiered system of support, we reduced that to 12.8% in 2023-24. Watch Academic Matters.
✨Improving absenteeism rates is part of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
🎁 Give More, Stress Less, Spend Less With Savings for Staff
Take advantage of Savings for Staff through PerkSpot to buy gifts, celebrate with family and friends, and enjoy the season with less financial strain. Stay tuned for these exciting savings opportunities coming your way:
- Early-access deals, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, last-minute gifts, and other savings.
- Giveaways throughout the season.
- Deal of the Week.
- Savings guides to help you find the perfect gift at an affordable cost.
Sign up or log in to PerkSpot to join the holiday fun!
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving
Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
Note: Employee News will not be distributed on Tuesday, November 26.
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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