Meet Langley High School’s office staff members: (from left to right) Cindy Bradley, Nancy Schultz, Nancy Ayoub, Vivian Crosby, and Brenda Cordova.
Proposed Budget Presented to School Board
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on January 23. Watch a video of the presentation.
The proposed budget reflects FCPS’ continued focus on providing a world-class education for each and every student while recognizing the hard work and commitment of our outstanding employees. As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24 message to all staff, the FY 2026 Proposed Budget prioritizes:
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Providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff.
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Investing in students who require additional support and empowering our educators to meet their educational needs through micro-credentialing.
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Continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool, certified athletic trainers at each of our high schools, family liaisons, fine and performing arts stipends, and replacement of our Human Resources Information System.
Visit FCPS’ Budget webpage for more information.
🎼 FCPS CARES Recipient Helps Students Find Joy in Music
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 November 2024 is Michael Secchi, band teacher at Woodburn Elementary School (pictured with Kanchana Iyer, principal).
Michael was nominated by a parent, who described him as a “kind-hearted” teacher who made a big impact when he helped rekindle a struggling student’s love for music. “Mr. Secchi offered an extra before-school, one-on-one jam session to make sure my son not only was able to get back on track with playing but also to find his joy in music again.”
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Kenyetta McNeil, Lawrence Randolph, and Noelle Titus – Willow Oaks
- Kerrie Turner – Thoreau Middle School
- Samantha Vivian-Beck – Twain Middle School
- Lisa Fields, Susan Kane, Sheila Bartley, Barbara Fleck, Justin Quincy, Susan Waring, Caitlin Schifter, Natalie Schmid, Megan Counts, Gretchen O'Donnell, Mariama Diallo, and Cathy Wood – Laurel Ridge Elementary School
- Christina Bruch and Courtney Cottrell – Deer Park Elementary School
- Alex Winiewicz – Braddock Elementary School
Read about all the recipients.
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🩺 FCPS Benefits Come With Personalized Support
FCPS employees with questions about their coverage or claims can schedule one-on-one virtual appointments with FCPS-dedicated Cigna and Kaiser representatives.
Visit the Employee Hub for more benefits information.
Cigna Out-of-Network Coverage
Most Cigna out-of-network coinsurance will be 70% of the allowed amount after the deductible is met. Out-of-network mental health and emergency room coinsurance remain at 90% of the allowed amount after the deductible is met. Out-of-network urgent care coinsurance coverage also remains at 90% of the allowed amount, however the deductible does not apply. See Benefits at-a-Glance for details.
💕 Wear Red for American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, and all FCPS staff are invited to help raise awareness of and show their support for those with heart disease by wearing red on Friday, February 7.
Take a group photo of your staff wearing red, and the school or office with the most red will win a prize!
Share your photo on your worksite’s official Twitter account, tag @FCPSWellness, and use the hashtags #AmericanHeartMonth, #NationalWearRedDay, and #PaintFCPSRedDay. Or email your photo to EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
Let's paint FCPS red and make a difference together!
♥️ Share the Love, Donate Blood
Sideburn Support Center is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, February 12, from 6-10 a.m. Donors will receive a free breakfast. Register for a time to donate. For more information, contact Jackie Roseman.
🌅 Coast to Coast Spring Challenge: Mark Your Calendars!
Hit the virtual road with your colleagues on Monday, March 3, for the Coast to Coast wellness virtual adventure! Log your physical activities and discover selfie-perfect backdrops, postcard-worthy images, fun facts, and much more as you boost your well-being!
Registration opens Monday, February 17. Points are earned for steps taken or physical activity completed. You may receive additional points for completing daily healthy habits. Prizes will be given to the top individual participants and most engaged schools.
🌼 We Honor You: FCPS Retirement Ceremony Scheduled for April 30
FCPS celebrates our retirees’ careers, legacies, and accomplishments at our annual retirement ceremony, We Honor You — Celebrating Your Service to FCPS. This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m., at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The evening begins with an hors d’oeuvre reception followed by a recognition ceremony with our superintendent, Leadership Team, and School Board.
Those planning to retire should submit their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) as soon as possible. Invitations will be mailed in March to those who retired after the spring 2024 retirement recognition and those who plan to retire before December 31, 2025. Please email questions to WeHonorYou@fcps.edu.
🏅 Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
✨ Ensuring every student experiences an equitable school community is part of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
🍱 Student-Driven Lunch Menus
In the Strategic Plan update portion of the last School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed positive school climate, such as inclusion and sense of belonging, which is addressed in the plan's Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. Part of this goal is to help every student experience an equitable school community where student health and well-being are prioritized, and student voice is centered.
Dr. Reid presented this video about student-driven menu options, in which Food and Nutrition Services Director Shaun Sawko provides more details on how we are working to make menu decisions through the lens of what is best for students, recognizing their unique preferences.
🔆 Piloting New Technology at Lighthouse Schools
During the Academic Matters segment of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid also discussed Lighthouse Schools. This program is a partnership between FCPS, the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). The goal is to try out new teaching practices and technologies in a group of schools, see how well they work, and then use the best ideas across the school district.
Through our partnership with Google, teachers and staff in Lighthouse Schools are using advanced tools like Gemini AI to improve lesson planning, keep students more engaged, and give helpful feedback.
Watch as teachers in the Lighthouse program elaborate on helping students to be creative, work together, and learn in meaningful ways.
Read more about Dr. Reid's presentations in Weekly Reflections.
Professional Development Opportunity for Teachers
Teachers are invited to gain practical strategies, tools, and ideas for creating a highly engaging inclusive classroom from author and consultant Susan Hentz’s workshop Engaging Students in Every Classroom. Learn successful techniques to motivate your students, maintain their involvement, and improve their achievement.
Teachers wanting to attend this professional development will need to work with their school administrator before registering to secure funding for substitute coverage.
Two in-person sessions are available to all FCPS teachers:
Space is limited to 150 participants each day. Register through MyPDE by Tuesday, February 4. Contact Annie Dipert for questions.
👩🏫 Join Our Teacher Team!
Are you an instructional assistant who is considering becoming a teacher? Know someone who you think would be a good fit for Team FCPS? If so, FCPS will be holding job fairs on Saturday, February 1, at Lake Braddock Secondary School, and Saturday, February 22, online.
Attendees will have the chance to network and interview with representatives from our schools. Employment offers for the current school year may be presented during the fair.
Register to attend the February 1 fair by Friday, January 31. If you have questions, contact the Department of Human Resources through their web portal or call 571-423-3000.
Virtual Information Sessions
FCPS will be holding virtual information sessions for employees who want to become teachers but do not have a bachelor’s degree from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, and Wednesday, February 5. Participants will learn about pathways to becoming a teacher as well as meet representatives from James Madison University (JMU) and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).
NOVA will present for those who are just starting their journey to becoming a teacher and do not have an associate’s degree or 60 general education credits. Representatives from NOVA will share how to get started on the pathway to teaching in the state of Virginia.
JMU representatives will share information about the three accelerated bachelor’s programs that lead to licensure with the State of Virginia: Special Education, Inclusive Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education (pre-K-6th grade). Candidates interested in JMU programs will need a transferable associate's degree. Register for a virtual information session. Email TeacherPathways.OPL@fcps.edu with any questions.
📱 Survey on SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Closes Next Week
Click here to take the staff survey for proposed options relating to FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage. The survey will be closing on Monday, February 3. Thank you for sharing your feedback and helping us make informed, inclusive decisions for our schools!
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements involving employees in the workplace or between parents and schools. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
If you have concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds, you may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may submit a question.
📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings
The final virtual Community Boundary Review meeting will take place Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m. (Click the date to register.) Participants will follow the same format as the previous in-person meetings and have access to the same information shared at those meetings.
Each registrant will receive a unique Zoom link. Language interpretation will be available.
Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Quarter End/Lunar New Year/Teacher Workday
Wednesday, January 29, is Lunar New Year and a teacher workday. There will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
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 Tuesdays. Thank you!
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