Teacher Joshua Priester works with a student at Lees Corner Elementary School.
Collective Bargaining: Understanding Your Representation
FCPS employees are represented by two unions:
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Fairfax Education Unions (FEU) — As of July 2024, FEU is the exclusive representative for all licensed instructional and operational employees.
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Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors, and Administrators (FCFPSA) — This union represents all principals, associate and assistant principals, directors of student activities, directors of student services, and administrators.
To determine which bargaining unit represents you:
- Log in to UConnect.
- Click Employee Self-Service > Employment > Multiple Jobs/Position.
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Click on your job title to view the Detail section, where your bargaining unit is listed in the first column.
The FCPS Office of Labor Relations provides resources on the Employee Hub and the FCPS webpage to help you understand collective bargaining and how it affects your role. You may also contact LaborRelations@fcps.edu with any questions.
✅ It’s Tax Season! IRS Form 1095 Arriving in Early March
FCPS employees and retirees who were enrolled in FCPS health plan coverage or who were eligible for coverage but did not enroll will receive IRS-Form 1095-C in early March. Much like Form W-2 and Form 1099, which include information about the income you received, Form 1095 provides information regarding your health insurance eligibility and enrollment. Learn more about IRS Form 1095.
📐 Review Potential K-12 Mathematics Instructional Resources
FCPS will begin using new mathematics instructional resources for the 2025-26 (secondary) and 2026-27 (elementary) school years. A committee of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet to review materials submitted by vendors through a competitive request for proposals process. The community is also invited to review materials and provide comments.
Resources may be accessed on the FCPS Mathematics webpage starting Friday, February 14.
Hard copies of instructional materials will be accessible in person beginning Friday, February 14. Members of the public can view them Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 100. In-person public review will not be available on Tuesday, February 25; Thursday, February 27; Tuesday, March 11; and Wednesday, March 12.
Feedback can be submitted through a digital form. All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with the Fairfax County School Board members before the board votes in spring 2025.
⏳ DIT Hour of Learning: Featuring Gemini and NotebookLM
The Department of Information Technology (DIT) heard you loud and clear! Based on feedback from the DIT Mid-Year Virtual Conference, the DIT events team is proud to announce that February’s DIT Hour of Learning sessions are now open for registration in MyPDE.
Offerings include in-depth, interactive training sessions focused on Gemini and NotebookLM, designed to empower you with the latest digital tools and strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your professional development. Register now and be sure to share this opportunity with your colleagues!
Going Above and Beyond to Help Students Find Their Passions
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. By enrolling in a CTE course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment.
Six FCPS high schools include academies. A high school academy is a center within an existing high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that successfully integrate career and academic preparation. Cassandra Deedy (pictured above with a student) serves as the counselor at Edison Academy. Part of this role is to inform students, parents, and high school counselors about academy offerings. Learn more about Cassandra and her work.
✨ Evidence of progression toward or successful completion of advanced coursework (including Career and Technical Education) is part of Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
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💖 Celebrating More FCPS Families
With Valentine’s Day at the end of the week, we continue to celebrate our FCPS families. This week, learn more about Jessica Navas in Human Resources and her husband Luis Cardona, part of the Gatehouse Property Management team, and what they love about FCPS.
Share your story and photos with us by emailing EmployeeNews@fcps.edu.
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🥣 Feeding Students’ Bellies, Minds, and Hearts
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid highlighted the second grade team at Cunningham Park Elementary School. The teachers had students make Stone Soup to help them connect to their Benchmark Advance language arts unit.
Just like the hungry traveler in the story the students read, teachers had each student contribute one ingredient to make delicious soup together. The unit teaches students about the power of working together in a community. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
Support for New Teachers at FCPS
Starting a teaching career can be challenging, but in FCPS, first-year teachers have a strong support system through the Novice Teacher Instructional Coach Program. Watch this video to hear from Instructional Coach Sarah Phillips as she works closely with first-year teacher Emma Patane to build confidence, refine best practices, and create engaging learning environments for students.
Through lesson planning, real-time feedback, and collaborative coaching cycles, this program ensures that new teachers feel supported, empowered, and ready to make a lasting impact in the classroom. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
Impact of the Novice Teacher Instructional Coaching Program
In the Strategic Plan Update section of the School Board meeting on February 6, Dr. Reid shared research about national teacher retention rates, including a strong link between comprehensive support for early career teachers and increased retention and efficacy rates.
At FCPS, a survey of new teachers revealed:
- 94% of teachers reported the novice teacher instructional coach provides them with data and/or feedback to help make adjustments to instruction.
- 97% of teachers reported that the novice teacher instructional coach is invested in their success as a teacher.
✨ A diverse, adaptive, and supported workforce is Pillar C of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
👩🏫 Join Our Teacher Team! Virtual Career Fair
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 a virtual job fair on Saturday, February 22, 9 a.m. to noon.
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 or visit the job fair webpage for more information. Contact the Department of Human Resources through their web portal or call 571-423-3000.
Students to Participate in Social and Emotional Learning Screener
Students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener in March. School teams and families use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students academically and personally.
Parents/caregivers are able to opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Read more about SEL and signature practices.
Breaking Down the Budget: Investing in Our Classrooms
 
Families have told us what they want: challenging academics, safe, supportive schools, and great teachers!
Did you know that more than 85% of our budget stays in our classrooms? Currently, 92.5% of FCPS staff are school-based. As the chart above shows, that is higher than neighboring school districts.
We are now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget and see the budget timeline.
🌅 Form Your Team Today for the Coast-to-Coast Wellness Challenge
Are you ready for some friendly competition? Recruit your team (of up to five), motivate your colleagues, and crush your wellness goals together!
The Employee Wellness Program’s Coast to Coast Wellness Challenge starts on Monday, March 3. During this four-week virtual road trip explore iconic destinations across the country. Log physical activity, complete healthy behaviors, earn points, collect stickers, uncover fun facts, and win prizes while building healthy habits and having fun!
The top 10 individuals with the highest weekly participation will win a $25 gift card. The top three elementary, middle, and high schools and three centers with the highest participation will win a $500 gift card.
Registration opens on Monday, February 17. The last day to join a team is Monday, March 10. View the Coast to Coast Challenge video. For questions, email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
📊 National Assessment of Education Progress
In the Academic Matters section of the February 6 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), which is also called “The Nation’s Report Card.” It was developed as a measure of the educational achievement and progress of students in fourth and eighth grade.
According to NAEP, 30-40% of students are proficient in reading and math in the fourth grade, and less than 30% in eighth grade. However, 1.8% of FCPS students are included in this sample. Based on SOL data, about 75% of FCPS fourth graders are proficient in reading and math, as well as 76-79% of FCPS eighth graders. Read more in Weekly Reflections.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review: Next Steps
Last night, we completed our final community boundary review meeting for Phase 1. Thanks to the more than 2,500 staff, families, and community members who shared their perspectives. Your engagement ensures that our work remains inclusive, transparent, and impactful.
The comprehensive boundary review remains in Phase 1 through the spring as data collection and analysis continue with the consultant. During this stage, we will assess current boundaries and develop draft boundary scenarios guided by community input. At this time, no boundary changes have been proposed.
Next steps include identifying key themes to shape the boundary scenarios. Draft scenarios will be shared for further community feedback in Phase 2
Please stay involved! Visit the FCPS Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage and sign up to receive the School Boundary Review newsletter. If you have any additional questions or comments, please complete this form. Thank you for your continued participation in this process!
🏗️ Annual Capital Improvement Program Update Approved by School Board
The Fairfax County School Board approved the annual update to the FCPS Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at their regular board meeting last week. A CIP is a working budget document that shows the timing and costs of improvement to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools. Learn more about planned improvements.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Presidents Day (Holiday)
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, for the Presidents Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar or 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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