Math teacher John Mika works with students in AP Calculus at Hayfield Secondary School.
Your Total Compensation Statement Is on the Way: Understand the True Value of Your FCPS Benefits
Next week, FCPS will provide each employee with a personalized and comprehensive Total Compensation Statement — a complete view of your salary and benefits that contribute to your total compensation.
The statement features a breakdown of your annual base salary (pay) as well as employer-paid contributions made by FCPS on your behalf. It will also include information on FCPS leave programs, optional benefits, and additional resources available to eligible FCPS employees at no cost.
Your annual Total Compensation Statement will be sent securely as an attachment to your FCPS.edu email account the week of April 14. You will also be able to access it via UConnect.
FCPS remains committed to supporting a diverse, supported, and adaptive workforce, which is Pillar C of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
If you have questions regarding your Total Compensation Statement, please submit them through StaffConnect.
☑️ Survey for Employees Living Outside Fairfax County
Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax Education Unions (FEU) are researching the feasibility of offering employees who reside outside Fairfax County the opportunity to enroll their children in FCPS. Those employees will receive a survey in the coming weeks. The survey will take about five minutes to complete, and responses will be kept confidential.
Excellence Is at a Crossroads for FCPS
Excellent teachers are the heart of FCPS! They inspire our students, go the extra mile, and make a real difference. But the current Fairfax County Board of Supervisors advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million for next year.
Being fully funded helps keep class sizes down and the number of highly-qualified teachers up at FCPS. Keeping the best teachers includes compensation that allows them to live and work in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County budget priorities survey is open until Thursday, April 24. Take a moment to share your thoughts. Now is the time. Learn more about how excellence is at a crossroads.
There will be a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, April 10. View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
⏰ Share Your Thoughts on School Start Times
As a reminder, FCPS would like to hear from all staff on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. If you have not taken the School Start Times Survey yet, please check your email for a reminder which was sent Monday, April 7. The confidential survey will be open through Saturday, April 12.
Honoring Leadership in Action
This week is National Assistant Principals Week, a time to recognize the vital role assistant principals play in supporting student success, empowering teachers, and shaping positive school climates.
In FCPS, our assistant principals go above and beyond each day to ensure our schools are places where students thrive and staff feel valued. Their tireless commitment, leadership, and compassion are foundational to our mission, and we’re proud to honor them this week.
Read about several of our assistant principals — including Chris Powell (pictured on the left) — in this blog featuring some of last year’s Outstanding School-Based Leader finalists.
🏆 Carson Middle School Counseling Program Recognized as Model Program
Carson Middle School’s school counseling program has been recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as a model program. It was awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for 2025 for successfully demonstrating how their comprehensive school counseling program benefits all students. Read more about the RAMP designation.
✨ Student access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
🎖️ Celebrating Military-Connected Youth
April is the Month of the Military Child. This year’s theme is Celebrating Military Children and Youth: Building Stronger Character and Relationships. Watch as Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Col. David Stewart, U.S. Army Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander, join forces to kick off the celebration.
Purple Up! Day
To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting Fairfax County students, families, employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9, for military children.
FCPS on Its Way to Becoming a Purple Star School Division
With nearly half of its schools already designated as “military friendly” by the state, FCPS is on its way to achieving Dr. Reid’s goal of becoming a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year. Read more about this designation and goal.
✨ A positive school climate — including a sense of belonging — is part of Strategic plan Goal 2.
📚 FCPS CARES Recipient Celebrates Students and Literacy
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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 February is Jen Blanco, the head librarian at Holmes Middle School. Jen is pictured on the right with Principal Serena Giron. |
“Jen Blanco goes above and beyond to celebrate students and literacy,” her nominator said. “She looks for every opportunity to provide students access to diverse books, to celebrate reading, and to honor student authors.”
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Jacqueline Massingill, Transition Support Resource Center-Herndon
- Bethany Slingerland, Madison High School
- Emily Bradshaw and Ashley Lowry, McLean High School
- William Hurd, Fort Hunt Elementary School
- Kathryn Stevens, Cherry Run Elementary School
- Dara Markenson, Fairfax High School
Read about all the recipients.
Qualifying Life Events: When You Can Make Changes to Benefits
Generally, employees may only make changes to their benefits during the annual open enrollment period. However, FCPS does allow you to make changes following certain life events (or qualifying life events).
Benefit changes are time-sensitive, and the necessary paperwork must be submitted within the designated time frame (30 days) following the event.
Qualifying life events include marriage, birth, adoption, or custody of a child, a dependent turning 26, divorce, death of a covered dependent, change in employment status, or the loss of existing health coverage.
Visit the Qualifying Life Events webpage for more information.
🗳️ 2025 SSEAC Nominations and Election
The Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council (SSEAC) will elect seven individuals who will each serve a two-year term for their specific community-of-interest group, as listed below, by working as liaisons between management and employees:
- Group 1 – Bus Drivers and Attendants
- Group 2 – Central Office Clerical/Technical
- Group 4 – Custodial and Plant Operations
- Group 5 – Trades/Maintenance/Security
- Group 6 – Finance Support and Supply Operations
- Group 8 – Educational Support
- Group 9 – School-Based Clerical
Interested employees must submit an electronic nomination petition, a candidate statement of contribution, and nomination endorsements of at least 25 members from the candidate’s specific community-of-interest group. The SSEAC election petition outlines the process.
Required materials must be received by Sherri Burris in the Office of Employee Relations by Thursday, May 8. An electronic election will be held from Tuesday, May 20, to Thursday, May 22.
For more information on the SSEAC, please see Regulation 1705, Employee Advisory Councils.
🤖 Experiments Gain STEAM at Hunt Valley Elementary School
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shared details on the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Night she attended at Hunt Valley Elementary School. The event for families included a parachute and wind tunnel, 3D printing, MicroBit coding, and other math and science concepts. Read this week’s Weekly Reflections for more information.
✨ Students innovating and preparing for the future is part of Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.
School Board Meeting Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. Topics on the agenda include:
- Third Quarter Budget Review
- FY 2026 Approved Budget Update
- Awarding of Contracts
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Spring Break
Monday, April 14, to Friday, April 18, is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed to the public.
See the complete school year calendar or the employee calendar.
The next issue of Employee News will be published after spring break, on Tuesday, April 22.
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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