Kindergarten Teacher Danielle MacDaniel works with a small group of students at Hunters Woods Elementary School.
Budget Updates and Next Steps
Next steps in the budget process include a School Board work session this evening, Tuesday, May 20, and the School Board voting to approve the budget at their regular meeting on Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m.
Find out how to watch School Board meetings. Visit the FCPS budget webpage for more information on the budget process.
New Process for Requesting a Replacement Badge
To enhance security at all FCPS locations, a new procedure for requesting replacement employee badges will take effect on Tuesday, May 27. This process ensures the timely removal of access for lost badges.
If your badge is lost, please immediately notify your school or office badge administrator. (School badge administrators are currently listed in the contacts database in the Hub. Central office administrators will be available in the near future.)
The badge administrator will deactivate the missing badge and send you a link via MySchoolBucks to pay the $10 replacement fee. They will then create a replacement request in StaffConnect, including the payment code. (Only principals/directors and badge administrators will be able to make this request in StaffConnect.)
Human Resources will create your new badge and send it to your work location via pony mail, and your badge administrator will program the access for your new badge.
Replacement fees will be waived for employees who have badges that were issued more than two years ago or if your badge is damaged or malfunctioning. Send damaged badges by pony mail to HR Client Services at Gatehouse Administration Center.
Limited Early Release Days Continue Next Year for Elementary Schools
During a report to the School Board this month, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced plans to continue limited early release days in the elementary schools and shift them to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. This plan is based on recommendations from the Early Release Steering Committee — made up of parents, caregivers, school-based staff, and central office personnel — and supported by the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals (FAESP). Read more about the early release Wednesdays and view the proposed dates.
Bailey’s Office Assistant Retires After More Than 50 Years
Joyce Sisk’s sons grew up conveniently across the street from their elementary school. In 1972 she joined the boys crossing the street each day as she began working as a cafeteria hostess at Bailey’s Elementary School. At the end of this school year, she’ll cross the street for the last time as an FCPS employee. Read about Joyce’s more than 50 years spent working at Bailey’s Elementary School.
One Teacher’s Inspiring Journey
In her Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shared a heartfelt episode of Our Voices, Our Future. She sat down with Hanh Bui — an author, former FCPS teacher, and proud FCPS parent. Hanh shares her inspiring journey from an eight-year-old refugee fleeing Vietnam to becoming a dedicated teacher and celebrated author. Read more about Hanh in the last issue of Weekly Reflections or watch the video conversation.
Counselors Share Tips on Protecting Your Mental Health
In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the school counseling team at Rachel Carson Middle School — Karla Chustz, Rachel Copeland, Nina Ghafori, Christy Ryder, and Beth Schires — offer some tips for teachers to work toward better mental health.
From FCPS Student to System Leader: A Journey of Impact
With roots as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, Nicole Warwick, senior manager of Vision and Hearing Services, has dedicated her career to helping students. When she accepted her role leading and supporting teachers working with students with both hearing and visual impairments, Nicole returned to school to earn her endorsement in teaching students with visual impairments. This hands-on approach has made her a more empathetic and effective leader. Read more about Nicole in this Employee Blog.
☀️ Thank You for Supporting the FCPS Summer Extravaganza
More than 1,100 students and family members attended the second annual FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Kids enjoyed fun learning activities, food, music, and entertainment, while parents received helpful information from FCPS offices and community partners. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for links to participating organizations.
The event is designed to provide families with valuable resources that support continued learning and engagement beyond the classroom, while fostering meaningful connections within the community. Thank you to the many FCPS employees who presented information or volunteered their time to support this effort, including Ombuds staff Kathy Murphy (left) and Dawn Clements (right), pictured above.
✨ The Summer Extravaganza supports Pillar B of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships.
FCPS Recognized by Government Finance Officers Association for Annual Financial Report
FCPS has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. Read more about this recognition.
📍 Explore Three Initial Draft Boundary Scenarios
The Boundary Explorer Tool is now live. We encourage you to enter your address in the tool and find out how the proposed draft scenarios might affect your school or neighborhood. Watch this video to learn more about using the boundary tool.
Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings
You are invited to participate in a series of community meetings in order to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break:
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Friday, May 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Lewis High School
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Wednesday, May 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School
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Thursday, May 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School
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Friday, May 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Chantilly High School
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Friday, June 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School
Click on the date to register. Each meeting will be hybrid (in-person and virtual). Child care for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. If you register to attend online, you will receive a Zoom link within 24 business hours. The email will come from “no-reply@zoom.us.” Check your spam folder if you do not receive the link.
At each meeting, the consultant will be using an online tool that allows participants to submit feedback during the meetings. Comments will be displayed to meeting participants in real time, and all collected input will be compiled, analyzed, and uploaded to our Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage.
🎓Join the FCPS Alumni Network Today!
Educate Fairfax is proud to sponsor the FCPS Alumni Network — an online community connecting alumni, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members who share a bond with Fairfax County Public Schools.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, a long-time supporter, or someone who’s returned to Fairfax to work or raise a family, this network is here to celebrate you. Take a peek at our site and find inspiring stories, news, events, reunions, homecomings, and more.
Want to plan an alumni event? Contact us at alumni@educatefairfax.org — we’re happy to help! Not a member yet? Join the FCPS Alumni Network today and be part of the ongoing FCPS story!
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Memorial Day (Holiday)
Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day. Schools and school offices will be closed to the public.
See the complete school year calendar or the 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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