Elliott Hall, technology support specialist at Bucknell Elementary School, gets ready for the first day of school.
🎉 Congratulations on a Successful First Day!
There were celebrations across FCPS yesterday as teachers and administrators welcomed students back to school.
Enjoy some highlights from #FirstDayFairfax. Also, check out our coverage on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
👋 Welcome Back to a New School Year, FCPS Staff!
Thank you to all the staff who helped us prepare for a great first day of school! Among them is Aubrey Supinger, a custodian at Justice High School, who is beginning his 46th year at the school.
Hope you had a great summer! We want all FCPS employees to be engaged and recognize the importance of ongoing communication.
This weekly newsletter, Employee News, is distributed by email on Tuesdays during the school year. Scroll to the bottom for links to FCPS calendars, savings for staff, classifieds, job openings, and other topics. Remember to check out the Employee Blog, too, for stories about our colleagues.
We know questions come up throughout the year. You may want to refer to the FCPS Employee Handbook as your first resource. Feel free to contact the Human Resources Client Services Team via StaffConnect or call 571-423-3000.
The HR team is also available for in-person assistance Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Gatehouse Administration Center.
💵 Stay Up to Date on Compensation, Salary, and Leave
UConnect is your online gateway for benefits, salary, and leave information.
The start of the school year is a good time to log in and verify your contact information. By providing your cell phone number through UConnect, you will receive FCPS emergency text messages, such as weather closings.
Use UConnect to verify your benefits selections and leave balances, and view your pay and teaching credentials.
To log in, use the same username and password associated with your @fcps.edu email. UConnect is available to staff when working on the FCPS network.
⏰ Logging Time and Attendance
Time and attendance should be logged through MyTime, which can be accessed online or through the desktop application on FCPS computers. For more information, review leave policies or visit the Time and Attendance Atlas page.
The Payroll Management page has resources on pay, paychecks, tax withholding, and W-2s. Visit the Salary Services page for information on salary scales, employment verification, and job specifications.
💲 Start Saving Today to Set Aside Summer Pay
FCPS and Apple Federal Credit Union’s partnership provides a summer pay program to assist 10- and 11-month employees. While Apple offers a convenient program including interest earnings and payout options, any financial institution will likely offer similar opportunities. Find out more about receiving pay during non-contracted months.
New Collective Bargaining Agreements Now in Effect
The Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) between FCPS and the Fairfax Education Unions (FEU) Licensed Instructional and Operational Units took effect July 1, 2025. These agreements establish the terms and conditions of employment for all employees represented by FEU.
Highlights include:
- Negotiated salary increases over the next three years (including a 6% market scale adjustment in July 2025).
- Protected planning time for teachers.
- Clearer guidelines for instructional assistants.
- Limits on mandatory meetings.
- An automated grievance process in StaffConnect.
All program managers and employees are encouraged to review the CBAs (licensed and operational), as they cover important topics such as salary, workday, leave, grievance procedures, safety, and union rights.
Find more information about the Collective Bargaining Agreements. Please contact the Office of Labor Relations at LaborRelations@fcps.edu if you have questions.
✔️ Reminder: Complete MyPDE Trainings
The deadline to complete required trainings in MyPDE is Monday, September 15. These trainings provide information you need to start the year strong. It is part of your professional responsibility and an expectation noted in employee evaluations.
Please go to your assigned training page in MyPDE and complete those labeled “Assigned.” For assistance, please email TechSupport@fcps.edu.
School Safety Update From the Superintendent
In her Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shared an update on school safety. As of July 1, new Virginia legislation authorizes public schools to enroll employees, volunteers, and contractors in Rap Back — a continuous background check monitoring system.
This initiative strengthens school safety and reinforces FCPS’ commitment to maintaining a secure environment for all members of our community. As the largest school division in Virginia, FCPS is helping to lay the groundwork for broader implementation across the commonwealth.
Thank you to the 18,000 employees who have already completed the Background Check and Self-Disclosure Acknowledgement form as part of their required trainings in MyPDE. You are helping keep FCPS safe!
Read more updates from Dr. Reid in her Weekly Reflections.
Teachers Are Meeting Students Where They Are — Literally
On one of the hottest days of the week before school started, staff from Graham Road Elementary School traded air conditioning for sunshine, heading into neighborhoods to greet students and families right at their doorsteps.
Along the way, they delivered packets filled with resources for students and families — including bus schedules and class assignments — plus invitations to the school’s open house later that evening. Read more about what the welcome walk means to Graham Road staff.
🍎 May FCPS CARES Recipient Helps Students Love School
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 May is Chandrani Ohdedar (above, center) from Churchill Road Elementary School.
“Ms. Ohdedar stands out as one of the finest teachers any of [my four children] have had,” the parent who nominated her said. “In [my daughter’s] words, Ms. Ohdedar is ‘the best teacher ever.’ There is no greater gift as a parent than seeing your child excited to go to school each day. We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Ohdedar.”
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Tim Roberson, Woodson IT
- Kylee West, Bailey's Upper Elementary School
- Shannon Southard, Mount Eagle Elementary School
- Jody Hull, Robinson Secondary School
- Wafika Albani, Greenbriar East Elementary School
- Sadida Chaudhry and Natasha Triplett, Bren Mar Park Elementary School
Read about all the recipients.
✨ FCPS’ North Star for Student Success
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan is our North Star for how we provide excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student. It focuses on ensuring students love learning and feel safe, happy, and welcome at school.
The plan includes five student-centered goals. It also outlines how we’ll measure progress, equity commitments to support every student, and four pillars that identify what FCPS must do to reach our goals. The plan aims to ensure students:
- Build strong reading and math skills.
- Have fair opportunities to grow and succeed.
- Stay on track to graduate and thrive beyond school.
Discover how the Strategic Plan impacts student success.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our schools? In this inspiring video, you’ll see how Fairfax County public schools are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to collaboration, these stories show that when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Labor Day (Holiday)
Friday, August 29, and Monday, September 1, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students.
Virginia legislation requires that schools opening before Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately before Labor Day.
We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. 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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