🩺 New Health Insurance Plan Option for 2026, 🗓️ Open Enrollment Begins October 29, 🦷 On-Site Dental Care

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/14/2025 07:00 PM EDT
Two cafeteria staff hold trays of food


Food and Nutrition Services staff Tranh Linh Huon, left, and Glenda Lopez, right, display lunch at Brookfield Elementary School.

đź©ş New Health Insurance Plan Option for 2026

Beginning January 1, 2026, FCPS will offer a new medical plan choice, BlueChoice Advantage, through CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. This plan — which replaces the current Cigna option provided by FCPS — offers more flexibility to see a wider range of doctors, including those outside of the network. Pharmacy coverage for this plan will be provided through CVS Caremark. 

Current Cigna enrollees will automatically roll over to the new CareFirst plan on January 1. No action is required for current Cigna members who wish to keep the same coverage type (i.e., individual, employee/spouse, or family) for plan year 2026. However, you still need to participate in open enrollment if you wish to contribute to a Flexible Savings Account or adjust other benefits, such as dental insurance. 

Kaiser Permanente will continue to be available as an HMO option. More details will be provided by email, Atlas, and the FCPS website. 

🗓️ Save the Date: Open Enrollment Begins on Wednesday, October 29

Each year, FCPS provides a window of opportunity to review your medical and dental elections, update your plan selections, and make decisions on the best option for your unique situation. This year, open enrollment will run from Wednesday, October 29, through Wednesday, November 12. Mark these dates on your calendar and visit the Open Enrollment webpage to learn more.

Choosing your benefits is an important decision. The Office of Benefit Services is available to support you in finding the best fit for your health and financial well-being. Stay tuned for upcoming in-person and virtual open house dates and resources to help you.

🦷 Jet Dental Brings On-Site Dental Care to Your Workplace

A new partnership with Jet Dental, a leading mobile dental provider, will soon bring dental care directly to the workplace! 

Jet Dental works with all major dental insurance plans, including our Aetna dental plan, and bills your dental insurance plan directly. Covered services usually include a full exam, x-rays, and cleanings — all done onsite. Some restorative procedures, such as cavity fillings, scaling, and root planing, are also covered, but may have a copay requirement from the patient. Teeth whitening can also be provided at an additional cost.

You won’t need to miss work or schedule an outside appointment. It’s a simple, convenient way to keep your smile healthy and bright! 

Find additional information, including how to request a site visit, on Atlas.

đź’˛ Your Pension, Your Future: ERFCDirect

ERFC Your FCPS Supplementary Pension


Are you a full-time, monthly paid instructional, administrative, or educational support employee? If so, then ERFC is your second pension, offered exclusively by FCPS to enhance your financial security in retirement. 

ERFCDirect is your secure pension portal. Go to ERFCDirect to:

  • Create your login (use a personal email address, not your FCPS email).
  • Name or update your beneficiaries.
  • Run retirement estimates.
  • Confirm which ERFC plan you’re in.
  • See how much you’ve contributed so far.

Questions? Visit the ERFC website, call 703-426-3900 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email ERFCRetirement@fcps.edu.

🏅 Reid All About It: Recognizing the Impact of Our Employees

Dr Reid smiles with an employee

 

In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared her experience at the recent FCPS Impact Awards. 

FCPS Impact Awards recognize employees who have exhibited extraordinary achievement in one of four areas: Collaboration and Partnerships, Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Innovation and Improvement, and Student Achievement and Success. Among those honored for equity and cultural responsiveness was Aileen J Mavity-Hoffman, a fourth grade teacher at Spring Hill Elementary School (pictured above with Dr. Reid).

Three hundred fifty employees were nominated. Of those, 24 individuals and 167 employees across 17 teams were selected as recipients. Nineteen schools and 11 central office departments were represented.

See the full list of Impact Awards recipients. Read Dr. Reid’s latest Weekly Reflections.

We Are Fairfax County Public Schools. This Is Our Story. This Is Our Future.

A screenshot of kids running down a hallway


In the Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed the Future-Ready Index, which is a clear and transparent way for families to understand how the division is doing beyond just SOL scores. 

The index measures what matters for the future, such as the five domains of readiness that show how FCPS prepares every learner for future opportunity and long-term success:

  • Academic Excellence. 
  • Safety and Belonging. 
  • Future-Ready Experiences. 
  • Great Teachers and Support. 
  • Community Investment.

Each domain has five indicators that show how the division is progressing toward our shared goals — from academic growth and graduation outcomes to school climate, engagement, and access to meaningful learning experiences. View Dr. Reid’s presentation. 

Dr. Reid also shared a video that highlights students’ perspectives on how we are preparing them for the future.

Outstanding Principals Build Empathy and Community

Justin Simmons stands before a group of students


This National Principals Month, we celebrate two outstanding FCPS principals who demonstrate what exceptional leadership looks like: Justin Simmons of South County Middle School (pictured above) and Georgina Aye of Fairfax High School. They were honored last spring at the FCPS Honors celebration. 

Justin and Georgina are focused on helping students grow and feel like they belong, and ensuring all teachers and parents have the resources they need to best support students. Read about these outstanding principals.

🏗️ Project Manager Builds on the Strong Foundation He Received at Armstrong Elementary 

youtube video


Jordan Short attended Armstrong Elementary School, Herndon Middle School, and Herndon High School. Now, he is working not only on improving his former elementary school, but he’s also improving it for his three children. His two older children, Charlie and Parker, are in the second grade and kindergarten at Armstrong. Learn more about the Short family and Armstrong’s renovation. Watch a video on the project. 

Bond Referendums Support Communities

The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s annual operating budget.

Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. A $460 million bond referendum is on the November ballot. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4.

FCPS Ombuds Office: Your Independent, Confidential Resource

Dawn smiling


Have a question or concern about Fairfax County Public Schools and not sure where to find the answer? Dawn Clements wants you to know you can ask her anything! Her mission as the FCPS ombuds is to make it easier to understand the school system and help build trust within the community. In honor of Ombuds Day, learn more about Dawn and the Ombuds Office.

Update on the Western High School Project

Dr. Reid shared an update with families last week about the new high school FCPS recently acquired in western Fairfax County. 

FCPS’ current plan is to open the new high school for the 2026-27 school year. The School Board held a work session on October 7 to discuss programming and naming for the new western high school. It will be on the agenda as New Business at the board meeting on Thursday, October 23. 

Read Dr. Reid’s message.

FCPS Forward: How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning

FCPS staff, students, families, and community leaders are invited to discover how FCPS is integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching, learning, and getting our students ready for the workforce of the future.

Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with Dr. Reid and division leadership, will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. Attend to:

  • Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
  • Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
  • Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
  • Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.

Teachers who attend will receive two recertification points. Register for the AI conference in MyPDE. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.

đź“Ť Attend an October Community Boundary Review Meeting

Boundary graphic for newsletters


Our October community boundary review meetings are underway. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. At the meetings, the consultant will present the latest draft map (Scenario 4) and changes specific to the two pyramids being covered. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.

The following meetings will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. over the next week. Please note that some meeting dates have changed:

View the full list of October boundary meetings. 

Click “in person” or “virtual” to register for a meeting based on how you would like to participate.

If participating in person, you may come to the event 30 minutes early to explore the latest draft map in the Boundary Explorer Tool. A limited number of FCPS laptops will be available, and staff will be on site to assist you in using the tool.

Virtual participants may log on 30 minutes early, and a staff member will be able to show how to use the tool.

Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Diwali (Holiday)

Monday, October 20, is a school holiday for Diwali. All schools and offices are closed. 

See the complete school year calendar and the employee calendar.

FCPS Statement on Nondiscrimination: Americans With Disabilities Policy Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, Title IX, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information in its programs and activities. These protections apply to students, employees, and other members of the public.

FCPS is committed to equal access and equal opportunity in all services and employment, including its policies, complaint process, program accessibility, religious accommodations, and other equal employment opportunity matters. FCPS prohibits retaliation against individuals who report allegations of discrimination, file a formal complaint, or participate in the investigative process.

Compliance is coordinated by the directors of the following:

  • Office of Employee Relations, Department of Human Resources, regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment issues. Find contact information on their website.
  • Office of Special Education Procedural Support, Department of Special Services, 571-423-4290, regarding programs and activities for students with disabilities.

For more information, visit the non-discrimination policy webpage or the non-discrimination/ADA webpage.

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