Science Teacher Andrew Hess works with seventh grade students at South County Middle School.
🗓️ Now Available: 2026-27 Employee Calendar
The 2026-27 Employee Calendar is posted on the FCPS website. It has been drafted to align with the 2026-27 School Year Calendar.
Reid Reflects: Science Scholars Shine Across Fairfax County
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared that she visited Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) last week for an event honoring students named to the list of 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars. The prestigious list includes eight students from TJHSST and one student from Chantilly High School.
Read more in Weekly Reflections.
Superintendent to Present Proposed Budget to School Board
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, January 22, at 7 p.m. Among other agenda items, Dr. Reid will present the Proposed 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget. Learn more about the budget process.Â
Board to Vote on Proposed Boundary Changes
The superintendent amended her January 8 recommendation for proposed boundary changes after listening to feedback from the community. This feedback included testimony shared during the public hearings held on January 10 and 13.
View the amended presentation with revised recommendations for changes to school boundaries. Changes are noted in red. The amended executive summary has also been updated to include additional sites to be reviewed by January 2027, as well as those to be reviewed during the next boundary review cycle. Find more information on Boarddocs.
On Thursday, January 22, at 6:15 p.m., the School Board will hold a public hearing on the superintendent’s revised proposed changes to school boundaries at Jackson Middle School. If you missed the deadline to register to speak at the public hearing, you may arrive 45 minutes before the hearing begins to sign up to speak in person. You will be placed at the end of the speaker queue.Â
The board is scheduled to vote on the superintendent’s amended recommendation for proposed boundary changes and implementation later that evening. View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
Please Note: The boundary review for the new western high school will begin after the School Board votes on the current comprehensive boundary review.
Teacher Recognized for Building Student Self-Esteem
FCPS CARES gives parents, caregivers, staff, and community members the opportunity to recognize employees who go above and beyond to help others. Among October’s CARES of the Month recipients is Ruby Brown, math teacher at Stone Middle School.Â
“It is abundantly clear she relishes her role as a servant leader, as evidenced by her sacrificing her time after school daily to provide a moment of connection for my daughter, who is socially isolated,” her nominator stated. “Her willingness to take on responsibilities well beyond the scope of her own duties, to mentor and build the self-esteem of her students, is commendable.”
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Luis Cardona, Gatehouse Administration Center
- Sam Kobman and Stephanie Keller, Stonecroft Transportation
- Robert Snell and Preeti Singh, Forest Edge Elementary School
- Phillip Isberner, Cameron Elementary School
- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Bryan Villalobos, Hayfield Secondary School
To recognize an employee with an FCPS CARES, please visit the submission page.
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Leave of Absence Application Due March 1
Employees who intend to request or extend a Leave of Absence (LOA) for the upcoming 2026-27 school year must indicate their intentions by Sunday, March 1. Â
An LOA is an approved, unpaid, extended absence from work that exceeds 30 calendar days. Additional information about LOA eligibility and the application process can be found on the Leaves of Absence (LOA) page on Atlas.Â
Later this month, employees currently on an approved LOA will receive a reminder from the Office of Benefit Services’s Disability and Leaves team requesting that they indicate their leave intentions by the March 1 deadline. If you are expecting a baby or planning to adopt a child, the March 1 due date does not apply to you.Â
For questions and more information, please contact the Disability and Leaves team through FCPS StaffConnect or by phone at 571-423-3200, and selecting option 2.
⏲️ DIT Hour of Learning Sessions: ChatGPT and Gemini Gems
On Thursday, January 29, the Department of Information Technology (DIT) will host two virtual professional learning sessions on AI as part of the DIT Hour of Learning series. These sessions focus on practical, time-saving uses of AI for both operational and instructional work.
- 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – ChatGPT 101: Personalize, Branch, Build
This session will help participants better use ChatGPT EDU through high-impact features that reduce re-doing work, improve organization, and streamline workflows.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Google Gemini Gem: Jam Session
Learn how to create and use Google Gemini Gems. Gems are custom AI assistants that can save hours of work. This fast-paced session covers the complete Gem lifecycle, showcases operational and instructional examples by FCPS staff, and provides step-by-step guidance to build your own Gem.Â
Learn more in MyPDE and register for Hour of Learning sessions.
Special Education Conference: Registration Open, Volunteers Needed
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, March 21, at Marshall High School.Â
FCPS staff are invited to attend this year’s conference. Confirm your attendance by completing the registration form. Staff are also invited to register to serve as an event volunteer. Please sign up by Friday, February 20. MyPDE credit will be awarded to staff volunteers. Visit the conference webpage for updates and more details.
❤️ Wear Red, Win Prizes, Support Your Heart
In recognition of Heart Health Month, employees are invited to participate in National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 6.Â
Wear red, take a photo, and share how you support a healthy heart or why heart health is important to you. Schools and worksites are encouraged to participate by wearing red and submitting a group photo.
Photos and responses should be sent to EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu by Friday, February 27.
All individual participants will receive a prize! Schools or worksites with 15 or more staff members in a photo will receive a Fruit Guys assorted fruit and snack basket.
Become a Mentor, Win a Wellness Prize
January is National Mentoring Month and the FCPS Employee Wellness Team is proud to recognize central office employees who choose to become a mentor for an FCPS student this month.
Employees who register to become a mentor will receive one wellness prize. After completing Volunteer FCPS registration, a mentoring specialist will contact you with the next steps. Once onboarding and school placement are finalized, you will receive an additional wellness prize! Â
Thank you for making a meaningful difference in the lives of FCPS students through mentorship.
đź’˛ Maximize Your Dollars With Savings for Staff
Spend smarter on your overall well-being with Savings for Staff through PerkSpot, the FCPS employee discount program.
Put your health, wealth, and lifestyle dreams at the top of your list with access to member-only deals you won’t find elsewhere. With PerkSpot you can:
- Get movie tickets at a discount.
- Save on vacations, concerts, and sporting events.
- Save on meal delivery services.Â
Savings for Staff is available to all FCPS employees.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Quarter End
Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar or employee calendar.
Take $26 OFF New Learning with the FCPS ACE New Year Sale
It’s a new year, with new learning, for a new you! Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current skills or learn something fun, you can get $26 off any online class purchased from FCPS ACE on Monday, January 26!Â
While you can use your employee discount only for in-person classes, this $26 off can be used for all of ACE’s online classes! See details and register with code ENACE26.
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!Â
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