Office of Safety and Security Officer Gregory Sutherlin smiles during his patrol at Dogwood Elementary School.
🏆 Nine Schools Receive FCPS School Communicator Awards
Nine schools received awards for outstanding school communications at the Office of Communications’ third annual School Communicators Conference held on January 30.
The awards celebrate the creation of excellent websites, newsletters, and social media content that inform and engage readers. The winners are examples of the substantial talent that exists among the community of FCPS school communicators. Read about the winners, including Westlawn Elementary School, whose homepage banner is pictured above. Westlawn won Best in Show, meaning it excels at web, newsletter, and social media communications!
✨ Building trusting partnerships with our families, which includes transparent, authentic communication, is Pillar B of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
Communicators Learn About New Accessibility Guidelines
The conference drew more than 200 attendees from across the division. It featured two speakers — who generously donated their time — from the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation and the District of Columbia’s Office of Disability Rights.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of meeting federal accessibility guidelines set to take effect in April 2026, while sharing timely perspectives on effective communication, inclusion, and public engagement.
Stay tuned for future guidance from the division on how FCPS will respond to these accessibility guidelines.
📰 Reid All About It: Nourishing Bodies and Minds
In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid highlighted the work that has been done while students were out due to the weather. During three days last week, the Office of Food and Nutrition Services provided more than 4,000 meal kits to FCPS students. Read more in Weekly Reflections. |
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❄️ Get Your Weather Updates ASAP
Be among the first to know when school is delayed or closed due to inclement weather by:
- Updating your cell phone number in UConnect to receive urgent text alerts.
- Downloading the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Then adjust your phone settings to allow for the app to send push notifications.
Learn more about FCPS weather cancellation procedures.
Lead the Way: Apply to Be a Great Beginnings Facilitator
Support our new-to-FCPS educators and advance your leadership skills.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Great Beginnings Summer Institute (GBSI) facilitator pool. Facilitators serve as the first point of connection for teachers joining FCPS. They lead professional development that sets the stage for a successful school year and build a supportive community for our newest colleagues.
This is an opportunity for teacher-leaders to sharpen their facilitation skills while contributing to our collective goal of continuous learning and professional growth. Applicants commit to participating in professional development and cohort preparation from August 5 to 7, followed by leading GBSI cohorts from August 10 to12.
The application window is open from Wednesday, February 4, through Monday, February 23. Find more information and apply.
✨ School Counselor Shares How 5th Grade Teacher Inspired Him
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and plan for a career. This year, we also celebrate the teachers who have impacted those counselors!
When Malik Watkins began his career as a school counselor at London Towne Elementary, he reached out to someone who helped shape his path: his fifth-grade teacher, Chrissy McLaughlin, now a school-based technology specialist (SBTS) at Navy Elementary.
Read about their reunion. Find out what advice Chrissy had for Malik as he began his career as a counselor.
❤️ We Love FCPS Families. Tell Us About Yours!
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and it’s a great time to celebrate our FCPS families. Whether your parent, child, spouse, or sibling works with FCPS, we’d love to hear from you!
FCPS’ Lovo family includes Emily and her mother, Luz, who both work at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. Learn more about the Lovos and what they love about FCPS.
Share your story and photos with us by emailing EmployeeNews@fcps.edu.
🍎 Want to Become a Teacher? Attend Our In-Person Instructional Job Fair!
FCPS is seeking teachers with strong student engagement skills and a passion for having a positive influence on our school communities.
An in-person instructional job fair will be held on Saturday, February 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from our schools. Learn more and register for the hiring fair.
🏫 Share Your Thoughts on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
Participate in the FCPS budget process by:
View the budget presentation video and slides.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Presidents Day (Holiday)
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Teacher Workday
Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students. See the school year calendar or employee calendar
Black History Month Celebration
The community is invited to a Black History Month celebration — Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence — on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
Religious Leave for Employees
FCPS allows employees to request leave as a religious accommodation. Employees should notify their manager or principal at least 30 days in advance of requesting leave, due to the possible number of requests and potential impact on the workplace. For more information, refer to Regulation 4817.7.
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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