Diana Escobar, a learning disabilities teacher, demonstrates math concepts at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
Fairfax County School Board Adopts FY 2027 Advertised Budget
At its February 26 meeting, the School Board voted to adopt FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget. This budget is needs-based and focuses on the basic requirements that FCPS is accountable for as a school division. It sustains our excellence and focuses on the essentials: competitive compensation and our 2023-30 Strategic Plan goals.
To continue retaining high-quality educators and support staff, particularly in a high-cost-of-living region, this budget’s priorities include competitive compensation for all employees and adjustments to compensation as part of our collective bargaining. Read more about FCPS’ FY 2027 Advertised Budget.
Share Your Feedback on the Budget
Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn how you can share feedback and provide input on the county’s FY 2027 Budget. Upcoming engagement opportunities for the county budget include public hearings (April 14-16) and town hall meetings (March 2-April 10).
The FCPS FY 2027 Approved Budget is scheduled to be adopted by the School Board in May. Follow the budget process.
ERFC Is Open During Spring Break
ERFC’s busy season is just around the corner. Spring break appointments fill up fast! Don’t wait to set up a time to learn more about your second pension. Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with an ERFC retirement specialist by calling 703-426-3900, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Representatives are available to meet with you at any stage of your career, but ERFC members who are retiring within the next six months are given priority when scheduling.
Note: ERFC can’t provide advice regarding taxes, estate planning, or retirement date selection. Contact a professional tax or financial advisor to help you with those questions. Visit the ERFC website for more information.
Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Employee Conversations have been scheduled for:
-
Thursday, March 5, from 5 to 6 p.m., at Centreville Elementary School.
-
Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 7 p.m., at Lemon Road Elementary School.
-
Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 6 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
-
Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Wolftrap Elementary School.
Click on the date to register for an event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning. These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Visit the Superintendent Engagement page on Atlas for up-to-date information and details.
You can also reach out to Dr. Reid anytime by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
2026 Special Education Family Conference: Rescheduled
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event.
If you registered before the date change, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
FCPS staff are also invited to register to serve as an event volunteer. Please sign up by Thursday, March 19. MyPDE credit will be awarded to staff volunteers.
Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration
The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as Fairfax County Public Schools held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme "Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence." This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.
Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led "Moments of Pride" that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. A spirited keynote speech was delivered by Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.
Read more about the Black history event.
Removing Barriers So Students Learn and Do Their Best
This week, we recognize School Social Work Week. The goal of every FCPS school social worker is to make sure every student can succeed. They assess and address social, emotional, and behavioral factors that may stand in the way of students learning and doing their best. Read how School Social Worker Megan Jackson approaches her work with students, families, and colleagues at Burke School.
Read Across America Week
Each March, we recognize the importance of reading with Read Across America Week. Reading is a foundational skill for academic success. The FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3 includes reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Read below for some of the ways we are achieving this goal.
Reading Specialist Embraces Opportunities to Learn
Reading specialists like Amanda Bontzos at Mantua Elementary School — who was recognized as a finalist last year for Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee — are dedicated to helping our students succeed and our teachers feel supported.
Benchmark Advance Literacy Curriculum Improving Skills Across Grade Levels
In Academic Matters at last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed the Benchmark Advance K-6 Writing Curriculum. The curriculum, now in its second year of use, is improving reading and writing skills for students across grade levels. Watch a video to learn more about our writing curriculum for kindergarten through sixth grade.
Teachers and school leaders report that student writing is stronger, more detailed, and more organized than in previous years. This progress is visible in classroom work and in student assessments. Read more about these substantial improvements in Weekly Reflections.
Get the Help You Need From CareFirst
The CareFirst Service Team is available 24/7 to answer general member questions and help members find a provider. Just call 1-800-296-0724.
Need more help with a claim, explanation of benefits, or a complex medical question? Book time with Aricia, the FCPS CareFirst representative. Bookings are now available for the month of March. The CareFirst Appointment Scheduler is updated at the end of every month for the following month.
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9
FCPS is administering our biennial Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Our families’ feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link by email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on the FCPS website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Skyview High School Boundary Development Update
Following the completion of FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review, the process is now underway to establish an attendance boundary for Skyview High School in western Fairfax County. The School Board is expected to adopt the boundary in June 2026.
Establishing a boundary for a new high school affects surrounding schools and pyramids. The following high school pyramids will be included in this process: Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes, and Westfield.
Elementary and middle schools that currently feed into these high schools will also be part of the analysis. This ensures aligned school pathways from elementary through high school whenever possible.
Special Education and STEM Job Fair
FCPS will be hosting a job fair specifically for special education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teaching positions. The hiring event will take place on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Register to attend.
Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)
Daylight saving time will begin Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour!
Adult ESOL Spring Semester Scheduling Now!
FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) offers affordable classes for adult English language learners, from basic English for beginners to advanced specialty courses for career advancement. These classes are available at convenient locations across the county at far less cost than college programs or private language schools.
If you or someone you know is interested in strengthening their English language skills, find more information and scheduling on ACE’s website. FCPS employees can use their 25% off employee discount on ACE Adult ESOL classes.
Nominations Open for A. Heath Onthank Award of Merit
Nominate a standout Fairfax County operational employee for the A. Heath Onthank Award, which recognizes exceptional contributions that strengthen public service across county government and Fairfax County Public Schools.
Last year, Kara Payne, office assistant at Katherine Johnson Middle School (pictured above with members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors), received an Onthank Award. This is Fairfax County’s highest honor!
Anyone may nominate a full-time FCPS operational employee with at least one year of service (teachers and instructional assistants are not eligible). Awardees will be recognized at a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, and receive a plaque and $2,500.
Nominations will close Friday, March 13, at 4:30 p.m. Visit the Fairfax County Onthank page to learn more and submit a nomination.
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!
|
