Science and Engineering Fair team members — including (from left) Lauren Keninitz, Brian Schwenk, Ann Wong, Michelle Gilligan, Liz Keyes, and Leigh Kelly — celebrate a successful event.
Change in Dates for Employee Step Increases
The Advertised Budget for fiscal year 2027 includes a step increase for all eligible employees. Please note that the final budget will not be approved until Thursday, May 21.
Starting July 1, 2026, any approved step increases will be applied at the beginning of an employee’s contract start date. Previously, step increases for operational employees (in step-increase eligible positions) were granted based on the month the employee started working.
Approved step increases will be applied as follows:
- Contract length 219 to 260 days: Approved step increases are reflected in the July paycheck.
- Contract length 181 to 217 days: Approved step increases are reflected in the August paycheck.
Learn more and view frequently asked questions on the Change in Dates for Employee Step Increases webpage.
Medications Delivered to Your Door
Did you know that many medications you take regularly can be delivered directly to your home? Prescription delivery can help make managing ongoing medications more convenient and may reduce trips to the pharmacy.
Prescription delivery can be a helpful option for employees who take medications regularly and want an easier way to manage refills.
For instructions specific to your medical plan, see the Prescription (Rx) Home Delivery page in Atlas.
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. Principals and directors of student activities may adjust event start times and entry points to ensure clear separation between student activity areas and polling spaces.
Employees should check their email for a message from the school division (sent Wednesday, March 11) with additional details.
County Seeking Budget Input
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. They are currently reviewing the county’s 2027 Fiscal Year Advertised Budget and are considering possible adjustments before the final county budget is adopted in May.
If you have thoughts or comments, be sure to provide the county with your feedback by completing this survey.
Reid Reflects on the “Attraction” of STEAM Learning
Where in FCPS is Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid? Last week, she visited schools in Centreville and Fairfax City. Find out what inspired the students pictured above to learn about magnets and read other updates in Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Employee Conversations have been scheduled for:
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.
Two School Counseling Programs Awarded 2026 RAMP Designation
School counseling programs at Poe Middle School and Herndon High School have been recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as model programs. They were awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for 2026 for successfully demonstrating how their comprehensive school counseling programs benefit all students. Read more about their RAMP designation.
Nominate Your Colleagues for an Impact Award
Impact Award applications go live on Wednesday, April 1. The annual Impact Awards celebrate both individuals and teams who exceed expectations in supporting FCPS strategic initiatives. Award categories reflect the goals in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
“Impact” is a peer recognition program. Nominations are only accepted from current FCPS employees. Multiple recipients are chosen from each category to receive an Impact Award, and they are recognized at a celebratory event in the fall, in addition to receiving a cash award. Nominees must be current employees who expect to remain FCPS employees through the end of 2026.
Nominate an FCPS employee or team by Thursday, April 30. Visit the Impact Awards Atlas page for nomination materials and additional information.
Teach Forward Cohort Accepting Applications
The Department of Human Resources is excited to launch its second Teach Forward (¡Avanza!) cohort. This program will support approximately 25 employees interested in becoming fully licensed teachers within 12-24 months through a self-paced, online program called iteach. The program is offered by Virginia’s alternative teacher certification pathway.
Current FCPS employees who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher are invited to apply. Current teachers on a provisional or local license are also eligible. Priority will be given to applicants pursuing certification in high-need endorsement areas (including special education and STEM fields) as well as employees working at high-need schools with Title I funding.
Participants admitted to the Teach Forward (¡Avanza!) cohort are only responsible for the $250 iteach enrollment fee and the costs of the required Praxis tests. The full iteach program cost of $2,800 will be funded by FCPS.
Visit Atlas for more information and to apply to Teach Forward.
Become a Fully Licensed Special Education Teacher
A virtual information session on special education cohorts in partnership with George Mason University will take place on Monday, April 13, at 5:15 p.m. Mason has special education programs available for those looking to become fully licensed in:
- Students Accessing the General Curriculum.
- Adapted Curriculum.
- Special Education Early Childhood.
This program provides a supportive and affordable path to achieving your career goals to become a fully licensed special education teacher! Both new provisionally licensed special education teachers and those looking to become a special education teacher can learn about cost-saving options like the Grow Your Own program.
Register to receive a link, which will be sent on April 13. For more information, contact Bob Hamell.
2026 Special Education Family Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors who will be on site.
Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
Staff are also invited to register to serve as event volunteers. Please sign up by Thursday, March 19. MyPDE credit will be awarded to staff volunteers and staff attendees.
2026 Awards Recognizing Special Education Supporters
Nominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across the school division who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.
Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.
Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Genuine Love and Concern Helps Parent Feel Less Alone
FCPS CARES gives parents, caregivers, staff, and community members the opportunity to recognize employees who go above and beyond to help others. Among December/January CARES of the Month recipients is Aaron Tenenbaum, learning disabilities teacher at Springfield Estates Elementary School.
What sets Mr. Tenenbaum apart, his nominator said, “is his genuine love and concern for his students. Teachers like Mr. T remind us parents of [neurodivergent] kiddos that we do not have to shoulder this alone and that they are with us as we navigate this daunting task.”
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Cindy Trinca, Gatehouse Administration Center.
- Min-Jung Jung, Hughes Middle School.
- Catherine Giacomo, Noel Naylor, and Melissa Snyder, Bailey's Elementary School.
- Samantha Whitelaw and Megan Hook, Rose Hill Elementary School.
- Lynda Falkenstein, Bonnie Brae Elementary School.
- Lisa Choi, Fairfax Villa Elementary School.
To recognize an employee with an FCPS CARES, please view the submission page.
Two Grandmas and a Bus: Decades of Dedication for a Driver and Attendant
For Bus Driver Paula Langhorne (right) and Bus Attendant Pam Mitchell (left), safety is the top priority each day. They also work hard to create an environment filled with connection, laughter, and care so every student starts the day feeling welcomed and supported.
Paula began her career with Fairfax County Public Schools in 1985, and Pam joined in 1992. Although they’ve worked side by side for 16 years, the two have known each other for more than three decades. Their long friendship and deep trust for one another make them an inseparable team. Read about their impact on their students.
FCPS Retirement Ceremony Invitations Mailed
After years of hard work and dedication, FCPS celebrates our retirees’ careers, legacies, and accomplishments at our annual retirement ceremony. This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 5:30 p.m., at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Any retirees who have completed their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) have been mailed an invitation. Please contact RetirementCeremony@fcps.edu if you have not received your invitation.
The deadline to RSVP for the ceremony is Tuesday, April 7.
Calendar Reminders
Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz (Evening Only Observance Day, Holiday)
Thursday, March 19, is an evening-only observance day for Eid al-Fitr, which begins at sundown. Friday, March 20, is a holiday, and all schools and offices are closed.
Quarter End/Early Release
Friday, March 27, is the last day of the third quarter and an early release day for students.
Spring Break
Schools and school offices will be closed from Monday, March 30, to Friday, April 3, for spring break. Monday, April 6, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students.
See the school year calendar or employee calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Administration of the Oath of Office to Newly-Elected Braddock Magisterial Representative Tom Dannan (at a special meeting at 6:15 p.m.).
- Third Quarter Budget Review.
- Awarding of Contracts.
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
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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