Franconia Elementary School staff members display their cultural attire during the school’s International Fashion Show.
Emergency Response Buttons Will Be Active in Schools on Tuesday, April 14
As part of FCPS’ layered approach to school safety, emergency response buttons (ERBs) will become live on Tuesday, April 14.
The ERB is a wearable emergency alert device that allows staff to discreetly initiate an emergency response while on FCPS property. When activated, the ERB notifies the Office of Safety and Security, 911, and registered FCPS staff at the affected site to support a rapid and coordinated response.
Beginning April 14, when the system will be fully operational, any ERB activation will be treated as a live alert, resulting in a response from emergency services. Staff should only activate an ERB in the event of an actual emergency if they don’t have access to a phone to dial 911.
ERB distribution at schools is taking place this week. Staff must complete the required Raptor ERB training and provide proof of training to their badge administrator to receive an ERB. Staff must self-assign and activate their ERB before it can be used to initiate an emergency. For additional information about the ERB program, including training resources, guidance, and FAQs, please refer to the Raptor Emergency Response Button (ERB) ATLAS page.
Your Benefits in Every Season
The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) is excited to introduce Your Benefits in Every Season, a campaign designed to help you better understand and use your benefits. Throughout the year, they’ll share timely information, helpful reminders, and resources to support your health, well-being, and financial future, so you can make the most of your benefits in every season.
Visit the OBS page on Atlas to view upcoming events and important information.
Nominate Your Colleagues for an Impact Award
Impact Award applications are now live! The annual Impact Awards celebrate both individuals and teams exceeding expectations in supporting FCPS strategic initiatives. Award categories reflect the goals in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
The Impact Awards is a peer recognition program, which means nominations are only accepted from current FCPS employees. After nominations, multiple recipients are chosen from each category to receive an Impact Award. 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 with FCPS 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.
Support Military Children on Purple Up! Day
We invite all employees, students, families, and community members to “Purple Up!” on Wednesday, April 15, for military children.
Why purple? Because purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and the blue of the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.
April Is Month of the Military Child
FCPS welcomes all of our new and returning military-connected families throughout the year! View this message from Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid.
Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! Her final Employee Conversation of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Wolftrap Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. Visit the Superintendent Engagement page on Atlas for up-to-date information.
You can also reach out to Dr. Reid anytime by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
Reminder: Walk-In Hours for Benefit Services
The Office of Benefit Services would like to remind all staff of available walk-in hours at the Gatehouse Administration Center.
Walk-in hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For assistance, employees are encouraged to use StaffConnect or call 571-423-3200.
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
- 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 special education teachers 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.
Assistant Principal Works to Ensure Every Student Thrives
This year, April 6-10 marks National Assistant Principals Week, a time to recognize the vital role assistant principals play in supporting student success, empowering teachers, and shaping positive school environments.
In FCPS, our assistant principals go above and beyond each day to ensure our schools are places where students thrive and staff feel valued. Their tireless commitment, leadership, and compassion are foundational to our mission, and we’re proud to honor them this week.
Dominic Williams, assistant principal at Union Mill Elementary School, was recognized as the 2025 Outstanding School-Based Leader at FCPS. Read about Dominic’s leadership and influence.
Employees “In the Spotlight”
In the Spotlight is a video series sharing best practices and inspirational moments from across the division. Check out the playlist to hear how staff are making a tangible impact in the lives of FCPS students, from learning something new to participating in athletics programs.
Librarian Sparks Imagination and Love of Learning
April is School Library Month, and April 3 was School Librarian Day. In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth.
At Gunston Elementary School, Librarian Nicole Oberdick has created an immersive, magical space to inspire students. Nicole was also selected as an Outstanding Elementary School Teacher Finalist last year. Read about how Nicole engages her students.
School Library Month and National Library Week
Explore all that FCPS school library programs have to offer for student learning and the important roles that FCPS school librarians play in every school community.
A Heart for Every Student: Celebrating Paraprofessionals
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day — observed annually on the first Wednesday of April, which was April 1 this year — offers an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary impact of instructional assistants, aides, and paraeducators who support students every day.
Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee finalist Samina Butt is one of these dedicated professionals at Irving Middle School. Read about Samina.
Great Beginnings After-School Facilitator Pool: Apply Now!
Support FCPS’ Great Beginnings Program and advance your leadership skills! Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-27 Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool. Members of the pool are assigned to facilitate various Great Beginnings offerings after school, such as Spotlight on Classroom Management, Supporting New Educators, and Mentoring Novice Educators.
This role 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 and leading professional development throughout the year.
The application is open until Monday, April 20. Find more information and application materials.
Students’ Personal Devices Covered Under FCPS’ Cell Phone Policy
The FCPS cell phone policy applies to all personal devices that can access the internet, record, or communicate. This includes:
- Cell phones
- Smart watches
- Smart glasses
- Airpods, earbuds, and headsets
Cell phones are not permitted to be used as an instructional tool, and all students need to keep cell phones and personal devices off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
High school students can use personal devices during lunch time in designated lunch spaces. Thank you for helping keep our classrooms distraction-free!
RSVP Today for the FCPS Retirement Ceremony
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.
Retirees who have completed their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) were mailed an invitation. Please contact RetirementCeremony@fcps.edu if you are retiring and have not received your invitation. The deadline to RSVP for the ceremony is Tuesday, April 7.
Fine Arts and Academic Rigor in FCPS
Dr. Reid presented on Fine Arts in FCPS during the Academic Matters segment of the March 26 School Board meeting. FCPS is committed to early, universal exposure to the arts to ensure all students have the opportunity to develop durable skills (which are similar to Portrait of a Graduate attributes) in environments that promote belonging and self-expression.
Dr. Reid shared a video about Fine Arts and access to academic rigor. It explains how courses such as International Baccalaureate® (IB) Dance and Advanced Placement (AP) 2D Studio Art and Drawing use a process similar to the scientific method, where students experiment, reflect, and refine their work over time.
Learn more about the IB dance program at Mount Vernon High School.
School Board Presents FY 2027 Advertised Budget to Board of Supervisors
The School Board will present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 14, at a joint Board of Supervisors and School Board budget committee meeting. The meeting will take place in the Fairfax County Government Center Board Auditorium and in Conference Room 11. It is also available to view live on Channel 16 and stream live online.
Follow the FCPS Budget Development Process.
Provide Fairfax County With Feedback on Its Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the FY 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. A Budget Town Hall Meeting for the Franconia District will take place on Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., on Channel 16.
You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak.
Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn how community members can share their feedback and provide input on the county’s FY 2027 Budget.
Skyview High School and Western Pyramids Boundary Study
The boundary study for Skyview High School and FCPS’ western pyramids continues to move forward. Western pyramids include Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes, and Westfield. Elementary and middle schools that currently feed into these high schools are also part of the analysis. This ensures aligned school pathways from elementary through high school whenever possible.
A kickoff meeting for the boundary study was held at Westfield High School on March 25 for families who live in the western part of the county. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the proposed boundaries in June, with any approved changes taking effect in the 2027-28 school year.
Please visit the Skyview High School and Western Pyramids Boundary Study page to learn more.
Save a Life, Give Blood!
Inova Blood Donor Services and the Office of Facilities Management will host a blood drive on Wednesday, April 22, from 6 to 10 a.m. The Bloodmobile will be parked outside Door 7 of the Sideburn Support Center.
Appointments are encouraged. Book online or call 1-866-256-6372 and use code 1005. All donors will receive a hooded tee while supplies last. Please bring a photo ID and allow about one hour for the donation process.
Calendar Reminders
School Planning Day
Friday, April 10, is a school planning day. There will be no school for students.
Theravada New Year (Observance Day)
Thursday, April 16, is Theravada New Year. FCPS has designated this day as a religious and cultural observance day. Observance days are regular school days with no mandatory tests, field trips, or major events
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.
See the complete school year calendar and the employee calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m. On the agenda are several motions to amend the 2026-27 school calendar.
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
FCPS ACE Tax Day Sale!
FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) wants you to save on learning. On Wednesday, April 15, apply either promo code “TaxDay15” to save $15 off any class, or use your employee discount code for 25% off in-person classes. Pick whichever saves you more!
But just like the tax-filing deadline, this offer expires at midnight on April 15, so don’t delay. View details and save on your continuing education today.
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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