Welcome Back to a New School Year, Team FCPS!

Bus driver gives a thumbs up from the driver's seat


Bus driver Romeo Menjivar Lopez gives a thumbs up on the first day of school at Hayfield Secondary School.


Congratulations on a Successful First Day!

teacher greets students on the first day of school


There were celebrations across FCPS yesterday as teachers and administrators welcomed students back to school. 

Enjoy some highlights from #FirstDayFairfax. Also check out our coverage and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.

YouTube video

Stay in the Know This School Year!

teacher takes a selfie with a student


With a new school year underway, we hope that all FCPS employees are engaged in ongoing communication. 

This weekly newsletter, Employee News, is distributed by email on Tuesdays during the school year. At the bottom of every issue are links to FCPS calendars, savings opportunities for staff, classifieds, job openings, and other important employee topics. Remember to also check out the Employee Blog, for stories about our colleagues and the incredible work that we each do to support public education and our students.

We know questions come up throughout the year. You should refer to the FCPS Employee Handbook as your first resource. Feel free to also contact the Human Resources Client Services Team via StaffConnect or call 571-423-3000. 

The HR team is also available for in-person assistance Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Gatehouse Administration Center.


Stay Up to Date on Compensation, Salary, and Leave

UConnect is your online gateway for benefits, salary, and leave information. 

The start of the school year is a good time to log in and verify your contact information. By providing your cellphone number through UConnect, you will receive FCPS emergency text messages, such as weather closings and delays. 

You can use UConnect to verify your benefits selections and leave balances, and view your pay and teaching credentials. 

To log in, use the same username and password associated with your @fcps.edu email. UConnect is available to staff who are working on the FCPS network (in other words, using the FCPS wifi). 

Logging Time and Attendance

Time and attendance should be logged through MyTime, which can be accessed online or through the desktop application on FCPS computers. For more information, review leave policies or visit the Time and Attendance Atlas page.

The Payroll Management page has resources on pay, paychecks, tax withholding, and W-2s. Visit the Salary Services page for information on salary scales, employment verification, and job specifications.


Coming Soon: MyPath, Your New HR and Payroll Platform

This December, FCPS will launch MyPath, our new, mobile-friendly HR, benefits, and payroll platform. MyPath replaces multiple systems with a single secure portal that employees can access anytime, anywhere, without a VPN. Training guides will launch in MyPDE this December so you feel confident on day one.

There will also be changes to payroll for certain employees. Less-than-12-month contracted employees can preview the new pay structure starting in January 2027 using the MyPath Stable Pay Calculator on Atlas.

Take a Sneak Peek! Head to Atlas for a first look at the MyPath platform and other information. Submit any questions via StaffConnect by selecting “MyPath Human Capital Management Project Questions” from the dropdown menu.


Weekly Reflections: Aviators Aim High

YouTube video


In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reflected on the opening of Skyview High School, the first new high school in FCPS in 20 years. Learn more about the grand opening celebration and watch this highlight video

Read Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.


Make Every Dollar Count With PerkSpot

FCPS partners with PerkSpot to create Savings for Staff, your exclusive online discount platform. Whether you’re stocking up on school year essentials or planning a well-deserved weekend getaway, PerkSpot offers thousands of deals across more than 25 savings categories, including:

  • Back-to-school must-haves for kids of all ages.
  • Travel and entertainment: tickets, hotels, car rentals, and more.
  • Tech and electronics.
  • Apparel and shoes.
  • Pet insurance. (Furry family members deserve great care, too!)

Log in or register today to start saving.


May FCPS CARES Recipient Inspires Science Students

smiling employees pose for a photo


FCPS CARES allows families, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Among the CARES of the Month recipients for May is Callis Harris (above, center) from Cooper Middle School. 

”As my daughter’s 7th grade science teacher, Ms. Harris made science come alive in a way that completely changed how my daughter saw the subject,” her nominator said. “By the end of the year, my daughter had developed a genuine passion for it and now hopes to become a science teacher herself one day. Ms. Harris is truly one of a kind.”

Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:

  • Ferdinando Greco and Mervin Greenwood, Stonecroft Transportation Center
  • Patti Harling-Gray, Haycock Elementary School 
  • Grace Vivirito, Whitman Middle School 
  • Ranilo Abrigo, Robinson Secondary School
  • Betty Ablimit, Chantilly High School 
  • Rachael Altekruse, Lewis High School 

Read about all the recipients.


The North Star to Student Success at FCPS

smiling students running down the hallway in school

 

The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan is our North Star for how we provide excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student. It focuses on ensuring students love learning and feel safe, happy, and welcome at school. 

Discover how the Strategic Plan impacts student success.


Find Opportunities and Register as a Volunteer

Through Volunteer FCPS, individuals can register and search for volunteer opportunities across the school division. All volunteers need to register in Volunteer FCPS. This includes FCPS staff who volunteer at their child’s school, work as student mentors, or help in any unpaid capacity in the school system. However, staff who wish to volunteer at the school where they work do not need to register. 

Visit Volunteer FCPS to view volunteering and mentorship opportunities. 

  • Click on “Schools” to register with a specific school.
  • Click on “Programs” to register as a general volunteer with the county or with the MentorWorks program, which matches individuals with students to meet regularly throughout the year. 

Register and complete a short volunteer orientation.

If you’ve registered previously, no need to register again. But visit Volunteer FCPS to sign up for opportunities of interest! 

Need Volunteers?

Any FCPS staff member can request a specific volunteer opportunity through the Volunteer FCPS system by signing in using their FCPS email. 

Examples of volunteer opportunities include special events, such as field trip chaperones or field day volunteers, as well as ongoing opportunities, such as library or classroom volunteers. The form will be sent to the school’s Volunteer FCPS point of contact for posting (pending approval from your administrator). 

Offices and departments can request an opportunity to be posted by selecting “Fairfax County Public Schools.” Request an opportunity for volunteers


Mobile App

Have a Child at One FCPS School, but Work at Another?

The FCPS mobile app lets you follow updates from multiple schools, all in one place! Simply open the app, tap the teal pull-down menu, then tap the gear icon and select every school you want to follow. See this video of how to follow your school.

Find out about more features of the app. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.


Calendar Reminder: Labor Day (Holiday)

Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. 

Virginia legislation requires that schools opening before Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately before Labor Day. 

We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.

Change to Employee Calendar

Please note that the employee calendar has been updated to reflect that Monday, November 2, is a school planning day (all staff report to their regular workplaces) and Tuesday, November 3, is a teacher workday (teacher-scale employees may choose to work from an alternate location).


School Board Meeting

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, August 27. View the agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.


Staff Staples

Note: Some links in this email may 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, one week in advance. Thank you!