Cosmetology Teacher Emmy Deleon works with a student at Marshall Academy.
Save the Date: Open Enrollment Begins on Monday, October 12!
It’s never too early to begin thinking about your health plan options for 2027!
Each year, FCPS provides a window of opportunity to review your medical and dental elections, update your plan selections, and make decisions on the best option for your unique situation.
This year, open enrollment will run from Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 30. Learn more about open enrollment.
Weekly Reflections: Designing Lessons for All Learners
In the Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Professional Development. UDL principles help teachers craft lessons that keep each student’s strengths in mind, build supports into everyday planning, and offer multiple ways for students to demonstrate what they know.
Dr. Reid shared a video in which educators across FCPS share how summer UDL workshops equipped them with tools to make instruction more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for every student. Check out Weekly Reflections to learn more.
Early Literacy Fun Fact
During the 2025-26 school year, FCPS students and staff checked out more than 3 million books. Third grade students checked out the most books, at more than half a million, an average of 43 books per student.
Please consider sharing one of your favorite childhood books with our community and helping our young readers discover new books to love.
Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! Employee Conversations will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on:
These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. You can also reach out to her anytime by emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
Professional Development Catalog: Great Beginnings Offerings
Are you a new-to-FCPS educator looking for professional learning opportunities? The Great Beginnings program offers a variety of resources to support you:
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Foundations After-School Program: Dig more deeply into the Teacher Performance Standards and understand what best practices look and sound like in the classroom.
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Spotlight on Classroom Management: Learn targeted strategies that support effective classroom management and walk away with concrete ideas to use in your classroom tomorrow.
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Spotlight on Professional Skills: Reflect on your interpersonal and communication skills, and consider how you’re showing up in your classroom, on your team, and at your school.
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Praxis Bootcamps: Discover resources, study skills, and strategies to support you in preparing for the Praxis exam.
Visit the Professional Development Catalog and navigate to the Novice Educators drop-down to find session information and registration links. Please contact Jenna Reeder if you have any questions.
How Supported Staff Build Community
Across FCPS, approximately 1,400 custodians serve more than 230 schools and offices. They maintain more than 29 million square feet, clean over 14,000 classrooms and 1,200 restrooms, and care for more than 3,300 acres of school property.
In Dr. Reid’s Strategic Plan update at last week’s School Board meeting, she shared this video showing how custodians’ impact goes far beyond maintaining our buildings.
Read about some of our custodians who were nominated for Outstanding School-Based Employee in 2025-26.
A Fist Bump, a Smile, and a Safe Place: Celebrating the Impact of Julian Gaither
Walk through the halls of Edison High School, and there is a good chance you will see Julian Gaither greeting students with a smile, a fist bump, and a friendly “Good morning.”
As a safety and security assistant, Julian helps keep the school safe each day, but his impact on the Edison community goes well beyond his job description.
Read more about Julian’s impact on the Edison community.
Building Trust Through Transparency: FCPS Receives Budget Award
FCPS earned the Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International for its 2026-27 budget. This national recognition celebrates the division’s commitment to clear, transparent, high-quality financial reporting and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Read about the award.
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. Interactive training guides will launch in MyPDE this December so you feel confident on day one.
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 and select “MyPath Human Capital Management Project Questions” from the dropdown menu.
Correction: Enjoy Affordable Staff Meals in School Cafeterias
Last week’s newsletter erroneously listed adult school lunches as $5. The cost is actually $5.50. Lunch includes an entree, milk, and unlimited salad bar items in any school cafeteria. Search Atlas for MySchoolBucks or visit MySchoolBucks to set up your account.
We apologize for the error and any confusion.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: Request for Volunteers
Register now to attend the annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided.
How to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS using the Volunteer Registration Form. FCPS staff volunteers will be awarded MyPDE credit.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive volunteer hours for their service.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Volunteer hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Register to attend the conference. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Calendar Reminder: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, October 12, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which notes this change. Please note: holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
See the employee calendar.
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!
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