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Justine Barnes, a teacher at Lake Anne Elementary School, helps 3rd grade students release the ladybugs they have been studying.
Open Enrollment Is Underway! Learn More at an Open House
Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll and/or make changes to your medical, dental, and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming calendar year.
The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) will be hosting in-person and virtual open houses to discuss 2027 benefits. Chat with benefit vendors, including CareFirst and Kaiser Permanente representatives, and OBS staff to get answers to your questions. Open houses will be on the following dates:
Virtual (click the date to register to receive the link)
In Person
To find additional details about open enrollment, please visit the Open Enrollment webpage.
FCPS Named Largest Purple Star School Division
In just two years, FCPS achieved its goal of becoming a Purple Star Division by having all of its schools earn a purple star. FCPS is the only division of its size in the nation to achieve Purple Star designation.
Read about FCPS becoming a Purple Star Division.
Important Reminder Regarding Stable Pay
In response to employee feedback, the following will begin in January 2027:
- Year-round pay for less-than-12-month employees who are paid monthly. This change will also provide a standard hourly rate across the year.
- Less-than-12-month contracted employees who are paid biweekly will receive a consistent monthly amount across their contract year.
Impacted employees should take a look at the MyPath Stable Pay Calculator Tool to see how their pay will be impacted.
Please note that 12-month employees and hourly non-contracted employees will have no change to their current pay schedules.
For more information, please visit the MyPath Project page and Payroll’s What You Need to Know page in Atlas.
Get Your W-2: Sign Up for Web Delivery or Update Address by November 22, 2026
W-2 tax forms are issued by the end of January for earnings in the prior calendar year. Employees are encouraged to opt in for W-2 web delivery. View the Online W-2 Access Guide to learn how.
If you know that you will be moving this winter, please make sure to sign up to receive your W-2 electronically instead of by mail.
Update Address by November 22 for Mail Delivery
Paper W-2s will be mailed to the address on file with the Office of Payroll Management as of Sunday, November 22, for employees who have not opted in for web delivery.
Due to the upcoming implementation of the MyPath system, the deadline to update your address is earlier than usual. Employees will not have access to update your address from November 22, 2026, through January 1, 2027. Learn more on Atlas.
Weekly Reflections: Finding a Place to Belong
In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid highlighted the Shining a Light on Success video from Stone Middle School. Through caring connections, rich opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, and regular celebrations of student progress, Stone is helping students feel right at home while discovering their fullest potential.
Explore more Shining a Light on Success videos, which showcase the power and promise of public education across our division.
Read more highlights from Dr. Reid in her latest Weekly Reflections.
Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! The final fall Employee Conversation will take place on Thursday, October 15, from 5 to 6 p.m., at Fort Hunt Elementary School.
This is 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.
Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey
The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from employees, families, and community members about school facility needs and the criteria for how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.
Look for the survey in your email on Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.
Your feedback will help FCPS better understand community priorities for school renovations.
All FCPS Schools Are Fully Accredited
All Fairfax County public schools are fully accredited, as announced by the Virginia Department of Education.
The majority (75%) of FCPS schools have been recognized as “distinguished” or “meets expectations” under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework. Statewide, just 70% of schools are recognized as “Distinguished” or “Meets Expectations.”
The proportion of FCPS schools designated as “Distinguished” increased to 56% in fall 2026 compared to 38% in fall 2025. Read more about the division’s ratings.
Celebrating Employee Impact
FCPS Impact Awards recognize employees who have exhibited extraordinary achievement in one of four areas: Collaboration and Partnerships, Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Innovation and Improvement, and Student Achievement and Success.
Among those honored last week for innovation and improvement was Zuzanna Hale (pictured above), senior communications specialist, who was part of the Baldrige Performance Excellence team.
Of the 250 employees nominated for awards, 24 individuals and 152 employees across 14 teams were selected as recipients. Thirty-six schools and 10 central office departments were represented. See the full list of Impact Awards recipients.
Join Colleagues to Innovate and Problem Solve with AI and Tech
If you are looking to try something new in your school or office, explore a challenge, or learn more about AI and other emerging topics in education, join the FCPS Lighthouse Communities of Practice, facilitated by ISTE+ASCD, the International Society for Transforming Education.
Explore and test ideas alongside peers and experts from across FCPS and learn from colleagues across different roles, subject areas, schools, and offices. Building on the momentum of the Lighthouse Schools program, you’ll receive tailored coaching and access specialized professional learning resources.
All FCPS staff are welcome, no matter where they are on their innovation journey. Participants will commit to a half-day kickoff and three months of virtual support (approximately 10-16 hours total). The kickoff will take place on Tuesday, November 3, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Willow Oaks Administrative Center 1000B. Register by Friday, October 23.
Grow Your Leadership Skills with Compass Courses
Compass courses are designed for current and aspiring leaders (both teachers and administrators) who want to develop leadership skills necessary for working with and leading colleagues, families, and supervisees.
Explore the Compass Course Catalog to discover and register for offerings that meet your leadership needs. Upcoming highlights include:
- Leading with Psychological Safety on Thursday, October 22.
- Leading with Emotional Intelligence on Friday, November 6.
- Shifting the Burden: How to Support, Respect, and Cultivate Responsible Employees on Tuesday, November 10.
- The Advice Trap on Thursday, November 12.
To explore the full Compass program and receive updates on all available offerings, join the Compass Quarterly mailing list.
Accessible Images Enhance Documents
Whether drafting a lesson or a newsletter for families, images are important and should support learning. They can draw attention, foster curiosity, build knowledge, and aid retention.
Choose images that relate to your content and enhance it. Avoid random images that might be distracting. Images should be authentic and engaging, such as a photo of students and teachers genuinely having fun at an activity rather than an AI-generated graphic or flyer.
See the Use and Describe Images Atlas page to learn more.
Put It in Practice
Open a resource you have created that includes images. Ask yourself how the images you chose support or enhance what you want people to learn. If they don’t, consider deleting them or replacing them with ones that do. Ask yourself this question each time you add images to resources.
Feeding Success: How Food and Nutrition Director Fuels Her Team
Great leadership isn’t just about setting goals from behind a desk. For the Food and Nutrition Services team led by Director Melissa DeAngelo (pictured above, on the left), it involves rolling up your sleeves, supporting your team, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Melissa’s commitment to leadership and collaboration earned her the Outstanding Non-School-Based Leader recognition last year. Read more about Melissa.
Bringing Inclusive Learning to Life at Holmes Middle School
In Rachel Pryately’s health and physical education (PE) classes at Holmes Middle School, students are encouraged to move, try something new, and grow at their own pace.
Rachel teaches both general education PE and adapted PE, creating engaging lessons that accommodate students’ different abilities, interests, and needs. Her goal is for every student to take part in activities, feel safe, and succeed.
Read more about why Rachel was nominated for the FCPS Outstanding Secondary New Teacher Award.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
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 available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS. FCPS staff volunteers will be awarded MyPDE credit.
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Student Volunteers: Volunteer hours will be awarded to students who volunteer. They may sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form.
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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.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Get Ready for the Holidays and Save 25%!
All FCPS employees can save on continuing education (and fun classes!) from FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE).
Check out the ACE page on Atlas to get your employee discount code and find out how to save 25%! Then go to the ACE website to see the in-person career and enrichment classes available to you, including:
- Learn how to make Korean Appetizers, German Stollen, or Indian Tapas for holiday gatherings.
- Make a glass mosaic, a wood-turned ornament, or knit a beautiful scarf to give as a gift.
- Learn French, German, Spanish, or another language for your holiday travel.
In-person classes are available after work or on weekends at multiple locations to fit your busy schedule.
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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