|
Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | اردو | العربية | हिंदी भाषा
Benefit Services staff (from left) Nicole Holmes, Monia Ani Adjei, Sheryl Lan, Elicia Parks, Gregory Kropp, and Staci Ruffa are ready to assist their colleagues at an Open Enrollment Open House at Chantilly High School.
Attend an Open Enrollment Open House!
Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in and/or change your medical, dental, and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits for the upcoming calendar year.
The Office of Benefit Services (OBS) is hosting 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. Register to receive the link to join an online open house by clicking a date below:
To find additional details about open enrollment, please visit the Open Enrollment webpage.
Re-Enroll in Flexible Spending!
Please don’t forget that you must enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) through UConnect during open enrollment if you wish to participate in 2027. Current FSA participants are not automatically re-enrolled.
Weekly Reflections: Recognizing CARE-ing Band Teacher
Last week, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid visited Poplar Tree Elementary School to recognize Band Teacher Kelsey Seipp (pictured above: standing, back row, sixth from the left) as the summer CARES of the Quarter recipient.
Kelsey was recognized for creating an inclusive and welcoming music experience for students in the school’s multi-age special education program. After learning of their interest in music, she arranged weekly lessons where the students could explore percussion instruments, hear band selections, and build their musical skills.
Families shared that her patience, encouragement, and thoughtful adaptations helped the students grow in confidence, engagement, and sense of belonging.
This celebration was made possible by Educate Fairfax and the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, a community partner. Read more updates from Dr. Reid in Weekly Reflections.
Employee Recognition Programs
We know FCPS employs the best and brightest! Consider recognizing your colleagues by nominating them for one of the following:
- The FCPS CARES Program gives parents, staff, and community members a way to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. Anyone may submit an FCPS CARES through StaffConnect.
- The FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards program celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of exceptional employees. Nominations are accepted from colleagues, supervisors, students, and parents. Finalists are recognized at FCPS Honors every June.
-
Impact Awards celebrate the efforts and achievements of individual employees and teams whose job performance produces exceptional results aligned with the FCPS Strategic Plan. Nominations open in the spring. FCPS held the annual celebration for recipients earlier this month. Read about this year’s winners and see photos from the event.
Find more information about Employee Recognition programs on Atlas.
Nominate Your Outstanding Colleagues
School awards liaisons have opened nominations for Outstanding Employee Awards. Contact them to get the nomination form for Outstanding Teacher, New Teacher, Principal, New Principal, Professional Staff Leader, Educational Services Employee, and Operational Employee.
Driving Success: The Leader Who Always Goes the ‘Extra Mile’
As a senior manager in the Office of Transportation Services, Jeremy Doxer works to strengthen recruitment efforts and implement new safety technology across the school bus fleet.
Just as importantly, he makes time for the people behind those efforts, ensuring staff feel supported and families and community members feel connected to FCPS. Read more about Jeremy.
Special Educator Empowers Every Learner
Every school day begins with compassion, creativity, and a clean slate in Megan Haile’s classroom at White Oaks Elementary School. She was named a finalist for the FCPS Outstanding New Teacher award.
As a learning disabilities special education teacher, Megan brings a unique blend of clinical care, teaching skill, and deep empathy to her work. Read more about Megan.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: Breakout Session Information Available
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
More than 20 engaging breakout sessions have been designed to support, inform, and inspire our community! Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to explore the lineup of presenters, breakout session titles, and session descriptions.
Complete the Special Education Family Conference Registration Form to secure your spot and let us know about any childcare, language interpretation, or accommodation needs.
Get Involved Today! Volunteer and Student Participation Opportunities
-
Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS using the Volunteer Registration Form by Wednesday, October 28. FCPS staff volunteers will receive MyPDE credit.
-
Student Volunteers: Complete the Student Volunteer Interest Form by Wednesday, October 28. Students who volunteer will receive service hours.
-
Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Students serving in these roles will receive service hours. The deadline to sign up is Friday, October 30.
Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Learn About Your Pension at an ERFC Info Session
Whether retirement is just around the corner or years away, these sessions are for you. Understanding your second pension can help you make informed decisions about your future.
Join us to learn when you can retire and how your pension is calculated. Click on a date below to register for a one-hour session. Registration for Zoom sessions closes two days before the date, so don’t wait!
- Virtual sessions will take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on:
An in-person session will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:30 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Visit ERFC's website for more dates in 2027. Email ERFCRetirement@fcps.edu with any questions.
Accessibility Tip to Keep Images Accessible
Once you have chosen meaningful images to enhance your curriculum or communications, be sure to always set formatting to “In-Line with Text.” This ensures that screen readers read images in logical order.
Text wrapping can create floating layouts and cause screen readers to skip around the page. Read more tips on the Use and Describe Images Atlas page.
Calendar Reminder: Quarter End
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter. Students will have a two-hour early release.
Schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar or the employee calendar.
School Board Meeting on Thursday, October 22
 The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. Among the items on the agenda is the Strategic Plan Goal 1 Report: Strong Start: Pre-K-12. View the full agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
National Drug Take Back Day Is Saturday, October 24
Take advantage of free, convenient, confidential, and safe disposal of unused or expired medications during Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nine drop-off sites will be available throughout Fairfax County. Find the site closest to you.
Can’t make it to Drug Take Back Day? No problem. Learn about year-round disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Thank you for doing your part in making the Fairfax County community safer!
|
Sexual Harassment Prohibited in FCPS
Regulation 4950 – Sexual Harassment by Employees states that no person in Fairfax County Public Schools shall be subjected to sexual harassment. It is the intent of the School Board to maintain an environment free from sexual harassment of any kind.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature amounting to or constituting harassment are prohibited. Employees should report complaints of sexual harassment to their supervisors or program managers. Students, their parents, and caregivers should bring concerns to their school principals.
If for any reason an individual prefers not to address their concerns directly with a principal, supervisor, or program manager, they may consult or file a complaint online (select Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint).
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!
|
