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Veterans who work in the Office of Safety and Security include (from left) Ed Haggerty, Umar Qudosi, Kurt Taguba, Leslie Williams, Sue Tenney, William Teal, Doug Pugh, and Nick Scarbrough.
Honoring Our Veteran Employees
In honor of Veterans Day tomorrow, FCPS would like to say a heartfelt “Thank you” to the many employees who are also military veterans.
Beyond Expectations: A Journey From Military Mechanic to Inspiring Teacher
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Ashley Allee, a teacher at Lake Anne Elementary School, joined the U.S. Air Force to pay for college and pursue her goal of becoming a teacher.
As the only female aircraft mechanic in her shop, Ashley learned to navigate unique challenges and discovered leadership qualities she didn’t know she had.
Read about how she puts those lessons to work today, in her classroom.
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Veterans Day Message From the Superintendent
As someone who grew up in a military family, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid knows that when one family member serves, the entire family serves. View this touching Veterans Day video message from Dr. Reid.
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Weekly Reflections: Check Out Book Reidports
Happy National Book Week! Did you know that Dr. Reid has been gathering recommendations from librarians across the school division to share in her Weekly Reflections?
This week, she highlighted “Dogtown” by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldensko, recommended by Librarian Amy Rapuano at Wakefield Forest Elementary School.
Look for Book Reidports each week in Weekly Reflections. Have a favorite book? Let us know, and we might feature it for #FavoriteBookFriday.
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MAJOR News! Mount Vernon Orchestra Teacher Named a GRAMMY Finalist
Al Rodriguez, orchestra director at Mount Vernon High School, is one of just 10 teachers across the nation in the running to win the 2027 Music Educator GRAMMY. Read more about Al and this special recognition.
Request a Substitute as Early as Possible
Teachers, when you know you’ll be absent and will need a substitute, please enter your request in Red Rover as soon as possible. The more advance notice a job has, the better its chance of being picked up.
Jobs posted on the day of an absence are much less likely to be filled, which can make it harder to keep classrooms and daily operations running smoothly.
You can also create a favorite list in Red Rover for substitutes who have worked with you and whom you’d like to welcome back. To add someone, go to Sub Preferences, type the substitute’s name, and select Add Favorite. They’ll then appear on your favorite list.
Visit the Red Rover page in Atlas for more information.
Thank you for giving substitutes as much notice as possible and helping Human Resources find the right coverage for every absence.
Retiring Rumors: Get the Facts About ERFC
Heard a rumor about your second pension that you’re not sure is true? Don’t rely on hearsay. Get the facts from ERFC.
Visit ERFC’s Rumor Roundup to submit your question and set the record straight.
Register to Volunteer With FCPS
Through Volunteer FCPS, you 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 want to volunteer at their workplace 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.
Once you have registered, you will need to complete a short volunteer orientation. If you’ve registered previously, no need to register again. Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and 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.
Explore Google Vids for Instructional Videos and Student Showcase Projects
Join the EdTech team for a Lunch Bytes Learning session exploring Google Vids. Learn about new updates and how easy it is to create instructional videos and student showcase projects without spending hours editing. Bring your lunch and your curiosity. The EdTech team will supply the tips, templates, and takeaways.
Thirty-minute sessions will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Learn more about Lunch Bytes and register in MyPDE.
Managing Work Hours and Overtime Under the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Please remember our legal responsibility to accurately manage work hours and overtime. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), nonexempt employees must be paid for all hours worked and receive 1.5 times their regular pay rate for any time beyond 40 hours in a single workweek.
All overtime worked must be paid. Properly tracking and documenting these hours ensures legal compliance, controls labor costs, and supports employee well-being.
For more information about FLSA, including tools for managers and tools for employees, view the FLSA Overview in Atlas.
Building Belonging: How a School Psychologist Supports Students
During National School Psychology Week, FCPS proudly celebrates the dedicated professionals who create safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environments across our division.
Emma Day, a school psychologist at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, was named a pyramid winner for the 2026 Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee for her work supporting students, teachers, and families. Read about Emma.
Tales of Cybersecurity: Classic Stories With Modern Lessons
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across FCPS. Be sure to pause before you click, verify before you trust, and report when something seems off.
The Department of Information Technology’s Tales of Cybersecurity multimedia campaign uses well-known stories to show good cybersecurity practices in a fun, empowering way to strengthen the everyday habits that help protect our students, staff, and schools.
New tales, with interactive games and accompanying posters distributed in every school and office, will be launched throughout the school year. Visit the CITO Blog and the Tales of Cybersecurity Atlas page to learn more.
School Board Meeting on Thursday, November 12
The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, November 12, at 7 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. Agenda items include:
- Early Childhood Education and Childcare Programming Motion
- Awarding of Contracts
- New Intergovernmental Contract - Northern Virginia Community College - Aspiring Teacher Pipeline
View the full agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
Calendar Reminder: Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11, is a school day. Please note that Fairfax County’s SACC and Beyond the Bell programs are closed on November 11 due to a county holiday.
Thanksgiving (Holiday)
Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27.
Classes will resume on Monday, November 30. See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
Note: Employee News will not be distributed on Tuesday, November 24, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees
Looking to sell your old guitar or share a ride to work? The FCPS Online Classifieds system is the best place to go, and it’s available to employees only. It’s a free way to post ads for personally owned items to buy, sell, or give away. It's also a great tool for finding a roommate or renting real estate.
FCPS’ Online Classifieds system is completely self-service and allows employees to post new ads, or update or renew existing ads at any time. View rules and frequently asked questions. For more information, contact Andy Grunig.
Adult English Language Classes Enrolling Soon
Build practical English language skills to help you communicate at work, support your children’s education, engage with your community, and achieve your personal goals.
FCPS employees can get 25% off in-person classes through FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE). Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are designed for all levels and provide a supportive environment where you can learn with experienced instructors.
Classes are held at convenient FCPS locations throughout the county, with day and evening classes available. Placement testing begins soon and is required for all new students to ensure you are placed in the correct learning level.
Visit the FCPS ACE website for more information and scheduling. Visit the ACE page on Atlas to get your employee discount code.
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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