Snow Days Stay, Early Payday (2024)

Daniela Kwon, Aejin Lee, and Damee Hwang (pictured from left) represent the Family and School Partnerships Korean Early Literacy Program.

⛄ Snow Days This Winter

As mentioned in Superintendent Reid’s Weekly Reflections, FCPS will not have virtual learning when school is closed due to inclement weather for the 2023-24 school year.

Eleven snow days are built into our existing calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will enable us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.

You are encouraged to share ideas for learning about winter that students can use during winter break and snow days. Email ideas to WinterDiscovery@fcps.edu.

💲 Early Payday in December

This is a reminder that monthly employees are paid on the last business day of each month except for December, when they are paid before winter break. Payday in December for monthly employees will be Friday, December 15.

Reference Notice 5620, Pay Schedules 2023-24for appropriate pay-period work times and pay dates. If you have any questions, please contact Payroll Management at 571-423-3500 or PayrollHelp@fcps.edu.

💵 Need Extra Cash? Earn Your $100 Wellness Incentive!

Employees enrolled in an FCPS health plan as the primary cardholder may earn gift card rewards up to $100 by completing their annual physical and biometric screenings by Sunday, December 31.

Follow the simple steps in theCigna Redemption Guide or the KP Incentive Reward Guide to redeem your gift card.

Please emailEmployeeWellness@fcps.eduwith questions or visit the Wellness Incentive Program Employee Hub page.

Red Rover Red Rover, Move 2024 Sub Requests Over!

Friday, December 15, is the last day SmartFind Express can be used for substitute requests or job opportunities.

FCPS will switch to a new substitute management system, Red Rover, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. School staff and substitutes should have received an email today from Red Rover and will be able to sign in to the platform tomorrow, Wednesday, December 6, to make requests for 2024. Please sign in using your fcps.edu email. (No password is needed.)

Substitute requests should be listed in the correct management system. All job verifications in SmartFind Express must be completed by Friday, December 15; verification data will not be accepted after Monday, December 18. All requests for 2024 and beyond should be made in Red Rover.

Substitute jobs that started in 2023 and run into 2024 (for example, a long-term assignment from December 11 to January 25) should be placed in each system accordingly. Use SmartFind for the December days and Red Rover for January.

For more information or questions, contact the substitute office at substitute@fcps.edu.

Learn More About Red Rover

Red Rover training is available in MyPDE for time and attendance processors, principals, and administrators.

Tutorials are also available for substitutes, administrators, teachers, instructional assistants, and other employees needing substitutes on the Substitute Resources Hub page. Familiarize yourself with Red Rover now (before you need it!) and update the “My Profile” section by clicking on the top right side by your initials.

MyTime Sign-In Screen Gets a New Look

Beginning Monday, December 11, there will be a new look to the sign-in screen for MyTime.

Your username and password will remain the same.You'll have the option to set up multifactor authentication (MFA) — it only takes a few minutes — or you can choose to be reminded in 30 days. MyTime is the first app to be part of the new FCPS Single Sign-On portal (FCPS-SSO). More apps will move to the new all-access entry over the next several months.

This change is being made for:

Simplicity: One username and one password for everything.
Time Savings: Less time spent logging in means more time for your important tasks.
Enhanced Security: Reducing multiple logins also reduces security risks.

Watch for an email on Monday regarding this change and get ready to make FCPS more cybersafe!

🔒 Security Enhancement: No More Text Messages for MFA

As a reminder, FCPS is replacing text message-based (SMS) multi-factor authentication (MFA) with authenticator app-based MFA for logging in to Microsoft and Google. If you are already using an MFA authenticator app to access MFA codes for your FCPS accounts, you’re all set!

If not, please follow these steps for your FCPS accounts:

Install the Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticatorapp on your phone. Remember, an authenticator app only generates MFA codes for logging in; it does not make your personal phone subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Configure your Microsoft and Google accounts to use an authenticator app rather than SMS text messages. (Click links for instructions.) Remove your phone number from the authentication method to prevent SMS authentication attempts and any confusion.

Visit the MFA FAQ on the Hub, or contact your TSSpec or the Tech Support Desk for assistance.

🎣 Don’t Get Phished!

Phishing is when someone sends fraudulent emails, texts, or other digital messages to trick someone into revealing personal information, clicking a malicious link, or other harmful actions.

Phishing emails may appear to be from an organization you trust with familiar logos that give it an official appearance. Criminals who send this type of message hope you see the logo, but miss small details such as the domain used in the sender's email address or the links. Often, they create a sense of urgency by threatening financial or legal consequences if you do not act quickly. They’re hoping to catch you off guard and prompt you to act without careful consideration.

FCPS periodically sends simulated phishing emails based on real phishing attacks to help us understand hackers' common tricks and tactics. With these exercises, we can all sharpen our ability to recognize fraudulent messages. When in doubt, it is always best to report a suspicious email with the PhishAlarm button.

Empower Children with Digital Literacy

Join the upcoming Kids and the Internet: Becoming a Cyber Savvy ParentEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar on Wednesday, December 6, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Participants willlearn invaluable strategies to protect children online. This includes improving their academic performance through computer literacy, teaching them how to stay safe on social media, preventing encounters with online predators, handling cyberbullying, and managing concerns related to adult content.

📚 Librarian of the Year Helps Students Find Their “Authentic Self”

Rachel Grover was named Librarian of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) in November. Read about what inspired her to be a librarian in the Employee Blog.

Also honored at the VAASL conference were Katie Bruechert, Thoreau Middle School, Rutherford Memorial Award; Heather Baucum, Crossfield Elementary School, Ignite Award; and Maura Madigan, North Springfield Elementary School, AASL Presentation Award.

What Inspires You?

Tell us what inspires you in your career, and you could be featured in an upcoming blog. Fill out the form at the bottom of Rachel’s profile or email us at EmployeeNews@fcps.edu.

💻 Tutor.com Teacher Dashboard and Teacher-Referred Tutoring

Teachers have access to the new Tutor.com Teacher Dashboard in their Schoology® portal. The easy-to-use dashboard facilitates teacher-referred tutoring. Teachers may add personalized notes to their referrals to ensure that students and tutors make the most of their session time together.

These new tools will help teachers identify students who are participating in tutoring sessions and using drop-off review services; receive early intervention alerts; and refer students for tutoring with their specific needs already identified, and then chart their progress.

Training Resources

Learn more about the new Tutor.com program features in the Teacher Dashboard Training. Training sessions for interested staff will be held:

Click each date for the Zoom link.

🙋‍♂️ Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

With the holiday season around the corner, let's unite to help our students shine!

The weeks surrounding winter break often see more empty seats in classrooms. This year, let's nurture a rock-solid attendance habit. A big thank you to:

👩‍🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
👨‍💼 Administrators who provide a safe and engaging place to grow.
👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers who help our learners.
🌟 Students and families who show up every day.

Visit Attendance Resources and Support for attendance insights, because every day is a step toward a brighter tomorrow!

🌱 Get2Green Resource Teacher Helps Students Feel They Belong

Every day when she comes to work, Rachel Clausen, Get2Green resource teacher, asks herself, “Is this real life? Do I get to do this for a living?”

Rachel works with students to help them feel empowered to share their voices and delve into sustainable ideas that interest them.

Read more about Rachel and her Get2Green work in a staff profile on the Employee Blog.

🧾 Go Paperless; Sign Up to Receive W-2 Electronically

It's almost tax time. Plan for tax season now and opt in to receive your W-2 electronically. The deadline to opt in is Thursday, December 28. Going paperless will not only save FCPS time and money but also save trees!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact PayrollHelp@fcps.edu.

🕑 Middle School Start Times

In September, FCPS awarded a contract to Prismatic Services, Inc., to develop a plan for potentially changing middle school start times. The plan will explore starting the middle school day no earlier than 8 a.m., without changing high school start times or impacting FCPS’ budget.

Prismatic will present their findings to the School Board in January. The board will decide in the spring whether or not to proceed with changing middle school start times.

🌍 Global Classroom Project Recognized by Language Connects Foundation

The FCPS Global Classroom Project (GCP) team has been awarded the inaugural Language Connects Foundation/Klett Award for Sustainable Development Education in the World Language Classroom. This award is given to K-12 educators who have effectively incorporated elements of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals into their classroom curriculum and projects, and promoted global awareness and social responsibility among their students and peers — the world leaders of the future.

The GCP team includes educational specialists who represent several disciplines in Instructional Services. They are committed to continuing their work to promote intercultural competence, collaboration, and student-led action toward issues of global importance.

🍲 County Food Insecurity Resources

Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Read about how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view the county's Human Services Resource Guide to find organizations that offer help.

📈 Unlocking Student Potential: School Innovation and Improvement Plans

This video, which was shown during last night's School Board meeting, explores how School Innovation and Improvement Plans (SIIP) connect with FCPS'2023-30 Strategic Plan to transform education for our diverse student population. View slides that furtherexplore Goal 3 of the strategic plan.

Each school is unique, and within them, every group of students brings different needs. But what is consistent? The commitment to research-based practices driving student success. Watch Dranesville Elementary School’s efforts to unlock English learners’ potential and foster academic growth for all.

📊 Results of the 2022-23 Fairfax County Youth Survey

At Monday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid presented findings of the Fairfax County Youth Survey during Academic Matters. The survey provides insight into the behaviors and attitudes that affect the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth.

The percentage of students who reported considering or attempting suicide were at their lowest rates since 2015, as were the reported rates of alcohol and substance use.

Dr. Reid stressed how the Youth Survey isn’t just a snapshot of how students are doing, it also serves as a barometer for the efficacy of our programs and how well FCPS and the community are serving our youth.

Read more about the report’s findings, and view the full report on the county’s website.

Protective Factors Support Healthy Habits and Positive Choices

Survey data shows that students with at least three protective factors have a lower likelihood of reporting mental health challenges and engaging in a variety of risky behaviors, including substance and opioid abuse. Protective factors are individual, family-based, school-based, and community-based assets (such as participating in extracurricular activities, having parents available for help, or having teachers recognize good work) that support healthy habits and positive choices.

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Chanukah and Bodhi Day

Chanukah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7, which will be an evening-only observation day. Major events cannot be scheduled that evening.

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is a religious observation day. There is school on this day, however, the School Board has directed that certain events will not be held on these observance days.

Winter Break

As a reminder, winter break will be from Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1, 2024. Twelve-month employees should report to work throughout break except for Monday, December 25; Tuesday, December 26; and Monday, January 1, 2024.

To help make sure our families have a restful break, no homework should be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break.

We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. See the complete school year calendar. View the Employee Calendar.

Staff Staples

Note: Some links in this email require a VPN connection. You can connect to VPN using Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network).Email ITServiceDesk@fcps.edu with questions.

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!