FCPS Employee News Bulletin Board

Take time for you and your health! The 2024 FCPS Wellness Expo is coming up in just a few weeks. It is being held on a Teacher Work Day when schools are closed.

When: Friday, March 22 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Where: Tuscarora High School, 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick

So many activities are planned!

Including:

Exercise classes, including yoga and LaBlast, a dance class

FCPS Vendors, including CareFirst, Delta, The Standard, and retirement plan providers

Healthy Snacks

Raffle Prizes

Health Screenings

Massages

Seminars

Giveaways

We hope you can join us! Please save your space by preregistering.

In our latest episode of Essential, we feature FCPS Registered Plumbing Apprentice Melanie Edgar. She is a proud Linganore High graduate who works to ensure our buildings are safe and ready for students and staff every day. We filmed this video at her alma mater.

You can learn more about her role, her inspiration for entering the plumbing field, and how she's learning from our master plumbers in this video.

Congratulations to West Frederick Middle Media Specialist Lindsey Weaver for being named a state finalist for Maryland School Librarian of the Year. This recognition is bestowed annually by the Maryland Association of School Librarians to a school librarian for exemplary service and outstanding achievements in the field of library school media.

Butterfly Ridge Elementary Media Specialist Lisa Long was also nominated for this prestigious honor.

We are excited to share our latest Blueprint Unlocked podcast! This discussion focuses on Pillar 3A, College and Career Readiness.

FCPS Chief of Staff Dr. Sarah Sirgo is joined by FCPS Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation Scott Murphy and FCPS Director of Assessment, Data Reporting and Strategic Improvement Dr. Frank Vetter.

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 to transform public education in the state into a world-class education system.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a 10 year, multi-billion dollar investment in public education that will occur over three key phases.

We are finishing the first two years of Phase 1 (2022-2024), and currently working on Phase 2 to cover the next three years (2024-2027).

Our current Phase 2 plan reflects a phased-in approach to plan submission:

Part 1: Focus on reflection on intended and actual activities from the initial plan (due March 15, 2024)

Part 2: Focus on strategic planning and forward look to the 3 years ahead (due May 1, 2024

Please click on the links below to review our draft Phase 2, Part 1 plan and our executive summary.

Executive Summary 10 Year Roadmap

Draft Phase 2, Part 1 Blueprint Plan

We welcome comments and reactions at BlueprintComments@fcps.org as we finalize our plan submission.

Please check out all of our current resources and tools at www.fcps.org/Blueprint to learn more.

In the latest Hire Education podcast, our Professional Learning and Human Resources teams discuss the importance of courageous conversations and offer tips about how to navigate them in the workplace.

FCPS Chief of Staff Dr. Sarah Sirgo is joined by Tim Thornburg, Senior Manager of Labor Relations, and Andrea Morgan, Support Employee Professional Growth Manager, for this important discussion.

The podcast is posted above, and we included a slide deck resource to accompany the podcast.

Miss a previous Hire Education podcast? An archive of past topics is posted at FCPS.org.

We are so excited about this opportunity that we wanted to give you as much warning as possible!

Save the date! The inaugural FCPS Ignite conference is taking place on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Frederick High School. This professional development opportunity will take place on a Teacher Professional Learning Day, which will give educators from throughout the county a chance to learn from each other, and hear from some *outstanding* guest speakers from outside FCPS.

We will have more details soon, including a call for presenters!

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California, Misty Copeland began her ballet studies at the late age of thirteen. She currently dances with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the three leading ballet companies in the country. In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the ABT’s 75-year history. She joined ABT’s Studio Company in September 2000, joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in April 2001, and in August 2007 became the company’s second African American female soloist and the first in two decades.

Since then Misty has served in several leading roles, including Clara in The Nutcracker and Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. She made history as the first black woman to perform the role of “Odette/Odile” in American Ballet Theatre’s production during the company’s inaugural tour to Australia.

She has worked with many charitable organizations and is dedicated to giving of her time to work with and mentor young girls and boys. In 2014, President Obama appointed Misty to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

Have you ever wished you had something for your classroom or for your students to support STEM but didn't think it was big enough for a grant? Now is your chance! Complete the short form HERE with your name, item/s and a simple reason this would be beneficial for your students.

This opportunity is open to all FCPS educators, including IAs and SEIAs. Requests will be approved based on criteria identified by the BNBI/FCPS STEM Committee until all funds have been awarded. The grant request form will be open from 9 am on Wednesday, February 28 - Monday, March 4 at 4 pm.

As part of the application process, applicants are asked to develop a brief budget showing what would like to be purchased to support STEM opportunities for students at your school. You may begin developing your budget spreadsheet in advance by clicking HERE. When complete, please paste the link to your spreadsheet in the submission form. Please direct any questions to Erin.Landsman@fcps.org (STEM Teacher Specialist).

Available Funding:

Individual Educator Mini-Grant Amount: $50-$1,000

Team of 2-3 Educators Mini-Grant Amount: $1,000-$3,000 (to allow for requests supporting experiences and equipment over $1,000)

Team of 2 educators max amount: $2,000 Team of 3 educators max amount: $3,000

Material Request Guidelines:

Materials should support STEM education.

Material requests may be for instruction or enrichment, including extracurricular experiences.

Use of the materials should begin this school year.

Requests may include materials of instruction or STEM related contracted services (ex. Agriculture bus).

Requests may not be for transportation, workshop pay, substitutes, registration, software, computers, laptops, Chromebooks, or other devices.

All requests subject to principal and curriculum specialist approval. If applicable, requested materials are subject to options from the approved bid list. The approved bid list is located on Inside FCPS under Purchasing linked HERE.

Criteria for Review Consideration: Student impact, instruction or enrichment experience, connections to STEM education, quality of responses to application questions

*The funding has been provided by Battelle National Biodefense Institute, LLC (BNBI) to support STEM Education in FCPS.

The Office of Special Education is excited to offer you a wonderful opportunity to support our students with disabilities this summer! Various schools will host Extended School Year (ESY) to provide individualized instruction of specific special education and related services to students with a disability beyond the normal school year. Students must have Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals related to critical life skills that are significantly jeopardized if services over the summer are not provided. Critical life skills may be in the areas of physical development and health, communication, and personal and social development.

Dates: June 24, 2024 - July 25, 2024 (19 Program Sessions)

Mondays - Thursdays

Exception: Week of July 4th (Monday - Wednesday)

Times
Elementary: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Arrival 8:30 am; Dismissal 1:00 pm)

Middle and High School: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Arrival 7:30 AM; Dismissal 12:00 PM)

Rock Creek School: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Arrival 8:30 am; Dismissal 1:00 pm)

Exact schedules and hours worked will be tailored based on independent student needs and service models.

A full list of available Extended School Year Learning Centers is available here.

Various summer ESY positions are available. To learn more about each position and the required qualifications, visit the Position Overview Document. If you are interested in applying for an ESY position and meet the required qualifications please complete the ESY 2024 Application!

Reminder - Teacher Lane Changes

The deadline to request a lane change for coursework completed between

September 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024:

LAST WORKDAY in February: Thursday 02/29/2024

Requests for lane changes should be submitted by completing form linked here:

ONLINE FORM

The certification team continues to process a high volume of coursework and is updating the Professional Education screen in PeopleSoft daily.

If you have already submitted documentation of coursework but do not yet see it reflected in your Professional Education, please continue to review your Professional Education profile regularly.

As long as you’ve met the requirements and submitted all necessary documentation by the deadline, your pay change will be processed and applied retroactively to February 1.

Important information for direct pay students:

If your fall coursework was through a direct pay partnership, we will update your credits once we receive the invoice and transcripts from our university partner.

Our direct pay partners forward your official transcript to us.

Any delay in processing related to documents received from direct pay partners after the deadline will be processed and applied to your pay retroactively to February 1.

Additional Lane Change Information

https://www.fcps.org/careers/teacher-lane-change

Lane Change Questions?

Email: CertSalary@fcps.org

Professional Education Questions?

Email: certification@fcps.org

If you plan to retire within the next 6 months, please attend one of our upcoming retirement paperwork sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to complete and submit your retirement paperwork. A follow-up email will be sent to you once you register for the event and will include information about what to bring to the session.

Sessions are limited, so please be mindful and only register if you will attend.

Upcoming Sessions:

Wednesday, March 20, 2 - 4 p.m., Learning & Leadership Center (This session is FULL and is no longer accepting registrations. Please register for an alternative session)

Monday, April 15, 2024 (AM Session), 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Learning & Leadership Center

Monday, April 15, 2024 (PM Session), 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., Learning & Leadership Center

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (AM Session), 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., Learning & Leadership Center

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (PM Session), 2 - 4 p.m., Learning & Leadership Center

Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Learning & Leadership Center

If you'd like to learn about your State retirement benefits, other retirement savings, estate and financial planning, Social Security benefits and other retirement considerations, you can go to the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System website to view upcoming sessions to attend. They also have a recorded presentation that you can watch at your convenience.

Log into your mySRPS account to view your pension estimate, Personal Statement of Benefits, and etc.

The public facing Board of Education staffing report has recently been revised to ensure the protection of personnel information. The Board of Education receives a full listing of employment actions by employee name including new hires, resignations, retirements, long term leaves, violations, suspensions and terminations.

Providing a detailed accounting of these actions by employee name is a violation of protected personnel information that should not be shared publicly. To ensure integrity of this work, we have revised the public facing record of employment actions to align with the approach taken in other school systems.

While it has been a long standing practice to provide detailed information about employee actions, these public facing reports will now be provided with aggregate numbers, with the exception of new hires, where a first initial and last name will be provided. Protecting the privacy of employee personnel information while providing clear and transparent communication continues to be a Board of Education and school system priority.

We look forward to continuing the sharing of information, with employees and our community members, that ensure privacy and confidentiality.

Local organizations, "Go Team Therapy Dogs" and "Wags For Hope" are once again wagging their tails in anticipation of meeting students!

Teachers, if you would like to have well-trained, certified therapy dog teams visit your schools, this is the time to act.

Volunteers with both Go Team Therapy Dogs and Wags For Hope will provide support for students and families who may benefit from specialized learning opportunities.

Schools can request therapy dog Visits using the links below:

Go Team Therapy Dogs Visit Request Form

Wags for Hope Request Form

The 2023 Tressler recipient is Suzanne Dashiell Elder from Urbana High School

We're sure you know an FCPS teacher who is making a significant impact on young people. It is time to nominate that individual for the Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award.

A panel of FCPS judges will screen the nominations and select finalists before forwarding materials to Hood College. We welcome nominations from current and former students, teachers and support staff, parents, community members, administrators, and supervisors. Hood College will recognize the winner this spring. Complete eligibility, nomination criteria, process, and selection guidelines are located online at www.fcps.org/awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 15, 2024. Please contact Wanda.Ford@fcps.org or 301-696-6900 with any questions.

Here's a look at events and opportunities coming up from FCPS Health and Wellness!

We make a wonderful, fun dinner where our extra entree will freeze easily. We'll be making Italian Chicken Bundles with Quick Marinara, a lovely and light Apple-Fennel Salad, and on Olive Oil Cake for dessert. All in just 90 minutes!

Click here to register!

A Voya representative will be at FCPS Central Office on March 6 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. If you are eager to learn more about 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans, open account, transfer assets from a prior employer plan than click the link below to schedule your one-on-one appointment.

Click Here To Schedule!

Can't Make the 6th? Click Here To Schedule An Appointment

Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US. Early detection is key. To learn more about risk factors, screening basics, tips protecting your colorectal health, please click the link below:

Early detection is key!

2 Health Nuts will host a virtual “Meet and Greet” Wednesday, March 6 at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to introduce and answer questions you may have about the spring lineup.

Class offerings include:

Monday: Yoga continues! (variations)

Tuesday/Thursday: Body Weight Boot Camp continues!

Wednesday: LaBlast (New dance offering!)

Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday: Desk-2-5K returns!

Classes begin the week of March 18.

To learn more about the offerings, please join the Zoom Meet and Greet using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89750275837?pwd=ODJRVUhXNGNQU2YySTFqRi9qRXdtUT09

Meeting ID: 897 5027 5837
Passcode: 778568

Ready to register now for the spring offerings, please do so via Unified Talent.

A representative from Corebridge will be at Central Office on March 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Please click the link below to register for a one-on-one appointment:

Schedule a Meeting

The House of Ruth Maryland will be hosting the following CPD Course: Supporting Students Affected by Intimate Partner Violence (CPD # 21-68-18). The course takes place every Wednesday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on April 17, April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2024.

Supporting Students Affected by Intimate Partner Violence is comprised of 12 hours of live virtual trainings and three hours of asynchronous learning and is eligible for all Maryland educators, administrators and school staff serving all grade levels to receive 1 CPD credit and/or 12 Category 1 Social Work continuing education units upon completion.

Register Link: https://forms.office.com/r/6c9jqPBiAz

Individual registration is welcome, though the House of Ruth prefers to have educators, administrators, and staff from the same school sign up and commit to attend together! School resource officers and other school security employees are encouraged to attend this training.

The Department of Equity & Organization Development invites certificated staff to apply to be a RISE Induction Experience Master Teacher for the 2024-25 school year.

Master Teachers are a key component of the FCPS RISE Induction Experience program; they provide ongoing instructional support to FCPS new hires during New Hire Symposium and the RISE & Thrive, Year 1 course or the RISE & Reflect, Year 3 course. Applicants interested in serving in both roles must complete both applications (see below).

RISE & Thrive, Year 1

Job description

Application

RISE & Reflect, Year 3

Job description

Application

All applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

Please consider applying for this important leadership and professional learning opportunity!

Contact Courtney Kelly at courtney.kelly@fcps.org or Dianne Thompson at dianne.thompson@fcps.org with questions.

Recognition tied to organizational goals and values reinforces the behaviors and achievements that contribute to the success of the school system. In addition, recognized employees are also more likely to recommend their workplace to others and incorporating a well-rounded employee recognition program can lead to a happier, more engaged workforce, improved retention rates, and a positive impact on work culture. We are pleased to introduce two new employee recognition opportunities. Awards can be submitted by either employees or community members for staff. To learn more, go to Award Programs-Public Affairs.

Guiding Star Award [EMPLOYEE TO EMPLOYEE]

Individuals may be nominated for one of the following five (5) categories.

• GOAL 1: ACHIEVEMENT - Innovation and Impact - Recognizes employees who have introduced innovative ideas or have had a positive impact on the organization in support of student achievement.
• GOAL 2: OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE - Continuous Improvement - Recognizes employees who actively seek opportunities to enhance processes, optimize efficiency, and drive positive change.
• GOAL 3: SAFETY & WELL BEING - Leadership and Support - Recognizes employees who demonstrate leadership qualities by taking initiative, assuming responsibility, and inspiring their colleagues.
• GOAL 4: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT - Team and Community Collaboration - Recognizes those who contribute positively to teamwork, foster collaboration, and help achieve collective goals OR who have demonstrated unique and creative approaches to solving challenges alongside others.
• GOAL 5: STUDENT AND STAFF EXPERIENCE - Positive Impact on Culture - Recognizes individuals who contribute to a positive workplace culture through their attitude, collaboration, and overall demeanor.

To nominate a staff member, please fill out the Guiding Star Award nomination form.

FCPS is moving to a pay schedule called "pay in arrears." Employees will continue to be paid twice a month. The difference will be that the paycheck will reflect the prior pay period. The graphic above shares more details.

Email FCPSpayshift@fcps.org or visit our website for more information.