Westgate Elementary School office staff members Kathy Bargas Bonilla, Brandy Campbell, and Tracy Green are #bettertogether! Aren’t we all?
Students Keep Learning in Pause, Quarantine with StreamIN/CheckIN
FCPS students being paused, quarantined, or isolated due to COVID-19 will soon have a way to stay connected with their classes until they return to in-person learning.
StreamIN/CheckIN provides meaningful instructional support for students who are paused, quarantined, or isolated due to COVID-19. Participating in StreamIn/CheckIn offers these students the opportunity to stay engaged with their classes so when they return, they haven’t missed a beat.
Learn more about StreamIN/CheckIN on our website.
Updated Virginia COVID-19 Close Contact Definition and K-12 Indoor/Outdoor Classroom Exceptions
The state of Virginia has updated the definition of a close contact for COVID-19 and provided a K-12 classroom close contact exception.
If a COVID positive individual was on-site during their infectious period, the following individuals will be paused from in-person instruction/work until notified by FCPS that they can resume in-person activities.
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Staff who were within 6 feet or less of a Staff Case for a cumulative amount of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours.
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Staff who were within 6 feet or less of a Student Case for a cumulative amount of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours.
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Students who were within 6 feet or less of a Staff Case for a cumulative amount of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours.
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Students wearing masks who were within 3 feet or less of a Student Case in the indoor or outdoor K-12 setting for a cumulative amount of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours.
Indoor/Outdoor Classroom Exception
In the K-12 indoor/outdoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) wore well-fitting masks the entire time.
Note: The inclusion of “outdoor” in the K-12 exception was made at the state level (Virginia Department of Health). The federal exception continues to include only indoor settings.
Hold Up!
Pause before heading to school or work. Do you feel sick? Are you having any symptoms of COVID-19? If so, please stay home until you are better.
Health Department Mobile COVID-19 Testing Sites
The Health Department’s mobile laboratory provides testing in locations throughout the county for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Visit fairfaxcounty.gov for an up-to-date schedule of mobile testing sites and schedules.
Employee Return to Work Steps after COVID Exposure
The following are the steps FCPS employees must take following an exposure to COVID-19:
Fully Vaccinated, Non-symptomatic
- Before reporting to work, employees should complete the Fully Vaccinated Exemption Form
- The employee and the manager will receive notification that the employee can be onsite
- Once the notification is received, employee may report to work
- Employee must get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if asymptomatic - home tests are not allowed
- Employee will upload test results to COVID Tests After Fully Vaccinated Exposure Form
- If COVID positive, the employee must stay home and notify their manager.
Fully Vaccinated, Symptomatic
- Employee should NOT report to work and should seek medical advice
- Employee should complete the Fully Vaccinated Exemption Form
- If no COVID test is performed or the employee tests negative, employee should provide a signed COVID Work Authorization/Release to Return to Work (HR-466) Form
- If an employee is COVID positive, they must notify their manager.
Non-vaccinated employees will be required to isolate/quarantine.
A Reminder About How to Handle Media Requests
The Office of Communication and Community Relations has a new media team dedicated to helping connect news outlets to FCPS. If you are contacted by a member of the media, you should notify your principal or program manager before providing information, conducting an interview, or answering a reporter’s questions. The principal or program manager must notify OCCR as soon as possible. Please do not initiate contact with the media.
If you have a great story to share, please reach out to the media relations team and they would be happy to help publicize it. The media relations team can be reached by contacting Julie Moult, Kathleen Miller, or Jennifer Sellers. Read more about FCPS' media regulation.
Family Engagement Professional Learning Opportunities for Staff
Family and School Partnerships is offering the following fall professional development opportunities for FCPS staff members.
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Engaging Families for Student Success. This course is designed for administrators, teachers, and other school staff members who want to develop a greater understanding of what family engagement is and how it can be incorporated into an existing classroom or school culture. Course begins on September 30.
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Culturally Responsive Family Engagement. This course is designed for administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, and other school staff who want to develop a greater understanding of what culturally responsive family engagement is and how it can be incorporated into an existing classroom or school culture. Course begins on October 7.
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Supporting Military-Connected Youth in FCPS. This course is designed for instructional staff who want to learn strategies to better meet the unique needs of military-connected youth. Course begins on September 29.
Staff can register using the above links or through MyPDE.
Video: 2021 School Construction Bond Referendum
Students benefit from updated schools and better learning environments–and the entire community benefits too. FCPS designs and builds schools to meet current and future technology, safety and security, and capacity needs. And our schools are increasingly “green” saving everyone money. A School Bond Referendum is on the ballot on Tuesday, November 2. Watch the video.
Learn more about the 2021 School Construction Bond Referendum.
Registration Open: Walktober Wellness Challenge
Registration is officially open for Walktober! During this 30-day challenge, you will go on a virtual tour through some of the world’s most vibrant, breathtaking landscapes and fun fall events. You will have the chance to earn prizes for yourself and your school by collecting leaves for logging your activity. Get all of the details on the Employee Wellness website. Fall is the perfect time to get outside and get moving!
- Challenge Dates: October 1–31.
- Last Day to Register or Form a Team: October 8.
- Register on fcps2021.walktober.com
Questions? Email employeewellness@fcps.edu.
Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference to Be Held on October 23
The 2021 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services, part of the Office of Special Education Instruction in the Department of Special Services, will be held on Saturday, October 23, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This year’s conference will be virtual with a keynote presentation and synchronous (live) sessions via Zoom. The RATE Conference is an educational conference which focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students.
All FCPS staff and parents as well as out of county teachers, support staff, and parents are invited to attend. FCPS employees will receive five recertification points for attending the conference. Registration is now open.
For more information, the conference schedule, registration, and session descriptions visit the conference website.
Congratulations to Our July/August FCPS CARES of the Month Winners
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Region 1 - Reva Smith, Cooper Middle School.
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Region 2 - Jamila Alarcon, Rashawn Luckman and Candace Hyman, Justice High School.
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Region 3 - Maria Flores and Ingris Marquez Villalobos, Edison High School.
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Region 4 - Fred Allard, Robinson Secondary School.
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Region 5 - Mohamed Alie and Amadu Jalloh, Frost Middle School.
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Central Office - Felix Funes, Lorton Center.
Read more about what makes them special. Recognize a colleague who goes above and beyond to help others and shows they care.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is acknowledged annually from September 15-October 15. The celebration was created to honor the rich history, culture, and many contributions of Hispanic Americans. Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
OurFCPS Faces Profile: Kathryn Crump Teague
Kathryn Crump Teague, is not only the director of student services at Katherine Johnson Middle School, but was recently named the 2021 Outstanding School-Based Leader. Kathryn has worked for FCPS for 17 years. Learn more about Kathryn and whom she credits for making her the best version of herself!
School Board Meetings This Week
The School Board will meet for a work session on Tuesday, September 21, at 10 a.m. Agenda items include:
- Special Education Audit.
- ERFC Annual Report.
- Return to School Instruction and Operation Update.
See the complete work session agenda.
The School Board will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, September 23, at 7 p.m. Agenda items include:
- Presentations: Community Participation, Student Representative Matters, and Opening of Schools Report.
- New Business (no vote taken): Divisionwide Comprehensive Plan.
See the complete regular meeting agenda.
Both meetings can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) and on the FCPS website.
Staff Staples
Note: Intranet access is required to open some of the links in this email. If you're using a mobile device or working remotely, you can connect to the intranet via the Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email ITServiceDesk@fcps.edu with questions.
Please email EmployeeNews@fcps.edu with potential submissions or questions. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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