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Friday, September 17, 2021, Edition 36
A Message from Dr. Terry Alban
During last week’s Board of Education of Frederick County meeting, FCPS Maintenance & Operations Director Bob Wilkinson mentioned that he seeks and hires dedicated employees with a drive to excel.
It’s clear to me, as we complete our first month of the 2021-22 school year, that our 6,000+ employees are driven to excel. Time after time, I have witnessed extraordinary dedication in extraordinarily challenging circumstances.
As I spoke with our Lead Custodians this week, I recognized these leaders who supported their team members in learning new cleaning protocols, rearranging furniture, setting up classroom air filters, and more! These custodial teams have been in our buildings every day since March 2020 making a difference for our students!
FCPS staff members have also done an incredible job of listening to feedback and working to creatively solve problems. We know that throughout the months ahead, it will be important to pivot and adapt. We appreciate the partnership of our community in navigating these changes together.
It takes the efforts of so many to support student success. I wish I could list every contributor here, but that would be a really long list. Good news! In the coming months, the FCPS Public Affairs team will be featuring our employees in a new video series.
We look forward to sharing those stories soon. You will get to learn how, and why, these employees are driven to excel. We will share links to those feature videos in this update.
Wishing everyone a great weekend!
Photo of the Week
Green Valley Elementary celebrated its 50th anniversary Sept.10. All students received a T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. Happy 50th, Green Valley!
In The News
The Board of Education of Frederick County and the Frederick County Teachers Association have reached an agreement on a tentative three-year contract.
Some FCPS students are getting ready for a Budget Challenge!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Heather Ridge School received a special grant!
FCPS & Frederick County are GOING PURPLE in the battle against substance abuse.
Kudos to Twin Ridge Elementary!
FCPS works to prevent bullying and other problems.
Reminders
Thursday, September 23 Mid-term, 2-hour early dismissal for students
Friday, September 24 Fair Day, 3 1/2 -hour early dismissal for students No 1/2 day Pre-K
Friday, October 1 Interims issued
Health Updates Hub
FCPS is updating its health metrics dashboard twice per week: The FCPS Health Metrics Dashboard is updated on Mondays and Wednesdays around noon with the latest COVID-19 positive cases reported by school. We also share terminology definitions, Frederick County health metrics data, and Maryland school outbreaks, a database updated weekly by the Maryland Department of Health.
FCPS response when a positive COVID-19 test is reported: We have created these infographics to share the immediate steps taken when a positive case is reported to FCPS:
FCPS Response to Covid-19 (English) FCPS Response to Covid-19 (Spanish)
How contact tracing works: When a positive COVID-19 case is reported, FCPS begins contact tracing to identify close contacts. These inforgraphics share our process:
Contact Tracing information (English) Contact Tracing information (Spanish)
Our communication when COVID-19 positives are reported: Once contact tracing is completed, we begin the communication process to inform families and employees of positive cases. Listed below are letters sent for various circumstances:
Individual is considered a close contact Individual is considered a close contact and is vaccinated Staff notification of a positive COVID-19 test Community notification of a positive COVID-19 test when not a close contact
Informational videos: Questions about our cleaning and disinfecting process? Need more details about how our buildings are being ventilated? Curious about our contact tracing quarantine protocols and procedures? These videos help answer many commonly asked questions:
Video: Cleaning and Disinfecting Video: Ventilation and More Video: Contact tracing and quarantine protocols and procedures
School Covid-19 Call Center: Community members who have an immediate question or concern can call the COVID-19 call center. Contact information is included in our informational fliers:
Highlights
Tweet of the Week - a super enthusiastic media specialist!
In A Minute: Our weekly look at what is happening throughout FCPS!
FCPS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month #SomosFCPS