November 2019, Volume 11, Number 4
When It Snows... Planning, Checking Work Status, Liberal Leave and More
Please remember to include snow dates for events scheduled through March and share snow day plans in advance with those involved.
When it snows...
*FCPS Transportation and Security and Emergency Management departments monitor weather radar and updates from the Frederick County Division of Emergency Management, the county and state highway departments, reports from neighboring school districts and more
*Transportation managers travel throughout the county before 4 AM to assess roads and sidewalks
*Senior administrators evaluate the information, and the Superintendent decides by 5 AM if and when we can safely open schools
*The Public Affairs Department then shares the Superintendent's decision. Through FindOutFirst, FCPS publishes emails, texts, tweets and updates to our FCPSMaryland Facebook page. Employees also post the status to www.fcps.org and FCPS TV Comcast Channel 18 and notify dozens of media outlets. They send an Outlook email to all staff. FCPS communicates multiple ways because in any emergency one or more methods may be compromised. Our sources are the most accurate; those who get the news from other media must be sure references are to FCPS Maryland, as there is also an FCPS Virginia!
When a liberal leave option is declared, non-emergency personnel whose work schedules include non-school days may use leave, informing their supervisor if they will be late or absent. If so, they may use either personal or annual leave or request to have leave charged against future earned leave. With supervisory approval, support employees may make up time in lieu of using leave or use compensatory (comp) time. FASSE, FCTA and FCASA agreements provide detail about leave procedures.
See FCPS Regulation 400-2 and more (from any FCPS-networked computer).
FCPS All-Stars
Mark Lastova is among 21 exemplary Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering teachers honored nationwide for outstanding efforts to empower and inspire students. In addition to teaching Introduction to Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Engineering Design and Development, and Architectural Engineering Design (levels 1-3) at Linganore HS, he is a PLTW master teacher, helping educators across the nation become PLTW teachers.
Principal Nancy Doll says, "Mark is extremely knowledgeable about his content; he challenges students in their thinking and learning while making it fun. He builds positive relationships with students and prepares them to be lifelong learners."
He will receive the award at a February Summit in Indianapolis. More
Congratulations to employees earning FCPS All-Star Awards since our October newsletter: Dana Brashear, Gail Guyer, Terry Joyce, Rachel Olson and intern David Rapp.
Know an amazing employee? Nominate a colleague for FCPS All-Star recognition!
Accolades
NEUROSCIENCE, MATH AND MORE A recent Pew Charitable Trust After the Fact podcast features The Future of Learning: The Evolving Classroom with Walkersville ES 2nd grade teacher Emily Hood and Organizational Development Director Meg Lee. Elementary Math Curriculum Specialist Debbie Myers credits Teacher Specialist Jenni Clausen and all elementary math specialist leaders and summer curriculum writers with creating the mini-math retrieval experiences referenced in the podcast.
PREPARED FOR SUCCESS Linganore HS hosted this year's Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE) professional development day. Kudos to the FCPS Organizational Development team for organizing the day, especially Employee Training Specialist Betsy Mullineaux for excellence coordinating the event, Administrative Secretary Jody Van Der Linden for behind-the-scenes help, Media Services Electronic Data Specialist Sandy Truax for registration help, the high school's custodial and secretarial staff, Food and Nutrition Services workers for breakfast and lunch, Warehouse staff for chrome cart delivery, Technology Infrastructure for their expertise, all presenters, and especially the wonderful support staff who attended.
SHAPING THE FUTURE For innovation and creativity in teaching physical education, the teachers shown above received Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Maryland Simon McNeely Awards (left to right): Virginia Dumars at Middletown PS, Katelyn Smith at Rock Creek School, and Jessica Valentine at Tuscarora HS.
STEWARDSHIP Once again FCPS has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from both the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of School Business Officials International. Chief Financial Officer Leslie Pellegrino commends Financial Reporting Manager Melissa Rollison and all FCPS Financial Reporting Department staff who kept the school system's financial records in good order. On the team were Assistant Manager Andrea Shepherd, Accountants Kimberly Miller, Nagnouma Sako, Jessica Sichert and Dawn Worrell, Junior Accountant Tammy Runkles, and recently retired Executive Secretary Barbara Haldis. The department welcomes new Executive Secretary Kara Mirch and new Student Activity Fund Coordinator Lynn Besch.
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS FCPS graduates' commendations for Tuscarora HS world languages teacher Nayibe Neuland and Gov. Thomas Johnson HS physics teacher Donald Walz earned each teacher University of Maryland recognition in the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars program. Honoring teacher excellence, the program will provide $1,000 scholarships in each teacher's name to a rising senior in their schools.
MARYLAND'S BEST The following coaches led students to state championship wins: Dave Lillard, Oakdale HS Boys Cross Country 2A; Marcus Mason, Oakdale HS Golf 1A/2A; Amy Rumburg, Linganore HS Fall Cheerleading. In addition, Brunswick HS earned the State Cross Country Meet Sportsmanship Award; head coaches are Anne and Lee Zumbach. The overall 2A Individual Girls Cross Country State Champion's head coach was Alan Caldwell from Middletown HS, and the overall 2A Individual Boys Cross Country State Champion's head coach was Dave Lillard from Oakdale HS.
GRATITUDE FOR PATRIOTISM This year's Veteran in Education Service Award goes to Catoctin HS English teacher and literacy specialist Pam Adams-Campbell. In the above photo, Ms. Adams-Campbell is shown in blue to the right of Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban.
News to Use
BOE CHANGES BOE Vice President Joy Schaefer has announced her resignation from the BOE effective January 15 to serve as director of governmental affairs and public policy with the Frederick County Government. Under the FCG charter, when a BOE vacancy is created the County Executive is responsible for appointing a person to that position, with confirmation by the County Council. Executive Jan Gardner has asked the Council to submit the names of 3 BOE candidates for her consideration by January 1. She will select someone from the Council's recommendations.
CALENDAR FEEDBACK Draft 2020-2021 academic year calendar options are online for staff and public comment. Please see information about the options and share your feedback as indicated here by Thursday, December 5. More
$$$ FCPS seeks feedback on FY21 budget priorities at a community budget forum Wednesday, December 4, 7-8 PM, at the Central Office Board Room. The full budget timeline is online: http://www.fcps.org/budget
OFF THE CUFF Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban blogged about the following topics:
See them here. VIDEOS Released since our October issue: FCPS In a Minute - November 1 November 8 November 15 November 22 Tweet of the Week - Ballenger Creek ES Principal Kristen Canning: Be Here, Be You, Belong Special Education Teacher Specialist Amy Boehman-Pollitt: Mind Brain Education Heather Ridge Assistant Principal Mike Hombach and Media Specialist Christine Peeler: Digital Weather Station Career and Technology Center Culinary Arts teacher Margie Liddick and student Danielle McNerney, who won the Food Network Show Chopped Junior championship Other - Life after Middle School BOE Meetings - Watch any meeting or select a portion by topic here
NEWS RELEASES Issued after our October newsletter FCPS Parent Earns Family Involvement Award Chat with the Superintendent FCPS Recognized for Financial Transparency BOE Seeks Feedback on Draft Calendar Students to Serve as Maryland General Assembly Pages FCPS Seeks Feedback on FY21 Budget Priorities
FCPS Fast Fact
Fewer Than 2,000
Although 18 schools were included in the 2019 Linganore-Oakdale-Urbana redistricting study area, serving 14,000 students, fewer than 2,000 students are redistricted to different schools.
The FCPS Insider is published monthly August-May by FCPS Public Affairs Department, 191 S. East St., Frederick, MD 21701. It features employee news and accolades.
Brief information, subject to edits, and captioned photos for possible inclusion are due to Dian.Nelson@fcps.org by the 15th of the month. For more information: 301-696-6911.