This newsletter contains images. If your email blocks images or doesn't properly display this format, please enable the blocked features or view the newsletter online.
November 2020, Volume 12, Number 4
BOE to Return RIFd Employees to Payroll January 1 Dates Approved for Hybrid Learning and Sports
During the November 11 Board of Education meeting, the BOE voted that effective January 1, 2021, employment will resume for FCPS staff who were subject to the fall Reduction in Force. Those employees will report to work on Monday, January 4, 2021.
All teachers and instructional staff are scheduled to report back to work in school buildings on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 to prepare for a 2nd-semester transition to the hybrid learning model.
The BOE approved the school system's move from the virtual learning model to the hybrid learning model for students in grades prek-12 beginning with the start of the second semester, Thursday, January 28, 2021. Parents will have the option to keep their children enrolled in the virtual learning model.
In addition, the Board voted to accept the Return to Play Committee's recommendations to implement modified sports seasons beginning on Monday, December 7, 2020. A Return to Play sub-committee will review and evaluate health conditions weekly to make an informed recommendation to the Superintendent regarding athletic activities. The health and safety of FCPS student-athletes, coaches and other athletic-related stakeholders will drive all recommendations and decision-making.
The first practice dates for sports seasons are as follows (subject to change, depending on health conditions): Monday, December 7, 2020 Winter Sports Saturday, February 13, 2021 Fall Sports Saturday, April 17, 2021 Spring Sports
In collaboration with the Frederick County Health Department and metrics and guidance provided by the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland State Department of Education, the Superintendent will determine whether to modify implementation of the hybrid model, small group instruction and sports.
See the November 16, 2020 Superintendent's Letter to the Community See the FCPS Plan for Reopening and Advancing Forward, updated October 5, 2020.
In the above photo, an Emmitsburg ES student shows the right way to wear a face covering!
FCPS All-Star Achieving the Promise of Public Education
"A positive ambassador for fine arts instruction" is how Middletown HS Principal Bernard Quesada described art teacher John Mattingly when nominating him for the All-Star Award. The principal says that Mr. Mattingly is passionate about his work and fosters a love of the arts. He represents the Middletown HS staff to the community with great expertise and pride in the school and, most importantly, with pride in the students and their work in the arts.
Congratulations to John Mattingly and other staff earning 2020 FCPS All-Star Awards since our October edition: Jennifer Clements and Liz Ralston.
Nominate a colleague for FCPS All-Star recognition!
Accolades
NATION'S BEST FCPS teacher Casey Keyser is one of five educators nationwide to earn the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence! Ms. Keyser teaches 3rd grade at Butterfly Ridge ES. More
LEADING THE STATE Secondary Physical Education and Health Curriculum Specialist Brian Griffith has earned the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Maryland's highest honor--the R. Tait McKenzie Award for Advocacy, Service, and Scholarly Contribution to the PE/health profession. SHAPE also recognized Jacqueline Bassler (Ballenger Creek MS) Jackie Finley (Valley ES) and Beth Shriner (Deer Crossing ES) with Simon McNeely awards for outstanding and innovative teaching and service in health and physical education; Tony Bollino (technology teacher specialist) as a Friend of SHAPE Maryland for leadership promoting, supporting and advocating for school health and PE programs; and Katie Smith (Rock Creek School) as the Maryland Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
DEAR DIARY Library Media Services Supervisor Mary Jo Richmond didn't let COVID stop her from bringing Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney to Walkersville ES to celebrate his newest book, The Deep End. She and the Curious Iguana bookstore helped hundreds of elementary students receive free, autographed books as they cruised through the elaborate pool party-themed tour. In the photo, Green Valley ES Media Specialist Kelley Albee brings her children to meet the author, who posed with each carload and passed out books with a pool skimmer! More photos
$$ OPTIMIZED FCPS earned the National Procurement Institute's Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for embracing innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership and e-Procurement, thanks to the hard work of Purchasing Manager Kerrie Koopman and her team: Amy Beall, Joni Carlo, Michele Graham, Kim Kefauver, Krista Long, Bill Meekins, Hope Miller and Shane Ryberg. More
SERVICE HONORED This year's Veteran in Education Service Award goes to Walkersville HS special education teacher Denise Green. Congratulations to Ms. Green and all of this year's nominees: Orchard Grove ES Teacher Jason Blocher, Gov. Thomas Johnson MS User Support Specialist Laurie Bohanan, Urbana HS Teacher Ida Davis, Linganore HS Teacher Thomas Hawthorne, Oakdale MS Teacher Alexander Owens, Tuscarora HS Special Education Instructional Assistant Isaac Patterson and West Frederick MS Assistant Principal Dr. Christine Samuels. See the slide tribute, FCPS Veterans Day Program and news release. The BOE will honor the award recipient Monday, November 23.
WALKING SCHOLARS Responding to the Safe Kids Frederick County invitation, Middletown ES won the Frederick Walking Scholars Contest for the highest number of bingos for checking off activity boxes during Walktober.
REGION'S BEST The Public Affairs Department recently earned regional awards of excellence from the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association for the 2020 Black History Month campaign and last year's Educational Partnerships Annual Report plus honorable mention for an Earth and Space Science Lab rack card. Executive Director Daryl Boffman commends team contributors: Steve Blickenstaff, Jeremy Eccard, Wanda Ford, Tiana Haile, Dian Nelson, Lisa Newcomer, Kyle Raines, Amelia Ross, Brent Smith, Tonya Street and Donna Quatman-Wilder. More
News to Use
GRATITUDE MAGNIFIED FCPS invites staff to support Frederick County residents in need through this year's online-only Combined Charities Campaign. The deadline is Monday, November 30. Donations are tax deductible.
NEW FACES IN KEY PLACES Please welcome our new BOE members when they take office December 2: David Bass, Jason Johnson and Sue Johnson. Heartfelt thanks for outstanding service to outgoing members: Michael Bunitsky, Rae Gallagher and Dr. Lois Jarman.
The Public Affairs Department welcomes Brandon Oland to the new position of communications manager. Watch for the name of a new communication coordinator following Dian Nelson's December 1 retirement.
HR BY THE NUMBERS The Human Resources Department shares recruitment and hiring data for support staff for the October 1, 2019—September 30, 2020 hiring season. Please see the infographic here. HR also shares the numbers of people whom staff fingerprinted and for whom staff issued badges and processed teaching certificate renewals in this infographic.
OUR HERITAGE Meet Native Americans who have influenced and enriched our country: https://www.fcps.org/about/nnahm. Watch for updates, social media quizzes, reading list links and more.
REPUDIATION DAY Monday, November 23 is Repudiation Day, Frederick's predecessor to the Boston Tea Party, when Frederick judges refused to participate in the British Stamp Act of 1765, imposed to support British troops in the American colonies. See the video. Find out more.
HOLIDAY ART + FCPS will email student-created holiday art to staff who select the following subscription category in Employee News: Awards, Holiday Greetings, Retirement Parties. To add this subscription, visit www.fcps.org/employeenews and follow instructions to re-set your password, log in and choose this and other news you'd like to receive.
REPORT FRAUD FCPS provides multiple ways to report fraud. See our video about reporting waste, fraud or abuse of taxpayer resources. Find out more.
VIRTUAL, HYBRID, RETURN-TO-PLAY UPDATES If you missed them, here are links to the newest Superintendent's Update editions and more: November 2 November 16 FCPS Face Covering Guidance in School Buildings OFF THE CUFF Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban has blogged about the following topics since our last newsletter:
See them here.
VIDEOS Released since our October issue: FCPS In a Minute - October 23 October 30 November 6 November 20 Tweet of the Week - Lincoln ES school counselor Heather Quill Frederick HS English learner teacher and department chair Liz O'Neal Brunswick HS Principal Michael Dillman and student Jacob Winter
More - The COVID Cover Up
Norms for Virtual Learning with Organizational Development Director Meg Lee and Employee Induction and Professional Learning Supervisor Amy Struntz
Safe Schools--Ventilation and More with Chief Operating Officer Paul Lebo
FCPS Veterans Day Program
FCPS Celebrates American Education Week
Repudiation Day
BOE Meetings - Watch any meeting or select a portion by topic here
Virtual BOE Committee Meetings
NEWS RELEASED SINCE OCTOBER Chat with the Superintendent Monday, November 16 Online Veteran in Education Service Recognition FCPS Earns Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award BOE Approves Hybrid Model for 2nd Semester and Passes Return to Play Schedule FCPS Announces Veteran in Education Service Award Winner: Denise Green at Walkersville High FCPS Earns Regional Honors: Awards of Excellence for Communications
FindOutFirst Notices
FCPS Fast Fact
809
FCPS held seven flu clinics for employees this fall, providing 809 free flu vaccines for staff. Also at the clinics, 122 employees received Shingrix vaccines, 84 received pneumonia vaccines, and 68 received TDAP vaccines.
The FCPS Insider is published monthly August-May by the 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 Brandon.Oland@fcps.org by the 15th of the month. For more information: 301-696-6905. See past editions.