Check out this week's Employee Bulletin Board!
In honor of Black/African American History Month, we are celebrating four Black/African-American artists in February. This week, we are sharing more about Yemi Fagbohun!
Born in Nigeria, Fagbohun studied art and worked successfully as a professional artist in New York before relocating to Frederick County, MD. Commercially, he has produced illustrations for well-known retailers and more than one hundred Fortune 500 companies.
In addition to several children’s books, he has designed more than 300 international postage stamps, and his “Girl Group” stamps are a part of the permanent collection of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Well-known in Frederick County for his community-centered projects, he collaborates with towns across the region to design highly-collectible keepsakes highlighting area landmarks. Courtyard by Marriott, The Common Market, Creekside Plaza and many more locations are home to his large historic murals and glass installations. “The Pillars of Frederick,” on the side of the McCutcheon’s Apple Products building, features legendary Frederick County leaders, and is one of the largest murals in Maryland at 1,280 square feet.
FCPS students are encouraged to craft a social media post related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Students are encouraged to share their own dreams for a better future, encouraging others to join the conversation. They are encouraged to consider the power of social media in spreading messages of equality and justice, and how their dreams align with the principles Dr. King championed.
If you have an image to share, please upload it here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12H5esfh1wrP6AbsPxSI4UAzBHibJ2Acw?usp=sharing
Students are encouraged to label their images like this:
School Name_Student First Initial-Last Name_Grade
Example: North Frederick_T-Rex_Grade 5
The Board of Education of Frederick County has officially recognized National School Counseling Week February 5-9.
This week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
FCPS employs 188 school counselors: 58 in high school, 48 in middle school and 82 in elementary school.
FCPS school counselors are committed to working with all stakeholders to remove barriers, increase student achievement and provide much-needed resources for students, parents, teachers and administrators.
New podcast alert! Blueprint Unlocked will discuss our work advancing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
In the first episode, we discuss Early Childhood Education with Chief of Staff Dr. Sarah Sirgo, Thurmont Primary Principal Dr. Michele Baisey, and Early Childhood Education Coordinator Leslie Frei.
Check it out!
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 the 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
Each year, FCPS grants Sabbatical Leave for up to seven support employees per year based on funding availability. The purpose of a sabbatical leave is to enable an educational support employee an opportunity to pursue a teaching certificate which would also benefit the school system. An applicant who intends to study must register for a minimum of 12 semester hours per semester, or equivalent hours pertaining to certification of said position, unless an exception is granted by the Director of Human Resources.
To be eligible, an educational support employee must have completed five (5) full years of active service in FCPS. An educational support employee who has completed a sabbatical will be considered only after applicants who have not had a sabbatical. No applicant with an unsatisfactory rating on the prior year’s evaluation will be considered.
In order to be considered for Sabbatical Leave, please click here to access the Sabbatical Leave Application. Once completed, please submit that application for review to Robert Wedge, Sr. Human Resources Manager, by March 1, 2024.
For more information about sabbatical leave, please refer to the FASSE Negotiated Agreement (Section 6.2k) or contact Human Resources!
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:
Monday, February 12, 2024, 10 AM - 12 PM, Central Office Board Room Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 2 - 4 PM, Learning & Leadership Center Monday, April 15, 2024 (AM Session), 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Learning & Leadership Center Monday, April 15, 2024 (PM Session), 2:30 - 4:30 PM, Learning & Leadership Center Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (AM Session), 10 AM - 12 PM, Learning & Leadership Center Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (PM Session), 2 - 4 PM, Learning & Leadership Center Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 10 AM - 12 PM, 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.
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
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, through the Support Education Foundation, is proud to provide scholarships to students and professional development awards to educators who strive for growth. Please share these valuable opportunities with your students or educators who may be interested in applying.
2024 Scholarship opportunities
Dorothy Marvil Scholarship Rosemary Brinkley Business and Finance Scholarship
2024 Professional Development Award
Maurice Erly Professional Development Award
Application details can be found at SupportEducation.org and the deadline apply is March 15, 2024.
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!
As part of Heart Health Month in February, the county is offering free CPR classes around the community for those ages 15 and older.
You can find more information at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/HeartHealthyFC. A direct link to free CPR classes is available at Activity search | Frederick County Parks & Recreation (activecommunities.com).
As part of American Heart Month, be sure to learn more about the importance of being proactive and knowing your numbers click the link below:
Heart Health!
Explore CareFirst WellBeing and learn how to earn up to $100 in Blue Rewards!
Important dates to know:
Delta Dental has resources to help teeth last a lifetime! Keep your smile looking bright!
6 essential steps for your dental routine
Game plan for healthy teeth
Learn more about this topic and your Voya FCPS Retirement 403(b)/ 457(b) Plan options during a one-on-one meeting at the Central Office Board Room on February 7 from 10 - 3.
Click Here To Schedule
Can't Make the 7th? Click here to schedule an alternate appointment
Money Talk Mondays (February) - Estate Planning Strategies (webinar)
Join Matt Misiaszek, CFP®, CRPC® on Monday, February 12th or Monday February, 26th at either 12:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m., to learn the importance of estate planning. Topics that will be covered during the webinar include:
Registration Opportunities
February 12th, 12:00 p.m. - Register Here
February 12th, 4:30 p.m. - Register Here
February 26th, 12:00 p.m. - Register Here
February 26th, 4:30 p.m. - Register Here
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.
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.
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: 301-644-5000