FCPS Employee Bulletin Board for April 23, 2024
April 23, 2024
Frederick High’s Maggie Arnold, who immigrated to the United States as a youth and found her calling as a mathematics teacher, is a 2023 Milken Educator Award recipient.
Arnold was surprised with the news at a Frederick High assembly attended by Interim State Superintendent Dr. Carey M. Wright, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson, local elected officials, and FCPS leadership.
We are thrilled to announce our finalists for Teacher of the Year! Please join us in congratulating the following teachers:
All FCPS TOY nominees receive special, personal recognition by the Superintendent and Board of Education. The Teacher of the Year receives a variety of prizes from the State and FCPS, including professional development opportunities throughout the year, recognition at a state-hosted banquet, and other prizes. The Teacher of the Year’s home school also receives special recognition throughout the year.
Rock Creek School Special Education Teacher Peter Ricciuti and Thurmont Elementary principal Janine Smith are the 2024 FCPS nominees in the Washington Post Educator of the Year program.
Ricciuti is the Washington Post Teacher of the Year nominee for FCPS. Smith is the 2024 Washington Post Principal of the Year nominee for FCPS.
The Washington Post Educator of the Year Awards recognize educators who go above and beyond the day-to-day demands of their positions to create exceptional learning environments.
Peter Ricciuti is the 2024 Washington Post Teacher of the Year nominee for FCPS.
Janine Smith is the 2024 Washington Post Principal of the Year nominee for FCPS.
The inaugural FCPS Ignite conference is taking place on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Frederick High School. At the Ignite Conference, we unite FCPS educators to ignite innovation and excellence in teaching and learning.
We empower educators to integrate evidence-informed, equity-driven practices, cultivate learning mindsets, harness technology to remove barriers, lead with impact, and foster collaborative networks for collective efficacy.
Registration is now open!
We are also accepting proposals for presenters between now and May 3!
All the information you need is at www.fcps.org/ignite.
Effective July 1, 2024: FCPS is moving to a pay schedule called “pay in arrears” and as a benefited FCPS employee this will cause a disruption in your pay at the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Employees will continue to be paid twice a month, however, in order to implement the change an adjustment is being made to the first scheduled paycheck of SY 24/25. For 10-month employees this means that your first paycheck will be September 15th. For 11-month employees your first paycheck will be August 31st. And for 12-month employees your first paycheck will be on July 31st.
In order to mitigate the disruption in pay, FCPS is offering advance pay options for ten (10) and eleven (11) month employees as well as a gap pay option for 12 month employees.
If you would like to choose to opt-in or opt-out of the advance or gap pay please use the instructions linked below to make your selection in PeopleSoft HR between May 1st, 2024 and June 15th, 2024.
PeopleSoft HR - Pay Shift/Pay In Arrears Gap Pay and Pay Advance Selection
For a detailed breakdown of the advance options available for FCPS staff please use the time stamps in the Pay Shift Details video.
For any additional questions about the pay shift/pay in arrears use the links below.
General Information: https://www.fcps.org/payarrears
Information For 10-Month Employees
Information For 11-Month Employees
Information For 12-Month Employees
Beginning July 1, 2024, FCPS will modernize our telecommunications system and assign brand new phone numbers to the entire district.
We are excited to share our latest Blueprint Unlocked podcast, which unpacks the work we are doing on the five key pillars of the Blueprint!
In this latest episode, we focus on Pillar 2: high quality teachers and leaders.
FCPS Chief of Staff Dr. Sarah Sirgo is joined by FCPS Director of Elementary Schools Kristen Canning and Senior Manager of Labor Relations Tim Thornburg.
As a certified teacher, if you are considering pursuing an initial National Board Certification, seeking fee support, or simply interested in exploring the various options available to support you on your NBC journey, we invite you to attend our upcoming spring event to be held on:
Wednesday, May 15 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Learning & Leadership Center
44 W. Frederick Street
Walkersville, MD 21793
Find the flyer with all the details here: National Board Certification Spring Event Flyer
Registration is required through Unified Talent. The last day to register is May 1st.
More information is always available on our FCPS Professional Learning Website.
If you have questions, please contact Joe Hinson, Coordinator of Teacher Advancement at joseph.hinson@fcps.org.
Support Professionals who desire a “Voluntary Lateral Transfer” are required to submit a: Transfer Request Form to the Office of Human Resources Support Talent Acquisition and Relations, between March 1 and May 31 of each year to take effect the following school year. The transfer list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) school year or until exhausted.
More questions? We have complete directions online.
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:
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.
PGU Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars and Webinars
Pre-Retirement Planning training events are currently being offered both as in-person seminars and as webinars. The same topics will be covered in both formats.
Register for Webinars here
The following Pre-Retirement Planning Webinars and Seminars are scheduled for January, February, March, April, May, and June. The dates and course numbers are:
Webinar Dates:
Register for Onsite Seminars here
Onsite Seminar Dates:
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Sarah Moore at smoore3@ccbcmd.edu
Equitable with Matt Misiaszek
May 21
1. Your FCPS 403b/457b Retirement Savings Plans
2. The Maryland Teacher’s Pension
3. Retirement Income Planning
4. Social Security Planning
5. College/Education Savings Plans
6. Wealth Management Strategies
Meet with Matt Misiaszek, CFP®
Voya with Mo Amer
May 8 & June 5
Appointment/Booking Page
Security Benefit with Jeff Wheeler
May 16
REGISTRATION
Corebridge with Nick Sigismondi
May 1
Open Enrollment will be May 1 - 24. This will be your opportunity to make medical and dental plan changes as well as enroll in the Flexible Spending Account for 7/1/2024!
Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details.
We are excited to announce we will be offering a four week fun challenge that focuses on ACTIVITY starting Monday, May 6! The challenge, Spring Into Motion™ is designed to be an inspiring way to move more and take in the joys of spring from vibrant blossoms to furry friends! This program is designed for all levels of fitness.
How does the Spring Into Motion™ work? Each day you will record your daily activity with a goal of 60 points over the four week challenge (15 points a week). Point Breakdown:
Physical Activity
6000-7999 steps = 3 points
8000-9999 steps = 4 points 10,000+ steps = 5 points
Not a walker? You can earn points for cycling, kayaking, and MORE!
Up for a little friendly competition? There is the option to form a team, which can consist of be 4 - 6 participants.
Points are logged either online by computer or cell phone. The Spring Into Motion™ App is FREE to down at the App Store or Google Play. Many wearable devices/apps connect to Spring Into Motion, making tracking points easy.
Registration begins Monday, April 29, stay tuned for more details. Meanwhile, start recruiting your team!
FCPS CareFirst participants are encouraged to check out the Unwinding App! This evidence-based digital resource is designed to build resilence and create a more focused, aware and mindful approach to ease stress. Enroll by May 31, for a chance to win $25! To learn more click the links below:
Ready for a good night's rest!
Sweepstakes FAQ
The financial aspect of college can be daunting! Nymeo Federal Credit Union is offering a College Savings 101 webinar on May 8th at 12 PM which will explain how 529 College Savings Plans work, pros, cons, do's and don'ts!
Learn more here: 529 Flyer
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191 South East Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701