FCPS Employee Bulletin Board
June 4, 2024
Celebrations in the County
FCPS Students Graduate from FCC Early College Program
A record 25 students graduated from the Frederick Community College Early College Program.
The students graduated at FCC’s commencement and participated in their own high school graduations – the byproduct of simultaneously earning a high school diploma and an associate degree from FCC.
Urbana High Students Compete on the Global Level
Urbana High Seniors Take 2nd Overall at Destination Imagination’s Global Finals
Urbana High School seniors Nicole Simmons, Duncan Ways, and Sky Robisch competed as Team Woah! to earn a 2nd place overall finish, and a 1st place in the Instant Challenge, at Destination Imagination’s (DI) Global Finals held in Kansas City from May 22-25. Team Woah! boarded an airplane just hours after their graduation ceremony to compete in DI’s Improvisation Challenge “So Extra” at the Secondary Level. After advancing from Regional and State DI tournaments, Team Woah! brought their Improvisational talents to Kansas City and competed against 21 other teams from around the world, including the US, China, Turkey, and Ukraine, in their challenge. Team Woah! was the sole representative of Frederick County to advance to Global Finals.
Urbana High Students Place 4th in Biomedical Engineering
Oakdale High Student Wins Startup Frederick Competition
Ninth annual competition modeled after ‘Shark Tank’ generates innovative business ideas
The Frederick County Public Schools Career and Technical Education curriculum department virtually hosted the ninth annual Startup Frederick competition on Thursday, May 16, using the FCPS MD YouTube livestream. During the event, $3,000 in prize money was up for grabs from event sponsor Nymeo Federal Credit Union. The competition, which is modeled after the TV show "Shark Tank," is meant to encourage entrepreneurship and connect students and employers.
First place was awarded to Abhinav Kamalkannan from Oakdale High School. He pitched his innovative food truck concept, Invasive Eats, which seeks to serve delicious invasive species seafood, while protecting local waterways and ecosystems.
FCPS Fiscal Services Division Earns Two National Awards
The FCPS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Recognized for Excellence
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce that the Fiscal Services Division has been recognized for two national awards for financial reporting for the FCPS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
For the 15th year in a row, the FCPS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting. In addition, The Association of School Business Officials International awarded FCPS the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 16th year in a row.
“These recognitions are a testament to the operational excellence of the financial reporting department and their fiscal services colleagues who assist in the completion of our ACFR,” said Heather Clabaugh, Associate Superintendent of Fiscal Services for FCPS. “They mark the culmination of the work completed throughout the year to ensure we exemplify our goal of being good stewards of taxpayer funds with transparency and fidelity to the federal, state, and local reporting requirements.”
FCPS News
Administrative Changes
Full List of Administrative Changes for the Next School Year
At Wednesday’s BOE meeting, the Board approved administrative appointments and promotions for the 2024-2025 school year. Please help us congratulate and welcome the following staff who will be in new key roles, effective July 1! *Additional changes could occur throughout the summer.
- Lori Callan has been appointed Assistant Principal at Blue Heron Elementary School
- Marc Clausen has been appointed Principal at Kemptown Elementary School
- Trina Curtis has been appointed Assistant Principal at Middletown Elementary School
- Courtney Fike has been appointed Special Education Coordinator at North Frederick Elementary School/LNES
- Brittany Frownfelter has been appointed Assistant Principal at Carroll Manor Elementary School
- Brittney Giovannelli has been appointed Assistant Principal at Governor Thomas Johnson High School
- Andreanne Ivey has been appointed Assistant Principal at Middletown High School
- Tracy Jaramillo has been appointed Principal at SUCCESS Program
- Priyanka Mc Keown has been appointed Assistant Principal at Waverley Elementary School
- Kristian McKnight has been appointed Assistant Principal at Oakdale Elementary School
- Eileen Ray has been appointed Special Education Coordinator at Butterfly Ridge Elementary School
- Angela Roland has been appointed Assistant Principal at North Frederick Elementary School
- Hannah Rouzee has been appointed Community School Coordinator at Heather Ridge School
- Sarah Ryley has been appointed Assistant Principal at Catoctin High School
- Jay Scheurle has been appointed Principal at Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter School
- Kelly Sipe has been appointed Assistant Principal at Middletown Primary School
- Ali Stupar has been appointed Community School Coordinator at Crestwood Middle School
- Melissa Sweeney has been appointed Assistant Principal at Kemptown Elementary School
- Michael Telemeco has been appointed Principal at Valley Elementary School
- Michelle Watson has been appointed Community School Coordinator at Monocacy Middle School
- Brandon Wilkinson has been appointed Special Education Coordinator at New Market Middle School
And many thanks to those who will be leading in different places!
- Sara Alexander has been appointed Special Education Coordinator at Tuscarora High School
- Jessen Bishard has been appointed Assistant Principal at Governor Thomas Johnson High School
- Courtney Borne has been appointed Assistant Principal at Green Valley Elementary School
- Shawn Carey has been appointed Assistant Principal at Middletown High School
- Ashley Fisher has been appointed Assistant Principal at Brunswick High School
- Joe Hinson has been appointed Assistant Principal at Urbana Middle School
- Jennifer Hyde has been appointed Community School Coordinator at West Frederick Middle School
- Brian Kilduff has been appointed Assistant Principal at Waverley Elementary School
- Kelly Kirby has been appointed Assistant Principal at Frederick High School
- Jaime Manahan has been appointed Special Education Coordinator at Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School
- John Milliman has been appointed Special Education Coordinator at Walkersville High School
- Elizabeth O’Neal has been appointed Assistant Principal at Oakdale High School
- Jody Ratti has been appointed Assistant Principal at Brunswick High School
- Michael Reeves has been appointed Assistant Principal at Windsor Knolls Middle School
- Dr. Christine Samuels has been appointed Principal at Oakdale Middle School
- Eric Schwarzenegger has been appointed Assistant Principal at Walkersville High School
Looking Ahead: Equity in Grading
A Preview for Middle and High School in the 2024-25 School Year
Over the past three years, school and central staff at various levels throughout FCPS have been engaging in learning and continuous improvement towards more equitable and consistent grading practices throughout the district, with focus on middle and high schools. The school system’s Education Reform Council (ERC), along with other teacher and leader workgroups, have provided feedback about our current efforts and suggestions for continuing to propel equitable grading practices forward into next school year. Like the end of last year, this message shares a status update and a preview of focus areas for the 2024-25 school year, with most new practices being optional, to support an early adopter approach.
The Blueprint Quarterly
You are invited to read the latest issue of The Blueprint Quarterly, a communication tool, published by the Chief of Staff’s office, dedicated to providing FCPS students, staff, families, and community, up to date information on our ongoing Blueprint implementation.
Guiding Star Award for Employees
Nominate for the Guiding Star Award
Recognition of Employees by Other Employees
Individuals may be nominated for one of the following five (5) categories.
- GOAL 1: ACHIEVEMENT - Innovation and Impact - Recognizes employees who have introduced innovative ideas or have had a positive impact on the organization in support of student achievement.
- GOAL 2: OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE - Continuous Improvement - Recognizes employees who actively seek opportunities to enhance processes, optimize efficiency, and drive positive change.
- GOAL 3: SAFETY & WELL BEING - Leadership and Support - Recognizes employees who demonstrate leadership qualities by taking initiative, assuming responsibility, and inspiring their colleagues.
- GOAL 4: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT - Team and Community Collaboration - Recognizes those who contribute positively to teamwork, foster collaboration, and help achieve collective goals OR who have demonstrated unique and creative approaches to solving challenges alongside others.
- GOAL 5: STUDENT AND STAFF EXPERIENCE - Positive Impact on Culture - Recognizes individuals who contribute to a positive workplace culture through their attitude, collaboration, and overall demeanor.
To nominate a staff member, please fill out the Guiding Star Award nomination form.
FCPS Pay Shift Update
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
Email: FCPSPayShift@fcps.orgPhone Number Changes
Beginning July 1, 2024, FCPS will modernize our telecommunications system and assign brand new phone numbers to the entire district.
Human Resources Update
Retirement Packet and Submission Meetings
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, 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.
Benefits
New Insurer - MetLife
MetLife – New Insurer for Life Insurances and Short-Term Disability
Effective July 1, 2024, MetLife will replace The Standard as the insurer for employee and retiree, Life (AD&D), Voluntary Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance. For your review is an Introduction to our partnership with MetLife and a Question & Answer document that we trust will be helpful.
For additional questions, please email Benefits.Office@fcps.org.
End of Insurance Notice
Notice of Insurance End Date for Resignation or Leave of Absence for the Conclusion of the 2023–2024 School Year
- For 10 or 11-month employees who are not returning for the next school year, the school term ends in June. This means your coverage will end on June 30th even if you do not give your resignation or leave of absence notice until July or August as you have not paid insurance premiums for July or August.
- You will be offered the opportunity to continue insurance through COBRA or Leave of Absence rates.
- COBRA: You will be offered COBRA to continue coverage for Medical or Dental if you had coverage for these benefits at the time your employment ends. You may review the tab for COBRA for more information on this topic.
- If you terminate employment and were employed before 07/01/05 (benefitted) at the end of the Fiscal Year of 07/01/05, the termination date for medical, dental and life is extended one month for 10 & 11-month employees only.
Teacher Lane Changes
Reminder - Teacher Lane Changes
The deadline to request a lane change for coursework completed between
February 1, 2024 and August 31, 2024:
LAST WORKDAY in September: Monday 09/30/2024
Requests for lane changes should be submitted by completing form linked here:
- The certification team continues to process a high volume of coursework and is updating the Professional Education screen in PeopleSoft.
- 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 have submitted all necessary documentation by the deadline, your pay change will be processed and applied retroactively to July 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
Continuing Education
Take Graduate-level Badges & Classes on a Non-Degree Basis
- Earn graduate badges and course credits to boost your professional credentials.
- Transfer up to 6 non-degree or badge credits to a graduate degree program.
- Strengthen your knowledge and skills to enhance your work performance.
- Enjoy small interactive classes and online badges taught by top-tier faculty.
- Work during the day and take evening or online classes or badges
- No pre-requisite courses required for the offerings below.
For a full listing of available summer and fall 2024 badges and courses, visit: https://selfservice.hood.edu/SelfService/
For more information on non-degree application and registration please visit www.hood.edu/nondegree. If you would like to learn about our graduate degree programs, please visit our webpage at www.hood.edu/graduate, email us at gofurther@hood.edu or call 301-696-3600.
Mount St. Mary's Graduate Courses for Educators
Find all the information you need on graduate courses being offered at Mount St. Mary's this Summer here.
Loyola Educational Leadership Program
Join Program Director, Dr. Christine Mahady for an exclusive information session on our Educations Leadership program, and learn how you can earn your Admin 1!
An information session will be held Thursday, June 6.
Find out more information about the Loyola Educations Leadership Info Sessions here.