Congratulations to Ms. Lyzbeth Monard and Ms. Mary Kathryn Thompson on their recognition as the Summer 2024 FCPS CARES Region 2 Recipients of the Month, presented by the FCPS Department of Human Resources.

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story below so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Below is the write-up by Ms. Elizabeth Crowley.

I want to take a moment to express my deep admiration and gratitude for two staff members from Bailey's Upper ES, Lyzbeth Monard and Mary Kathryn Thompson, who consistently nurture and support our school community. This weekend, however, they truly went above and beyond for a fellow staff member. We recently welcomed a Participate Learning Teacher who arrived from her home country just a few weeks ago. Our Participate Learning Teachers are incredibly brave to leave their homes, families, and cultures to learn and grow with us. However, asking for help can still be daunting. When this teacher reached out to me with specific needs, I contacted Lyzbeth and Mary Kathryn. This was on a Friday night. By Saturday, Lyzbeth had already used her extensive network to find furniture and other essentials, and she asked for the teacher's phone number to arrange for same-day delivery. 

With the help of Mary Kathryn, their friends, and their families, they rented a U-Haul and delivered a full apartment's worth of furniture within 24 hours. They brought over an impressive collection of items, including a bed (with frame), nightstand, TV, couch, chairs, desk, kitchen table with chairs, coffee table, pots, pans, and various kitchen utensils. When I had the chance to Facetime with the teacher on Sunday, she showed me her new furnishings and expressed her heartfelt gratitude for being able to work at a proper table. We were both moved (a little teary-eyed) by the kindness of these two incredible individuals. On a moment's notice, they selflessly gave up their Saturday to ensure someone thousands of miles from home felt welcomed and cared for. 

People like Lyzbeth and Mary Kathryn are truly the heartbeat and essence of FCPS. We are fortunate to have them at our school. While they would never seek recognition, they absolutely deserve acknowledgment for their selfless generosity. Thank you, Lyzbeth, and Mary Kathryn.

• View the recognition on the FCPS website!
• Recognize an employee with an FCPS CARES!