FCPS

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Happy Holidays, Panthers!

As we close out 2024, Panther Leadership is thrilled to bring you a festive Winter Spirit Week next week! Get ready to celebrate as we gear up for our Music and Fine & Performing Arts Pep Rally and look forward to winter break!

We’d also love to see you at one of our Winter Music Concerts this week:

• Tuesday at 7 PM: Orchestra
• Wednesday at 7 PM: Choir
• Thursday at 7 PM: Band

Please note:

• There will be no after-school gym use from December 16-19 due to the concerts. Students may access the Game Room during B-session (3:25–4:25) unless participating in dance team practices on the stage.
• There will be no After School Program on Friday, December 20.

Winter Break Office Hours

Stone Middle School’s office will be closed for winter break from Monday, December 23 through Friday, January 3.

At Stone, we value the importance of family time over the holidays and are committed to supporting students during this time by:

• Not assigning work to be completed over the break.
• Not scheduling major assessments immediately upon return (at least during the first two class meetings).
• Avoiding long-term assignments with due dates immediately after the holiday.

Honoring Ms. Stanziani
This week, we celebrate the incredible career of Ms. Stanziani, who is retiring after 30 years in education. Her leadership with our Stone Playmakers and her contributions to the theater program have left an enduring legacy. We wish her the very best in this new chapter of her life!

Let’s have a great week, 

Sonya Williams
Principal

A Message from the Library

Although our school libraries will be closed during the Winter Break, your family still has access to books and more. In fact, this would be a great time to explore your local Fairfax County Public Library branch. The Centreville branch is a part of our community, and they are eager to serve you!  In addition to a diverse selection of books, they also offer a Library of Things which allows you to check out ‘things’ such as chromebooks, scientific exploration kits, early literacy tablets, board games, thermal cameras, family history kits, and more! Visit your library to learn more about these free resources available to all Fairfax County residents. You may also contact Stone’s school librarian, Ms. Outlaw at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Retake/Makeup Pictures are Available Online

Retake/Makeup day images are now online. Families will have received a reminder email to view images from Victor O'Neill Studios.

If you do not see your email, please check the spam folder. If you need help ordering/viewing contact [email protected]

Thank you !

Victor O'Neill Studio

🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

Course Selection Begins in January

Beginning in January 2025, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students).
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Graduation Requirements and Planning

Careful consideration is essential when planning next year's courses. We encourage our students and families to review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. Reviewing the Program of Studies may be helpful as well.

Stone Academic Advising Important Dates and Information (Handout):

1/8/25    Westfield High School Curriculum Night

2/5/25    Stone Middle School Curriculum Night

2/6/25       6th Grade Visit to Stone for Tours

2/10/25    Stone Counselors to Elementary Feeder schools

2/28/25    8th Grade Course Selection Forms Due to Westfield HS (Rising 9th Graders)

3/7/25      6th Grade Course Selection Forms Due (Rising 7th Graders)

3/14/25    7th Grade Course Selection Forms Due (Rising 8th Graders)

Parents are able to VIEW Course Request selections through Parent SIS accounts.

Questions?  Email [email protected] Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services

ATTENTION:  PARENTS OF 8TH GRADERS

Mark your calendars for the Westfield Curriculum Night, January 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm

Click here for more WHS Academic Advising Information

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures. 

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
• Join Our Teacher Team!
• Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Stone Families,

Stone has a STONE! I am sure you have probably noticed this week a giant boulder was delivered to the school. The arrival of the new STONE is all due to the hard work of one of our 8th graders, Dixon and his mentor, Ms. Woolheater. In the coming days we hope to paint it for the first time with a welcoming message. 

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

At Stone MS, we will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent students from being outside. Our students will go outside for their recess break if the temperature is 40 degrees or above. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. 

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 OR contact Denisse Stein, Stone MS Family Liaison at [email protected].

📢 Monitor Your Child’s Online Activity with Lightspeed Parent Reports!

Parents, you can stay informed about your child’s internet activity on their FCPS device! The Lightspeed Parent Report provides a summary of websites your student visits while using their FCPS computer.

🔗 Request access and learn more here: Lightspeed Parent Reports.

Let’s work together to promote safe and responsible online habits! 🌐

The next two weeks leading up to the winter break will be full of activities and spirit weeks. Keep your eyes on the calendar!

Let's have a great week Panthers, 

Sonya Williams

Principal

SOL Dates - Spring 2025

We are writing to inform you about the spring standardized testing that will take place at Stone. These assessments are a valuable tool to help us measure student progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that we are meeting educational standards.

Please take note of the testing dates:

• Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) grade 8 SOL - Thursday, March 20

• Reading grades 7 & 8 SOL - Monday, May 5

• Math grades 7 & 8 SOL - Thursday, May 8

• Science grade 8 SOL - Tuesday, May 13

We appreciate your support and partnership in helping our students succeed. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming assessments, please feel free to contact the school testing coordinator, Jenni Maybury at [email protected].

Our Career Day will be VIRTUAL this year through pre-recorded videos to not only expand the outreach and exposure to anyone nationwide, but also for students to reference all year.   Volunteers will be asked to upload their own videos using a Google form (QR on flyer).   Students will explore these videos and connected activities on December 12th through Panther Block.

Students will explore these videos and connected activities on December 12th through Panther Block.

Please see any member of our counseling team with questions and THANK YOU in advance for your support with this community effort for our students!

We are excited to hold our annual College and Career Week this week for all students.  This week offers various activities surrounding career exploration and opportunities for students to hear from some members within our community about their jobs through our virtual Career Day.  We are excited for students to engage in our College & Career Spirit Week also.  If you have questions, reach out to your child’s school counselor.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Winter break is Monday, December 23, 2025 through Friday, January 3, 2025. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.

Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2025. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year!

See the complete school year calendar.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

 

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

• Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. There are three remaining meetings.

• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria. 
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. For more information visit: Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather❄️

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Family Academy Orientation
• Literacy Resources
• Winter Programs and Activities

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Virtual Career Day

Hello Stone Parents!

Our Student Services Department needs your help with our upcoming virtual Career Day!  Please share this flier with your family/friends and neighbors with interesting jobs that would be willing to share their career journey!  We are looking for all types of careers (military, trades, college, government, etc).  We are asking volunteers to answer three questions about their careers and upload a video for our students to view.  This process will take no longer than 10 minutes of your time and service. 

 

Please scan the QR code or use the following link to our google form for next steps and THANK YOU for considering!   Our deadline for the videos is December 9th.

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

 

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Our Stone FACS students were featured in the monthly FCPS CTE Newsletter

Greetings, 

I hope  this message finds you well and relaxed after the Thanksgiving Break. Winter has definitely arrived! Please ensure that you are aware of where to get the FCPS winter weather information at all times. You never know when we might have a delay or snow day. Visit https://www.fcps.edu/resources/safety-and-transportation/weather-cancellation-procedures for more information and https://stonems.fcps.edu/about/bell-schedule for any altered bell schedules. This time of year we will do our best to post any winter weather updates on our social media sites and schoology as soon as possible. 

Monday is National Special Education Day. This day honors the inception of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA was signed into law on December 2, 1972.  The IDEA provides legal grounds for students with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.  In the 2023-24 school year, Stone MS served 137 students with disabilities. Thank you for your support. Like we say every morning, all students are capable of success at Stone Middle School!

Congratulations to our Stone Middle School Outstanding Employees! Thanks to various nominations the following Stone staff members will be moving forward for consideration at the Westfield Pyramid level. 

Outstanding New Principal - Sonya Williams

Outstanding Teacher - Tracy Magwire (Band Teacher)

Outstanding New Teacher -  Rosemarie Klosky (Civics Teacher)

Outstanding School Based Professional Employee -  LaShon Harrison (Special Education Department Chair)

Outstanding School Leader - Tami Brumett (Director of Student Services)

Outstanding School Based Operational Employee -  Jesus Henriquez Otero (Custodian II)

Let’s have a great week Panthers, 

Sonya Williams

School Pictures Make Up/Retake Day!

Victor O’Neill Studios is coming back on Tuesday, December 3 for portrait makeups/retakes! 

This session is open to those who meet the following criteria: 

• Any student who was absent for the original session. 
• Any new/transfer students who joined after the original session. 
• Any student who was dissatisfied with their original picture day portrait. 

Please note: 

○ No purchase is necessary to retake photos. Any student may retake their photo for use in the yearbook. 

○ Students retaking their portrait will not receive a new ID card, exceptions below. 

○ The new portrait will replace their original yearbook portrait and then be available for purchase. 

○ Students who previously purchased a photo package and would like to retake their photo MUST return their original photo package to the photographer in order to receive a new package. 

For students who have issues with their ID card, we will reprint for those who meet the following criteria: 

• Any student or staff member who did not receive an ID card at the original session. 
• Any student who has incorrect/missing data on their ID card from the original session. 

○ For students who have had a name or grade change, a signed note from administration/a counselor is required. 

Our next fundraiser is scheduled for 12/17 from 4-8 pm at the Panera in Chantilly (near the Chantilly Target) - 14423 Chantilly Crossing Lane.  Please use Code FUND4U  when ordering.

Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to  <<fill in the name and email address of the AART or principal>> no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing <<fill in the name and email address of the AART>>. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

FCPS Comprehensive School Boundary Review Community Meetings

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday December 2,  2024 at Westfield High School from 6:30p  - 8pm.  

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

• Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria. 
• Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 
• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria. 

Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Boundary Review Update
• Lexia Parent Night
• New Sport: Varsity Girls Wrestling

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Virtual Career Day

Hello Stone Parents!

Our Student Services Department needs your help with our upcoming virtual Career Day!  Please share this flier with your family/friends and neighbors with interesting jobs that would be willing to share their career journey!  We are looking for all types of careers (military, trades, college, government, etc).  We are asking volunteers to answer three questions about their careers and upload a video for our students to view.  This process will take no longer than 10 minutes of your time and service. 

 

Please scan the QR code or use the following link to our google form for next steps and THANK YOU for considering!   Our deadline for the videos is December 9th.

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

 

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

November Panther of the Month Students

Stone Families,

During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude to our Stone community. Being a part of the Stone community brings me so much joy everyday. 

I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Let's have a great week Panthers,

Sonya Williams

Principal

Honor Roll

Congratulations to all those who earned honor roll this first quarter. On Thursday, we celebrated our students who earned All As for Quarter 1 at our Honor Roll ceremony.  Congratulations to those students.  Students received a certificate and bracelet.  For parents who may not have been able to attend virtually, here is the recorded link.

There is no school Wednesday November 27 - Friday November 29. We will see students on Monday December 2, 2024.

There will be no after school programming on Monday November 25th and Tuesday November 27th. We will see you agian on Monday December 2nd!

Picture Make-Up/Retake Day is December 3, 2024

Victor O’Neill Studios is coming back on Tuesday, December 3 for portrait makeups/retakes! 

This session is open to those who meet the following criteria: 

• Any student who was absent for the original session. 
• Any new/transfer students who joined after the original session. 
• Any student who was dissatisfied with their original picture day portrait. 

Please note: 

○ No purchase is necessary to retake photos. Any student may retake their photo for use in the yearbook. 

○ Students retaking their portrait will not receive a new ID card, exceptions below. 

○ The new portrait will replace their original yearbook portrait and then be available for purchase. 

○ Students who previously purchased a photo package and would like to retake their photo MUST return their original photo package to the photographer in order to receive a new package. 

For students who have issues with their ID card, we will reprint for those who meet the following criteria: 

• Any student or staff member who did not receive an ID card at the original session. 
• Any student who has incorrect/missing data on their ID card from the original session. 

○ For students who have had a name or grade change, a signed note from administration/a counselor is required. 

Unleash your child's creativity! The Stone PTSA is holding a student spiritwear design contest. Your child could be the designer of the next Stone MS spirit wear item. For details and submission instructions, visit: https://forms.gle/4auteH2HCQKW1Hn46 &  Spiritwear Contest.docx.

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on [your region’s date and location (see above)]. If you are unable to attend on this date, yoview the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

• Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School (Cafeteria). 
• Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School (Cafeteria). 
• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School (Cafeteria). 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School (Cafeteria). 
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School (Cafeteria).

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

SEL Screener Results

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school. 

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Preparing for Winter Weather
• SEL Screener Results
• Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Good Morning Stone Community:

It is with a sense of profound sadness that I share the passing of one of our student’s siblings over the weekend. This is a heartbreaking loss for our community.

The death of a child is difficult for all of us. If your student is affected by the news, please encourage them to share their feelings. Stone’s counselors, school psychologist, and social worker are available for any student, staff member, or parent/caregiver who would like assistance with processing what has happened. Please contact our front office at 703-631-5500, and we will connect you with a member of our crisis team. If you or your student needs support after hours, please contact the 988 Lifeline by texting or calling 988.

You might also find resources on this website helpful when speaking with your child.

On behalf of all members of the school staff, our deepest condolences are with the family and friends during this difficult time. 

Sincerely,

Sonya Williams

Principal

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Stone Families, 

Report Cards and School Goals

This week, students received their report cards, reflecting their academic and attendance progress for the first quarter. Please take time to review them with your child. Celebrate their achievements and discuss areas for improvement as we move into Quarter 2!

Stone Middle School sets annual goals to improve student learning and well-being. This year, our focus areas are:

• Vocabulary Development: We're implementing new strategies to strengthen vocabulary across all subjects and grade levels.
• SOL Success: We're committed to raising pass rates on the Math, English, and Science SOL exams.
• Building a Positive School Culture: We're working to increase students’ sense of belonging and fostering cultural awareness in our school.
• Reducing Absenteeism: Our goal is to have less than 10% of students missing more than 18 days (10% of the school year) for any reason.

How You Can Help

• Reading at Home: Support your child's vocabulary growth by encouraging reading at home and introducing new words during conversations.
• Regular Attendance: Regular school attendance is crucial for learning. Please ensure your student arrives on time and attends school daily.
• School Involvement: Encourage your child to participate in clubs, sports, or other activities to feel connected to the school community.

American Education Week - November 18-22

Next week, we celebrate American Education Week! We recognize ALL who contribute to our school community, including teachers, counselors, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, support personnel, and more. Their dedication ensures our students' success. Nominate exceptional educators for the FCPS Cares program to show your appreciation: FCPS Cares Nomination Form

Fall Weather and Dress Code

With cooler temperatures, Stone MS prioritizes daily outdoor breaks unless it's below 40 degrees. Please ensure your child brings appropriate clothing to stay comfortable during outdoor brain break.

A Big Thank You!

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Centreville Aquarium for generously supporting our 7th Grade Science program! Let's all show our appreciation if you visit them.

Stone PTSA Spiritwear Contest

Unleash your child's creativity! The Stone PTSA is holding a student spiritwear design contest. Your child could be the designer of the next Stone MS spirit wear item. For details and submission instructions, visit: https://forms.gle/4auteH2HCQKW1Hn46 &  Spiritwear Contest.docx.

Respectful Behavior in Our Community

Stone MS has received concerns about student behavior at local businesses like Starbucks and Giant. We cherish these businesses as part of our community and want to ensure their continued support. Please encourage your child to behave respectfully and appropriately when visiting these establishments.

Together, we can make Stone MS a thriving learning environment for all! Let’s have a great week Panthers!

Sonya Williams

Principal

Information from Student Services

Thank you to all who attended the Parent Coffee on Friday of this week on the topic of Self-Esteem.  Here is the recording link for those who missed it. 

Passcode: #z6NqJ88Z

Did you know????

All students enrolled in FCPS have a LEAP Card  that allows them to check out 3 items at any of the Fairfax County Public Libraries. We recommend that you visit at least once per month to check out books as a family.  The libraries offer materials in various languages to support family literacy. In addition to materials in English, you can also find books in Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  The libraries also have World Languages Bags - each contain a kit with 8 picture books in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Tamil, and Urdu. More information about reserving World Languages Bags can be found here.

FCPS Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday December 2,  2024 at Westfield High School from 6:30p  - 8pm.  

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

• Monday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School Cafeteria.
• Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria. 
• Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 
• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria. 
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria.

Lexia Parent Night: Helping Children Learn to Read

Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.

Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia and discover strategies to support your child’s literacy. Events will be held on Tuesday, November 19, and Thursday, December 5.

✨ Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. 

Visit the Family Academy Catalog for more classes, workshops, and webinars.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Veterans Day Recognitions
• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Varsity Jazz Band Perfomance at FCPS Gatehouse Adminstration Center

Good afternoon Stone Families,

I hope this message finds you all well. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and honor our veterans. This Monday marks Veterans Day, a time for us to express our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country. Their sacrifices and dedication inspire us all, and we encourage everyone to take a moment to show appreciation for the veterans in our community.

Last week marked the start of a new quarter. With this fresh beginning, students have the chance to build on past successes and set new goals. As part of this transition, report cards will be sent home this week, providing an important opportunity for families to discuss achievements and areas for growth. In addition to academic data, families will also receive an attendance report card as well. 

With the start of a new quarter, we also have a new after school program calendar, which includes a variety of enriching activities designed to engage and inspire students outside of regular school hours. We look forward to seeing many of our students participate and make the most of these opportunities.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Let’s make this new quarter a successful and meaningful one for everyone!

Let's have a great week Panthers!

Sonya Williams

Principal

Stone Clothing Drive

Clothes Drive!!! Help support our Stone Community, to have a successful Warm Clothes Drive, to support our families in need. If you can contribute, the items we are requesting that would help our students the most-in new condition please-are: Socks, Gloves, Hats, Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants.

The PTSA has kindly created an Amazon list, in case it is easier for you to order directly to school, or for ideas: Amazon Wishlist

 Any items may be sent in with your student or dropped off at the main office. Donations accepted all next week, last day for donations is Friday, November 15th.

 

There is NO SCHOOL on Monday November 11th in honor of Veteran's Day. Thank you to all who have served our country and their families With gratitude for your service to America on Veterans Day and always. 

Here is our 2nd Quarter After School Program Calendar

There will be no after school program on Nov 25th & 26th.

Being a Stone P.R.O. (Prepared, Respectful & On Time)

Being on-time to every class is very important to each students’ academic success.  At the end of the 1st quarter, we have seen an increase in students’ being in the hallways instead of in class. To continue our support of students’ academic progress, starting in 2nd quarter, students can expect the following consequences for unexcused tardiness or unverified absences (meaning student’s location is unknown) from their class periods.

Students who meet the school wide attendance expectations will be eligible for various rewards, prizes and drawings throughout the school year. 

We appreciate the partnership of our families and ask that being a Stone P.R.O. - prepared, respectful, and on-time is reinforced at home.  

Behavior

Consequence

3 unexcused tardies from a single teacher’s class

Teacher will contact home

4 unexcused tardies from a single teacher’s class

Lunch or after school detention assigned by teacher

A total of 5 unexcused tardies across any class period on  the student’s schedule

After school detention from administrator

3 unverified absences (meaning student’s location is unknown)  across any class periods

After school detention from administrator

WIDA Alternate ACCESS

2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS scores are now available. Families can access score reports through SIS ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, your child’s score report will be provided by your school.

World Language Credit Exam

Students that have previously registered for the WLCE will be taking it on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30 a.m. Students should have their fully charged Chromebook to take the exam. Students should check in with their 2nd period teacher and then report to locations as follows:

• 7th grade students should report to the Library
• 8th grade students should report to Senora Powell’s room, 229

Students will receive an email with this same information to their fcpsschools.net account by the day prior.

If you have any questions, please contact the testing coordinator, Jenni Maybury at [email protected].

FCPS Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.

Stone Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Friday, November 15 during flex-back and panther block.

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor as soon as possible. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

Stone Student Services Updates

Parent Vue Access

Parent Vue grading will not be viewable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM when Quarter 1 grades will be posted.

Report Cards

First Quarter Report Cards will be distributed to students on Wednesday, November 13th. Each student will receive a printed report card to take home. Please note that for the remainder of the year, parents who have opted for "paperless report cards" through ParentVUE will not receive a printed copy.

 Additionally, students who achieve All A's during the first quarter will be invited to participate in the All A Honor Roll Ceremony scheduled the week of November 18th. We warmly welcome parents to attend the ceremony virtually. The virtual Invitation date, time and link will be sent to the selected students and their parents next week.

 If you have any questions regarding grades or the honor roll program, please feel free to reach out to your student's school counselor.

Counselor Coffee – Friday, November 15th @ 9:00am.

Join our Counselors on a Virtual Parent Coffee on an important topic: Self-Esteem. Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/3z4Ig19 (see flyer for more details). Spanish Interpretation will be available.

Thomas Jefferson HS Application

Deadline:  Wednesday November 13th at 4pm. 

IMPACT AID IN PARENTVUE

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Each year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible to apply for federal Impact Aid grant funds that assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. The funds from this program assist with the FCPS general operating budget.

Following the success of the electronic form last year, the Federal Impact Aid Survey is once again accessible through your ParentVUE account.

Please complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey electronically through SIS ParentVUE by Wed. Nov. 20th, 2024.

How to Complete the Survey:

 Log in to ParentVUE with your ParentVUE username and password.

•       Click on ‘Online Registration’ or ‘Online Packets’ for Apple/iPhone Users in the upper right corner.
•       Select the 24-25 Impact Aid Survey button to begin.
•       Complete the questions and click ‘Submit’.

(Please Note: The Impact Aid Survey must be completed for all active FCPS students)

Additional information about the Federal Impact Aid Survey can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formulagrants/impact-aid-program/ or on the FCPS Federal Impact Aid website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact.

For questions, contact the Impact Aid office at [email protected] or 703-329-7750.

Thank you for your continued support.  

PTSA MEETING REMINDER

Please remember that the general membership meeting is scheduled for 11/12/2024 at 7pm in the school library. The speaker for the meeting will be Victoria Otchere, Licensed Professional Counselor. She will share about current trends on mental health and substance abuse among our youth.  You do not want to miss it. Parents & Students are welcomed! You do not have to be a member of the PTSA to attend.

Spanish interpretation will be available. 

Those that want to attend virtually can click on the link below at the time of the meeting:

Meeting Link

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance. 

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Fall Testing Results
• Boundary Review Community Meetings
• Resources for Families

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Some our 8th graders celebrating halloween

Welcome to the 2nd Quarter of the school year. We will have short weeks throughout the month of November, celebrating our end of quarter, Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving Holiday, so please make sure you pay attention to the FCPS & Stone MS calendar.  

Special THANK YOU to our AMAZING PTSA who provided over 700 end your quarter sweet treats for students. Thanks to your donation our students got to end their quarter with a treat bag full of goodies. 

Gentle Reminder:

Stone Middle School’s Main Office will be closed on Tuesday, November 5 for Election Day.  

The building will be open for voting as it is a polling location.

The office will reopen on Wednesday, November 6 when students return to school. 

Let’s have a great week Panthers, 

Sonya Williams

Principal

Parent Vue Access

Parent Vue grading will not be viewable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM when Quarter 1 grades will be posted.

Attendance Matters at Stone Middle

Being on-time to every class is very important to each students’ academic success.  At the end of the 1st quarter, we have seen an increase in students’ being in the hallways instead of in class. To continue our support of students’ academic progress, starting in 2nd quarter, students can expect the following consequences for unexcused tardiness or unverified absences (meaning student’s location is unknown) from their class periods.

Students who meet the school wide attendance expectations will be eligible for various rewards, prizes and drawings throughout the school year. 

We appreciate the partnership of our families and ask that being a Stone P.R.O. - prepared, respectful, and on-time is reinforced at home.  

Behavior

Consequence

3 unexcused tardies from a single teacher’s class

Teacher will contact home

4 unexcused tardies from a single teacher’s class

Lunch or after school detention assigned by teacher

A total of 5 unexcused tardies across any class period on  the student’s schedule

After school detention from administrator

3 unverified absences (meaning student’s location is unknown)  across any class periods

After school detention from administrator

Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service

Our Voices, Our Future:  Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service will be offered for FCPS secondary students on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Edison High School.  Dr. José Luis Zelaya, keynote speaker at the Multilingual Learners’ Summit this past summer, will be returning as the featured guest for this student workshop.  Dr. Zelaya will engage and empower students with the strengths of multilingualism, as students explore leadership skills to plan for future success.  Reflective service learning practices allow students to impact their communities through advocacy, engagement, and empowerment.  All FCPS secondary students who attend will earn service learning credit for participating.  Students planning to attend should register and bring their FCPS laptop to the event.  Light refreshments and family resources will be available for parents/caregivers during the student workshop. 

FCPS YOUTH SURVEY

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.

 

Stone Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Friday, November 15 during flex-back and panther block.

 

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

Stone Middle School Outstanding Employee Nominations are open October 21-November 5

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Stone Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this google link.  

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons

The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 5, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Levy, Assistant Principal, at [email protected]

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Calendar Reminders
• Resources for Families 
• Complete Impact Aid Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Principal

Hello, Panthers! We’ve reached the end of the first quarter!

As a reminder, Thursday will be a 2-hour early release to celebrate the close of the quarter. We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, November 6, to kick off the second quarter.

Congratulations to our Stone cross country team for completing their season with a strong showing at the FCPS Middle School Cross Country Championship Meet this past Saturday at Liberty Middle School! We are so proud of their hard work and can't wait to see their progress in the Spring Track season.

A special shout-out goes to our National Junior Honor Society and the many students who participated in last week’s Walk to End Hunger. Together, they raised $1,125 and collected 250 pounds of food and toiletries to support our community partner, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Thank you for making a difference!

Tuesday, October 29, marks our last fall basketball game of the season. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. at Rocky Run Middle School—hope to see you there!

Let's make it a great week, Panthers!

Sonya Williams

Principal

Message from Parent Business Boosters

Reminder that we have one more week for teachers and parents to submit their favorite past Halloween costumes for our 'Ghosts of Halloweens Past' Costume Challenge. (Voting begins Monday!)

Here is the link to see their awesome costumes and entry to win our Amazon gift card!   https://www.KidBizInc.com/Halloween

 

Looking forward to our great November challenges including:

1) Salute to Service

2) 'Best in Show' Pets Challenge

3) 'Thanks for Giving'

Thursday, October 31, 2024: 2 Hour Early Release

Friday, November 1, 2024: HOLIDAY

Monday, November 4, 2024: Teacher Workday/Student Holiday 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024: Teacher Workday/Student Holiday 

Stone Middle School Outstanding Employee Nominations are open October 21-November 5

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Stone Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this google link.  

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

 

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

 

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

 

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location

 Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons

The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 5, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Levy, Assistant Principal, at [email protected]

FCPS Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.

Stone Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Friday, November 15 during flex-back and panther block.

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

Food for Neighbors

Hunger is an unwelcome guest this holiday season. 

For many families in our school community struggling financially, providing daily meals is difficult and a special holiday meal can become a source of worry and stress. Help a local family know the joy of gathering together for a holiday meal. We’re partnering with Food For Neighbors to provide $50 grocery store gift cards to our most vulnerable families. Visit the Food For Neighbors’ website to learn how you can help. Thank you for your generosity.

Learn more here: www.foodforneighbors.org/home/holiday-meals/

Report Student Absences Using ParentVUE

Parents and guardians did you know you can report full-day absences for the current school day and the next four school days using ParentVUE?

This convenient option is available using your ParentVUE account and can be accessed using your ParentVUE mobile app or a web browser. Instructions on how to submit attendance through ParentVUE can be found on the FCPS website here

1. Log into ParentVUE
2. Click the “Report Absence” button next to the student's name to open the Report Attendance screen. You can also find this button inside the Attendance module at the top right corner. 

 

* The Start Date field will be pre-populated with today’s date. Select the End Date only if you are reporting an absence for multiple school days.

1. Select A Reason from the dropdown menu:

• Report Illness Abs (fever, cough, sore throat, flu, etc.).
• Report Absence (anything not health-related)

Provide details for the student’s absence in the Note box. This information helps the school process your request quickly and reduces the need for a phone call.

Upload Documentation, if available, using the  “Add doctor’s note or document” button.

Click Save. The information will be reported to the school and updated.

If you do not have a ParentVUE account, please email Mrs. Amy Copeland at [email protected] to obtain your activation code. 

For absences that extend beyond this five-day window, as well as for late arrivals and early dismissals, please contact the school's attendance office directly at 703-631-5501 or [email protected].

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Need to Register for ParentVUE?

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions at the final community conversation this fall. It will be held Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School. Click the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Middle and High School Clinics

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Federal Impact Aid Survey
• Football Players Tackle Literacy
• Tips to Keep Children Safe

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Basketball Games This Week

Correction to this Sunday's Principal Message!!!

 

There is NO Basketball Game tonight. 

 

We have an after school basketball game on Thursday at Katherine Johnson Middle School at 6pm. 

 

Our game against Rocky Run will be Tuesday October 29th at 6pm. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Dear Stone Middle School Parent Community,

We had a fabulous week celebrating digital citizenship culminating with our first pep rally of the year where students were honored from our cross country and basketball teams. We were treated to sounds of our Stone pep band and laughed at our peers and teachers competing in inflatable races and challenges. This week we will celebrate National School Bus Safety Week and Westfield HS Homecoming Week. 

Congratulations to Annabelle C, Emma W, Santino M, Ronan D., Eshan J,  and Jayden C on their participation in the Thomas Jefferson Intermediate Math Open on Saturday. Ronan placed 3rd in a team competition! 

Upcoming Events:

• Our Stone Book Fair has 2 more days left! Stop by the library to make a purchase! 
• The Stone After School Program basketball team will face the Rocky Run Rams this Tuesday at 6:00 PM at Rocky Run Middle School. Tickets are $5 (cash only at the door), and the games typically conclude by 7:30 PM. Please ensure timely pick-up of your student, as we have a full day of school the next day. They will play again this week on Thursday at Stone vs Katherine Johnson Middle School. 
• History 7 Day will take place this week. 
• Our first music concert of the year will be on Wednesday at 7pm in our gym. 
• Westfield HS Homecoming Parade will start at Stone MS on Friday afternoon around 4pm, we hope to see you along the route!

Let’s make it a great week, Panthers!

Sincerely,

Sonya WilliamsPrincipal

STONE MS PTSA SPIRIT NIGHT At Chick Fil A

Tuesday, 10/22, 4-8 pm - Chick-Fil-a 

Flyer is  required  

Stone NJHS Walk to End Hunger

Don’t Just Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk to End Hunger Now!!

Many people continue to go hungry in our community. Each step you take matters to them! Walk with NJHS to End Hunger now!

WALK with us, Thursday, October 24 after school 2:25 – 3:25 pm - Register today!!!

Open to any Stone MS student

● Pre-register by Tuesday, October 22 with parent signature 
● Walk registration: $15.00/walker - Checks are preferred. Make checks payable to WFCM.
● Bring non-perishable food to help restock WFCM’s Food Pantry (List of most needed items on back)

WHY it matters
● 1,904 households in the Sully District live below the poverty level. The minimum income level for a
family of four is $25,750 annual income or $2,146 monthly income.
● 74,210 (1 in 15) people live in poverty in Fairfax County (defined as an annual income of $23,850
for a family of four). One in six (181,235 individuals) county residents have incomes under 200% of
poverty ($47,700 annual income for a family of four).
● Per Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, the USDA reported that in 2022, the overall food
insecurity rate increased sharply, rising from 10.4% in 2021 to 13.5% in 2022. The rate, which
amounts to over 44 million people, or 1 in every 7, is the highest it has been since 2014.
● In the 2022-2023 school year, Fairfax County Public Schools reported that over 60,000 students
were eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Many students come to school hungry.

HOW you help WFCM
Walk registration funding enables WFCM to:
● Provide emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and other basic needs.
● Keep the refrigerators and freezers running at WFCM’s Food Pantry, so we can serve over 450
families each month with food.
● Provide a nine-week financial education course and six monthly financial counseling clinics.

REGISTER and RETURN FORM TO NJHS Sponsors
Student Name (First & Last):________________________________________
Student’s Civics Teacher __________________________________________ Period ______
Parent Signature: __________________________________________, I give permission for my child to participate in this after school activity Thursday, October 24th. I realize that they will be walking off school property during this activity.

Make sure you return this signed form by 10/22 with $15.00 cash or check. Checks preferred. Please make checks payable to WFCM to Ms. Deal (NJHS Co-Sponsor) in Room 126. Thank you for your participation! Contact Ms. Deal [email protected] with any questions and to turn in your registration.

CURRENT WFCM PANTRY NEEDS

Food & Beverages
● Flour
● Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
● Vegetable Oil
● Pasta Sauce
● Pasta
● Cereal (low sugar preferred)
● Pancake Mix
● Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
● Canned Chicken

Toiletries
● Body Wash
● Bar Soap
● Toothpaste
● Hair Shampoo
● Toilet Paper
● Large size pull-ups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
● Size 6 Diapers
● Baby Wipes

Stone Middle School Outstanding Employee Nominations are open October 21-November 5

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Stone Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this google link.  

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

 Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

 Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

 Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location

 Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons

The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 5, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Levy, Assistant Principal, at [email protected]

Coffee with the Counselors

Thank you to those who attended this month’s Coffee with the Counselors, and special thank you to Ms. Liz Deal for guest speaking! The link to the recording can be found below: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/rec/share/JpoL94ITRsHYzuLrJ97qrpoM6FZe7qswnY97rwPcFUlnz_-Psb7BnScSeXP-2YVY.ccWUdfLKMbR6QK-u

Passcode: %ma.M9n2*t

All the resources that were discussed can be found on the Student Services Schoology Course. Once on the course page, click “Materials” on the left-hand side and then the yellow “Coffee with the Counselor” folder. Study Skills resources are in the pink folder. Please feel free to email your student’s school counselor with any questions.  If you missed it this time, mark your calendars for our next virtual Coffee with the Counselor meeting on Friday November 15th at 9am.

 

Ms. Marrefi – Last Names A-G --  [email protected]

Mr. Garcia – Last Names H-O -- [email protected]

Ms. Luper – Last Names P-Z – [email protected]

📝 Applications Open October 21 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click on a date below to register:

• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Middle and High School Clinics

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• FCPS Family Orientation
• Community Conversations
• Immunization Clinics

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Stone Families, 

A quick reminder: there is no school for students on Monday, October 14, 2024. Our staff will be engaged in a professional learning day, and as a result, Stone Middle School’s office will be closed.

Upcoming Events:

• This week will conclude with our first pep rally of the year! Since this is new for many students, please take a moment to talk with them about the importance of positive cheering and supporting their peers during the various pep rally activities.
• Stone After School Program basketball team will face the Liberty Lions this Thursday at 6:00 PM at Stone Middle School. Tickets are $5 (cash only at the door), and the games typically conclude by 7:30 PM. Please ensure timely pick-up of your student, as we have a full day of school the next day.
• Stone Cross Country will be competing on Saturday at 8:30am at Franklin MS. Please come out and cheer on our runners. 

Reminders:

We’ve noticed an increasing number of students violating our “Away for the Day” device policy and arriving late to class. Our administrative team will review the data this week, and students may be assigned detentions based on repeated infractions. Please continue to partner with us by discussing the importance of keeping devices away during school hours and arriving to class on time.

Let’s make it a great week, Panthers!

Sincerely,

Sonya Williams

Principal

Our Health & PE teachers are amazing at Stone MS. They often jump right in and play along with the students encouraging physical fitness. Can you spot Mr. Checkosky? oh....and a certain Principal joined the game as goalie..LOL! 

Digital Citizenship Week is THIS WEEK! 

Our theme of "Always Choose Kindness Online" encourages our students to practice respectful and compassionate behavior in their digital interactions. Throughout spirit week, students will participate in lessons and discussions focused on creating a positive online environment, with the goal of continuing these important lessons all year long. We invite you to join us in reinforcing the significance of kindness in your child's online activities. Stay tuned for tips to encourage responsible tech use at home. Together, we can help our students navigate the digital world with empathy and respect. Thank you for your continued support!

Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers. 

This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback. 

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus.

FCPS YOUTH SURVEY

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.

 

Stone Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Friday, November 15 during flex-back and panther block.

 

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

The carnival will be in the auditorium from 4-8pm featuring games, princess and pirate meet and greets! Costumes encouraged. Come anytime!

The escape room (for ages 12 and up) in the Blackbox classroom from 4-8pm. Sign up for the escape room with the QR code on the flyer or by this LINK.

As we quickly approach the end of the first quarter, please remember if your student needs additional support or to make up work, please have your student stay after school on Tuesday for TEACHER TUESDAY! 

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Stone MS Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming Oct 14–Oct 21. Our students are excited to shop for their own books and every purchase at the Fair benefits our school! For more info, visit https://scholastic.com/bf/stonemiddleschool.

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

Parents and caregivers can report full-day absences for the current school day and the next four school days using ParentVUE. For absences that extend beyond this five-day window, parents and caregivers must report these directly to the school by calling the attendance line or using the attendance email. Parents and caregivers must also report late arrivals and early dismissals directly to the school, as partial-day absences cannot be recorded in ParentVUE.

PARENTS OF 7TH GRADE STUDENTS:

All middle and high schools in FCPS teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. All schools use an evidence-based program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. 

SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.  

Through the program, students learn: 

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help  
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend 
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 
• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it  

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend.

Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional. 

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video  or visit this site to learn more about how you can continue this important conversation at home.  If you’d like to come to Stone to preview this lesson, please complete this RSVP form and we will reach out to you with a date/time for the preview.

At Stone, the SOS lesson and accompanying screening will occur for all 7th grade students on Tuesday, October 22nd.

We recognize that you may have opted your child out of this program through the Parent Digital Consent tool (PDC). If you did not complete opt out using the PDC and would still like to do so you can opt out of this lesson by Tuesday, October 15th by emailing Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services at [email protected] or feel free to call me with any questions in regard to this screening at 703-631-5527.

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What is “DRUG TAKE BACK DAY” ?

• Drop off unused or expired medications at the locations listed or scan the QR code to find other drop off locations
• Accepted items: prescription and non-prescription pills, e-cigarettes and vaping devices with batteries removed, small liquid packs/pods for e-cigarettes and vaping devices, prescription ointments, and medications for pets.

• Not accepted: illegal drugs, pressurized canisters [inhalers/aerosol cans], needles, large sources of liquids, non-prescription ointments, and lotions.

• Disposal is FREE, convenient, confidential, and safe.

• Safe handling of unused or expired medications:

• Protects the environment.

• Prevents drug misuse.

• Prevents accidental poisoning.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Learn About Lexia for Literacy
• The Power of School Lunches
• Upcoming Community Conversations

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Dear Panthers,

Last week, we had the opportunity to celebrate our amazing custodial team during National Custodian Week. A huge thank you to Mr. Ward, Ms. Trottman, Ms. Nolasco, Mr. Daoud, Mr. Henriquez, and Ms. Guerra for their hard work in keeping our building clean and safe!

This week is a full week of school, and as we approach the end of the quarter, we have a lot of learning ahead. With the fall weather arriving, please remember that we take a daily 15-minute outdoor break. Be sure your student is dressed appropriately for the changing temperatures.

Also, our after-school basketball team has a game this Thursday at 6 PM at Hughes Middle School. We hope to see you there cheering on our Panthers!

Let’s have a great week, 

Sonya Williams 

Principal

No After-School Program Friday, Oct. 11

Due to the upcoming three-day weekend, there will be NO after-school program this Friday.  The program will resume on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Advanced Academic Program Referrals

Parents or guardians of seventh and eighth-grade students NEW to FCPS as of January 2024 who were not screened in Spring 2024 may initiate screening for full-time AAP services by submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form (multiple languages are available at this link) to Ormond Stone’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Jenni Maybury, [email protected], by Tuesday, October 15, 2024.  Please view AAP Testing and Identification Timelines for more information. 

Parents or guardians of seventh-grade students who are NOT NEW to FCPS may initiate screening for full-time AAP services by submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form (multiple languages are available at this link) to Ormond Stone’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Jenni Maybury, [email protected], by Sunday, December 15, 2024.  Please view AAP Testing and Identification Timelines for more information.

Digital Citizenship Week is October 14-18. This year's theme is, "We Pledge to Always Choose Kind When Online," which encourages our students to engage in respectful and compassionate online behavior. 

Along with a spirit week, students will be engaging in lessons and discussions aimed at fostering a positive digital environment during this week and continuing these important lessons throughout the school year. We invite you to join us in reinforcing the importance of kindness in our students’ online interactions.  Stay tuned for ideas to use at home to encourage responsible technology usage. Together, we can help our students navigate the digital world with empathy and respect. Thank you for your support!

Stone MS Families,

Our School Business Boosters are sponsoring a Parents Connect challenge in October called "Family Petsapalooza" where parents can celebrate their furry friends by submitting pet photos. (One lucky parent/pet from the participating schools will win a $100 Amazon gift card at the end of the month!)

Visit https://www.KidBizInc.com?familyPets=0 to nominate your pet and meet other Stone MS pets.

And help us win the School Business Boosters Fall Parents Connect Challenge by nominating your pet and adding yourself to the "Meet the Parents" directory.

Every connected parent and/or pet helps us win the prize for having the most engaged parents, $250 for our Teacher Appreciation fund!

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

GCC Community Event

We are very excited for our upcoming GCC Fall Festival happening on Wednesday, October 30th from 5:30-8:30 PM and want to extend an invitation for you and the children and families being supported by your organization to come out to participate in this amazing event created with them in mind.  This is a FREE event to join us for an incredible fun family experience.  There will be festival rides, games, candy give-away, an amazing family-oriented show, petting zoo and so much more.  Food trucks will be available for purchase of food items.   

 

EVENT DETAILS: GCC Fall Festival 2024 

Location: 4600 Brookfield Corporate Dr., Chantilly, 20151

Date:  Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

This is a FREE event with the exception that food can be purchased from the available food trucks on site.

 

-Grace Loves (Grace Covenant Church)

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• All FCPS Schools Accredited
• How FCPS Is Teaching Reading and Writing
• Become a Special Education Teacher

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Counselor Coffee

JOIN US VIRTUALLY TO MEET OUR TEAM AND LEARN ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD WITH STUDY SKILLS

Friday, October 18th AT 9:00 am

https://bit.ly/3z4Ig19

 

ÚNASE A NOSOTROS VIRTUALMENTE PARA CONOCER A NUESTRO EQUIPO Y APRENDER CÓMO APOYAR A SU HIJO CON HABILIDADES DE ESTUDIO Viernes

18 de octubre A LAS 9:00 a.m.

https://bit.ly/3z4Ig19

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

October is only days away! As the new month begins, please take note that our school week will be shorter with only three days with students. This will be a recurring trend throughout the month, so I encourage you to enjoy the extra downtime and keep an eye on the calendar for any changes. During the month, we will celebrate National School Principals, Disability History & Awareness, National Bullying Prevention, National Coaches Day, National Custodian Appreciation Day, Rosh Hashanah, Indigenous Peoples Day, Yom Kippur and the end of 1st Quarter.

Weekend Event Highlights:Over the weekend, Stone hosted an FCPS Cross Country meet, and I’d like to give special recognition to our Middle School Cross Country Team for their fantastic efforts in their second meet of the year! It was inspiring to witness their progress and the camaraderie between teammates. Congratulations to this week's top runners:

• Nick N
• Santino M
• Noah N
• Chelsea U
• Layla R
• Lexi J
• Penelope W

For full results, you can visit: Cross Country Results.

A small group of Stone musicians had the opportunity to play at St Andrews Church’s Oktoberfest! Thank you for representing Stone in the community.

October Highlights: 

October 2- PM Observance: Rosh Hashanah (regular school day for students)

October 3 - No School (Holiday- Rosh Hashanah)

October 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)

October 11- PM Observance: Yom Kippur (regular school day for students)

October 14 - No School- Indigenous Peoples' Day (Staff Development)

October 31 - End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release

November 1 - No School (Holiday- Diwali)

Let's have a great week Panthers!

Sonya Williams

PARENTS OF 7TH GRADE STUDENTS:

All middle and high schools in FCPS teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. All schools use an evidence-based program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. 

SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.  

Through the program, students learn: 

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help  
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend 
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 
• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it  

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend.

Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional. 

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video  or visit this site to learn more about how you can continue this important conversation at home.  If you’d like to come to Stone to preview this lesson, please complete this RSVP form and we will reach out to you with a date/time for the preview.

At Stone, the SOS lesson and accompanying screening will occur for all 7th grade students on Tuesday, October 22nd.

We recognize that you may have opted your child out of this program through the Parent Digital Consent tool (PDC). If you did not complete opt out using the PDC and would still like to do so you can opt out of this lesson by Tuesday, October 15th by emailing Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services at [email protected] or feel free to call me with any questions in regard to this screening at 703-631-5527.

All children should READ EVERY DAY! Whether they are reading on their own or are listening to someone else read, children should have access to stories every day.  To support our community literacy goals, the Fairfax County Public Library has initiated the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP), which provides access to materials at the public library branches county wide. All students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have LEAP accounts. These are virtual accounts that students can use if they do not have a physical library card or if they forget their library card but still want to check out books from the public library. It will allow them to check out up to 3 books for 6 weeks (no renewals). Students are not charged fees.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

We had some minor changes to our after school activities calendar. 

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school. 

Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 

Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students. 

See the complete school year calendar.

🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Scoliosis Fact Sheet What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A spine affected byscoliosis has a sideways curve, making it appear more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. Untreated scoliosis can lead to limited motion, back pain, deformity, and in extreme cases, impaired function of the heart and lungs. Early detection and treatment may prevent scoliosis from progressing.

When should my child be screened for scoliosis?

Scoliosis most commonly occurs during the growing years, between age 10 and the time an adolescent is fully grown. Screenings should begin in early adolescence. Pediatricians should check for early signs during a routine physical exam.

What causes scoliosis?

The cause of scoliosis is unknown. Scoliosis is more common in females than males.

How is scoliosis treated?

In many cases, the curve is mild and does not require treatment. In some cases, treatment may involve bracing. Severe curves may require spinal surgery. The need for treatment is best determined by a trained medical professional.

What are the signs of scoliosis?

• One shoulder may be higher than the other.
• One shoulder blade may be higher or more prominent than the other.
• One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other.
• Unevenness of the waist.
• The spine curves sideways.
• The head is not centered over the pelvis.

If you have any concern that your child may have scoliosis, make sure that your child is screened by a health care provider. For additional resources and information, please contact the school Public Health Nurse (PHN).

For more information visit the Scoliosis Research Society website.

Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage

Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.

In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit. 

The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.

Safely Store Firearms and Medications

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• FCPS Strives to Become Purple Star School Division
• Sign and Return SR&R
• Upcoming Immunization Clinic

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Good afternoon Stone Panthers, 

We’re excited to announce that our fall cross country season has officially kicked off! Our first meet at Hughes MS this past Saturday was a fantastic start, and I couldn’t be prouder of all our runners. Congratulations to our top female finishers: Chelsea U, Layla R, and Eva S, as well as our top male finishers: Nicholas N, Eshan J, and Noah N. We look forward to watching the growth of all our runners throughout the season! Mark your calendars for our next meet at Stone MS on Saturday, September 28th. We would love to see you there cheering on our athletes!

Additionally, we are launching our after-school program this week and hosting our first athletic event. Join us for two exciting basketball games on Thursday, September 26th, starting at 6 PM against Franklin MS. We encourage all Stone Panthers to come out and support their peers, and we expect everyone to demonstrate positive behavior while cheering for our teams.

Let’s make it a great week, Panthers!

Warm regards,

Sonya WilliamsPrincipal

Blue Star Welcome Week

Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Fairfax County Public Schools will be intentionally celebrating and acknowledging Blue Star Welcome Week.

Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district. Blue Star Welcome Week gives schools an opportunity to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure that our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities. 

During Blue Star Welcome Week, we hope to see everyone showcasing their spirit! To make this week extra special, we’re hosting a series of themed dress-up days that you won’t want to miss. 

STONE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Stone After School Program will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 24.  We are proud to offer over 20 clubs to start this school year, with more being added at the start of the second quarter.  Parents, please make sure you register your student via this link. 

Students that ride an AM bus will also be able to take a PM bus after school starting on 9/24 as well.  To keep up-to-date with calendar changes, upcoming events, rules and other after-school program related information, please go to StoneAfterSchool.com.  

RULES AND PROCEDURES: Staying after school is a privilege!  We want everyone that chooses to stay to have a fun and safe time and to enjoy themselves.  In order to do so, students must adhere to the following rules set forth to participate.

STUDENTS STAYING AFTER SCHOOL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO:

• Trash or vandalize the school.
• Curse or use derogatory words. 
• Fight and/or bully other students.
• Order food from DoorDash, UberEats, etc. 
• Talk in a rude or disrespectful tone to a staff member.
• Return to the building after 2:25pm when the buses leave.
• Use cell phones without the permission of a staff member.
• Leave any supervised club or activity without asking a staff member.

CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENTS THAT CAN NOT FOLLOW THE RULES:

1st offense: Phone call/email will be made to parent/guardian

2nd offense: Suspension of After School Program for a day

3rd offense: Parent meeting + 3 days out of After School Program

4th offense: Removal of After School program for an extended time

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Nick Anderson at [email protected] 

School Picture Day is This Week (During PE Classes)!

📅 Date: Wednesday September 25th & Thursday September 26th 2024

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132504#login

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at [email protected]

Thomas Jefferson Science & Technology High School Admissions

A Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology admissions information session will be held at Stone MS on Wednesday, September 25th at 6 PM in the theater.                          

Monday, Oct 21             Applications Available – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, Nov 13      Last Day to Begin New Application by 4:00 pm

Friday, Nov 15               Application Submission Deadline – 4:00 pm

A Message from the Stone MS Health Room

Vision and hearing screening will be held on October 28th and October 29th for all 7th graders and students who are new to FCPS. The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. If your student wears glasses, please be sure that glasses are at school on screening day.  

Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed.  Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning.  If you have any questions, please call the health room at 703-631-5530 to speak with the public health nurse, Reggie Santiago or with the school health aide, Brenda Glenn.

Fall Immunization Clinic at Stone Middle School

Stone Middle School will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on October 8, 2024, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Stone Middle School may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

• Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide: 

• Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.

• A copy of their immunization records (if available).
• A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required. 

Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by September 30, 2024 in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Reggie Santiago at [email protected] with any immunization questions. 

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Emergency Care and Parent Contact Update:

Parents, please take the time to verify and update your student's Emergency Contact Information and Parent Contact Information. This information can be viewed and updated online through your ParentVUE account.

 The Online Verification Update packet or OVU will allow parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations) for students in grades PS/HS and kindergarten through 12th grade. 

Step by step instructions below.

• Open the SIS ParentVUE Account Access page https://sisparent.fcps.edu/pvue and enter your username and password.
• Select ‘Online Packets’ at the top right corner.
• The ‘Select a packet to Begin’ page will display. Select the Online Verification/Update packet from the dropdown menu.
• There will be 7 sections you will need to review/update before submitting your packet. 
• As you complete each area, use the Previous or Save And Continue buttons at the bottom to navigate between pages. Do not use the browser back and forward buttons.
• A green check mark means the page is complete.
• An orange exclamation mark means the page is in progress.  

Don’t have a ParentVUE account? No problem! Please email Mrs. Amy Copeland at [email protected] to obtain your activation code.

Thank you for taking the time to ensure we have the most updated contact information.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact our Stone Student Services department at 703-631-5500, to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

World Language Credit Exam

Students who are proficient in a language other than English can assess language proficiency and earn up to 3 high school world language credits by taking the World Language Credit by Exam. To learn more about the exam and how earned credits work, please visit the FCPS World Languages Credit by Exam website. Please have your child register with their school counselor by October 4th.

Katie Marrefi, Last Name Alpha A-G

Armando Garcia, Last Name Alpha H-O

Marissa Luper, Last Names Alpha P-Z

Middle Schoolers Opportunity

An exciting opportunity for 7th grade students (age 13 or 14 on the first day of session) who are residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia to page for the Virginia Senate.

This program is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for the next civic leaders. Middle school students accepted into the program will have the chance to learn work skills like answering the phone, providing concierge services, and speaking to the public. The class will also involve team-building scenarios to enhance leadership and decision-making skills.

There will be specialized sessions about various topics, including cyber security, management, current events, and even life after the Senate Page Program. For more information regarding the Senate Page Program, including the application, please visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://capclass.virginiageneralassembly.gov/PagePrograms/PagePrograms.html__;!!Pwvz7ORF!J5sbo93LE7jEtNDLnKFgpdIr1NX2ANLIC0eXYOBr8UWhgAfNpGe0y18Dgm6Fm9_S2XTqSJ-7kLin9axFnX8lvHGOceU$

or email [email protected].

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.

Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages. 

Check your student’s attendance in ParentVUE

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed about your child's progress and well-being, we encourage you to regularly check your student's daily attendance online in ParentVUE.

Why It’s Important:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly monitoring attendance helps you stay informed about your child's school presence and any potential issues that may arise.
2. Support Learning: By keeping track of attendance, you can ensure that your child is attending school regularly and receiving the full benefit of their education.
3. Address Issues Early: Early awareness of any attendance concerns allows for timely intervention and support to address any issues that may affect your child's learning experience.

How to Check Attendance:

Visit ParentVUE Log in page: Use your login credentials to access the ParentVUE portal. If you don’t have an account or need assistance with logging in, please contact [email protected] for an activation code.

Navigate to Attendance: Once logged in, go to the "Attendance" section to view your child’s daily records. Period attendance is found on this page. More information about absences and late arrivals can be found by clicking on the date; please note that in some cases there will be a delay as information is entered by the school.

Review and Take Action: Review the attendance details and contact the school if you have any questions. You can report your student’s absence using ParentVue, calling 703-631-5555 or by sending an email to [email protected]  Attendance procedures and policies are available on our school website.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Your involvement is crucial in supporting your child's educational journey. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor or administrator.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Accessing Intervention Plans
• Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
• Update Immunizations Today!

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Good afternoon Stone Panthers, 

Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning for the annual Ashi-Jyothi 5K! It was a wonderful day for a walk/run, and it was fantastic to see so many of our Stone Panthers participating. The mission of the 5K is to serve the needs of the underprivileged by providing access to education and healthcare. The Ashi-Jyothi Non-Profit Foundation has supported several local schools with funding for STEAM and Innovation labs, making a significant impact on our educational community. We hope to see even more Stone Panthers participating next year!

A quick reminder that tomorrow, Monday, September 16th, is our fundraiser night at Foster’s Grill. Enjoy a great meal while supporting our school! Additionally, our first cross-country track meet of the season will take place this Saturday at 10:30 AM at Hughes Middle School. We encourage you to come out and cheer on our running Panthers as they compete!

As we enter Week 5 of the school year, we’re approaching the halfway point of the first quarter. It’s a great time to reflect on academic progress and make any necessary adjustments. To help students succeed, I’d like to share some study skills advice from We Are Teachers:

Study Skills for Middle Schoolers

Middle school students can improve their learning outcomes by personalizing skills and strategies tailored to the subjects they are working on. 

Through planning, students can use techniques for reading, memorizing, studying, and test-taking that will significantly enhance their learning. 

Using the following methods can help your students develop better study habits that will enhance their study habits and help them perform better on tests:

• Create a designated study area - Designate a space where your student feels comfortable studying and can make it their own.

• Manage or limit distractions - Encourage your students to turn off their phones and electronics and to avoid disruptions from friends during study time.

• Get organized - Purchase a planner or notebook to help your students stay on track.

• Make a study plan - Help your student create a plan of what assignments need to be completed, how long it will take, and teach them how to prioritize their work assignments.

• Take breaks - Middle school students can work between 30 - 45 minutes before needing a break. Help them to recognize their signs for needing a break and taking one when they need to. Signs for a break could be: fidgeting, getting a headache, having trouble concentrating, or needing a drink or a snack. 

• Personalize their study habits - Have your student experiment with several study styles to see which one works best for them. These study styles include: reading, listening, hands-on learning, etc. 

• Take notes - Students in middle school should know how to take their own notes by identifying important facts and information but may need you to remind them of key points to remember as well. 

• Prepare for tests - Have your students review the material, get rest, and eat well before taking tests. While taking the test, they should review the entire test first and answer the easy questions first. Once they complete the test, review it before turning it in. 

• Make it social - If your students work well in groups, set up study groups or have them work with study buddies but just know that their closest friends may not always be the best study partners. 

This information was taken from NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals).  Source: We Are Teachers

🩹 Immunization Requirements

Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

• A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
• A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations.

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool.

🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

What is the World Languages Credit By Exam?

It is an exam that assesses linguistic proficiency in languages other than English. Linguistic proficiency is the ability to use language in real world situations in a spontaneous interaction, non-rehearsed context, and in a manner acceptable and appropriate to native speakers of the language.  

Please go to the World Language Exam Site or contact your child’s school counselor for more information about how to register.  Registration is open September 4 to October 4.  No late registrations will be accepted.

School Counselor Contact Information

Ms. Marrefi (A-G) - [email protected]

Mr. Garcia (H-O) - [email protected]

Ms. Luper (P-Z) - [email protected]

Westfield High School - DANCE TEAM FALL CLINIC

Date: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024

Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. (lunch at noon)

Place: Westfield High School (Gym Entrance - Door #11)

All participants will have the opportunity to perform with the Varsity Dance Team at halftime of the Varsity Football Game vs. Wakefield on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m.

Registration fee includes pizza, snacks, and an official WHS Dance Team t-shirt!

Click here to register.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. 

The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered

The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table!

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• New Food Options at FCPS
• Parent/Caregiver Checklist
• Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R): “Shall vs. May” Focus Groups

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Principal Message

This week we hope that the Stone community will support two important local organizations that  have partnered their support to Stone students and staff. 

Stone Middle School is excited to announce its partnership with the Asha Jyothi Foundation.  We would like to encourage you, your family and your neighbors to sign up for the fall Asha Jyothi’s 16 Fairfax 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run, scheduled for Sunday, September 15th, 2024, at Fairfax Corner, Fairfax, VA. Register Here. For AJ 16 we've ambitious goals in mind. We are aiming for a minimum of  100 Stone Middle School registrations!

Stone Middle School has worked with Food for Neighbors for the past two years. Food for Neighbors is a non profit organization that collects their famous red bags full of food and hygiene items in the community five times a year. Items collected are donated to local schools so that we are able to provide food for any student who might be hungry during the school day or evening. Food for Neighbors has made a significant impact at Stone Middle School filling the shelves of our Erin Peterson Fuel Station. Please consider leaving a red bag full of donations on your front steps this Saturday, September 14th. 

As we enter the 4th week of the school year, we are excited to launch our fall cross country season with practice starting on Monday September 9th after school! Additionally, I look forward to presenting the State of Stone message during the monthly PTSA meeting scheduled for Tuesday September 10th at 7pm via Zoom & In Person. I hope to see you there! 

Let’s have a great week Panthers, 

Sonya Williams

Principal

Attention Parents and Guardians:

We hope this message finds you well. As part of our commitment to keeping you informed about your child's progress and well-being, we encourage you to regularly check your student's daily attendance online in ParentVUE.

Why It’s Important:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly monitoring attendance helps you stay informed about your child's school presence and any potential issues that may arise.
2. Support Learning: By keeping track of attendance, you can ensure that your child is attending school regularly and receiving the full benefit of their education.
3. Address Issues Early: Early awareness of any attendance concerns allows for timely intervention and support to address any issues that may affect your child's learning experience.

How to Check Attendance:

Visit ParentVUE Log in page: Use your login credentials to access the ParentVUE portal. If you don’t have an account or need assistance with logging in, please contact [email protected] for an activation code.

Navigate to Attendance: Once logged in, go to the "Attendance" section to view your child’s daily records. Period attendance is found on this page. More information about absences and late arrivals can be found by clicking on the date; please note that in some cases there will be a delay as information is entered by the school.

Review and Take Action: Review the attendance details and contact the school if you have any questions. You can report your student’s absence using ParentVue, calling 703-631-5555 or by sending an email to [email protected]  Attendance procedures and policies are available on our school website.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Your involvement is crucial in supporting your child's educational journey. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor or administrator.

Counselor Introduction Lessons Next Week!

Next week, our school counselors will be visiting Social Studies classes to deliver Counselor Introduction Lessons. During these sessions, students will learn about the counseling program, the support services available, and how they can connect with their school counselor. As part of this lesson, students will also complete a short needs assessment survey. This survey will help our counseling team understand the needs of our student body, allowing development and implementation of targeted interventions. We’re excited to get to know our students better and look forward to supporting them throughout the school year! Questions?  Contact your child’s School Counselor.

A Message from the Health Room

Vision and hearing screening will be held on October 28th and October 29th for all 7th graders and students who are new to FCPS. The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. If your student wears glasses, please be sure that glasses are at school on screening day.  

Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed.  Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning.  If you have any questions, please call the health room at 703-631-5530 to speak with the public health nurse, Reggie Santiago or with the school health aide, Brenda Glenn.

What is the World Languages Credit By Exam?

It is an exam that assesses linguistic proficiency in languages other than English. Linguistic proficiency is the ability to use language in real world situations in a spontaneous interaction, non-rehearsed context, and in a manner acceptable and appropriate to native speakers of the language.  

Please go to the World Language Exam Site or contact your child’s school counselor for more information about how to register.  Registration is open September 4 to October 4.  No late registrations will be accepted.

School Counselor Contact Information

Ms. Marrefi (A-G) - [email protected]

Mr. Garcia (H-O) - [email protected]

Ms. Luper (P-Z) - [email protected]

Westfield High School Dance Clinic

Date: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024

Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. (lunch at noon)

Place: Westfield High School (Gym Entrance - Door #11)

All participants will have the opportunity to perform with the Varsity Dance Team at halftime of the Varsity Football Game vs. Wakefield on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m.

Registration fee includes pizza, snacks, and an official WHS Dance Team t-shirt!

Click here to register.

Emergency Care and Parent Contact Update:

Parents, please take the time to verify and update your student's Emergency Contact Information and Parent Contact Information. This information can be viewed and updated online through your ParentVUE account.

 The Online Verification Update packet or OVU will allow parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations) for students in grades PS/HS and kindergarten through 12th grade. 

Step by step instructions below.

• Open the SIS ParentVUE Account Access page https://sisparent.fcps.edu/pvue and enter your username and password.
• Select ‘Online Packets’ at the top right corner.
• The ‘Select a packet to Begin’ page will display. Select the Online Verification/Update packet from the dropdown menu.
• There will be 7 sections you will need to review/update before submitting your packet. 
• As you complete each area, use the Previous or Save And Continue buttons at the bottom to navigate between pages. Do not use the browser back and forward buttons.
• A green check mark means the page is complete.
• An orange exclamation mark means the page is in progress.  

Don’t have a ParentVUE account? No problem! Please email Mrs. Amy Copeland at [email protected] to obtain your activation code.

Thank you for taking the time to ensure we have the most updated contact information.

2024 Back to School Virginia Medicaid Flyer: Communication Resource for Schools

The Virginia Medicaid agency, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has launched its 23rd annual Back to School campaign.  To support our students, families, and the community with gaining access to Virginia’s free health coverage through Cardinal Care (Virginia’s Medicaid and FAMIS programs), as soon as possible distribute the DMAS 2024 Back to School Flyer during your Back to School Night events. In addition to distributing these flyers during Back to School Night events, you are encouraged to distribute the flyer throughout the year to students, families, community members, and to community organizations. 

DMAS has mailed 100 copies of this flyer to each Virginia public school for your distribution.  If additional copies are needed in English or other languages, this flyer can be ordered in bulk and delivered to your location free of charge by Virginia Medicaid.  Shipping may take 5-10 days, so it is important to order materials as soon as you may need them.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Immunization Reminder
• Make Attendance a Priority
• How Is FCPS’ Redesigned Website Working for You?

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Attendance Form
• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
Attendance: 703-631-5555 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram