GovDelivery | Stone Middle School

Principal's Message

GovDelivery11 hours 3 minutes ago

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Dear Stone Families,

The summer is starting to wind down and we are eagerly preparing for the start of another school year. With just a couple of weeks to go before the first bell rings, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates to ensure a smooth transition back to school

Key Dates to Remember:

Panther Jumpstart: August 7th
First Day of School: August 19th
Open House: August 15th, 3pm to 4pm
Back-to-School Night: August 15th at 4pm

This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, tour the school, and learn more about the upcoming year.
All students will be able to pick up a copy of their schedule at the Open House on August 15th. Schedules will also be viewable online in Student/ParentVue on August 15th. If students are unable to attend the Open House, they will also receive a copy of their schedule on the First Day of School, August 19th. If you have questions about this process or student schedules, please contact your child’s school counselor.

Important Information:

Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for SY 24-25. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.
The transportation office is working on bus routes for the upcoming school year. You can expect to receive the bus number, bus stop location, and approximate times for pick-up and drop-off in August right before the start of school.
PARENTVUE: It is so important to have an account to sign up for information about the bus, schoology, and student grades. Information to Sign Up for ParentVue
Immunization Information:

In Virginia, it's required by law for students to have certain immunizations to attend school. This is supported by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and FCPS Regulation 2101.
Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance by accessing ParentVUE.
Families of students with incomplete immunization records need to provide acceptable proof of immunization to their child's school as soon as possible. You can find the list of required immunizations on the General Registration Immunizations webpage.
If your child’s immunizations are incomplete, here's what you need to do:

Request immunization records for free through the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS). OR
If your child was immunized outside Virginia, get records from those states’ systems. OR
Request records from your healthcare provider. Some may charge for copies.
Submit your child’s immunization record to your child’s school.

Please visit FCPS’ website for more information.

Stone Middle School is partnering with the Asha-Jyothi to support our students! Asha-Jyothi 5K Run/Walk is a fun-filled family event with foot tapping music, delicious food and a friendly course. It is a volunteer based non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the underprivileged by providing access to education and health care. Asha-Jyothi partners with schools by donating 100% of all registration money from each school back to the school for its STEM needs.

Please join us in supporting this wonderful organization and our students.

Race Date: Sunday, September 15

Location: 4250 Fairfax Corner Avenue; Fairfax, VA 22030

Race Time: Fun Run starts at 8:00 AM and 5K starts at 8:30 AM

Price: $30 / Coupon Code "AJ4Schools" for $10 off the 5K

We are thrilled to welcome our students back and look forward to working together to create a supportive and informed community. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

-Sonya Williams

Principal

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:

Summer Graduation
Robotics Camp
Summer Meals

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

Important Principal Message

GovDelivery1 month 2 weeks ago

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Dear Stone Middle School Community,

We are writing to you to let you know that we have recently been made aware of a hate speech incident. A racial slur was found in a bathroom by a student. The student reported the incident to an adult, and it was immediately removed. We commend and thank the student who reported this to an adult and for being an upstander.

We want to be clear that FCPS and Stone Middle School do not tolerate this kind of behavior in our schools. It is unacceptable that any student at Stone Middle School feels that this is appropriate behavior. This is not the kind of school community we seek to cultivate. We have made a commitment in FCPS that any time these situations arise, we will share them with our school community to send a clear message that we denounce these actions.

Every student in FCPS has the right to feel safe and affirmed in our schools. Words matter, no matter the context, no matter the situation. In partnership with the Chief Equity Office, we will continue to work within our school community to have dialogues about dignity, humanization and belonging. I ask you to engage in these same conversations at home. Our students can make a difference in this world by learning to embrace and value our differences instead of using them to divide us. Our student services team is available to provide you and your student with resources and support. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I would like to hear your ideas about making Stone Middle School a more welcoming and culturally responsive environment for all.

Sincerely,

Sonya Williams

Principal

Weekly Principal's Message

GovDelivery1 month 2 weeks ago

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Dear Stone Families,

As we approach the end of another remarkable school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had together. Our students are capable of success…No exceptions! This past week has been nothing short of amazing, filled with celebrations, achievements, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Our eighth graders' transition to high school marks a significant milestone in their lives, and we couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments. Their hard work, dedication, and resilience have prepared them well for the exciting journey ahead.

Moreover, our commitment to punctuality was celebrated with a vibrant "No Tardy Party" for those students who maintained punctuality throughout the fourth quarter. It's inspiring to see our students embodying such responsibility and discipline.

Spirit Week was a blast, showcasing the boundless creativity and enthusiasm of our student body. I'm thrilled to announce that our "Anything But a Backpack Day" was a hit and will undoubtedly become a cherished tradition for years to come.

Let's carry this momentum into our final stretch with the same vigor and enthusiasm.

Monday: 7th Grade Awards Ceremony
Monday: Kona Ice Truck Fundraiser at 3pm
Wednesday: Last Day of School/End of Year Party

Lastly, a reminder that Wednesday will be a 2 hour early dismissal day.

As we count down the days to summer break, let's cherish these final moments together and continue to support and uplift one another. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and support throughout this extraordinary year.

Sonya Williams

Principal

Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel.

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing [email protected], or visiting the FRC webpage.

Rising 9th Graders!!!

All students attending Westfield High School for the 2024-2025 school year have a summer reading assignment. It is a school wide tradition! Be ready for your first day of high school!

Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations

This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference.

Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.

Students in middle or high school can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.

INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.

📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

For all students – the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
For grade 3-8 students – the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

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:

End-of-Year Reminders
Summer Resources
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders

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

Weekly Principal Message

GovDelivery1 month 3 weeks ago

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Congratulations to the Westfield HS Class of 2024/Stone MS Class of 2020

Good afternoon Stone Panthers,

We have reached our last full week of the 2023-24 school year. We plan to celebrate this full week with our Sprint into Summer Spirit Week.

Monday: Twin Day

Tuesday: Battle of the Blocks (Panther Blocks that is)

Wednesday: BBQ vs Soccer Parents

Thursday: Sunglasses Day

Friday: Anything but a backpack Day

Personally, I cannot wait to see what our panthers come up with this week.

As we are wrapping up the school year, we have seen a spike in students wandering the hallways not in class on time or skipping classes. Starting immediately, if a student is skipping a class they will not be allowed to participate in the end of year party on June 12th. Please speak with your student about the importance of being where you are supposed to be due to safety reasons and learning goals.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, June 5: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at 5:30pm at Westfield HS
Friday, June 7:

Laptop Collection
No Tardy Party

Monday, June 10: Laptop Collection
Wednesday, June 12: Last Day of School - 2 Hour Early Release

Neon End of Year Day Party

Let's have a great week Panthers,

Sonya Williams

Principal

After-School Program Parent Survey

Below is a link for a quick survey about the Middle School After-School Program. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. The survey is an important component of the after-school program evaluation and is critical for future funding. The more responses we receive, the more valuable and reliable the data. The responses not only allow us to assess the impact of the after-school program but they help drive program improvement and program quality.https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCQKSN8Thank you for completing the survey and for your support of the after-school program. This survey is FCPS approved. Approval Number is 24234. Survey responses are due by June 7, 2024.

Sports Physicals

It’s that time of year again. Westfield’s athletic training program will be hosting our annual sports physicals fundraiser. We are hosting it on Monday June 10th with appointments from 5:30-7:30. The cost of the physical is $50 and the money for the physical helps us buy supplies to help support your athletes throughout the school year. Here is the student registration: Preferred PPE Appointment 2024 (google.com)

Spaces are limited due to the limited number of physicians we have. If you are an MD, DO, LNP or PA, please consider volunteering a few hours of your evening on Monday June 10th. Let me know if you have any questions. Here is a link to register: PPE Volunteer Registration 2024 (google.com)

For any questions, please reach out to Mrs Partner at [email protected].

💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!

Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

Check your child’s attendance record.
Help your student stay engaged at school.
Report future absences.
Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources.

☎️ Family Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Online Campus Summer Registration Closing Soon!

Registration for summer classes with FCPS' Online Campus will close on Friday, June 7. Online campus courses are for students in grades 7-12. Email [email protected] or call 703-503-7781 with any questions.

Other Summer Learning Opportunities

Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.

Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, and Credit Recovery Academy.

School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget

The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their last board meeting. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year.

The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.

Read the news release.

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:

School Board Adopts 2025 Budget
Online Campus Summer Registration
Family Life Education Materials Available for Review

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

Weekly Principal's Message

GovDelivery1 month 4 weeks ago

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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Thank you to all the men, women and families for your service.

Dear Stone Community,

As we enjoy the warm weather this Memorial Day weekend, I would like to take a moment to thank all those who serve our country and the families that support their service. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice.

As you know from my message earlier this week, we had an incident at school involving THC. To support our families, I have provided some resources below to help you stay informed about the dangers of drugs and ways to facilitate conversations with your students at home. Our competent clinical team, including school counselors, a psychologist, and a social worker, are available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Stone community, for coming together to support the well-being of our community at large.

Resources:

Talk They Hear You SAMHSA campaign
Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations about Alcohol & Drugs:

Everything You Need to Know About Marijuana in 1 Hour

As the school year is rapidly coming to an end, I want to highlight some important end-of-year dates. Please visit our Stone website often for updates and check your email and text messages for any important reminders.

Important Dates:

Monday, May 27: HOLIDAY
Wednesday, May 29: Choir Concert at 7pm (GYM)
Friday, May 31:

Music Field Trip (Busch Gardens)
Westfield HS Class of 2024 Graduation Walk at 1pm

Wednesday, June 5: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at 5:30pm at Westfield HS
Friday, June 7:

Laptop Collection
No Tardy Party

Monday, June 10: Laptop Collection
Wednesday, June 12: Last Day of School - 2 Hour Early Release

Neon End of Year Day Party

Let’s have a great week, Panthers!

Warm regards,

Sonya WilliamsPrincipal

Student Services Updates

Is your child thinking of taking a World Language next year? It’s not too late to consider signing up for American Sign Language at Stone! This is a new program for us and we are continuing to build and add students for next year. Students would continue the ASL program at Westfield HS! This is a high school credit class that counts toward an Advanced Diploma in the state of Virginia.

Please email Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services at [email protected] if your child is interested in signing up.

FCPS Summer Program Information - reach out to your school counselor with any questions.

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony REVISED START TIME

In efforts to accommodate families who want to attend the Cub Run ES music concert, we have revised the start time of our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Westfield HS to June 5th at 5:30pm. This event will also have a Zoom link to accommodate any family members who are not able to attend the event in person. A recording will also be shared in the days following the event. Students should dress as they would for any special event or ceremony. Questions? Email [email protected] See event details here

A Message From The Stone Health Room

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school, Wednesday June 12th. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student.

Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school.

Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student their medication. If you have any questions, please contact your school health room aide, Brenda Glenn, at 703-631-5530, or your school public health nurse, Reggie Santiago, at 571-460-9581.

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

Dr. Michelle Reid has been hosting Community Conversations and Employee Conversations throughout the division since the fall of this school year. She is committed to getting to know our school communities. These events provide a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect with Dr. Reid, share concerns and ideas. She is there to listen and answer your questions. Your voice is important. We invite you to register for the last community conversations of the school year. Please register. Pre-registration is not required, but does help us plan.

May 28, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

at Katherine Johnson Middle School,

3801 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 -

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided. For more information please visit our website.

Stone PTSA End of Year Fundraiser! ☀️ Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, alpaca petting, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost! Additional food trucks will be on site selling a variety of treats.

Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.

🥗 Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.

Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer.

If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2023-24 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.

📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website.

How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.

📈 New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.

In order to help interpret SOL results for parents, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring.

The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year.

Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.

Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores.

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact [school registrar’s name and email] for an activation letter.

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.

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:

Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

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

Principal's Weekly Message

GovDelivery2 months 1 week ago

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Congrats to our Stone Volleyball Team who won this Saturday in a FCPS After School Program Volleyball Tournament

Good afternoon Stone Panthers,

There are 17 more school days left until the end of the 2023-24 school year. Time flies by when you are having fun. At the start of the year, I met with families at the back to school night and curriculum night to share that here at Stone Middle School we would push students to achieve with love and care. Hopefully, you feel that I have stood behind my words. Our students have shown growth in academics, talents, overcoming obstacles and self advocacy. They are Kids at Hope! I could not be more proud of them. As we wrap up the year, we will continue to strive for excellence and growth. Each and every day is important as we continue to work hard throughout the building.

This week, we will host a band and orchestra concert. We will induct new members to National Junior Honor Society and pin some outgoing students to recognize their hard work. I hope to see you at some of these culminating activities.

It is also the perfect time of year to reflect and perhaps recognize a staff member here at Stone. The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. Please take a moment to acknowledge a Stone Middle School Staff Member: https://www.fcps.edu/careers/recognition-programs/fcps-cares-program

Let's have a great week Panthers,

Sonya Williams

Principal

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Community Conversations & Employee Conversations

May 28, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

at Katherine Johnson Middle School, 3801 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided. For more information please visit our website.

Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year

All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass. Complete the application and return it to your school office.

Students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools, and Davis Center can ride Metrobus for free, in addition to the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes. Complete the application and return it to your school office.

Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.

Expunging High School Credits

High school credit courses taken in grades 7 and 8 become part of the student’s high school transcript and are included in the calculation of the high school Grade Point Average (GPA). VA State and FCPS regulations permit parents/guardians to make a request to have that course expunged from the student’s record.

Please contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions or to submit the completed Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School Form.

After School Programming Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.

Family Life Education Materials Available for Review

The recommended Family Life Education instructional materials are available for community review through Monday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. View details and a feedback 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:

Family Life Education Materials Available for Review
2024-25 School Year Budget Update
Free Student Bus Passes

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

Principal Weekly Message

GovDelivery2 months 2 weeks ago

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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Good afternoon Stone community,

A Huge Thank You!

I would like to recognize our Stone Middle School families for all you do to support our school community. Stone families really stepped up to make our 2024 Teacher Appreciation Week a huge success! Whether you donated a gift card, food item, or gave a personal gift or note to your student’s teacher, your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated. The teachers at Stone work hard all throughout the school year and your kind gestures go a long way in letting them know just how much we value and appreciate them. I cannot thank you enough for all of your support.

We kick off SOL testing last week with Reading & Math. Students who were absent will be invited to make up testing this week. Some students will be invited to retake as well. We will continue this week with Science 8 SOL testing on Monday & Tuesday. Please partner with us and encourage your student that they can accomplish anything and that includes SOL testing. Let's finish this year strong together!

Let's have a great week Panthers,

Sonya Williams

Principal

Stone's Music Department has several events coming up that we wanted to advertise to everyone. Stone music students have been working hard and would LOVE to share their successes with the community. We’re ‘pop’-ing things up this spring with tunes from your favorite movies and artists like Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mamma Mia, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and even The Backstreet Boys!

All performances will occur in the Stone MS Gym, dates and times are listed above. The May 14th performance is related to our Spring Trip (which is Friday, May 31st) and will include all of our ensembles directed by special guest clinicians ending in a combined performance of Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone! We hope to have you join us for some of these performances!

SAVE THE DATE

Parents of 8th grade students, Stone Middle School will be holding our 8th grade promotion ceremony at Westfield High School on June 5th at 6pm. We look forward to seeing all of our students and families at this event! Questions? Contact [email protected]

Guest Speaker WANTED

We are in search of a dynamic and unique guest speaker from our community who we could feature at our 8th grade promotion ceremony this year. If you or someone you know maybe interested, please contact Tami Brumett at [email protected]

Course Requests for the 24-25 School Year:

All course selections are viewable for parents in ParentVue under the Course Requests tab until June 21st at 6pm.

Parents of 8th Grade students:

Westfield High School staffing decisions for the next school year is based on the courses requested during academic advising. Therefore, the deadline for schedule change requests for the 24-25 SY was March 1st for our rising 9 families. Course Request Verifications will be provided in May 2024, along with an opportunity to request level changes (e.g., HN to Standard Level) June 3rd - 14th, as space permits. The process for making such requests will be available in the coming weeks. Additional Resources are available regarding Academic Advising, Course Selections and Timelines on the Westfield High School Website.

Parents of 6th or 7th Grade students:

If you have questions about next year’s course selections, please contact your Stone school counselor or Tami Brumett at [email protected]

☀️ Save the Date for FCPS’ Summer Extravaganza

Don’t miss a day of family fun and learning at the FCPS Summer Extravaganza!

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., where students will be able to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire growth.

Representatives from local businesses, Fairfax County Public Library, and the Fairfax County Park Authority are participating in the Summer Extravaganza. Community organizations, such as Neighborhood Community Services, will be at the event as well. All will have learning activities, tips, and helpful information for families. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moon bounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!

Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for more details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it's helpful for planning purposes.

💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!

Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

Check your child’s attendance record.
Help your student stay engaged at school.
Report future absences.
Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources.

📞 FCPS Ombuds Provides Confidential Guidance

The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, offer options to resolve concerns and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.

Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], visit their webpage, or submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

🩹 Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders

Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Visit the FCPS immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines. Caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations.

It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh-grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Twelfth-grade students must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine. Get more information on all student immunization requirements.

Stone Middle School: PTSA News

Our next PTSA meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21st at 5:30pm at Stone Middle School’s Library. -Come learn more about Stone’s PTSA and what it does for our school. Also, consider running for one of the open positions, including President, Secretary & Vice President of Communications. Several of our amazing PTSA board members are moving on with their students to high school & this is a great way to get involved!!! If you are interested, please let us know.

Summer Opportunities for Students

On Friday, May 17, our Stone Middle School Library will host sessions with local organizations who will chat with students and parents about summer opportunities available to our students. We will have visitors from George Mason University's Summer Camps and the Fairfax County Park Authority to chat with you about summer camps and summer jobs with the Park Authority. Students must be 14 or older to work with the park authority.

Students, parents, and guardians are invited to visit during lunch. Everyone who wants to attend - including parents - needs to register. Sign up now to attend 1 session during one of the lunch periods listed on the registration form on Friday, May 17 in the library. Light refreshments will be provided.

Students who attend will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a prize from our library.

FCPS Family Resource Center-Monthly Webinars

FCPS Family Resource Center is hosting several GREAT Webinars during the month of May, please check these out, they are full of great information for families.

Tuesday, May 14 OR Wednesday, May 15, 2024:

Covid-19 (C19) Compensatory Services Partnership Between FCPS and Varsity Tutors

Join us for an information session about a new partnership between Fairfax County Schools (FCPS) and Varsity Tutors. This partnership will provide students with disabilities an additional opportunity to receive compensatory education as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic in accordance with their IEP.

-Date:

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 10-11 a.m. Add to Your Calendar OR
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 7-8 p.m. Add to Your Calendar (choose one session)

-Format: Virtual

Friday, May 17, 2024

Meet the Author Series: The Breakthrough Years, by Ellen Galinsky

Child development expert Ellen Galinsky challenges widely held assumptions about adolescents and offers new ways for parents and others to better understand and interact with them in a way that helps them thrive.

Galinsky’s Shared Solutions Framework and Possibilities Mindset show you how to:

turn daily conflicts into opportunities for problem-solving where both teens and parents feel listened to and respected
encourage positive risk-taking in your child like standing up for themselves, making new friends, and helping their communities
promote five essential executive function-based skills that can help them succeed now and in the future.

Join best-selling author, Ellen Galinksy, as she shares her latest research on raising thriving teens.

Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 Add to Your Calendar
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Format: Virtual

Friday, May 31, 2024

Behavior Solution Series for Secondary Families: Taming the Teenaged Brain

Navigate the rollercoaster of teenage emotions with our training on behavior strategies, tailored to support you at home during those challenging adolescent years. We will provide practical insights and proven techniques to foster understanding and communication with your teenager.

Date: Friday, May 31, 2024 Add to Your Calendar
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Format: Virtual

Meet the Author Series

May 17 - Meet the Author Series: The Breakthrough Years by Ellen Galinsky

Galinsky’s Shared Solutions Framework and Possibilities Mindset show you how to:

turn daily conflicts into opportunities for problem-solving where both teens and parents feel listened to and respected
encourage positive risk-taking in your child like standing up for themselves, making new friends, and helping their communities
promote five essential executive function-based skills that can help them succeed now and in the future.

Join best-selling author, Ellen Galinksy, as she shares her latest research on raising thriving teens.

Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 Add to Your Calendar
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Format: Virtual

May 31 - Behavior Solution Series for Secondary Families: Taming the Teenaged Brain

Date: Friday, May 31, 2024 Add to Your Calendar
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Format: Virtual

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:

Summer Camp
Middle School Start Times
FY2025 Budget

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

Weekly Principal's Message

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Thank you Ms. Marrefi for all your work at Stone getting us to GREEN!

Hello Stone Community,

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in this weekend's spring production "The Phantom Tollbooth". It was a wonderful display of student talent on stage.

This week will be another fun filled week as we enter the month of May.

Monday: IRW Testing continues

Wednesday: Quarter 3 Honor Roll Ceremony

Thursday: Stone vs Carson Basketball Game

Friday: Student Holiday

Let's have a great week Panthers!

-Sonya Williams

Principal

INTEGRATED READING & WRITING TEST (IRW)

Eighth grade students that have English on even days will be taking the IRW on Monday, April 29th in their English classes. Students have been preparing by using VDOE resources on this new assessment in English classes. Please help them be successful by assisting them in getting to school on time, eating a nutritious breakfast, and with an attitude to show their hard earned skills.

Westfield High School Theatre Presents Freaky Friday, A New Musical

May 2, 3, 4 at 7pm and May 4 at 2pm (Mother--Daughter Matinee)

Musical is appropriate for all ages.

When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.

Our matinee performance will feature various mother-daughter themed events including a dress like your mother, dress like your daughter fashion show, pre-show & intermission shout-outs to your mom or daughter, and a photo booth!

All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com

Walk, Bike & Roll to school day is a great way for students to get more physical activity before school and reach their goal of 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Reduce the number of cars using kiss & ride.
Teaches Pedestrian and bike safety to children.
Awareness for how walkable and bikeable the community is.

Stone MS hopes to have at least 50% of our school students walk, bike or roll to school on Wednesday May 8th!

Accommodation requests for the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

8th grade families: The 8th grade Promotion Ceremony is scheduled for June 5th at 6pm at Westfield High School. In order to be able to provide all requests for accommodations, such as interpreters and wheelchair access, the school is requesting that families provide any requests as early as possible. Please notify Stephanie Hicks at [email protected]. Thank you

Third Quarter Honor Roll

Congratulations on your student's academic success during 3rd quarter! Please join us on Wednesday, May 1st at 9am to celebrate their achievement. Parents and family are invited to attend virtually using the following Zoom link:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98497520378

2024 WESTFIELD FIELD HOCKEY CAMP

When: Monday, June 10 through Thursday, June 13

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Who: Rising 5th - 10th Grade Girls

Register: Registration information can be found here, https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/stores/catalog/getproduct?productKey=ZZ5UFS2R6TGQMC8&OPTZZ5UFS2R6TGQMC8=ZZ5UFS2R72DQLTC.

Contact: Email Coach Mac with any questions - [email protected]

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6 - May 10.

Stone Families have really come through in an effort to show our teachers how much you all really appreciate them! Thank you to everyone who has donated gift cards and money towards making our Teachers Appreciation Week special. We are so appreciative of all you do to support Stone!

There is still time to donate if you would like. Please send gift cards to the attention of Stephanie Hicks in the main office.

Our leadership students are planning to stock the teacher lounges for teacher appreciation week. If you would like to support their efforts, please send in granola bars, oatmeal packs, individual wrapped cookies, etc to main office attention: stock the lounge.

HELP BEAUTIFY STONE MS

Stone MS’s flowerbeds and landscaping in the front of our building are in need of a little TLC. If you or someone you know is affiliated with a landscaping business and can donate products/services and most importantly your time, please contact Stephanie Hicks, [email protected] at Stone Middle School.

☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Middle School Start Time – Community Forums

Join us in shaping the future of education for our students!

FCPS is exploring changing middle school start times to benefit student well-being and performance.

Learn more at our upcoming community forums in April and May, led by Prismatic Services, Inc. Registration not required, but appreciated for planning purposes. Language interpretation and childcare provided.

Let's make a difference together!

For more information, please visit our website.

Community Conversations

Join us for the spring series of Community Conversations with Dr. Reid! These events provide a platform for you to voice your thoughts and questions. Dr. Reid, our Listening Leader, values connecting with members across our division. These conversations are open to everyone and will be held in each FCPS region. While pre-registration is not required, it's helpful to our planning process. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided, and transportation assistance is available with pre-registration. Check out the upcoming dates below and join us at the location that is most convenient for you! Flyers for the upcoming Community Conversations with Dr. Reid can be found below or attached. Please feel free to share them with your communities. We look forward to your participation!

For more information, please visit our website.

FCPS Summer Extravaganza – Save the Date – June 1

Experience a summer like no other! Join us for Summer Extravaganza, where we're redefining summer learning to be engaging, educational, and enriching for each and every student in Fairfax County.

We will be providing a wide variety of resources and diverse educational opportunities through collaborations with various teams within FCPS, libraries, and community and nonprofit organizations. Together, we are creating a supportive community that contributes to students' overall well-being and academic growth.

Don't miss this transformative event! Join us at the Summer Extravaganza and make this summer one to remember for all Fairfax County students.

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:

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Weigh in on School Health Services
FCPS Shines Bright With Continued ENERGY STAR® Recognition

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

Principal's Weekly Message

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Stone Young Scholars visited Thomas Jefferson HS's Neurobiology Lab

Good afternoon Stone Families,

We are down to the last 8 weeks of school (approximately 36 school days) and things are moving quickly!

Congratulations to our basketball teams who won against the Franklin Falcons! Their next game will be May 2nd versus Carson Panthers.

Congratulations to all of our art students who were featured at the Westfield Pyramid art show!

Highlights for this week:

Tuesday April 23rd: All 8th graders will visit and tour Westfield High School. Please make sure your student has submitted their permission slip to attend.

Wednesday April 24th: We will celebrate the work of our Administrative Professionals. Without the help of Ms. Hicks, Ms. Angilletta, Ms. Goble, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Diaz Acosta, Ms. Copeland and Ms. Peckham the school would not run efficiently.

Thursday April 25: We will celebrate our spring athletics with a student led pep rally during our last block of the school day.

Friday April 26: The spring play will debut at 7pm in our theater. The play, The Phantom Tollbooth, will run on Friday & Saturday at 7pm and a matinee on Sunday at 2pm.

Let’s have a great week Panthers!

-Sonya Williams

Principal

INTEGRATED READING & WRITING TEST (IRW)

Eighth grade students will be taking the IRW either this Friday, April 26th or Monday, April 29th in their English classes. Students have been preparing by using VDOE resources on this new assessment in English classes. Please help them be successful by assisting them in getting to school on time, eating a nutritious breakfast, and with an attitude to show their hard earned skills.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

We only need approximtely 25 more gift cards to provide each teacher on staff with a gift card for Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, 2024.

Feel free to drop off donations to the main office in an envelope labeled Teacher Appreciation attention Stephanie Hicks or you can use the PTSA link to sign up for $10 gift card donations to specific vendors,

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4BA9AE23A57-48426356-staff

PTSA Updates

Several of our amazing PTSA board members are moving on with their students to the high school at the end of this year. We are looking for some volunteers for the open PTSA board positions including President, Secretary & Vice President of Communications. Please come to the next PTSA meeting on May 21st at 5:30pm to learn more about these roles and the wonderful things that the Stone PTSA is working on.

Next PTSA fundraiser: May 2nd at McDonalds!!!

Dress Code Reminders

As the weather is turning warmer, please be reminded of the dress code policy that is included in the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document you were provided at the beginning of the school year. The following is taken directly from the SR&R document:

Dress Code

FCPS respects students’ right to express themselves in the way they dress. It is important, however, that their appearance is tasteful and appropriate for a K-12 school setting. Discussion about dress code violations shall be held privately and maintain the dignity of the student.

Clothing and accessories should not:

Display vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images
Promote illegal or violent conduct
Contain threats or gang symbols
Promote the unlawful use of weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
Expose genitalia, chest, buttocks, underwear or undergarments due to transparency, length, or lack of coverage.
Anything that obscures the face unless an accommodation is present
Accessories that constitute a health or safety hazard or are harmful to the building or equipment. (i.e., spiked belts)
Sunglasses inside the school building except as accommodation for medical use.

While we respect students’ rights to express themselves, students who are found to be in violation of the dress code may be asked to change into their gym clothes or have a parent bring clothes for them to change into.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this matter.

HELP BEAUTIFY STONE MS

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:

SEL Screener
Middle School Start Times
IFTA Camps

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

Teacher Appreciation Week - Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10

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TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Hello Stone Families,

Teacher Appreciation Week is Monday, May 6 – Friday, May 10.

As the Administrative Assistant at Stone, I am working with the PTSA to plan a fabulous Teacher Appreciation Week this year for our Stone MS staff. The goal is to show Stone Middle School teachers and instructional assistants how much we appreciate all the hard work they do. To do this, we are asking for gift card donations from Stone Middle School families who are able to give for our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

We are accepting gift card donations of any denomination and from all vendors. Our goal is to provide every teacher and IA with a gift card to show them how much we appreciate all the work they do.

All donations can be sent to the main office in an envelope to the attention of Stephanie Hicks with the words “Teacher Appreciation” written on it.

You may also use the PTSA link to sign up for $10 gift card donations to specific vendors,

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4BA9AE23A57-48426356-staff

In addition to gift card donations, if you have a service or specialty that you are willing to provide during Teacher Appreciation Week, please contact us as well.

We will be raffling off prizes and offering wellness services to our teachers that week. Raffles will include prizes such as an appointment with a personal trainer, etc. and we plan to offer 5 minute seated massages for our staff during lunches.

If you would like to donate, please contact Stephanie Hicks by email at [email protected].

Thank you for all of you who have already donated gift cards. Also, thank you to all our parents/guardians for all you to do support the staff and students at Stone!

Stephanie Hicks

Administrative Assistant

Stone Middle School

Stone Quick Links

Principal's Message: April 14, 2024

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🌒 Eclipse day was out of this world! Thank you Dr. Galvin for showing us a fun way to learn about solar eclipses and how light travels. The small holes in the colander act like mini pinhole cameras, projecting the sun's shape onto the ground!

Principal's Message

Hello Stone Panther Families,

As we welcome the warmer weather this week, I wanted to remind you to ensure that your student is dressed appropriately for both the weather and learning.

Here are some important events happening this week:

Finance Park Field Trip: Our 8th graders will be participating in our annual Finance Park field trip with their Civics classes. This is a valuable opportunity for them to learn about financial literacy and real-world budgeting. Please ensure that your child is prepared for this educational experience.
Basketball Game: Our basketball teams will be facing off against the Franklin Falcons at Franklin Middle School on Thursday at 6pm. Come out and support our Panthers as they showcase their skills on the court!
Westfield Pyramid Art Show: We are proud to have numerous students participating in the Westfield pyramid art show on Thursday, starting at 6:30pm. This event will be a celebration of creativity and talent across our pyramid, with awards being presented to deserving students. We encourage you to attend and show your support for our budding artists.
Track Meet: Our Panthers demonstrated exceptional talent at our first track meet of the spring season, held at Langley High School the past Saturday. They competed fiercely in events such as the 100m, 200m, 400m, long jump, and shot put. You are invited to cheer on our team this Saturday at McLean High School, starting at 8am. Your support means the world to our athletes!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Let's have a great week Panthers!

Sonya Williams, Principal

🌎 Multicultural Spirit Week

Monday, April 15 - World Peace Pajama Day
Tuesday, April 16 - USA Out
Wednesday, April 17 - Purple Out
Thursday, April 18 - Favorites Day
Friday, April 19 - Unity Day

🏫 Course Requests for the 24-25 School Year

All course selections are viewable for parents in ParentVue under the Course Requests tab until June 21st at 6pm.

Parents of 8th Grade Students

Parents of 6th or 7th Grade Students

If you have questions about next year’s course selections, please contact your Stone school counselor or Tami Brumett at [email protected]

🐾 Message from PTSA

May 6 - 10 is STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK! Please help us celebrate and thank our AMAZING Stone staff by donating a $10 gift card listed below!

The cards will be distributed during Staff Appreciation Week so please have all donations to the school by April 26 so we ensure every staff member is appreciated.

Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

🧮Resource Training Available for Math

Join us to see how Mathspace fosters independent learning at every grade level! This informative session will highlight how your student can use Mathspace to independently tackle math challenges, perfectly aligned with their grade-level course. We will demonstrate how to use this tool to prepare for the Math SOL assessment. Don't miss this chance to boost your students' self-driven learning adventure!

Presenter: Rhonda Davis, Head of Customer Success, North America and Jonathan Templin, Head of Sales, North America.
Date: April 16, 2024
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Format: Virtual
Register for this event

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:

Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

🩴Summer Learning Opportunities

Additional Summer Learning Opportunities

Visit our Summer Learning Opportunites webpage to learn more about all the opportunities for Summer 2024.

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:

School Health Services Satisfaction Survey
Webinars and Events for Families
FCPS Is One of the Best Communities for Music Education

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

Principal's Message: April 7, 2024

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Congrats to our After School Program Volleyball Teams who went undefeated Friday night against the Liberty Lions

Principal's Message

Hello Stone Panther Families,

It's hard to believe we've already reached our final quarter of this school year! I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work our students and staff have accomplished these past few months. From tackling challenging projects, creating engaging and meaningful lessons to students demonstrating outstanding behavior, they've all truly impressed me.

Paper copies of Quarter 3 report cards will be distributed and coming home with students on Monday, April 8. Parent/StudentVUE will remain down until April 16.

The next few weeks will be a time to focus on finishing strong. Students should continue attending school and classes on time, completing assignments diligently, and seeking help from their teachers when needed.

But the final stretch isn't just about academics! We have a fantastic line-up of exciting year end events planned, including field trips, a school play, spring concets,our 8th promotion ceremony, and more. Keep an eye out for further details in upcoming newsletters and on our school website.

📆 Save the Date: Parents of 8th grade students, Stone Middle School will be holding our 8th grade promotion ceremony at Westfield High School on June 5 at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing all of our students and families at this event! Questions? Contact [email protected].
🎤 Guest Speaker: We are in search of a dynamic and unique guest speaker from our community who we could feature at our 8th grade promotion ceremony this year. If you or someone you know may be interested, please contact Tami Brumett at [email protected].

This time of year, the energy and enthusiasm at Stone is truly contagious, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds. Let's continue to support each other, celebrate our achievements, and make this final quarter truly memorable.

Let's have a great week Panthers!

Sonya Williams, Principal

📆Calendar Reminder: April 10th

In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends. Read more at Britannica.com.

Tuesday, April 9, has been designated as a half Observance day. Half Observance days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. See the complete School Year Calendar.

🏫 Course Requests for the 24-25 School Year

All course selections are viewable for parents in ParentVue under the Course Requests tab until June 21st at 6pm.

Parents of 8th Grade Students

Parents of 6th or 7th Grade Students

If you have questions about next year’s course selections, please contact your Stone school counselor or Tami Brumett at [email protected]

💻 Upcoming Spring Testing

In support of the focus on integrating reading and writing instruction to build student literacy skills, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has a new assessment item type for the grades 5, 8, and EOC 11 Reading SOL tests (beginning Spring 2024). The new item type asks students to write about what they have read in nonfiction passages that may include history/social science or science-based content. While reinforcing the importance of having students write about what they have read, this new integrated reading and writing item also provides a measure of students’ writing ability without requiring an additional test.

On Friday, April 22 or Monday, April 26 all 8th grade students at Stone MS will participate in the Integrated Reading and Writing Assessment (IRW) through their English class. Students have as long as they need to complete this assessment within one school day, but we anticipate this will take students between 60 - 90 minutes to complete. Please assist us in completing this assessment by having your students present and on time at school.

Additional Upcoming Spring SOL Testing Dates:

Tuesday, May 7 - Reading Grade 7 & 8
Friday, May 10 - Math Grade 7 & 8, Algebra
Monday, May 13 or Tuesday, May 14 - Science Grade 8

If you have any questions about the IRW or any of the Spring SOL Tests, please contact our school testing coordinator, Jenni Maybury, at [email protected].

🐾 Message from PTSA

May 6 - 10 is STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK! Please help us celebrate and thank our AMAZING Stone staff by donating a $10 gift card listed below!

The cards will be distributed during Staff Appreciation Week so please have all donations to the school by April 26 so we ensure every staff member is appreciated.

Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8

A solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024 starting at approximately 2:05pm. It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes.

Here's what you need to know:

Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.
Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m. which is really close to Stone MS dismissal time, peaks at 3:20 p.m. and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety during dismissal. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.

📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will discover how FCPS is integrating this program into the classroom to support student literacy growth. Tips for supporting students at home will also be shared. 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 level by the end of third grade.

🌎 International Night Celebration

Stone is partnering with Westfield High School for their International Night Celebration. Westfield’s International Night will be Friday, April 12 beginning at 5:00 p.m. There will be a potluck, fashion show, performances, and food trucks.

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Pot Luck (Cafe)
6:15 - 7:00 p.m. - Fashion Show (Gym)
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Performances (Gym)
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Food Trucks (Kiss and Ride)

This event will be the kickoff for our own Stone Multicultural Spirit Week beginning Monday, April 15.

🏃🏽‍♀️Summer Sports Registration 🏑SYA Field Hockey Spring Clinic ⛳Froghair Golf Classic 🏈 Summer Non-Contact Skills Camp ⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

🩴Summer Learning Opportunities

All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1 — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs.

Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to our after-school specialist, Mr. Anderson - [email protected], for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

Additional Summer Learning Opportunities

Visit our Summer Learning Opportunites webpage to learn more about all the opportunities for Summer 2024.

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:

Month of the Military Child
Register for the FCPS Family Summit
Teaching Real-World Math Skills

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

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Stone Middle School News and announcements

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