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Principal Weekly Message

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Cross Country Interest Meeting

Good afternoon Stone Community,

We had another wonderful week where we distributed chromebooks to all students and continued learning about community, government, measurements, science safety and more. This week we will start our presentations about FCPS Student Rights & Responsibilities along with taking our first assessment of the year with our iReady diagnostic which will be given during students’ English class time on Wednesday & Thursday. Please make sure your student has compatible earphones/headphones for this assessment.

We will also start our Flexback Intervention time during our normal school day. This time is for teachers to reteach lessons to students as a whole group or in small groups as needed to ensure all students have a full understanding of class concepts. If students do not need time for interventions such as these then the time can be used to enrich learning and expand on topics of interest by engaging in teacher-led creative and critical thinking activities. Flexback is a rotation allowing students over a period of 2 to 3 weeks to see each of their teachers for intervention during the school day. Tuesday, September 3rd at 9:00 students will report to their 1st period teacher for Flexback.

Thursday, September 5th at 9:00 students will report to their 2nd period teacher for Flexback.

Please know that all staff will be in the hallways and on the announcements to help guide students to their locations. Thank you for your patience.

Let’s have a great week Panthers,

Sonya Williams

Principal

PTSA Membership

Join the Stone Middle School PTSA, it's totally awesome! You’ll be helping out the school, making it a better place for everyone. Learn about cool events, fundraisers, and projects that actually make a difference. Plus, you’ll connect with other parents, teachers, and students, building a stronger community. No commitment required! Your voice will help shape decisions that affect our kids, and you’ll stay in the loop with what’s happening at school. So, why not? Join the PTSA and be part of something amazing! Join via Givebacks

BIRTHDAY GRAMS

For just $5, your child will receive a cool birthday bracelet and a shout-out during their birthday week on Panther News! It's the perfect way to celebrate their big day at school. Don't miss out—grab a BirthdayGram and make their birthday extra special! Donate via Givebacks

2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.

Stone Middle School Administrators will be talking about the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities to all students this week.

You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.

Food for Neighbors

Our Stone EPF Food Pantry is sponsored by a local community organization, Food for Neighbors. You might have seen their red bag collections across the county on Saturdays throughout the year. This year the Red Bag collection days are: September 14th, November 9, 2024, January 11, 2025, March 8, 2025 and April 26, 2025. If you would like to learn how you can help students and their families please visit the Food For Neighbors website. Your generosity can make a difference for our Stone Panthers.

Asha Jyothi Foundation Partners with Stone Middle School

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!

Parent Digital Consent

Forms are available in the FCPS Parent Digital Consent (PDC) starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Parents should log in using their ParentVue username and password.

Available forms include:

Digital Resources Consent (This form is used to agree (consent) or disagree (refusal) for your student(s) to use the FCPS-approved online tools listed on the school website as part of the instructional program.)
School Counseling Opt-Out
SEL Screener Opt-Out
Denial of Access to Military Recruiters
Family Life Education Opt-Out
SOL Retest Permission
Hazel Health
Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations
Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

A Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & 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

Safety Drills

Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.

Stone MS is planning for the lockdown drill to be September 5th.

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.

If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

🌍 Receive Credit for Proficiency in Languages

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam.

Find more information, including the list of eligible languages.

🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School
Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

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:

Understanding the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
School Safety Reminders
Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

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

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