Principal's Message

Dear Whitman Community,

The school year is off to a great start!  We welcomed over 1000 students to Whitman on the first day.  Many staff members remarked to me how polite, friendly, and enthusiastic the students have been.  They are also ready to learn!  Thanks to all the parents for preparing your students for a great year!

All parents are invited to attend our annual Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  Parents will walk through their child’s schedule and meet the teachers.  Please ask your child for a copy of his/her schedule (completed in Advisory that morning with a school map) or you can access class schedules through ParentVue.  You may also take a picture of your child’s paper copy on your phone.  If you do not have a copy of your student’s schedule, counselors will be available to provide them in the cafeteria.  All parents should be in the Advisory (8th period class) by 6:00 PM.  The evening should conclude around 8:00 PM.

I’ve provided some important information below about schedules, transportation, Kiss and Ride, and more.  Please read through it carefully and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me directly at caherring@fcps.edu.  Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Sincerely,

Craig Herring, Principal

School Hours, Cell Phone Policy, Schedules, and Transportation 

We appreciate your help ensuring Whitman MS is a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.

• School begins at 7:30 AM
• Student Arrival:  No earlier than 6:50 AM. Doors will open at that time.  Please do not arrive prior to then as staff supervision is not available.
• At 7:00 AM, 7th grade students will be directed to the 7th grade gym, 8th grade students will be directed to the 8th grade gym.  If students are eating breakfast, they will go to the cafeteria.

• Per FCPS Guidelines for Middle School:  Cell phones must be silenced and kept put away for the duration of the school day.  At 7:20 AM, students must store phones in a backpack, pencil bag, etc. during the school day.  Teachers may allow cell phone usage in their classrooms at their discretion with the support of the administration.  Cell phones may be used on campus before the first bell and after the last bell.  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in phones being confiscated for the day and/or other consequences assigned by an administrator.

• Once dismissed for the day at 2:15 PM, students may not return to school for any reason.  The Whitman After School Program does not begin until September 23^rd and therefore, all students will need to ride the bus home or get picked up by 2:30 PM.
• Please follow all traffic procedures when utilizing the Kiss and Ride (see below).

Kiss and Ride

If you drive your child to school and/or pick up your child, please pack your patience. The first several weeks do involve long lines in the Kiss and Ride. Please remember we have students and staff walking in our parking lots and across our cross walks. To ensure EVERYONE arrives and leaves safely, please drive slowly, stay off phones, be alert, and be patient.  Once the routine sets in, we will have smooth sailing for the year – thanks to your help and patience!

Bus transportation is provided for all Whitman MS students. Having your student use the bus helps reduce traffic congestion. Bus transportation is strongly encouraged. Late arrival to school due to traffic is unexcused. To ensure the safety of our students we implement a traffic plan for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. We understand that you have pressing appointments and engagements; however, we must make certain all students arrive and depart in an orderly and safe manner.

If you choose to drive your child to school:

• No traffic will be permitted past the bus attendant at the front parking lot with the exception of the buses and Whitman Middle School staff.
• The bus lane at the front of the school is one-way at all times.  When facing entrance #1, the traffic flows from right to left.
• The Kiss and Ride area is out front on Parkers Lane so do not enter the parking lot.  Some parents find it easier to drop students off in the Sherwood Hall Library parking lot.  However, please note this is very crowded on Wednesdays with the Farmer’s Market so we encourage you to use the Kiss and Ride on Parkers Lane. 
• You may pick your child up early for appointments before 2:00 PM. Park out on Parkers Lane or you may get trapped in the visitor’s spaces when buses arrive.
• Following the departure of all buses, you may pick up your child at the front of the building. Plan to pick up after 2:25 PM. If you arrive earlier, you will be in bus traffic.  Parents must come into the building after dismissal and present identification.

Thank you in advance for your assistance, understanding, and patience.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Information sessions for 8^th grade students and parents

Have you heard of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology?

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is an option for rising high school students who are strong academically, currently enrolled in Algebra 1 or a higher math class and who have a genuine interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or Computer Science.

Students should demonstrate the following:

• Current enrollment in Algebra 1 or higher.
• High ability, aptitude, and interest in math, science, and technology.
• Intellectual curiosity and self-motivation to pursue scientific research.
• A desire to be challenged with an extensive curriculum focused in math, science, and technology.
• The highest academic and personal integrity.
• An aspiration to become a member of a community of learners, explorers, mentors, and leaders.There are 2 upcoming information sessions at Whitman Middle School. During these sessions you will learn more about the program and the application process.
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• Student only information session next Tuesday September 3^rd from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.

• Parent info session in the evening on Tuesday September 17^th, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Reach out to the student services department if you have any questions at 703-660-2412

Family Life Education Instructional Program Information

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.

Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms will be included in your child’s back-to-school/orientation packets and are available online for Elementary (K-6) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/elementary-family-life-education , Middle School (7-8) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle, and High School (9-12) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/family-life-education-fle. Please fill in the opt-out form and return it to your child’s school prior to Family Life Education instruction.

Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6) , Middle School (7-8) , and High School (9-12). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) Parent View https://fcps.blackboard.com/. Account information is available at your local school or online at http://www.fcps.edu/is/instructionaltechnology/247help/parents.shtml. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the Fairfax County Regional Library in the City of Fairfax (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.

Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by contacting Elizabeth Payne, Health and Physical Education Coordinator at etpayne@fcps.edu

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Información del Programa de Instrucción sobre Educación para la Vida Familiar

Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Fairfax (FCPS) proporcionan un programa secuencial y exhaustivo de Educación para la Vida Familiar (FLE) para alumnos desde kindergarten hasta el grado doce. La instrucción se considera una labor conjunta entre los padres, los tutores legales, la escuela y la comunidad a fin de apoyar el aprendizaje que es esencial para establecer lazos familiares sólidos, relaciones positivas y una comunidad saludable.

Los padres o tutores legales pueden optar por excluir a su hijo del programa de Educación para la Vida Familiar o de parte de él. A los alumnos que optan por no participar se les proporciona, sin sanción alguna, instrucción alternativa sobre salud según su edad, y se hace el mayor esfuerzo posible para fomentar el respeto por las decisiones de la familia. Si desea excluir a su hijo del programa FLE o de parte del programa este año escolar, usted encontrará los formularios de exclusión incluidos en los paquetes de regreso a clases y de orientación de su hijo y en el Internet en Primaria (K-6) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/elementary-family-life-education, Intermedia (7-8) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle y Secundaria (9-12) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/family-life-education-fle. Por favor, llene el formulario de opción de exclusión y devuélvalo a la escuela de su hijo antes de que empiece la instrucción del programa de Educación para la Vida Familiar.

La descripción detallada del programa está disponible en el internet según el grado en Primaria (K-6) , Intermedia (7-8) y Secundaria (9-12). Los padres pueden ver en el Internet las lecciones específicas por grado y los videos para los cuales FCPS tiene derechos de transmisión en la cuenta Parent View 24-7 (Blackboard) de FCPS https://fcps.blackboard.com/. Encontrará información sobre esta cuenta en su escuela local o en el Internet en http://www.fcps.edu/is/instructionaltechnology/247help/parents.shtml. También puede encontrar las lecciones específicas por grado en la Biblioteca Regional del Condado de Fairfax en la ciudad de Fairfax (esta biblioteca no cuenta con los videos de las lecciones). Las lecciones y los videos del grado de su hijo que no pueden verse en línea se encuentran a su disposición en la biblioteca de la escuela de su hijo si usted los quiere revisar. Debido a los derechos de autor, no podemos transmitir todos los videos por Internet.

Las preguntas que tenga con respecto al programa puede dirigirlas a la escuela de su hijo o puede llamar al Departamento de Servicios de Instrucción al 571-423-4550 o enviarle un correo electrónico a Elizabeth Payne, coordinadora del programa de Salud y Educación Física, a etpayne@fcps.edu.

WHITMAN PTSA

The Whitman PTSA board would like to thank you in advance for your support. Questions, comments, and ideas are always welcome. PTSA email is Parentsforwhitman@gmail.com. We also post upcoming events on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WhitmanPTSA/.

Co-Presidents: TSgt. William Curtis  & Mrs. LaShawne Curtis

Vice-President: Stephanie Reynolds  

Co-Secretaries: Ian and Jade Spurgeon

Treasurer: Marie McCain

2500 Parkers Ln Alexandria, VA 22306  | Main Office: 703-660-2400
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