Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood families,

Thank you to all who were able to join our Principal’s Coffee on Wednesday!  We’ve missed our parents as much as our students, so it was a wonderful time to reconnect with our community.  The slide deck shared during this event (with annotation and responses to questions that were brought up during the session) is linked here for those who are interested.  Per a request from the session, we are also including the links to each of our staff members’ Appreciation Week FlipGrids below; you can continue to add your personalized videos and share your care for our wonderful staff! 

Normally at this time of year we would be working with the upper grade students to share exciting opportunities for the coming school year, including: SCA, Patrols, WSES News Crew, Media Crew, Sound Crew, and also our electives of Band and Strings.  Though the format to share these programs will look a little different, we are going to move forward with the application/decision process.  We decided to share all of these service activities  at the same time so your family can take some time to understand the options, responsibilities, and application requirements.  Below is a list of programs, sponsor contact information, descriptions, application form links, and due dates for applications. Additionally, our sponsors have created this Flipgrid (log in using your students’ fcpsschools.net gmail account) to share information regarding the roles and responsibilities required of each activity.  Please pay close attention to the grade level requirements as these are for our rising upper grade students.  Thank you in advance for reviewing this information with your child  and making the decision to apply together as a family.  We are requesting a response from ALL rising 4th, 5th, and 6th grade families on the Band/Strings form, as your family’s selection impacts your child’s Specials schedule here at school.

This weekend is the final weekend to complete the optional form to share pertinent information for next year’s class placements, please see the class placement section below.

Sincerely,

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu

The Online Book Fair is Here!

Our virtual Book Fair is now open! Running through May 27th, you can purchase books and educational games from our regular, local vendor, Bookworm Central.  To see what’s available and what’s on a teacher’s wish list, go to www.bookwormcentral.com.  IMPORTANT: make sure you enter our school code “stenwood” in the organization code box at the top.  Don’t forget, there is free shipping on all order over $20.  Let Mrs.Cole know what questions you have:  nhcole@fcps.edu.

Please Note:

• Bookworm Central is a local vendor that is intent on helping connect your children with great books.  Safety is paramount for their staff and for you.  At the warehouse, your orders are packed by team members practicing social distancing, always wearing gloves and masks, and continually disinfecting surface areas.
• Bookworm is only selling what is currently stocked in their warehouse, so please know titles may sell out.

Class Placements

If your child is returning to Stenwood next school year, we offer you the opportunity to share any comments you would like regarding class placements.

Our staff will be working on tentative class groupings this spring, with classroom assignments finalized in late August.  As we make these placements, we consider many factors including individual student information, teacher input, and social relationships.  Every class will have a blend of children with diverse needs, personalities, and learning interests.  Due to the many factors we must consider in creating classroom placements, including the reassignment of some teachers to a different grade level and the hiring of new teachers, requests for a specific teacher cannot be honored.

If you have information that you believe is pertinent to your child’s placement for next year, please complete this form online by Monday, May 18th for it to be taken into consideration. Thank you.

Applications for Service Activities and Electives

Parents of Current 3-5th Grade Students:  Please review the service activity opportunities with your child and take some time to understand the options, responsibilities, and application requirements.  Below is a list of programs, sponsor contact information, descriptions, application form links, and due dates for applications. Additionally, our sponsors have created this Flipgrid (log in using your students’ fcpsschools.net gmail account) to share information regarding the roles and responsibilities required of each activity.  

Please pay close attention to the grade level requirements as these are for our rising upper grade students.  Grade level teachers will also be sharing these opportunities during their live instructional sessions to ensure students understand the opportunities available to them.  Thank you in advance for reviewing this information with your child  and making the decision to apply together as a family.

Calling ALL Rising 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Families!

We need your child’s Band and/or Strings selection for next school year!  Your child’s choices will impact their Specials schedule, so even if your child chooses not to participate, we are requesting a response on the Band/ Strings Form by Friday, May 22nd.

Make sure your child checks out the live  information sessions on Tuesday and Thursday next week to learn more!

Staff Appreciation Week FlipGrid Videos

Our staff was overwhelmed with the heartfelt messages they received on their FlipGrids for Staff Appreciation Week! Thanks so much to our PTA for facilitating this special treat and keeping it a secret from our teachers- they were SO surprised!!!! Many have expressed interest in continuing to share the love, which is why we would like to share all of the links out the community.

Staff Appreciation FlipGrid Links

Flipgrid is a VERY easy recording platform. Once logged in, all you need to do is click on the link and press the GREEN plus sign.  The videos are limited to 2 minutes (your child does not need to record for two minutes!). The FlipGrid settings are such that only the staff member, Mrs. Riley, and Dr. Mitchell can view the video you upload.

How to Use FlipGrid:

To login you will click the link and  select “Log In with Google.” Your child will need to use their fcpsschools.net email and password to login.    Then just click on the green plus and leave a video!

Third Quarter Grading Timeline

• Grades are available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE for 3rd quarter.
• Report card mailings to all parents/guardians who have not opted into electronic delivery will be mailed out centrally from FCPS

New Ebooks Available in the Stenwood Library!

79 new ebooks have been added to the Stenwood catalog.  These books are for Stenwood students only.  In order to share the limited resources, students will be limited to two checkouts at a time for 10 days.  They will be able to renew if the book is not on hold.  Yes, students can put ebooks on hold.  Please click here for directions on accessing ebooks.  Directions are also in the grade level Specials Google Classroom.  As always, let Mrs. Cole know what questions you might have:  nhcole@fcps.edu.

Specialists’ Office Hours

Our Specials teachers are live with Office Hours! The link to their virtual classroom can be located in your child’s fcpsschools.net email account.  Please find their schedule below:

 Moving Over the Summer?

If your family is moving over the summer or will not be attending Stenwood next year, please contact our registrar, Sonja Hunt at snhunt@fcps.edu. Thank you!

Emotional and Mental Wellness Resources

The Parent Resource Center has a Padlet website for “Emotional and Mental Wellness Resources for Families” which has some helpful information.  If you feel it would be worthwhile sharing with families, here’s the link: https://padlet.com/valrieeisele/emotions 

Food Resources

FCPS continues to expand the number of locations for food sites.  Please use this link as it will continue to be updated. If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.

Distance Learning Packet Opt-Out

If you plan to access the learning packets online, you can choose to go paperless and opt out of receiving the mailed copies.

Positivity Project: #OtherPeopleMatter - Outro Week

This week, we were working on reviewing our year-long exploration of Character through the Positivity Project. During these last thirty-four weeks, we have learned that our character is a family of thoughts, feelings, and actions that are recognized and encouraged across our different cultures for the values they cultivate in people and society. Our character is complex. It is the combination of our thoughts, feelings and actions. Just like other things in our life, we have strengths and weaknesses of character as well.

“Character, not circumstance, makes the person.”

                                                                         ~ Booker T. Washington

As you spend time together at home, now and throughout the summer, consider the following questions:

• Why are our strengths important?
• How can knowing are weaknesses in character help us grow?
• How can you challenge yourself to be the best possible version of yourself?                      

We'd Love More Photos!

If you have pictures of your children to share through our Hive Happenings, please send them directly to Brian Spector (bmspector@fcps.edu).

Stay Connected Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES WEBSITE: Stenwood ES TWITTER: @StenwoodES FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
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