|
Upcoming Important Dates
|
|
January 15
|
Last day to provide feedback for Schoology Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Feedback Survey Please click the link to complete the survey.
|
|
January 18
|
No School - Martin Luther King, Jr Birthday - staff and student holiday
|
|
January 19
|
WIMS Catch Up Day #2 - Students will log into their ROCK Block at 7:30 for attendance and then throughout the day they may visit any teachers they need to speak with about work, assessments, and make-up assessments.
|
|
January 20
|
No School - Inauguration Day - staff and student holiday
|
|
January 22
|
Last Day of Second Quarter - 2-hour early dismissal - classes end at 12:15. See schedule below.
|
|
January 25
|
Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
|
|
Now - Jan 29
|
Optional Safe and Caring Schools Training for all Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
To open an account and begin the course:
- Go to http://kognitocampus.com
- Select “Don’t have an account? Click here”
- Use the following Enrollment Key: fcpsparentcaregiver2020
|
|
February 1
|
TJHSS&T Application Window Opens 8:00AM
|
 |
Help Recognize Outstanding Employees
Each year, school staff nominates individuals to represent their school for the FCPS “Outstanding Employee Awards,” (see above article about Mr. Spero success in last year’s competition). This year we have already submitted Irving’s nomination packets for Outstanding Principal (Ms. Conley), Outstanding Teacher (Ms. Jenny Hay), and Outstanding Professional Employee (Ms. Emily Geary). We have three more Irving staff members that represent different categories in the county-wide competition. Their nomination applications are not due until the first of February.
If you have been impressed with your interactions with the following employees, please click on the corresponding links to provide your comments and compliments about them. Your comments will be used to complete their nomination packet for the Award. Thank you in advance for letting the rest of the county know what good people we have working at Irving MS!
Thank you for your input!
Mary Ann Monk, Irving Awards Liaison Volunteer
Using FCPS Service Learning to Honor the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Even during COVID-19, students are finding incredible ways to serve their communities either virtually or while practicing social distancing and following CDC guidelines. The upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday weekend is a great opportunity to connect students with impactful service opportunities while also teaching students about the life and legacy of Dr. King.
In partnership with FCPS and Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Volunteer Fairfax will begin offering virtual, family-friendly service learning activities on January 16. To learn more about the MLK, Jr., Weekend of Service and the specific service activities, visit Volunteer Fairfax’s website for more information.
Additional Websites:
Food For Neighbors Day of Service page: https://www.foodforneighbors.org/home/day-of-service/
National Day of Service website: https://bideninaugural.org/day-of-service/
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Admissions
The application window for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will open on February 1, 2021 at 8:00AM and close on February 26, 2021 at 4:00PM.
Please visit www.tjadmissions.org to submit your application and view the updated calendar.
Library News
AFTER HOURS Curbside Pickup: Regular Curbside Pickup hours WILL NOT be held on Monday because of the holiday. This Tuesday, January 19th, we will provide AFTER HOURS Curbside Pickup of library books from 4 until 6 pm. If you and your child cannot easily make it to the school on Monday afternoons to pick up items, now is your chance to get books after work hours. Students reserve books by placing them on hold in the library catalog. Here is a link to a how-to video, explaining about AFTER HOURS Pickup. The deadline for placing books on hold is Monday by midnight. If you need help placing the holds, please email Ms. Monk or Mrs. Gawalt by clicking on our names below; we’re happy to help.
Please return any FCPS Library Book to its “Home School:” We are still missing many books that were borrowed last school year and never returned; this is true for our feeder elementary schools as well. If you have FCPS library books in your home, under beds, in the backs of mini-vans, etc., please return them to their home schools. Books may be dropped off at Irving MS any weekday from the hours of 8 until 2, by coming to the school’s main entrance. We would like to know which books are really LOST so that we can order replacements. We don’t want to waste money buying a new copy of a book that is simply sitting in a home, gathering dust. We need your help with this! Thank you!
Readers Unite Book Club just finished its second novel of the school year and will select a third book this week. We’ll not meet on 1/20 because of the Inauguration Holiday, but will discuss the first part of a new book on 1/27. It is a perfect time for new students to join. Students who are interested in joining can find the join link for “Readers Unite” in the After School Program’s website. The club meets from 2:30-3:30 on Wednesdays through the Blackboard Collaborate link available in the Readers Unite Group page.
--Ms. Monk & Mrs. Gawalt
Technology News
Digital Resource Parent Permission: Action Item
Thanks to all parents/guardians who have given permission for their child to use digital resources that require parent consent. If you have not yet provided consent for your child to use these digital resources, please use the links to read more and to give your consent today. Thank you!
Link to the Parent Permission Form ｜ Link to Irving MS Digital Resources
Healthy Minds Podcast: New Year, New Outlook
Being apart from each other hasn’t been easy for anyone. Listen to Fairfax County Public Schools’ Healthy Minds podcast to hear how we are all handling uncertainty, get new ideas how to help your child, friends and families feel better, and learn about how to help yourself feel stronger and more energized. If you need a little help to feel ok, it’s ok- the Healthy Minds podcast is here for you.
Digital Citizenship Series Part 1: How to Find Balance with Technology
When technology becomes the primary place for school and connecting with others, what does it look like to set boundaries? The FCPS Parent Resource Center presents How to Find Balance with Technology. Tammi Sisk and Erika Deem discuss ways to stay connected with the world and how to get back on track when it goes too far.
Talking to Kids About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol
In this article from Common Sense Media, Diane Jones Lowrey discusses the challenges parents and caregivers face when talking with children about disturbing events. Lowrey provides age-based tips and questions to support families in having these difficult conversations.
Student Laptop Health
This is a reminder that students should shut down their laptop at the end of each day, plug it in, and then use the power button to turn on each morning prior to the start of school. On Tuesdays, it is recommended that students leave their laptop on but in sleep-mode and plugged in overnight. Then, restart on Wednesday morning to ensure it receives Microsoft updates.
If your student’s laptop runs slow or experiences network issues, it might be a good idea for you to drive to any FCPS school parking lot with the school laptop, connect to the FCPS WiFi (“Fairfax”) and restart/login two times while accessing the FCPS network. You do not need to enter the building to do this. You can stay in your car for this entire process, which will allow FCPS updates to push to the school laptop. Please contact tech support with any school laptop or account issues. https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/
After School Program
Due to our school schedule next week, there will be no after school activities on Monday 1/18, Wednesday 1/20, and Friday 1/22. There will be clubs as regularly scheduled on Tuesday 1/19 and Thursday 1/21.
If your child is interested in joining one of our clubs, please have them visit the After School Program Student Website in the All Students Course in Schoology. If your child needs help signing up for a club, check out this video tutorial! Tutorial for Accessing the Irving After School Program Student Website
Club Schedule
To view the weekly club schedule, click here.
Questions about After School? Please email Emily Geary (emgeary@fcps.edu)
News from your PTA
The PTA is working with the SCA leaders to determine an upcoming family activity - think Trivia Night, virtual game night, or virtual bingo - and maybe a talent show - so stay tuned!
Amazon Smiles: Please consider signing up to support the Washington Irving PTA through AmazonSmile with your purchases year round at no additional cost to you! Just go to https://smile.amazon.com/ and choose "Washington Irving Middle PTA".
For any questions, comments or ideas, please contact us at IrvingMSPTA@gmail.com.
If you haven't joined the PTA yet, you can do that on our MemberHub site here.
We hope to see you online at the next PTA meeting on February 3rd!
|
