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Dear Stenwood Families,
Happy Administrative Professionals day to our amazing front office staff: Nora Marrero, Sonja Hunt, and Brian Spector! We are so grateful for each of them and the work they do to make sure everything runs smoothly at Stenwood!
Thank you for your cooperation through the transition this week of returning our in-person learners to 4 days/week of in-person instruction. Much like a first week of school, we know there are some adjustments needed for transportation, our routines, and the schedule, but we feel after a few days in, our students and staff are settling into our new normal. Our cafeteria setup with the donated tray tables has been a huge success and we are very grateful for the ability to utilize this space as efficiently as possible in order to maximize our capacity for students eating 6 feet apart. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and our community for supporting us through this transition.
One area that we anticipated would have increased logistical challenges is our Kiss N Ride area and our walkers. If you are dropping off your child using the Kiss N Ride loop, please be mindful of our walkers and their safety as well as the other drivers. We have always asked that drivers turn right off of Carnegie and exit by turning right onto Carnegie for the safety of our walkers and to expedite the Kiss N Ride process.
On Wednesday, we honored all our children of Military Families through Purple Up! Thank you to all of our military families for your service and for sharing your children with us.
We know that with the conviction of Derek Chauvin there have been a lot of families that have used that as a renewed opportunity to engage in conversations about race and equity. FCPS Equity Team shared two resources that have great tips and resources to support those conversations. Learning for Justice and Facing History have specific resources relating to talking about the verdict.
Earlier this week, we shared an eNotify email that offered you an opportunity to give some input regarding your child’s class placement for next school year. Please see the section below and submit any feedback you may have before May 3rd.
Virtual families, we will have another learning materials pick up on Monday, April 26th from 2:00 - 4:00pm. Please plan on driving through Stenwood’s Kiss N Ride loop during this time to pick up your child’s packet. Kindergarten virtual families, this month’s packet includes materials needed for your child’s upcoming VKRP assessment; please make sure you pick up the packet so your child’s teacher can conduct their assessments.
Finally, we received inquiries from some of you based on social media posts regarding an incident that reportedly took place on Tuesday around 1 pm. The incident involved a misdemeanor assault of an adult female.
Please be assured that Police contact FCPS whenever there is an issue that is of any public safety threat to students or staff.
As the incident on Tuesday was off school property, not during dismissal time, and following a thorough check of the area, Police did not perceive it to impact our school. If you have any questions about the incident you can reach out directly to the police department.
In today’s newsletter:
- Class Placement Input for 2021-22 School Year (*NEW*)
- Head Start Applications for 2021-22 School Year (*NEW*)
- SOL Schedule
- Resources for Families
- Employment Opportunity: Work for FCPS
- Positivity Project: Purpose/Connection
- Summer Book Fair! (*NEW*)
- Curbside Library Checkout
- Library Mystery Bags
- Don't Forget to Return Your Library Books
- Moving Over the Summer? (*NEW*)
- Grab and Go & Meal Kit Sites
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Twitter @esriley1
Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP
Class Placement Input for 2021-22 School Year
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. If you know that your family will not be joining us for the 2021-22 school year, please reach out to Mrs. Hunt, snhunt@fcps.edu or 703-208-7600 to let us know.
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 OPTIONAL form online by Monday, May 3rd for it to be taken into consideration. There is no need to complete the form if you do not have any information you would like us to consider. Thank you.
Head Start Applications for 2021-22 School Year
- FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2021-22! Please watch this video to see if your 3 or 4 year old may qualify for PreK. To apply online: www.fcps.edu search: PreK Email: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu
For more information call our English Line: 703-208-7900
- ¡FCPS PreK y Early Head Start ya está aceptando aplicaciones para el año escolar 2021-22! Por favor mire este video para ver si su hijo de 3 o 4 años puede calificar para PreK. Para aplicar en línea: www.fcps.edu busque: PreK Correo electrónico: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu
Para más información llame a la línea de español: 703-208-7901
SOL Schedule (3rd - 6th Grade Students)
All participating 3rd - 6th grade families should mark their calendars with the finalized SOL dates for the school year:
Resources for Families
Technology Resources
RTS Resources
Employment Opportunity: Work for FCPS!
FPCS is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers!
Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply here or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more! To sign up for a session, visit our substitute information page here. Say Yes 2 FCPS!
Positivity Project: Purpose/Connection
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This week, we are focusing on Purpose/Connection. You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
“Regardless of whatever I do, I know my purpose is to make a difference in people’s lives.”
~Tim Tebow
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Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- Do you ever wonder what your purpose is?
- What kind of person do you want to be? What things could you be doing now to enhance the life of those around you?
- What gifts, talents, and ideas do you have that you want to share?
Summer Book Fair!
Although CDC guidelines allow students in school, we still can’t have an in-person book fair. But don’t worry, you can still stock up on great books and educational games for the summer. We are again partnering with our local vendor, Bookworm Central to provide reading and learning opportunities over the summer break.
The book fair will officially open April 30th (just in time for Teacher Appreciation Week) and run through May 28. Please take time to explore our book fair and as always, please contact Mrs. Cole with any questions. |
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Curbside Library Checkout
Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!
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Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it! Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.
Click here for directions on how to put books on hold.
Need to return books? You may return library books on Mondays from 2:30-3:30PM. Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.
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Library Mystery Bags
Need new books? Not sure what to search for in the catalog? Well, look no further – Mrs. Cole to the rescue! Fill out the appropriate grade level form and she’ll put together a “Mystery Bag” for your child. It might be great, or maybe not – but trying new things is what education and reading are all about.
(Note: Separate forms for K-2 and Grades 3-6)
Grades K-2 "Library Mystery Bags"
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Please fill out this form (Gr K-2) if you would like to request a "Mystery Bag" from the Stenwood Library. The "Mystery Bag" will include 5 books selected by Mrs. Cole. It may include a combination of Picture books, "I Can Read" books, Quick Reads (early chapter books) and/or Nonfiction books. |
Grades 3-6 "Library Mystery Bags"
If you need inspiration, you can look at the included pictures and/or access the Library/Materials Schoology course for a look at previous years’ pumpkins. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole if you have any questions.
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Please fill out this form (Gr 3-6) if you would like to request a "Mystery Bag" from the Stenwood Library. The "Mystery Bag" will include 3 books selected by Mrs. Cole.
Remember, if you have a specific book you are looking for, please log into the Destiny Catalog to place a book on hold. (Directions are in your grade level folder here in the Library Course.)
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WAIT FOR AN EMAIL BEFORE COMING TO STENWOOD
TO PICK UP BOOKS.
If you have a Yahoo email account, please check your spam folder. Yahoo is blocking emails automatically generated by the library software. If you are concerned that you missed a pick up time, please contact Mrs. Cole.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.
Don’t Forget to Return Your Library Books!
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While Mrs. Cole is happy that students are getting books during virtual education, she’s really happy when they come back so other students can enjoy them! You can return books during curbside pickup. See information above. |
If your child doesn’t know what has been checked out, they can log into Destiny Discover and see what they have checked out. As always, contact Mrs. Cole with any questions you have.
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 and let her know your plans. Thank you! |
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Grab and Go Sites
Please note that new Meal Kit distribution sites have recently been added, which allows families to pick up a week’s worth of food every Wednesday from 8:00am - 12:30pm (while supplies last), so check here for a meal kit location near you.
Here is our local Grab and Go food distribution bus route:
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Breakfast and lunch meals are offered Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Breakfast and lunch are served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch are also offered at no cost to any student who attends in-person instruction at a school Monday-Friday. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are offered at sites and on bus routes every Friday. |
More information is available online here, or by calling the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year. Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year. The application is available HERE.
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