Weekly Update from Irving MS

Dr. Brabrand stopped by Irving Middle School on the First Day of School!

Here he is with Mrs. Hay’s class. Ms. Hay is the FCPS Secondary Teacher of the Year!

Label Everything with Your Child’s Name!

We are already experiencing things being left behind in classes and during lunch. To ensure you are getting your belongings back home each day, it is VERY important that you LABEL EVERYTHING! If there is a name on an item, it is much easier to get things back to the correct student. 

As we get into fall and winter weather (it will eventually get here), please be sure to label your child’s jackets, coats, hats, and any other outerwear they will bring to school. Many students will have the same jackets - so a label makes identifying who an item belongs to so much easier. Please LABEL EVERYTHING!

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

This year breakfast and lunch are free to all students. However, if your family qualifies for Free or Reduced Lunch, it is important to still complete the application so that families are able to qualify for the other free or reduced fees, such as student fees for supplies for elective classes.

• The free and reduced meals application includes an online application for parents/guardians to submit the application electronically for faster processing.
• The online free and reduced meals application is available in the following languages (to change the language of the application click on the Language link in the top right of the screen):
• English
• Spanish
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Tagalog
• French
• Vietnamese
• Korean

• The online application can be completed on mobile devices.
• If an email address is provided, notification will be e-mailed regarding approval.

To access the form, please click the following link: English Application

Lunch Information

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE to all students this school year. To ensure students are selecting everything available to them, please see the graphic below showing what students may select for breakfast and lunch. There are limited additional items available for purchase during lunch in the cafeteria, however the main Breakfast and Lunch with sides for both remain free to all students.

Technology

It has been a busy week of distributing laptops to students and ensuring they are connected to Schoology and Google! While there is no fee to borrow the laptop, we do ask that students carry their laptop in their backpack when walking in the halls and to avoid eating and drinking near the laptop. Students should notify a staff member if the laptop is not working properly as soon as possible. Families will be required to pay for missing or damaged laptops, so please remind your child to handle their laptop with care. Should there be an issue with a student’s laptop while using it, please submit a Parent or Student Support Ticket. 

If you choose to bring in a personal computing device, please know that FCPS staff cannot trouble shoot the computer if it is not working correctly, the device may not connect to all programs used by FCPS, and Irving Middle School staff are not responsible for lost or damaged family owned computers. To opt out of using a FCPS-issued laptop, complete the opt-out form and turn it into a staff member.

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

All students will be participating in a virtual Students’ Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) presentation during ROCK Block (advisory) on 8/31, facilitated by Mr. Spear and Mrs. Cincinnati. Today students viewed the school division’s SR&R update video. To learn more about the SR&R and access the full guide and/or the quick guide, please click HERE.

Student Lockers

A reminder that student hall lockers are available by request only this year. Students whose parents/guardians requested a locker will receive their locker assignment during the week of 8/30-9/3 from Student Services.  If you did request a locker, please remind your child it is very important to completely close and lock the locker after every use and never share their locker combination with anyone. It is also important to take all lunch boxes and food/drink containers home every day. 

All students have been assigned a PE locker and will receive an Orchestra or Band locker for their instrument. 

If you have not already requested a locker and would like to, please complete this form. Please DO NOT request a locker if you have already requested a locker for this year.

Away for the Day

Irving MS will be an Away for the Day School again this year. Students will be required to turn phones/electronic devices off and keep them in their backpacks from 7:30-2:15.

•  Returning to school in the building provides an opportunity to reacclimate to school, peers, and communicating in person. We found students were more successful and focused in school with the implementation of Away from the Day two years ago and look forward to more success with this program again this year.

Schoology

Irving MS was a pilot school for Schoology during the 2020-2021 school year. The program is user friendly and provides parents/guardians the ability to keep up with students assignments and due dates. If you would like to familiarize yourself with Schoology, please take a look at these resources.

Securing Bikes

If your child rides a bike to school, please ask them to secure their bike to one of the two bike racks in front of the school. To continue positive relationships with the communities surrounding Irving Middle School, we ask that students not attach their bikes to any fences on a person’s private property. 

News from Your PTA

The Back to School Breakfast was a great success! Thank you for helping to welcome back our amazing teachers and staff! Your support was greatly appreciated.

Now's your chance to join the PTA! Connect with other Irving families and support our teachers and staff. Stay informed of events and resources. Make a difference in the Irving community by sharing your voice and volunteering your time. Join here!

Spirit-wear will be available to order around Aug. 27. We don’t keep inventory on hand, so don’t miss your first chance to grab some Irving gear!

Mark your calendars for Sept. 14 at 7pm – the first PTA meeting of the school year!

Find us on Facebook! Washington Irving Middle School PTA

Thank you for your support of your PTA - every child, one voice!  For questions or comments, you can always email us directly IrvingMSPTA@gmail.com.

8100 Old Keene Mill Springfield, VA 22152  | Main Office: 703-912-4500
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