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Dear Stenwood Families,
Believe it or not, next week is the last week of the quarter! We are going to celebrate with Bee Kind Week. We strive to create a culture of kindness and respect every day here at Stenwood, but this week is a special time to talk with your child about how we should treat one another. Another amazing way for you and your Stinger to recognize this week is to donate to our canned food drive, which is organized by our SCA. See the sections below for more information and for the schedule of spirit days.
With the quarter ending on Friday, October 29th, there is also a 2 hour early release for all students. Our dismissal time will be at 1:20pm on this day. There are student holidays on Monday, November 1st and Tuesday, November 2nd, while teachers are conducting parent teacher conferences. We hope you have signed up for a time to connect and partner with your child’s teacher.
This week, Superintendent Scott Brabrand presented the School Board with FCPS’ plans for the rollout of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for our students aged 5-11. The combination of screening testing and the expansion of vaccination to elementary school students are both aimed at keeping schools and offices safe places to learn and work this year. For more information on both practices, please read the attached School Board notes . FCPS will continue to provide updates, so stay tuned to this communication.
We would also like to share a tremendous thank you to our PTA and you all for supporting the Help the Hive drive! Our PTA is treating our students to a popsicle party on Tuesday, October 26th next week to celebrate how close we are to our final goal. Please reach out to your child’s teacher directly with food or dietary restrictions before Tuesday. We hope the success of the drive continues so that we might end our fundraising efforts with a wacky principal stunt!
Here are some additional items included in today’s newsletter:
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Twitter @esriley1
Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP
Bee Kind Week
Thank you to our school counselors for organizing another Bee Kind Week! Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week are dress related spirit days so read below for how to show your spirit!
Federal Impact Aid Form - Please Return
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FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid by November 5. Returning this form is really important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grant funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all FCPS schools and centers—but only if you complete the form. |
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the boxes in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 5. All results are confidential.
SCA Canned Food Drive
Please help support Stenwood's SCA Canned Food Drive, now through October 29th. Bring in canned and packaged foods for those in need. |
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Items will be collected in the classroom, then brought down to the cafeteria where they will be boxed up and shared with a local food bank. Our students are running this drive, therefore, for their safety, we request that you not send in glass.
Thank you for supporting our neighbors!
Make-Up Picture Day November 10th!
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More information to come! |
BUY YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY!!!
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Yearbooks are sold ONLY online; they can be purchased for $16.25 using a credit card or PayPal account. Yearbooks and order options will be delivered to the school at the end of the school year. |
Simply go to yearbookforever.com and enter our school name.
DEADLINE IS January 14th, 2022 FOR ALL YEARBOOK ORDERS.
Employment Opportunity: Work for FCPS
Employment opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools
FCPS schools and centers is hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person additional supervision to students both in the classroom and at lunch. If you would like more information about the position, please review the job description and qualifications if interested. Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested. Click here to apply.
FPCS is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers!
Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Visit our substitute information page here. Say Yes 2 FCPS!
FCPS is also still hiring bus drivers!
Visit the Bus Driver information page for more information.
Daily Symptom Check
Parents are asked to screen their children every morning before sending them to school. If you have any questions about whether your child is able to come to school based on symptoms or exposure, please call the office.
- Feeling feverish and/or having chills – documented temperature of 100.4°F or higher?
- Has there been any use of fever reducing medication within the last 24 hours?
- A new cough that is not due to another health condition?
- Nasal congestion or runny nose?
- New shortness of breath or difficulty breathing that is not due to another health condition?
- New chills that are not due to another health condition?
- A new sore throat that is not due to another health condition?
- New muscle aches that are not due to another health condition, or that may have been caused by a specific activity (such as physical exercise)?
- Fatigue (more tired than usual)?
- Headache?
- A new loss of taste or smell?
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting?
- New onset of poor appetite or poor feeding?
- Have you had a positive test for the virus that causes COVID-19 disease within the past 10 days?
- Were you currently tested for COVID-19 because you were sick and are still waiting for the lab results?
- In the past 14 days, have you had close contact (within about 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19?
Persons who have been fully vaccinated and are identified as a close contact to a COVID case do NOT need to quarantine if they meet the following criteria:
- Fully vaccinated
- ≥14 days since last dose
- Asymptomatic
You can view and print a hard copy of this screening at this link: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/HealthScreeningQuestionnaire.pdf
Mask Reminders
Please make sure you check the fit of your child’s mask, especially around your child’s nose. If your child’s mask is not fitting tightly around their nose, please look for another mask that fits them more appropriately. Here is FCPS guidance on masks:
- Approved types of masks:
- Disposable masks, cloth mask coverings, gaiters, clear masks and cloth masks with clear plastic panel
- All face coverings/masks must meet the following requirements:
- Face coverings/masks that fit properly (snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face)
- Face covering/mask with two (2) or more layers of non-woven material
- Face coverings/Masks that are not recommended:
- Face coverings/masks that do not fit properly (large gaps, too loose or too tight)
- Face coverings/masks or gaiters with one layer
- Face coverings/masks with exhalation valves or vents
If your child is wearing a mask that does not fit well, they may be offered an alternative mask from a staff member.
Storybook Pumpkin Festival!
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Now is the time for students to share their love of books by decorating a pumpkin as a favorite storybook character. Students can decorate a pumpkin (one small enough for them to carry) and bring it to the library anytime between October 18-29 where it will be on display for all to see. |
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Students should also include a “clue card” with 3 clues for everyone to guess the character. On the reverse-side of the card should be the answer along with the student’s name. You can find the official guidelines and a slide show of previous years pumpkins in the Library Schoology Course.
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PS…please don’t carve the pumpkins! As always, contact Mrs. Cole with any questions you might have. |
Positivity Project: Creativity
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This week, we are focusing on Creativity. You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things. |
“Creative people do not see things merely for what they are; they see them for what they can be.”
~Julie Israel
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- How can creativity benefit your relationships with others?
- What is a way you can improve your ability to be more creative?
- How can you practice creativity every day?
Activating Your SIS ParentVUE Account
The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.
Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.
Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.
Many of our Stenwood families have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):
- Select the “Forgot Password” button.
- Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.
- More information is available here.
Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account. If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Sonja Hunt (snhunt@fcps.edu ) or Brian Spector (bmspector@fcps.edu).
Please take action now to ensure your account is active, so that you won’t miss a beat!
Tech Resource: Stenwood Stingers YouTube Channel!
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The Stenwood Stingers YouTube Channel is a great resource for all your tech questions! |
School Meals and
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
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Each student is eligible for one no-cost breakfast and one no-cost lunch each school day. Check out the FCPS school meals menus. If your student would like to purchase additional meals or a la carte items, they will need to pay. An additional meal is $4.50. |
The best way to purchase items this year is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account and help them memorize their pin. If you have questions about MySchoolBucks, our front office staff can help.
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 21-22 school year. While a school breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost this school year, your family may benefit from keeping your application up to date. The application is available HERE.
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