Stenwood Hive Happenings


Hive Happenings Newsletter


Dear Stenwood Families,

We were honored to celebrate our community’s veterans on Thursday during our Veterans Day Drive Thru event.  See the pictures below of our wonderful SCA honoring their service! Please also check out the pictures from our second session of Raptor Assemblies - thank you to the PTA for providing this amazing enrichment experience for our students’ benefit.

There are a few sections in today’s newsletter that are important to note.  First, all families of non-vaccinated children were sent a link today to opt in to COVID screening testing that will take place weekly here at school.  If you do not want your child to participate, no action is needed as this is opt in only.  This service contracted by FCPS is intended to help keep our school community safe.  Secondly, a deadline is quickly approaching for Advanced Academic Program referrals for Level IV services.  Please see both sections below for further information.

Here are some additional items included in today’s newsletter:

  • Optional Screening Testing for Students Not Fully Vaccinated *NEW*
  • Advanced Academic Programs- Deadline 12/15 *NEW*
  • Vaccine Availability for Children Ages 5-11 *REMINDER*
  • Notes About Book Fair Next Week (November 15th - 19th*NEW*

  • PTA Meeting & Reflections Art Showcase *NEW*
  • Square 1 Art! *NEW*
  • Yearbook - Ordering Now Open, Deadline 1/14/22  *REMINDER*
  • FCPS is Hiring - Monitors, Subs, Bus Drivers *REMINDER*
  • Positivity Project: Gratitude
  • Daily Symptom Check *REMINDER*
  • Mask Reminders *REMINDER*
  • Tech Resource: Stenwood Stingers YouTube Channel!
  • School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications

We’re excited to kick off our Book Fair next week AND our SCA will continue their generosity through their sponsorship of a Winter Mittens/Gloves/Hats Drive for our neighboring school, Graham Road Elementary School.  We hope to see you around Stenwood to purchase some books next week and that you’ll also consider helping our greater community through this drive.

 

Sincerely,

 

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

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP


Optional Screening Testing for Students Not Fully Vaccinated

Optional COVID-19 screening testing will begin the week of November 15 for students who are not fully vaccinated. FCPS is partnering with LongView International Technology Solutions, Inc. (LTS) to provide testing services for students. 

Optional screening testing for Stenwood students will take place on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11am at school. Staff at our school will work with all students to ensure they are scheduled to access COVID testing with LTS during the timeframe they are scheduled to be at our school.

One-time parent/legal guardian consent is required to begin COVID screening testing for a student to be tested at school. You may withdraw your consent for testing at any time. If you want your child to begin participating in COVID-19 screening testing, you must pre-register your child(ren) and provide consent using the LTS secure online portal. If you do not want your child to participate in COVID-19 screening testing, no action is required. You will have the option each week to update your child’s vaccination and consent for testing.

For all the details about optional COVID-19 screening testing, visit the FCPS website and review the FCPS COVID-19 Screening Testing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.

Screening testing is a recommended layered prevention strategy that keeps Stenwood safe for in-person learning. Thank you for considering enrolling your child. 


Advanced Academic Programs - Deadline 12/15

Level IV AAP Referrals for placement in the 2022-2023 school year are due no later than December 15, 2021. Referrals can be submitted to the office or electronically emailed to Kaleigh Hartman at kkhartman@fcps.edu any time between now and December 15th. If submitted electronically, you will receive an email confirmation from Mrs. Hartman within 48 business hours. Contact her if you have not received a confirmation.

 Level IV Referral Form and Parent/Guardian Questionnaire can be found here.

  • Parents may submit up to 2 – 8.5 x 11 single sided pages of work samples. It is recommended that parents write a brief description on the sample.

Vaccine Availability for Children Ages 5-11

Where To Get a Pediatric Vaccine

VaxUpVax

FCPS is encouraging all parents whose children are eligible to get vaccinated. We know that vaccination is the way out of this pandemic and we are asking you to help us continue to make our schools as safe as they possibly can be.

The Fairfax County Health Department’s webpage has resources for finding and scheduling a vaccine appointment. Up-to-date information about vaccination opportunities is available on our website

We know you may have questions about the vaccine. Last week, we shared a video of local pediatricians explaining vaccine safety. This week, they offer tips for preparing your child for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.


Notes About Book Fair Next Week

(November 15th - 19th)

We are so excited that the book fair is back in person!  Seeing students excited about getting books is always the best.  And did you know that the book fair is a fundraiser for the library?  Mrs. Cole gets a portion of all sales which she uses to buy more books for the library – it’s a win-win for all.

Book Fair
  • Volunteers – we still need you, no experience necessary!  Please consider signing up to help, it’s always a good time.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044da8ac2da46-2021
  • Parent Purchase Time – we will have limited opportunities for parents to sign up to come into the library after school to purchase books for students.  You must sign up in advance. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044da8ac2da46-fall2
  • Back Orders – in the past, we’ve been able to place an order for books that have sold out.  Due to supply chain issues, that may not be possible this year.  If your student is purchasing books from the fair, please make sure they have alternate titles.
  • Schoology - information about the book fair and the student buying schedule can be found in the Library Schoology Course

As always, contact Mrs. Cole with any questions you might have.


PTA Meeting & Reflections Art Showcase

art show

We invite all our students, staff and their families to our Stinger Reflections Art Showcase after Tuesday's PTA meeting! Join us as our Stingers share their beautiful expressions and reflections on the theme "I Will Change the World By…" 

The PTA meeting begins at 7:00 pm and the presentation will begin around 7:30 pm.


Square 1 Art!

Square 1

Look for your child's personalized Square 1 Art catalog coming home early next week! During art class, your child has designed their own masterpiece that you can order on mugs, bags, cards, and more -- each purchase supports the Stenwood Art Department. Paper orders are due by Monday, Nov 22nd (online or phone orders can be submitted through Saturday, Nov 27th). Purchases will be distributed in December (stay tuned for details from the PTA).


BUY YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY!!!

Yearbook

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.


Positivity Project: Gratitude

PP

This week, we are focusing on Gratitude. You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

 

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.”  

                                                          ~Robert Holden

 

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

  • What are the easiest things to be grateful for? What are the most difficult?
  • What are some benefits of gratitude?
  • How does it make you feel to think that others are grateful for you?

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.  


Tech Resource: Stenwood Stingers YouTube Channel!

YouTube

The Stenwood Stingers YouTube Channel is a great resource for all your tech questions!


School Meals and

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications

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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Owl Pictures

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HH Veteran's Day Picture

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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

SM