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Dear Stenwood Families,
This week was National School Counseling Week! A very special thank you to our amazing school counselors, Anoma Hapangama and Tammy Berick. We are so lucky to have the best of the best here at Stenwood and are grateful for the countless ways they support our students.
Thank you so much to our awesome PTA, especially Mrs. Bysura who coordinated such a fun family paint night! We loved spending the night painting together! Send us your pictures so we can see all of the creations.
Here are some additional items included in today’s newsletter:
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Twitter @esriley1
Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP
February is Black History Month!
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In February, people all over the United States celebrate Black History Month—because Black history is American history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Black and African American people year-round, and Black History Month is one opportunity to honor these diverse and important stories. |
We will be having classroom learning experiences related to Black History Month across all our grade levels and hope your family also gets involved in learning more about this important history. Looking for somewhere to start? Check out the Fairfax County Black / African American Experience project webpage.
Spring and Class Picture Day- Wed 2/16
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Next week is our Spring Picture Day and we have once again partnered with Victor O'Neil Studios. We will have individual pictures and class pictures on Wednesday 2/16. Club and candid photos will be taken on Tuesday 2/15. |
We will notify you with a link to order once the photos are processed.
Understanding ESSER III Funding’s Impact on Student Success
Last fall, FCPS received $188.6 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding. These funds have helped us safely reopen our schools and to keep them open. We have also been able to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students. If you are not familiar with ESSER III, here are a few things you should know about how it impacts student success. ESSER III focus areas include:
- Prevention and mitigation strategies to help keep schools open and safe for students and staff.
- Academic intervention services, such as our hourly intervention teachers who provide academic support during the school day, before and after-school intervention, and the summer learning programs.
- Professional development to ensure our schools are welcoming and culturally responsive to all students and families.
- Multilingual engagement to ensure information is accessible to all families.
- Additional support for students’ social emotional needs.
There will be two opportunities for you to tell us how well FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements around a safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of learning. Please stay tuned for details! Visit the ESSER III webpage for more information.
2022 - 23 Kindergarten Registration
It is already that time of year to start planning for next year. Our Kindergarten registration for rising kindergarteners for the 2022-23 school year is now open. Please use the online portal to submit your initial information and Mrs. Hunt will follow up with you. |
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If you have a child at home who will be five by September 30, please start your registration now. If you have any neighbors with little ones, please send this information to them as well.
*NEW INFORMATION* Yesterday, we sent out the Kindergarten Parent Orientation information to all families who have let Mrs. Hunt know that they have a rising kindergartener. If you did not receive it, please reach out to Mrs. Hunt. The virtual Parent Orientation will be held on March 3rd at 2:30 on Zoom. The link is in the email and will be posted on our school website on March 3rd.
2022-23 FCPS Calendar Approved
 The 2022-23 school year calendar was approved at the January 27 School Board Meeting. This calendar focuses on instruction, and student and operational needs. The calendar is aligned with neighboring school districts and adds additional key observance days.
To find out more about next year’s school calendar, visit the FCPS website.
Review of LA Resources
 Parents, students, and community members have a unique opportunity to help FCPS select important learning resources. These reviews do not happen frequently, so selected resources will be in classrooms for years and are a significant financial investment.
Resources for elementary language arts are being reviewed through February 28. Interested individuals can review and provide feedback on digital resources online. Physical texts can be reviewed at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center in the lobby. Please ask about the books at the reception desk from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. In-person review hours will be extended to 7 p.m. on February 3, 10, 17, and 24. You are encouraged to review both sets of resources for the full catalog of resources under review. Learn more about the elementary language arts resource review here.
Optional Screening Testing for Students
FCPS is partnering with LongView International Technology Solutions, Inc. (LTS) to provide testing services for students.
Currently, optional screening testing for Stenwood students takes place on Fridays from 8:45 - 9:30am at 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.
Drive Thru Covid Testing - Six FCPS Sites
 Starting back up next week, students may obtain COVID-19 diagnostic testing at six drive-through sites in Fairfax County. Diagnostic testing is provided for anyone who has symptoms or is identified as a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
COVID-19 testing helps us reduce the virus’ spread and keep our schools safe places for all students to learn. I encourage you to utilize our new diagnostic testing services as needed.
Appointments are not required for diagnostic testing but families must register in the secure online portal. When you register and provide consent for your child to be tested, they will also be added toStenwood’s screening testing pool. If you do not wish for them to be part of the weekly screening testing pool, simply log back into the online portal after your child’s test is complete and withdraw consent.
More information about diagnostic and screening testing, including site locations and schedules, is available on our website.
Vaccine Availability for Children Ages 5-11
 The Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools are hosting free COVID-19 vaccine clinics at 10 schools for students 5-11 years of age. Children do not need to be an FCPS student to attend these clinics. Vaccines will not be available for those 12 years and older. Children must be accompanied by a parent or another responsible adult at all community vaccination sites.
The Fairfax County Health Department’s webpage has information about the clinics and resources for finding and scheduling a vaccine appointment. Up-to-date information about vaccination opportunities is available on our website
Positivity Project: Love
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This week, we are focusing on Love. You value close relationships with others and being close to people. |
“Love and compassion are necessities not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
~Dalai Lama
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- Why do you think defining love can be so difficult?
- Are there times when love is difficult to give others?
- Why do you think it’s often difficult to demonstrate love to our families and/or friends?
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