Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families, 

Happy 4^th quarter!  You can expect Quarter 3 report cards to be sent home with your child on Wednesday, April 20^th.  During the 4^th quarter, our school team works on preparation for next school year and in this week’s Hive Happenings there are two items we would like you to consider to help us.  First, included below is an optional Class Placement Input Form where you can provide us with any comments you would like regarding your child’s class placement for next school year.  Please complete this by May 4^th. See the section below for the link and more information.   Second, parents of rising 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students should begin considering whether or not your child would like to participate in strings (rising 4^th, 5^th, 6^th students) or band (rising 5^th, 6^th students) next year.  More information is provided below.

We’d like to thank our amazing PTA for our spring school assembly from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center. Our students and staff got to see a variety of wildlife up close and learn about their habitats and adaptations. Check out the photos below! 

Next week we will be celebrating Purple Up! Day on April 20^th. This day we encourage all students to wear purple to recognize all of our Military connected students and their families for their contribution to our community.  

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

• Class Placement Input Form for 2022-23 *NEW*
• Next Year Band/Strings Selection- Coming Soon! *NEW*
• Marshall Pyramid Art Show, 4/21/22 *NEW*
• Sign In/Sign Out Computer *NEW*
• Stenwood Counselors’ Parent Workshop Series *NEW*
• Lost and Found *REMINDER*
• SOL Dates for 3^rd - 6^th Graders *REMINDER*
• Positivity Project: Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
• Available Covid Vaccine Locations

Sincerely,

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

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

Class Placement Input Form for 2022-23

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 2022-23 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 the optional Class Placement Input Form by Wednesday, May 4^th 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.

Next Year Band/Strings Selection- Coming Soon!

It is time for us to start planning your child’s schedule for next school year! Your child’s weekly Specials schedule will include General Music, PE, and Art. In addition to all other Specials, students who choose to play an instrument will also have Band or Strings class once a week. This means ALL students currently in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade will be required to fill out the upcoming Band/Strings Enrollment Form. Below are the optional offerings available to your child for NEXT school year:

STRINGS - available to all 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders

• String Instrument choices: violin, viola, cello or double bass

BAND - available to all 5^th and 6^th graders – NOT available in 4^th grade

• Band Instrument choices: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, or percussion

In the next week or so, your child will see a live demonstration of instruments offered at Stenwood. If your child has not yet mentioned an interest in joining band or strings, now would be great time to start that conversation at home! After demonstrations, a separate email will be sent home with a link to the 2022-2023 Band/Strings Enrollment Form.

Current 4^th graders interested in joining Band next year will have the opportunity to try-out different band instruments on Wednesday, April 20^th. If you have concerns and/or do not wish for your child to participate in band instrument try-outs, please email our Band Director, Brad Zimmerman.

Music store information, instrument rental information and supply lists will be sent home after all students have submitted their selection. If you have any questions about the Strings or Band Programs here at Stenwood, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Stay tuned for more!

Kimberley Campbell, klcampbell@fcps.edu  

Stenwood Strings

Brad Zimmerman, bszimmerman@fcps.edu  

Stenwood Band

Marshall Pyramid Art Show

We would like to invite you to the Marshall Pyramid Art show.  It will be held on Thursday, April 21^st from 6:00 - 7:30pm at Marshall High School.  Some of our amazing Stingers artwork will be showcased!  

Student Sign In/Out Computer – New!

We have digitized our sign in and out process! Instead of using paper binders, we are now using a laptop. This will help to speed up arrivals and dismissals, save paper, and increase accuracy.

If you are picking up or dropping off multiple students, only one entry with all of their names is necessary.

A staff member will be happy to assist you.

Stenwood Counselors’ Parent Workshop Series: Managing Screen Time and Technology at Home

Please join our Stenwood counselors on Friday, April 29^th from 2:10 - 2:40pm for a session on Managing Screen Time and Technology at Home.  A zoom link will be included in next week’s Hive Happenings.  

These Parent Workshops will take place regularly on the last Friday of each month till the end of the school year on Zoom from 2:10-2:40pm, unless otherwise specified. We hope to see you there!

Lost and Found

As the weather gets warmer in the afternoons, our Lost and Found is growing.  Our amazing Photo Bees, with the help of Mrs. Krum, have digitally photographed the collection.  Here is a Lost and Found Video Slideshow of the items through last week.  If you see any items that belong to your family, please reach out to our Family Liaison, Maria Agha magha@fcps.edu with the item number(s) of the items you are missing and she will help return them to your family.  We will create a new video in May with items between now and then.  

SOL Dates for 3^rd-6^th Graders

Students in our school will be taking the SOL tests between May 3^rd and May 27^th. Here is the specific schedule for your child’s SOL tests:

Please notify Meredith Mitchell (mamitchell@fcps.edu) if you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in missing a SOL test day or if you have questions about state assessments.

Positivity Project:

Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

This week, we are focusing on the Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

"Better to be blind and see with your heart than to have two good eyes and see nothing.”

                                                          ~Helen Keller

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What do you think it means to see with your heart?
• Why do you think we fail to notice the beauty around us?
• What can you do to start noticing that beauty?

Available Covid Vaccine Clinics

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Assembly!

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

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
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