Principal's Message - 9/18/22

Parents and Families, 

It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night on Thursday evening. We look forward to a continued partnership this school year. 

If you were unable to attend, my Welcome Message and our parent resources from this evening can be found on our website at https://stonems.fcps.edu/back-to-school-night

If you have feedback about this event, please submit it here.

Thank you,

Sonya Williams, Principal


Attendance Awareness Month

AttendanceAwareness

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include: 

  • Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? View this morning checklist, available in English or Spanish.)
  • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
  • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
  • When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.

Visit our website for more attendance resources. Attend today, Achieve Tomorrow!


Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Check out these great reads for Hispanic Heritage Month. Students can stop by the Stone Library to check one out! 

A few of our Stone staff and students shared their favorite hispanic foods. Check it out here!


Virginia Growth Assessment Parent Notice

VGA Testing

Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) is a new test required for students in grades 3-8. The state legislature introduced this requirement to measure student growth and progress within the school year in reading and mathematics.

For Fall 2022, the VGA primarily covers content standards for the reading or mathematics course the student is taking this year, including advanced mathematics courses up through pre algebra. However, students enrolled in a high school level math course will not take a VGA in mathematics.  There is no “passing” or “failing” outcome for the VGA. Results will provide a starting point to measure growth and will offer information about areas of strength and areas for growth in reading and mathematics.

Students enrolled in grades 3-8 will generally take an assessment in both reading and mathematics.

However, elementary and middle school students enrolled in a high school credit-bearing math course, such as Algebra 1, will not take a VGA for mathematics.  

The following points may help you and your student better understand this assessment.

  • VGA must be taken in-person at school.
  • This online, computer-adaptive test is about half as long as the spring SOL test.
  • Questions use Standards of Learning (SOL)-like items to measure current knowledge and skills in the content area.
  • Student results will be used to help school staff plan for instruction and support.

Across Fairfax County, elementary and middle schools will give students the VGA in September or October. Stone Middle School will be administering this assessment on September 28th (Math) and September 29th (Reading) from 7:30am-9am.  Please try to ensure your child arrives at school on time and with a charged laptop.

If you have questions about this state assessment for your student, please contact Jennifer Wiemann, Student Testing Coordinator.


Welcome to Stone!

WelcometoStone

We would like to welcome Mr. Daniel Brown to our English 8 team and Stone family. Mr. Brown has been teaching since 2009 and his experiences have involved teaching communication in some form. This year he is excited to have the chance to help his students grow in the ways that they assess, process, and provide information.

He shares that, "the opportunity to teach is one that I don’t take lightly, and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of his students over the coming year."

Welcome, Mr. Brown!


Westfield Dance Team Opportunity

WHS Dance Team

Westfield High School Dance Team Fall Clinic will be held on Sunday, October 2 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. with lunch at noon for students in grades 2-8.

  • All participants, will have the opportunity to perform with the Varsity Dance Team at halftime, on Friday, October 7 at the Varsity Football Game vs. South Lakes at 7 p.m.
  • Cost is $65 per dancer before Sept. 25 and $70 for walk in registration.
  • Bring payment on Oct. 2. Checks made payable to Westfield High School.

Click here to register or email ecspikes@fcps.edu for more information.


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