 Stone Families,
As we enter the final week of the first quarter I can't believe how quickly these first nine weeks have gone by. Students continue to do a great job in their classes and we thank you for your continued partnership.
Stone Middle School is starting a food and clothing pantry for families in need in collaboration with our local business partners, Erin Peterson Foundation & Grace Covenant Church. In order to operate this pantry we need donations; so we established an Amazon wish list for anyone who would like to donate needed items to the pantry. This wish list can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/V3RKM2710MJS?ref_=wl_share
Additionally, our teachers at Stone work really hard providing opportunities for learning for the students. We love to reward our teachers with treats as much as possible so the Amazon wish list has items to help us stock the teacher's lounges with various treats throughout the school year. If you are viewing the wish list, some items are marked “for pantry” and some items are marked “for teacher’s lounge” and a couple of items are marked “for teacher’s lounge and pantry”. Thank you in advance for any donations to our efforts.
As a reminder, Monday, October 24 is a holiday for students and teachers. Stone Middle School's main office will also be closed on that day.
Friday, October 28, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, Oct. 31, for a teacher workday. You can find the 2 hour early release bell schedule on our website at https://stonems.fcps.edu/about/bell-schedule.
Sonya Williams, Principal
Diwali (Student Holiday)
Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness. Monday, Oct. 24 is a holiday for teachers and students. The main office at Stone will be closed on Monday, October 24th.
Learn more about Diwali.
Digital Citizenship Week 2022
 Ten years ago, Common Sense Media started Digital Citizenship Week to highlight the importance of helping kids, families, and teachers navigate our 24/7 digital world. Over those 10 years, media and technology have changed dramatically. There have also been big shifts in the ways we teach and learn in today's classrooms.
As a part of SEL lessons, our Panther News Show and across our social media platforms we discussed:
- Healthy Digital Habits
- Cyberbullying
- Online Safety
- Finding Credible News
- Friendships & Social Media
Promoting Digital Wellness Webinar Recording
If you were unable to attend the Promoting Digital Wellness webinar, you can find the session recording at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RjnpYg3r8g.
Highlights include:
- How the attention economy makes technology irresistible
- How adolescent development impacts youth technology use
- How schools and families can build the skills needed to navigate the complexity of online life
Presented by Tammi Sisk, FCPS Educational Specialist, Educational Technology, and Bethany Demers, FCPS Educational Specialist, Mental Wellness
Costume Day at Stone
Friday, October 28th is our Costume Day Spirit Day. Please remind your student to keep their costumes respectful and appropriate.
Students are reminded costumes cannot completely cover their faces and accessories such as plastic swords or weapons of any kind are not permitted. Costumes containing language or images that are vulgar, revealing, discriminatory or obscene that promote illegal or violent conduct are prohibited. Students not in compliance will be asked to cover the noncomplying clothing or change clothes. In some instances, the student's parent or guardian will be notified and the student will be sent home to change their clothing or remove make-up.
Stock the Lounge
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/V3RKM2710MJS?ref_=wl_share
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
 FCPS will be asking ALL families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
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 box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 4. All results are confidential.
2022-23 Strategic Planning
You may have heard FCPS is developing a Strategic Plan that will serve as the school division’s roadmap for the future. We encourage every parent/caregiver, student, employee, and community member to participate in this important work.
The first engagement opportunity will be an optional survey, which will be open to students in grades 3-12. Knowing what is important to students will be very helpful to Dr. Reid, as she leads the planning of FCPS’ future. All schools, including ours, will schedule a date and time during the school day to administer the survey between November 2-18. If you would prefer that your child not participate, you may opt your child out of taking the survey. Please visit FCPS’ website for more information.
It’s coming.... The nomination window for employee awards is opening soon: October 31-November 11 (stay tuned for the google link). All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two describing how the employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. We look forward to hearing from our Stone MS Community!
Outstanding Teacher Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding New Principal Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal). Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director or Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership. Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee. Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
The Westfield High School Health & PE department is selling some bulldog gear and wanted to extend the invitation to Stone Middle. This link, https://westfieldhighschoolfall2022.itemorder.com/shop/home/ will provide all the instructions and cost. The online store closes on Sunday November 6th all purchases will be delivered to Stone when they arrive.
Stone Quick Links
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