 Parents and Families,
Daylight saving has come to an end and it is time to fall back. Typically, this is a big adjustment for all of us on our bodies, routines and sleep patterns. The time change along with the normal fall flu, cold, and allergy season can be challenging for some. Please take care of yourselves.
This week will be a shortened week for students as we will only have school on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday. Although it is a short week, attendance matters. Students need to be here each day and on time.
Last week, Stone honored the November Portrait of a Panther students and staff members. The November honorees were the entire Stone Panther News Team. These ten students work diligently every day to interview people in the building and gather important information for the student body. They have exhibited many of the Portrait of the Graduate attributes through their work such as communication, collaboration and global ethical citizenship. These students are lead by Ms. Costanza who models the Portrait of the Graduate attributes herself and works diligently to challenge students everyday. THANK YOU!
I hope to see you all at our upcoming Parent Coffee and Stone Community Bingo Night on November 17. Our Parent Coffee begins at 5:30pm in the Library followed by Bingo at 6:30pm in the Cafeteria. This event is free and is an opportunity for our Stone community to come together and meet each other.
If you would still like to donate to our Stone Community Pantry or Stock the Teacher Lounge, the Amazon Wish List can be found at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/V3RKM2710MJS?ref_=wl_share.
Have a great week Panthers!
Sonya Williams
Principal
After School Program - Q2 Updates!
This quarter features some new clubs being offered and some favorites that will be returning. Also, we are excited to announce that we will be offering late bus runs on Mondays beginning November 7.
New Clubs:
- Art/Mural Club with Mrs. Scheetz
- Coding Club with Mrs. Crumpler
- Girls Workout Club with Ms. Bella
- Photography Club with Mr. Dickason
- STEAM Scholars
- E-Sports Friday
For a full calendar of offerings, please visit the After School Program page on our website at https://stonems.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program.
Contact Mr. Anderson at nmanderson@fcps.edu with any questions.
Progress Reports and End of First Quarter SIS Updates
FCPS weekly progress reports will not be sent to parents through Wednesday, November 9, while first quarter grading and report cards are created.
Also, the Grade Book and Report Card modules in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed until Wednesday, November 9 at 6 AM.
We will distribute paper copies of first quarter report card to all our students during 8th period on Wednesday. Feel free to reach out to your child's teachers and counselor for any questions.
Parent Coffee Series - Advanced Academics, 504s & IEPs
 Join us for our Parent Coffee on Thursday, November 17. We will have two different sessions for your convenience - 10:00am or 5:30pm.
Learn more about the Advanced Academics and what 504’s & IEP’s services are, and how to find out if your child may qualify for any of these.
Please let us know if you are able to attend by clicking on this link, or calling Denisse Stein (Family Liaison) to RSVP. Also, remember that after the 5:30pm session, we will be hosting our first Community Family Night…BINGO! BINGO will start at 6:30pm.
Military Appreciation Spirit Week
Wellness Screening - 7th Graders
This school year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a prevention program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.
SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.
Here are the Outcomes of the SOS program:
- Student will learn that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
- Student will learn how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
- Student will learn to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
- Student will learn who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it
On November 16-17 in Health & PE, all 7th grade students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression, but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional. Students will also be asked to complete a response slip which asks if they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. Please also view this Parent Information Video as a resource.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program, please contact Tami Brumett at 703-631-5527 or TLStubblefie@fcps.edu or your child’s school counselor. If you would like to opt your child out of participating in this lesson, please click here to complete the form.
Important Dates
November 8: Election Day (Student Holiday)
November 10: Quarter 1 Honor Roll Ceremony (Live streaming available for Parents. Link will be sent the morning of the event.)
November 11: Veterans Day (School Planning Day/Student Holiday)
November 17: Parent Coffee at 5:30pm (Topic: 504/IEP & Advanced Academics)
November 17: Stone Bingo Night at 6:30pm
November 23-25: Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Why Does FCPS Need a New Strategic Plan?
 By now, you may have heard that FCPS is developing a new Strategic Plan. Here are some reasons why the school division is engaging in this important work.
Our last strategic plan was developed in 2015. Since then, we experienced a pandemic that changed the way we think, a shift in technology that has seen eight new versions of the iPhone, and plans developed for the first manned mission to Mars.
Our students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today. In order to keep pace with these needs, we need to rethink our plans for the future—and how we will best serve our students for this new era. Employees, parents/caregivers, students, and our FCPS community must share the same purpose in order to recognize how we can move forward together.
We are all much more motivated, and successful, when we share clear end goals. Learn more on our Strategic Plan webpage.
At Stone MS, Mrs. Williams will host a student focus group to gather information from students to share with the FCPS strategic plan groups. If you would like your student to participate, please email Mrs. Williams at snwilliams1@fcps.edu.
FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards
The nomination window for employee awards is NOW OPEN through November 11. Please use this link for nominations.
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: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding New Principal: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator. Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director or Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee: 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: 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)
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