Tutor.com
Does your child need homework help or feedback on their writing? How about a practice quiz to get ready for a test? Tutor.com is open to FCPS students in all grades, on-demand, 24/7, at no cost to families. Learn more.
Purchase your Yearbook!
Yearbooks are $20 and can be pre-ordered through MySchoolBucks or directly through Walsworth by going to www.yearbookforever.com
Upcoming Important Dates
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January 16
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No School - Martin Luther King Jr Day
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January 17
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Parent/Guardian Town Hall - 7:00 pm in-person and online
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January 25
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End of the 2nd Quarter/1st Semester
2-hour early dismissal
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January 26 & 27
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No School - Professional Development Day and Teacher Workday
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January 27
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Lost and Found Retrieval - 8:00am to 3:00pm
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January 30
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First day of the 3rd quarter/2nd semester
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Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week
As a school community we want to thank Ms. Conley for her leadership, guidance, care, and kindness since she has served as Principal of Irving Middle School. Ms. Conley wears many hats on any given day. She is a lifelong learner and reflective practitioner, who has a love for teaching. Thank you for all that you do for Irving. We appreciate you!!!
Principal’s Message
Dear Irving Families,
This week, I was so proud to reopen our doors and welcome families to our Curriculum Night. We had hundreds of families join us for our core information sessions and then tour the building to see our elective classrooms. It felt really good to have families back in our building!
We also were able to welcome our rising 6th graders from Hunt Valley, Rolling Valley, West Springfield Elementary, and Orange Hunt this week. The students were able to tour the building and see the elective classes live and hear from our teachers about the classes they were seeing. We loved the enthusiasm from the students and look forward to having them join us next year.
Today, our 8th grade students invaded West Springfield High School for their first trip as a class to get a glance at what to expect in high school. Students were able to hear various groups perform and tour the building. It was a quick trip, but one that starts the journey to high school. Be sure to check in with your child about their high school course selection sheet - it should be turned into their math teacher!
Lastly, a reminder that on Tuesday, January 17, we will be hosting a Town Hall, in-person in our library. We are really hoping to hear from you about how things are going for you and your student here at Irving and find ways we can better partner with families. We hope you will join us at 6:30 pm.
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
PS: We have A LOT of lost and found items - lots of lunch boxes, jackets, and water bottles! Please come claim your lost items on Friday, January 27. All items not claimed will be donated.
Morning Arrival
Irving Middle School opens to students at 7:00 am. Please do not drop your student off before 7:00 am, especially in inclement weather, the building is closed and they will have to wait outside until 7:00 am so that we can ensure we have staff in the building to supervise them. Students arriving between 7:00 and 7:10 must go to the cafeteria.
Technology Support for Families
Visit the Technology Support page for answers to many questions about student technology and basic troubleshooting, including how to reset a password, accessing Zoom in Schoology, laptop resources, and screen activity reports.
New Year’s Resolutions
In January, many people will head to their local Target or Michaels to find a new planner. The crisp, fresh feeling of new paper to write new and improved goals gets some of us excited. When thinking of your goals consider making them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound), this method breaks your goals down into specific objectives and makes it easier for you to track your progress. What goals would you like to share with your child, to show them examples of healthy adult introspection? Introspection, looking within, is necessary to learn how to manage stress in a healthy manner. What regular coping skills can be implemented into your daily/ weekly routine? Some goals may be physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional. Would it be easier to have serious conversations over a family dinner? Or maybe regular family dinners, spark joy and connection that’s often missing.
Research has shown that family therapy is the best treatment option for young people who misuse drugs and alcohol (SAMHSA). Many people use drugs to manage life’s hardships when they feel disconnected from themselves or others. The opposite of addiction is connection, and young people benefit from connection with their families. Families who have a common mission based on autonomy and openness instead of secrecy and silence thrive. Families teach young people how to manage stress when they communicate honestly and openly with one another. Learning how to manage stress early in life could be a major factor in whether or not a young person decides to use drugs.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Sources & Resources
Why Small Conversations Make a Big Difference
SMART Goals Quick Overview
Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Youth
For further Information & support:
Ken Johnson, M.Ed.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Kwjohnson@fcps.edu
What should I do before my child grows up?
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.
*English speakers of other languages: We have language support for you. Please see the back of this flyer for more information*
February 15, 2023^
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Luther Jackson Middle School 3020 Gallows Road
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
^Snow Date: February 22, 2023
What should I do before my child grows up-Chinese
What should I do before my child grows up-Korean
What should I do before my child grows up-Spanish
What should I do before my child grows up-Urdu
What should I do before my child grows up-Vietnamese
What should I do before my child grows up-Arabic
After School Information
Program Structure & Club Sign Ups
We will offer late buses on Mondays, Tuesdays, SOME Wednesdays, and Thursdays, buses depart from Irving between 4:35 pm and 5:00 pm. The weekly sign-up regenerates weekly, the link will be available Fridays by 10am. Updates and changes will be shared via Schoology, lunch (cafeteria), Rock Block and the after school program board.
End time for 1st block - 3:25 pm
End time for 2nd block - 4:30 pm
Coming Soon
Back to Basics: Strategies for Success - Leadership Coaching, is a 6-week course that incorporates Portrait of a Graduate goals and enhances their communication skills. This free course is offered on Wednesdays after school, both blocks; first session ends Wednesday, March 8, second session begins Wednesday, March 15.
Volleyball Club - Tuesday, January 17. This will be open to all students at all levels during the 2nd block.
News from the PTA
Happy Friday the 13th! Don’t tempt fate – just join the PTA!!! Copy and Paste this URL, https://irvingms.memberhub.com/, join the PTA and even donate and become a Headless Hero. What a way to start the year!! Questions, comments, concerns, or brilliant ideas – email us! irvingmspta@gmail.com
Upcoming Restaurant Night - Don't cook, dine-out or take-out instead!
Feb 7, 2023 @ Ledo's Pizza (West Springfield) 5-8pm - Show flyer to cashier or enter code "Fundraiser" for online orders https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uMJZkrHvC9p_QTDj5-AXxO131EQ2JYc/view (copy & paste link) 20% of sales supports the PTA
Next General PTA Meeting - Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 6:30pm via Zoom
Movie Night - stay tuned! This will likely be in February.
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