Weekly Principal's Message - January 22, 2023

Good evening Stone community,

 

Last week was an exciting spirit week leading up the re-match volleyball game versus Liberty Middle School. Kudos to all our students and staff who participated and attended the game.


We are already at the half way point of the school year as this is a short week wrapping up the end of the second quarter.  Let's keep pushing forward showing our growth and celebrating our student success.  

 

Sincerely,

Sonya Williams

Principal


Calendar Reminder

End of Quarter Reminders and Student Holiday

As a reminder, Wednesday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 26, for a staff development day and Friday, Jan. 27, for a teacher workday. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

FCPS Weekly Progress Reports will not be sent to parents Monday, January 23, through Monday, February 6, during second quarter grading and report card generation.

Additionally, the GradeBook and Report Card modules in ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed Wednesday, January 25, at 4 p.m. until Monday, February 6, at 6 a.m.


Stone MS Quarter 3 at a Glance

Stay on top of all the Quarter 3 events and happenings for students and families on our Family Engagement webpage.  A printable version is also available. We hope to see you at many of these events!  


lunar new year

Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year! In many east Asian countries, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year and is all about ushering in luck & prosperity with family. Read more about Lunar New Year and its animal symbols in National Geographic Kids


FCPS Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan: Make Your Students’ Voice Count! Strategic Planning is in process and will incorporate feedback from school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. Please encourage your students to participate in this unique opportunity to share their voices.

FCPS is currently seeking secondary students in grades 7-12 who are interested in participating in a Strategic Plan focus group. This focus group provides an opportunity to share feedback in a small group with other FCPS students and a trained facilitator. FCPS is hosting four virtual focus groups for secondary students in February and March:

  • February 9, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.
  • March 16, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

Interested students should check their email for a form to sign up for the focus groups. Students will be asked to provide their student ID, so their parents/caregivers can be identified and contacted to ask for consent to participate.

If you have any questions about the student focus groups or you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact strategicplan@fcps.edu.  

Register Now to Attend a Community Forum! 

Check out the schedule of Community Forums and register for the one that is most convenient for you. Community Forums will provide every resident an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ Strategic Plan, prior to its completion and formal adoption by the School Board. Learn more about our strategic planning process.

Cell Phone Policy

Parents please stop text messages your student during the school day…

Parent Workshop/Online Webinar: Teen Sexting & Sextortion

6:30-8:00 PM Online Webinar presented by: Fairfax County Communities of Trust

Register Online: https://bit.ly/reg4webinar012523

Please send questions, in advance, for panelists to FairfaxCOTC@gmail.com


Webinar: Human Trafficking

The Roles of Families in Human Trafficking: Participation, Prevention, and Intervention

In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Department’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools’ National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, is hosting a two-part miniseries focused on the roles of families in human trafficking, including participation, prevention, and intervention:

Part 1: “Supporting Students Who Have Experienced Familial Human Trafficking” on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, 3–4:30 p.m. ET

Part 2: “Engaging Families in Preventing and Addressing Human Trafficking” on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, 3–4:30 p.m. ET

Register here for the Jan. 25 webinar. Please note both webinars will be archived on its event webpage, including a recording of the presentation, slides, transcript, speaker information, and related resources.


Message from Westfield Pyramid Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

How to Talk About Alcohol Safety

Stores have been packed with holiday savings, credit cards have been charged, and food has been consumed. The holidays are often a time for family and friends to come together and create lasting memories with one another. The matching holiday pajamas leave a lasting impression on social media, but what impression does your relationship with alcohol leave on your child. Although difficult, conversations about alcohol safety are necessary. When consuming alcoholic beverages around young people, consider the  message you would like for them to receive. Have you caught yourself saying any of the following: “ I need a drink,” “a drink would help me relax,” or “wine helps me sleep better at night”. These statements could inadvertently cause your child to believe that alcohol is a suitable replacement for healthy coping strategies.

 It’s never too early to have age-appropriate conversations with your child about alcohol. About 10% of children say they have tried alcohol and that number increases to 50% by the time they are 15 (SAMHSA). Early and frequent conversations about alcohol and other drugs tend to be more effective than having “the talk” once. If you choose to not have the conversation with your child as a parent, they will still have the conversion with their peers. Silence communicates as loudly as a verbal conversation, so it’s up to you to decide what message is explicitly shared.

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 You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs

Talk, They Hear You

FCPS SAPS Program

For further Information & support: Stacey King, MSW, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist


District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • FY 2024 Budget Highlights
  • Draft School Year Calendar Options
  • FAFSA Help

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.  


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