Weekly Update from Irving MS


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

February 7

WIMS PTA Meeting via Zoom - 6:30

PTA Ledo Pizza Spirit Night: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm - don’t forget the flyer

February 16

7th & 8th Grade Winter Wonderland After School Dance sponsored by the SCA - tickets go on sale Monday, February 6th on MySchoolBucks

February 20

No School - Presidents’ Day

February 24

Movie Night sponsored by the PTA - Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

At the same time as the movie, West Springfield police will bring “Hidden in Plain Sight” to the adults, in Barker Hall

March 2

2-hour Early Release

March 3

Student Holiday (Professional Workday)

 

talking points

Eating Disorder Parent Information

The Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2, requires Virginia Public Schools to provide, on an annual basis, parent educational information regarding eating disorders for pupils in grades five through twelve. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2022),

“Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Eating disorders are not fads or phases, and can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.”

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a webpage with detailed information and resources to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. This information may be found at the following link:

https://www.fcps.edu/node/37440


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.


Family Tech Planners

Entertainment and tech have the potential to spark meaningful conversations. Tech planners are a great way for kids to have a shared understanding of how your family makes the most out of entertainment and tech time. Use these planners from Common Sense Media to inspire conversation about tech use as a family. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/family-tech-planners


Please Charge Laptops

Please remind your child that laptops must be charged each night. We do not have enough chargers and outlets in classrooms to charge them in classrooms each morning. If your child is unable to locate the laptop charger that was given to them during laptop distribution, a replacement may be purchased for $23 by logging into MySchoolBucks. Thank you!


Snow Day Information

Fairfax County has announced that we will transition to synchronous virtual learning days starting on the sixth snow day if we go over five snow days this winter. In the event of a virtual learning day, please have the FCPS Laptop Resources website bookmarked to help with laptop information and troubleshooting FCPS-issued devices at home.


Youth Substance Use Presentations

Monday, February 6, 6-8pm in the WSHS Library

FCPS is dedicated to providing parents and community members with the most accurate and up-to-date information on youth substance use, prevention, addiction, interventions and available supports. Please join us and our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board as we discuss these topics as well as the ongoing opioid crisis. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of:

  • Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid.
  • List what you can do as a caregiver.
  • How to identify and connect with community resources.

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.


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. Also, activities and clubs that are labeled both blocks, it is a commitment for the entire 2 hours. 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

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.

Coming Soon

WSHS Football interest meeting: Tuesday, February 7, 1st block.

JROTC interest meeting: TBD

Step Team: starting Wednesday, February 8, both blocks.

Lego Masters: starting Tuesday, February 14, 1st block.

Buddy Sports: starting Tuesday, February 21, 1st block.


Library News

What is your student reading?  All students have recently visited the library to have the opportunity to select a book for English class assignments.  An engaging dinner conversation could revolve around their book.  7th graders are reading narrative nonfiction books right now.  “What period of history?” “What big event?” “What people are involved?” are questions that they could answer.  Volunteer to read aloud a chapter with them if they’re having trouble getting into their book!   

Listen for news soon about an exciting library-sponsored event.  The students will get the “big reveal” next week in ROCK Block.  


News from the PTA

Feb. 7 (this coming Tuesday): Restaurant Night / General PTA meeting. First grab pizza from Ledo’s in West Springfield and THEN join us at 6:30 on Zoom. Here are the deets:

  1. Ledo’s: Show this flyer to the 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. Offer available between 5:00 and 9:00 PM.
  2. General PTA meeting. Join us at 6:30 on Zoom (link sent via membership hub). Principal Conley joins us for these meetings - we hope you will, too!

Feb. 14 – We LOVE our Teachers and Staff!! This month we will shower our teachers and staff with love in the form of goodies - If you would like to support, please donate to Headless Heroes! Copy and paste this link: https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/62509

Feb. 24 - Movie Night! February 24th at Irving will be a Movie Night, sponsored by the PTA. We will watch Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. We will have sign-ups for volunteers. Watch this space and the Irving PTA FB page. At the same time as the movie, West Springfield police will bring “Hidden in Plain Sight” to the adults, in Barker Hall. More on this in later updates.

As always – it’s never too late to join the PTA! Copy and paste on this link to join:  https://irvingms.memberhub.com/