Irving Middle School Weekly Update


Calendar

Maggi

Principal’s Message

Dear Irving Families, 

Irving Middle School is so fortunate to have some daily substitutes who are committed to supporting our teachers when they need to be out. Ms. Kohne is a retired Irving Science 7 teacher who for over 8 years has been a substitute extraordinaire filling in for teachers almost every day. Ms. Kohne is dedicated to ensuring that even though a teacher is absent, learning still continues. She arrives well before school starts so she can spend  time reading through lesson plans, preparing materials, and ensuring that she is ready to provide the best experience for the students she will be working with each day. We are so fortunate that Ms. Kohne chose to continue supporting Irving Middle School after retiring!  Ms. Kohne and I are pictured above, showing support for our favorite teams. Ms. Kohne is a die hard Eagles fan and we had a lot of fun today showing our team spirit. May the best team (KC Chiefs!) win!

As a heads up to our families who drive to Irving for drop off/pick up or on Keene Mill Road, today Fairfax County launched a new Speed Camera Pilot program. There are 2 cameras very close to Irving Middle School monitoring both directions on Keene Mill Road. For more information regarding the program, please see this link from the Fairfax County Government Page

Lastly, February 13-17, is Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) week, we will be sharing ways that students can perform Random Acts of Kindness. Along with the RAK, we will also have a spirit week- see the image below for RAK ideas and what to wear next week. Not only do we hope our staff and students participate in the RAK activities next week, we hope our families do as well. Imagine how fantastic and fun it would be to have 1170 Irving students/families and 130 staff members all performing Random Acts of Kindness throughout the week (and beyond). Let’s make it happen!  

Take Care

Cindy Conley


Random Acts of Kindness Spirit Week


RAK Week

New Irving Information


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Technology Use Reports by Lightspeed 

Have you signed up for a report about your child’s internet activity on their FCPS device? You can sign up for weekly reports from Lightspeed, the FCPS internet content filtering service, which lists top sites your child has visited that week. The weekly report also offers guardians the ability to sign up for the free Internet Use Parent Portal for even more detailed information about your child’s internet browsing. Guardians can also “pause” internet access on the FCPS device during non-school hours. Parents/guardians who are interested can submit a request on the Technology Support for Families page  for weekly screen activity reports.


VDOT

Important Technology Reminders


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!

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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

JROTC interest meeting: Tuesday, February 14, 1st block.

Lego Masters: starts 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


THANK YOU to those who attended the PTA meeting. It’s a busy time and we’re grateful for everyone who could make it. A special thanks for those who stepped up to be a part of the nominating committee to nominate next year’s PTA executive committee. We just need ONE MORE person to make the committee complete. If you are interested, please email irvingmspta@gmail.com.

Are YOU interested in being on the PTA Board? We will elect a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. If interested, please email IrvingPTANomCommittee@gmail.com

On February 14th, the PTA will shower the teachers and staff with love, via a Nacho Bar! Thanks to those who supported through donations to Headless Heroes. If you would like to help, please donate, here: (copy and paste) https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/62509

MOVIE NIGHT! February 24th at Irving will be a Movie Night, sponsored by the PTA. We will watch Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and everyone is welcome. We will have sign-ups for volunteers. Watch this space and the Irving PTA FB page. At the same time as the movie, we will have a showing of “Hidden in Plain Sight” by the West Springfield Police, in Barker Hall. The is an adults-only presentation that helps parents to identify risky youth behavior. 

MARCH 7 – is our next general PTA meeting. It will also be at 6:30, and on zoom. 

What is another way to show love for your teachers? Struggling to find just the right Valentine’s Day gift? Give them the gift of membership to the PTA! (copy and paste): https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/76046