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Dear Stenwood Families,
We loved seeing so many of you at events over the last week! Thank you to the PTA for an amazing Family Fun Night, we know it takes a lot of planning and coordination, but everyone was a winner! Our chorus put on a joyous performance last night, if you were not able to join us, here is a link to the performance. Thank you to Mrs. Fucile who has worked really hard with our 5th and 6th graders to bring back the chorus this year. We also saw our Kindergarten (virtually) and 1st grade families this week for their 3rd quarter family invite. We always love when students can present their hard work and learning to their parents.
Monday morning we will host the second half of the Principal’s Coffee with Mrs. Workman as the guest, she will be sharing how to support your reader, this session will be geared more towards the 3rd-6th grade students.
See below for more information about:
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Twitter @esriley1
Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Principal’s Coffee - How to Support your Reader
In a previous session, we shared about the shift in instruction in FCPS to the Science of Reading, if you missed that session, you can find the recording below.
On Monday, we shared how you can support your emergent/beginning reader at home, this session was geared more for kindergarten - 2nd grade students. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recording below.
This coming Monday’s session will be geared towards students in the upper grades. Please feel free to join us. The sessions will be recorded for those who are not able to attend at the times listed below.
Proficient readers Grades 3-6 - March 20th at 9am
Here is the link to join us: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/s/96238850039
Links to previous sessions:
Supporting your Emergent/Beginning Readers
Recording
Passcode: MjNf$%7!&q
Shifts in Literacy Instruction
Slidedeck
Recording
Passcode: %JB*5Aw95x
Upcoming Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form
Last week you were contacted through email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include instructional leadership, school climate, management (human resources and organizational), communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism.
The questionnaire will be collected online between March 13 and March 24. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your opinions matter!
Stenwood Parent Reminder Texts
Do you ever feel like you need a quick reminder about a spirit day or upcoming school event? We are creating a new TalkingPoints group that you can sign up for that will provide those quick reminders to come to you in a text because we know there is a lot to keep track of! If you would like to join, please fill out this form
SOL Schedule for Grade 3-6 Students
SOL testing will be taking place in the month of May this year for students in grades 3-6. The SOL assessments are content assessments that measure a student’s growth in Reading, Mathematics, and Science (5th grade only). These tests will be conducted during the morning of the dates listed in the table below. Please mark your calendar - it is important that your child attend school on the dates designated for them to test. Please ensure your child gets plenty of rest the night prior.
Understanding Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) Reports
Grade 3-8 students across Virginia took VGA tests in fall and winter of 2022-23. FCPS mailed score reports to families earlier this month that combine Fall and Winter results. When viewing students’ scores, it is important to keep in mind that there is no “passing” or “failing” for VGA tests and that each vertical scaled score reflects performance on a single day. VGA results should be used alongside other available data for a more complete picture of students’ academic progress. Also keep in mind that the VGA asks questions from the entire curriculum, including some standards that will not be taught until later in the school year.
The FCPS VGA Score Reports webpage now includes a section on Understanding VGA Results, featuring Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). This section will continue to be updated throughout the spring to address incoming questions and to reflect additional state guidance as it is released.
Kiss N Ride Reminders
Some reminders from our Parent Handbook regarding student drop off and using Kiss N’ Ride. These are in place for safety reasons. We respectfully ask that you follow these if choosing to use Kiss N’ Ride.
- Kiss N’ Ride opens at 8:20 and closes at 8:38 in the morning. There is not supervision in the Kiss N’ Ride loop prior to 8:20.
- Pull forward as far as possible before loading or unloading and drivers should remain in their car.
- If your child is still in a car seat or child restraint, please practice with your child so they can begin to become independent in getting out of their seat.
- Load and unload from the passenger side of the car only.
- Do not pass other cars that are loading or unloading.
- Do not park in the Kiss N’ Ride lane and leave your car unattended.
- Exit the Kiss N’ Ride promptly after loading or unloading children.
- Look carefully for students who may be crossing the street.
- Be considerate to our neighbors who live in our Kiss N’ Ride area.
- Please only turn right into the Kiss N’ Ride loop, and right out of the loop. Turning left causes back up and congestion. The map below will help you navigate the appropriate route.
- If you park on surrounding streets, please remember that it is permit only parking and you must abide by the parking laws.
Car riders must use the Kiss N’ Ride area on Citadel Place behind the school. For safety reasons, the front driveway is restricted to bus traffic in the morning and afternoon. Parents are not permitted to drop students off or use the circular driveway in front of the school.
If you arrive to Kiss N’ Ride after 8:38, you will need to drive around to the front of the school, park, and sign your child in.
Walker Reminders
As we shared last week, we do expect that walkers walk home immediately after school unless there is a parent or guardian at Stenwood to provide supervision.
We have also had some recent questions about crosswalks and our crossing guard. Unfortunately, crosswalks are only permitted where there are ADA accessible ramps (not driveways) which is why some were eliminated in the recent repaving. If your child is a walker, please make sure you have reviewed the safest route for them. If you notice Ms. Janet, our crossing guard, is not at her post, please call the front office so we can notify the Fairfax County Police Department and hopefully get an officer to cover the post.
FCPS 2023 Purple Up! T-Shirt
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. FCPS is inviting all students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” by wearing purple on April 19th for military children. For those who are interested, a special FCPS Purple Up! t-shirt is available for order now through March 16th: Order Here.
Magnet School Application and Lottery Information
The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Wednesday March 1st, through Wednesday, April 12th, 2023. No late applications are accepted.
https://www.fcps.edu/registration/elementary-magnet-school-lottery
Spring Photos Are Now Online!
Spring Portraits are now available to view and order online!
All orders will include free shipping for the next two weeks.
Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc
Use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions/concerns regarding school pictures, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Kilmer MS Presents Into the Woods
2023 - 24 Kindergarten Registration
Our Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. Please use the online portal to submit your initial information and our registrar, Mrs. Hunt, will follow up with you. |
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If you have a child at home who will be five by September 30th, please register now. If you have any neighbors with rising kindergartners, please send this information to them, as well.
Positivity Project: Wildcard Week
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This week, teachers are going back and hitting lessons they may have missed or character strengths they feel their students really enjoyed discussing. The important thing to remember is that everyone has ALL 24 strengths within them, but some shine through more than others. |
“Character, not circumstance, makes the person.”
~Booker T. Washington
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- When you think of character, what comes to mind?
- Do you think character is just ONE thing, or multiple things?
- Why do we need to continue educating ourselves about character?
School Meals and
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and lunch are NO longer provided at no cost. Breakfast will be $1.75. Lunch will be $3.25, milk $0.60. Breakfast and lunch will be served beginning the first day of school. Money can be added to your child(ren)’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You can also write a check to Stenwood Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House. You can find the menu for breakfast and lunch at https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/stenwood-elementary.
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Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 813-4800 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Preschool Meets the Fairfax Country Fire Department!
Spring Choral Concert!
Learning at Stenwood!
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