Upcoming Important Dates
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May 20
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Music Booster’s Car Wash - 9:00 am-12:00pm
- Be sure to stop or make a donation through the QR code below.
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May 25
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Last Day for Late Buses
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May 29
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Memorial Day - no school
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June 9
6:00-8:00
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8th Grade Celebration - 8th grade WIMS students only - no date, formal wear, or dress shoes required. See below for more information
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June 13
Save the Date
5:30-7:30
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Let’s Glow Read A Book - Irving Literacy Night for students in grades K-8 and families
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Music Booster’s Car Wash
is Tomorrow
Saturday, May 20, 2023
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Can’t stop by but would like to make a donation, scan the QR Code!
Greetings, Irving Families!
It is hard to believe we are in the final weeks of the 2022-2023 school year! We have many events coming up, please be sure to take a look at our website for more information.
One of our biggest nights is reserved for our 8th Graders - the 8th grade Celebration. Please read the information below about our celebration night. We cannot hold this event without you - we thank you for your assistance in celebrating our students.
8th Grade Celebration - Friday, June 9 from 6:00-8:00 pm
- The purpose of the 8th grade celebration is to have fun and celebrate one last time as a class with before they head out for the summer and on to high school.
- Only 8th grade students attending Irving Middle School may attend.
- The 8th grade celebration is NOT a formal event.
- This event will be in our gym and out on our tennis courts/black top. Students should be comfortable to dance, play games, and likely take a lot of pictures in our photo section with the horseman backdrop.
- In previous years, students have worn a pair of slacks and a polo type shirt or a skirt/blouse or dress, again NO formal attire or high heels are required or recommended for this event (often high heels are taken off within about 5 minutes of arriving…).
- Students often attend in groups, so having a “date” is NOT a requirement to attend.
- We will be utilizing outdoor spaces for the event - fingers crossed for good weather!
- We need volunteers to make this celebration a success - please see the link below to volunteer as a chaperone for the 8th Grade Celebration and/or donate snacks. Thank you in advance for helping us make this celebration a successful event for our students.
Snack Donation Sign-up
Chaperone Sign-up form
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
Medication Pickup
All medication stored in the clinic must be picked up no later than dismissal time (12:15) on the last day of school, Friday, June 16. Medication left in the clinic after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. If you have any questions, please call the clinic at 703-912-4510.
WSHS Basketball Camps
West Springfield will be hosting summer basketball camps for elementary and middle schoolers. We will also be hosting our all girls camp (3rd-9th) in July. Any questions contact Coach Gibson at wrgibson@fcps.edu or the link below for registration.
WS COED and Girls Basketball Camp
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI)
Registration has opened for the 2023 Summer Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI). The program will take place at Thomas Jefferson and is open to all FCPS middle school students. Participation in MSTI does not mean one is accepted into Thomas Jefferson.
The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)
The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST) is excited to open our recruitment for our second cohort of Youth STEM Ambassadors! Virginia youth ages 13-18 are encouraged to apply to represent teens across the Commonwealth who love participating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities during afterschool. Ambassadors are coached on crafting their unique STEM stories and how to talk to policymakers about their experiences. The Ambassador program will follow a cycle of the Virginia General Assembly season from election campaigns in the summer, through elections, and into the start of the Virginia General Assembly session. It will culminate with an advocacy day at the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, VA in early 2024 where Ambassadors will bring their love of STEM to change-making!
- Ambassadors will participate in one monthly session, virtually, (times to be determined) between June and November 2023 and January-February 2024. Attend an advocacy day in Richmond, VA in early 2024. Successful completion of the program will be rewarded with a gift certificate for $100
Questions can be directed to Christine Jones Monaccio at christine.jones-monaccio@v-post.org. Full program info including the application is available here.
SEL Screener Reports
Students in grades 3-12 took the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in March. The SEL Screener reports will be mailed directly to families in the next week. This website includes both the Parent Report as well as a Family Guide to support you in understanding results and ideas for talking with your student about their results. Both are available in multiple languages. To learn more about SEL and how we support students at school and at home please see the FCPS SEL website. Please reach out to our school counselors, school psychologist or school social worker with any questions.
Mental Health Awareness Month
The month of May is a time to pause and raise awareness of the fact that many people live everyday with mental and behavioral health issues and there is a need to reduce the stigma attached with the experience. Post-COVID the reality is that millions of Americans are dealing with an increase in mental, behavioral, and substance misuse illnesses in their families (NAMI). Additional mental health challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic have also increased youth related substance use, mental health struggles, and suicide (HHS). According to HHS, suicide is still the second highest cause of death in youth ages 10 to 14 and adults from ages 24 to 35. This prompted the July 2022 launch of 988 the new three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 call, text, and chat access to crisis counselors. It is for anyone experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises or emotional distress. Concerns about loved ones may also be addressed using the 988 dialing code. SAMHSA has described the new 988 dialing code as an important step in transforming how crisis and trauma situations are handled in the United States. Please note that the 800-273-8255 number still works, 988 is just built off of the 10-digit number.
Resources:
Substance Use Prevention and Encouraging Healthy Brain Development
Together for Mental Health
Fact Sheet: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month 2022
988 Frequently Asked Questions
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support:Ken Johnson, M.Ed.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Kwjohnson@fcps.edu
Library News
All books borrowed now are due on June 2nd. The year is winding down. Teachers will be helping to remind students that they should return their library book as soon as they are finished with their class assignments; it would be helpful if this were reinforced by you at home too.
Students can always look to see what items they have checked out by going through the Library’s Schoology Course and logging into the library catalog.
Many students have borrowed books in early September that have not been returned. As always, any help that you can give in aiding your child in locating and returning overdue library books is appreciated.
Stay tuned for information coming soon about Summer Reading incentives!
–Mary Ann Monk, Irving MS Librarian
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.
Basketball Club is moving back to 1st block on Wednesdays, meeting on 5/17 and 5/24
Book Club moved to Tuesday, May 23.
Last CPP meeting on Tuesday, May 23.
Chess Club is canceled 5/22.
Ping Pong Club is canceled 5/22.
Weight room is canceled 5/22.
After School Program will meet Monday through Thursday until Thursday, May 25
Last Day of the After School Program - Thursday, May 25
PTA News
THANK YOU for supporting the Teacher Appreciation Days. We had two great days of teacher gratitude with awesome decorations, food, volunteers, & fun! If you're still interested in donating for teacher appreciation activities, you can do it here (copy & paste….link doesn't work) - https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/62509
Our FINAL ITEM OF FUN is the ANNUAL PTA Car Wash! Join us on June 7th from 7:45 AM to 1:00 PM for some end of year fun for parents. PTA volunteers (and maybe Principal Conley) will show teacher & staff appreciation by washing their cars during the school day. We can only do this with volunteers. Please sign up on the Sign Up Genius here (copy & paste, links don't work) - www.tinyurl.com/PTACarWash2023. And if you want to donate supplies (your old towels, buckets, brushes, and SOAP!) we'll take anything for replenishment!
PTA Board Elections -THANK YOU to the awesome parents who stepped up to be the PTA Exec Team nominating committee. In case you missed it, your 2023-2024 PTA Board was elected at our 5/9 meeting! Next year's Board is:
President - Rob Johnson
Vice President - Jennifer Johnson
Treasurer - Christy Whiteaker
Secretary - Cathy Wray
As we wrap-up the year, THANK YOU to all the volunteers that helped behind the scenes to keep the PTA running - Spiritwear, Restaurant Nights, Movie Night, and so much more. If you're interested in the PTA doing something new next year, don't hesitate to suggest it...and help! Send it to irvingmspta@gmail.com
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