Dear Stenwood Families,
We hope you all enjoyed Back to School Night and found it helpful as you start the new school year. All of our teachers are looking forward to partnering with you this year. Below are our School Board Members welcome back videos for you to enjoy.
As a reminder, we do not have school on Friday, September 1st or Monday, September 4th for the Labor Day weekend. Offices will be closed as well. We hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend!
Below you will find additional information about:
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal esriley@fcps.edu
Bryan Case, Assistant Principal bgcase@fcps.edu
Advanced Academic Program (AAP)
Information Sessions
Mrs. Hartman, our AART will be offering two information sessions this fall. The first session is about the Continuum of Service in FCPS. This is a general overview of the Levels of Service available to students in K-6. The second session will be focused on the Level IV (Full-Time) services and screening process. Full-time AAP Services begin in 3rd grade, with the screening process happening in 2nd grade. All families are welcome to attend, however the information is geared more towards families with students in 2nd grade and up. Both meetings will be held in person, in the cafeteria. Please feel free to join us.
Continuum of Service - Friday, September 8th, 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Level IV Services/Screening - Friday, October 6th, 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) One-Time Retake Request Deadlines
Parents in 1st – 6th grade can request a one-time retake of either the CogAT or NNAT if you feel your child’s score does not reflect their ability. If you would like to request a retake, please email our School Test Coordinator, Bryan Case bgcase@fcps.edu and our AART, Kaleigh Hartman kkhartman@fcps.edu by September 15th for the CogAT and October 15th for the NNAT.
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Newsletter
FCPS AAP Fall Newsletter
FCPS AAP Fall Newsletter in Spanish
Kiss N’ Ride
Please remember that Kiss N’ Ride is offered as a courtesy to our parents, we ask that if you choose to use this, please follow these safety procedures (the first three have been the biggest issues so far this year):
- Approach the back circle of the school by turning onto Carnegie Drive from Cottage Street. Enter the back circle on Citadel Place by turning right from Carnegie. Exit the circle by turning right on Carnegie, then proceed to Bucknell Dr. and back to Cottage. This one-way pattern will help reduce traffic congestion, the map is below to help illustrate the pattern.
- Do not pass other cars that are loading or unloading.
- Be considerate to our neighbors who live in our Kiss N’ Ride area. When you are leaving the Kiss N’ Ride area, please remember that there are student pedestrians and the speed limit is 25 MPH.
- We have requested the FCPD to evaluate the need for a FCPD Crossing Guard at this intersection, however it was denied because it is our families creating the traffic and not external traffic. Please be cautious of our students as they cross.
- 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 park in the Kiss N’ Ride lane and leave your car unattended.
- Neighborhood parking is by permit only. Carnegie Drive is very narrow and difficult to maintain two lanes if cars are parked on both sides. If you have permit parking, please consider parking on Bucknell which is wider and walking.
- Exit the Kiss N’ Ride promptly after loading or unloading children.
- Look carefully for students who may be crossing the street.
- In the afternoon, do not park along Carnegie Drive and wait for your child. This adds to traffic congestion.
Fence Reminders
During the school day we have set clear expectations with students that students should not be climbing any fences. Please set the same expectations when your children are playing on the playground and field before/after school and on weekends.
School Board Member Welcome Videos
Karl Frisch - Providence District
Karen Keys-Gamarra - Member-at-Large
Rachna Sizemore Heizer - Member-at-Large
Opt Outs (Non-FLE) - DUE TODAY
FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms:
This booklet can be accessed here. The booklet provides you with detailed information about your opt-out choices which are due no later than today.
If you have no objection to the activities described in this booklet, do NOT sign or submit any of the forms.
Digital Consent
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Community Peers Preschool Program
Stenwood is pleased to announce that we will have community peers in our preschool program later this fall. The early childhood special education staff members have been investigating the possible opportunities for our students to participate in integration activities with typically developing peers. This will involve teaching preschoolers with delays and without delays in the same classroom. It can provide young children with a more stimulating environment, teach skills for coping with different situations, and provide the opportunity to learn appropriate social skills.
Our program will invite a limited number of community preschoolers (2 per class), who are ages 3.5 (by September 30th) to 5 years, to participate in our daily preschool activities.
The children from the community will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences with current early childhood special education students. Our students will, in turn, benefit from being with community peers who can model appropriate language, motor, and social skills.
All children learn through their play. Intellectual growth occurs in a social context, influenced strongly by the quality of social interactions. The goal of this program is to encourage active learning and promote social interaction and acceptance through shared experiences between the community children and our preschoolers with special needs. Feel free to contact us for further explanation of our program.
If you are interested in having your child considered for this opportunity, please complete the Community Peers Preschool Program Interest and Information Form by Friday, September 15th. Stenwood will host a playdate for interested students in early October. The goal is to have the students start in the class by the end of October. If you know of anyone who may be interested and does not receive the Stenwood Hive Happenings, feel free to forward them this information.
Safety Drills
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Partner Families
We are always looking for families who speak other languages to support our families who may need help with understanding weekly communication from the school and classroom and to provide them a connection to another family. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please fill out this survey so we can work to connect you to a family.
Parent Volunteer Survey
If you are interested in volunteering throughout the year, please complete this survey. It includes opportunities for class parent as well as in the library, clinic, and with the PTA.
Nutrislice Menu and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications
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.
Emergency Care Card Form
Emergency Care Card Forms are important in helping us contact you in case of an emergency. Parents can help by assuring that the school has the most up-to-date information.
Please update any information by using the ParentVue/Online Verification Update system. To read more about the OVU, visit the OVU page on the FCPS site. To access your ParentVue to update/verify, visit the ParentVue Login page.
Emergency Care updates were due the first day of school.
Activating Your SIS ParentVUE Account
The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.
Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.
Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.
Many of our Stenwood families have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):
- Select the “Forgot Password” button.
- Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.
- More information is available here.
Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account. If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Sonja Hunt (snhunt@fcps.edu ) or Brian Spector (bmspector@fcps.edu).
Please take action now to ensure your account is active, so that you won’t miss a beat!
What Is Schoology?
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Stenwood is excited to continue in our second year with our new learning management system: Schoology. Schoology is a learning space that enhances face-to-face and distance learning through communication, collaboration, and personalized learning. |
Teachers can use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a safe forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized and it keeps the class connected.
Parent Accounts
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
Parent accounts will be available in mid-August. To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account.
More information on how to login and use Schoology is available online.
Stenwood is Hiring!
We are looking to hire Classroom Monitors and Substitutes! If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out if you have any questions or if you want more information. Here is a link to FCPS’ application portal.
Classroom Monitors: Monitors will work every day students attend throughout the 2022-23 school year, and will directly support classrooms by providing additional supervision to students during lunch or in the classroom. The pay is $15.73/hour. Teachers will provide directions/assignments for monitors and students to complete. Please apply here and email me at esriley@fcps.edu so we can schedule a time to talk more. Please share this opportunity with others who might be interested. All FCPS schools are looking to hire for this position.
Stenwood Elementary PTA
If you are looking to stay connected with the great work of our PTA, more information about the PTA is available on their website.
Little Stingers Learning With Tablet's!
Stay Connected
Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES
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Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementary
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Instagram
@stenwoodelementary
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Website
stenwoodes.fcps.edu
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PTA Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementaryPTA
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