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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.
Yearbook pre-orders are open!
Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx
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Upcoming Important Dates
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Impact Aid Forms available on ParentVUE
Please be sure to fill out your form online today!
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October 31
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No After School and Late Buses
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November 3
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End of the 1st quarter and 2-hour early dismissal
Students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm.
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November 6 & 7
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No school for students
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November 16
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High School and Beyond (see below for more information)
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Greetings, Irving Families!
It is hard to believe that we are one week away from the end of the 1st quarter. I have a few bits of information for you, so I apologize for the length of this note.
- Below is a letter from Lifetouch, the company we contracted with this year to take our students’ school pictures. It appears that there were some issues with processing some of the pictures taken earlier in the year. We are working very closely with Lifetouch and will have more information about next steps soon. For now, the picture retake day has been canceled and will be rescheduled as soon as we have more information.
- Is your child missing a hoodie, lunch box, water bottle, or bag? Chances are, it is in our lost and found! Thank you to Ms. Cheatham for organizing our lost and found so it is more accessible and visible to our students. If your child is missing something, please have them check our lost and found. You may also stop by and check our lost and found in the afternoon after school hours from 2:15-3:30. We will also have a lost and found check day on Tuesday, November 7 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
- All items not claimed by November 10 will be either disposed of or donated depending on the item.
- In an effort to ensure we are providing opportunities for students to experience enrichment, accelerated support, and a more structured experience for our 3rd period, next week will be splitting the class into Advisory and Learning Seminar.
- Advisory (9:00-9:41 am) will continue to be our traditional advisory lessons that include school announcements, specific school wide lessons like the Digital Citizenship lessons students participated in last week, and team challenges.
- Learning Seminar (9:45-10:24 am) will be a time for students to participate in an interest based activity with staff and for those who need additional support, a time to participate in a rotation of content specific accelerated support. By providing these opportunities, we will be able to provide more by name and need support to our students, while also ensuring every student has time in which they are engaged in a choice activity. For the first rotation, we have a wide variety of offerings to include things like making friendship bracelets, photography, yo-yoing, board games, chess, crafting, and a place for students to work or read quietly. I want to thank our amazing teachers for sharing their interests with our students - we can’t wait to see these experiences in action!
Lastly, I want to wish our Cross Country team all the best tomorrow as they finish out the season here at Irving MS!
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is now available online in SIS ParentVUE.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Once logged in to SIS ParentVUE, click “Online Packets” in the top right corner. Then, select “Federal Impact Aid Survey.” Get more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. Find out how to get technical support for ParentVUE.
Baskets of Food for Families in Need for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and gratitude. Many local households this year struggle to enjoy the holiday. In 2022, Alicia Strickland and Ania Cress, Realtors in our area, coordinated the donation of 38 beautiful baskets for families in need in Springfield. With your help, they will reach their goal of 100 baskets this year. Ms. Strickland and Ms. Cress along with Hunt Valley ES, Cardinal Forest ES, Irving MS and West Springfield HS social workers and school counselors will be gifting the baskets to families in need. If you would like to donate a basket, please sign up here. Drop-off for the #BlessingBaskets will be November 15th, 2023 4:30-7pm at Ledo's Pizza and Robeks Patio at Cardinal Forest Plaza, 8324 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, 22152. If you would like to help organize the collections as they are received on Nov. 15th, please sign up here. Feel free to stay for happy hour at Ledo's as they will be offering special discounts.
If your family has a need for food, please reach out to Irving’s Social Worker, Traci Jamison, at tdjamison@fcps.edu.
High School and Beyond
Families with a current 8th grade student currently attending Irving are invited to attend High School and Beyond at Irving (in Barker Hall) on November 16th from 6:30-8:00pm. We are excited to kick off the High School Academic Advising Season with a special Presentation and Curriculum Fair specific for our rising 9th grade families. Come hear Graduation Experts discuss what to expect as your child enters high school, various options for them following high school graduation as well as have the opportunity to speak to West Springfield Department Chairs and teachers. You will have the chance to ask all your questions about high school, graduation requirements, pathways etc. You will also get a preview of all the classes available next year. We look forward to you joining us for our first ever offering of this program.
Conversing with Teens about Substance Use
Within this society’s culture sometimes we avoid talking about topics that make us uncomfortable but can be both lifesaving and changing, such as finances and drugs. Are there things that would have really made a difference in some of your experiences if known when younger, that can be shared with your teenager now? Here’s a few tips for talking about substance use and misuse with your teenager.
Avoid:
- Overgeneralizations/horror stories
Ex: “People who use drugs go to jail and end up homeless.” -That is not true for most people.
- Sharing about how you used to do drugs
Ex: “I smoked in high school, so I understand wanting to experiment.” - The THC content in marijuana is much higher than when you may have used.
Ex: “It’s okay if you do it at home, but not anywhere else.” -This creates a gray area and demonstrates an acceptance for not following rules and established boundaries.
Tips:
- Have a united front or if alone be consistent.
Both parents need to communicate the same message. No good cop, bad cop.
- Recognize addiction in your family.
Speak the unspoken. Share information that could help your teen make an informed decision about “playing with fire” since they’re genetically predisposed.
- Set a desired outcome for the conversation.
What do you want your teen to understand before you start the conversation?
- Focus on their health as important and a concern versus behavior.
Avoid finger pointing literally and figuratively.
- Set firm expectations & boundaries
Clearly explain what is and isn’t acceptable for your household and the associated consequences.
- Keep a “cool head”
- Withhold judgment
- Be direct
- Be prepared for your teen’s reaction.
Resources:
Helpful Info to Quit Vaping:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/free-e-cigarette-quit-program
FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fcps/courses/ATODParentPresentationRequired103119b/story_html5.html
Knowing the signs of Substance Abuse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VWGxTZrpCU
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further information & support:
Ken Johnson
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Kwjohnson@fcps.edu
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
***The TJ application will become available on Monday, October 23 at 4:00 pm via the TJ website.
What is TJHSST?
A FCPS regional Governor’s high school (9-12th grades) for students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). You can now find the new TJ Admissions Video for 2023 as well as the presentation schedule that is available to the public on their website, www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions. We strongly encourage you to view their YouTube admissions video prior to attending this meeting.
TJHSST Admissions: Contact Information
Admissions Office (general inquiries): Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone:571-423-3770 Email: tjadmissions@fcps.edu Website:www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions
Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration
The After School program at Irving Middle School provides students access to high-quality activities in a safe environment for all students. The Program strives to improve academic performance, foster social, emotional, and physical well-being, all while reducing the potential for risk-taking behaviors.
https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6
Due to the popularity of Volleyball, Volleyball Clinic will take place after Winter Break. There are other athletic opportunities, please check the schedule in the After School Programs Folder.
Back to Basics Leadership is postponed until 11/29
Harry Potter Club is postponed until 2/22
Clubs starting next week: N/A
THERE IS NO AFTER SCHOOL/LATE BUSES ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31
PTA News
SPIRIT NIGHT - Our next Spirit Night will be PANERA on November 15th. Watch this space for more information.
SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's in Springfield. Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uvMIqPZsfaUqefNk619KuQ4sGYes7hWz/view?usp=sharing
(COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)
UPCOMING: Our next PTA Meeting will be in November. TBD - "Kids in Today's Society" presentation (formerly Hidden in Plain Sight) from our local Fairfax County Police in West Springfield. This presentation provides insight into a range of teen behavior, from risky to illegal, that the local police are currently dealing with. It is an adult only presentation. More details to follow.
We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty
https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
(COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)
From this link you can also donate to our Headless Heroes Fund. It is a direct donation and our largest fundraiser. You will also see remaining pieces of Spirit Wear in that section. Grab it while it's there. We'll do an online sale with more items this Fall.
Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have.
Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)
Email: irvingmspta@gmail.com
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