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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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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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November 20 & 21
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No After School Activities
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November 22-24
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No School, Thanksgiving Break
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Please don’t forget to stop by and check the lost and found!
The collection has grown since this picture was taken last week. Parents/Guardians may stop by on Monday, November 6 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm to take a look. Items not claimed by Friday, November 10 at the end of the school day will be donated.
Greetings, Irving Families!
And just like that, the 1st quarter of the school is done! We celebrated the end of the quarter today with Team Day activity for each of our 8 teams. The kids had a great time officially seeing their entire team together for the first time. All teams compete throughout the school year for team points by participating in a variety of challenges. At the end of the year we have an overall team challenge winner whose team name is added to the Team Challenge trophy. Currently, we have the Green Team with two wins and the Red Team with one. We look forward to seeing how this year's competitions turn out.
As we look toward the holidays which are (believe it or not) quickly approaching, please know that we ensure they are truly breaks for our staff and students. During the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks, no homework is assigned and there are no projects or major tests due the two days after we return from each break. ALso, we ask staff not to work/check their emails during breaks so they can spend the time with their families.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend and don’t forget to turn back your clocks on Saturday night.
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
November is Family Engagement in Education Month
When schools and families work together to support learning and healthy development, everyone benefits! Click this link for the calendar of events.
Fairfax County Youth Survey for all 8th graders
The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey is given to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 each fall. It provides a wealth of information about a variety of topics related to our youth that influence their physical and mental well being, from sleep and nutritional habits to substance abuse behaviors to symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts.
At Irving Middle School, we plan to administer this survey to all 8th graders through our 3rd period Advisory class on Monday, December 4. Families of 8th grade students should expect to receive a physical letter in the mail soon with more details and an optional opt-out form. You may follow the link above for more information, now. You may preview the entire 8th grade survey here.
Please contact our School Test Coordinator, Leigh Arscott (lbarscott@fcps.edu), with any questions you have about this survey.
SIS Gradebooks Closed for Grade Reporting
ParentVue and StudentVue access to the gradebooks will be closed during the grading window: November 3-14, 2023.
ParentVue Accounts
With a SIS ParentVue account you can sign up to receive weekly progress reports for your child’s courses, access Schoology, MySchoolBucks, Here Comes the Bus, etc. Click the links to learn more and activate your account today!
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.
- Having loose boundaries - 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
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 updates: Art Club will not meet during the month of November
There is no after school and/or late buses on Wednesday, November 8
Library News
7th Grade students have been frequenting the library in the past few weeks–first with English classes, as they chose a new “choice reading books,” and more recently, with History classes, as they practiced analyzing historical political cartoons from the 1880s.
Many students worked together during their break-time sessions, over a matter of weeks to complete a 1000-piece puzzle. Extreme perfectionists are disappointed that all but 5 pieces were put together; but considering that the puzzle sat out in the open with 1240-some students passing by, I am impressed that there were only a few pieces missing!
Last week’s “Irving Says” survey found that 71% of students that participated in our in-person poll would rather “Be a Ghost,” rather than “Be Haunted by a Ghost.” Smart choice in my opinion!
Students may contact Ms. Monk if they are interested in joining the after-school book club, "Readers Unite." We’ll be discussing April Henry’s Girl, Stolen on 11/13, and choosing a new title.
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PTA News
SPIRIT NIGHT - Our next Spirit Night will be PANERA on November 15th. Flyer coming next week.
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)
NOVEMBER MEETING - Our next General PTA Meeting will be November 14, 6:30, via zoom. Meeting link will be sent out next week.
JANUARY - "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. This presentation will be combined with our January general PTA meeting.
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)
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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