Herndon MS Updates - Nov 3


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In this Update

🌟 Tips to Help Keep Children Safe
🌟 TJHSST Applications
🌟 FCPS Building Benefit All Community Members
🌟 2022-23 Fairfax County Youth Survey Results
🌟 Attendance Matters Night!
🌟 Talent Show Auditions
🌟 Calendar Updates


Custodial Appreciation Lunch

Custodial

A very well deserved lunch for our amazing Herndon Middle School Custodial staff, provided by our PTA!


Reminders

Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)

This Sunday, November 5th at 2:00a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!


End of Quarter, Early Release, Student Holiday

As a reminder, Friday, November 3rd, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, November 6th and Tuesday, November 7th. First quarter report cards will be available electronically through ParentVue on Tuesday, November 14th. 


Newsletter for Military-Connected Families

Did you know that the Office of Family and School Partnerships sends a monthly newsletter for military-connected families? Subscribe today.


Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online

IAF

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.


From HMS Library

The Herndon Middle School Library hopes to enlist a dedicated pool of parent library volunteers. Library volunteering is flexible, varied, and rewarding. If YOU are interested, please complete this Interest Form by Wednesday, November 1. We will follow up with an email for next steps after that date.


Information

Attendance Matters Night

atten

Come learn more about attendance supports, how to sign up for ParentVue, and other ways to support your child at school on Thursday, November 9th from 6:00-7:00 PM in Herndon Middle School's Cafeteria. 


Tips to Help Keep Children Safe

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) reminds parents and caregivers that it’s important to talk to your children about safety topics including:

  • What parents should know about their children’s plans.
  • Having a meeting spot in case of getting separated.
  • Establishing safe areas. 
  • What to do if you are followed.

Visit the FCPD website for more details on how to discuss safety topics.


Applications Open for TJHSST

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Freshman Application Process webpage. Applications must be started by 4:00p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17 at 4:00p.m.


FCPS Buildings Benefit All Community Members

Bonds

In addition to our students and teachers, we estimate millions of visits by students and community members to Fairfax County public schools. Most of the public meeting and recreational facilities available in the county are FCPS facilities. FCPS works with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and with the Fairfax County Park Authority to ensure that school facilities and athletic fields are available to the public after school hours. 

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.


Resources

From HMS Student Services

Student Services would like to know if your student/family has any needs that we can help support, like home internet, clothing, and food. Please take a moment to fill out this Needs Assessment to let us know how we can help.


2022-23 Fairfax County Youth Survey Results

The Fairfax County Youth Survey provides insights into the behaviors and attitudes that affect the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth. 

Most Fairfax County students reported they feel safe at their school. Overall, the percentage of students who reported risky behaviors continued to decrease in many areas including substance use, sexual activity, and aggressive and delinquent behavior. 

Mental health indicators including feelings of sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts also improved noticeably compared to 2021. Students who reported the recommended amount of physical activity increased compared to the prior year as well. 

Read more about the report’s findings, and find the full report on the county’s website.

Protective Factors Support Healthy Habits and Positive Choices

Results from the Fairfax County Youth Survey highlight the importance of students having three or more “protective factors.” Protective factors are individual, family-based, school-based, and community-based assets (such as participating in extracurricular activities, having parents available for help, or having teachers recognize good work) that support healthy habits and positive choices. Learn more about promoting positive outcomes

Survey data shows that students with at least three protective factors have a lower likelihood of reporting mental health challenges and engaging in a variety of risky behaviors, including substance and opioid abuse. These findings led to the development of the Three to Succeed program, which is being implemented divisionwide to educate FCPS students, families, and staff on the importance of protective factors and increasing the number of high school students with three or more of them.


The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Saves Lives

Information was recently posted to the Healthy Minds Blog on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other resources for suicide prevention

The Healthy Minds Blog shares information related to youth mental health and wellness. Articles include tips and strategies for increasing wellness and resiliency, as well as fostering success at home, at school, and in the community.

The Healthy Minds Blog is a collaborative project between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Prevention Unit of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Subscribe to Healthy Minds and receive a quarterly digest of articles.


Immunization Clinics

Immun Clin

Immunization Clinics are now open to all Fairfax County students who need immunizations regardless of if they have had vaccines in the past, new to the country, or those that just need a follow up to be up to date.

Call 703-246-7100 to schedule your appointment!

  • Wednesday, November 1: 4:30-8:00pm at Mt. Vernon Location
  • Saturday, November 4: 9:00am-2:00pm at Mt. Vernon Location
  • Wednesday, November 15: 4:30-8:00pm at Annandale Location
  • Friday, November 17: 1:00-6:00pm at Springfield Location

Talent Show

Herndon's Got Talent Show and Food Drive

Does your student have a talent that they'd like to share? Auditions for the annual "Herndon's Got Talent" show are Wednesday, November 8th during Night Hawk! Sign up's for auditions will be outside the drama room! We need 10 acts in order for the show to happen. The talent show will take place on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00pm.

Cost of admittance? A non-perishable food donation for our local pantry! Hope to see you there!


Calendar

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.



Election Day

Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7th! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and a teacher work day.

For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections webpage.


Vets Day

Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service.

Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.


Cal

November

  • 3: End of 1st Quarter and 2-Hour Early Release
  • 5: Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)
  • 6: No School
  • 7: Election Day - No School, Teacher Work Day
  • 9: Attendance Matters Night, HMS Cafe 6-7PM
  • 22-24: Thanksgiving Holiday

Helpful Links