|
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
|
Upcoming Important Dates
|
|
Jan 25
|
- Last day of the 2nd quarter
- 2-hour early dismissal - students dismissed at 12:15 pm
|
|
Jan 26
|
No School for Students - Teacher Workday
|
|
Jan 29
|
First day of the Second semester.
Students will report to their first semester, 2nd period to receive a paper copy of their 2nd semester class schedule.
|
|
Feb 6
|
PTA Spirit Night at TACO BAMBA Springfield - for more details, see below
|
|
Feb 21 at 6:00 pm
|
WIMS PTA and FCPD present: Kids in Today's Society - a MUST see presentation for every parent/guardian. Please note - due to the nature of the program - it is an adult only presentation.
|
Greetings, Irving Families and Happy Snow Day!
With only 2 days of school it was definitely a short week, but judging by the sled tracks on the WIMS hill - it looks like it has been a fun week for many. Please stay safe and continue to check the FCPS website for any delays or cancellations for weekend activities in the division.
Next week is the end of the 1st semester and another short week. Please note in your calendars that Thursday, January 25 is a 2-hour early dismissal and students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm. Students do not have school on Friday, January 26, it is a teacher work day. Please make sure your child has submitted all work to be considered for the 2nd quarter. If you have any questions about what work can still be submitted, please speak with your child or your child’s teacher.
Lastly, we would like to welcome Ms. Fabiana Francis to Irving Middle School. Ms. Francis is our new part-time Office Assistant. Many of you will recognize her name as she is coming to us from Orange Hunt Elementary School, where she worked in the same role. Ms. Francis started with us on Wednesday. She will be in the Main Office in the mornings - Welcome, Ms. Francis!
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
Third Period
Throughout this school year, we have been working with a committee of staff members to ensure we are using our 3rd period Rock Block in the best ways possible. We have been using it to build relationships between staff and students, provide Social Emotional Lessons and other required division lessons such as Digital Citizenship lessons, school wide state assessments, just in time academic support, enrichment activities, and targeted 6-week intervention cycles for students. Each period is a little different depending one what requirements we need to meet and the time of the school year.
To ensure we are providing as much just in time support as possible, at the start of 2nd semester, all students will be provided a new 3rd period teacher. Each student’s 3rd period teacher will be one who is on the same grade level and/or on their team. This will make it easier for students to quickly move to one of their core teachers’ classes should they need help with a current assignment, project, or quiz, or test. We will be continuing with enrichment activities and will be sharing more information about how students can support our community through acts of service during the second semester soon! We will be sharing the change in 3rd period teachers next week in a video to students so that they are aware before they receive their new schedules for 2nd semester.
Irving Invasion Field Trip to West Springfield High School
Due to the school cancellation last Tuesday, we are going to reschedule for March. More details will be provided as we get closer to the date.
Rising 9th Grade Course Selection
Please remember that course selection sheets were due today to your child’s English teacher. If you have not seen this already, please ask your child about the sheet and remind them to turn it in right away. Also, if your child is interested in participating in the Leadership or Sports Leadership classes in 9th grade, they need to complete this application by 1/19.
SIS ParentVue & StudentVue Unavailable
SIS gradebooks will not be available in ParentVue and StudentVue during the 2nd Quarter grade reporting, from January 25 - February 5, 2024.
Student Laptop Damage Fees
There are fees associated with repairing or replacing damaged or lost student laptops, as well as lost power cords. Those fees are in the MySchoolBucks school store:
- Screen Replacement: $85
- Laptop Replacement: $472
- Power Cord Replacement: $23
Lightspeed Classroom Management
As part of our commitment to creating a safe and focused learning environment for our students, our school is using a classroom management tool that will help teachers better connect with student devices during classes. We are continuing to expand our use over the coming weeks. This tool will provide teachers with a number of helpful features:
- Easily view student screens in real time from the teacher console to see which students may need guidance or support.
- Focus student attention on a particular website on their device to minimize distractions.
- Pause student access to the internet to focus on other classroom tasks.
We believe this classroom management tool will allow us to maximize class time to support your student’s learning while at school. Please note that student devices will not be monitored outside of school hours. The regular filters remain in place on school devices, but once they are home, teachers cannot monitor students. As parents, we would like to encourage you to sign up for your own Lightspeed reports, which will allow you to see how your child is spending time on the computer during and after school hours.
Yearbook Announcement
If you have not already preordered your yearbook please do so. We currently have over 400 yearbooks preordered, we only order based on the number of preorders with just a few extra, so there is no guarantee that you will receive one if you haven't preordered.
*****The deadline to order any name stamps on a yearbook is January 24th.*** This means you can still preorder a yearbook after this date but no name stamps will be available to order.
Go to www.yearbooksforever.com to preorder.
Thank you for your continued support this year!
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
Volleyball Clinic, athletic attire (including your shoes) and registering via the weekly sign-up are required. Volleyball is extremely popular, students will not be allowed to participate if they do not sign-up and/or properly dressed.
Updates on the following clubs:
- Art Club, postponed until further notice
- Back to Basics Leadership, postponed until further notice
- Soccer Club, postponed until Monday, February 5.
- Whisk Takers, restarts on Tuesday, January 23. *If your student did not attend the Organizational Meeting or meet with Mrs. Wilson, they will need to do so BEFORE signing-up.*
- Cheer/Dance, moved to Thursdays.
- MakerSpace/Robotics, added Thursdays first block until the end of February.
- Open Gym, will be offered Mondays (2nd block), Wednesdays (both blocks) and Thursdays (2nd block)
Library News
Seventh grade English students began the new school year with visits to the library. Their goal was to find a narrative nonfiction book that they’ll use for their English book project. Most everyone visited the library and found a book. Those students who were absent during the class visit, or those students who would prefer to switch the book that they borrowed, will have a day to return to the library so that they have an additional opportunity to borrow a narrative nonfiction title. [Just a reminder for any parents who may be trying to help their child select a book: A true account that is written in a narrative form and reads like a novel (with a beginning, middle and end) are the type of books that they’ll need.]
In other news, the after school book club, Readers Unite will be discussing their third book of the school year on Monday, January 22nd. And, the Battle of the Books teams are continuing to meet, read and practice, preparing for the school tournament on March 15th that will determine which of our school teams will represent Irving in the county-wide competition.
Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek
PTA News
RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road!). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com. (copy and paste / links don't work!)
RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY - 2/6/24 - TACO BAMBA Springfield! - Either mention the unique code (WIMS) or "Washington Irving Middle School" when ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online, enter the code: WIMS in the coupon code area at check-out.
TEACHER APPRECIATION - Stay tuned for the next event! - If you are interested in volunteering - please email us! - irvingmspta@gmail.com - or we're happy to take direct donations to support - you can donate here - https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/62509 (copy and paste the link!)
NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - COMING VERY SOON!!February 21st IN-PERSON PTA MEETING @ 6pm! + "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 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
|
