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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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Feb 2-29
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Irving PTA - NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - Spiritwear is here!! - Go to Burke Sporting Goods (burkesports.com) and enter code HORSEMEN. Online site closes at noon, Thursday, February 29! Orders will be available in mid-March!
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Feb 19
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No School - Presidents Day
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Feb 21 at 6:00 pm
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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.
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Feb 28
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Spring SEL Screener - students will take the SEL screener for the 2nd time this year. If you have already opted out your child, you do not need to complete the form again. If you would like more information about the SEL screener or to access the opt-out form, click HERE
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CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Higginbotham, pictured above as “Allen” for Barbie and Ken Spirit Day. Mr. Higginbotham is a 7th grade Science teacher and
The West Springfield Pyramid
Outstanding Secondary New Teacher of the year!
Mr. Higginbotham now moves on to compete at the Region 4 level.
Good Luck, Mr. Higginbotham!
We are so grateful you chose to work at Irving Middle!
Greetings, Irving Families!
This week we, thanks to the hard working staff and students associated with our Student Council Association (SCA), celebrated Practicing Random Acts of Kindness (PRAK) with a variety of themed days. The messages each day from the SCA encouraged students to perform at least one act of kindness a day. We added an extra challenge today by asking students to perform an act of kindness for their family - be sure to ask what acts your child performed this week. PRAK is a great activity for the entire family and we hope you will help your child practice kindness this weekend.
The talent of our students never stops amazing me! We have top tier musicians, athletes, dancers, performers, and scholars. I want to congratulate the cast of We Will Rock You for their outstanding performances last weekend. Today, we had 20 students participate in the audition only District Choir at West Springfield High School. This week we had a student receive an honorable mention at the Scholastic Art Awards. And in the next few weeks we will be sending our performing Band, Orchestra, and Choirs to district assessment. We are so proud of the accomplishments of our students and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments throughout the remainder of the school year. We know that none of the extra activities would be possible without the support of our wonderful parents/guardians, so thank you - for supporting your child and allowing us to celebrate their excellent work.
Lastly, today I want to remind you of a very important and unfortunately, timely presentation sponsored by the PTA and the Fairfax County Police Department called Kid’s In Today’s Society. This presentation will provide the most up-to-date information regarding risks facing our children today. A reminder - due to the content, this is an adult only presentation. Our PTA does so much for our staff and school community - of all the things they do - this is one of the most important events they sponsor. We hope you will join us to hear this important message.
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive Compensation
At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all.
The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce.
The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:
- Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students.
- Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
- Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
- Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.
Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024.
The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.
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Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
CTE programs are available for grade 6-11 students to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. IFTA allows students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
Summer Learning
Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement, earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program, or recover one high school course credit through the Credit Recovery Academy.
FCPS’ free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher.
Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs.
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:
- Open Gym, will be offered Mondays (2nd block), Wednesdays (both blocks) and Thursdays (2nd block).
- WSHS Football Interest Meeting is Tuesday, February 20, 1st block
- WITS returns Tuesday, February 20, 1st block
- Harry Potter Club returns on Thursday, February 22
- Updates for next week:
- The following club(s) are not being held: Whisk Takers
- THERE'S NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Library News
Another end to a busy week in the library! This week ended with 8th grade students visiting the library to hear previews of dystopian fiction novels. The students will have the opportunity to choose a novel that they’ll read for their 3rd quarter English 8 project.
Readers Unite continues to meet on Mondays after school. Battle of the Books teams are gearing up for the school tournament on March 15th. Stay tuned for a picture of the BOTB members in their team t-shirts. Our school winner will move on to 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!) (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)TEACHER APPRECIATION – THANK YOU! For those who assisted with the teacher appreciation for February. Thanks to amazing volunteer Kendra, teachers and staff received a small bottle of olive oil on Valentine’s Day, with a note of thanks. NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!
TEACHER GRANTS - Teacher Grant Applications are open! This link will take you to the GoogleDoc with more information and the application - http://tinyurl.com/WIMSTeacherGrants (copy & paste the link!). The application will be open THROUGH 2/16 and grantees will be notified by 2/23!
NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - Spirit wear is here!! - Go to https://shop.burkesports.com/ (copy and paste - links don't work) and enter code HORSEMEN. Online site closes at noon, Thursday, February 29th! Orders will be available in mid-March!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 THE LINKS) 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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