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Dear Stenwood Families,
This week we celebrated two students from each class who exemplify our CARES characteristic Assertion. Assertion is important across all of our school settings. Some examples are asking others to play, reporting problems, and even using please and thank you. The next CARES characteristic we will celebrate is Responsibility. Ask your Stingers ways they show their responsibility at school.
Next week we will be celebrating Stingers are Readers Week! We have a full spirit week planned to celebrate our readers. See below for the themes for each day.
Thanks to our PTA for sponsoring our Science Labs that continued and concluded this week. Dr. Reid even had a chance to see our students' excitement on their way back from the science lab with their lava lamps!
Please remember that Tuesday is a student holiday. The Fairfax Board of Elections requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5th, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election. Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as on other professional work days.
Below you will find additional information about:
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Bryan Case, Assistant Principal
bgcase@fcps.edu
Stingers are Readers Week
Stenwood is Hiring!
We have already started hiring for the 2024 - 25 School Year! We have several special education instructional assistant positions available. These are full-time positions. Here is a link to FCPS’ application portal. Please email me at esriley@fcps.edu if you are interested or want more information.
We continue to look for anyone who is interested in being a Classroom Monitor or Substitute. If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out if you have any questions or if you want more information. Here is a link to FCPS’ application portal.
Classroom Monitors: Monitors will work every day students attend throughout the 2024 - 25 school year, and will directly support classrooms by providing additional supervision to students during lunch or in the classroom. The pay is $16.85/hour. Teachers will provide directions/assignments for monitors and students to complete. Please apply here and email me at esriley@fcps.edu so we can schedule a time to talk more. Please share this opportunity with others who might be interested. All FCPS schools are looking to hire for this position.
Smartwatch Usage at School
We have seen an increase in students using smartwatches and wearable technology in classes during the school day, and in particular to contact families. This causes a distraction to the student, their teachers, and classrooms. In accordance with FCPS SR&R, elementary students are not allowed to use the call/text function on smartwatches during the school day. This policy does include non-instructional times including lunch and recess. If your child is not feeling well, please remind them that they need to tell their teacher and we can support them in the clinic; they can call you from there. Please DO NOT call, message or reply to your child on their cell phone or smartwatch during the school day. Here is the language from the SR&R specific section regarding cell phones and smart watches.
Elementary school Kindergarten-sixth grade
Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting, Internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, however one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs. Cell phones may be used on campus only before and after school. The full SR&R document is linked here.
March 5th Presidential Primary
The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5th, to accommodate the safe and efficient administration of the 2024 presidential primary election. Therefore, March 5th will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day.
Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as on other professional work days.
Ramadan Accommodations
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact Mr. Case, bgcase@fcps.edu regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
FCPS Family Engagement Survey
FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey will open Sunday, March 3rd. Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from independent research firm K12 Insight. Please participate — your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students.
Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and your school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school.
The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. Your voice matters!
Parent Book Club
Come join us to discuss parenting challenges and strategies in a supportive community. During Quarter 3, we are excited to be discussing The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Books are selected based on your input and interest and are related to parenting skills and raising school-aged children. If you aren’t already on the email list, please fill out this form to express your interest and feedback and we will provide you with more details directly. The book club is facilitated by Tammy Berick, School Counselor and Catherine Wideman, Kindergarten Teacher and open to all parents who want to join.
Next Year’s Intention Forms/
Rising Kindergarten Information
Last month, students brought home a Student Intention Form. We are asking families to fill out this form for each child to help us plan for adequate staffing next year. Thank you to those who have already returned the form. If you need an extra copy please reach out to the office at 703-208-7600.
If you have a child who will turn five on or before September 30th, 2024, please return the blue form or fill out the Rising Kindergartner form. We have Kindergarten Orientation coming up on March 8th at 9:15am. If you have any neighbors that have children that turn 5 on or before September 30th, please let them know to reach out to Mrs. Hunt, snhunt@fcps.edu as soon as possible so we can ensure they have all the information they need.
2024 CTE Summer Enrichment
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again planning engaging summer enrichment programs for students! For current kindergarten to 5th grade students, there is the Tech Adventure Camp. For current 6th to 11th grade students, there is the CTE Summer Academy.
These are hands-on, exploratory enrichment programs that teaches students engaging and exciting content in Career and Technical Education program areas by making connections to careers and developing new skills.
Registration is open from February 1st through June 7th, 2024.
Nutrislice Menu and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications
Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 813-4800 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Rhyming Day!
PTA Science Labs!
CARES Pizza Lunch! - Assertion
Stay Connected
Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES
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Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementary
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Instagram
@stenwoodelementary
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Website
stenwoodes.fcps.edu
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PTA Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementaryPTA
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