Stenwood Hive Happenings


Hive Happenings Newsletter


Dear Stenwood Families,

Today was such a wonderful day!  We welcomed our newest Stingers this morning.  The Class of 2038 joined us for their kindergarten orientation!  We know many of you have memories of that day, whether it was almost 7 years ago, or just last year.  It is such an exciting time!

This week we celebrated our readers all week long!  Thank you for having fun with all of the spirit days.  Yesterday, our whole school participated in DEAR (Drop Everything and Read).  It was such a great opportunity to be together as a community and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.  

Thank you to our 3rd graders (and the help from home), who presented amazing simple machines today.  They have some awesome solutions to some every day problems, lots that involve snacks!  Watch out Shark Tank, our Stingers are coming! 

We also want to appreciate our wonderful Social Worker, Kara Enright for National Social Work Week!  

We just have two weeks until Spring Break, and we have a lot packed in those two weeks!  This weekend is the start of Daylight Savings, don’t forget to adjust your clocks.  

Below you will find additional information about:

  • Stenwood is Hiring for 24-25 - Reminder
  • Ramadan Accommodations - Reminder
  • FCPS Family Engagement Survey Now Open - Updated
  • National Women’s History Month - NEW
  • Ramadan - NEW
  • Next Year’s Intention Form / Rising Kindergarten Information
    - Reminder

  • 2024 CTE Summer Enrichment - Reminder
  • Nutrislice Menu and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 

Bryan Case, Assistant Principal 
bgcase@fcps.edu


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. 


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 is open.  Parents/caregivers will received 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!


National Women’s History Month

Womens Month

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.


Ramadan

Ramadan

This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11th. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.

March 11th is an O day. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.


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

Food

Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast will be $1.75.  Lunch will be $3.25, milk $0.60.  Money can be added to your child(ren)’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com.  

During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch at https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/stenwood-elementary.  

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. 


Welcome Picture

2nd Grade Field Trip to the Udvar-Hazy Center!

Udvar

Udvar

Udvar

Kindergarten Orientation!

Kinder

Kinder

Kinder

Stingers are Readers Week 2024!

Hat Day!

Hat Day

Hat Day

Drop Everything and Read!

Read

Read

Read

Pajama Day!

Pajama Day

Pajama Day

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

SM
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Facebook

facebook.com/StenwoodElementary

Insta

 

Instagram

@stenwoodelementary

Bee

 

Website

stenwoodes.fcps.edu

FB

 

PTA Facebook

facebook.com/StenwoodElementaryPTA