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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.
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Hello Stone Panther Families,
Spring forward is a time for us to adjust to the changing weather and longer daylight hours in the evening. As the flowers begin to blossom and grow; we begin to see growth in our students. We are actively working with 8th graders to prepare them for the transition to high school while enjoying the maturity and growth we are seeing in our 7th graders. We know this is a transitional time for parents as well and we are here to support you.
As we approach Ramadan, please know that we have a student prayer area in the library that is open for use. We ask that you send the assistant principal an email if you would like for your student to consistently miss instructional time for the prayer room.
Let’s have a great week Panthers!
Sonya Williams
Principal
💻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.
📚Book Fair Spirit Week
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Monday - Wear your favorite Cartoon/Comic/Humorous Character!
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Tuesday - What’s your favorite quote? Your favorite saying? Your favorite book? Wear those words.
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Wednesday - What’s your favorite subject? Wear your favorite Math, Science, English, History, PE, Art, FACS, Tech, or Music-related shirt!
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Thursday - Same as Tuesday.
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Friday - Reading takes you higher. Wear your collegiate gear!
✅FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form
On Monday, March 18, Stone Middle School parents/guardians will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form.
This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to Stone Middle School.
Survey topics include:
- instructional leadership
- school climate
- management
- communication and community relations
- culturally responsive and equitable leadership
- professionalism
The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!
💳Finance Park Parent Volunteers Needed
All 8th graders will attend a field trip to JA Finance Park in April to participate in a budgeting simulation. We need parent volunteers to help guide students through different phases of the day. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to your child’s Civics teacher to receive more information and the link to sign up.
📚Student Course Selections SY24-25
All students are in the process of having individual academic advising sessions with their school counselors individually to select their courses for next year. Students and parents can view their course selections in their SIS account under the Course Request.
Please note the following items:
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This list is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the Student Information System.
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Music Courses - Students who have signed up for the music courses (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) will initially be placed in the beginner level until auditions and placements have been completed. Please know that music directors will work to make the appropriate updates between May and June.
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Algebra 1HN- Rising 7th grade students who quality for Algebra 1HN will receive a separate communication confirming enrollment, and should now sign up for Math 7HN.
Visit our Academic Advising website or contact your child's counselor with any questions.
🍔PTSA Spirit Night @ Foster's Grill
 Come out to Foster’s Grill on Tuesday, April 9th from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. to support Stone Middle School. Stone will receive 10% of all sales during this time. No flier needed. Eat-in or to-go orders only. Spread the word. Hope to see you there!
💬Join the Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) invites you to a community conversation focused on addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools. This discussion will provide families and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl.
All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
Together, as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and sometimes fatal substances.
Date: Monday, March 18, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015
Auditorium (Enter through door 14)
Click here to register
Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed.
Program appropriate for grades 6 and up.
Event Flyer:
English I Spanish
✅2023-24 FCPS Family Engagement Survey
 Participate today! Make Your Voice Heard!
Parents/caregivers will receive the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey Sunday, March 3, 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 our 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!
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Collaboration with the community to see if FCPS is meeting its goals at the school, region, and division levels
Help us better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
TAKE THE SURVEY!
Visit the Family Engagement Survey website for more information
🐰Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Grace Covenant Church
- Saturday, March 30th
- 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- London Towne Elementary
Free food, drinks and much more!
To Register, text EGGHUNT to 82155
💻Citizenship Interview Preparation Classes
 FREE U.S. Citizenship Test Preparation-Online Class
This class is for permanent residents who are eligible for United States Citizenship.
The class will be held on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:45 p.m. beginning April 11 – May 23, 2024 through Zoom. There will also be an in-person celebration dinner at the end of the course.
Class is organized by Lord of Life Lutheran Church, please register using this link: www.LordofLifeVA.org/esl
🩴Summer Learning Opportunities
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
Many students also participate in summer learning opportunities to advance academically, to sharpen their skills, to learn something new, or to participate in fun fine arts and Career and Technical Education camps, institutes and academies.
Visit our Summer Learning Opportunites webpage to learn more about the opportunities for Summer 2024.
Programs include:
- Credit Recovery Academy
- Extended School Year (ESY) Services
- VIP – Value In Prevention (V.I.P) Camp
- Teens in Action
- Parktakes
- Rec-PAC
- Virginia Tech Summer Camp Opportunities
We will continue to update our Summer Learning Opportunites webpage as program information is available so be sure to check back!
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces
- Solar Eclipse Resources
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
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