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Dear Stenwood Families,
You know by now that the Hive is always buzzing! On Monday this week, our 5th graders took a trip to Planet Word and had language come to life for them in all sorts of fun ways. On Wednesday, we honored our Military Children and their families county wide on Purple Up Day! Thursday had our 3rd graders taking advantage of the amazing Spring weather at Frying Pan Park as they connected their study of simple machines to the real world. They saw how simple machines are used all around a farm to make difficult tasks easier. They also saw cute farm animals as a bonus. And Thursday night, we had a fantastic time at the Marshall Pyramid Art Show where many of our Stinger artists showed off their work! We got several comments about the outstanding quality of the work from Stenwood students. Our art teachers Jayney Riddick and Leslie Polish are rock stars and they made our student artists feel the same way! Last week we also celebrated with our CARES Pizza Lunch winners for Responsibility. Next up will be Empathy in a few weeks.
And since there’s never a dull moment around here, we have even more field trips next week, plus a week full of Spirit Days.
Monday is Earth Day! As part of #FCPSEarthWeek, we will have the following Spirit Days:
  Additionally if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, Fairfax County Park Authority's Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Sully Historic Site. The festival will include earth and nature-focused programs, scavenger hunts, and more.
On Friday next week, the SCA is sponsoring a Sports Fan Spirit Day as we get excited for the Bee Kind Run on Sunday morning, April 28th! Show off your sports fandom on Friday and we look forward to seeing everyone out there running on Sunday morning!
 We can’t wait for all of the fun next week brings!
Below you will find additional information about:
- Band/Strings Selection for 24-25 - Reminder - Due Next Friday
- Class Placement Input Form - Reminder - Due May 1
- Lunch Volunteering at Stenwood - Reminder
- Stenwood is Hiring for 24-25 - Reminder
- Stenwood PTA School Supply Kits - NEW
- Stenwood STEAM - NEW
- Passover - NEW
- Theravada New Year - NEW
- Spring Photos Are Now Online! - Reminder
- Lost and Found Items - Reminder
- FCPS’ Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces - Reminder
- Fairfax County Health Department School Health Services Internal Survey - Reminder
- Family Summit - Final Reminder
- Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award - 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
Band/Strings Selection for 24-25
3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families, last Friday you received an email with information on Band and Strings selections for next year. We ask that you complete this form by Friday. April 26th so that we can ensure we have adequate staffing for these positions.
Class Placement Input Form
If your child is returning to Stenwood next school year, we offer you the opportunity to share any comments you would like regarding class placements. If you know that your family will not be joining us for the 2024-25 school year, please reach out to Mrs. Hunt, snhunt@fcps.edu or 703-208-7600 to let us know.
Our staff will be working on tentative class groupings this spring, with classroom assignments finalized in late August. As we make these placements, we consider many factors including individual student information, teacher input, and social relationships. Every class will have a blend of children with diverse needs, personalities, and learning interests. Due to the many factors we must consider in creating classroom placements, including the reassignment of some teachers to a different grade level and the hiring of new teachers, requests for a specific teacher cannot be honored.
If you have information that you believe is pertinent to your child’s placement for next year, please complete the optional Class Placement Input Form by Wednesday, May 1st for it to be taken into consideration. There is no need to complete the form if you do not have any information you would like us to consider. Thank you.
Lunch Volunteering at Stenwood
We are asking for parent volunteers to come in and help out during lunch. Please go to the sign-up to volunteer for your child’s grade level and other grade levels if you’re able.
Email Mr. Case (bgcase@fcps.edu) with any questions.
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.
  This year in STEAM, we’ve used the Engineering Design Process to design and build prosthetic hands, water pipelines, rollercoasters, board games, animal habitats, airplanes, and so much more! We continue to appreciate your donations of recycled and/or consumable products for our projects, including:
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Thin Cardboard (cereal boxes, paper towel tubes, dry goods boxes)
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Paper and Paper Bags (newspaper, large grocery bags, lunch size bags)
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Crafting Items (popsicle sticks, crafting paper, tape of all kinds, tape dispensers, stickers, pipe cleaners)
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Household Items (paper cups, straws, toothpicks)
Items can be donated into the STEAM donation bin outside of the library, just inside the door from the Kiss N Ride circle.
Passover
 Many Jewish communities in the United States celebrate Passover, a recognition of the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is also known as Pesah, Pesach, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Many Jewish families in the United States eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods, such as meat of the paschal lamb and bitter herbs, recalling the harsh life of slavery. Learn more about Passover in NatGeo Kids.
Monday, April 22nd, and Tuesday, April 23rd, are designated half-O days in recognition of the first two days of Passover. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete school year calendar.
Theravada New Year
 In countries where Theravada Buddhism is the most dominant religion, New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon in April. Theravada means “the teachings of the elders.” Celebrations begin with people attending the local temple in the morning for chanting and meditation. In the afternoon they have a water festival in which they meet the Buddha image and pay respect to the elderly by watering their hands together. Building sandcastles is also one of the most popular activities during this day of celebration.
Wednesday, April 24th, is designated as an O day for Theravada New Year. 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. See the complete school year calendar.
Spring Photos Are Now Online!
   For questions, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Lost and Found Items
Our Lost and Found is growing by the day, especially with the warm weather coming. Please watch this short video and if you see something that belongs to your family, you are welcome to stop by or contact Mrs. Hunt with the number of the item and she will try to help locate it for you.
New FCPS Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces
FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.
These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact our Assistant Principal Bryan Case regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.
Fairfax County Health Department School Health Services Internal Survey
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians of FCPS students. Parents/guardians are asked for feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week.
Survey link: www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey. The survey window opens April 15th and closes April 26th.
Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.
Family Summit Designed to Enhance Safety, Security, and Inclusion
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20th, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families such as raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. Participants may also join online sessions, which will provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Visit the Family Summit webpage to learn about the guest speakers and to register for the event. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Dr. Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are open for the 2024 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium.
Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award website
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.
CARES Pizza Luncheon! - Responsibility
5th Grade Field Trip to Planet World!
3rd Grade Field Trip to Frying Pan Park!
Purple Up Day!
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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