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Dear Stenwood Families,
Spring keeps on humming here. Lots to celebrate and be mindful of from here in The Hive.
We have many assessments coming in throughout all grades. Please be sure to check your child’s weekly communication from their classroom teacher about when those assessments are, especially 3rd through 6th graders who begin their SOLs next week. Please make sure that your Stinger is well-rested, on-time and having eaten a good breakfast on the morning of their assessments so that we can have a smooth testing window and so that they can do their best to show what they have learned all year.
Onto celebrations from the week… Last Friday, all Stenwood Stinger “Stringers” received Superior ratings at the Strings Solo and Ensemble Festival. We have some amazingly talented young musicians. Thanks to Kim Campbell for her work to provide this opportunity to show off that talent and get some great feedback from esteemed adjudicators.
Our 4th graders had a great day at Gunston Hall on Tuesday as they learned about Virginian George Mason. Kindergarten students enjoyed a trip to the Children’s Museum on Thursday. Thanks so much to all the teachers and chaperones who helped make these trips successful.
This week was #FCPSGreenWeek. In addition to Spirit Days every day to acknowledge a different aspect of global stewardship, our news crew educated students every morning on the theme for each day. Our Go Green Team led by Ann Opsahl and assisted by numerous other staff members have been beautifying the Art Courtyard with native plants for our pollinators and planting in our garden beds.
We ended our Spirit Week with Sports Fan Day today as we rev up for the Bee Kind Run this coming Sunday morning. If you signed up, packet pick-up is today. Be sure to check your email for more information from the PTA.
Lastly, keep in mind that next week is a shorter school week for students, with a Teacher Workday on Friday, May 3rd for Orthodox Good Friday. Please see the note below.
Have a great weekend! Looking forward to seeing many of you on Sunday at the Bee Kind Run!
Below you will find additional information about:
- Band/Strings Selection for 24-25 - Reminder - DUE TODAY
- Class Placement Input Form - Final Reminder - Due May 1st
- Lunch Volunteering at Stenwood - Reminder
- Stenwood is Hiring for 24-25 - Reminder
- Stenwood Family Book Club - NEW
- Orthodox Good Friday (Teacher Work Day) - NEW
- Stenwood PTA School Supply Kits - Reminder
- Stenwood STEAM - Reminder
- Spring Photos Are Now Online! - 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, if you continue to receive emails, it is because we do not have a response for your child’s selection 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 - Final Reminder
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.
Stenwood Family Book Club
Our final family book club of the year will be in person at Stenwood on Wednesday, May 15th at 3:30pm. The topic is managing the digital world as a family. We have a variety of articles, TED Talks and podcasts instead of a book.
All are welcome! Previous attendance and reading/listening to all materials is not necessary to participate. Childcare can be arranged. Please email Tammy Berick (tsberick@fcps.edu) and Catherine Wideman (cjwideman@fcps.edu) for more information.
Orthodox Good Friday/Teacher Work Day
 Friday, May 3rd, is Orthodox Good Friday, and a teacher work day. Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. There will be no school for students that day. See the complete school year calendar.
  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.
 Spring Photos Are Now Online!
   For questions, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
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
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.
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.
#FCPSEarthWeek Spirit Days!
Monday - Wear Green for Earth Day
Tuesday - Wear Blue for Watershed Day
Wednesday - Wear White for Zero Waste Day
Thursday - Wear Red for Climate Change Day
Friday Sports Fan Spirit Day!
4th Grade Field Trip to Gunston Hall!
Kindergarten Field Trip to the Children's Museum!
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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