 Stone Middle School is excited to welcome your students to the first day of school on Monday, August 19th.
Here are some first day of school reminders: All students should report to their 1st period classroom. Students who have not picked up their schedule for the year can find their 1st period class information in their Student SIS account. In the 1st period classroom, students will receive a new PURPLE schedule with the most updated school information, including rooms and teacher information as some things have been updated since Open House/Back to School Night. The most updated class schedule information is also available on both Parent and Student Vue applications. Any questions regarding a student schedule should be directed to the child’s school counselor:
Katie Marrefi Alpha last name A-G KMarrefi@fcps.edu
Armando Garcia Alpha last name H-O AGarcia1@fcps.edu
Marissa Luper Alpha last name P-Z MNLuper@fcps.edu
We are starting something new this year, Parent All Page in Schoology, which will house all school wide information and presentations. Please visit this site for our back to school presentation, school board representative message and FCPS strategic plan overview. If the link does not work, please follow the instructions to ensure to you are signup for ParentVue.
Forms are available in the FCPS Parent Digital Consent (PDC) starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Parents should log in using their ParentVue username and password.
Available forms include:
Stone Middle School will have the expectation that students will have their phones away for the school day starting at 7:25am until 2:15pm. Stone staff will implement the FCPS policy and document any cell phone use offenses in SIS for tracking purposes.Additionally, staff will be asked not to use cell phones for instructional activities.
FCPS Cell Phone Policy
Here are the key points:
- Cell phones may be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell.
- All Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. Airplane mode is encouraged.
- Students with a documented health or educational need through special services may have an exception. Please work through your child’s administrator or school counselor if you believe an exception is needed.
- You can find more information on FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage (for all schools) and cell phone storage webpage (for schools that are getting storage containers). Both of these web pages include a button to provide feedback.
We ask for your support as we work together to build a community that is focused on learning, social-emotional health and well-being.
Starting on the first day of school, Monday, August 19, parents/caregivers can submit full-day absences through FCPS’ SIS ParentVUE platform. This will make reporting and tracking absences easier for our school.
Parents/caregivers may report absences by using ParentVUE or by contacting the front office. Please find important details below:
-
How to Use ParentVUE: Log in to your ParentVUE account and select “Report Absence.”
-
More Ways to Report: Use our 703-631-5555 for absences longer than two days, late arrivals, and early dismissals. Please note Stone MS stops early dismissals at 1:45 pm daily.
-
Where to Get Help: Visit FCPS’ Attendance Reporting webpage for step-by-step instructions.
If you need to set up a ParentVUE account or have questions, please contact our front office at 703-631-5500. Our staff will provide you with an “activation key” and instructions to create a ParentVUE account.
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
Note: Some holidays and observances, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift and the calendar may be adjusted.
The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
The best way to purchase meals and additional food items is to use MySchoolBucks. If you have not already, set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically as needed, and families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account.
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 6-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
- iReady Reading - all students scheduled to take the spring reading SOL
- MAP Growth MAP – all students scheduled to take a spring math SOL
Middle school teachers assess all grade 6-8 middle school students with iReady Reading and MAP Growth MAP in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator Jenni Maybury at jpmaybury@fcps.edu.
 The Fairfax County School Board is responsible for running the public schools in Fairfax County. Twelve school board members are elected by county voters every four years.
A student representative serves on the board as a non-voting member. They are chosen by their peers each year.
The School Board makes general rules and sets guidelines to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools runs properly. They follow the laws of Virginia and the rules set by the Virginia Board of Education.
Learning about your local school board is important. Understanding their policies and initiatives can help you advocate for positive changes and ensure that the educational needs of all students are met. There are many ways to get involved.
Learn more about the school board, how to participate in their meetings, and where to watch school board meetings.
Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.
In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.
Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.
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:
- Phones Down, Engagement Up
- Middle and High School Grading Updates
- Counting Down to First Day Fairfax
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
Stone Quick Links
|
