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In This Issue
Hello Herndon Middle School Families,
I hope this message finds you well. Exciting things are happening at the Hawk's Nest!
Night Hawk
Night Hawk began today, Monday, September 9th! Ensure you've completed the Google Form created by our afterschool specialist, Ms. Liana Shivers. This form allows students to stay after school for programming until the end of May. Your Hawk won't want to miss out on our planned fun activities!
Quarter one will start with limited activities. We will add more activities as we move forward based on important student feedback so programming can be tailored to their voice and choice. If your Hawk doesn't see an activity they wish to participate in, let Ms. Liana Shivers (lshivers@fcps.edu) know. We may be offering the activity at a later date!
You can view the current schedule and sign-up for a specific activity here: https://bit.ly/NightHawk24-25. Students and families will be notified of significant changes made to the quarter-one schedule.
Transportation will be provided on Mondays through Thursdays. We will notify students and families when the bus stop schedule is available.
More information is coming soon! If you have further questions, please email Ms. Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu.
Thespian Parents Unite
We're hosting our Theatre Boosters meeting in the auditorium on Tuesday, September 10, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. We hope to see our thespian parents there! Please reach out to Dr. G-H if you have questions!
Food for Neighbors
We'll host Food For Neighbors packaging in the cafeteria this coming Saturday, September 14. If your Hawk needs service hours, please encourage them to attend from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or NJHS or their service learning hours.
Remembering 9/11
Students will learn about 9/11 this coming Wednesday through their social science classes. Additionally, Volunteer Fairfax can be reached to learn about community service learning opportunities. Service learning is an excellent way for our Hawks and families to engage with local nonprofits and volunteer. More information about volunteer opportunities can be found on Volunteer Fairfax's website.
7th-Grade Meaningful Watershed Experience Field Trip
7th-grade parents, mark your calendars! Your 7th grader will go on a meaningful watershed experience field trip the last week in September. Students will attend the week of September 23-27. Parents, you're welcome to chaperone on your Hawk's field trip date!
Questions? Please reach out to their science teacher.
Back to School Night Resources
Did you miss Back to School Night? Check out a special message from our PTA—a video is linked in the message—along with my message to parent stakeholders from September 5th!
Please also check parent Schoology for resources from our homeroom and learning seminar presentations. Additionally, please check your child’s Schoology pages for resources shared by each teacher on the evening of Back-to-School Night.
Parents, thank you so much for engaging and staying current! Here's to week four, as we look forward to loving and serving your family!
In Your Service,
Principal Monika Vereb
Capital One Coders
Ready to level up your skills? Sign up for the Capital Coders After School Program starting Thursday, September 19 during B-block 3:15-4:45.
If you love math, science, or video games, this 10-week program is perfect for you. Learn to code, solve puzzles, and even build your own website. It’s time to unleash your inner tech wizard! Contact Mr. Walsh for more information!
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Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:
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Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School
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Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
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Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
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Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School
Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
Solve the Puzzle Before It’s Gone!
Fairfax County's Puzzle Hunt will end on Sunday, September 15. Families have been solving puzzles and finding clues all summer in this unique community event that takes solvers on a journey to the wonderful parks in Fairfax County. There is still time to join before it ends!
Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be completed with friends and family and are challenging and accessible for all skill levels. Solve the puzzles, then find clues at the parks for a final meta-puzzle. Visit our wonderful local parks with friends and family.
Night Hawk Quarter 1 Schedule
The Night Hawk After-School Program started today, Monday, September 9th! We are starting with a soft launch and limited activities and will expand in the coming weeks. To make sure students are ready to go, please register students to attend the Night Hawk after-school program. Sign-ups for the following activities are currently open: Capital One Coders, Cross Country, Drama Club, Film Club, Magic: The Gathering, and Robotics. Transportation is provided Monday through Thursday and bus stops will be shared with families soon.
Questions? Please contact Ms. Liana Shivers, After School Specialist, at LShivers@fcps.edu.
Que Pasa? Festival of Herndon
Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating at the first annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Herndon! This festival will feature a diverse array of activities, including live music and performances, authentic Latin/Hispanic cuisine, artisanal crafts, interactive workshops, and much more. Attendees can expect to be immersed in the vibrant Latin/Hispanic culture, experiencing the sights, rhythmic sounds, and incredible flavors that make it so unique.
Date: Saturday, September, 14th
Time: 12:00-6:00 PM
Location: Lynn Street & Surrounding Areas
Admission: Free!
Visit Virginia Hispanic Chamber for more information!
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they're joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice.
Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.
Immunization Requirements
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
Receive Credit for Proficiency in Languages
This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.
The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.
Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam.
Find more information, including the list of eligible languages.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Herndon Middle School students in grades 7 & 8 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information about the SEL Screener including information on opting out please see the attached Parent Notification. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
September
Attendance Awareness Month
10 | Theatre Booster Meeting at 6 PM
11 | Commemoration/Patriot Day
14 | Food for Neighbors from 8-12 PM
15 | National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
21 | Cross Country Meet at Langston Hughes MS at 10:30 AM
21-29 | Blue Star Welcome Week
23-27 | MWEE Field Trip
28 | Cross Country Meet at Herndon MS at 8:30 AM
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September 11 - National Day of Service
With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
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FCPS Cares
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
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