 Good afternoon Stone Panthers,
Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning for the annual Ashi-Jyothi 5K! It was a wonderful day for a walk/run, and it was fantastic to see so many of our Stone Panthers participating. The mission of the 5K is to serve the needs of the underprivileged by providing access to education and healthcare. The Ashi-Jyothi Non-Profit Foundation has supported several local schools with funding for STEAM and Innovation labs, making a significant impact on our educational community. We hope to see even more Stone Panthers participating next year!
A quick reminder that tomorrow, Monday, September 16th, is our fundraiser night at Foster’s Grill. Enjoy a great meal while supporting our school! Additionally, our first cross-country track meet of the season will take place this Saturday at 10:30 AM at Hughes Middle School. We encourage you to come out and cheer on our running Panthers as they compete!
As we enter Week 5 of the school year, we’re approaching the halfway point of the first quarter. It’s a great time to reflect on academic progress and make any necessary adjustments. To help students succeed, I’d like to share some study skills advice from We Are Teachers:
Study Skills for Middle Schoolers
Middle school students can improve their learning outcomes by personalizing skills and strategies tailored to the subjects they are working on.
Through planning, students can use techniques for reading, memorizing, studying, and test-taking that will significantly enhance their learning.
Using the following methods can help your students develop better study habits that will enhance their study habits and help them perform better on tests:
- Create a designated study area - Designate a space where your student feels comfortable studying and can make it their own.
- Manage or limit distractions - Encourage your students to turn off their phones and electronics and to avoid disruptions from friends during study time.
- Get organized - Purchase a planner or notebook to help your students stay on track.
- Make a study plan - Help your student create a plan of what assignments need to be completed, how long it will take, and teach them how to prioritize their work assignments.
- Take breaks - Middle school students can work between 30 - 45 minutes before needing a break. Help them to recognize their signs for needing a break and taking one when they need to. Signs for a break could be: fidgeting, getting a headache, having trouble concentrating, or needing a drink or a snack.
- Personalize their study habits - Have your student experiment with several study styles to see which one works best for them. These study styles include: reading, listening, hands-on learning, etc.
- Take notes - Students in middle school should know how to take their own notes by identifying important facts and information but may need you to remind them of key points to remember as well.
- Prepare for tests - Have your students review the material, get rest, and eat well before taking tests. While taking the test, they should review the entire test first and answer the easy questions first. Once they complete the test, review it before turning it in.
- Make it social - If your students work well in groups, set up study groups or have them work with study buddies but just know that their closest friends may not always be the best study partners.
This information was taken from NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals). Source: We Are Teachers
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.
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool.
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
It is an exam that assesses linguistic proficiency in languages other than English. Linguistic proficiency is the ability to use language in real world situations in a spontaneous interaction, non-rehearsed context, and in a manner acceptable and appropriate to native speakers of the language.
Please go to the World Language Exam Site or contact your child’s school counselor for more information about how to register. Registration is open September 4 to October 4. No late registrations will be accepted.
School Counselor Contact Information
Ms. Marrefi (A-G) - kmarrefi@fcps.edu
Mr. Garcia (H-O) - agarcia1@fcps.edu
Ms. Luper (P-Z) - mnluper@fcps.edu
Date: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. (lunch at noon)
Place: Westfield High School (Gym Entrance - Door #11)
All participants will have the opportunity to perform with the Varsity Dance Team at halftime of the Varsity Football Game vs. Wakefield on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m.
Registration fee includes pizza, snacks, and an official WHS Dance Team t-shirt!
Click here to register.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions.
The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table!
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
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 Food Options at FCPS
- Parent/Caregiver Checklist
- Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R): “Shall vs. May” Focus Groups
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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