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In This Issue
Yoga with New Trail Cycling
| We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to New Trail Cycling for hosting a rejuvenating yoga session for our HMS faculty and staff this past Friday. Your calming presence brought a wonderful sense of serenity to our school, and everyone truly enjoyed the experience. Thank you for fostering wellness in our community! |
September 23, 2024
Hello Herndon Middle School Families,
I hope this message finds you well. I am sincerely grateful for another wonderful week at Herndon Middle School.
This week, we hosted our Think Big for Kids premier partners, who shared their invaluable insights with our students through AVID classes. Additionally, we kicked off our Capital One Coders programming premier partnership, providing students the opportunity to receive mentoring and coaching on coding for the future. Our students were also excited to receive special tech gear to enhance their learning experience.
On Thursday, we welcomed division leaders who engaged in exciting learning walks to witness the excellent work happening in our classrooms. On Friday, Dr. G.H. unveiled the exciting announcement of our Spring Musical, Matilda Jr.! Our 7th-grade grade-level teams celebrated with fun team-bonding activities and popsicles on the blacktop during homeroom.
This Tuesday evening, we’ll host parents, students, and teachers interested in the Italy Field Trip Meeting in the auditorium from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Wednesday evening, we’ll host our annual Thomas Jefferson Night in the auditorium from 6:00-7:00 PM for parents and students interested in hearing more about admissions. Thursday afternoon, we’ll host our National Junior Honors Society Meeting from 2:30-3:15 PM; see Ms. Ready with questions. We’ll host our Fresh Foods Frontier in the cafeteria from 5:00-6:30 PM on Friday.
We eagerly anticipate our second cross-country meet this coming Saturday! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming home cross-country meet on Saturday, September 28th.
Our 7th graders will embark on a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience at Lake Fairfax from Monday to Friday. We are keeping our fingers crossed for beautiful weather! We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents volunteering to support our school community.
Free Eye Clinic
ONESIGHT will be hosting a vision clinic at Herndon Middle School. Students will be able to receive a comprehensive eye exam and, if needed, eyeglasses at NO COST.
The clinic will take place on October 8th, 9th, and 10th, with appointments during the school day. This event is for STUDENTS ONLY and will take place during PE classes.
Limited spots are available. Please use the QR code below to register.
As we look towards October, please remember the following important dates:
- October 3rd is a holiday for Rosh Hashanah
- October 4th is a teacher workday
- October 14th is a staff development day
- October 24th and 25th are picture days.
- October 28th- Choral Pyramid concert
- October 30th- Dr. Reid will be joining us for Community Conversations in the Cafeteria.
- October 31st marks the end of the grading period and a 2-hour early release day.
Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership.
In Your Service,
Principal Monika Vereb
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered
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.
Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS
Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings.
View school menus to see all the new options and when they will become available.
When a Student Should Stay Home From School
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 our 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 assistance can be provided if needed. 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!
Thomas Jefferson HS Information Night
Join us on Wednesday, September 25th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the HMS Auditorium for an informative evening designed for 8th grade parents. Discover details about the admissions process and explore the exciting fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics!
Herndon MS Technology Update
When a student comes to the tech office with a cracked screen or a physically broken laptop and it’s their 1st offense, we will issue a warning & email home along with the student’s Admin and Grade Level Dean.
If it’s their 2nd offense cracking the screen or breaking the laptop, an email will be sent home, and we will present the $50 technology fee to the family.
Lastly, if a student forgets to bring their laptop with them to school, we will ask for their cell phone as collateral to ensure we get the borrowed laptop back.
For more information, please visit Student Device Responsible Use Guidelines.
Blue Star Welcome Week
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 21 - September 29, 2024, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
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.
Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. For example, making sure they are readers by third grade and taking courses that challenge them throughout their education will help prepare them for lifelong success. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
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Monday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
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Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
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Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
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Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
We All Belong at School
Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school.
Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture
Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.
Join Herndon MS in Italy
Exciting News, Hawk Families! Herndon MS is heading to Italy Summer of 2025, and you're invited to join us! Mrs. Andrews will be hosting an informational meeting for parents, tomorrow, September 24th from 6:30-7:30PM, where you can get all the details. Click here to register for the meeting.
Please note, this is a non-school sponsored trip.
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Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Immunization Requirements
Please check with your healthcare 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 healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A healthcare 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 religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
Permission Forms
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. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
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 Friday, September 30.
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.
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September
Attendance Awareness Month
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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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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