 October is only days away! As the new month begins, please take note that our school week will be shorter with only three days with students. This will be a recurring trend throughout the month, so I encourage you to enjoy the extra downtime and keep an eye on the calendar for any changes. During the month, we will celebrate National School Principals, Disability History & Awareness, National Bullying Prevention, National Coaches Day, National Custodian Appreciation Day, Rosh Hashanah, Indigenous Peoples Day, Yom Kippur and the end of 1st Quarter.
Weekend Event Highlights:Over the weekend, Stone hosted an FCPS Cross Country meet, and I’d like to give special recognition to our Middle School Cross Country Team for their fantastic efforts in their second meet of the year! It was inspiring to witness their progress and the camaraderie between teammates. Congratulations to this week's top runners:
- Nick N
- Santino M
- Noah N
- Chelsea U
- Layla R
- Lexi J
- Penelope W
For full results, you can visit: Cross Country Results.
A small group of Stone musicians had the opportunity to play at St Andrews Church’s Oktoberfest! Thank you for representing Stone in the community.
October Highlights:
October 2- PM Observance: Rosh Hashanah (regular school day for students)
October 3 - No School (Holiday- Rosh Hashanah)
October 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)
October 11- PM Observance: Yom Kippur (regular school day for students)
October 14 - No School- Indigenous Peoples' Day (Staff Development)
October 31 - End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release
November 1 - No School (Holiday- Diwali)
Let's have a great week Panthers!
Sonya Williams
All middle and high schools in FCPS teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. All schools use an evidence-based program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.
SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.
Through the program, students learn:
- that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
- how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
- to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
- who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it
Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend.
Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video or visit this site to learn more about how you can continue this important conversation at home. If you’d like to come to Stone to preview this lesson, please complete this RSVP form and we will reach out to you with a date/time for the preview.
At Stone, the SOS lesson and accompanying screening will occur for all 7th grade students on Tuesday, October 22nd.
We recognize that you may have opted your child out of this program through the Parent Digital Consent tool (PDC). If you did not complete opt out using the PDC and would still like to do so you can opt out of this lesson by Tuesday, October 15th by emailing Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services at TLBrumett@fcps.edu or feel free to call me with any questions in regard to this screening at 703-631-5527.
 All children should READ EVERY DAY! Whether they are reading on their own or are listening to someone else read, children should have access to stories every day. To support our community literacy goals, the Fairfax County Public Library has initiated the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP), which provides access to materials at the public library branches county wide. All students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have LEAP accounts. These are virtual accounts that students can use if they do not have a physical library card or if they forget their library card but still want to check out books from the public library. It will allow them to check out up to 3 books for 6 weeks (no renewals). Students are not charged fees.
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:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
 We had some minor changes to our after school activities calendar.
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.
The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
 Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar.
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.
Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A spine affected byscoliosis has a sideways curve, making it appear more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. Untreated scoliosis can lead to limited motion, back pain, deformity, and in extreme cases, impaired function of the heart and lungs. Early detection and treatment may prevent scoliosis from progressing.
When should my child be screened for scoliosis?
Scoliosis most commonly occurs during the growing years, between age 10 and the time an adolescent is fully grown. Screenings should begin in early adolescence. Pediatricians should check for early signs during a routine physical exam.
What causes scoliosis?
The cause of scoliosis is unknown. Scoliosis is more common in females than males.
How is scoliosis treated?
In many cases, the curve is mild and does not require treatment. In some cases, treatment may involve bracing. Severe curves may require spinal surgery. The need for treatment is best determined by a trained medical professional.
What are the signs of scoliosis?
- One shoulder may be higher than the other.
- One shoulder blade may be higher or more prominent than the other.
- One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other.
- Unevenness of the waist.
- The spine curves sideways.
- The head is not centered over the pelvis.
If you have any concern that your child may have scoliosis, make sure that your child is screened by a health care provider. For additional resources and information, please contact the school Public Health Nurse (PHN).
For more information visit the Scoliosis Research Society website.
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
Safely Store Firearms and Medications
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more
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:
- FCPS Strives to Become Purple Star School Division
- Sign and Return SR&R
- Upcoming Immunization Clinic
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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