|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
In This Issue
Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
Hello Herndon Middle School Families,
I hope this message finds you and your family well!
Last week was a busy but rewarding one for our Herndon community. A special Shanah Tovah to our friends, students, colleagues, and community who celebrated Rosh Hashanah last week. We wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Our Hawks proudly represented us on Saturday at the Kilmer Middle School meet. Thank you to Coach Caitlin Ferrence for her continued support of our student-athletes.
We're excited to continue fostering a positive and caring environment this week. Our OneSight Vision Clinic will be here from Tuesday to Thursday, offering free eye exams and eyewear to our students and staff. It's a beautiful opportunity to support our community and ensure everyone has the tools to succeed.
Please see essential reminders and key dates below. Have a wonderful week at the Hawk's Nest!
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Screener
The SOS Screener will be administered to seventh-grade students who will receive the Signs of Suicide (SOS) wellness screening during homeroom on Tuesday, October 8th, and Thursday, October 10th. This screening allows students to assess whether they have symptoms consistent with depression and helps identify students who are at risk of suicide. We will have an adjusted bell schedule on both days.
This school year, FCPS staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this challenging topic and encourages them to seek help.
Homeroom, Intervention, and Enrichment Topics this Week
- RAM: SEL Screener
- Focus: Check grades, organize binders, and binder checks.
- Intervention: CLT Directed
- Enrichment: Student choice board
Important Dates:
- October 14th - staff development day
- October 24th and 25th - picture days
- October 28th - Choral Pyramid concert
- October 30th - Dr. Reid will be joining us for Community Conversations in the Cafe
- October 31st - 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
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:
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
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 our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
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 detailed 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.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
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 final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Wellness Screening
Herndon Middle School is conducting the Signs of Suicide (SOS) wellness screening onTuesday, October 8th and Thursday, October 10th with all 7th grade students during Homeroom. This free, voluntary, and confidential screening is offered to help students assess whether or not they have symptoms consistent with depression, and to identify students at-risk of suicide. Students may be opted out of this screening at a parent/guardian’s request. The opt-out information was sent via the parent digital consent system. If you would like to opt your 7th grader out of this screening, please email your students counselor.
Picture Day is Coming
Get ready to smile—School Picture Day is just around the corner!
Dates: Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th
Location: Student's PE Class
Retakes: Tuesday, November 12th
A quick reminder for students: please avoid wearing green on picture day! More details on how to access and order your photos will be shared soon.
Social Studies Basal Resources Review
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Middle and High School Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
October
Disability History and Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
8-10 | OneSight Eye Clinic
9 | International Walk and Roll to School Day
10 | Senior Night at 7PM at Herndon HS
11 | Yom Kippur - No Night Hawk
14 | Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School
19 | Cross Country Meet at Franklin at 10:30AM
|
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
Walk and Roll to School Day
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.
Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
Yom Kippur
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school.
See the complete school year calendar.
Weekly Attendance Update | October 7th
Tips on How Families Can Help
Did you know?
- Regular school attendance in elementary school improves the chances that your child will read on grade level.
- Chronic absenteeism (missing 18 or more school days per year) is a primary cause of lower academic achievement even when the absences are "excused" or understandable.
- Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available.
 |
|
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.
|
|
