Prrincipal's Message

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 11/17/2024 12:05 PM EST

Stone Families, 

Report Cards and School Goals

This week, students received their report cards, reflecting their academic and attendance progress for the first quarter. Please take time to review them with your child. Celebrate their achievements and discuss areas for improvement as we move into Quarter 2!

Stone Middle School sets annual goals to improve student learning and well-being. This year, our focus areas are:

  • Vocabulary Development: We're implementing new strategies to strengthen vocabulary across all subjects and grade levels.
  • SOL Success: We're committed to raising pass rates on the Math, English, and Science SOL exams.
  • Building a Positive School Culture: We're working to increase students’ sense of belonging and fostering cultural awareness in our school.
  • Reducing Absenteeism: Our goal is to have less than 10% of students missing more than 18 days (10% of the school year) for any reason.

How You Can Help

  • Reading at Home: Support your child's vocabulary growth by encouraging reading at home and introducing new words during conversations.
  • Regular Attendance: Regular school attendance is crucial for learning. Please ensure your student arrives on time and attends school daily.
  • School Involvement: Encourage your child to participate in clubs, sports, or other activities to feel connected to the school community.

American Education Week - November 18-22

Next week, we celebrate American Education Week! We recognize ALL who contribute to our school community, including teachers, counselors, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, support personnel, and more. Their dedication ensures our students' success. Nominate exceptional educators for the FCPS Cares program to show your appreciation: FCPS Cares Nomination Form

Fall Weather and Dress Code

With cooler temperatures, Stone MS prioritizes daily outdoor breaks unless it's below 40 degrees. Please ensure your child brings appropriate clothing to stay comfortable during outdoor brain break.

A Big Thank You!

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Centreville Aquarium for generously supporting our 7th Grade Science program! Let's all show our appreciation if you visit them.

Stone PTSA Spiritwear Contest

Unleash your child's creativity! The Stone PTSA is holding a student spiritwear design contest. Your child could be the designer of the next Stone MS spirit wear item. For details and submission instructions, visit: https://forms.gle/4auteH2HCQKW1Hn46 &  Spiritwear Contest.docx.

Respectful Behavior in Our Community

Stone MS has received concerns about student behavior at local businesses like Starbucks and Giant. We cherish these businesses as part of our community and want to ensure their continued support. Please encourage your child to behave respectfully and appropriately when visiting these establishments.

Together, we can make Stone MS a thriving learning environment for all! Let’s have a great week Panthers!

Sonya Williams

Principal

Information from Student Services

Thank you to all who attended the Parent Coffee on Friday of this week on the topic of Self-Esteem.  Here is the recording link for those who missed it. 

Passcode: #z6NqJ88Z

Did you know????

All students enrolled in FCPS have a LEAP Card  that allows them to check out 3 items at any of the Fairfax County Public Libraries. We recommend that you visit at least once per month to check out books as a family.  The libraries offer materials in various languages to support family literacy. In addition to materials in English, you can also find books in Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  The libraries also have World Languages Bags - each contain a kit with 8 picture books in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Tamil, and Urdu. More information about reserving World Languages Bags can be found here.

FCPS Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday December 2,  2024 at Westfield High School from 6:30p  - 8pm.  

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

Lexia Parent Night: Helping Children Learn to Read

Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.

Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia and discover strategies to support your child’s literacy. Events will be held on Tuesday, November 19, and Thursday, December 5.

✨ Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. 

Visit the Family Academy Catalog for more classes, workshops, and webinars.

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:

  • Veterans Day Recognitions
  • Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
  • Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links