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 Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Irving MS Outstanding Employees! Thank you to all of the staff, students, and parents/guardians who submitted nominations!
A Message from the Principal
Greetings, Irving Families!
I am thrilled to share the Irving Middle School Outstanding Employees for the 2024-2025 school year. The narratives shared by those who nominated staff members were lovely to read and evidence of how amazing our staff members are! We will be submitting packets for each of our award recipients right after winter break for consideration of being the West Springfield Pyramid Outstanding Employees. If you have anything you would like to share to contribute to the submission packets, please feel free to email me at caconley1@fcps.edu. We wish each of the award recipients all the best in the next round. We are grateful they each chose to work at Irving Middle School!
We are in need of your help for a safe dismissal at the end of the day. Our buses are lined up for dismissal by 1:45 pm each day. To ensure that cars are not driving in the bus loop and to avoid car accidents, if you need to pick your child up in the afternoon, please do so no later than 1:45 pm. Also, if you know you need to pick up your child for an appointment at any time during the school day, please call the school (703-912-4500 and press 1 to reach attendance) or send in a note with your child, who can drop off the note in the main office before school. To save time and help to make sure you reach appointments on time, we will ensure your child is ready to meet you at the designated pick up time. When picking up your child please be sure to bring in your state issued photo identification. Thank you for helping us ensure a safe dismissal!
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
New Irving Information
Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Katie Richter at kerichter@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Katie Richter at kerichter@fcps.edu
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Winter Break Resources and Information
Food Assistance and Resource GuideFood insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
Yearbooks are on sale!
Library News:
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Plan ahead for the coming break. Make sure that your student has plenty of books to read to last them into the New Year. Also, don’t forget that students have access to many ebooks and audiobooks that might come in handy if you’re traveling over the holidays.
This week, the library’s “Irving Says” poll is asking students whether they’d like a short amount of time to rehearse to perform a TARANTELLA dance, or an equally short amount of time to prepare to speak with an Irish BROGUE. So far, only 35% of students would plan to dance the Italian folk dance, while the other 65% would opt to speak like a Leprechaun.
After the break we had a small surge of overdue books being returned. There are still some books that students have had out since early September. Please look for those and return them so other students may read them. If your student has lost a book, please just have them come to the library to talk to a librarian.
Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek
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(Students made leaves to hang
on our library’s “Thankful Tree” on
which they wrote what they’re
thankful for.)
Irving Stays After
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After School Information
The After School Program runs 5 days a week unless noted. Monday through Thursday, our clubs and activities will run in two activity blocks (2:25 pm to 3:25 pm and 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm) with late buses. Fab FRIDAYS, is from 2:15 pm dismissal to 3:30 pm. The club schedule will vary by day and week, the most up-to-date schedule will be posted in the “After School” section in the student portal.
In order to sign up for a club, students must sign up using the Weekly Signup located in the After School Program folder located in the Schoology All Students Course and the After School section of the student portal.
Students may participate in as many clubs as they want. We encourage them to try something new as part of the After School Program! Use the following link to register your student. After School Registration Form
ALL athletic activities and clubs require athletic footwear to participate, locker rooms are not accessible during the After School Program.
Coming Soon:
Chess Academy, started Wednesday, November 6, 1st block, requires the Weekly Sign-up
Community and Leadership Workshop, started Wednesday, November 6, 1st block, requires the Weekly Sign-up
Super Sleuths, started Friday, November 8, during FAB Fridays, requires the Weekly Sign-up
Canceled for next week:
Wednesday, December 11, there’s NO AFTER SCHOOL
Future Makers and Robotics is postponed until further notice
Ultimate Frisbee will return in the Spring
FAB Fridays ends at 3:30pm. There are no late buses on Fridays and the Weekly Sign-up is required.
View the schedule on our website, the current schedule is available on your student’s Schoology and their Student Portal.
** When picking up students from After School programs, please use the front loop (not the bus lane in front of the main entrance) - students will come out the main entrance.**
Irving MS PTA Information
PTA News:
25 By '25 Donor Campaign The WIMS PTA is thrilled to launch our 25 By '25 donor campaign! Our goal: 25 new donations by January 1, 2025. In December, we’ll treat our amazing staff to a hot cocoa bar and goodies, invite them to apply for mini-grants to benefit our students, and fund the installation of a new water bottle filling station. Please support these efforts and more by making a tax-deductible donation at https://irvingms.givebacks.com/store/items/62509. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed!
Family Fun Night We had a great time at Family Fun Night last month! Thank you to all the families who joined us. Congratulations to Hope Doe, winner of our 50/50 raffle. A special shoutout to Ms. Beil and the SCA students for helping us plan such a fantastic event. We’re also incredibly grateful to Principal Conley and our wonderful volunteers—we couldn’t have done it without you!
Reflections Irving is full of creative artists! Thank you to all the students who submitted entries to the PTA Reflections art competition. Stay tuned—the winners will be announced in mid-December.
Virginia PTA Capitol Day - come join PTA Board members on a trip to Richmond on January 23 to meet with our legislators and advocate for our kids. Interested in learning more? Please email us at irvingmspta@gmail.com.
Papa John's Spirit Day - Every Thursday is Spirit Day at Springfield Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010 to get 40% off all menu prices, and Papa John’s will donate 10% of all online sales to the PTA. Offer valid every Thursday from 11 AM - 10 PM.
Upcoming PTA Activities
December 11 – Hot Cocoa Bar & Treats for the WIMS staff December 18 – Chipotle Spirit Night, 4–8 p.m. January 14 – PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. (in-person and on Zoom) January 23 – Capitol Day in Richmond
If you’re interested in volunteering or have any questions, please reach out to us at irvingmspta@gmail.com
Irving MS Music Boosters Information
Fundraiser: Support the WIMS Music Program
We are holding a fundraiser through December 15th through Lynch Creek Farm Elegent Evergreens. Purchase a wreath, garland, or centerpiece and the WIMS Music Program receives a portion of your purchase. Visit www.lynchcreekwreaths.com?campaign_id=0000330
Be a Guest Conductor at the Winter Concerts
Be a Guest Conductor at the Winter Concerts
We will be holding a raffle at the Band, Choir, and Orchestra Winter Concerts in December for the opportunity to guest conduct one piece of holiday music at each concert. Raffle tickets will be sold at a booth prior to each concert. All sales support the music program at WIMS. Please support and get a chance to conduct these talented musicians! (No conducting experience necessary).
West Springfield High School Information
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Important FCPS Information:
Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
Boundary Review Meetings
There are three remaining meetings in this first phase of the boundary review. Please publicize your region’s meeting and link to the webpage for the full schedule.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Family Academy Orientation
- Literacy Resources
- Winter Programs and Activities
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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