 Dear Stone Community,
Welcome back to school after our winter break!
We're excited to have our students back in the classroom, but we're also keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for potential snow. Please stay tuned to local news stations and the official FCPS website (fcps.edu) for the latest information on any school delays or cancellations.
As we return to school, please help your students re-establish healthy routines, such as:
- Consistent Bedtimes: Getting enough sleep is crucial for students' focus and learning.
- Healthy Breakfasts: A nutritious breakfast provides the energy students need to succeed throughout the day.
- Packing Lunches: Preparing lunches in advance can help reduce morning stress and ensure students have healthy options.
We look forward to seeing all of our Panthers this week!
Let’s have a great week Panthers,
Sonya Williams
Principal
Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.
As many of you know, Ms. Lois Stanziani has been a beloved member of our school community for many years. While we will miss her greatly, we wish her all the best in retirement and thank her for her incredible dedication to our students in our English and Theatre departments.
We are delighted to introduce Ms. Olivia Timm as our new English 8 teacher. Ms. Timm will officially join our team on January 6, 2025. She recently graduated from George Mason University, where she earned her degree in English Education. Her passion for teaching and inspiring young minds is evident, and we are confident that she will be a wonderful addition to our school community. Ms. Timm has a love for literature and learning and enjoys reading in her free time. She is eager to meet her students and collaborate with families to ensure a successful year at Stone.
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Timm to Stone Middle School. If you have any questions or would like to extend a personal welcome, feel free to reach out to Tami Brumett, our English Administrator at TLBrumett@fcps.edu or email Ms. Timm directly once she begins her role with us.
Beginning in January 2025, our students will meet with their school counselors to discuss course selection for next year. We encourage families to actively participate in this important transition process to ensure students select courses that align with their personal interests, career goals, and postsecondary aspirations while striving to reach their highest academic potential.
Planning which courses to take next year – and in future years – must be given considerable thought. The Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information about graduation requirements and course offering information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions to plan for success in high school and beyond. Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful in reviewing the wide variety of courses offered in FCPS. Be sure to also refer to our Stone Academic Advising website for our school-specific course catalog and course selection information.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
- Current academic strengths and habits;
- Graduation requirements (high school students);
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals;
- Personal well-being; and
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students' time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
Stone Academic Advising Important Dates and Information (Handout):
1/8/25 Westfield High School Curriculum Night
2/5/25 Stone Middle School Curriculum Night
2/6/25 6th Grade Visit to Stone for Tours
2/10/25 Stone Counselors to Elementary Feeder schools
2/28/25 8th Grade Course Selection Forms Due to Westfield HS (Rising 9th Graders)
3/7/25 6th Grade Course Selection Forms Due (Rising 7th Graders)
3/14/25 7th Grade Course Selection Forms Due (Rising 8th Graders)
Parents are able to VIEW Course Request selections through Parent SIS accounts.
Questions? Email TLBrumett@fcps.edu Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services
Mark your calendars for the Westfield Curriculum Night, January 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm! This event will take place at Westfield High School.
Click here for more WHS Academic Advising Information
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!
FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.
A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year.
Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.
Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.
In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:
Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.
Upcoming Family Academy Events
You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:
- Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
Language interpretation will be available.
All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
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:
- Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
- Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
- Fall 2024 Sports Champions
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
|
