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Stone Families,
Well, let’s try again. Perhaps this will be our first full week of school for 2025! As I stated last week, we're excited to have our students back in the classroom. It is definitely important this time of year to stay tuned to local news stations and the official FCPS website (fcps.edu) for the latest information on any school delays or cancellations. We will do our best to put modified schedules on Schoology as necessary for any delays.
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.
During the Panthers' extended winter break, we hope you and your family had some amazing moments. Share your favorite photos from your holiday travels or cozy family activities, and tag us (@stonemspanthers) for a chance to be featured on our social media! 📸❄️
Let’s have a great week Panthers,
Sonya Williams
 Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office, 703-631-5500.
Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps.
Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.
Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
Does your student want to participate in Spring MS Sports?
Step 1: Complete the Spring Registration Form- Spring 2025 MS Sports.
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):
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
Dear Bulldog Families,
What an exciting few months as we prepare for Academic Advising! Over the next couple of months, Westfield will have opportunities for you and your student(s) to learn more about Westfield’s course offerings for the 25 - 26 SY.
Westfield’s Curriculum Night will be held Tuesday, January 14th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Westfield High School. During each session, different presentations will be held in various locations throughout the building. The curriculum fair, in which departments will be available for questions in the cafeteria at designated tables, will be held throughout the entire event.
CURRICULUM FAIR: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (Cafeteria and Hallways)
SESSIONS *Adjustments made due to new date
- Rising 9th Grade Presentation
- Advanced Academics : Opportunities for All
- FCPS Academies
- Spanish for Heritage Speakers Program Overview
- AP Seminar: English 10 Overview
For more information regarding course offerings, check out our Course Selection and Academic Advising Page on our Westfield Website. Information will continue to be updated as we reschedule due to school closures.
Annually, we celebrate our amazing school counseling team during the first week of February. Our student services department would appreciate any support from our parent community to show appreciation, like sweet treats, a note of appreciation or an FCPS cares submission. Let' celebrate our student services team during the week of February 3rd-7th to honor National School Counseling Week.
Supporting students by last names:
Katie Marrefi A-G
Armando Garcia H-O
Katie Marrefi P-Z
Tami Brumett, Director of Student Services
Caroline Allen, School Social Worker
Diane Woolheater, School Psychologist
A WICKED Dance Clinic!
Students (through grade 8) are invited to join the Westfield HS Varsity Dance Team for a dance clinic on Sunday, February 2, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Among other fun activities, we will learn a Wicked-themed dance to perform at the WHS Boys Varsity Basketball game vs. Centreville HS on February 3 at 7:30 p.m. (Fee includes lunch and t-shirt.)
Click here for details and registration! Email ecspikes@fcps.edu for more information.
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:
- National Merit Commended Scholars
- Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
- Cell Phones Off, Learning On
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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