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Dear Stenwood Families,
It is hard to believe that Tuesday will mark the end of the 2nd quarter! We have learned so much in the first half of the year and we can’t wait to see all that our Stingers will accomplish in the second half!
While we still have half of the school year left, we are already starting to plan for next year! We are sending home two forms today. The first is the Student Intention Form - this is to indicate your plans for next year. Nothing is binding, it just gives us a sense of what staffing we will need next year. We are also sending home the Rising Kindergarten form. See below for more information on both.
As a reminder, Wednesday, January 29th is a student holiday/teacher workday for teachers to work on progress reports for the end of the 2nd quarter.
Below you will find additional information about:
- Student Intentions/Rising Kindergarten - NEW
- Kiss N Ride Reminders - NEW
- Bell Schedule Reminders - Updated
- Stinger Sweethearts Dance! - NEW
- Lunar New Year - NEW
- Virginia Student Assessment Summary for Families - NEW
- Community Boundary Review Meetings - Updated
- Keeping Kids Warm - Reminder
- Yearbook Ordering Deadline Info - Reminder
- School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications - Reminder
- Stenwood is Hiring! - Reminder
- Stenwood PTA - Reminder
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Bryan Case, Assistant Principal
bgcase@fcps.edu
Student Intention Form and
Rising Kindergarten Form
Today, students brought home a Student Intention Form. We are asking families to fill out this form for each child to help us plan for adequate staffing next year.
If you have a child who will turn five on or before September 30th, 2025, please return the blue form or fill out the Rising Kindergartner form. We have Kindergarten Orientation coming up on April 8th at 9:15am. If you have any neighbors that have children that turn 5 on or before September 30th, please let them know to reach out to Michelle Burke, mpburke@fcps.edu as soon as possible so we can ensure they have all the information they need.
Kiss N Ride Reminders
Please remember that Kiss N’ Ride is offered as a courtesy to our parents, we ask that if you choose to use this, please follow these safety procedures (the first three have been the biggest issues so far this year):
- Approach the back circle of the school by turning onto Carnegie Drive from Cottage Street. Enter the back circle on Citadel Place by turning right from Carnegie. Exit the circle by turning right on Carnegie, then proceed to Bucknell Dr. and back to Cottage. This one-way pattern will help reduce traffic congestion, the map is below to help illustrate the pattern.
- Do not pass other cars that are loading or unloading.
- Be considerate to our neighbors who live in our Kiss N’ Ride area. When you are leaving the Kiss N’ Ride area, please remember that there are student pedestrians and the speed limit is 25 MPH.
- We have requested the FCPD to evaluate the need for a FCPD Crossing Guard at this intersection, however it was denied because it is our families creating the traffic and not external traffic. Please be cautious of our students as they cross.
- Pull forward as far as possible before loading or unloading and drivers should remain in their car.
- If your child is still in a car seat or child restraint, please practice with your child so they can begin to become independent in getting out of their seat.
- Load and unload from the passenger side of the car only.
- Neighborhood parking is by permit only. Carnegie Drive is very narrow and difficult to maintain two lanes if cars are parked on both sides. If you have permit parking, please consider parking on Bucknell which is wider and walking.
- Exit the Kiss N’ Ride promptly after loading or unloading children.
- Look carefully for students who may be crossing the street.
- In the afternoon, do not park along Carnegie Drive and wait for your child. This adds to traffic congestion.
In addition, at the end of the day, we are also going to ask that all parents shift to waiting on the blacktop for your child(ren). This allows for students who are walking or getting into their car to have a clear path.
Bell Schedule Reminders
We have been noticing an uptick of late drop-offs at Kiss N Ride in the morning. All students need to be dropped off by 8:38 to be in class on time by the late bell at 8:40. Students will be marked tardy if they are not dropped off before 8:38. If you see the patrols heading to class - you are late. Kiss N Ride opens at 8:20. If students arrive after 8:38 they will be given a tardy pass.
Also, it is very important that only buses use the front entrance of the school from 8:20 to 8:38AM. Please continue to only use the Kiss N Ride for morning drop-offs unless your child is tardy.
  Make plans to invite that special Sweetheart in your life to our Stinger Sweethearts Dance!
Put on your dancing shoes! All Stingers are invited to get together with other Stenwood families and enjoy the return of our Stenwood Sweethearts Dance! Invite that special Stinger Sweetheart in your life to spend an evening on the dance floor with lots of DJ music, fun, and friends.
When: Friday, February 7th
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Stenwood Gym & Cafeteria
Look for a signup link in the next PTA Wednesday Mail! Volunteers will be needed to host this fun, family event
Lunar New Year
 January 29th - 🐍 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 新年快乐! Chúc mừng Năm Mới!
Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year! For those in many East and Southeast Asian countries, including Pacific Islanders, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year and is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family.
Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary
for Families
This month, families of students who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report. The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year.
Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. We will distribute them to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVUE.
The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our staff members are committed to working with families to help every student reach their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS.
Community Boundary Review Meetings
Virtual Meetings
If you have not been able to attend an FCPS Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The following virtual meetings will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:
Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
Meeting Slide Presentation
English Other languages coming soon.
Meeting Agenda
Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.
Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Adriana Rota at agrota@fcps.edu. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
Yearbook Ordering
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Help your child remember the moments that made this school year special by ordering your copy of the Stenwood Elementary School Yearbook NOW at http://www.yearbookforever.com! The yearbook will feature memories that you and your child will want to look back on for years to come. |
The company has a set amount they will print, so once they hit the limit, they will not print any additional yearbooks. The cutoff date to buy one is February 28th, 2024, if they are not sold out before then.
School Meals and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will be $1.75. Lunch will be $3.25, milk $0.60. Money can be added to your child(ren)’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You can also write a check to Stenwood Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch at https://linqconnect.com/public/menu/ESSF44 .
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Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 813-4800 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Stenwood is Hiring!
We are looking to hire Classroom Monitors and Substitutes! If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out if you have any questions or if you want more information. Here is a link to FCPS’ application portal.
Classroom Monitors: Monitors will work every day students attend throughout the 2024-25 school year, and will directly support classrooms by providing additional supervision to students during lunch or in the classroom. The pay is $17.88/hour. Teachers will provide directions/assignments for monitors and students to complete. Please apply here and email me at esriley@fcps.edu so we can schedule a time to talk more. Please share this opportunity with others who might be interested.
Stenwood Elementary PTA
We hope you join our amazing PTA! If you are interested in volunteering to be a class parent, volunteering in our cafeteria or library, OR just looking to stay connected with the great work of our PTA, you can fill out a survey that will be sent out once class placements have been communicated.
More information about the PTA is available on their website.
Stay Connected
Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES
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Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementary
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Instagram
@stenwoodelementary
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Website
stenwoodes.fcps.edu
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PTA Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementaryPTA
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