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March 19: Integrated Reading and Writing SOL assessment for 8th graders. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments before 10:00 am on this day.
March 24: (during 1st period advisory) Student Track and Field Information Meeting
April 4: PTA BINGO Night- doors open at 6:30 pm, games begin at 7:00pm
Save the Dates: Tuesday, May 6- Science SOL (8th grade only)
Monday, May 12- Reading SOL (7th and 8th grade)
Thursday, May 15- Math SOL (7th and 8th grade)
Greetings Irving Families,
I want to congratulate our Orchestra, Chorus and Band students who performed beautifully in their district assessments. As I have shared in the past, these district assessments are like the SOLs but for music classes. Our students did an outstanding job with their performances and sight reading. The skills they learn in music classes translate to many other classes and in life in general - counting, attention to detail, reading text, pacing, tone, collaboration, knowing when to step up and step back, and supporting others are just a few of the skills that are learned by participating in music classes. Congratulations to all our music students!
Speaking of SOLs, our students will have an opportunity to “show what they know” in May during the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments on these dates before 11:00 am. These dates are important because students will be able to demonstrate what they have worked so hard to learn throughout the school year. This year, our school will be assessed on how well our students perform on the SOL assessments AND how much our students have grown from previous years. Both measures are important and as we continue through our lessons during the 3rd and 4th quarters, we will be providing opportunities for students to practice test taking strategies so that those skills are not a barrier in students achieving their fullest potential.
SOL Exam Dates:
Tuesday, May 6 - Science SOL (8th grade only)
Monday, May 12 - Reading SOL (7th and 8th grade)
Thursday, May 15 - Math SOL (7th and 8th grade)
Lastly, I want to thank our Irving Middle School PTA for their recent advocacy for middle school students. I highly recommend that all families take a look at the Irving Middle School PTA website so that they are familiar with the PTA’s advocacy efforts. If you would like to join the PTA, please scroll down to the bottom of the main page.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend!
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
New Irving MS Information
FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best
More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree.
Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.
Next Steps in the Budget Process
The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak.
Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process.
Rise Against Hunger Donation Drive
Thank you for donating to our Rise Against Hunger Donation Drive! We have a ways to go to meet our goal and any amount counts towards our goal! We continue to look for sponsors and partners to help us meet this goal. If you would like to make a donation or know of someone who would like to partner with us to help us reach our goal, please share this link to the Irving Middle School Rise Against Hunger donation and information page. More information will be shared over the next couple of weeks as we continue to kick off our Rise Against Hunger campaign.
"Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies". Most recently, they have been providing significant support to people in the communities destroyed by fires in California. We have a lofty goal of having all 641, eighth grade students participate in packing meals for distribution on our event day, Wednesday, June 4. To meet this goal, we would like to raise $24,100, which pays for the food, supplies, and distribution. If we can reach our fundraising goal, our students would be able to pack more than 60,000 meals throughout the day.
Leadership Opportunity for Rising 9th Graders: Explore the Lewis Leadership Program at John R. Lewis High School
During the 2025-26 school year, the Lewis Leadership Program will welcome a new class of ninth grade students. A limited number of full-time enrollment spaces are available for rising ninth grade FCPS students whose base school is not Lewis High School. Accepted students would transfer to Lewis High School and become full-time students there beginning in fall 2025. Students who participate in the Lewis Leadership Program are also eligible to complete the IB Diploma Programme.
About the Lewis Leadership Program
The John Lewis Leadership Program provides real-world leadership development through field trips, guest speakers, service projects, specialized coursework, internships, and university partnerships. These unique student leadership opportunities are supported by more than 70 organization and university partners, including the family of Congressman Lewis.
The program is flexible and personalized, and each student’s pathway is different. Our organization partners provide unique experiences just for Lewis students, with opportunities to develop essential leadership skills that colleges and employers value. Here are some examples of the unique experiences the Lewis Leadership Program provides:
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Video: Change-Makers Project to build a community farm and address the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, in partnership with the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub and Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
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Video: John Lewis Legacy Trip to Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in partnership with the John R. Lewis Legacy Institute and the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation
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Article: George Mason University partners with Lewis Leadership Program students to preserve local history
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Article: Lewis Leadership Program students led a national event in partnership with leading disability rights organizations including ENDependence Center, Inclusion Consultants, The Arc of Northern Virginia, and RevUP.
Questions about information sessions? Email dmmarch@fcps.edu
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
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Library News
Another week in the library draws to a close. As usual, we’ve had visits by our regulars. Each week we also usually have some students to venture in during break time and explore the library and its resources. Today students should complete a new 500-piece puzzle that features National Parks. We’re excited to find the students are still following up on the recent author visit by requesting copies of his books. We all look forward to the release next week of the next book in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping; copies will be on our shelves as soon as we receive the books!
The weekly “Irving Says…” questions aim to expand students’ vocabulary and provoke thinking, but this one seemed to annoy students because there is no “GOOD” answer. This week students were asked, “Would you rather constantly EMIT a broccoli smell? or have an uncontrollable need to HOARD smelly socks?” Sixty-four percent of students opted to collect smelly socks rather than smell like broccoli. Ask your student what other new vocabulary words they are learning in classes!
Ms. Monk and Mr. Brizek, Librarians
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:
- Sewing Club,starts Monday, March 17, 1st block.
- Ultimate Frisbee, began Thursday, March 13, 1st block.
- Chess Club, began Thursday, March 13, 1st block.
- Girls’ Basketball Club, began Thursday, March 6, 1st block, all levels are welcomed.
- Lego Robotics, began on Thursday, March 13, both blocks, sign-up is required.
- Percy Jackson Club, began Wednesday, February 19, 1st block.
- FAB Fridays, ends at 3:30pm. There are no late buses on Fridays and the Weekly Sign-up is required.
Canceled for next week:
- Core Conditioning for Athletes will return in the Spring
- Future Makers and Robotics is postponed until further notice
- Gardening Club will return in the Spring
- Vendor provided programming: Magnus Chess Academy, Community & Leadership Workshop and Super Sleuths, will return after Spring Break
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.**
💬 Share Your Input on the County Budget
The Fairfax County government presented its Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Plan to the Board of Supervisors on February 18. The community is invited to share feedback through an online survey, email, phone calls, or by attending Budget Town Hall meetings.
Spirit Wear! Check out our new online store: https://1stplacespiritwear.com/collection/97260. Get 20% off during our Spring Sale now through April 1 with code SPRING. Thank you to everyone who has already placed an order.
PTA NEWS:
Nominations are now open! We invite you to consider running for a PTA leadership role for the 2025-2026 school year. Available positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Email: irvingptanomcommittee@gmail.com for more information. Our nomination form can be found here: https://irvingms.givebacks.com/.
Stock the Staff Lounge! We need YOUR help to stock the staff lounge on Wednesday, March 26th. Our wonderful teachers and staff have been working incredibly hard with our students. Let’s keep them fueled by stocking the lounge with snacks and drinks. Order from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1J6JD6E6XJJSW?ref_=wl_share or add your own items. Orders ship to our Teacher Appreciation chair, Kendra Schaefer, who will set up the staff lounge on March 26.
Spirit Wear! Check out our new online store: https://1stplacespiritwear.com/collection/97260. Get 20% off during our Spring Sale now through April 1 with code SPRING. Thank you to everyone who has already placed an order.
Papa John's Spirit Day Every Thursday is Spirit Day at Springfield Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010 to enjoy 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.
Support WIMS PTA & Local Farmers with Seasonal Roots! Support local farmers and our school by joining Seasonal Roots, a local online farmers market! New customers get 50% off the annual membership fee (a $25 savings!), and WIMS PTA receives a $20 donation for each sign-up. To learn more and to sign up, visit www.seasonalroots.com/wims, and use code: WIMS.
We continue to welcome new members. Please visit https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/ to join us! To donate, visit: https://irvingms.givebacks.com/store/items/62509. Please reach out to us at irvingmspta@gmail.com with any questions or comments. Thank you!
Bingo Night is April 4th! Join us for a fun-filled family night of games and prizes! All students must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase your Bingo Event Pack in advance for $7 ($10 cash only at the door), pre-order pizzas by March 31, and enter the 50/50 raffle at: https://rb.gy/k0ra04. To donate a prize basket, gift card, or prize for our prize table sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4AAFAF29ABFB6-55104986-wims#/. Thank you!
2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Monday, March 24, at Kings Park Elementary School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. 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.
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 and others:
- Middle School Start Times
- New Lunch Items
- Talking to Teens About Tough Topics
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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