|
Sandburg MS would like to welcome Mrs. Jennifer Laxton, currently the principal of Fort Belvoir Upper School, as the new principal of Carl Sandburg Middle School.
With over 20 years of dedicated service in public education, Mrs. Laxton brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role. As a veteran administrator, with eight years in the principalship, Mrs. Laxton has demonstrated the ability to drive positive change and foster a culture of growth and collaboration. Her previous administrative experience provides her with an in-depth understanding of school leadership. Before joining FCPS, as a military spouse, she relocated with her husband every few years to several states, and served in school leadership positions as a principal. She served as principal at John Braly Elementary School in the Santa Clara Unified School District, as well as Pleasantview Elementary School in Kansas City, MO. Prior to her tenure as an elementary school principal, Mrs. Laxton served as principal of a 4th-8th grade school, Daniel Lairon College Preparatory Academy in San Jose, CA. Before that, she served as an assistant principal in North Carolina, a mathematics coordinator in Arizona, as well as teaching upper elementary and middle school. Mrs. Laxton earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia, New York, her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta University in Valdosta, Georgia, and her Administrative Certification from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
During her years as a principal, Mrs. Laxton has been credited with many efforts that have had a significant impact on schools, students, and families. She values establishing relationships with families by connecting with them at school and community events, as well as partnering with the PTA. Her commitment to family engagement has fostered building inclusive communities where parents were empowered and community partnerships were created so families could engage in meaningful activities and have resources and support. As an instructional leader, she has worked to ensure the implementation of operational and instructional best practices; strong, collaborative communication amongst the staff and parents, and supportive, professional development opportunities for the staff. She values being a leader who exhibits a commitment to collaboration, transparency, dependability, and genuineness while serving as a thought partner with her staff to build and sustain high staff morale and a positive, caring culture.
Please join us as we welcome Mrs. Jennifer Laxton as the new Principal of Carl Sandburg Middle School! Mrs. Laxton’s start date will be effective Monday, September 29, 2025.
The Parent Teacher Association is a great way to learn more about what's going on at Sandburg, meet families, and share ideas. The PTA will share information throughout the year on our webpage. You may purchase a membership here.
If you are interested in serving as a board member on the PTA for 2025-2026 or if you have questions, please contact Sarah Hansen at PTAatCSMS@gmail.com.
On Thursday, October 9th at 6pm, Sandburg will host an information session on the TJ Admission process. Students may apply if they meet the following criteria:
✔️ Currently in 8th grade
✔️ Enrolled in Honors Algebra I or a higher-level math course
✔️ Taking science honors and at least one other honors course (e.g., English, Civics, or identified as a Young Scholar)
✔️ Earned a 3.5 GPA or higher (7th grade + first quarter of 8th grade)
✔️ Passionate about STEM
Please see additional requirements by visiting the website below. If you meet the eligibility requirements you may begin your application on Monday, October 20, 2025. Upon submission of your application it will be reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements. You will then be scheduled to complete the Student Portrait Sheet and the STEM Problem-Solving Essay on Saturday, January 24, 2026 (see link for other dates and information). For more information, visit TJHSST Freshman Application Process | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu).
Wednesday, September 24th will begin a new entrance routine for all Kiss N Ride students and walkers each morning. Students will enter Door 1 instead of Door 2. That’s it! Everything else will remain the same for the Kiss N Ride and walker routine each morning. AM Kiss N Ride / walker students will now enter Door 1.
Students arriving after 7:30 am must check in in the Main Office (Door 1) to receive a pass.
- Students who arrive late must have a written excuse from their parent/guardian to receive an excused tardy pass, if the parent/guardian has not called prior to the student’s arrival. Parents/Guardians do not need to accompany their child into the building if they have called or sent a note explaining the late arrival.
If a student needs to be dismissed for an appointment before the end of the school day, they must bring in a note from their parent/guardian stating the reason and time of dismissal unless the parent/guardian has made previous arrangements by phone or online.
- Students should visit the Main Office before school to receive an early dismissal pass.
- To arrange a same-day early dismissal during school hours, a parent/guardian should call 703-799-6100.
- For early check out, parents/guardians must come into the Main Office, provide their driver’s license or other form of government issued photo ID and sign the student out. If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up the student, this should be included in the note or message from the parent/guardian even if they are on the emergency care card.
- To avoid being blocked in by buses and Kiss-N-Ride traffic, students should be picked up no later than 1:30 pm.
In response to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our community, students in grades 7-12 are offered the opportunity to take the World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE). The WLCBE assesses language proficiency in languages other than English and recognizes the strengths that our students bring as effective communicators in multiple languages.
This assessment may be used to award world language credits towards graduation, determine course placement for language courses offered in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and fulfill the world languages requirements for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-students/graduation/graduation-requirement-resources/graduation-diploma-seals/seal-of-biliteracy.
For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria you may visit our website: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages.
Students interested in signing up for the exam should contact their school counselor. The deadline to apply is October 17th and NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Please visit our website to see the list of available languages: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages.
Construction on an Outdoor Classroom began the week of September 1st in our large courtyard. We are excited to be receiving a dedicated learning space that will encourage opportunities for outdoor learning, direct connections to curriculum, and support FCPS and Sandburg’s Get2Green initiatives.
When phones can be used:
- Before first bell at 7:30 am
- After the last bell at 2:15 pm
Student Expectations:
- Phones are off and stored between 7:30 am - 2:15 pm
- Phones may be stored in a backpack, locker, or pencil bag
- AirPods, earbuds, headsets, etc. must be off and stored
- Smartwatches may be worn, but texting, internet, and call features must be off
- Phones are never allowed in restrooms or locker rooms
To be a Panther in Pursuit of excellence, all students will be expected to
- Be Safe
- Be Prepared
- Be a Kind Communicator
- Be Goal Directed
Hello Panther families. Families must reapply each school year for free and reduce lunches.
- Sandburg is not a CEP school therefore students and parents must qualify for cost free and reduce meals. It is very important that we scan the QR code provided in the image below and apply before October. We do not want families to have unexpected bills for lunch charges.
Athletics Registration Overview - Students interested in participating/trying out for Sandburg Sports teams (Cross Country & Track & Field) must submit a completed FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE) as required by Virginia code 22.1-271.7. Public middle and high school student-athletes; pre-participation physical examination to Athletic Coordinator Coach Ty Augustin (tlaugustin@fcps.edu) as well as the After-School Consent Form via the Parent Digital Consent System.
- Students looking to paricipate in Cross Country must also complete the Fall '25 MS Sports Participant Registration form. Cross Country begins September 29, 2025 after-school @ 2:25pm. Game and meet schedules available on Sandburg school activities website
Missed the Cross Country Parent Zoom Meeting?
Please see the School athletics page for further updates https://sandburgms.fcps.edu/student-life-activities/middle-school-athletics
Good Day Panther Family. Welcome to the 2025-2026 After School Program. This year we have a robust offering of clubs for your child(ren). A couple items are required for your child(ren)’s participation.
- Please make sure you complete the required Registration and Digital Consent Form. Use this link https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent/directions
- There are two forms, one acknowledging access, policies and risk for the After-School Program and the other is related to your family’s Army Connectedness. Army Youth Programs in Your Neighborhood (AYPYN) provides much needed funding and support for Middle School After-School Programs. To continue this partnership, we must document the number of Army-connected youth enrolled in our program. If you qualify as Army-connected, as described below, and do not have ParentVue access, please let me know by replying to this email and include your child(ren)’s names.
The question looks like this and has only one response item:
- Army-connected youth in After-School
- Check if a parent/guardian is actively serving in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve or National Guard,
- a civilian working for the Department of Army,
-
OR the student is a Gold Star family member?
(You DO NOT need to be Army-connected to participate in the After-School Program.)
Below is the link for our After School page found on the school’s website which includes club schedules, frequently asked questions and expectations for our students.
https://sandburgms.fcps.edu/student-life-activities/after-school-program
- We communicate daily through Talking Points. Clubs will be confirmed each day and whether they will take place, or if there are any cancellations.
Transportation:
For those students who ride the school bus to and from school, late bus transportation is provided. The bus stops are typically not the same as the regular school bus stop. The buses are consolidated to eight buses for our After School Program. Please go to Parent Vue to see your child’s bus route. You will see the letter LR in front of the number. LR stands for Late Run.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact, Mr. Carter, at jlcarter3@fcps.edu
At Sandburg Middle School our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used.You can find more information about approved digital resources in FCPS here: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/digital-resources.
Do you not have a SIS ParentVUE Account? Use the link to this Google Consent Form to complete a similar consent process.
We encourage you to complete the parental consent for digital resources form as soon as possible, as your child will not be able to use the digital resources until we have received your permission. Please reach out to mlparra@fcps.edu if you have questions or concerns about the digital resources we’ve chosen to use this year.
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments within the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development.
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
- iReady Reading - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring SOL
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - required for certain students based on other reading performance data
Teachers assess grade 3-8 students with MAP Math, iReady Reading and VALLSS in fall, winter, and spring. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
iReady and MAP tests are generally delivered during the classroom instructional block. Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact the school's test coordinator, Michael Pettit (mapettit@fcps.edu).
Students who are new to FCPS as of January 1, 2025 may go through Fall screening for full-time AAP services. Referrals are due no later than October 15, 2025 to Michael Pettit, Sandburg’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), at mapettit@fcps.edu.
The Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October.
Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit FCPS’ Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Spanish:
Notificación y Actualizaciones para Padres sobre la Encuesta SEL
La Encuesta de Aprendizaje Social y Emocional (SEL, por sus siglas en inglés) será tomado por los estudiantes entre los grados 3 y 12 en el mes de octubre.
Dos veces al año, los estudiantes usan la encuesta SEL para compartir sus perspectivas acerca de qué tan bien sus escuelas y comunidades les han ayudado a desarrollar las habilidades que necesitan para ser exitosos. La encuesta consiste en formular preguntas o presentar afirmaciones en las que los estudiantes pueden reflexionar y responder. Esto les da una forma de expresar si en su escuela se sienten valorados, incluidos y apoyados.
Después de cada encuesta, estarán disponible en la pestaña Documentos dentro de SIS ParentVUE y serán enviados por correo a las familias que no tengan una cuenta en ParentVUE. Para más información, incluyendo las preguntas de la encuesta SEL y los pasos para excluir a su hijo (opt-out), por favor visite la página web del Examen de Aprendizaje Social-Emocional (SEL).
At Sandburg Middle School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More”, and then “Sign Up”. After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Parents and caregivers can view important information in SIS ParentVUE such as student attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. Watch this video if you would like help creating a ParentVUE account.
You will keep the same ParentVUE account until your student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same account. An app is also available for Apple and Android devices.
If you already have an account, be sure to update your phone numbers and/or email addresses (in the Parent/Guardian section), so your child’s school can send you important information. Learn more about SIS ParentVUE
We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:
-
Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish)
- Loving Solutions
- Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
-
Family Resource Center Webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities.
Visit the Family Academy catalog for more information on these sessions and to register to attend.
The following is a list of our major schoolwide Student Holidays for the school year.
-
Rosh Hashanah - Student Holiday - September 23
-
Thanksgiving Holiday - Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28
-
Winter Break - Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2
-
Spring Break - Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3
-
Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 17
The entire 2025-2026 FCPS Calendar can be found here.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- ✅ Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
- 🚨 Safety and Security Information
- 📍 Updates on Comprehensive Boundary Review
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Thank you for supporting our staff and students at CSMS!
|
