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Hello Dear Stenwood Families,
Our Stingers were going up, up, up in many moments this week!
All students participated in our first ever Rocket Day on Thursday. Thanks to STEAM Teacher Trea Claypool for her hard work coordinating this fun and engaging event and its related lessons. See the fun pictures below and check out our social media for video!
Many of our students participated in the annual Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday. The weather looked like it was going to rain, but it cleared up just enough to make it a healthy and fun way for students to get to school. Thanks to PE Teachers Lindsey Udasco and Ann Opsahl for organizing this event.
We had many family invites and a field trip this week!
- On Wednesday, 2nd grade students researched and explored different habitats with their families.
- On Thursday, 6th grade scientists created representations of our solar system using play-doh to show the difference in the sizes of our planets.
- On Friday, 1st grade students engaged in different Fall-themed math activities and games.
- Our Kindergarten classes bundled up—as we have officially hit some Fall weather—and enjoyed the day at Cox Farms on their first field trip of the year!
We will have our next Hive Family Meetings on Friday, October 17th. Please do your best to make sure your child is present so they can spend time with their Hive Family. If you have to pick up early on that day, please do so by 2:00 PM so that our Front Office Staff can focus on enjoying their time with their Hive Family.
Lastly, remember that Monday, October 13th, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Below you will find information about the following items:
- SCA Canned Food Drive - NEW
- Picture Day Volunteers Needed - Sign Up Today! - Reminder
- School Picture Day is Coming! - NEW
- Federal Impact Aid Form – In ParentVUE October 21st - NEW
- This is Us Night – Reminder
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Holidays and Observations Drawing Contest - Reminder
- Kiss N Ride Reminders - Reminder
- Walkers Reminders - Reminder
- Advanced Academics Programs Information Sessions - Recordings - Updated
- Lightspeed - Update
- Cell Phone Policy Reminder - NEW
- Ombuds Day - October 12 - NEW
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day - October 13 - NEW
- FCPS Boundary Update - Updated Information
- School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications - Reminder
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Stenwood PTA - Reminder
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Bryan Case, Assistant Principal
bgcase@fcps.edu
SCA Canned Food Drive
SCA’s annual Canned Food Drive is right around the corner! It will run from Tuesday, October 14th - Friday, October 24th. Please consider donating non-perishable food and household items. All collected cans will go to our local food pantry, Food for Others, to support families in need. We look forward to another great food drive that will benefit our community!
Picture Day Volunteers Needed
We have picture day on October 24th and we are looking for parent volunteers to assist. Sign up here if you are interested in volunteering.
To volunteer for this or any opportunities this year, you will need to go through the FCPS volunteer application process. Even if you are not interested in volunteering for picture day, we encourage you to start your application now, link for chaperones. Link for general volunteers who do not want to chaperone.
School Picture Day is Coming!
 📅 Date: Friday, October 24th, 2025
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001271114
📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email underclass@vosphoto.com
Federal Impact Aid Form –
In ParentVUE October 21st
Beginning Tuesday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.
We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2025.
Beginning Tuesday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.
We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2025.
This is Us Night
Come together on Thursday, October 16th, 6:00 to 7:30pm, at the 4th annual This Is Us event. Celebrate the stories, traditions, and experiences that make our Stenwood community shine!
Enjoy delicious food, fun activities, and shared stories from our very own Stingers as we learn more about the diverse cultures, family traditions, and personal passions that shape who we are.
There will be flexible ways to participate -- whether in person, with a display, or through a recording-- so every family can join in the fun.
Let's come together to celebrate what makes each of us --and ALL of us-- Stenwood.
Holidays and Observations Drawing Contest
Our Equity Team is hosting an ongoing drawing contest to celebrate all the holidays and observations throughout the year.
Submission Details: For the first half of the year, we will collect submissions on the 1st of each month for holidays occurring the following month. For instance, since Lunar New Year is in February in 2026, drawings for it would be due by January 1st (but the 5th since we are on Winter Break). You're welcome to turn in your artwork early—just drop it in the box in the office!
What Happens Next? The winning drawing will be featured in our newsletter and on our social media. All other submissions will be proudly displayed in our hallways for everyone to enjoy!
Missing a Holiday? If your family celebrates a holiday or observance that isn't on our list, please feel free to include it!
Ready to Draw? You can pick up a template paper for the contest in your classroom or the office, and it is posted on our website for easy access. We can’t wait to see the incredible artwork from our Stenwood artists!
Kiss N’ Ride Reminders
If you choose to park on Carnegie and walk up for arrival and/or dismissal, please know that the streets directly behind Stenwood are permit parking only. In addition, please be respectful of our neighbors. Please do not block driveways or crosswalks. During grade-level and schoolwide events, we do work with the Fairfax County Police Department to get permission for families to park in the neighborhood. When advertising events, we will communicate if the parking in the neighborhood has been coordinated. That exemption is not in place for arrival or dismissal. FCPD began issuing warnings for both parking without a permit and illegal parking. Several neighbors have reached out with their concerns, please help Stenwood be a good neighbor to our Stenwood neighbors.
Walkers Reminders
Parents picking up their children at dismissal, please make sure to wait on the blacktop so that our walkways to the cars and special transportation vans are clear. Please also remember that FCPS Schools have a No Dogs Allowed policy. If you are walking with your dog, please stop at the entrance to the loop to keep them off FCPS property.
Advanced Academics Programs Upcoming Information Sessions
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Parent Informational Meetings:
- AAP Continuum of Services
- Geared for parents of 2nd-6th graders interested in referring their child for full-time AAP services.
- Questions? Please reach out to Kaleigh Hartman at kkhartman@fcps.edu
- Referrals for full-time services for the 2026-27 school year are due no later than December 15th, 2025. Since Mrs. Hartman will be on maternity leave, please email your child’s completed referral to Erica Riley, esriley@fcps.edu, Michelle Burke, mpburke@fcps.edu, and your child’s classroom teacher. You will receive confirmation once it has been reviewed for completion of all required parts. Here are links to the Referral Form (required) and the Parent Guardian Questionnaire (optional, but recommended).
Lightspeed Update
💻 All Families Opted in to Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report
FCPS provides families with a free service that allows parents and caregivers a way to stay informed about their child's online activity on any FCPS device. Starting Sunday, October 12th, all parents and guardians who have access to student records in SIS ParentVUE will be automatically enrolled to receive a weekly Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report.
This report provides a summary of the websites your child visited during the previous week and is delivered every Sunday to your email directly from Lightspeed, our internet content filter.
Each weekly report also includes a link to register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides more detailed browsing information. This portal also gives you the ability to pause internet access on your child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime.
Visit the Lightspeed Parent Report page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Cell Phone Policy Reminder
📵 When Cell Phones Are Down, Learning and Engagement Are Up:
Help Keep Our Schools Phone-Free
Cell phones can significantly impact academic performance — research has shown that it takes students 10 minutes or more to shift their focus back to learning after being interrupted by a single cell phone notification! You can help keep our schools phone-free (and your child focused on learning) by:
- Reminding your child about FCPS’ cell phone policy and telling them why you support it.
- Contacting your school’s front office (rather than your child directly) if there is a family emergency during the school day.
- Contacting your child about non-urgent matters before or after the school day.
- Waiting to respond to non-urgent texts from your child until the school day is over.
Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone and personal device policy. Also, view our Media Balance and Well-Being Toolkit for resources to help your child maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with technology at home.
Ombuds Day - October 12th
Office of the Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- Share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
- Provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
  On the second Monday of October, many communities celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day. This important day is a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, history, and contributions of the first peoples who lived on this land—the American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Indigenous Peoples' Day recognizes their amazing legacy, their resilience through difficult history, and their continued importance today.
It's a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn more about the different Tribal Nations in our country and show respect for the diverse people who helped shape our land and our world!
📍 October Community Boundary
Review Meetings
FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings will begin on Monday, October 13th. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our pyramid will be covered at the meeting on Thursday, October 16th, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, (Marshall and Falls Church Pyramids) in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.
At the meeting, the consultant will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and potential changes specific to our pyramid and the Falls Church pyramid. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the full list of October boundary meetings.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
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 $1.00. 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 (these menus do not appear to be available yet).
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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 Elementary PTA
We hope you join our amazing PTA! stenwoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com
Rocket Day!
1st Grade Family Invite -
Fall-Themed Math Activities and Games!
2nd Grade Family Invite -
Habitats!
6th Grade Family Invite - Astronomy!
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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