|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Hello Stenwood Families,
It was a short week, but we were not short on action in the Hive.
Here’s what happened this week at Stenwood:
- Thursday 3rd grade Family Invite reflecting on all they learned during their Animal Adaptations Benchmark unit
- Our kindergartners were decked out for the 50th day of school, sporting their adorable 1950’s attire!
- Friday we celebrated the 2nd quarter starting with a Whole School Morning Meeting focused on Gratitude
Speaking of things we are grateful for… This week is National School Psychologists Week. We are so grateful for our wonderful School Psychologist, Nick Netto, who supports students and their families in many ways!
We have a few schedule changes next week. Tuesday, November 11th, is Veterans Day, and is a holiday and schools will be closed for students. Thank you to all of our community members who have served our country. We are grateful for you!
Wednesday, November 12th is our next Early Release Wednesday. Please see the note below.
Finally, our next Hive Families Meeting is next Friday, November 14th in the morning. Please make sure your child is to school on-time since we will be scattering around the building for our Hive Family Meetings by 9:00AM.
Below you will find information about the following items:
- Progress Reports - NEW
- Volunteer Registration Update - NEW
- Thanksgiving Lunch Volunteers Still Needed - Reminder
- 3 Hour Early Release - 11/12 - Updated Info
- The Stenwood Fall Book Fair is Coming! - NEW
- Marshall HS Candy Drive - NEW
- Benchmark: Halfway Through Uncovering Characters in Language Arts - NEW
- Impact Aid Survey - Reminder
-
Holidays and Observations Drawing Contest - Reminder
- Kiss N Ride/Walkers Reminders - Reminder
- Advanced Academics Programs Information Sessions - Recordings - Reminder
- Attendance: Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success - NEW
- Resources for Families Impacted by the Government Shutdown - NEW
- November is Family Engagement Month - NEW
- Tutoring Resources for Families - NEW
- School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications - Reminder
-
Stenwood PTA - Reminder
Sincerely,
Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu
Bryan Case, Assistant Principal
bgcase@fcps.edu
1st Quarter Progress Reports
We believe that progress reports are an important piece of communication between school and families. Therefore, we have printed progress reports for all students, regardless of any paper opt-outs. Progress reports will be coming home Monday, 11/10 and will be available in ParentVue. We have also include an attendance report card for all students.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Thanksgiving Lunch Volunteers Still Needed
We still need a bunch of volunteers, if you would like to volunteer, please sign up using this link. Volunteers will be helping with visitor check-in and meal serving. Do not sign up during your child’s lunch block. Please also do not plan to have younger siblings with you if you are volunteering.
Early Release Wednesday - November 12th
A reminder that our next Early Release Wednesday is November 12th. Students will be released based on the selection that was made earlier this year. A reminder was sent home yesterday. At this time, changes cannot be made for 11/12. If you would like to pick your child up early, you may come to the office at 1pm. If you would like to make a permanent change to your childcare needs for the remainder of the year, please let the office know starting 11/13. We ask that all changes be made at least two weeks in advance. The next 3 hour early release is 12/10.
Stenwood Fall Book Fair!
 |
|
The Fall Book Fair is coming! This fundraiser for the library will be November 17th- 21st. Students will be able to browse the book fair, make wish lists, and then purchase books for themselves and/or their teachers. But before all this can happen - we need volunteers to help out! Please consider signing up for a slot or two. |
 Book fair is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents, get a sneak peek at the books, and just have an all-around good time. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole with any questions you might have.
Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044DA8AC2DA46-59878771-2025
Marshall HS Candy Drive
📚 Halfway Through Uncovering Characters in Language Arts 📚
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 2 in Language Arts! Students have explored how we learn about people and how our actions influence our lives.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: Have any of the characters in your reading this unit reminded you of someone you know in real life? How are they similar and how are they different?
- Activity: Choose two different book characters and imagine what would happen if they switched places in their stories.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
Complete Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12th.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type “Federal Impact Aid Survey” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
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/Walkers 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, crosswalks, or move trash cans. 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.
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).
Attendance: Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
Resources for Families Impacted by the Government Shutdown
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Find more community resources for families.
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners 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.
School Meals and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications
 |
|
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).
|
 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
Thank You to Our AMAZING School Psychologist, Nick Netto!
Kindergarten 1950's Spirit Day!
Storybook Pumpkin Festival!
Stay Connected
Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementary
|
 |
|
Instagram
@stenwoodelementary
|
 |
|
Website
stenwoodes.fcps.edu
|
 |
|
PTA Facebook
facebook.com/StenwoodElementaryPTA
|
|
