Carl Sandburg News You Choose 01/02/2026
Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/02/2026 12:49 PM EST
A Message from Principal Laxton
Dear Sandburg Families,
Happy New Year! We hope you and your students enjoyed a wonderful winter break filled with rest and quality time with loved ones. We are so excited to welcome our students back to the building to begin a productive and successful 2026.
As we dive into the new semester, here are a few important updates to keep on your radar:
Setting the Tone for Success
The start of a new year is the perfect time to "reset." This week, our staff will be working closely with students to revisit our school-wide expectations for classroom engagement and hallway behavior. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student this weekend about their personal goals for the semester and the importance of contributing to a respectful, focused learning environment.
Winter MAP Testing
We will soon begin our winter Mathematics testing. These assessments provide us with valuable data to help tailor instruction to your child’s specific needs.
- Preparation: Please ensure your student gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast on testing days.
- Details: Students will receive an email, so be on the lookout for a specific schedule and location!
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night
Date: Thursday, January 8th
We are thrilled to welcome our future Sandburg families! If you have a rising 7th grader (current 6th grader), please join us on January 8th to learn about our diverse course offerings, elective programs, and the transition to middle school. This is a great opportunity to meet our teachers and get a head start on the registration process for the 2026-2027 school year.
We are looking forward to a fantastic second half of the year. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Sandburg Middle School!
Warmly,
Principal Laxton
🎖️ Supporting Our Panthers: A Special Note for Our Military Families
Hello Panther Family!
One of the things that makes our school community so vibrant is the diversity of our families, including those who serve our country.
Did you know that we receive special funding from the U.S. Army to help power our after-school programs? These funds are vital for providing the clubs, activities, and support systems that our students love. To keep these programs running strong, we need to ensure our records are up to date!
Can you help us?
If you are currently Active Duty U.S. Army, a U.S. Army Civilian employee, or work with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), we want to hear from you.
Please take 60 seconds to do the following:
- Drop us a quick "Hello": If you haven’t confirmed with us yet this year, please send a brief email to jlcarter3@fcps.edu.
- Check the Box: Ensure you’ve selected the military-connected box on your Digital Consent Form via the link below:
By taking these small steps, you are directly helping us provide the best possible experience for our students.
Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and for being such an essential part of the Panther family!
Warmly,
Jamaal Carter, After School Specialist & Building Use Coordinator
Cell Phone Policy
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
Attendance Matters
- Regular attendance is vital for students to reach their full potential.
- A caring school culture fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging regular attendance.
- Consistent attendance routines reduce stress and create a sense of security.
- Being in school helps students build relationships with peers, teachers, and staff, motivating them to learn.
- Schools provide access to essential resources, including meals, health services, and enrichment activities.
- Regular attendance supports proficiency in reading and math, essential for high school graduation.
- Students who attend regularly perform better academically in middle school and are more likely to graduate on time from high school.
Student Pick Up Reminder: Students must be checked out in person through the office before 1:45 p.m. to avoid disrupting bus traffic. Parents must have a photo ID and allow about 15 minutes for the process, as the student will be called from class/ HPE. Unplanned early checkouts should be avoided if possible.
Quick Links & Phone Numbers
Attendance Phone Line: 703-799-6131
Attendance Email: sandburgmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu
SIS Parent Vue Account Set-Up Video
Parent Information Phone Lines: Phone lines available in different languages to assist families.
Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
Sandburg MS Administration
Jenn Laxton: Principal jklaxton@fcps.edu
Frank Steventon: Assistant Principal fbsteventon@fcps.edu
Patrice Wadei: Assistant Principal lpwadei@fcps.edu
Amber Richard-Kleeschulte: Assistant Principal alrichard@fcps.edu
Rob Kerr: Assistant Principal rjkerr@fcps.edu
Eugena Weaver: Director of Student Services ejweaver@fcps.edu
Student Services Counselors
Tiffany Clemons - tnclemons@fcps.edu
Vania Espichan- vpespichan@fcps.edu
Claire Majors- clmajors@fcps.edu
Melinda Wilkerson- mlwilkerson@fcps.edu
Oshin Wilson- otwilson@fcps.edu
Mark Your Calendars!
The following is a list of our major schoolwide dates for FCPS & Sandburg Middle School
West Potomac HS Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House-Tuesday, January 6
Sandburg MS Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night/Electives Fair-Thursday, January 8
Martin Luther King Jr Day- January 19 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Second Quarter Ends- January 28
Teacher Personal Development Day- January 29 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Teacher Work Day- January 30 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Presidents Day- February 16 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Teacher Work Day- February 17 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Spring Break - Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3
Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 17
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Thank you again for your continued partnership.