CSMS News You Choose Feb. 13, 2026
Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/13/2026 07:36 PM EST
Message from Principal Laxton:
Dear Sandburg Families,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. This is a reminder that there is no school on Monday or Tuesday. We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday refreshed and ready to learn!
📱 Cell Phones & Earbuds at School
We are seeing an increased use of cell phones and earbuds/headphones in the hallways and throughout the school day. We need your partnership in reinforcing our expectations.
From 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., student cell phones and personal listening devices should be stored out of sight unless specifically directed by a staff member for instructional purposes.
We strongly encourage families to have conversations with your child about:
- Leaving these items at home whenever possible
- Keeping phones powered off and stored in backpacks during the school day
- Avoiding earbuds/headphones between classes and in common areas
If you need to get in touch with your child during the school day, you are always welcome to call the main office. We will ensure your message is delivered or make arrangements for you to connect with your child.
Why This Matters
A growing body of research, including studies from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institutes of Health, indicates that frequent cell phone use during the school day can:
- Decrease attention span and focus
- Reduce academic performance
- Increase anxiety and social comparison
- Interrupt critical peer-to-peer social development
- Contribute to disciplinary concerns
Even brief notifications can disrupt learning, and it often takes several minutes for the brain to fully refocus after an interruption. Middle school students, in particular, are still developing executive functioning skills, making it even more challenging to self-regulate technology use.
Our goal is not simply compliance—it is creating a learning environment where students can fully engage, build meaningful relationships, and experience academic success without unnecessary distractions.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support in helping us maintain a focused, positive learning environment for all students.
Have a wonderful long weekend,
Jennifer Laxton
Middle School Transition Fair – Planning for the Future
Families of students receiving special education services are invited to attend the Middle School Transition Fair on March 4, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School (Falls Church).
Hosted by FCPS Career and Transition Services (CTS), this event will provide valuable information about planning for life during and after high school. Families will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about transition planning and high school options
- Explore employment and postsecondary education supports
- Connect with CTS staff and community agencies
- Hear from a family panel and participate in a Q&A session
It’s never too early—or too late—to begin planning for your child’s future.
Be sure to register using the event link shared in the flyer.
Supporting Our Students During Ramadan
As we welcome the month of Ramadan from February 18 to March 19, we want to ensure all our students and staff feel supported and seen. Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, personal reflection, and community prayer.
To make sure our fasting students have a comfortable environment during the day, we are providing the following:
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Alternate Lunch Spaces: Several teachers have kindly volunteered to open their classrooms during lunch blocks for students who prefer a quiet space away from the cafeteria.
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Reflection & Meditation: Per FCPS guidelines, Student Services remains available for any student or staff member needing a dedicated space for silent reflection or prayer.
We’ll be sharing these details with students when we return on Wednesday, February 18. We are proud to support the diverse traditions that make our school community so vibrant!
Important Update Regarding Outside Lunch Policies
To maintain a safe and secure learning environment and ensure compliance with district regulations, we would like to clarify our policies regarding outside lunches:
- Food Delivery Services: Students may not order food from delivery services (such as Uber Eats or DoorDash) during school hours. This is a significant safety concern, as delivery drivers are often directed to unauthorized entrances. Furthermore, these deliveries disrupt the educational process. Please help us support a secure building by not allowing these deliveries.
- Drop-Off Procedures & Location: Any outside food brought to the school must be dropped off in the main office by a parent or guardian. To prevent distractions and ensure cafeteria harmony, these meals must be consumed in the main office rather than the cafeteria.
- Family Lunch Visits: Parents are welcome to have lunch with their students; however, due to limited seating, these lunches will take place in the main office. Alternatively, you may sign your student out for lunch. We kindly ask that you plan accordingly so that lunch does not cut into instructional time and students return before their next class begins
- Compliance with Regulations: We have noted a steady increase in fast-food deliveries for students. We encourage students to utilize the healthy food choices available in our cafeteria. Per FCPS Regulation 5003.4, no food or beverages may be offered for sale to students by outside providers in competition with the school food service department.
- Support for Every Student: Our priority is to ensure every child is fed. If a student forgets their lunch or is without funds, our Cafeteria Manager, Ms. Sabrina Clarke, ensures that no student goes hungry. Students should feel free to speak with Ms. Clarke or the front office, and she will work with them to provide a meal.
Please note that these policies are in place to maintain school schedules and security. If we notice a consistent pattern of outside food being brought in, our Administrators will reach out to those families individually to discuss any specific needs.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school safe and supporting our food services program
🎖️ 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
A Message from Sandburg PTA
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
Jennifer Laxton: Principal jklaxton@fcps.edu
Frank Steventon: Assistant Principal fbsteventon@fcps.edu
Patrice Wade: Assistant Principal lpwade@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
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!
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
Teacher Work Day- April 6
PTA Meeting - April 16
PTA Meeting- May 21
Memorial Day FCPS Closed- May 25
Teacher Work Day- May 26
Eid al-Adha- May 27 Student Holiday
Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 17