Don't forget to "spring forward" this Sunday, March 8! At 2:00 AM, our clocks will move ahead one hour. While we get more sunlight in the evening, we do lose an hour of sleep on Saturday night.

Middle schoolers often have a hard time with this change because their bodies are already going through a lot of growth. Here are four quick tips to help them stay on track:

• Start Early: Instead of changing everything on Sunday, try moving bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night starting Thursday. This makes the one-hour jump feel much smaller.
• No Screens Before Bed: Turn off phones and tablets 45 minutes before sleep. The blue light from screens tells the brain to stay awake, which is the opposite of what they need right now.
• Get Some Sun: On Monday morning, open the curtains right away. Natural light helps the brain "reset" its internal clock so they feel more awake for class.
• Skip the Naps: It’s tempting to nap after school on Monday, but it will make it harder to fall asleep that night. Try to stay active until a normal bedtime.

Expect a little extra tiredness for the first few days of the week while everyone's internal clock catches up!

FCPS Family Engagement Survey

📩 Coming this Monday to your email inbox...The bi-annual FCPS Family Engagement Survey! This is your chance to give feedback on your school's welcoming environment, communication, and other topics. Learn more: https://bit.ly/FESURVEY2026 

Participate today! Your voice matters! 

Share your thoughts around important topics impacting your student’s success.By participating in the Family Engagement Survey, parents/caregivers are making their voices heard. Survey topics include:

• Welcoming environment
• Communication
• Student success
• Advocacy
• Family and school partnerships
• Community partnerships

Help us better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. 

TAKE THE SURVEY!

Visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information.

📅 Parent Reminder: Upcoming IRW Testing Day

Stone Middle School families, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 10. We will be operating on an alternate "Even Day" schedule to accommodate the Virginia Integrated Reading & Writing (IRW) assessments.

Testing Overview:

• 8th Grade: Students will be taking the IRW Exam.
• 7th Grade: Students will participate in a practice IRW to prepare for future assessments.

Important Reminders for a Smooth Morning:

• Report to Panther Block: All students must report to their Panther Block teacher at the start of the day (7:30 AM) for attendance and final prep.
• Tech Check: Please ensure your student’s laptop is fully charged the night before and bring your charger to school on test day.
• Morning Routine: A nutritious breakfast and a prompt arrival will help our Panthers feel confident and ready to do their best.

We appreciate your support in helping our students succeed! Go Panthers! 🐾

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT METAGLASSES DURING STATE TESTING:

If your child wears/has Metaglasses, please know that they are a prohibited device during all state testing as they are considered a recording device.  Families need to plan for alternate glasses if students need them for testing.  This policy applies to IRW testing scheduled for March 10 and for May SOL testing which is scheduled for May 4, May 7, May 12.

Stone Student Services News

Happy National Social Workers Week!

We proudly recognize and celebrate Ms. Allen for the incredible care, compassion, and dedication she brings to Stone Middle School each and every day. Ms. Allen goes above and beyond to support our students, staff, and families, serving as a trusted advocate, problem-solver, and source of encouragement for our entire community.

Her commitment to helping others thrive makes a lasting difference in the lives of so many. We are truly grateful for her leadership, heart, and the positive impact she has on our school. Thank you, Ms. Allen, for being such an invaluable part of our team! 💙

Academic Advising

Our school counselors have been holding 1:1 academic advising sessions with students in 7th grade over the past week and will be finalizing course selections for next year.  Students can make changes to their course selections through March 13th for the upcoming school year.   Parents can view course requests in Parent Vue.

NEW: Parent Acknowledgment - Course Requests for Next School Year

In alignment with Goal 4 of our Strategic Plan, this spring, parents/guardians will be able to review and acknowledge their child’s course requests for SY 2026-27 by using a new feature in SIS Parent VUE.  Student course selection will end on Friday, March 13, 2026. The window for parents/guardians to review and acknowledge their child’s course requests via this new feature will open on Monday, March 16, 2026, and will close on Friday, March 27, 2026.  

Stone PTSA News

Westfield HS Girls Summer Basketball Camp 

Dates: 
July 6, 2026- July 10, 2026 9am to 3pm 

July 13, 2026 - July 17, 2026 9am to 3pm 

Camp Price $200/week 

FCPS News

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps

Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.

Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!

Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.

Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS): A Military Family Orientation - Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and Thursday, March 12, 2026

Military families new to FCPS or moving to FCPS soon may attend this interactive presentation. Families will learn about:

• FCPS programs, school staff, and digital resources
• Strategies to support student success
• Early enrollment for military families
• The Military Interstate Compact

This virtual presentation will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Please fill out this Google form to register and receive the Zoom link.

Bridges to Success - Wednesday, March 11, 2026

The Bridges to Success Networking Career and Education Fair will be held at the National Museum of the United States Army on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. A session for adults will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. This event is open to transitioning service members, military spouses, dependents, and veterans looking to pursue their career and education goals. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with local area employers offering certification programs, jobs, apprenticeships, fellowships, and paid internships. Participants will also be able to engage with post-secondary institutions to learn about professional development opportunities. With a variety of exhibitors, attendees can explore diverse pathways to success. To register, please visit Bridges to Success.

Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update

Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports. 

If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations. 

Sleep Awareness Week

The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: 

• Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.

2026 Special Education Family Conference: Rescheduled

FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration

The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.

Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. A spirited keynote speech was delivered by Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.

Read more about the Black history event. 

Why Smart Kids Struggle

Wednesday, March 11, 10-11:30 a.m.

Many students struggle not because of ability, but because of executive function. This session helps parents recognize these challenges and learn simple strategies to reduce overwhelm and help kids get unstuck—without nagging or doing it for them.

Register here

BIS Part 3: How to Develop Emotional Regulation with Your Child

Friday, March 13, 10-11:30 a.m.

Join us to explore how to move beyond stopping challenging behavior and instead focus on teaching the core skills of recognizing, understanding, and responding to emotions in healthy ways. Walk away with tools leading to a calmer family life.

Register here

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• School Board Adopts Budget
• New Date for Special Education Conference
• Celebrating Our Schools

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

Stone Quick Links

• Family Information Phone Lines (Multiple Languages)
• PTSA
• Staff Directory
• Staff Kudos/FCPS Cares
• Technology Support

5500 Sully Park Dr Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Office: 703-631-5500
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