CSMS News You Choose March 27
Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 03/27/2026 02:05 PM EDT
A message from Principal Laxton:
Dear 8th Grade Families,
As we approach the end of the school year, we are excited to share details about our upcoming 8th grade end-of-year activities.
June 10 – 8th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: Auditorium
- Awards Presented: A Honor Roll, A/B Honor Roll, Department Awards, Elective Awards, and House “Panther Pride” Award
- Attendance: Only students receiving awards will attend
- Parents: Invited to attend
June 10 – 8th Grade Dance
- Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
- Location: Large Gym
- Attendance: Participation is based on behavior expectations
- Sponsored by: PTA
- Support Needed: We welcome parent volunteer chaperones
June 12 – Field Day BBQ
- House Wonderers:
- Activities: 9:00–11:00 AM
- Lunch: 11:00–11:30 AM
- House Navigators:
- Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Activities: 12:00–2:00 PM
- Support Needed: Parent volunteers to help run activity stations
June 15 – Field Day BBQ
- House Ascenders:
- Activities: 9:00–11:00 AM
- Lunch: 11:00–11:30 AM
- House Vanguards:
- Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Activities: 12:00–2:00 PM
- Support Needed: Parent volunteers to help run activity stations
June 16 – Field Day BBQ
- House Innovators:
- Activities: 9:00–11:00 AM
- Lunch: 11:00–11:30 AM
- Support Needed: Parent volunteers to help run activity stations
We will continue to share additional details as the dates approach. If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events, please be on the lookout for sign-up information soon.
Thank you for your support in helping us celebrate our 8th grade students as they close out their middle school experience!
Sandburg Testing: Dates to Know & Steps to Take
Greetings from Sandburg’s Testing Team!
When we return from Spring Break, we will be administering the IRW make up test on April 8.
If your student needs to make up this test, we will send a reminder message on Tuesday April 7.
Looking ahead in April, grade 7 and 8 students will take the Reading SOL on Tuesday April 28.
We ask that you log into your ParentVue account and indicate if you choose for your student to retake a test should they qualify.
Please send any questions to Ms. Johnson, your testing coordinator, at mgjohnson1@fcps.edu.
We are looking forward to finishing our school year strong with amazing performances on the SOL assessments. Thank you for all you do to support your students and us at Sandburg.
🚨Spring is here 🌸AND Track and Field Season is less than 10 days away!🎉
🗓️First practice: The day we return from Spring Break - Tuesday, April 7, 2026 @ 2:30 PM (rain or shine!)
👟Will your child be joining us?
Make sure the necessary registration steps are completed. You can find all the required information here: https://sandburgms.fcps.edu/track-field
- No student may stay after school to participate until they have completed/submitted all required red registration steps
🤔Have questions? Parents should send a TalkingPoints message to Coach Ty (Augustin).
😎 Looking forward to a great season!
REMINDER: We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
On Monday, April 6, parents and guardians of Sandburg will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.
Topics covered in the survey include:
✅ Instructional leadership
✅ School climate
✅ Management (human resources and organizational)
✅ Communication and community relations
✅ Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
✅ Professionalism
The questionnaire will be open April 6 - April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email from noreply@fcps.edu, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!
West Potomac Girls Basketball Spring Clinic
Thank you for your continued support!
Joe Petrucelli
Head Girls Basketball Coach
West Potomac High School
jrpetrucelli@fcps.edu
SUMMER LEARNING
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.
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
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
John Grey: Assistant Principal jrgrey@fcps.edu
Eugena Weaver: Director of Student Services ejweaver@fcps.edu
Ryan Espinoza-Gray: Dean of Students rnespinozagr@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