CSMS News You Choose May 3, 2026
Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 05/03/2026 05:33 PM EDT
🌟 LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: CONGRATULATIONS, MR. BRADLEY!
We are excited to announce that Mr. Bradley has been named our new interim Dean of Students!
Many of you know Mr. Bradley from his work in the classroom teaching 8th-grade Civics. He has built incredible, positive relationships with our students, and we know those connections will be a massive asset to the leadership team here at Sandburg. We are thrilled to have him in this role to help us finish the school year strong. Please join us in congratulating him on this new chapter!
📝 SOL TESTING: FINISHING STRONG
We want to share how incredibly proud we are of our students who have been participating in SOL testing and retakes. Your hard work and focus are showing!
As we get ready for more testing, please remember these "Success Essentials":
-
Rest: Get a good night’s sleep before testing days.
-
Fuel: Eat a nice, full, and healthy breakfast.
-
Tech Ready: Keep your laptops charged overnight and remember to bring your chargers to school every day!
🍎 TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK: MAY 4–8
Next week is all about celebrating the incredible educators and staff members who make Sandburg a wonderful place to learn! Coordinated by the PTA, Admin, and Wellness Teams, here is our schedule of gratitude:
-
Monday, May 4: "May the Fourth" Be With You Theme: Continental Breakfast treats for staff.
-
Tuesday, May 5: "Nacho" Average Teachers Theme: Cinco de Mayo PTA Luncheon.
-
Wednesday, May 6: "Words of Wisdom" Wednesday Theme: Student-Led Appreciation messages in the Yellow Hallway.
-
Thursday, May 7: "We Appreciate You a Latte" Theme: Coffee Bar & Raffle for all teachers.
-
Friday, May 8: Blooming Break "Fuel Up" Friday Theme: Afternoon snack wagon delivery for staff.
📸 STAY TUNED: Be sure to check back for next week’s edition of the newsletter! We will be sharing a "Staff Appreciation Photo Gallery" featuring highlights and pictures of our amazing staff throughout this week's festivities.
🌱 OUR COURTYARD IS GROWING!
Sandburg has officially teamed up with Fairfax County Stormwater Management and their Watershed Education and Outreach program to plant 500 native species in our large courtyard!
This area is a wonderful compliment to our new outdoor classroom space, where raised beds are currently sprouting fresh veggies and strawberries. Look for information on volunteer gardening opportunities soon!
🎉 END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Please mark your calendars for the following award ceremonies and events.
Awards Ceremonies:
-
7th Grade Awards: June 9 | 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
-
8th Grade Awards: June 10 | 7:45 AM – 8:55 AM (Invitations will be sent directly to the families of participating students.)
8th Grade Dance:
-
June 10 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Volunteer opportunities are forthcoming!
🍔 FIELD DAY & BBQ SCHEDULE Field Day and BBQ events are organized by "House."
Friday, June 12:
-
House Wonderers: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM activities (11:00 AM lunch)
-
House Navigators: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM activities (11:30 AM lunch)
Monday, June 15:
-
House Ascenders: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM activities (11:00 AM lunch)
-
House Vanguards: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM activities (11:30 AM lunch)
Tuesday, June 16:
-
House Innovators: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM activities (11:00 AM lunch)
⭐ PARTICIPATION & EXPECTATIONS
The 8th Grade Dance, Field Day, and BBQ are student privileges for those who continue to show their best effort in attendance and positive decision-making.
Students with disciplinary action or excessive cuts and tardies during the months of May and June will not be able to participate. We are fortunate to have so many students who are committed to finishing this school year strong!
🎭 CARL SANDBURG MS PRESENTS: SHREK THE MUSICAL JR.
Our talented students are bringing the swamp to the stage! Join us for a magical performance of Shrek The Musical JR. based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture.
Showtimes:
-
Friday, May 8th at 7:00 PM
-
Saturday, May 9th at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Don't miss out on this "ogre-sized" production!
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
Amber Richard-Kleeschulte: Assistant Principal alrichard@fcps.edu
Rob Kerr: Assistant Principal rjkerr@fcps.edu
John Grey: Assistant Principal jrgrey@fcps.edu
Ryan Espinoza-Gray: Interim Assistant Principal rnespinozagr@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!
May 4–8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8: Shrek The Musical JR. (7:00 PM)
May 9: Shrek The Musical JR. (2:00 PM & 7:00 PM)
May 20: Spring Band Concert (7:00 PM)
May 21: Spring Orchestra Concert (7:00 PM)
May 21: PTA Meeting
May 25: Memorial Day (FCPS Closed)
May 26: Teacher Work Day (Student Holiday)
May 27: Eid al-Adha (Student Holiday)
June 2: Spring Chorus Concert & Reception (7:00 PM)
June 5: Music Dept. Spring Trip to Busch Gardens
June 9: Guitar Concert (7:00 PM)
June 9: 7th Grade Awards
June 10: 8th Grade Awards & 8th Grade Dance
June 12–16: House Field Days & BBQs
June 17: Last Day of School (Early Release)