Principal's Message May 14, 2026

Dear Stone Families, 


The school year is quickly winding down. While we have only about 20 more days of school remaining, positive behaviors, good decision making, and daily on time attendance are more important now than ever. 

We are also planning some fun culminating activities for the end of the school year including a summer sendoff. We are looking for outdoor game donations from our community and parent volunteers for June 17th (7:45am to 12pm).  Please contact Ms. Neun (anneun@fcps.edu) & Ms. Purdham (tbpurdham@fcps.edu) for more information on how you can help. 

 

Our Stone PTSA team is planning their final fundraiser for the year - Let's Glow Crazy Run & Day Party. They are actively looking for parent volunteers to help out on June 15th from 12pm to 2:15pm. Please contact Ms. Harris (jequita.harris@gmail.com) if you are interested. 

 

Huge CONGRATULATIONS to our Jazz Band on their 2nd place finish at this year's prestigious and long-running Chantilly Jazz Festival! This is a massive achievement for our musicians, marking our first podium finish since 2019. We are incredibly proud of the band under the leadership of Mr. Marks for their hard work!

 

Next week, we will have our final spirit week for the year as we celebrate spring sports and the end of SOL testing. 

Monday: No Shade Monday, Wear Shades

Tuesday: Spring Colors Tuesday, Wear pastel colors to celebrate spring

Wednesday: Jet-Lagged Wednesday, Wear what you would wear on a plane

Thursday: Neon vs Camo 7th Graders Wear Neon vs 8th Graders wear Camo

Friday: First Letter Friday, Wear clothing or a color that starts with the first letter of your name. 

 

Thank you families for your partnership.

Let's have a great week Panthers, 

Sonya Williams

Principal 


Stone MS 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Please join us for the 8th grade promotion ceremony at Westfield High School on Tuesday, June 2nd. Students should arrive by 5:30pm so that our program can begin on time at 6pm. Please have students dress as they would for a formal event.  We were notified that there are some bleacher repairs at Westfield HS, so space may be limited for this event.  If your family needs any special accommodations, please contact Ms. Tami Brumett at TLBrumett@fcps.edu

Attention all 8th grade students:

The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will be on June 2nd @ 6:00 PM and we need your help!

We are looking for ANY 8th grade students who would like to be the special Student Speaker at the event. This is a wonderful opportunity to deliver a positive message to the Students, Staff, and Families of Stone. 

If you are interested in being the Special Student Speaker, please complete the following:

All student submissions will run through a selection process, and the winner will be announced before the event. 

If you have any questions- message Mrs. Neun or email her at anneun@fcps.edu. 


Veritas Preparatory Program 

The nationally acclaimed Veritas Preparatory Program and Veritas Debate Institute are offering full scholarships for up to 25 high-achieving FCPS rising students in grades 7-12 to participate in a gifted study program that prepares them for a summer residential program at Harvard University. Scholarships are sponsored by the UPS Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, and the Steve Harvey Foundation. 

Grades 7-8: Veritas Prep is a weekly out-of-school gifted study program for 7th-8th-grade students who are prepared to be challenged beyond what’s taught in traditional school. Veritas Prep provides early exposure to college-level skills and liberal arts subjects that accelerate reading, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. Veritas Prep feeds into the Veritas Debate Institute, which culminates with a summer residential program at Harvard University.  

Grades 9-12: Veritas Debate Institute (VDI) is a weekly out-of-school gifted study program for 9th-12th-graders that teaches college-level skills and subjects, including philosophy, political science, economics, debate, and more.  Students train for one year in preparation for a summer residential debate program at Harvard University, where they study and compete alongside hundreds of gifted and talented youth from across the globe. 

Eligibility: Veritas is a multicultural program open to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic background.  Veritas targets high-achieving students with a strong interest in the social sciences (politics, history, law, humanities, debate, public speaking, etc) and have aspirations to attend the top-ranked colleges & universities in the world.

For nearly a decade, Veritas has earned national recognition for producing many of the top-performing students in the world and placing hundreds of youth on a pathway to Ivy League and elite colleges.  You can learn more about Veritas here.

As Veritas expands to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area this year, FCPS has been selected as a partner district to help identify high-achieving students.  

On Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 PM, an informational webinar will be held exclusively for rising 7th and 12th-grade students and parents in FCPS to learn more about Veritas and the application process.  You will have an opportunity to meet Veritas leadership and ask questions about the program.  

If you would like to attend, Click Here to RSVP and you will receive a link to attend the informational session.


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Westfield High School Boys Basketball

 

Freshman Interest 

Westfield Basketball is officially collecting interest for the upcoming Boys Freshman team! 

All incoming freshman student-athletes interested in basketball are encouraged to complete the interest form. This ensures you receive all information regarding meetings, summer camps, and tryout dates.

2026 Summer Camps 

Ready to build stronger muscles and sharpen your skills on the court? Join the home of the 2025-26 Class 6 State Champions for an unforgettable summer experience!

Presented by the Westfield Bulldog Booster Club, the summer camp is designed for boys ages 7–15 who want to learn from the best.

Choose Your Week (or join us for both!):

  • Week 1: June 22–26
  • Week 2: July 21–25
  • Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily

Registration Details:

Don’t miss out on the chance to train with the champions. Spots fill up fast!

🔗 Register Today: https://westfieldsummercamps.jumbula.com/boys-basketball


Westfield HS Physicals Fundraiser

It’s that time of year again. Westfield Athletic Training Program will be hosting our annual sports physicals fundraiser on Tues, June 2nd from 5:30-7:45pm. The cost of the physical is $50 and the money goes directly to the athletic training program to buy supplies used to support your athletes. Once the physical is complete, it will be good for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are a medical professional, we could use your help as well as the success of our events depends on the volunteers we acquire. For questions about it the event, email WestfieldHSATP@fcps.edu.


💻 Chromebook Collection is Coming Soon!

It’s almost time to wrap up the school year, which means we will soon be collecting student Chromebooks. To ensure a smooth transition, please keep the following in mind regarding equipment:

  • Missing Chargers: If your student has lost their charger, there is a $29 replacement fee.

  • Payment Options: You can pay the fee via MySchoolBucks, or by bringing cash or a check (payable to Stone MS) directly to the front office.

Stay tuned for specific collection dates and times!


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Mark Your Calendars for a Week of Music! 🎶

Get ready to support our talented performers at Stone Middle School! We have an exciting lineup of upcoming concerts next week. Whether you are a fan of choir, orchestra, or band, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Performance Schedule

  • Choir: Tuesday, May 19

  • Orchestra: Wednesday, May 20

  • Band: Thursday, May 21

Event Details:

  • Time: All concerts start at 7:00 p.m.

  • Location: Stone Middle School

We look forward to seeing the community come together to celebrate our students' hard work and musical achievements!

 

Join Us for Panther Band Night & Market! 

Stone Middle School invites all families to a special evening of music, shopping, and community support on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Come for the market and stay for the music as we celebrate our talented students and local small businesses.

Event Schedule

  • 6:00 PM: Market Doors Open
  • 7:00 PM: Stone Middle School Band Concert begins
  • 9:00 PM: Market Closes

Highlights & Activities

  • Shop Local: Browse a variety of vendors and makers offering arts, crafts, flowers, gifts, and more.
  • Celebrate Your Musician: Surprise your favorite performer with a rose bouquet, available for only $10.
  • Delicious Eats: Visit our concession stand for pizza, Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches, chips, snacks, and beverages.

Location: Stone Middle School 

Why Support? Proceeds from this event help the Stone MS PTSA and the Panther Band Program fund vital student programs, events, and initiatives that make a real difference for our school.

Questions? Reach out to the PTSA VP of Fundraising at StoneMSPTSAFundraising@gmail.com.


Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation

All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.


Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance! 

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong. 

Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.

 

If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.

 

If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources


Sibshops/SibTeen Summer Camp

📅Date - Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23⏱️ Time: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.📍Location - Fairfax Villa Elementary   10900 Santa Clara Dr. Fairfax, VA

Sibshops and SibTeen will hold a two-day summer camp for children who have a sibling with a disability.  Each day participants will participate in a variety of fun recreation and art based community building activities and discussion related to their shared experience and access peer support. Lunch will be provided each day.

Sibshops is open to children in grades 2nd through 5th. SibTeen is offered to children in grades 6 through 9.

Register here


Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update

On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget. 

Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.


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:

    • 2027 Budget Updates
    • New Cell Phone Policy
    • Stay Up-to-Date with the Mobile App

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


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