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Principal's Note
Dear Sandburg Families,
As the weather begins to get colder, please remind your child to dress warmly each day and to leave blankets at home. Students should bring only the items they need for learning.
If your family is in need of a warm coat, please reach out to our family liaison. We are here to support our Sandburg families and will be happy to help connect you with resources.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We hope to see many of you at these upcoming events!
Warmly, Jennifer Laxton
Important Dates
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Spirit Day to end the Month | Wacky Wednesday Sept. 30th
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Sandburg Orch-ientation (Orchestra Family Night) | Wednesday Sept. 30 6:00 PM
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TJ Admissions Information Night | Thursday Oct. 1 6:00 PM
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Parent Presentation: Substance Use Prevention | Thursday Oct. 8 6:00 PM
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more on the FCPS website.
Understanding the Acceptable Use PolicyFCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:
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Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
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Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
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Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
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Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
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Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.
Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.
MWEE (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences) is the annual field trip for 7th grade science. Please get those field trip forms turned in!
Starting Thursday, October 2nd, 7th grade students will be going to participate to get some in field experience with water quality testing, collecting data and macro invertebrates. Students will be gone for most of the day, and will be going with their science teacher.
Please note the days students will be going:
Thursday, October 1st with Ms. Kim
Monday, October 5th with Ms. Sims
Tuesday, October 6th with Dr. Kandel
Thursday, October 8th with Mr. Ezeanolue + Mr. Ilesanmi
Friday, October 9th with Mr. Pearson
Set Screen Time Limits and Monitor Online Activity With Lightspeed
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Upcoming Parent Presentation: Substance Use Prevention – What Parents Need to Know
Join us at Sandburg Middle School for an informative presentation on strategies to keep youth drug-free. The event will take place in the SMS Cafeteria on October 8, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. To register, click here or copy and paste the following URL: https://forms.gle/T7zijwqCmHCwNfLK8
Key Topics to be Discussed:
- Current substance use trends
- Health risks associated with vaping
- Prevention strategies for families
- Available resources for seeking help
Details:
- When: Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Where: CSMS Cafeteria
- Refreshments: A light dinner, snacks, and refreshments will be provided
For questions or additional details, please contact Simone Brown, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS), at srbrown1@fcps.edu, or Ana Amelunge, Family Liaison at ACAmelunge@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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