FCPS

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Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

Thank you to the overwhelming number of families that came yesterday for item distribution, we estimate that about 70% of families came during the one hour block!  Sorry for those of you that had to wait a few minutes.  Seeing the smiling faces of our students was definitely the highlight for many of us!  If you were unable to join us yesterday, please plan on coming between 2:00 and 4:00pm on Monday.

This week we welcomed back our first cohort of students to phase-in.  Our preschoolers started back on Tuesday!  Next week, we will welcome back our English Learner Newcomers in grades 3-6, they will join us on Monday mornings.  

We shared that we will be holding a Principal’s Coffee on Tuesday at 8am to hopefully answer some of your questions and help inform you to be able to make your updated choice for In Person or Virtual learning.  We will send out a link on Monday.  

Finally, next Friday is the end of the quarter and a 2-hour early release to provide teachers time to work on progress reports.  Our instructional day will end at 1:20 for all of our classes.  Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3 are teacher workdays and student holidays, there will be no live instruction and no independent work assigned by teachers.

Also in today’s newsletter: 

• Monday Enrichment Schedule 
• Positivity Project Creativity
• Yearbook Information
• BEE Kind Week

• NEW - LIBRARY MYSTERY BAGS!

• Stenwood Library Storybook Pumpkin Festival!

• Curbside Library Checkout
• Technology Help for Families 
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35

It is with a heavy heart that we also want to share about the passing of one of our longtime, beloved substitute teachers and honorary staff member - Adrienne McCormick.  If your family has been at Stenwood awhile, there is a very good chance that your child has known and loved Mrs. McCormick.  Here is a link to the Adrienne McCormick Memorial Fund created by her family to benefit Stenwood students who are in need.

We hope you are able to spend quality time with your family this weekend.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Monday Enrichment Schedule

To navigate to most of the sessions, students will use the All Students course in Schoology.  Once there, if they click on the Collaborate Ultra tab they will see the live sessions.  

Click here to view the schedule!

Positivity Project: Creativity

This week, we are focusing on Creativity. You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

“Creative people do not see things merely for what they are; they see them for what they can be.”  

                                              ~Julie Israel

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• How can creativity benefit your relationships with others?
• What is a way you can improve your ability to be more creative?
• How can you practice creativity every day?

Yearbook Information Yes, We Will Have A Yearbook!

Students and families may not have a connection to the physical brick and mortar school building yet, but we are still Stenwood Stingers just the same!  We are looking at setting up a safe, scheduled, socially distant, optional picture day with our vendor. 

To capture this unusual year and to make our yearbook a reality, we also need photos of our beautiful stingers in their individual learning hives.  Therefore, we are calling on our community for some help!

Each week, we will be asking for different photos to be uploaded to Yearbook Snap.  Access Code: stenwood.

We will be asking to collect photos from you, we ask that they are either camera images or cell phone photos without the live feature attached. If you upload photos and the ending is .HEIC instead of .JPG, we are unable to use them in the yearbook.  We look forward to seeing everyone’s photo in the yearbook this year!

This week, we are looking for Back to School, Pumpkin Patrol, and Virtual Learning Pictures. Feel free to send us any snapshots from the first day of school and beyond!

More information about pre-ordering a yearbook will be included next week!

BEE Kind Week

Next week is BEE Kind Week!  Check out this flyer for more information and the Bee Kind Week Bingo Board!

 

Monday, 10/26 “Random Acts of Kindness” Bingo Card

Complete 5 acts of kindness in a row by the end of the week!

 

Tuesday, 10/27 “Team Up Against Bullying”

Wear any sport team jersey or spirit wear of your choice!

 

Wednesday, 10/28 “Wacky Wednesday”

Wear your wackiest/tackiest outfit!

 

Thursday, 10/29 “Block Out Bullying with a Book”

Listen to an anti-bullying or kindness book in class.

 

Friday, 10/30 “Stenwood is a BEE Kind School”

Wear your Stenwood Stinger wear!

NEW - LIBRARY MYSTERY BAGS!

Need new books?  Not sure what to search for in the catalog?  Well, look no further – Mrs. Cole to the rescue!  Fill out the appropriate grade level form and she’ll put together a “Mystery Bag” for your child. It might be great, or maybe not – but trying new things is what education and reading are all about.

(Note: Separate forms for K-2 and Grades 3-6)

 

Grades K-2 "Library Mystery Bags"

Please fill out this form (Gr K-2)  if you would like to request a "Mystery Bag" from the Stenwood Library.  The "Mystery Bag" will include 5 books selected by Mrs. Cole.  It may include a combination of Picture books, "I Can Read" books, Quick Reads (early chapter books) and/or Nonfiction books.

 

Grades 3-6 "Library Mystery Bags"

 

Please fill out this form (Gr 3-6) if you would like to request a "Mystery Bag" from the Stenwood Library.  The "Mystery Bag" will include 3 books selected by Mrs. Cole.

Remember, if you have a specific book you are looking for, please log into the Destiny Catalog to place a book on hold. (Directions are in your grade level folder here in the Library Course.)

 

WAIT FOR AN EMAIL BEFORE COMING TO STENWOOD

TO PICK UP BOOKS.

 

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

It’s Time for the Stenwood Library Storybook Pumpkin Festival!

Even though we can’t have pumpkins in the library, we can still celebrate good books and creativity!  Students should pick a favorite storybook character and decorate a pumpkin.  

Instead of giving clues about the character, make a sign saying who the pumpkin is and which book it is from, then take a picture. 

Send the picture to Mrs. Cole for inclusion in a school-wide slide show.  The slide show will be in the Library Schoology course.  Pictures may be submitted between October 19th and October 30th.  

If you need inspiration, you can look at the included pictures and/or access the Library/Materials Schoology course for a look at previous years’ pumpkins.  As always, please contact Mrs. Cole if you have any questions.

Curbside Library Checkout

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.

Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

Technology Help for Families

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Parent Technology Help Desk: 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS)

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  All FCPS students are eligible to receive a free lunch if you need the nostalgia of the milk carton, string cheese or square pizza!

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

A very special thank you to the PTA for our our first virtual assembly with Mad Science!

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

Last evening at the FCPS School Board meeting, FCPS shared its plan for bringing back larger cohorts of students for in person learning two days per week.  They have prioritized bringing our youngest learners back in the building first, and offered a timeline and plan for the return of students.  While some decisions were made, many things are yet to be decided.  The School Board and FCPS Leadership Team will continue to develop plans for the remaining cohorts.  As decisions are made, we will send out additional communication.  We anticipate that next week we will be sending out communication to confirm your selection for in-person or virtual learning.  

In the meantime, our teachers will continue to diligently plan high quality online learning experiences for our students and appreciate your ongoing support of your child and our school.  Our teachers are also working to provide some hands on learning materials for another pick up session starting next week, please see the section below for details.  Also in today’s newsletter: 

• Learning Materials Pick Up - Thurs, 10/22 & Mon, 10/26
• Monday Enrichment Schedule and Virtual Assembly
• Positivity Project Forgiveness

• Stenwood Library Storybook Pumpkin Festival

• Curbside Library Checkout
• AAP Information Session Recordings
• Technology Help for Families 
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Learning Materials Pick Up - Thurs, 10/22 & Mon 10/26

Please plan on driving through Stenwood’s Kiss N Ride loop on Thursday, 10/22 between 3:30 - 4:30pm OR Monday, 10/26 between 2:00 - 4:00pm to pick up additional learning materials prepared for your child by their teachers. Students in 1st- 6th grade who have completed their iReady assessments will also have an iReady score report included in their individual envelope, please keep this in mind if you are asking another family to pick up your child’s envelope or if you do not want your child to view the report.

We ask that you make a clearly printed sign for your car’s dashboard that contains the following:

 

Student Last Name, 

Student First Name

(Teacher Name/ Grade Level)

 

This will help our team move efficiently in bringing your child’s materials to your car window.  Please see the curbside library section for a map of our pick up area (Kiss N Ride loop).

Monday Enrichment Schedule and Virtual Assembly

To navigate to most of the sessions, students will use the All Students course in Schoology.  Once there, if they click on the Collaborate Ultra tab they will see the live sessions.  

Click here to view the schedule!

 

Please also mark your calendars for Monday, October 19th at 1:00pm-1:45pm for a SPECIAL Monday enrichment opportunity: a virtual Mad Science assembly thanks to our awesome PTA!

Mad Science: Things That Go Boom

October 19th, 1:00pm - 1:45pm in the All Students Schoology Course

Our most popular, and all about chemical reactions. Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and of course, some explosions! Conclude with our Mad Science Bubbling potions, where you'll get to learn about dry ice and even see the creation of real clouds!

Positivity Project: Forgiveness

This week, we are focusing on Forgiveness. You forgive those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.”

 

                                              ~Marianne Williamson

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• Why is forgiveness so hard to give sometimes?
• Why is there “no peace” without forgiveness?
• What happens to YOU when you forgive someone who has done you wrong?

It’s Time for the Stenwood Library Storybook Pumpkin Festival!

Even though we can’t have pumpkins in the library, we can still celebrate good books and creativity!  Students should pick a favorite storybook character and decorate a pumpkin.  

Instead of giving clues about the character, make a sign saying who the pumpkin is and which book it is from, then take a picture. 

Send the picture to Mrs. Cole for inclusion in a school-wide slide show.  The slide show will be in the Library Schoology course.  Pictures may be submitted between October 19th and October 30th.  

If you need inspiration, you can look at the included pictures and/or access the Library/Materials Schoology course for a look at previous years’ pumpkins.  As always, please contact Mrs. Cole if you have any questions.

Curbside Library Checkout

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.

Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

AAP Information Session Recordings

We had a great meeting on Thursday, 10/1 on the Advanced Academics program at Stenwood ES.  Here is a link to the recording if you were unable to attend. 

On Thursday, 10/15, we shared more about the AAP Level IV Screening Process.  Here is the link to the recording of that session.  Additionally, you can review the slide deck shared during this presentation.

Questions? Please reach out to our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Payal Herendeen: ppherendeen@fcps.edu .

Technology Help for Families

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Parent Technology Help Desk: 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS)

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

On Monday, 10/12 FCPS is observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a Student Holiday.  We hope you and your children enjoy some of these book recommendations from the American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) to learn more!

With Monday being a Student Holiday, there will be no Morning Meeting, Enrichment, or Curbside Library Checkout this day. Please still check out the Monday Enrichment section of today’s Hive Happenings to make sure you are marking your calendar for a fun opportunity on Monday, October 19th: our first virtual assembly thanks to our amazing PTA!!!  Parents of 1st - 6th graders, please do make sure your child has submitted their iReady Reading AND Math assessments before Monday as well, as your child’s teacher will be using this assessment information to guide their instruction. In today’s Hive Happenings we have included: 

• Monday Enrichment : Updates for 10/12 and 10/19

• Positivity Project: Being Present and Giving Others My Attention

• Curbside Library Checkout
• AAP Information Sessions 
• Technology Help for Families 
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35
• Walking Wednesdays

Have a great long weekend!

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Monday Enrichment: Updates for 10/12 and 10/19

There will be NO Monday Enrichment on Monday, 10/12 due to the Student Holiday.  Our Enrichment opportunities will continue on Monday, 10/19.

Please also mark your calendars for Monday, October 19th at 1:00pm - 1:45pm for a SPECIAL Monday enrichment opportunity: a virtual Mad Science assembly thanks to our awesome PTA!

Mad Science: Things That Go Boom

October 19th, 1:00pm - 1:45pm in the All Students Schoology Course

Our most popular, and all about chemical reactions. Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and of course, some explosions! Conclude with our Mad Science Bubbling potions, where you'll get to learn about dry ice and even see the creation of real clouds!

Positivity Project: Being Present and Giving Others My Attention

This week, we are working on ONE of the FIVE overarching components of the Positivity Project. Being present and giving others my attention is an important component of building strong relationships.

“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.”  

                                              ~Stephen Covey

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What does it mean to be present and give other people my attention?
• How might being present and giving others my attention be important to building healthy relationships?
• Why do we need relationships?

Curbside Library Checkout

BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY, THERE WILL NOT BE CURBSIDE PICKUP/DROP OFF ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12th

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.

Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

AAP Information Sessions

We had a great meeting on Thursday, 10/1 on the Advanced Academics program at Stenwood ES.  Here is a link to the recording if you were unable to attend. 

We have one additional Advanced Academics Information meeting scheduled for those interested in the Level IV screening process.

 

Thursday, October 15th @ 8:00am:

AAP Level IV Screening Information Session

(Specific to the Level IV Screening Process)

 

Please check your email for the 9/23 eNotify message which contains the link for this session and more detailed information!

Technology Help for Families

We have all learned a lot these first few days of school!  Here are some quick pointers we have been sharing with students that you might also like to know!

Having trouble getting into the optional lunch bunches?  

Read these tips about Meet and Schoology!

Having trouble accessing Google assignments through Schoology? 

Check out this tip sheet!

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Additionally, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here.

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Walking Wednesdays

Walking Wednesdays is a county-wide community program designed to promote physical and mental health. FCPS Safe Routes to School in collaboration with Fairfax County Park Authority’s Move Your Way and Healthy Strides campaign encourages students and parents/guardians to take time each Wednesday to walk and connect with friends, neighbors and classmates before the school day and workday begins.  Whether your walk takes you around the block, to the bus stop, or to your school, we hope you will find others out walking and can greet one another from a distance.

Walking Wednesdays began this week on International Walk to School Day.  Coming in November will be Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 18, 2020.  More information about Walking Wednesdays can be found here.

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

It was wonderful seeing so many families on Friday and Monday during Student Learning Materials pick up!  It made our staff so happy to see our Stingers’ delight in picking up instruments, books, and more!  If you didn't pick up your materials, stop by the front office between 8am and 4pm next week!

As a reminder, there is Morning Meeting at 8:40am on Mondays.  This week, at the conclusion of Morning Meeting, students in 1st - 6th grade will continue working on their iReady assessments by beginning their Math assessment; more details below.  Feel free to allow your child to take a break, so that they can participate in the grade level enrichment sessions posted below.  If you plan on having your child only participate asynchronously on Monday, please email the attendance line that you are attending asynchronously: StenwoodElem.Attendance@fcps.edu. 

     In today’s Hive Happenings we have included: 

• iReady Universal Screener (1st - 6th graders)
• Monday Enrichment Schedule
• Positivity Project: Open-Mindedness
• Curbside Library Checkout
• AAP Information Sessions (*Session Recording Included!* )
• Technology Help for Families 
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35
• Walking Wednesdays

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

1st - 6th Graders: Universal Screener Continues Next Week

Last week, students in grades 1-6 began their Universal Screener (iReady) Reading assessment at home instead of at school. Your child’s teachers will introduce the Math assessment on Monday, 10/5, including how to log in and what to expect:

 

Monday, 10/5 @ 8:40am: Starting the iReady Math Assessment

(Recordings will be available in Schoology if your child is unable to attend.)

 

Your child does not need to complete the iReady Reading and iReady Math assessment in one sitting;  it is okay to take a break and resume the assessment at a later time. Please encourage your child to try their best and complete this assessment independently.  This assessment is NOT for a grade. 

Please plan for your child’s iReady Reading and Math assessments to be completed by Monday, October 12th.  Your child’s teacher will be using the results of the assessment to inform their instruction of your child.

If you have further questions about this assessment, please refer to the testing notification sent via eNotify last week or contact Meredith Mitchell, School Test Coordinator.  More information is also available here: https://www.fcps.edu/us 

Monday Enrichment Schedule

To navigate to most of the sessions, students will use the All Students course in Schoology.  Once there, if they click on the Collaborate Ultra tab they will see the live sessions.  

Click here to view the schedule!

 

Please also mark your calendars for Monday, October 19th at 1pm-1:45pm for a SPECIAL Monday enrichment opportunity: a virtual Mad Science assembly thanks to our awesome PTA!

Mad Science: Things That Go Boom

October 19th, 1 - 1:45pm in the All Students Schoology Course

Our most popular, and all about chemical reactions. Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and of course, some explosions! Conclude with our Mad Science Bubbling potions, where you'll get to learn about dry ice and even see the creation of real clouds!

Positivity Project: Open-Mindedness

This week, we are focusing on Open-Mindedness. You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

“Progress is impossible without change; those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” 

                                               ~George Bernard Shaw

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What does your attitude have to do with being open minded?
• How is jumping to conclusions being closed minded? Why might that be a negative in building relationships?
• How open minded do you think you are?

Curbside Library Checkout

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.

Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

AAP Information Sessions

We had a great meeting on Thursday, 10/1 on the Advanced Academics program at Stenwood ES.  Here is a link to the recording if you were unable to attend. 

We have one additional Advanced Academics Information meeting scheduled for those interested in the Level IV screening process.

 

Thursday, October 15th @ 8:00am:

AAP Level IV Screening Information Session

(Specific to the Level IV Screening Process)

 

Please check your email for last week’s eNotify message which contains the link for this sessions and more detailed information!

Technology Help for Families

We have all learned a lot these first few days of school!  Here are some quick pointers we have been sharing with students that you might also like to know!

Having trouble getting into the optional lunch bunches?  

Read these tips about Meet and Schoology!

Having trouble accessing Google assignments through Schoology? 

Check out this tip sheet!

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Additionally, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here.

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Walking Wednesdays

Walking Wednesdays is a county-wide community program designed to promote physical and mental health. FCPS Safe Routes to School in collaboration with Fairfax County Park Authority’s Move Your Way and Healthy Strides campaign encourages students and parents/guardians to take time each Wednesday to walk and connect with friends, neighbors and classmates before the school day and workday begins.  Whether your walk takes you around the block, to the bus stop, or to your school, we hope you will find others out walking and can greet one another from a distance.

Walking Wednesdays will kick off on October 7, 2020, which is International Walk to School Day.  Coming in November will be Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 18, 2020.  More information about Walking Wednesdays can be found here.

Families, neighborhoods or schools can register their participation in International Walk to School Day on October 7, 2020 here. 

Here are some ideas for your neighborhood Walk to School Day 2020.

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

It was a busy week!  Thank you for everyone who attended Back to School Night, Part 2 last night.  If you did not have a chance to attend, please make sure to watch the recording your child’s teacher sends today. We also had a great first PTA meeting with nearly 50 families joining!

Below are the offerings for next Monday enrichment sessions.  As a reminder, there is Morning Meeting at 8:40am on Mondays.  This week, students in 1st - 6th grade will be introduced to their iReady assessment at the conclusion of Morning Meeting; more details below. If you plan on having your child only participate asynchronously on Monday, please email the attendance line that you are attending asynchronously: StenwoodElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.

If you did not come today for item distribution, please plan on coming on Monday, 9/28 from 2:00 - 4:00pm. Come by the Kiss N Ride Loop, as your child’s teachers have worked hard to create and share learning materials that they will utilize throughout instruction.  If you are unable to come on Monday, please reach out to the office to schedule an alternate time.  

     In today’s Hive Happenings we have included: 

• iReady Universal Screener (1st - 6th graders)
• Monday Enrichment Schedule
• Curbside Library Checkout
• AAP Information Sessions
• Technology Help for Families 
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35
• Positivity Project: Teamwork

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

1st - 6th Graders: Universal Screener Begins Next Week

Beginning on Monday, 9/28 students in grades 1st-6th will begin the Universal Screener (iReady) at home instead of at school. Your child’s teachers will introduce the assessment the next two Mondays, including how to log in and what to expect.  Please plan for your child to access this information and begin their assessments during the following class times:

Monday, 9/28 @ 8:40am: Starting the iReady Reading Assessment

Monday, 10/5 @ 8:40am: Starting the iReady Math Assessment

(Recordings will be available in Schoology if your child is unable to attend.)

Your child does not need to complete each assessment on the respective kickoff dates;  it is okay to take a break and resume the assessment at a later time. Please encourage your child to try their best and complete this assessment independently.  This assessment is NOT for a grade. 

If you have further questions about this assessment, please refer to the testing notification sent via eNotify earlier this week or contact Meredith Mitchell, School Test Coordinator.  More information is also available here: https://www.fcps.edu/us 

Monday Enrichment Schedule

To navigate to most of the sessions, students will use the All Students course in Schoology.  Once there, if they click on the Collaborate Ultra tab they will see the live sessions.  

Click here to view the schedule!

Curbside Library Checkout

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.

Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

AAP Information Sessions

We will be offering two virtual sessions in the coming weeks to provide you with more information regarding the Advanced Academics program at Stenwood ES.  Stay tuned for more info on how to join these sessions.

Thursday, October 1st @ 8:00am:

AAP Information Session

(More general information about the AAP program)

 

Thursday, October 15th @ 8:00am:

AAP Level IV Screening Information Session

(Specific to the Level IV Screening Process)

 

Please check your email for this week’s eNotify message which contains the link for these sessions and more detailed information!

Technology Help for Families

We have all learned a lot these first few days of school!  Here are some quick pointers we have been sharing with students that you might also like to know!

Having trouble getting into the optional lunch bunches?  

Read these tips about Meet and Schoology!

Having trouble accessing Google assignments through Schoology? 

Check out this tip sheet!

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Additionally, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here.

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Positivity Project: Teamwork

This week, we are focusing on Teamwork. You like exploration and discovery. You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal and sacrifice your individual desires for the greater good.

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”

                                                                  ~Helen Keller

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• How are citizenship and teamwork similar?
• Think about a time that you were part of a successful team. How did that feel?
• Have you ever been a part of an unsuccessful team? How did THAT feel?
• What actions can you take to be a positive team member?

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

Congratulations on another successful week!  We know balancing everything in your homes is hard during the pandemic, so thank you for all of the support you have given every day to help your child be successful in virtual learning!

Next Thursday, 9/24 we will have our Back to School Night - Part 2.  Teachers will be hosting sessions in their homerooms and will be sharing curriculum and information that is specific to your child’s grade level. The sessions will be from 6:00 -6:40pm and 6:45 - 7:25pm. You may choose either time depending on what is more convenient for your schedule. From 5:30 - 6:00pm this evening in our All Students Schoology Course (logged in through your child’s account), you will be able to virtually meet with any of the specialists from Stenwood.  One of the School Board Members at Large, Ms. Sizemore Heizer, will also have a room you can visit virtually.  These sessions are available so you can pop in and ask any questions; there will not be any formal presentation in these sessions.  

This week’s Monday enrichment sessions were great! Below are the offerings for next Monday.  As a reminder, there is Morning Meeting at 8:40am on Mondays.  If you plan on having your child only participate asynchronously on Monday, please email the attendance line that you are attending asynchronously: StenwoodElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.

We will begin our next round of Student Learning Materials Distribution on Friday, 9/25 from 11am - Noon and Monday, 9/28 from 2:00 - 4:00pm.  Please plan on coming by the Kiss N Ride Loop during one of these times as your child’s teachers have worked hard to create and share learning materials that they will utilize throughout instruction.

 

   In today’s Hive Happenings we have included: 

• Monday Enrichment Schedule
• Pick Up for Student Learning Materials
• Curbside Library Checkout
• Back to School Night Part 2 on Thursday, 9/24 
• AAP Information Sessions (*NEW*)
• Technology Help for Families 
• Forms for the Beginning of the School Year 
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35
• Positivity Project: Curiosity

Please take some time to review the Beginning of the Year form section of today’s Hive Happenings and complete any forms you have not yet submitted.  We need your help and attention to this task before our staff begins personally following up with those who have not completed the required forms.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or us, we are all here to support you and your family.  

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Monday Enrichment Schedule

On Mondays we will be offering enrichment sessions to various grade levels.  These are completely optional.  Below is a list of what will be offered this Monday.  Each Friday we will provide the list of sessions in our Hive Happenings.  To navigate to most of the sessions, students will use the All Students course in Schoology.  Once there, if they click on the Collaborate Ultra tab they will see the live sessions.  

Click here to view the schedule!

Pick Up for Student Learning Materials

Your child will have an individualized envelope of learning materials ready and waiting for them at Stenwood on Friday 9/25 and Monday 9/28!!!!

Mark your calendars for these pick up times:

Friday, 9/25 from 11am - Noon or Monday, 9/28 from 2:00 - 4:00pm

Please plan on coming by the Kiss N Ride Loop during one of these times as your child’s teachers have worked hard to create and share learning materials that they will utilize throughout instruction.

Curbside Library Checkout

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up. Be sure to mark your calendar because after one week, the books will be returned to the library so other students may enjoy them.

Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

Back to School Night Part 2 on Thursday, September 24th

Back to School Night - Part 2 - Thursday, 9/24 6:00 - 7:25pm

This will serve as a traditional Back to School Night; the session will focus on curriculum, specific grade level information, and Family Life Education information.  Your child’s teacher is sending information on how to access the session in their virtual classroom.  

Here is the schedule for the evening:

Session 1: 

6:00 - 6:40pm

 * Transition Time: 6:40 -  6:45pm *

Session 2 (repeat of Session 1): 

 6:45 - 7:25pm 

AAP Information Sessions

We will be offering two virtual sessions in the coming weeks to provide you with more information regarding the Advanced Academics program at Stenwood ES.  Stay tuned for more info on how to join these sessions.

Thursday, October 1st @ 8:00am:

AAP Information Session

(More general information about the AAP program)

 

Thursday, October 15th @ 8:00am:

AAP Level IV Screening Information Session

(Specific to the Level IV Screening Process)

Technology Help for Families

We have all learned a lot these first few days of school!  Here are some quick pointers we have been sharing with students that you might also like to know!

Having trouble getting into the optional lunch bunches?  

Read these tips about Meet and Schoology!

Having trouble accessing Google assignments through Schoology? 

Check out this tip sheet!

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Additionally, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here.

Forms for the Beginning of the School Year

More information on Beginning of Year forms are available on our Stenwood webpage.  Please make sure you have completed and submitted these forms as soon as possible.

Required Forms 

• Emergency Care Card Form - If possible, please review and make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.  
• Health Information Form -   While you are updating your Emergency Care Card Infomation using weCare@School , make sure to fill out the “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details on the ECC form.   
• Digital Permission Form -  This form asks for the required parental consent of certain apps and instructional software that may be used in instruction. You can review the apps Stenwood plans on using here. Please respond as soon as possible so that teachers may plan instruction appropriately using approved tools.  We appreciate your responses before the first day of school.
• Students Rights & Responsibilities - Review the SR&R here and complete this form to acknowledge receipt of SR&R information.

Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):

• Survey of Homeless Students 
• FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms  (*THIS FORM IS DUE THIS WEEK.*) 
• Family Life Education Opt Out Forms 
•  Identification of Military Connected Students

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Positivity Project: Curiosity

This week we are focusing on the Curiosity. You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”

                                                                  ~Voltaire

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• How is curiosity the opposite of judgement?
• How do you feel when you discover something new? Learn something new?
• What are some things you fear? How can CURIOSITY replace that fear?

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

Wow!  Seeing student’s faces and hearing their voices in class has brought all of us so much joy this week.  We know there were some hiccups throughout the week, especially with Google, so thank you for your patience and giving us grace.   

Monday looks a little different from Tuesday - Friday.  On Monday students will still have their daily morning meeting.  If you plan on having your child only participate asynchronously on Monday, please email the attendance line that you are attending asynchronously: StenwoodElem.Attendance@fcps.edu. If your child has scheduled intervention or a check in with the teacher, that would be included in the schedule sent home by their teacher. Below are the options for enrichment activities (for students that are interested) as well as some information on how to access the sessions..

We know the Parent Tech Help desk was overloaded this week. Thanks to our very own troubleshooting team of Ms. Krum, Mr. Fenton, and our amazing office staff, we were able to assist with most issues.  If you are not able to get support from the Help Desk, feel free to always reach out to the school and we will help with troubleshooting.  

As a reminder, if you were unable to pick up a student supply bag, please stop by Kiss N Ride on Monday, 9/14 between 2:30 - 3:30pm.

 

In today’s Hive Happenings we have included: 

• Monday Enrichment Schedule
• Curbside Pickup of Library Books Has Arrived!
• Back to School Night Part 2 on Thursday, 9/24 (*DATE CONFIRMED*)
• Technology Help for Families (*NEW TIPS ADDED*)
• Forms for the Beginning of the School Year   
• Grab and Go at Stenwood Daily - 7:25 - 7:35

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or us, we are all here to support you and your family.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Monday Enrichment Schedule

On Mondays we will be offering enrichment sessions to various grade levels.  These are completely optional.  Below is a list of what will be offered this Monday.  Each Friday we will provide the list of sessions in our Hive Happenings.  To navigate to most of the sessions, students will use the All Students course in Schoology. 

Once there, if they click on the Collaborate Ultra tab they will see the live sessions.  

Click here to view the schedule!

Curbside Pickup of Library Books Has Arrived!

Stingers can now go to Destiny Discover, the library catalog, and put books on hold!

Please note that the catalog may give you a pop-up message saying the book is ready – do not believe it!  Only come to the school AFTER you receive an email from us letting you know the items are ready and what time you’ll be able to pick them up.  Click here for directions on how to put books on hold. 

Need to return books?  You may return library books on Mondays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30PM.  Drop off location will be in the Kiss-n-Ride loop in the back of the school. As always, please contact Mrs. Cole, our librarian, if you have any questions.

Additionally, if you have not yet had the opportunity to pick up your child’s bag of learning materials from Stenwood, please plan on stopping by Kiss N Ride on Monday, September 14th between 2:30 - 3:30pm.  Below you can find a map to Kiss N Ride. 

Back to School Night Part 2 on Thursday, September 24th

Back to School Night - Part 2 - Thursday, 9/24 6:00 - 7:30pm

This will serve as a traditional Back to School Night; the session will focus on curriculum, specific grade level information, and Family Life Education information.

 Here is the schedule for the evening:

Session 1: 

6:00 - 6:40pm  

 * Transition Time: 6:40 -  6:45pm *

Session 2 (repeat of Session 1): 

 6:45 - 7:20pm 

Technology Help for Families

We have all learned a lot these first few days of school!  Here are some quick pointers we have been sharing with students that you might also like to know!

Having trouble getting into the optional lunch bunches?  

Read these tips about Meet and Schoology!

Having trouble accessing Google assignments through Schoology? 

Check out this tip sheet!

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Additionally, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here.

Forms for the Beginning of the School Year

 More information on Beginning of Year forms are available on our Stenwood webpage.  Please make sure you have completed and submitted these forms as soon as possible.

Required Forms 

• Emergency Care Card Form - If possible, please review and make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.  
• Health Information Form -   While you are updating your Emergency Care Card Infomation using weCare@School , make sure to fill out the “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details on the ECC form.   
• Digital Permission Form -  This form asks for the required parental consent of certain apps and instructional software that may be used in instruction. You can review the apps Stenwood plans on using here. Please respond as soon as possible so that teachers may plan instruction appropriately using approved tools.  We appreciate your responses before the first day of school.
• Students Rights & Responsibilities - Review the SR&R here and complete this form to acknowledge receipt of SR&R information.

Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):

• Survey of Homeless Students 
• FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms  
• Family Life Education Opt Out Forms 
•  Identification of Military Connected Students

Grab and Go Sites Updates

In addition to the Grab and Go Site at Cunningham Park, we have a “bus stop” Grab and Go at the front entrance to Stenwood from 7:25 - 7:35 in the morning.  You are able to pick up both breakfast and lunch during that time frame.  Here are some other stops that may be closer to your house.  

If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

 

Dear Stenwood Families,

We cannot wait for the first day of school next week!  It has been wonderful to connect again in your child’s virtual classroom on Schoology, and we hope these multiple opportunities have left you and your family confident and comfortable in navigating to class next Tuesday.  If you have any trouble getting to class on the first few days of school, please do not hesitate to reach out to Erica Riley (esriley@fcps.edu), Meredith Mitchell (mamitchell@fcps.edu), or Jackie Krum (jekrum@fcps.edu).  Make sure you provide your child’s name and your phone number in the email so we can connect with you quickly. 

Our office will be closed on Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th, so we hope your family gets to enjoy some rest as well. 

In today’s Hive Happenings we have included: 

• Pacing Guides for Families  (*NEW*)
• Grab and Go Sites (*Update*)
• Beginning of Year Student Bag Pick Up (*MAKEUP DATE ADDED*)
• Back to School Night Part 2 on Thursday, 9/24 (*DATE CONFIRMED*)
• Technology Help for Families
• Forms for the Beginning of the School Year   (*NEW FORM AVAILABLE*)
• Schoology Parent Accounts (*ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ADDED)
• Activating Your SIS Parent Account
• Partnership with Fairfax County Public Library 

This evening you will be receiving an email from your child’s teacher with the slides and  recording from last night’s Back to School Night, as well as your child’s Daily Schedule, and the class Weekly Planner.  Please spend some time with your child this weekend talking about the schedule and routines so they know what to expect on day 1.  In our classrooms, we will maintain our focus (as we have in previous year’s) on establishing community, setting expectations, and building classroom routines during the first days of school.  In partnership with you, we hope to set our children up for success this school year!

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Pacing Guides for Families

FCPS has published the Essential Standards for Families. This paired with the weekly planners teachers are sending home with learning targets can help inform you of the concepts teachers will be working on with your child this school year. 

Grab and Go Sites Updates

Starting September 8th Grab and Go hours will be from 8am - 12:30pm daily and will serve breakfast and lunch simultaneously.  If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Beginning of Year Student Bag Pick Up

If you have not yet had the opportunity to pick up your child’s bag of learning materials from Stenwood, please plan on stopping by Kiss N Ride on Monday, September 14th between 2:30 - 3:30pm.  Below you can find a map to Kiss N Ride. 

Back to School Night Part 2 on Thursday, September 24th

Back to School Night - Part 2 - Thursday, 9/24 6:00 - 7:30pm

This will serve as a traditional Back to School Night; the session will focus on curriculum, specific grade level information, and Family Life Education information.

 Here is the schedule for the evening:

Session 1: 

6:00 - 6:40pm  

 * Transition Time: 6:40 -  6:45pm *

Session 2 (repeat of Session 1): 

 6:45 - 7:20pm 

Technology Help for Families

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, and resetting student passwords. You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

You can also find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

Additionally, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here.

Forms for the Beginning of the School Year

Every school year we collect vital information from our Stenwood families during the first few days and weeks of school.  Below you will find links for downloadable copies and some digital submission options for these important forms.  If you are able, we encourage your family to complete and submit the forms digitally (when possible).  Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us obtain this information prior to the start of our school year.

 

Required Forms 

• Emergency Care Card Form -  Please be sure that all information on this form is correct.  While you may download this form and return a physical copy to school at a later date, we request,  if possible, you make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.  We must have an updated form for every student on file at the school.  It is extremely important that we have the name and phone numbers of at least two people in the “Other Contact Information” section of the form.  Please be sure to notify the school office of any changes in phone numbers or email addresses that occur during the school year by using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account. 
• Health Information Form -   While you are updating your Emergency Care Card Infomation using weCare@School , make sure to fill out the “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details on the ECC form.  This is our preferred method for supplying information we need on the Health Information Form.  
• Digital Permission Form -  This form asks for the required parental consent of certain apps and instructional software that may be used in instruction. You can review the apps Stenwood plans on using here. Please respond as soon as possible so that teachers may plan instruction appropriately using approved tools.  We appreciate your responses before the first day of school.
• Students Rights & Responsibilities (NOW AVAILABLE) - Finalized SR&R documents are now posted here.  Please complete this form to acknowledge receipt of SR&R information.The form must be filled out one time per student.

Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):

• Survey of Homeless Students - This form should be returned to school only if applicable. 
• FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms - This booklet provides you with detailed information about your opt-out choices. The form is due no later than the Friday of the 2nd week of school and includes:

1. Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public
2. School Counseling Opt-Out Forms
3. Objection to Release of Information for Commercial Purposes

If you have no objection to the activities described in this booklet, do NOT sign or submit any of the forms.  

• Family Life Education Opt Out Forms - Please read and return the opt-out form for your child’s grade level ONLY if you do not want your child to participate.  Program questions may be addressed at our school by contacting our assistant principal, Meredith Mitchell.  If you choose to have your child participate in the Family Life Education Program, you do not need to return the form.
•  Identification of Military Connected Students - Local school divisions are required to identify students who have a parent in the United States uniformed services.

Schoology Accounts

We were thrilled with the great turn out at our Schoology tutorials! 

Attached are links to our student and parent sessions:

• Student Schoology Account - Recording and Slide Deck
• Parent Schoology Account - Recording and Slide Deck

Want to know more about Schoology? Check out these FCPS resources:

• Welcome FCPS Parents and Guardians to Schoology
• Parent and Guardian Communication Tools: Schoology: 
• Differences Between Parent and Student Accounts: Schoology: 

Activating Your SIS Parent Account

The SIS (Student Information System) Parent Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more.  

Your secure SIS Parent Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS Parent Account and Schoology, our new Learning Management System that will be replacing FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) this school year.  

Using the SIS Parent account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords SIS Parent Overview for more information.

Newly enrolled parents received an activation key by email from Sonja Hunt or Brian Spector during the week of August 10th.

If you have previously activated your account with the activation key but are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):  Select the “Forgot Password” button.  Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.  More information is available here.

Please take action now to ensure your account is active, so that you won’t miss a beat once we introduce our new learning platform.  If you need assistance in activating your SIS Parent Account, please reach out to Brian Spector, bmspector@fcps.edu. 

Partnership with Fairfax County Public Library 

On October 1, 2020 the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP) program will provide FCPS PreK-12 students with public library checkout privileges for books automatically, without the need to register for a physical library card.  Student names and ID numbers will be provided to FCPL - families who do not wish to participate shall select the opt-out for LEAP in the 2020-21 SR&R document.

Participating in the LEAP program provides: 

• The ability to checkout up to three public library books at a time
• Lost or overdue books will not be charged a fine or replacement fee
• Checkouts are limited to physical book 

The Fairfax County Public Library is open for Express services and offers curbside checkout.  

Coming Soon to the Stenwood Library…

 

Learning at home?  Need books?  No problem!  Mrs. Cole will be offering curbside pick up for library books this year.  This service will not officially start until September 14th and directions on how the system will work will be coming soon.

 

For those intrepid students who have already figured out how to put items on hold, please note that these items are NOT available yet, even though the system says they are.  Please do NOT come to collect your books until you receive a gmail (student) or email (parent) giving you a time and date to do so.  As always, contact Mrs. Cole (nhcole@fcps.edu) if you have questions.

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

What a great week for us!  Our teachers loved connecting with so many students during this week’s Meet and Greets; we will be continuing to try to connect with families we didn't meet throughout next week, so if your child did not get a chance to connect, please look for communication from your child’s teacher. As a Schoology pilot school, we were excited to introduce students to the new learning platform.  If you weren’t able to attend our Parent Workshop earlier this week, here is the recording and slide deck that shares important information about using Schoology.

Thank you to Jackie Krum, our SBTS and Craig Fenton, our TSSPEC and our amazing team of staff who distributed over 400 laptops in the past two weeks.  If you still need a laptop, please reach out to us directly and we can coordinate a pick up.   

Here is what else is included in today’s Hive Happenings (new/updated items are indicated below):

• Parent Coffee - Tuesday, September 1st @ 8am (*NEW*)
• Beginning of Year Student Bag Pick Up (*UPDATE*)
• Technology Help for Families (*NEW*)
• Forms for the Beginning of the School Year   (*UPDATE/ NEW FORM AVAILABLE*)
• Kindergarten Virtual Playdates 
• Schoology Parent Accounts (*ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ADDED)
• Activating Your SIS Parent Account
• Partnership with Fairfax County Public Library 

• Coming Soon to the Stenwood Library…(*NEW*)

• Food Resources and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications

We can’t wait to see  you at our first virtual Back to School Night Session on September 2nd.  Here is the schedule for the evening:

Session 1: 

6:00 - 6:40pm

  

 * Transition Time: 6:40 -  6:45pm *

 

Session 2 (repeat of Session 1): 

 6:45 - 7:25pm 

 

Teachers will be hosting the BTSN sessions in their homeroom courses on Schoology.  Log in with your child’s STUDENT ACCOUNT, navigate to the homeroom course for his or her teacher, and find the live session link under the Collaborate Ultra tab.  Teachers are sharing two sessions with a five minute transition, so that parents are able to attend multiple sessions.  If you plan on attending the second session for another one of your children, please remember that you are going to need to log out of Schoology and use your other child’s student account log in information in order to access the other teacher’s homeroom course.  By hosting these sessions through the student accounts, we are providing an additional opportunity to practice accessing homeroom courses before the first day of school.  Sessions will be recorded and sent to you via email by your child’s teacher the next day.  Please keep in mind that this night will serve as a virtual orientation; more curricular information will be shared later in the month during BTSN Part 2.  Hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

 

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu
Twitter @MereMitchellAP

Parent Coffee - Tuesday, September 1st @ 8am

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 1st from 8:00 - 8:45am for an opportunity to check in, hear updates, and spend time with adults!  Hope to “see” you there! 

If you have a question, please complete this quick form.  This will help us group questions together and make sure we address topics that are of most interest to you.  If you have questions/concerns that are specific to your child or situation, we would be happy to schedule a one on one phone call with you.  We will be sending an enotify message on Monday, August 31st to our parent community with the link to this session.

Beginning of Year Student Bag Pick Up

On Tuesday, September 1st from noon - 4pm and Wednesday, September 2nd from 8am - noon, we will ask families to come through the Kiss N Ride loop to pick up materials for the school year.  While we know your house is equipped with the basic school supplies, there are things that we typically have in our classroom that you might not have access to.  We will have grade-level specific bags to provide to you.  Just like in the spring, we will ask that you make a clearly printed sign for your car’s dashboard that contains the following:

Student Last Name, Student First Name 

(Grade Level)

 

This will help our team move efficiently and make sure we know who we need to follow up with to pick up a bag. 

 

UPDATE:  As much as your schedule allows, please come by the Kiss N Ride for pick up during the following times:

 

Last Names A- K:   

Sept 1st:  12 - 2pm 

Sept 2nd: 8 - 10am

 

Last Names L - Z:

Sept 1st: 2 - 4pm 

Sept 2nd: 10am - 12pm

Technology Help for Families

There are a wealth of resources available on the Stenwood website to assist with technology questions and general back to school information, including: setting up your SIS Parent Account, logging into and navigating Schoology, resetting student passwords, and supply lists. This website is being updated regularly, please check back for more resources and as the year progresses.  You can find all that information and more here:

Stenwood ES: Return to School 2020

Additionally, you can find tech help and tips on our YouTube Channel:

Return to School Resources - YouTube Playlist

To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS  is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call. More info available here. 

Forms for the Beginning of the School Year

Every school year we collect vital information from our Stenwood families during the first few days and weeks of school.  Below you will find links for downloadable copies and some digital submission options for these important forms.  If you are able, we encourage your family to complete and submit the forms digitally (when possible).  Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us obtain this information prior to the start of our school year.

 

Required Forms 

• Emergency Care Card Form -  Please be sure that all information on this form is correct.  While you may download this form and return a physical copy to school at a later date, we request,  if possible, you make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.  We must have an updated form for every student on file at the school.  It is extremely important that we have the name and phone numbers of at least two people in the “Other Contact Information” section of the form.  Please be sure to notify the school office of any changes in phone numbers or email addresses that occur during the school year by using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account. 
• Health Information Form (UPDATE) -   While you are updating your Emergency Care Card Infomation using weCare@School , make sure to fill out the “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details on the ECC form.  This is our preferred method for supplying information we need on the Health Information Form.  
• Digital Permission Form (NOW AVAILABLE) -  This form asks for the required parental consent of certain apps and instructional software that may be used in instruction. You can review the apps Stenwood plans on using here. Please respond as soon as possible so that teachers may plan instruction appropriately using approved tools.  We appreciate your responses before the first day of school.
• Students Rights & Responsibilities (coming soon) - Finalized SR&R documents will be posted here in mid to late August.  We will ask for a digital submission of your parent acknowledgement after the 20-21 SR&R handbook is completed.

 

Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):

• Survey of Homeless Students - This form should be returned to school only if applicable. 
• FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms - This booklet provides you with detailed information about your opt-out choices. The form is due no later than the Friday of the 2nd week of school and includes:

1. Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public
2. School Counseling Opt-Out Forms
3. Objection to Release of Information for Commercial Purposes

If you have no objection to the activities described in this booklet, do NOT sign or submit any of the forms.  

• Family Life Education Opt Out Forms - Please read and return the opt-out form for your child’s grade level ONLY if you do not want your child to participate.  Program questions may be addressed at our school by contacting our assistant principal, Meredith Mitchell.  If you choose to have your child participate in the Family Life Education Program, you do not need to return the form.
•  Identification of Military Connected Students - Local school divisions are required to identify students who have a parent in the United States uniformed services.

Kindergarten Virtual Playdate

We have loved getting to know our newest Stingers at our weekly Kindergarten playdate!  We start each session with a quick read aloud and then offer students the opportunity to turn on the camera and mic and introduce themselves and share one thing about themselves.  this placeholder text.

For our final session before the start of school, we will have some more special guests join us so you can meet some of our other Stenwood staff.  The session link has been communicated to our Kindergarten families via eNotify, but we will continue to send out the session link beforehand so it is handy.                 

Tuesday, September 1 @ 9:00am, bring something that is your favorite color

Schoology Parent Accounts

We were thrilled with the great turn out at our Schoology tutorial for student accounts. We want to remind you that we have an upcoming session focused on parents’ accounts:

• Parent Schoology Account Access - We will discuss the parent access features in Schoology and how you can utilize your account to monitor student progress and communicate with your child’s teacher.  Please make sure you have activated your SIS Parent Account prior to the session if you would like to follow along!
• Thursday, 9/3 8:00 - 9:00am 

Want to know more about Schoology? Check out these FCPS resources:

• Welcome FCPS Parents and Guardians to Schoology
• Parent and Guardian Communication Tools: Schoology: 
• Differences Between Parent and Student Accounts: Schoology: 

Activating Your SIS Parent Account

The SIS (Student Information System) Parent Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more.  

Your secure SIS Parent Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS Parent Account and Schoology, our new Learning Management System that will be replacing FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) this school year.  

Using the SIS Parent account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords SIS Parent Overview for more information.

Newly enrolled parents received an activation key by email from Sonja Hunt or Brian Spector during the week of August 10th.

If you have previously activated your account with the activation key but are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):  Select the “Forgot Password” button.  Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.  More information is available here.

Please take action now to ensure your account is active, so that you won’t miss a beat once we introduce our new learning platform.  If you need assistance in activating your SIS Parent Account, please reach out to Brian Spector, bmspector@fcps.edu. 

Partnership with Fairfax County Public Library 

On October 1, 2020 the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP) program will provide FCPS PreK-12 students with public library checkout privileges for books automatically, without the need to register for a physical library card.  Student names and ID numbers will be provided to FCPL - families who do not wish to participate shall select the opt-out for LEAP in the 2020-21 SR&R document.

Participating in the LEAP program provides: 

• The ability to checkout up to three public library books at a time
• Lost or overdue books will not be charged a fine or replacement fee
• Checkouts are limited to physical book 

The Fairfax County Public Library is open for Express services and offers curbside checkout.  

Coming Soon to the Stenwood Library…

 

Learning at home?  Need books?  No problem!  Mrs. Cole will be offering curbside pick up for library books this year.  This service will not officially start until September 14th and directions on how the system will work will be coming soon.

 

For those intrepid students who have already figured out how to put items on hold, please note that these items are NOT available yet, even though the system says they are.  Please do NOT come to collect your books until you receive a gmail (student) or email (parent) giving you a time and date to do so.  As always, contact Mrs. Cole (nhcole@fcps.edu) if you have questions.

Food Resources and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications

Please use this link to access the most up to date locations and times for food distribution.  If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

We have had a wonderful week in the hive: our teachers are back, tech distribution has begun, and we welcomed new families to our Stenwood family during our New Family Orientation (session slide deck and recording), for those who couldn’t make it).  Our class placement letters were mailed out earlier this week, so we hope your child enjoyed receiving their special note from their teacher!  Our teachers are looking forward to next week’s Meet and Greets; make sure you sign up for your meeting time soon!  Early next week, we will be sending an eNotify about how to access your child’s virtual classroom, where Meet and Greets will be held.  We will also be holding two information sessions to help walk you through the process, give you a refresher on BBCU, and introduce you to Schoology (see below under Schoology Parent Workshop for more details).

Pertinent Return to School information included in today’s Hive Happenings (new/updated items are indicated below):

• Beginning of Year Student Bag Pick Up (*NEW*)
• Technology Distribution Plan and Sign-Up  (*New date / Resources*)
• Meet and Greets and Back to School Night Part 1
• Kindergarten Virtual Playdates 
• Schoology Parent Workshop Schedule 
• Partnership with Fairfax County Public Library (*NEW*)
• Activating Your SIS Parent Account
• Forms for the Beginning of the School Year 
• Food Resources and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications

 

It has been wonderful to reconnect with so many families at tech distribution, the Kindergarten playdates, and our New Family Orientation.  We are looking forward to all the opportunities for connections next week, and hope you are, too!

 

Sincerely,

 

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu

Beginning of Year Student Bag Pick Up

On Tuesday, September 1st from noon - 4pm and Wednesday, September 2nd from 8am - noon, we will ask families to come through the Kiss N Ride loop to pick up materials for the school year.  While we know your house is equipped with the basic school supplies, there are things that we typically have in our classroom that you might not have access to.  We will have grade-level specific bags to provide to you.  Just like in the spring, we will ask that you make a clearly printed sign for your car’s dashboard that contains the following:

Student Last Name, Student First Name 

(Grade Level)

 

This will help our team move efficiently and make sure we know who we need to follow up with to pick up a bag.  We were hoping to do these at the same time as laptop distribution, but they were not quite ready... hopefully you don’t mind another adventure to the Kiss N Ride loop!  

Technology Distribution Plan and Sign-Up

We will continue to distribute laptops to families that would like one on the following dates.  Any family that would like a laptop for their child may sign up.

• Monday, August 24th from 10am - 4pm
• Thursday, August 27th from 10am - 4pm (New Date!)

Sign up for your laptop pick up appointment time by clicking here.

We appreciate your prompt action in signing up for an appointment.

Here are the helpful tech tutorial videos shared out at tech distribution

Meet and Greets and Back to School Night

Every family will be offered the opportunity to sign-up for a one on one meet and greet in your child’s virtual classroom between Wednesday, 9/26 - Friday, 9/28.  Please use the signup link provided by your teacher’s back to school welcome letter.  We will be sending information on how to access your child’s virtual classroom early next week.

You will have TWO more opportunities to connect with your child’s teacher through our Back to School Night series:

• Back to School Night - Part 1 - Wednesday, 9/2 6:00 - 7:30pm
• This will serve as a virtual orientation: how to access assignments, schedules, and their Schoology course.
• Back to School Night - Part 2 -  Date/Time TBD (but will be later in September)
• Typical BTSN topics - curriculum, school/classroom policies, addressing frequently asked questions

Kindergarten Virtual Playdate

We cannot wait to meet our newest Stingers, so we are organizing virtual meet and greets to get to know our kindergarteners.  We will start each session with a quick read aloud and then offer students the opportunity to turn on the camera and mic and introduce themselves and share one thing about themselves.  We will have a theme for each week so you can plan ahead.  Feel free to come to one or all.  We might also have some special guests join us so you can meet some of our other Stenwood staff.  The session link has been communicated to our Kindergarten families via eNotify, but we will continue to send out the session link beforehand so it is handy.         

Here is the schedule:

• Tuesday, August 25 @ 2:30pm, bring your favorite snack
• Tuesday, September 1 @ 9:00am, bring something that is your favorite color

Schoology Parent Workshop Schedule

In the coming weeks, you and your student will be given login directions and information about how to use your Schoology accounts.  We will also be hosting parent information sessions later this month to orient our families with this new system:

• Student Schoology Account Access Tutorial - We will discuss how to log in, find student courses and virtual classrooms within Schoology, and review the tools in Collaborate Ultra (which is embedded within Schoology - no external links needed!).
• Session 1:  Monday, 8/24 6:00 - 7:00pm
• Session 2:  Tuesday, 8/25 8:00 - 9:00am
• Parent Schoology Account Access Tutorial - We will discuss the parent access features in Schoology and how you can utilize your account to monitor student progress and communicate with your child’s teacher.  Please make sure you have activated your SIS Parent Account prior to the session if you would like to follow along!
• Thursday, 9/3 8:00 - 9:00am 

We will record and share all sessions in case you aren’t able to attend synchronously.  Session links will be shared through eNotify prior to the sessions.

We look forward to using Schoology in our classrooms this fall to enhance connectivity and communication across our school.  If you have questions or feedback regarding Schoology or want to learn more, please visit: https://www.fcps.edu/schoology.

Activating Your SIS Parent Account

The SIS (Student Information System) Parent Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more.  

Your secure SIS Parent Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS Parent Account and Schoology, our new Learning Management System that will be replacing FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) this school year.  

Using the SIS Parent account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords SIS Parent Overview for more information.

Newly enrolled parents will receive an activation key by email from Sonja Hunt or Brian Spector during the week of August 10th.

If you have previously activated your account with the activation key but are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):  Select the “Forgot Password” button.  Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.  More information is available here.

Please take action now to ensure your account is active, so that you won’t miss a beat once we introduce our new learning platform.

Partnership with Fairfax County Public Library 

On October 1, 2020 the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP) program will provide FCPS PreK-12 students with public library checkout privileges for books automatically, without the need to register for a physical library card.  Student names and ID numbers will be provided to FCPL - families who do not wish to participate shall select the opt-out for LEAP in the 2020-21 SR&R document.

Participating in the LEAP program provides: 

• The ability to checkout up to three public library books at a time
• Lost or overdue books will not be charged a fine or replacement fee
• Checkouts are limited to physical book 

The Fairfax County Public Library is open for Express services and offers curbside checkout.  

Forms for the Beginning of the School Year

Every school year we collect vital information from our Stenwood families during the first few days and weeks of school.  Below you will find links for downloadable copies and some digital submission options for these important forms.  If you are able, we encourage your family to complete and submit the forms digitally (when possible).  Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us obtain this information prior to the start of our school year.

Required Forms 

• Emergency Care Card Form -  Please be sure that all information on this form is correct.  While you may download this form and return a physical copy to schoo at a later datel, we request,  if possible, you make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.  We must have an updated form for every student on file at the school.  It is extremely important that we have the name and phone numbers of at least two people in the “Other Contact Information” section of the form.  Please be sure to notify the school office of any changes in phone numbers or email addresses that occur during the school year by using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account. 
• Health Information Form (Grades 1- 6 ONLY) -   This form needs to be completed annually to inform us about your student’s health condition that affects his or her school day.  Please sign and date prior to returning
• Digital Permission Form (coming soon) -  This form asks for the required parental consent of certain apps and instructional software that may be used in instruction.  We will ask for a digital submission of parental consent after the form is generated by FCPS.
• Students Rights & Responsibilities (coming soon) - Finalized SR&R documents will be posted here in mid to late August.  We will ask for a digital submission of your parent acknowledgement after the 20-21 SR&R handbook is completed.

 

Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):

• Survey of Homeless Students - This form should be returned to school only if applicable. 
• FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms - This booklet provides you with detailed information about your opt-out choices. The form is due no later than the Friday of the 2nd week of school and includes:

                    1. Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public

                    2. School Counseling Opt-Out Forms

                    3. Objection to Release of Information for Commercial Purposes

If you have no objection to the activities described in this booklet, do NOT sign or submit any of the forms.  

• Family Life Education Opt Out Forms - Please read and return the opt-out form for your child’s grade level ONLY if you do not want your child to participate.  Program questions may be addressed at our school by contacting our assistant principal, Meredith Mitchell.  If you choose to have your child participate in the Family Life Education Program, you do not need to return the form.
•  Identification of Military Connected Students - Local school divisions are required to identify students who have a parent in the United States uniformed services.

Food Resources and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications

Please use this link to access the most up to date locations and times for food distribution.  If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
Attendance Email | Transportation Email | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hive Happenings Newsletter

Dear Stenwood Families,

This is our first official Hive Happenings through the platform News You Choose.  This is our weekly email that you will receive on Fridays throughout the year.  It is a great source of information to stay connected, find out what is going on in the school, and hear about important deadlines.  These will look and feel very different from the eNotify format you have been getting during the summer.  We typically only use eNotify for critical information - changes in schedules, secure links to Principal’s Coffees, or information that we are sending out to specific grade levels, as that system has the ability to target specific audiences.  

In today’s Hive Happenings, we ask that you carefully read and attend to some NEW action items as well as review items we shared last week; attending to this information will help you stay in the loop and streamline our return to school.  The sections below include the following information (new/updated items are indicated below):

• Technology Distribution Plan and Sign-Up  (*NEW*)
• Kindergarten Virtual Playdates (*Updated to share link info*)
• Schoology Parent Workshop Schedule (*NEW*)
• Activating Your SIS Parent Account
• New Family Orientation 
• Forms for the Beginning of the School Year 
• Food Resources and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications

Our teachers return on contract today!  We are so excited for them to be back.  Monday will be our big kickoff with staff.  Teachers will be mailing out welcome letters on Tuesday.  These will be sent directly to your house.  In it will include information on how to sign-up for a time for a one on one meet and greet in your child’s virtual classroom between Wednesday, 8/26 - Friday, 8/28.  

You will have TWO more opportunities to connect with your child’s teacher through our Back to School Night series:

• Back to School Night - Part 1 - Wednesday, 9/2 6:00 - 7:30pm
• This will serve as a virtual orientation: how to access assignments, schedules, and their Schoology course.
• Back to School Night - Part 2 -  Date/Time TBD (but will be later in September)
• Typical BTSN topics - curriculum, school/classroom policies, addressing frequently asked questions

We understand that this year is challenging and hope that these opportunities to connect will ease any anxiety or uncertainty about what to expect from the school year ahead.  We are lucky to have an INCREDIBLE team here at Stenwood and are eager to partner with you to meet your child’s needs and problem solve the challenges this year may bring.  We are tremendously excited for school to begin and hope you are, too.  As always, please reach out if there is something we can do to help your child, and your family, have a successful school year.  

 

Sincerely,

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu 
Twitter @esriley1

Meredith Mitchell, Assistant Principal 
mamitchell@fcps.edu

Technology Distribution Plan and Sign-Up

Yesterday, we sent out an eNotify to all families of students who indicated they needed a laptop.  We also sent it out to all families of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students because we received and purchased laptops so we could ensure we were one to one for those students.  If you are a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader that already has a laptop checked out, we ask you to sign up for a slot so you can exchange it.

If you did not indicate that you needed a laptop but have since decided that this would support your child’s learning, please sign up for a slot below.  We have gone over our inventory and we have enough laptops for anyone who needs one, so do not feel like you are taking resources away from another student by requesting one.  

The distribution will be by appointment only on the following dates (you only need one slot for your family):

• Tuesday, August 18th from 10am - 4pm
• Wednesday, August 19th from 10am - 4pm
• Thursday, August 20th from 10am - 4pm (longer appointments available)
• Monday, August 24th from 10am - 4pm

Sign up for your laptop pick up appointment time by clicking here.

If you need a LONGER appointment for additional tech support, click here.

We appreciate your prompt action in signing up for an appointment.

Kindergarten Virtual Playdate

We cannot wait to meet our newest Stingers, so we are organizing virtual meet and greets to get to know our kindergarteners.  We will start each session with a quick read aloud and then offer students the opportunity to turn on the camera and mic and introduce themselves and share one thing about themselves.  We will have a theme for each week so you can plan ahead.  Feel free to come to one or all.  We might also have some special guests join us so you can meet some of our other Stenwood staff. 

Here is the schedule:

•  Wednesday, August 19 @ 2:30pm, bring your favorite stuffed animal
• Tuesday, August 25 @ 2:30pm, bring your favorite snack
• Tuesday, September 1 @ 9:00am, bring something that is your favorite color

*UPDATE* : The session link has been communicated to our Kindergarten families via eNotify, but we will continue to send out the session link the day before so it is handy. 

Schoology Parent Workshop Schedule

In the coming weeks, you and your student will be given login directions and information about how to use your Schoology accounts.  We will also be hosting parent information sessions later this month to orient our families with this new system:

• Student Schoology Account Access Tutorial - We will discuss how to log in, find student courses and virtual classrooms within Schoology, and review the tools in Collaborate Ultra (which is embedded within Schoology - no external links needed!).
• Session 1:  Monday, 8/24 6:00 - 7:00pm
• Session 2:  Tuesday, 8/25 8:00 - 9:00am
• Parent Schoology Account Access Tutorial - We will discuss the parent access features in Schoology and how you can utilize your account to monitor student progress and communicate with your child’s teacher.  Please make sure you have activated your SIS Parent Account prior to the session if you would like to follow along!
• Thursday, 9/3 8:00 - 9:00am 

We will record and share all sessions in case you aren’t able to attend synchronously.  Session links will be shared through eNotify prior to the sessions.

We look forward to using Schoology in our classrooms this fall to enhance connectivity and communication across our school.  If you have questions or feedback regarding Schoology or want to learn more, please visit: https://www.fcps.edu/schoology.

Activating Your SIS Parent Account

The SIS (Student Information System) Parent Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more.  

Your secure SIS Parent Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS Parent Account and Schoology, our new Learning Management System that will be replacing FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) this school year.  

Using the SIS Parent account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords SIS Parent Overview for more information.

Newly enrolled parents will receive an activation key by email from Sonja Hunt or Brian Spector beginning the week of August 10th.

If you have previously activated your account with the activation key but are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):  Select the “Forgot Password” button.  Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.  More information is available here.

Please take action now to ensure your account is active, so that you won’t miss a beat once we introduce our new learning platform.

New Family Orientation

We know there is a lot of anticipation and excitement from our new families.  You likely engaged in some level of distance learning regardless of where you are moving here from, but we know there is a lot you are eager to learn about Stenwood!  We invite you to join us on Friday, August 21 from 8:00 - 9:00am for a New Family Orientation session.  We will share general information about Stenwood, introduce various staff members you might need to connect with during the year, and provide an introduction to how to access the learning platforms your child will be using this school year.  Virtual session link to follow.

Forms for the Beginning of the School Year

Every school year we collect vital information from our Stenwood families during the first few days and weeks of school.  Below you will find links for downloadable copies and some digital submission options for these important forms.  If you are able, we encourage your family to complete and submit the forms digitally (when possible).  Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us obtain this information prior to the start of our school year.

Required Forms 

• Emergency Care Card Form -  Please be sure that all information on this form is correct.  While you may download this form and return a physical copy to schoo at a later datel, we request,  if possible, you make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.  We must have an updated form for every student on file at the school.  It is extremely important that we have the name and phone numbers of at least two people in the “Other Contact Information” section of the form.  Please be sure to notify the school office of any changes in phone numbers or email addresses that occur during the school year by using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account. 
• Health Information Form (Grades 1- 6 ONLY) -   This form needs to be completed annually to inform us about your student’s health condition that affects his or her school day.  Please sign and date prior to returning
• Digital Permission Form (coming soon) -  This form asks for the required parental consent of certain apps and instructional software that may be used in instruction.  We will ask for a digital submission of parental consent after the form is generated by FCPS.
• Students Rights & Responsibilities (coming soon) - Finalized SR&R documents will be posted here in mid to late August.  We will ask for a digital submission of your parent acknowledgement after the 20-21 SR&R handbook is completed.

 

Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):

• Survey of Homeless Students - This form should be returned to school only if applicable. 
• FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms - This booklet provides you with detailed information about your opt-out choices. The form is due no later than the Friday of the 2nd week of school and includes:

                    1. Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public

                    2. School Counseling Opt-Out Forms

                    3. Objection to Release of Information for Commercial Purposes

If you have no objection to the activities described in this booklet, do NOT sign or submit any of the forms.  

• Family Life Education Opt Out Forms - Please read and return the opt-out form for your child’s grade level ONLY if you do not want your child to participate.  Program questions may be addressed at our school by contacting our assistant principal, Meredith Mitchell.  If you choose to have your child participate in the Family Life Education Program, you do not need to return the form.
•  Identification of Military Connected Students - Local school divisions are required to identify students who have a parent in the United States uniformed services.

Food Resources and Free/ Reduced Lunch Applications

Please use this link to access the most up to date locations and times for food distribution.  If you need additional support, please contact Mrs. Hapangama or Mrs. Appleton.  

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year.  Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year.  The application is available HERE. 

A very special THANK YOU to Craig Fenton and Jackie Krum for getting laptops ready for our student pick up next week!!!! Stay Connected

Here are a few ways to stay connected with all the happenings at Stenwood ES

WEBSITE: Stenwood ES
TWITTER: @StenwoodES
FACEBOOK (PTA): StenwoodPTA

2620 Gallows Road Vienna, VA 22180 |  Main Office: 703.208.7600
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