GovDelivery | Irving Middle School

A Weekly Message from Irving Middle School

GovDelivery1 day 21 hours ago

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Greetings, Irving Families!

We are so excited for this upcoming week - May 6-10 is Staff Appreciation Week! We look forward to celebrating our staff all week long starting with a breakfast for staff provided by the PTA! Please join me in thanking our staff - notes/cards from students and positive emails from parents/guardians are always appreciated - especially next week!

On Tuesday, May 7, we are excited to host our Heritage Night from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm! We have performers, student and staff created information booths, authors, food, music, and so much more. We hope you will join us for this exciting event. We also hope your child will participate in the Heritage themed spirit week we have planned! Below is what students and staff are encouraged to wear each day next week.

Monday 5/6: Destination Shirt. Wear a shirt that represents a country you have traveled to or want to travel to.

Tuesday 5/7: Parade of Nations. Come to school dressed in clothing representative of your culture.

Wednesday 5/8: Flag Colors: Wear colors that represent a country’s flag.

Thursday 5/9: American Pride: Wear red, white and blue.

Friday 5/10: WIMS Unity Day: Wear blue or white gear to show WIMS Unity.

Lastly, I want to remind you that also on Tuesday, May 7, our 8th grade students will be taking their Science 8 SOL exam. Please make sure your child gets a good nights rest, eats breakfast, and brings a water bottle with them to school. We know our students will shine on Tuesday as they demonstrate all they have learned over the last 3 years in Science!

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

WIMS Heritage Night

Irving will host a night to celebrate the different heritages of our students on May 7th from 6-8pm. Come see performances, enjoy food from local businesses and families, local authors: Valerie Johnson who wrote Count with Me on Granddad’s Farm, Omar Abed (former Irving student) who wrote The Book that Almost Rhymed and Naaz Khan who wrote Room for Everyone, and more. The local authors will be selling their books if you choose to purchase. We are also looking for volunteers to help make our night a success by picking up food, setting up, serving food or cleaning up. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up on our Sign Up Genius here. We hope to see you on May 7th!

Let's Finish School Strong

Let's Finish the School Year Strong! Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

Check your child’s attendance record.
Help your student stay engaged at school.
Report future absences.
Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources.

Yearbooks

Online ordering is now closed. If you have not pre-ordered a yearbook for your student, a small supply will be available on June 3 for purchase for $23 (exact change please, checks made out to WIMS).

Any questions please email Michelle Ciancarelli [email protected]

Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

FCPS is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Register for an in-person forum by clicking on one of the following dates:

Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. That registration link will be available soon.

While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

Rising 9th Grade Families - Join the West Springfield HS PTSA!

The West Springfield PTSA welcomes rising 9th grade parents/guardians to get involved with the high school this spring. You do not need to wait until the fall for info, and you are welcome to become involved in the PTSA and run for office this spring. All of the meetings are virtual via Zoom and at 7:30pm, with registration links provided below. The remaining PTSA meeting schedule is:

May 14: Registration link

June 4: Registration link

Parents/Guardians who want to start following WSHS PTSA information, we use the following social media:

PTSA website: www.wshsptsa.net

Facebook: PTSA Facebook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartanptsa/ (just getting going with this)

E-mail: Go to FCPS News You Choose and select West Springfield HS PTSA (you can also check other boxes to start receiving other high school communications if you want)

Irving Stays After - After School Program

The After School program at Irving Middle School provides students access to high-quality activities in a safe environment for all students. The Program strives to improve academic performance, foster social, emotional, and physical well-being, all while reducing the potential for risk-taking behaviors.

Registration

Updates:

Track & Field and athletic activity participants (ie Futsal, Open Gym), please remember: your athletic gear (including sneakers), water bottle and other needs as the temperature changes. This is the last week of practices for MS Sports Track & Field.

MakerSpace/Robotics is canceled on Tuesday, May 7

Sewing Club will meet the 1st block on Wednesday, May 8

Irving Summer Academy (Jump Start) - for RISING 7th Graders

Irving Summer Academy is a transition program designed to give students a “jump start” into middle school. The program equips students with some of the skills they need to be successful in middle school, as well as gives them an opportunity to meet peers and ask questions about Irving. Enrollment is open to all WIMS rising 7th graders. Students will attend a one-day in-person program, on EITHER Monday, August 5th, Tuesday, August 6th, Wednesday, August 7th, from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. Transportation is not provided, but lunch and t-shirt will be provided for all participants.

During their program day, students will be able to tour the building, and participate in activities in the following topics: Middle School Success, Team-Building, Schoology, and All About Irving. The program will be run by Irving staff members. In addition to the in-person sessions, we will be sharing a variety of resources with students to help with their transition to middle school.

Irving Summer Academy (Jump Start) Details

Dates offered: Monday, August 5 – Wednesday, August 7

Hours: 8:00am-12:30pm

Location: Irving Middle School, 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152

Transportation: Is not provided

Registration Procedure: Use the registration link provided here: https://forms.gle/1N4t2qsZmGjNqo716

Registration Fee: $10 via MySchoolBucks in your student’s elementary school store; due by Wednesday, June 12

Registration Ends: Wednesday, June 12

Questions? Please contact Natalie Duncan at [email protected]

PTA News

PTA ELECTIONS – The Irving MS PTA Needs You! No PTA Board, No Irving PTA! – Please consider running for President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer. The positions are open to anyone with a current or incoming student at Irving. The current board members have either served their 2 terms or have rising 9th grade students. Elections will be held at the May 14th meeting. Nominations will be accepted from the floor or email: [email protected]. Questions, email: [email protected].

Without a PTA executive board, there will be no Irving PTA. By not filling these positions, the Irving PTA would no longer be in good standing with Virginia PTA; which means our charter could be revoked or we would have to dissolve Irving’s PTA. Did you know? – Irving Spirit Wear is sold by the PTA; Staff Appreciation Events are hosted by the PTA; Teacher Grants are funded by the PTA; financial support for school capital improvements, field trips and the 8th Grade Dance are provided by the PTA; restaurant nights are coordinated by the PTA

PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30pm via Zoom. We need members to attend! We’ll be voting on new Board Officers and possible adjustments to the budget.

TEACHER APPRECIATION – Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6 – 10, 2024. Kendra, our committee chair, is asking for volunteers to help during the day on Monday and Friday. If interested in helping, please email Kendra directly at [email protected]. She has some wonderful things planned for our staff. The PTA and school administrators will be washing the teachers’ cars during the school day (approx. 9-1)! Stop by anytime to help!

RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road!). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com. (copy and paste / links don't work!) (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)RESTAURANT SPIRIT WEEK! at Chick-Fil-A (Burke) May 13-17! This is the Chick-Fil-A in Burke! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Use code IMS24 for mobile orders. The flyer is here https://tinyurl.com/IrvingChik (copy & paste)

We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS) Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have. Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

West Springfield High School News Rising Freshman Parent Night at West Springfield HS WSHS Girls Basketball Camp

West Springfield will be hosting a girls basketball camp June 17 -21 for rising 3rd THRU 9th graders. For registration you can follow the link: View Girl's Basketball Camp Details (ryzer.com)

For more information you can contact Coach Gibson at: [email protected]

A Weekly Message from Irving Middle School

GovDelivery1 week 1 day ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Events

Congratulations to Irving’s first “Battle of the Books” team. On April 25th, ten students from Irving competed at Lake Braddock Secondary School against 13 other middle-school teams. All competitors were quizzed on the content of fifteen books that the students read throughout the school year. After four rounds of various methods of quizzing, Irving finished strongly, placing in the top half of all schools. A special thanks to Mr. Brizek for leading the team this year.

Greetings, Irving Families!

Please join me in congratulating the first ever Battle of the Books team! As the caption above shares - they did a great job in their first ever district competition. We are very proud of all the students who participated in Battle of the Books this year - there were about 35 Irving students who competed to represent Irving at this competition. It was a lot of fun to hear the students talk about so many interesting books.

Over the years, the PTA has supported many important projects, to include book giveaways, field trips, and flexible seating grants. Many of the projects the PTA has helped with would not have happened at all without their support. As we look to next year, we currently do not have any nominations for our PTA Executive Board. Without a board, we will not be able to have a PTA - so we need your help! If you would be willing to serve as president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer or would like more information about the roles, please reach out via email to [email protected]. Thank you for considering serving in one of these roles so we can continue this wonderful partnership.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Stress Less Week at Irving

Our Student Services team has put together a variety of fun, optional, stress-reducing, self-care activities, spirit days and rock block lessons for ALL Irving students during the week of April 29th-May 2nd leading up to SOL testing dates. We want our students to NOT stress the TESTS and learn different ways of self-care. Check out the detailed spirit days and activities for Stress Less Week above!

WIMS Heritage Night

Irving will host a night to celebrate the different heritages of our students on May 7th from 6-8pm. Come see performances, enjoy food from local businesses and families, local authors: Omar Abed (former Irving student) who wrote The Book that Almost Rhymed and Naaz Khan who wrote Room for Everyone, and more. The local authors will be selling their books if you choose to purchase. We are also looking for volunteers to help make our night a success by picking up food, setting up, serving food or cleaning up. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up on our Sign Up Genius here. We hope to see you on May 7th!

Middle School Start Times - Virtual Date Added!

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. That registration link will be available soon.

While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

School Health Services Survey

School Health Services Satisfaction SurveyThe Fairfax County Health Department and FCPS School Health Services invite parents/caregivers to participate in a survey on the level of satisfaction with support provided to your school community by School Health Services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is open until Friday, April 26. Your feedback can help to improve school health services.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener during March, providing updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported.

In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available for families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

Get more information about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s School Counselor.

Rising 9th Grade Families - Join the West Springfield HS PTSA!

May 14: Registration link

June 4: Registration link

Parents/Guardians who want to start following WSHS PTSA information, we use the following social media:

PTSA website: www.wshsptsa.net

Facebook: PTSA Facebook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartanptsa/ (just getting going with this)

E-mail: Go to FCPS News You Choose and select West Springfield HS PTSA (you can also check other boxes to start receiving other high school communications if you want)

Irving Stays After - After School Program

Registration

Updates:

Track & Field and athletic activity participants (ie Futsal, Open Gym), please remember: your athletic gear (including sneakers), water bottle and other needs as the temperature changes.

Field Games will meet both blocks on Wednesday, April 24, weather permitting.

Futsal Club returns to both blocks on Wednesday, April 24.

Sewing Club will meet both blocks on Wednesday, April 24.

CPP will meet 1st block on Thursday, April 25.

Library News

The library was busy this week with a group of 7th grade classes who examined the role that propaganda posters played in motivating citizens to support World War II.

Testing season is upon us; encourage your students to always have a good book on hand to read while waiting for others to finish testing.

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

WSHS Girls Basketball Camp

West Springfield will be hosting a girls basketball camp June 17 -21 for rising 3rd THRU 9th graders. For registration you can follow the link: View Girl's Basketball Camp Details (ryzer.com)

For more information you can contact Coach Gibson at: [email protected]

Sports teams at WSHS

Are you planning to try-out for a sports team at West Springfield?

Season Start Dates:

Fall Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, August 5, 2024

Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball

Exception: Golf begins July 29th, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THAT FALL SPORTS DO BEGIN IN AUGUST. ALL SUMMER VACATIONS SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR JUNE/JULY.

Winter Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, November 11, 2024

Boys/Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Rifle, Swim & Dive, Wrestling

Spring Sports: Monday, February 24, 2025

Baseball, Crew, Girls/Boys Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Girls/Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls/Boys Tennis

If you have sport specific questions, please contact the coach directly. Please find coaches contact information HERE

Each athlete MUST complete the 2 items below prior to any off season workout or try-outs:

VHSL physical is required for participation. It must be dated after May 1, 2024. The VHSL Physical Form can be found HERE

Please make sure that the insurance information is included, and all parent/student signatures are on the form.
Please turn your Physical into the Activities Office. Mail to: Attn: Chris Worrell ATC West Springfield HS, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield VA, 22152 or email to: [email protected]

Families & student-athletes must complete the online Athletic Registration each school year after May 1st for the following school year. You can find this link HERE. The information on the registration must be updated each year for the student-athlete to be eligible. Please update any emergency contact information, complete the concussion education, and check the sport(s) that they wish to try-out for.

Instructions for how to complete Athletic Registration can be found HERE

Athletics Website: https://westspringfieldspartansathletics.com/

PTA News

TEACHER APPRECIATION – Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6 – 10, 2024. Kendra, our committee chair, is asking for volunteers to help during the day on Monday and Friday. If interested in helping, please email Kendra directly at [email protected]. She has some wonderful things planned for our staff. Teacher/Staff Car Wash will be Tuesday, May 4. The PTA and school administrators will be washing the teachers’ cars during the school day (approx. 9-1)! Stop by anytime to help!

Weekly Message from Irving Middle School

GovDelivery2 weeks 1 day ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Events

Welcome, Ms. Hollie McLaughlin!

Greetings, Irving Families!

On Friday of last week, we said farewell to Ms. Jan Gibbins, who retired after 15 years of service to Irving Middle School. As many of you know, Ms. Gibbins was more than our Administrative Assistant - she helped in many ways beyond the office. While Ms. Gibbins has retired - she has graciously agreed to fill in hourly as needed over the coming months. We wish Ms. Gibbins all the best in her future adventures.

We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Hollie McLaughlin to Irving as our new Administrative Assistant. Ms. McLaughlin joins us from South County Middle School where she was an Office Assistant. She brings a wealth of FCPS experience and knowledge to Irving; she has experience as an elementary school Instructional Assistant, an Office Assistant in Transportation and elementary schools, and most recently middle school. Ms. McLaughlin on Monday and has been meeting our staff, students, and families throughout the week. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Ms. McLaughlin the next time you are at school.

Lastly, I want to congratulate the WIMS Track and Field Team who performed wonderfully at the first meet last week. Despite the very windy and cold day - more than 500 athletes ran and participated in field events. The meet was a non-stop blur of athletes running race after race, with almost 100 heats run in 5 hours. It was a fantastic day! We wish them another great meet tomorrow at McLean High School!

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

WIMS Heritage Night

Irving will host a night to celebrate the different heritages of our students on May 7th from 6-8pm. Come see performances, enjoy food from local businesses and families, local authors and more. We are also looking for volunteers to help make our night a success by picking up food, setting up, serving food or cleaning up. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up on our Sign Up Genius here. We hope to see you on May 7th!

Intentions for Next Year

If your child will NOT be attending Irving or his/her base high school next year, please complete the Intention Form linked below and return it to [email protected] to let us know where your child will be enrolled. If your child is going to Irving or his/her base high school, you don’t need to complete this form. If you find out later you will be moving, please contact Irving so we can update our database. https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/it110.pdf

Middle School Start Times - Virtual Date Added!

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. That registration link will be available soon.

While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

School Health Services Survey

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

Rising 9th Grade Families - Join the West Springfield HS PTSA!

May 14: Registration link

June 4: Registration link

Parents/Guardians who want to start following WSHS PTSA information, we use the following social media:

PTSA website: www.wshsptsa.net

Facebook: PTSA Facebook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartanptsa/ (just getting going with this)

E-mail: Go to FCPS News You Choose and select West Springfield HS PTSA (you can also check other boxes to start receiving other high school communications if you want)

Irving Stays After - After School Program

Registration

Updates:

Track & Field and athletic activity participants (ie Futsal, Open Gym), please remember: your athletic gear (including sneakers), water bottle and other needs as the temperature changes.

Field Games will meet both blocks on Wednesday, April 24, weather permitting.

Futsal Club returns to both blocks on Wednesday, April 24.

Sewing Club will meet both blocks on Wednesday, April 24.

CPP will meet 1st block on Thursday, April 25.

WSHS Girls Basketball Camp

West Springfield will be hosting a girls basketball camp June 17 -21 for rising 3rd THRU 9th graders. For registration you can follow the link: View Girl's Basketball Camp Details (ryzer.com)

For more information you can contact Coach Gibson at: [email protected]

Sports teams at WSHS

Are you planning to try-out for a sports team at West Springfield?

Season Start Dates:
- Fall Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, August 5, 2024v - Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball
  - Exception: Golf begins July 29th, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THAT FALL SPORTS DO BEGIN IN AUGUST. ALL SUMMER VACATIONS SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR JUNE/JULY.

Winter Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, November 11, 2024 -Boys/Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Rifle, Swim & Dive, Wrestling

Spring Sports: Monday, February 24, 2025 - Baseball, Crew, Girls/Boys Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Girls/Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls/Boys Tennis

If you have sport specific questions, please contact the coach directly. Please find coaches contact information HERE

Each athlete MUST complete the 2 items below prior to any off season workout or try-outs:

VHSL physical is required for participation. It must be dated after May 1, 2024. The VHSL Physical Form can be found HERE

Please make sure that the insurance information is included, and all parent/student signatures are on the form.
Please turn your Physical into the Activities Office. Mail to: Attn: Chris Worrell ATC West Springfield HS, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield VA, 22152 or email to: [email protected]

Families & student-athletes must complete the online Athletic Registration each school year after May 1st for the following school year. You can find this link HERE. The information on the registration must be updated each year for the student-athlete to be eligible. Please update any emergency contact information, complete the concussion education, and check the sport(s) that they wish to try-out for.

Instructions for how to complete Athletic Registration can be found HERE

Athletics Website: https://westspringfieldspartansathletics.com/

PTA News

PTA ELECTIONS - The Irving MS PTA Needs You! No PTA Board, No Irving PTA! - Please consider running for President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer. The positions are open to anyone with a current or incoming student at Irving. The current board members have either served their 2 terms or have rising 9th grade students. The slate will be presented at next week's meeting and elections are held in May. To self-nominate, email: [email protected] Questions, email: [email protected]

PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30pm via Zoom. The Nominating Committee will present its slate of candidates for Irving PTA President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted. We need nominations to get to a board to have a PTA next year!

RESTAURANT SPIRIT WEEK! at Chick-Fil-A (Burke) in May - May 13-17! This is the Chick-Fil-A in Burke! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Use code IMS24 for mobile orders. The flyer is here https://tinyurl.com/IrvingChik (copy & paste the link).

TEACHER APPRECIATION – NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!

Teacher / Staff Car Wash - June 4th. The PTA and school administrators will be washing the teachers’ cars during the school day (approx 9-1)! Stop by anytime to help!We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS) Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have.

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery3 weeks 1 day ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

April 17

No After School and No Late Buses

April 18 & 25

Irving Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com

April 29 & 30

Spring Picture Days during PE Classes

May 3

Teacher Workday

May 7

Heritage Night

Good Luck to our Track and Field Team!

The first meet of the season is this Saturday at Langley High School.

Greetings, Irving Families!

Today, students took the Integrated Reading and Writing Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment. The testing session went really well and students worked diligently throughout the testing window. This was the first of our SOL exams. Below are the dates for the rest of the SOL exams coming up in May. Please try to avoid making appointments in the mornings on the dates below so your child is able to take their SOL on time.

We are very excited to kick off the first season of Track and Field. Coaches Fine, Duncan, LeBlanc and Ms. Evans and Ms. Nessel have been working diligently for the last few weeks to help our students get prepared for this first meet. We have about 60 students participating this weekend along with 8 other schools at Langley High School. It is anticipated that there will be 500+ students participating just at Langley tomorrow. It looks like it will be a beautiful day and we wish our student athletes all the best tomorrow at the inaugural Track & Field for middle school sports.

Coming up next week, we have all of our 7th grade students participating in Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences at South Run Park. We look forward to providing this opportunity each day next week. Please be sure to check the weather and ensure your child is prepared with the appropriate shoes and clothing to include sunscreen and a water bottle. Thank you to all of the parents/guardians who are chaperoning and to the 7th grade Science teachers who made this trip possible!

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

WIMS Heritage Night

Irving will host a night to celebrate the different heritages of our students on May 7th from 6-8pm. Come see performances, enjoy food from local businesses and families, local authors and more. We are also looking for volunteers to help make our night a success by picking up food, setting up, serving food or cleaning up. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up on our Sign Up Genius here. We hope to see you on May 7th!

Intentions for Next Year

Give Your Feedback on the Proposed Budget

Give Your Feedback on the Budget

We are now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback:

Tuesday, April 16, through Thursday, April 18: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors conducts public hearings on the county budget. Sign up to speak.
Tuesday, May 7: The County Board of Supervisors adopts its budget, tax rates, and transfer amount to FCPS.
Tuesday, May 14: The School Board holds a public hearing on the FCPS budget.
Thursday, May 23: The School Board adopts FCPS’ approved budget.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget and see the full Budget Development Calendar.

School Health Services Survey

Rising 9th Grade Families - Join the West Springfield HS PTSA!

May 14: Registration link

June 4: Registration link

Parents/Guardians who want to start following WSHS PTSA information, we use the following social media:

PTSA website: www.wshsptsa.net

Facebook: PTSA Facebook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartanptsa/ (just getting going with this)

E-mail: Go to FCPS News You Choose and select West Springfield HS PTSA (you can also check other boxes to start receiving other high school communications if you want)

Irving Stays After - After School Program

Registration

Updates: Wednesday, April 17, there’s NO After School and Late Buses

Track & Field and athletic activity participants (ie Futsal, Open Gym), please remember: your athletic gear (including sneakers), water bottle and other needs as the temperature changes.

Field Games will meet both blocks on Monday, April 15, and will return to Wednesdays, on April 24, both blocks, weather permitting.

Football Club (for rising 9th) will meet 1st block on Tuesday, April 16 - weather permitting.

Futsal Club will meet both blocks on Monday, April 15, and will return to Wednesdays on Wednesday, April 24.

Ultimate Frisbee will meet 2nd block on Monday, April 15 - weather permitting.

Library News

Students only had a short, four-day week, but they completed this 1000-piece puzzle celebrating all-things Virginia. Perhaps I should call it a 999-piece puzzle, as one tiny piece is now missing. The word is out; maybe it will be found in a random pants pocket as you do your weekend laundry!

In addition to borrowing books, students also took time in the library this week to add the name of their pets to a long paper chain that we made on “National Pet Day,” on April 11th. This colorful chain is adorning a tree in our library entrance. It gives the library a festive appearance during “National Library Week!”

We’ll be seeing lots of classes next week for checkouts. If students have books to return, it is a convenient time to do that when their classes visit. Please encourage your student to always keep some reading materials with them. Testing season is upon us, and it’s always good to have a book on hand while you’re waiting for others to finish testing!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

WSHS Girls Basketball Camp

West Springfield will be hosting a girls basketball camp June 17 -21 for rising 3rd THRU 9th graders. For registration you can follow the link: View Girl's Basketball Camp Details (ryzer.com)

For more information you can contact Coach Gibson at: [email protected]

Sports teams at WSHS

Are you planning to try-out for a sports team at West Springfield?

Season Start Dates:

Fall Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, August 5, 2024

Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball

Exception: Golf begins July 29th, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THAT FALL SPORTS DO BEGIN IN AUGUST. ALL SUMMER VACATIONS SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR JUNE/JULY.

Winter Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, November 11, 2024

Boys/Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Rifle, Swim & Dive, Wrestling

Spring Sports: Monday, February 24, 2025

Baseball, Crew, Girls/Boys Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Girls/Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls/Boys Tennis

If you have sport specific questions, please contact the coach directly. Please find coaches contact information HERE

Each athlete MUST complete the 2 items below prior to any off season workout or try-outs:

VHSL physical is required for participation. It must be dated after May 1, 2024. The VHSL Physical Form can be found HERE

Please make sure that the insurance information is included, and all parent/student signatures are on the form.
Please turn your Physical into the Activities Office. Mail to: Attn: Chris Worrell ATC West Springfield HS, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield VA, 22152 or email to: [email protected]

Families & student-athletes must complete the online Athletic Registration each school year after May 1st for the following school year. You can find this link HERE. The information on the registration must be updated each year for the student-athlete to be eligible. Please update any emergency contact information, complete the concussion education, and check the sport(s) that they wish to try-out for.

Instructions for how to complete Athletic Registration can be found HERE

Athletics Website: https://westspringfieldspartansathletics.com/

PTA News

PTA ELECTIONS - The Irving MS PTA Needs You! No PTA Board, No Irving PTA! - Please consider running for President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer. The positions are open to anyone with a current or incoming student at Irving. The current board members have either served their 2 terms or have rising 9th grade students. The slate will be presented at next week's meeting and elections are held in May. To self-nominate, email: [email protected]. Questions, email: [email protected].

PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - Our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30pm via Zoom (see link below). The Nominating Committee will present its slate of candidates for Irving PTA President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted.

Meeting Zoom Link

Topic: April PTA meeting

Time: Apr 16, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88243925120?pwd=6GsLvdRH9SvS7vmQlYP9WfEKu7Bbox.1

Meeting ID: 882 4392 5120

Passcode: XgWG5P

RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road!). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com. (copy and paste / links don't work!) (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)

RESTAURANT SPIRIT WEEK! at Chik-Fil-A (Burke) in May - May 13-17! This is the Chik-Fil-A in Burke! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Use code IMS24 for mobile orders. The flyer is here https://tinyurl.com/IrvingChik (copy & paste, links don't work).

TEACHER APPRECIATION – NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information! We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS) Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have.

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

Weekly Update from Irving MS

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

April 11, 18 & 25

Irving Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com

April 10

No school - Eid al Fitr Observance

School Building is closed

April 12

Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) SOL for 8th graders

7th graders will take a mock IRW on the same day

April 29 & 30

Spring Picture Days during PE Classes

May 7

Heritage Night

Congratulations to Mr. Mike Higginbotham! We are thrilled to share that Mr. Higginbotham is the Irving Middle School, West Springfield, and now the Region 4 Secondary New Teacher of the year! We are elated that Mr. Higginbotham is being recognized by so many for his dedication to the students at Irving.

Greetings, Irving Families!

It has been a fast 3 days since returning from Spring Break! We were very fortunate to start with a surprise for Mr. Higginbotham, who has now been named the Region 4, Secondary Outstanding New Teacher of the Year. This is a huge accomplishment - each middle and high school in Region 4 submits candidates for this award and out of all of those submissions, Mr. Higginbotham was selected as the recipient of the Region 4 award. After retiring from a career in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Higginbotham went on to be a government contractor, and then in 2022 he became a middle school Science Teacher. We are so grateful he chose Irving Middle School. Please join me in congratulating him!

Speaking of Science, on Monday, April 8, a Solar Eclipse will occur from approximately 2:00 pm-4:35 pm. We will be dismissing at our usual time, 2:15 pm. Irving Middle School will not be providing eyewear for students. We do want to ensure students dismiss safely, so during 3rd period Rock Block today and again prior to dismissal on Monday, we will be reminding students of the information below, we encourage you to reinforce the information at home as well. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home and would like to pick your child up prior to the end of the day, please do so no later than 1:30 pm so that we can get our buses lined up in our bus loop in time for dismissal. For more details about the eclipse, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.

Reminders to Students:

Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes
Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.

Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.

Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety by not looking at the sun.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Rising 9th Grade Families - Join the West Springfield HS PTSA!

April 9 (next Tuesday): Registration link

May 14: Registration link

June 4: Registration link

Parents/Guardians who want to start following WSHS PTSA information, we use the following social media:

PTSA website: www.wshsptsa.net

Facebook: PTSA Facebook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartanptsa/ (just getting going with this)

E-mail: Go to FCPS News You Choose and select West Springfield HS PTSA (you can also check other boxes to start receiving other high school communications if you want)

Middle School Start Times

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:

Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

Lexia Night

📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will discover how FCPS is integrating this program into the classroom to support student literacy growth. Tips for supporting students at home will also be shared. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

NO OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES/CLUBS on Monday, April 8

NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, April 10

Readers Unite will meet on Tuesday, April 9, during the 1st block.

Shot Put practice on Tuesday, April 9, during 1st block.

Library News

Students worked on this puzzle only periodically, but completed it quickly. Thanks to those who have donated puzzles.

We’re glad that several students submitted photos of them reading in interesting places for our Spring-Break’s “Take a Break and Read” contest. We saw students reading poolside in Saint-Martin, students reading while buried up to their neck in sand, students reading in a bunny costume as they volunteered hours at the local USO, students reading on roller coasters at Busch Gardens, and even a student reading mid-Arabesque jump. From among all of those who submitted photographs, winners were randomly chosen. Congratulations to Parker, Ariel. and Ms. Choudhury. Winners receive a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

Please encourage your student to always keep some reading materials with them. Testing season is approaching, and it’s always good to have a book on hand while you’re waiting for others to finish testing!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

WSHS Boys Basketball Rising 9th Spring Basketball League

West Springfield is looking for rising 9th grade boys that are interested in playing in their Spring League. The participation letter is available on Schoology. For more information, please contact Coach Henderson at: [email protected].

WSHS Girls Basketball Camp

West Springfield will be hosting a girls basketball camp June 17 -21 for rising 3rd THRU 9th graders. For registration you can follow the link: View Girl's Basketball Camp Details (ryzer.com)

For more information you can contact Coach Gibson at: [email protected]

Sports teams at WSHS

Are you planning to try-out for a sports team at West Springfield?

Season Start Dates:

Fall Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, August 5, 2024

Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball

Exception: Golf begins July 29th, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THAT FALL SPORTS DO BEGIN IN AUGUST. ALL SUMMER VACATIONS SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR JUNE/JULY.

Winter Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, November 11, 2024

Boys/Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Rifle, Swim & Dive, Wrestling

Spring Sports: Monday, February 24, 2025

Baseball, Crew, Girls/Boys Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Girls/Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls/Boys Tennis

If you have sport specific questions, please contact the coach directly. Please find coaches contact information HERE

Each athlete MUST complete the 2 items below prior to any off season workout or try-outs:

VHSL physical is required for participation. It must be dated after May 1, 2024. The VHSL Physical Form can be found HERE

Please make sure that the insurance information is included, and all parent/student signatures are on the form.
Please turn your Physical into the Activities Office. Mail to: Attn: Chris Worrell ATC West Springfield HS, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield VA, 22152 or email to: [email protected]

Families & student-athletes must complete the online Athletic Registration each school year after May 1st for the following school year. You can find this link HERE. The information on the registration must be updated each year for the student-athlete to be eligible. Please update any emergency contact information, complete the concussion education, and check the sport(s) that they wish to try-out for.

Instructions for how to complete Athletic Registration can be found HERE

Athletics Website: https://westspringfieldspartansathletics.com/

PTA News

RESTAURANT SPIRIT WEEK! at Chik-Fil-A (Burke) in May - May 13-17! This is the Chik-Fil-A in Burke! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Use code IMS24 for mobile orders. The flyer is here https://tinyurl.com/IrvingChik (copy & paste, links don't work).

TEACHER APPRECIATION – NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!SPIRITWEAR! - Students should have received (& brought home!) their orders during Rock Block this week. If they did not, please reach out to [email protected].PTA Meetings and Nominations! - If you're interested or know someone who might be interested in next year's PTA Board, please reach out to us - [email protected] - we need 1 more volunteer to run the nominating committee (short time commitment! mainly to create the nomination slate for the next board). And if you're interested in being on the Board but have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Board members directly! Next PTA meeting is April 16th by Zoom (meeting delayed a week due to 4/10 student holiday)We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS) Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have.

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

A message from Irving Middle School

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Upcoming Events April 3 - Back to School!

We hope you had an wonderful Spring Break! We look forward to welcoming all students back to school tomorrow at 7:30 am.

7th Grade Science Field Trip Chaperones Needed

We are excited to be bringing back our Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) Trip for our 7th grade students this year! Preparing to take over 600 students on these trips is a big undertaking and we are grateful to our Science teachers for making these trips possible.

In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all, we are in need of a few more chaperones. Below are the dates, teams, and number of chaperones we still need. If you are able to assist with chaperoning, please email the Science teacher listed next to the team your child is on. Thank you for supporting this experience for our students!

Chaperones Needed for the Teams below:

Tuesday, April 16 - Yellow Team - Needs 3 chaperones - please email Mike Higginbotham at [email protected].

Wednesday, April 17 - Blue Team - Needs 3 chaperones - please email Alex Cohn at [email protected].

Thursday, April 18 - Orange Team - Needs 1 chaperone - please email Alyson Nagle at [email protected].

Friday, April 19 - Orange Team - Needs 2 chaperones - please email Alyson Nagle at [email protected].

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery1 month 1 week ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

March 28

Irving Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com

March 25 - 29

Spring Break - No School

April 1

Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

April 2

Staff Development Day - Student Holiday

April 3

Washington Irving’s Birthday!

May 7

Heritage Night

is March 25-29! We hope you have a great week!

Students have an additional 2 days off - April 1 & 2 due to a Teacher Work Day and Staff Development Day.

Students will return to school on Wednesday, April 3, 2024!

Greetings, Irving Families!

As we head into Spring Break, I want to take a minute to share that we want everyone to take the break - our students and staff. With that in mind, please know that students do not have homework over the break and there will not be any quizzes, tests, or assignments due the first 2 days back after break. Our Main Office will be closed next week and will reopen on Wednesday, April 3. Our teachers are also on break next week and I have asked that they not check their emails and truly take a break.

When students return to school, they will be starting the 4th quarter! So you are aware, the SIS ParentVue and StudentVue gradebooks will not be available during the 3rd Quarter grading period, which runs from March 22, 2024 - April 15, 2024.

Returning to the start of the 4th quarter, also means we are approaching state assessments. Below are the dates of our state Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Please try to avoid making appointments on the dates below so students can take the assessments on the dates assigned. We will be celebrating a Stress Less week the week of April 29-May 3, and will share more details about the week soon.

I wish you all a safe and relaxing Spring Break!

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Volleyball Clinic, athletic attire (including your shoes) and registering via the weekly sign-up are required. Volleyball is extremely popular, please use the weekly sign-up when you plan to stay after school. This is the last week of Volleyball Clinic, thanks to Coach Noriega, her coaching staff and WSHS Varsity & JV volunteers.

Library News

Thanks to those who have sent in some puzzles. The students are truly enjoying the puzzles and are definitely up to challenges the puzzles provide.

We plan to send out overdue notices just before students return to school on April 3rd. Please help your student locate the books, so they can return overdue library books when they return to school.

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

PTA News

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

A message from Irving Middle School

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Spirit Week

A reminder, this week we are celebrating the count down to Spring Break with a Spirit Week. Today was Twin Day and we saw lots of students with matching outfits. Students can earn Team Points for participating. Please see below for the rest of this weeks themes.

Wednesday: Students dress up inspired by an influential woman or the contributions they have made. Clothing can represent the amazing inventions and/or accomplishments of women.

Thursday: Jersey Day - Earn Team Challenge Points by wearing athletic gear to show love for your favorite sports team!

Friday: Tropical Day - dress in tropical themed clothes

ECHO Food Drive

This month the SCA has been collecting food for ECHO. We would like to give one more big push to collect food items for families in our community. There are collection boxes in the main lobby where all donations can be dropped off. Thank you for supporting this SCA Drive!

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery1 month 2 weeks ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

March 18-22

Spirit Week (see below)

March 21, 28

Irving Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com

March 25 - 29

Spring Break - No School

April 1

Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

April 2

Staff Development Day - Student Holiday

April 3

Washington Irving’s Birthday!

May 7

Heritage Night

Congratulations to Salbinaz and Khanim on winning trophies in the 2024 VA Scholastic Championships in Roanoke, March 8-10, 2024! They represented Irving MS at this statewide chess competition and did so well. We are so proud and look forward to displaying the trophies in Irving’s lobby!

Greetings, Irving Families!

What a beautiful week of weather - we were so excited to be able to get our students outside this week for break. Thank you for supporting our request to have scented lotions, perfumes, and body sprays kept at home! The difference this week was very noticeable, and we really appreciate your support - especially as the allergy season is beginning earlier this year.

Today, I was able to be one of the judges for the first ever Irving MS, Battle of the Books! Roughly 25 students read books throughout the year and then competed in a variety of competitions about the books. I added so many books to my spring break reading list. Congratulations to all of our student participants! The love of reading was evident today as was the excitement for the event! Speaking of reading, be sure to be on the lookout for information about a Spring Break Reading Challenge next week!

Lastly, I want to give a big thank you to our PTA for supporting us all year! Our Executive Board has been working diligently all year to support our staff and students with appreciation days and teacher mini grants. Thank you to Mr. Robert Johnson -President, Ms. Jennifer Johnson - Vice President, Ms. Cathy Ray - Secretary, and Ms. Christy Whiteaker - Treasurer! All of these members of our amazing board are moving on next year and we are in need of new parents/guardians for all positions. If you are interested in filling one of the officer positions, please please reach out - [email protected].

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Irving MS Meditation and Silent Reflection Space

Practices and Procedures

In alignment with FCPS Regulation 1502, Irving MS ensures that students and staff of all religious backgrounds have reasonable accommodations and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school building. The following are our guidelines as of 3/7/24, in accordance with updated Regulation 1502.

Our meditation and silent reflection spaces are located in the Principal’s Conference Room in the Main Office and in Room 106, just down the hall from the Main Office.
Meditation and silent reflection space may change as needed, but we will make our effort to keep students and staff informed of the location changes as they occur.
Supervision, as available, will be provided in the meditation and silent reflection space. Due to safety or supervision issues, a school may not be able to provide a meditation and silent reflection space on a temporary basis but shall work with individual students on other possible ways to accommodate their prayer, meditation, and silent reflection needs.

Prayer, Meditation, and Silent Reflection during Instructional Time

Students are only permitted to use Meditation and Silent Reflection rooms during instructional time when there is a request that cannot be accommodated in any other way that does not impact instruction. Without an approved accommodation to address a need that warrants missing class, students are not permitted to use the rooms during instruction.
Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Please use this Google Form to give permission for their child to utilize the meditation and silent reflection space during instructional times.

Use of Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

Individuals using the space shall abide by the following rules and guidelines

Intended for personal use
Respect the rights and beliefs of others
The meditation and silent reflection space may be used for individual or group prayer, meditation, or silent reflection.
The use of the meditation and silent reflection space shall be voluntary, and no student or staff member will be compelled to use or participate in activities within the space.
The Students Rights and Responsibilities applies to all students who use the space.
The reflection space is available during regular hours: 7:30 am - 2:15 pm.
Students should report to the Main Office to check in.

FCPS Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs - Student Service Hour Opportunity - Resources

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Monday, March 18, 2024

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015, Auditorium (Enter through door 14)

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) invites you to a community conversation focused on addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools. This discussion will provide families and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl.

All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.

Together, as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and sometimes fatal substances.

Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed.

Program appropriate for grades 6 and up.

Student and Family Surveys

Family Engagement Survey is Now Open!

FCPS is partnering with independent research firm K12 Insight to administer a Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Your feedback is critical in helping FCPS to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs throughout the district. Survey topics include:

Welcoming environment
Communication
Student success
Advocacy
Family and school partnerships
Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight. A public link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available in our front office. Please stay tuned for more information.

💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology

FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:

Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
Secondary students via email from Naviance.

Student feedback will inform the school division’s use of Schoology and help improve its processes, communication, and professional learning for staff. FCPS’ Instructional Services Department will also be reaching out to families through focus groups.

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Updates for after school activities and clubs:

WSHS Cheer Interest Meeting, Monday, March 18, first block

Whisk Takers will meet on Tuesday, March 19, both blocks. The weekly sign-up is mandatory to attend the club.

Track & Field will begin Tuesday, March 19, 2nd block

Harry Potter Club is moving to Wednesdays, starting Wednesday, March 20th

TRIBE is not meeting on Thursday, March 21

Library News

Do you have any puzzles to share? Our students enjoy piecing together puzzles in the library during their daily break time. They work through these so quickly and have exhausted our supply. If you have any 500 or fewer-piece puzzles that you could donate to the library, please send them in with your student.

This week the library hosted students selecting Novels in Verse for an English assignment, and 8th grade science classes solving Escape-Room type clues as they learned about the periodic table of elements.

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

West Springfield High School Girls’ Basketball Clinic

Tuesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 21

From 4:00pm to 5:30pm

At West Springfield High School

*This opportunity is for girls that would like to participate in the RISING Freshmen Spring League*

For more information, contact Coach Gibson at, [email protected]

West Springfield High School COED Spring Break Basketball Camp

PRESENTED BY WSHS BOYS BASKETBALL & ALEXANDRIA KINGS ORG

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS:

Daily Competitions, skills/fundamentals stations, & 5v5 game play
Daily Concession (pizza, chips, drinks, etc.)
Opportunity to win prizes!
Championship THURS/Awards Ceremony
Camp T-Shirt
FOR: Boys & Girls grades 3-8
WHEN: March 25-28, MON – THURS (9am – 3pm)
WHERE: West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152
COST: $195 per Camper payment instructions will be provided via email

TO REGISTER:

Contact Coach Terry Henderson at [email protected]

PTA News

RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road!). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com. (copy and paste / links don't work!) (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)

TEACHER APPRECIATION – NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!

SPIRITWEAR! - Products are in and will be distributed next week!

PTA Meetings and Nominations! - If you're interested or know someone who might be interested in next year's PTA Board, please reach out to us - [email protected] - we need 2 more volunteers to run the nominating committee (short time commitment! mainly to create the nomination slate for the next board). And if you're interested in being on the Board but have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Board members directly! Next PTA meeting is April 16th by Zoom (meeting delayed a week due to 4/10 student holiday)

We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS)

Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have.

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)

Email: [email protected]

Message from Irving MS

GovDelivery1 month 3 weeks ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Irving MS Meditation and Silent Reflection Space

Practices and Procedures

Our meditation and silent reflection spaces are located in the Principal’s Conference Room in the Main Office and in Room 106, just down the hall from the Main Office.
Meditation and silent reflection space may change as needed, but we will make our effort to keep students and staff informed of the location changes as they occur.
Supervision, as available, will be provided in the meditation and silent reflection space. Due to safety or supervision issues, a school may not be able to provide a meditation and silent reflection space on a temporary basis but shall work with individual students on other possible ways to accommodate their prayer, meditation, and silent reflection needs.

Prayer, Meditation, and Silent Reflection during Instructional Time

Students are only permitted to use Meditation and Silent Reflection rooms during instructional time when there is a request that cannot be accommodated in any other way that does not impact instruction. Without an approved accommodation to address a need that warrants missing class, students are not permitted to use the rooms during instruction.
Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Please use this Google Form to give permission for their child to utilize the meditation and silent reflection space during instructional times.

Use of Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

Individuals using the space shall abide by the following rules and guidelines

Intended for personal use
Respect the rights and beliefs of others
The meditation and silent reflection space may be used for individual or group prayer, meditation, or silent reflection.
The use of the meditation and silent reflection space shall be voluntary, and no student or staff member will be compelled to use or participate in activities within the space.
The Students Rights and Responsibilities applies to all students who use the space.
The reflection space is available during regular hours: 7:30 am - 2:15 pm.
Students should report to the Main Office to check in.

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery1 month 3 weeks ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

March 14, 21, 28

Irving Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com

March 12

Virtual PTA Meeting at 6:30

March 25 - 29

Spring Break - No School

April 1

Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

April 2

Staff Development Day - Student Holiday

April 3

Washington Irving’s Birthday!

Greetings, Irving Families!

This week seemed to fly by with the School Planning Day on Tuesday! Even with one less day, we were still able to pack a lot into the week and have much to celebrate. We want to congratulate the 7th graders who recycled the most candy wrappers during Halloween. The reward was a live Zoom session for all students during 3rd period, where a lucky 7th grade student got to toss a pie in my face. Since the Aquaponics group worked so hard to count and organize the recycling challenge, and I already had whipped cream everywhere - a few more students got the opportunity to toss pies in my face as well. It was a fun Thursday morning!

During this time of year, our music classes are preparing and performing in their District Assessments - think SOLs but music performances that include a requirement of students performing a selection they have never seen before!

Today, our WIMS Chorus students kicked off the assessment season at Woodson High School where they performed for their District Assessment. Our students performed beautifully and received high marks from the judges. We are so proud of the hard work of Ms. Little, our Chorus long-term substitute, and our Chorus students! Congratulations!

Tomorrow, our Orchestra students will be heading to Katherine Johnson Middle School to perform for their Orchestra District Assessment. Based on the phenomenal pre-assessment concert I heard last week, I know the students will do an excellent job!

To cap off our celebrations, I am excited to welcome Coach Pam Fine, as our new Track coach! The Track slides in the All Parents and All Students courses in Schoology have been updated with the official Track Meet dates and locations. We look forward to our first practice on Tuesday, March 19 at 3:30 pm.

Lastly, I need to ask for some support from you. With the warmer weather and an increase in activity, many of our students are bringing in perfumes, scented lotions, and body sprays to school that are being sprayed/used on the bus and throughout the building. While we fully support the use of deodorant as you deem appropriate for your child, we are asking that students not bring or use scented lotions, perfumes, and/or body sprays on the bus or in the school building. We have several students and staff members with allergies and the use of these scented products can trigger symptoms. Also, the use of the lotions and sprays on the bus and in the building has become disruptive due to the volume being sprayed and the competing scents. We appreciate your support in ensuring all of our students and staff can teach and learn in a healthy environment.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Food for Neighbors - Tomorrow

Food for Neighbors is an organization committed to helping local teens struggling with hunger. The food donated goes straight to students and families in Springfield and neighboring communities.

With your support, we can reach even more students in need. Participation is as simple as filling a Food For Neighbors Red Bag once every other month and putting it on your porch on our pick up days. We provide the bags, a desired food list, and pick-up date reminder texts. Our next collection day is March 9. If you would like to donate food, please register as a Red Bag Donor here. If you would like to volunteer as a driver to pick up food or to help sort the food once it is delivered to Irving on our collection days, please sign up here.

If your student needs extra food for the weekend (soup/pasta, crackers, granola bars, oatmeal, fruit snack or milk/juice), please email Meg Gollinger at [email protected].

Irving MS Meditation and Silent Reflection Space

Practices and Procedures

Our meditation and silent reflection spaces are located in the Principal’s Conference Room in the Main Office and in Room 106, just down the hall from the Main Office.
Meditation and silent reflection space may change as needed, but we will make our effort to keep students and staff informed of the location changes as they occur.
Supervision, as available, will be provided in the meditation and silent reflection space. Due to safety or supervision issues, a school may not be able to provide a meditation and silent reflection space on a temporary basis but shall work with individual students on other possible ways to accommodate their prayer, meditation, and silent reflection needs.

Prayer, Meditation, and Silent Reflection during Instructional Time

Students are only permitted to use Meditation and Silent Reflection rooms during instructional time when there is a request that cannot be accommodated in any other way that does not impact instruction. Without an approved accommodation to address a need that warrants missing class, students are not permitted to use the rooms during instruction.
Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Please use this Google Form to give permission for their child to utilize the meditation and silent reflection space during instructional times.

Use of Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

Individuals using the space shall abide by the following rules and guidelines

Intended for personal use
Respect the rights and beliefs of others
The meditation and silent reflection space may be used for individual or group prayer, meditation, or silent reflection.
The use of the meditation and silent reflection space shall be voluntary, and no student or staff member will be compelled to use or participate in activities within the space.
The Students Rights and Responsibilities applies to all students who use the space.
The reflection space is available during regular hours: 7:30 am - 2:15 pm.
Students should report to the Main Office to check in.

Student and Family Surveys

Family Engagement Survey is Now Open!

Welcoming environment
Communication
Student success
Advocacy
Family and school partnerships
Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology

FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:

Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
Secondary students via email from Naviance.

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Girls’ Basketball Clinic, conducted by WSHS Girls’ Basketball Coaching Staff will be held both blocks on Wednesday, March 13. Athletic attire (including your shoes) and registering via the weekly sign-up are required.

Updates for after school activities and clubs:

Heritage Night Planning Committee, will meet on Monday, March 11, first block. Please contact Mrs. Baez for further information.

The ONLY activities that will be held on Wednesday, March 13: Hollow Lounge and Girls' Basketball Clinic

WSHS Cheer Interest Meeting, Monday, March 18, first block

Harry Potter Club is moving to Wednesdays, starting Wednesday, March 20th

Library News

Readers Unite Book Club continues to meet on Mondays after school. The school tournament for Battle of the Books teams will be held NEXT WEEK, on March 15th. The competition T-shirts are made and the students are prepping for the big day. Stay tuned for a group picture. After this time, we’ll have a school winner to send to the April 25th county-wide competition!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

West Springfield High School COED Spring Break Basketball Camp

PRESENTED BY WSHS BOYS BASKETBALL & ALEXANDRIA KINGS ORG

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS:

Daily Competitions, skills/fundamentals stations, & 5v5 game play
Daily Concession (pizza, chips, drinks, etc.)
Opportunity to win prizes!
Championship THURS/Awards Ceremony
Camp T-Shirt
FOR: Boys & Girls grades 3-8
WHEN: March 25-28, MON – THURS (9am – 3pm)
WHERE: West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152
COST: $195 per Camper payment instructions will be provided via email

TO REGISTER:

Contact Coach Terry Henderson at [email protected]

PTA News

TEACHER APPRECIATION – NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!

SPIRITWEAR! - Ordering is closed! Products should be available mid-March (hoping before Spring Break).

PTA Meetings and Nominations! - If you're interested or know someone who might be interested in next year's PTA Board, please reach out to us - [email protected] - we need 3 volunteers to run the nominating committee (short time commitment! mainly to create the nomination slate for the next board). And if you're interested in being on the Board but have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Board members directly! Next PTA meeting is March 12th by Zoom (meeting delayed a week due to 3/5 student holiday + voting!) (& April's meeting will be April 16th)

We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS)

Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have. Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery2 months ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

March 5

No School - Student Holiday - School Planning Day

March 7, 14, 21, 28

Irving Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com

March 12

Virtual PTA Meeting at 6:30

March 25 - 29

Spring Break - No School

April 1

Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

April 2

Staff Development Day - Student Holiday

April 3

Washington Irving’s Birthday!

Greetings, Irving Families!

Happy March 1st! We are excited to be looking towards spring and warmer weather. As the weather warms and students look for activities to be involved in, we highly recommend students find ways they can give back to their community. To help students find ways to get involved with community service, we will be providing service learning opportunities during our Rock Block - 3rd period, after school, and during team activity days throughout the rest of the school year.

We know many of our students participate in Volunteer and Service to the Community work through organizations like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church and youth groups. We want to make sure students receive credit for those hours through FCPS as well. We highly encourage all students who complete hours to document their service hours in x2VOL which is accessed through Naviance. Students already have a login and have been using Naviance this school year.

Speaking of opportunities for service - next Saturday, March 9, is our Food for Neighbors, Red Bag pick up! If you participate in this program, please do not forget to set your Red Bag out on your front porch for pick up next Saturday morning. If you would like more information regarding how you can participate in this outstanding program that directly benefits students at Irving, West Springfield High School, as well as many other middle and high schools in our area, please see below.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Food for Neighbors

Food for Neighbors is an organization committed to helping local teens struggling with hunger. The food donated goes straight to students and families in Springfield and neighboring communities.

If your student needs extra food for the weekend (soup/pasta, crackers, granola bars, oatmeal, fruit snack or milk/juice), please email Meg Gollinger at [email protected].

Student and Family Surveys

Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3

Welcoming environment
Communication
Student success
Advocacy
Family and school partnerships
Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology

FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:

Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
Secondary students via email from Naviance.

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Volleyball Clinic, athletic attire (including your shoes) and registering via the weekly sign-up are required. Volleyball is extremely popular, students will not be allowed to participate if they do not sign-up and/or properly dressed.

Girls’ Basketball Clinic, conducted by WSHS Girls’ Basketball Coaching Staff will be held both blocks on Monday, March 4 and first block on Wednesday, March 6. Athletic attire (including your shoes) and registering via the weekly sign-up are required.

Updates for after school activities and clubs: There’s NO AFTER SCHOOL on Tuesday, March 5

Open Gym on Wednesday, March 6 will be held during 2nd block only.

Library News

Our most recent library “Irving Says” survey revealed that students were almost evenly split about the deciding whether they’d rather sew their own clothes or grown their own food. Forty-seven percent of students chose the former option, while 53% prefer to grow their own food. My guess is that they’d really prefer anything but those two options….Stay tuned next week to see whether students would rather be able to read minds, or be able to be invisible at will!

Readers Unite continues to meet on Mondays after school. The school tournament for Battle of the Books teams will be held on March 15th. After this time, we’ll have a school winner to send to the April 25th county-wide competition!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

PTA News

TEACHER APPRECIATION – NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!

SPIRITWEAR! - Ordering is closed! Products should be available mid-March (hoping before Spring Break).

We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE THE LINKS)

Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have. Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link) Email: [email protected]

Message from Irving MS - Track & Field

GovDelivery2 months ago

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Irving MS Track & Field Information

Information on the Irving MS Track and Field program can be found at the following links:

Student Schoology Course Link

Parent Schoology Course Link

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery2 months 1 week ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

Feb 2-29

Irving PTA - NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - Spiritwear is here!! - Go to Burke Sporting Goods (burkesports.com) and enter code HORSEMEN. Online site closes at noon, Thursday, February 29! Orders will be available in mid-March!

Feb 28

Spring SEL Screener - students will take the SEL screener for the 2nd time this year. If you have already opted out your child, you do not need to complete the form again. If you would like more information about the SEL screener or to access the opt-out form, click HERE

March 5

No School - Student Holiday - School Planning Day

Greetings, Irving Families!

I am so excited to celebrate and congratulate Ms. Katie Boltuch (English Teacher), Mr. Greg Donovan (Science Teacher), and our students in our new Aquaponics program! In an effort to increase the reach of the students’ plans for Aquaponics, Ms. Boltuch and Mr. Donovan submitted an application for the WUSA9 Eco Challenge and they WON!

Irving Middle School was one of 4 schools in the DC metro area who won the challenge. Students have big plans for the $5000 reward provided by Washington Gas. We will continue to update you with pictures of our aquaponics tanks and our courtyard transformation that will include raised beds for vegetable gardens. An added bonus of winning this award is that the students will be able to work with staff from the Smithsonian Institute, who will provide support and suggestions as students refine their projects and work.

Congratulations to this outstanding group!

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Student and Family Surveys

Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3

Welcoming environment
Communication
Student success
Advocacy
Family and school partnerships
Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology

FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:

Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
Secondary students via email from Naviance.

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Volleyball Clinic, athletic attire (including your shoes) and registering via the weekly sign-up are required. Volleyball is extremely popular, students will not be allowed to participate if they do not sign-up and/or properly dressed.

Whisk Takers will meet on Tuesday, February 27, completing the Weekly Sign-up is REQUIRED to attend the club.

Library News

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

PTA News

PTA Meetings and Nominations! - THANK YOU to those that attended the in-person PTA meeting and the FCP presentation! Next up is nominations for next year's PTA Board! If you're interested or know someone who might be interested, please reach out to us - [email protected] - we need 3 volunteers to run the nominating committee (short time commitment! mainly to create the nomination slate for the next board). And if you're interested in being on the Board but have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Board members directly! Next PTA meeting is March 5th by Zoom!

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)

Email: [email protected]

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery2 months 2 weeks ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

Feb 2-29

Feb 19

No School - Presidents Day

Feb 21 at 6:00 pm

WIMS PTA and FCPD present: Kids in Today's Society - a MUST see presentation for every parent/guardian. Please note - due to the nature of the program - it is an adult only presentation.

Feb 28

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Higginbotham, pictured above as “Allen” for Barbie and Ken Spirit Day. Mr. Higginbotham is a 7th grade Science teacher and

The West Springfield Pyramid

Outstanding Secondary New Teacher of the year!

Mr. Higginbotham now moves on to compete at the Region 4 level.

Good Luck, Mr. Higginbotham!

We are so grateful you chose to work at Irving Middle!

Greetings, Irving Families!

This week we, thanks to the hard working staff and students associated with our Student Council Association (SCA), celebrated Practicing Random Acts of Kindness (PRAK) with a variety of themed days. The messages each day from the SCA encouraged students to perform at least one act of kindness a day. We added an extra challenge today by asking students to perform an act of kindness for their family - be sure to ask what acts your child performed this week. PRAK is a great activity for the entire family and we hope you will help your child practice kindness this weekend.

The talent of our students never stops amazing me! We have top tier musicians, athletes, dancers, performers, and scholars. I want to congratulate the cast of We Will Rock You for their outstanding performances last weekend. Today, we had 20 students participate in the audition only District Choir at West Springfield High School. This week we had a student receive an honorable mention at the Scholastic Art Awards. And in the next few weeks we will be sending our performing Band, Orchestra, and Choirs to district assessment. We are so proud of the accomplishments of our students and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments throughout the remainder of the school year. We know that none of the extra activities would be possible without the support of our wonderful parents/guardians, so thank you - for supporting your child and allowing us to celebrate their excellent work.

Lastly, today I want to remind you of a very important and unfortunately, timely presentation sponsored by the PTA and the Fairfax County Police Department called Kid’s In Today’s Society. This presentation will provide the most up-to-date information regarding risks facing our children today. A reminder - due to the content, this is an adult only presentation. Our PTA does so much for our staff and school community - of all the things they do - this is one of the most important events they sponsor. We hope you will join us to hear this important message.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive Compensation

At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all.

The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce.

The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:

Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students.
Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.

Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024.

The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.

Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.

CTE programs are available for grade 6-11 students to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. IFTA allows students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.

Summer Learning

Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement, earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program, or recover one high school course credit through the Credit Recovery Academy.

FCPS’ free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher.

Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Updates on the following clubs:

Open Gym, will be offered Mondays (2nd block), Wednesdays (both blocks) and Thursdays (2nd block).
WSHS Football Interest Meeting is Tuesday, February 20, 1st block
WITS returns Tuesday, February 20, 1st block
Harry Potter Club returns on Thursday, February 22

Updates for next week:
The following club(s) are not being held: Whisk Takers
THERE'S NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Library News

Another end to a busy week in the library! This week ended with 8th grade students visiting the library to hear previews of dystopian fiction novels. The students will have the opportunity to choose a novel that they’ll read for their 3rd quarter English 8 project.

Readers Unite continues to meet on Mondays after school. Battle of the Books teams are gearing up for the school tournament on March 15th. Stay tuned for a picture of the BOTB members in their team t-shirts. Our school winner will move on to represent Irving in the county-wide competition!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

PTA News

RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road!). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com. (copy and paste / links don't work!) (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)TEACHER APPRECIATION – THANK YOU! For those who assisted with the teacher appreciation for February. Thanks to amazing volunteer Kendra, teachers and staff received a small bottle of olive oil on Valentine’s Day, with a note of thanks. NEXT UP – we’re going to stock the staff lounge. Watch this space for more information!

TEACHER GRANTS - Teacher Grant Applications are open! This link will take you to the GoogleDoc with more information and the application - http://tinyurl.com/WIMSTeacherGrants (copy & paste the link!). The application will be open THROUGH 2/16 and grantees will be notified by 2/23!

NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - Spirit wear is here!! - Go to https://shop.burkesports.com/ (copy and paste - links don't work) and enter code HORSEMEN. Online site closes at noon, Thursday, February 29th! Orders will be available in mid-March!February 21st IN-PERSON PTA MEETING @ 6pm! + "Kids in Today's Society" presentation (formerly "Hidden in Plain Sight") from our local Fairfax County Police in West Springfield. This presentation provides insight into a range of teen behavior, from risky to illegal, that the local police are currently dealing with. It is an adult only presentation. This presentation will be combined with our general PTA meeting.

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)

Email: [email protected]

Message from Irving MS

GovDelivery2 months 3 weeks ago

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Track Interest Meeting

A friendly reminder, the Track Parent/Guardian interest meeting is this evening at 6:00 pm via Zoom. ZOOM LINK

Winter Dance

There was some confusion regarding when ticket sales ended for the Winter Dance being held on Thursday, February 15 from 2:30-3:30. We apologize for the confusion. We are extending ticket sales one additional day – tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14. Tomorrow, tickets will be on sale during each lunch shift for $5 - cash only. To ensure we can order enough pizza, ticket sales will end at 12:30 pm tomorrow. No further tickets will be sold after 12:30 tomorrow, no exceptions will be made so sponsors can properly prepare.

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery2 months 3 weeks ago

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

Feb 2-29

Feb 9-11

WIMS Students present the musical We Will Rock You! For tickets and showtimes, please see the information below.

Feb 13 at 6:00 pm

ZOOM - Track Parent/Guardian Interest Meeting

ZOOM LINK

Feb 14

No after school activities and late buses

Feb 15

Tickets for the Winter Wonderland Dance are now on sale using MySchoolBucks (sales end on 2/12). The $5 fee includes pizza, refreshments, DJ, and decorations.

Feb 21 at 6:00 pm

WIMS PTA and FCPD present: Kids in Today's Society - a MUST see presentation for every parent/guardian. Please note - due to the nature of the program - it is an adult only presentation.

Feb 28

Greetings, Irving Families!

It’s hard to believe that we are posting information about summer - but below you will see that summer camp and learning program sign up is in full swing! Fairfax County opened their summer camps and programs 2 weeks ago and the school division has opened for registration as well. There are so many opportunities for students to stay engaged in their interests - please continue to check out the All Parents course in Schoology for summer opportunities. We update it often with news of new camps in the area.

Last Friday, I shared the information below about where to drop off children, which is only in our Kiss and Ride loop. I want to make you aware of an area that will be coned off during our arrival time, starting on Monday, February 12. We are restricting access to our second entrance to buses only, to better ensure the safety of students who walk to school and rely on utilizing our cross walks. We understand this change will take more time and some getting used to, however student safety is our main priority. If your child is normally a bus rider, please have them ride the bus - this will lessen the number of cars needing to utilize the Kiss and Ride Loop. We appreciate your help, patience, and understanding as we work to ensure ALL students arrive at school safely.

Lastly, a reminder that I will be hosting a Track Information session via Zoom on Tuesday, February 13 at 6:00 pm. Here is the ZOOM LINK to the webinar.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Safe Arrival and Dismissal

To make the most of our parking lot and Kiss & Ride loop, we have developed a path for arrival and dismissal that ensures staff and students are seen and can safely navigate the parking lot. Please help us by following the directions of staff in the morning and afternoon as well as the information below. To help alleviate some of the traffic in the Kiss and Ride Loop, if your child is a bus rider, please have them ride the bus as much as possible.

Students may be dropped off starting at 7:00 am at Door 2 via the Kiss & Ride Loop. Once in the building they need to report to the cafeteria.
In the morning, please only use our Kiss and Ride Area to drop your child off.
Once in the Kiss & Ride Loop, please stay in the loop and do not cut through the parking lot - this is very dangerous as we have staff walking through the parking lot.
So that our students who walk to school can safely navigate the cross walks in our parking lot, we will not be permitting students to be dropped off at the buses only entrance. Drop off will only be permitted in the Kiss and Ride.

Please put cell phones down while on school grounds during arrival and dismissal. We recognize there is a wait at times while in the Kiss and Ride Loop, however being alert is critical to safety.

We have 1228 students and over 135 staff members coming and going in cars, buses, on bikes and scooters, and walking each day. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work to ensure everyone arrives and leaves our school property safely.

Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Summer Learning

Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Updates on the following clubs:
- Open Gym, will be offered Mondays (2nd block), Wednesdays (both blocks) and Thursdays (2nd block).
- WSHS Football Interest Meeting is Tuesday, February 13
- WITS returns Tuesday, February 20, 1st block

Updates for next week:
- The following clubs are not being held: Chess and MakerSpace/Robotics
- THERE'S NO AFTER SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
- THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, The Winter Wonderland Dance is the ONLY after school activity being held, late buses will be available at the normal time of 4:30pm.

Library News

Another end to a busy week in the library! This week 8th grade students visited the library for an introduction to using databases, evaluating web resources, and citing resources using Noodletools.

This week, we have two results from “Irving Says…” polls. Students were asked last week whether they’d prefer to be given a brand new car at age 21 with the understanding that they could not drive until then, OR prefer to get their driver’s license at age 16 and work to buy their own car. Only 35% of students want to wait for that brand new car at age 21, while the other 65% want to get their license at 16. (But parents, don’t forget that part of their answer said that they were willing to work to buy a car….Good luck with that!)

Lastly, over the past two days before this Superbowl weekend, we polled students about who they hope will win. At the end of the school day on Friday, the votes represented 135 Forty-Niner fans, and 125 Chief fans.

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

PTA News

RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY EVERY THURSDAY - All Day at Papa John's (Rolling Road!). Order online using promo code IMS4010. You'll get 40% off all menu prices! See flyer on the PTA website - https://irvingms.memberhub.com. (copy and paste / links don't work!) (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)TEACHER APPRECIATION - The next event is planned for this month (themed around February as Valentine's Day and Heart month!!) If you are interested in assisting - please email us! - [email protected] - or we're happy to take direct donations to support - you can donate here - https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/62509 (copy and paste the link!) TEACHER GRANTS - Teacher Grant Applications are open! This link will take you to the GoogleDoc with more information and the application - http://tinyurl.com/WIMSTeacherGrants (copy & paste the link!). The application will be open to 2/16 and grantees will be notified by 2/23!

NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - Spiritwear is here!! - Go to https://shop.burkesports.com/ (copy and paste - links don't work) and enter code HORSEMEN. Online site closes at noon, Thursday, February 29th! Orders will be available in mid-March! February 21st IN-PERSON PTA MEETING @ 6pm! + "Kids in Today's Society" presentation (formerly "Hidden in Plain Sight") from our local Fairfax County Police in West Springfield. This presentation provides insight into a range of teen behavior, from risky to illegal, that the local police are currently dealing with. It is an adult only presentation. This presentation will be combined with our January general PTA meeting.

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)Email: [email protected]

Message from Irving MS

GovDelivery3 months ago

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Irving MS Winter Wonderland Dance, February 15

The Irving MS Winter Wonderland Dance will be held on Thursday, February 15th after school. If you are willing to contribute, please review the available slots linked below and click on the button to sign up. Drop off items at the main office before February 15th. Thank you!

Irving MS Winter Wonderland Dance

Tickets for the Winter Wonderland Dance are now on sale using MySchoolBucks. The $5 fee includes pizza, refreshments, DJ, and decorations.

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery3 months ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

Feb 2

Tickets for the Winter Wonderland Dance are now on sale using MySchoolBucks. The $5 fee includes pizza, refreshments, DJ, and decorations.

Feb 6

PTA Spirit Night at TACO BAMBA Springfield - for more details, see below

Feb 9-11

WIMS Students present the musical We Will Rock You! For tickets and showtimes, please see the information below.

Feb 13 at 6:00 pm

ZOOM - Track Parent/Guardian Interest Meeting

Zoom Link will be provided on Feb 9

Feb 21 at 6:00 pm

WIMS PTA and FCPD present: Kids in Today's Society - a MUST see presentation for every parent/guardian. Please note - due to the nature of the program - it is an adult only presentation.

Feb 28

This week, to celebrate the start of the 2nd semester, staff surprised students by having a secret spirit week. We started out subtle and amped up the theme each day, on Thursday we surprised students with Barbie, Ken, and Alan Day and as you can see above we had a lot of staff participation!

Greetings, Irving Families!

Welcome to the 2nd semester! Students this week settled into their new semester electives. We continue to welcome new students and families into our Irving Family so we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we spent extra time making sure our classes were balanced.

As we look toward the second half of the year, we will be reminding students about the importance of following the Students Rights and Responsibilities. As a part of our reminders, we will talk about safety and behaving safely! To help ensure we have a safe day from the beginning of the day to the end, we need your help - especially at arrival and dismissal. Please see below for information about arrival and dismissal. We truly appreciate your partnership in a safe arrival and dismissal every day!

Lastly, I will be hosting Track student and parent/guardian interest meetings on February 13. Students interested may attend a meeting during 3rd period and parents/guardians may attend via ZOOM at 6:00 pm. We are still in need of a Head Coach and at least 2 additional assistants to make the season happen. There is a $500 stipend and training for coaches. Please email me if you are interested.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Safe Arrival and Dismissal

Students may be dropped off starting at 7:00 am at Door 2 via the Kiss & Ride Loop. Once in the building they need to report to the cafeteria.
In the morning, please only use our Kiss and Ride Area to drop your child off. See the picture below.
Please do not drop off your child at any location along the Kiss & Ride route. Students should only exit the car at the bottom of the loop and enter through Door 2. See the picture below.
Once in the Kiss & Ride Loop, please stay in the loop and do not cut through the parking lot - this is very dangerous as we have staff walking through the parking lot.
So that our students who walk to school can safely navigate the cross walks in our parking lot, we will not be permitting students to be dropped off at the buses only entrance. Drop off will only be permitted in the Kiss and Ride. Please see the picture below.

Please put cell phones down while on school grounds during arrival and dismissal. We recognize there is a wait at times while in the Kiss and Ride Loop, however being alert is critical to safety.

Caring for Our Computers

We are seeing a significant increase in cracked computer screens and damaged computers and we are in need of your assistance.

Please help us by reminding your child to

Carefully close their computer
Put the school computer in their backpack before moving throughout the building.
Let Mr. Snow know if their computer is not working properly
There are fees associated with repairing or replacing damaged or lost student laptops, as well as lost power cords. Those fees are in the MySchoolBucks school store:

Screen Replacement: $85
Laptop Replacement: $472
Power Cord Replacement: $23

Lightspeed Classroom Management

As part of our commitment to creating a safe and focused learning environment for our students, our school is using a classroom management tool that will help teachers better connect with student devices during classes. We are continuing to expand our use over the coming weeks. This tool will provide teachers with a number of helpful features:

Easily view student screens in real time from the teacher console to see which students may need guidance or support.
Focus student attention on a particular website on their device to minimize distractions.
Pause student access to the internet to focus on other classroom tasks.

We believe this classroom management tool will allow us to maximize class time to support your student’s learning while at school. Please note that student devices will not be monitored outside of school hours. The regular filters remain in place on school devices, but once they are home, teachers cannot monitor students. As parents, we would like to encourage you to sign up for your own Lightspeed reports, which will allow you to see how your child is spending time on the computer during and after school hours.

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Updates on the following clubs:

Art Club, postponed until further notice
Back to Basics Leadership, postponed until further notice
Soccer Club, postponed until Monday, February 5.
MakerSpace/Robotics, added Thursdays first block until the end of February.
Open Gym, will be offered Mondays (2nd block), Wednesdays (both blocks) and Thursdays (2nd block)

Library News

Another end to a busy week in the library! This week and next, we’ll be teaching 8th grade students about a method to assess the validity and credibility of web resources. After those lessons, they’ll be beginning a small research project that will involve their using and citing reliable resources.

It’s been a while since we’ve reported on our “Irving Says” informal survey results. Last week’s question asked if students would rather have an “Two-Hour Delay” or a “Early Dismissal” day. Sixty-two percent of students voted in favor of the delayed start, while 38% felt that an early-dismissal was better.

Readers Unite will finish discussing a book on Monday, February 5th and selecting a new title. Newcomers are welcome to attend. And,the Battle of the Books teams are gearing up for the school tournament on March 15th. Stay tuned for a picture of the BOTB members in their team t-shirts. Our school winner will move on to represent Irving in the county-wide competition!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

Buy your tickets by scanning the QR code above or click here

Showtimes

Friday, February 9 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 10 – 7:00 pm

Sunday, February 11 – 2:00 pm

PTA News

RESTAURANT SPIRIT DAY - 2/6/24 - TACO BAMBA Springfield! - Either mention the unique code (WIMS) or "Washington Irving Middle School" when ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online, enter the code: WIMS in the coupon code area at check-out.

TEACHER APPRECIATION - Stay tuned for the next event! - If you are interested in volunteering - please email us! - [email protected] - or we're happy to take direct donations to support - you can donate here - https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/items/62509 (copy and paste the link!)

NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - COMING VERY SOON!!February 21st IN-PERSON PTA MEETING @ 6pm! + "Kids in Today's Society" presentation (formerly "Hidden in Plain Sight") from our local Fairfax County Police in West Springfield. This presentation provides insight into a range of teen behavior, from risky to illegal, that the local police are currently dealing with. It is an adult only presentation. This presentation will be combined with our general PTA meeting.We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have.Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)Email: [email protected]

Weekly Update from Irving MS

GovDelivery3 months 1 week ago

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى.

Yearbook pre-orders are open!

Pre-order your yearbook today! https://yearbookforever.com/schools/washington_irving_middle_school_320438/cLwxkvJ2bUUdlsILz2gm52Zx

Upcoming Important Dates

Jan 29

First day of the Second semester.

Students will report to their 1st semester, 2nd period to receive a paper copy of their 2nd semester class schedule.

Jan 31

JROTC Interest Meeting, 1st block - After School (2:25pm - 3:25pm) Parents are welcomed

Feb 6

PTA Spirit Night at TACO BAMBA Springfield - for more details, see below

Feb 9-12

WIMS Students present the musical We Will Rock You! For tickets and showtimes, please see the information below.

Feb 21 at 6:00 pm

WIMS PTA and FCPD present: Kids in Today's Society - a MUST see presentation for every parent/guardian. Please note - due to the nature of the program - it is an adult only presentation.

Feb 28

Buy your tickets by scanning the QR code above or click here

Showtimes

Friday, February 9 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 10 – 7:00 pm

Sunday, February 11 – 2:00 pm

Greetings, Irving Families!

What a fantastic end to the first semester! I hope you have been able to enjoy the amazing weather today.

Due to an increase in enrollment, our Student Services staff have been working diligently today to balance classes and add 3 additional elective classes to our master schedule. As I shared last week, we are adjusting our 3rd period classes so we can provide more just in time support to students during the second semester.

In addition to 3rd period changes, some students may notice that their year long-classes were changed. This change was not made lightly and we worked to avoid making these changes as much as possible, however to ensure all students have the core classes and electives they need and requested (as much as possible), we had to make changes if we could not make a schedule work any other way. We know a mid-year schedule change is not ideal and if your child would like to talk about the changes, please have them speak to their school counselor. While students will be able to see their schedules in SIS today, our staff will need to continue to work over the weekend to ensure our classes are not over capacity.

On Monday, students will report to their 1st semester, 2nd period class to pick up a paper copy of their new schedules. After receiving their new schedule, those students who have a new 2nd period will be dismissed to their new class. We will send a reminder about this on Sunday afternoon just before the KC Chiefs game.

Take Care and go Chiefs!

Cindy Conley

Principal

In Case You Missed It - FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

FCPS Receives $16 Million to Buy More Electric Buses
Science Fair Judges Needed
How Families Can Help Fight Opioid Misuse

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

SIS ParentVue & StudentVue Unavailable

SIS gradebooks will not be available in ParentVue and StudentVue during the 2nd Quarter grade reporting, from January 25 - February 5, 2024.

Caring for Our Computers

We are seeing a significant increase in cracked computer screens and damaged computers and we are in need of your assistance.

Please help us by reminding your child to

Carefully close their computer
Put the school computer in their backpack before moving throughout the building.
Let Mr. Snow know if their computer is not working properly
There are fees associated with repairing or replacing damaged or lost student laptops, as well as lost power cords. Those fees are in the MySchoolBucks school store:

Screen Replacement: $85
Laptop Replacement: $472
Power Cord Replacement: $23

Lightspeed Classroom Management

Easily view student screens in real time from the teacher console to see which students may need guidance or support.
Focus student attention on a particular website on their device to minimize distractions.
Pause student access to the internet to focus on other classroom tasks.

Yearbook Announcement

If you have not already preordered your yearbook please do so. We currently have over 400 yearbooks preordered, we only order based on the number of preorders with just a few extra, so there is no guarantee that you will receive one if you haven't preordered.

*****The deadline to order any name stamps on a yearbook is January 24th.*** This means you can still preorder a yearbook after this date but no name stamps will be available to order.

Go to www.yearbooksforever.com to preorder.

Thank you for your continued support this year!

Irving Stays After - After School Program Registration

https://forms.gle/jj9RXegR3C85tJ6u6

Updates on the following clubs:

Art Club, postponed until further notice
Back to Basics Leadership, postponed until further notice
Soccer Club, postponed until Monday, February 5.
MakerSpace/Robotics, added Thursdays first block until the end of February.
Open Gym, will be offered Mondays (2nd block), Wednesdays (both blocks) and Thursdays (2nd block)

Library News

Though it was another short week, things were busy in the Irving library. In addition to having 7th grade students finish getting their narrative nonfiction books, we hosted 8th grade English classes. The classes worked together in groups, and used our school’s new “Breakout Boxes,” from breakout.edu while answering questions about external text structures. Along the way, as they found the correct answers, they picked up codes to open up a series of locks, and to “breakout” a clue to a final prize. It is a fun way to get students engaged to review this topic in English; everyone was happy to finish and to claim their lollipop prize.

On Monday, January 29th, Readers Unite is jumping into its fourth book of the school year, after having finished a very long one. Newcomers are welcome to attend. And,the Battle of the Books teams are gearing up for the school tournament on March 15th that will determine which of our five school teams will move on to represent Irving in the county-wide competition!

Ms. Monk & Mr. Brizek

PTA News

NEW SPIRITWEAR / NEW LOGO - COMING VERY SOON!!February 21st IN-PERSON PTA MEETING @ 6pm! + "Kids in Today's Society" presentation (formerly "Hidden in Plain Sight") from our local Fairfax County Police in West Springfield. This presentation provides insight into a range of teen behavior, from risky to illegal, that the local police are currently dealing with. It is an adult only presentation. This presentation will be combined with our general PTA meeting. We'd love for you to join the PTA! $10 Parents/Guardians; $9 additional family members; $5 Staff/Faculty https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true (COPY & PASTE SINCE THE LINKS ARE NOT LIVE)Feel free to reach out to learn more about the Irving PTA, or with questions you might have. Website: https://irvingms.memberhub.com (copy & paste link)Email: [email protected]

1 hour 34 minutes ago

Irving Middle School News and announcements

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