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Wednesday, September 2, 2026: Irving MS Back-to-School Night 6-8 pm
Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Information Night
Wednesday, September 16, 2026: PTA Meeting 6:30-8:30pm
Students in Ms. Roeske's Geometry Honors class collaborate to solve problems.
Good afternoon, Irving Community,
We had a wonderful first week with our students! Our instructional focus is centered on building strong relationships, welcoming students at classroom doors during each transition, providing clear and intentional learning targets, and creating multiple opportunities for students to collaborate and discuss their thinking. Our Horsemen have jumped right in with an All In mentality!
Over the next two weeks, students will review the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) during Advisory. Because several updates were made over the summer, I encourage all families to review the SR&R and the Universal Grade Matrices (UGM). These resources provide grade-level guidance that helps administrators respond to student behavior consistently and fairly, with age-appropriate interventions and disciplinary responses based on the severity and impact of each incident.
We look forward to another great week with our students before the four-day Labor Day weekend. As a reminder, there will be no school on Friday, September 4, or Monday, September 7.
With appreciation,
Emily Cincinnati
Principal
Back to School Night (BTSN)
Please join us for our Irving MS Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Our BTSN program will allow families to go through their student’s full schedule, meet teachers, and learn about the course program of studies, grading requirements, and answer frequently asked questions.
We are offering optional programming for interested families from 5:30 - 5:55 PM in the Irving Cafeteria. During the optional programming, families can review the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum and/or learn about our Advanced Academics program.
We look forward to seeing our families who are available to attend!
Student ID Cards for Irving Bus Riders
We are distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.Irving MS students will receive their student ID cards, a plastic card sleeve, and a black lanyard through Advisory this week.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day. Please work with your child to have a system where they put their ID away during the school and can easily access it after school for the bus ride home.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers are checking in students and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
Interested Irving students and families please join us on Wednesday September 9th from 6-7PM at Irving – Barker Hall Auditorium for a TJHSST information session brought to you by a Thomas Jefferson Representative. Learn about the programs, classes, student life and the admission application.
***The TJ application will become available on Monday, October 5th at 4:00 pm via the TJ admissions website.
What is TJHSST?
A FCPS regional Governor’s high school (9-12th grades) for students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). You can view the TJ Admissions Video on their website, www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions. We strongly encourage you to view their YouTube admissions video prior to attending this meeting.
Eligibility to Apply (8th grade):
(1) Residency requirement-FCPS is included
(2) Completed a full-year course of Algebra 1, OR be currently enrolled in a full-year course of HONORS-level Algebra 1 or higher math
(3) Be enrolled in HONORS science
(4) Be enrolled in HONORS social studies OR English OR be identified as a “Young Scholar”
(5) Have a 3.5 or higher GPA in all core academic courses (Math, Science, Social studies, English, and if taken for high school credit, World Language) at the time of application.
TJHSST Admissions: Contact Information
Admissions Office (general inquiries): Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone:571-423-3770
Email: tjadmissions@fcps.edu
https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions
SEL Screener Participation - Notice of Survey
Social and Emotional Learning Screening:
FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring.
The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. Division and school level results, which do not include individual student information, may be used by staff to improve SEL and mental wellness practices and to inform strategic plans. Division and school level results may also be shared with the community to describe the needs of our student body and provide opportunities for partnership.
Individual students’ Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. In partnership with families, staff review this data alongside other information to plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window. School staff are available to discuss results with families.
You can opt out your child from participating in the SEL Screener either via the Parent Digital Consent Systemor by emailing our school test coordinator, Leigh Arscott (lbarscott@fcps.edu). The opt out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually. For more information about the SEL Screener and access to its contents visit https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2050 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
Welcome to Our New Family Liaison
We’re excited welcome Shantoria Ross as our new Family Liaison
She is looking forward to fostering meaningful relationships among students, families, and our school community. She’s here to be a friendly face, a helpful resource, and someone families can turn to when they need support navigating school /community resources and opportunities.
Need support or have a question?
Please contact: Shantoria Ross, Family Liaison
Email:SLRoss@FCPS.EDU Phone: 571-740-7771
Military and Family Life Counselor
Our Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC), Tamickco Jackson, will be returning this year to support Irving military families and children navigate challenges with free face-to-face support. MFLCs provide counseling services to students and families in groups and individually. Support is provided at no cost and is confidential with the exception to meet legal obligations to include requirements of the law or duty to warn situations.
Issues addressed:
Feelings Identification
Bullying
Communication
Separation from parents
Problem solving
Sibling and parent relationships
Time management
Deployment and reunification
Transition (parental divorce, relocation
Social skills/peer interactions
Grief and loss
To reach Ms. Jackson please call 202 253-4706. You can also find her at Irving’s Student Services office Monday and Tuesday 7:00am - 2:30pm, or by appointment after hours.
West Springfield HS: Friday Night Lights!
All middle school students must:
- Be accompanied & supervised by a parent/guardian while at the game. A student without a parent /guardian will not be admitted. There are no exceptions.
- Parent/guardian will be asked to scan a QR code providing contact information upon arrival.
Additional Requirements & Procedures:
- Entrance to the stadium has been reduced to the main lower stadium gate. Those who require a wheelchair accessible entrance may report to the upper gate.
- Everyone attending the game will need to pass through the OpenGate weapons detection system. This is the same system that middle and high school students use every day during morning arrival
- A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe, efficient entry process for everyone attending our games. The following items are prohibited: Backpacks, Purses, Fanny packs, Tote bags, Outside food and beverages, Sporting equipment (balls, bats, sticks, etc.), Any item prohibited by FCPS policy, or determined by event staff to present safety concerns
- Approved bags are limited to:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12”x6”x12”
- Small clutch bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
- Medical and diaper bags permitted but subject to inspection
FCPS Varsity Football Game Safety Protocols
The After School Program is designed to support academic achievement, foster personal interests and talents, and initiate positive social experiences for all students. Register here.
After School Information
The After School Program runs 5 days a week unless noted. Monday through Thursday, our clubs and activities will run in two activity blocks (2:25 pm to 3:25 pm and 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm) with late buses; late buses arrive after 4:30 pm; FAB Fridays are 2:15 pm to 3:30 pm (dates TBD). The club schedule will vary by day and week, the most up-to-date schedule will be posted in the “After School” section in the student portal and Schoology. Students may not leave school and return for the after school program.
In order to sign up for a club, students must sign up using the Weekly Signup located in the After School Program folder located in the Schoology All Students Course and the After School section of the student portal.
Students may participate in as many clubs as they want. We encourage them to try something new as part of the After School Program!
ALL athletic activities and clubs require athletic footwear to participate, locker rooms are not guaranteed during the After School Program.
Coming Soon:
Start date: Monday, September 14
Middle School Sports
FCPS offers middle school cross country in the fall, volleyball in the winter and outdoor track & field in the spring. Any current FCPS middle school student, enrolled in at least five courses, who is in good standing at their school, and is eligible to participate in the middle school after school program.
Students and parents will need to complete several steps prior to participating in middle school sports, including:
Submission electronically via Final Forms, please do not provide the hardcopy to the school.
The PTA would like to welcome everyone back to the new school year, and we hope that everyone had a great first week back!
We are so excited to welcome our new and returning members, and it's never too late to join. If you join by September 1st, four names will be entered in a drawing to secure a reserved parking spot for Back to School Night. Please join us at the link below : https://irvingms.givebacks.com/shop/items/76046
If you missed Open House , you can order spirit wear at the following link:
https://irvingmspta2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Mark your calendar: Wednesday, September 16th will be the first PTA meeting. Meetings are held in the library and will be held from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Washington Irving Middle School PTA
irvingmspta@gmail.com
https://irvingms.givebacks.com
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FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
- Permission Forms for School Resources
- Follow Multiple Schools in the App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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