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Congratulations to our Battle of the Books Team! Students read 15 books in the first semester and then practice answering a variety of very detailed questions about the books, characters, and quotes to prepare for the competition.
Dear Irving Middle School Families,
What an amazing week of celebration at Irving Middle School! This week we celebrated Heritage Week through our daily announcements, spirit days, held a Parade of Nations during 1st period (pictured), and ended the week with our Heritage Night on Thursday.
Not only did we have a great turnout, but we were also able to share a variety of food dishes, thanks to the generosity of community businesses and families. Guests enjoyed beautiful performances, informative booths about a variety of countries, delicious food, and talented authors. I want to thank Shetha Baez, Petrina LeBlanc, and Rebecca Cohen for their dedication to making the week and Heritage Night a success.
I would also like to congratulate the Irving MS Battle of the Books team (pictured above) who competed in the division wide Middle School Battle of the Books competition on Wednesday evening. The students participated in four competitions related to the 15 books they read during the first semester. I am so proud of the Irving Team and look forward to having our school participate in Battle of the Books again next year.
Speaking of competitions, Saturday, April 26, is our first track and field meet of the season. While we hope the rain stays away for the meet, it looks like it may rain on race day. Eighty five of our student athletes have been preparing to participate in the Centreville High School event and we wish them the best as they compete against 13 middle schools from across the school division.
I want to thank our PTA for their support this year, and previous years. The PTA executive board truly listens to the feedback from our school community and they are going above and beyond to meet their goals. Earlier this year, they added a water bottle refilling station on the second floor and as of this week, the dividers in the boys’ bathrooms were installed to provide additional privacy. The PTA is an integral part of our school community, and we want to make sure it continues. We need a Secretary and Vice President for our 2025-2026 school year PTA. Without a secretary we will not have an executive board and without a board, we cannot have a PTA. If you are interested in serving in either the Secretary or Vice President role, please email irvingptanomcommittee@gmail.com.
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Lastly, I am thrilled to announce that our new digital sign was installed over Spring Break! This project has been many years in the making and it is nice to see the new sign operational. We will post important dates, celebrations, and recognition on our board. We hope you find this additional way to keep our community informed, helpful.
Take Care!
Cindy Conley
Principal
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New Irving MS Information
Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March. The screener provides information on their SEL skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how much their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. Families who do not have an active ParentVUE account will receive their results via postal mail.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the SEL Screener Results Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
✅ Share Feedback With County Health Department on School Health Services
The Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.
School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.
Additionally, the school health room staff:
- Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
- Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
- Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning.
Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools.
Increasing Access to Middle School Algebra 1
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence places a focus on successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade. To increase access to Algebra 1 for middle school students, the school division has decided to streamline the criteria for taking Algebra 1 Honors in seventh grade.
With the simplified criteria, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer a prerequisite when selecting either Mathematics 7 Honors or Algebra 1 Honors. Although it is not a requirement for advanced math, families may still use the test scores to help decide which level of mathematics their child signs up for.
Families of students who took the IAAT this winter will receive their score report by the end of this month. Students who were scheduled for the IAAT but did not get to complete the test will have the chance to opt-in for a makeup test at the end of the year. Parents/caregivers will receive information about this makeup testing opportunity.
Additional information and copies of upcoming family communication can be found on the IAAT webpage.
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Library News
We are so proud of Irving’s Battle of the Books Team that competed in the cross-county competition at Fairfax High School on Wednesday evening, April 23rd. Ten students from Irving made up the team that battled against 15 other groups from other middle-school FCPS schools. Irving placed in a solid 5th place among all 16 teams. The point differential among the top-six places was only 7 points. Congratulations to these students who committed to reading and remembering the details from the 15 BOTB titles for this school year.
Seventh-grade English classes have been visiting this week for students to borrow a choice-reading fiction title. What has your child selected to read? These books will not only be used for a project, but also can be good things to have in a backpack to engage with during upcoming SOL testing. Once students finish testing, they often have time to read; this is a perfect opportunity to make progress in their English-class novel!
And, in our “Irving Says” poll, 64 % students reported that they would rather “not be allowed to IMBIBE sodas,” than the 36% of students who would rather “not be allowed to eat CONFECTIONS.” Is that a hard decision for you??
Ms. Monk and Mr. Brizek, Librarians
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. Fab FRIDAYS, is from 2:15 pm dismissal to 3:30 pm. 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.
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! Use the following link to register your student. After School Registration Form
ALL athletic activities and clubs require athletic footwear to participate, locker rooms are not accessible during the After School Program. Thank you to Mr. Brizek and Mrs. Monk for sponsoring Battle of the Books this school year, best of luck to our students participating in the county-wide competition. Thank you to Mrs. Baez, Mrs. LeBlanc and Mrs. Cohen for sponsoring Heritage Night Planning Committee, your and the students’ efforts put forward an amazing event.
Coming Soon:
- Soccer Clinic, began Monday, April 21, both blocks.
- Whisk Takers, will meet on Tuesday, April 29, both blocks and sign-up are required.
- Gardening Club, returned Wednesday, April 23, both blocks.
- Super Sleuths, returned Friday, April 25.
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Community & Leadership Workshop, began Wednesday, April 2. Follow the link for more details.
- Chess Academy, began Wednesday, April 2, 1st block.
- Track & Field, began Thursday, April 3. Students must have their physical and registration submitted to participate. Also, running practice is during the 2nd block - students may not leave and return, unless information has been communicated to the Main Office or coaching staff. Shot Put practice, will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays during the 1st block.
- FAB Fridays, ends at 3:30pm. There are no late buses on Fridays and the Weekly Sign-up is required.
Canceled for next week:
- Core Conditioning for Athletes will return in the Spring
View the schedule on our website, the current schedule is available on your student’s Schoology and their Student Portal.
** When picking up students from After School programs, please use the front loop (not the bus lane in front of the main entrance) - students will come out the main entrance.**
 Online Silent Auction – This is the PTA's last major fundraiser of the year. We’re raising funds for Staff Appreciation Week, privacy dividers for the boys’ restrooms, the 8th grade celebration and more! Please bid generously and help us finish the year strong! The auction ends on April 30 at 11:59pm. https://app.givebacks.gives/wimsonlineauction Thank you for your support.
PTA NEWS:
PTA Secretary and Vice President Needed - The WIMS PTA is looking for a Secretary and a Vice President for the 2025–2026 school year. These are key roles that help shape the PTA’s work to support students, staff, and families. Learn about the roles here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OKiRO1ti0lNTwDhJOjuIIDd_78IWBlfT/view?usp=sharing Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/7Td41pg5eaf5Mpek7 Questions? Email us at: irvingptanomcommittee@gmail.com
Staff Appreciation Week: May 5–9! - Help us celebrate the amazing staff at Irving Middle School! We’re planning a week full of treats, surprises, and gratitude—and we need your help to make it extra special. We’re collecting gift cards ($10 up to $25) for a drawing to surprise as many staff members as possible throughout the week! Gift cards can be dropped off at the front office or you can order through our Amazon Wish List here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25TA41V5G9GHF?ref_=wl_share The week will wrap up with a lunch, generously supported by Nando’s Peri-Peri—we’re so grateful for their partnership in celebrating our staff! We'll have lots of volunteer opportunities, especially on Friday, May 9 from 9–1 p.m. More details to follow.
Save the Date! May 5-9 – Staff Appreciation Week | May 7 – Hangry Burger Spirit Night | May 13 – Healthy Minds Parent Session | June 3 – PTA Meeting (Elections & Vote on Dues)
Papa John's Spirit Day Every Thursday is Spirit Day at Springfield Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010 to enjoy 40% off all menu prices, and Papa John’s will donate 10% of all online sales to the PTA. Offer valid every Thursday from 11 AM - 10 PM.
Support WIMS PTA & Local Farmers with Seasonal Roots! Support local farmers and our school by joining Seasonal Roots, a local online farmers market! New customers get 50% off the annual membership fee (a $25 savings!), and WIMS PTA receives a $20 donation for each sign-up. To learn more and to sign up, visit www.seasonalroots.com/wims, and use code: WIMS.
We continue to welcome new members. Please visit https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/ to join us! To donate, visit: https://irvingms.givebacks.com/store/items/62509. Please reach out to us at irvingmspta@gmail.com with any questions or comments.
☀️ Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza
Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County!
Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.
Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
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