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January 19th
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No school- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
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January 28th
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End of quarter- Student are released 2 hours early
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January 29-30
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Student Holidays
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February 16th
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No school- Washington’s birthday
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February 17th
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No school- teacher workday
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March 13th
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Family Bingo Night at Irving MS-time TBD
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New Friends in the Courtyard
If you hear a bit of extra "chatter" in the courtyard, it’s for a good reason! Our community is officially welcoming three chickens to Irving Middle School. They have a lovely new setup in the courtyard, and they are already bringing so much joy to our students. Beyond being a delightful addition to our campus, our new feathered friends will offer unique, hands-on opportunities for our students to learn about responsibility and stewardship.
Dear Irving Middle School Community,
My name is Kathleen Quigley, and I am honored to introduce myself as the Interim Principal of Irving Middle School. I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received from students, staff, and families during my first week, and I am truly excited to join this school community.
Thank you for helping make my first week such a positive experience. From the energy in the classrooms to the dedication of our teachers and support staff, it is clear that Irving MS is a place where students are valued and encouraged to grow academically and socially. I have especially enjoyed meeting students and seeing their enthusiasm for learning and school activities.
It’s been a busy week with our Curriculum Night and visits from our elementary schools. These events have given me the opportunity to learn about the many supports Irving MS provides for students and families through our transition processes.
As we move forward together, my goal is to support a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive. I value open communication and strong partnerships with families, and I look forward to getting to know you and working collaboratively during my time as your principal.
Thank you again for a wonderful first week and for your continued support of Irving Middle School.
Warm regards,
Kathleen Quigley
Interim Principal
Irving Middle School
Irving’s Curriculum Night Resources
Thank you to all those who visited us on Monday to learn about classes at Irving! You can find the resources that were provided at Curriculum Night on our Academic Advising page.
Does your child speak Spanish at home?
Irving and West Springfield both offer Spanish for Heritage Speakers courses. This class is designed to help students refine their reading, writing, and communication skills in Spanish. Irving currently offers this course for 8th grade students and we are excited to announce that we will be piloting Spanish for Heritage Speakers for 7th grade students next school year 26-27. If your child is a current 6th or 7th grader who speaks Spanish at home and is interested in this world language high school credit course, please email Christene Nichols at canichols@fcps.edu for more information.
Please Return Cross Country / Track Jerseys
We are getting ready for track season and need all jerseys returned to the main office. Please send your student’s clean jersey with them this week so our spring athletes are ready to compete. Thanks!
Attendance and Illness
Newsletters:
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.
County Flu Letter
Newsletters:
- Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
Hábitos Saludables para Prevenir la Propagación de la Influenza y Otros Gérmenes
El Condado de Fairfax ha estado observando altos niveles de casos de enfermedad de la influenza (la “flu”). El número de visitas a las salas de emergencias y centros de cuidados urgentes ha aumentado, especialmente entre niños, además de que múltiples casos de “flu” han ocurrido dentro de nuestras comunidades e instalaciones escolares.
Lea los consejos del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Fairfax para reducir la propagación de la “flu” y de otros gérmenes.
Library News:
The library is open and enjoying business as usual. It is wonderful to have our frequent readers visiting day after day to return the books they’ve finished and borrow new ones. Break time each day is a vibrant, lively atmosphere in the library where–in addition to reading–students engage in conversation, play board games and card games, work together on puzzles and construct interesting creations with building toys; it is exciting to see what activities the students find to occupy their time as they take a break from technology and gather with peers.
Our “Irving Says” question last week was “Would you rather complete a task that has EXPLICIT directions?” or “Complete a task that requires you to IMPROVISE?” 33% of students preferred to follow specific, step-by-step directions, while 67% report that they like doing tasks that allow them a little bit of freedom to improvise. Ask this question at your dinner table and see what your family members’ opinions are.
Keep reading!
Mary Ann Monk, Irving Librarian
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Yearbook Orders:
Order your student’s yearbook now. Early orders help us. It is easy to order online at yearbookforever.com
The 100-page, full-color yearbook costs only $25 and will be delivered to students in early June 2026.
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The After School Program is designed to support academic achievement, foster personal interests and talents, and initiate positive social experiences for all students.
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 (please view the schedule on All Parents in Schoology). 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 accessible during the After School Program.
Coming Soon:
WSHS Spanish Honor Society Tutoring, begins Thursday, January 22, 2nd block
Boys’ Volleyball Club, begins Monday, February 9, 2nd block
Volleyball Clinic, began Tuesday, January 13, 2nd block
Crochet/Sewing, began Monday, December 8, both blocks
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), began Wednesday, December 17, 1st block
Math Counts, began Thursday, December 4, 1st block
Fab Friday, meets on Friday, January 23
** 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.**
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Save the Date: Join us on Friday, March 13th for BINGO NIGHT! Keep watch for more details to come! If you are interested in donating gift cards or prizes, please email irvingmspta@gmail.com. |
Join us for Virginia PTA Capitol Day!
Join us in Richmond on Friday, January 23rd! You'll have an opportunity to meet your Legislator; Share your perspective on how policies and funding decisions impact your student and school community; and listen to bills be debated in Committee and on the House Floor. If you are interested in attending, let us know!
Join the WIMS PTA!
Membership dues are $15 per parent/guardian, $14 for additional family members, and $10 for staff/faculty. Signing up is easy—simply copy and paste this link into your browser: https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/
Washington Irving Middle School PTA
irvingmspta@gmail.com
https://irvingms.givebacks.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Reid Reflects: State Standards and the FCPS Budget Story
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid thanked every member of our community for supporting FCPS as it remains fully accredited. Referencing a news release on accreditation, Dr. Reid noted how FCPS needs funding to support and maintain this excellence.
As we shared last week, Irving Middle School was recognized as being On Track.
Visit the Budget Story webpage to learn more about the FCPS budget and the funding challenges that schools across Virginia, not just FCPS, face because of outdated state funding formulas.Read more of Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
Make Your Voice Heard!
Look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education and encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process. Several key decision dates and engagement opportunities are listed below:
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 - The Virginia Governor introduced the Fiscal Years 2026-28 state budget.
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Wednesday, January 7, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. - There will be virtual regional public hearings on the governor’s proposed 2026-28 biennial state budget.
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Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Dr. Reid will present the proposed FCPS budget to the School Board.
Visit the FCPS budget webpage for more information.
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
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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