Stenwood Hive Happenings

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Hive Happenings Newsletter

Hello Stenwood Families,

It was another great week in the Hive.

On Monday, we had a CARES Pizza lunch celebrating our Stingers who have shown Empathy.

Tuesday saw our 4^th graders welcoming their families for a fun (and hot) Math Scavenger Hunt around the outside of the school.

We wrapped up our SOL testing this week with 5^th graders taking Science on Wednesday. Great job everyone!

As a reminder, there are schedule impacts on May 25^th-27^th - No school for students (Memorial Day & Eid al-Adha). We hope you all have a great, extra-long weekend. We will see everyone back at Stenwood on Thursday, May, 28^th.

We know the end of the year is packed with events. Here is what we have coming up:

PTA’s Flip Flop Hop - May 29^th
Band/Strings Concert - June 4^th
Final PTA Meeting and Volunteer Celebration - June 9^th
K-5 Class Parties - June 12^th, your class parent should be sending an email with more information
Variety Show - June 16^th
6^th Grade Party - June 16^th
6^th Grade Promotion Ceremony - June 17^th
Last Day of School - 2 hour early release - June 17^th

Below you will find information about the following items:

Summer Laptop Requests - NEW
Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun - NEW
Memorial Day - NEW
Eid al-Adha - NEW
Now Hiring: Substitute Instructional Assistants for the 2026–2027 School Year for Marshall Pyramid | Apply Now
Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance - NEW
Spring Pictures Are Now Online! - Reminder
Summer Extravaganza - Reminder
Required Immunizations - Reminder
FCPS Mental Health Resources - NEW
Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs - Reminder
FCPS App - Reminder
Holidays and Observations Drawing Contest - Reminder
School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications - Reminder
Stenwood PTA - Reminder

Sincerely,

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu

Bryan Case, Assistant Principal
bgcase@fcps.edu

Summer Laptop Request

We would like to offer access to families who would like to take home a school laptop over the summer to use for academic purposes. If you would like to have a laptop checked out to your child(ren), please complete this form by Wednesday, June 3^rd. The laptop will be sent home with a charger in a protective sleeve with your child during the last week of school. You will be required to return it on August 4^th, we will be offering a drop off window. If you need to return it before August 4^th, reach out to Craig Fenton cefenton@fcps.edu and Jackie Krum jekrum@fcps.edu. This will allow sufficient time for our technology team to reimage every machine for the new school year.

Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun

The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3^rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!

This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.

New this year: The school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku! Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!

Memorial Day

On Monday we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, the fallen soldiers of American wars.

Eid al-Adha

Eid Mubarak to all who observe! Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam. Muslims believe that Eid al-Adha signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as ordered by Allah. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca and giving to those less fortunate. Eid al-Adha begins at sundown on Tuesday, May 26^th. Wednesday, May 27^th, is a holiday for Eid al-Adha and schools and offices are closed.

Now Hiring: Substitute Instructional Assistants for the 2026–2027 School Year for Marshall Pyramid | Apply Now

The Marshall Pyramid is seeking individuals who can provide continuity of instructional teaching as a substitute instructional assistant. Able to inspire, enable and empower students to meet high academic standards. The position offers:

✔ Flexible schedule ✔ Make a difference in your local community ✔ Great for people with a passion for teaching/assisting students

Join our team and support student learning!

Apply today! For details, visit the FCPS Substitute Employment Website. When applying, search “Substitute” and select the Marshall pyramid posting.

Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance

It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals

Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.

If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.

Spring Pictures Are Now Online!

Order yours today at https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001355990!

Use your student ID when prompted for the online code.

For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com

Summer Extravaganza

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6^th, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family.

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Required Immunizations for Rising 7^th and Rising 12^th Graders

The following immunizations are required for students entering 7^th and 12^th grade each school year.

All students entering 7^th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12 or as early as 9 years old.

As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.

All students entering 12^th grade are to receive two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12^th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and healthcare providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.

Immunization Events for FCPS Students FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.

Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.

FCPS Mental Health Resources

Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.

Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Additional Mental Health Resources

FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.

Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.

And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.

Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County.

Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30^th of the same year.

Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).