Farmwell Station News
January 8, 2021
SCHOOL NEWS
WELCOME BACK!
As we get ready for concurrent learning (distance learning and in-person learning happening at the same time), we wanted to relay several pieces of information to you. As you are aware, hybrid students are set to return to school on Thursday, January 21. If this date changes as LCPS continues to monitor the Covid parameters and thresholds, we will communicate those updates to you.
Principal Loya will send an email to families next week with more information on our students return to the building. It will include information regarding student supplies needed, Kiss and Ride instructions, arrival and dismissal information, health mitigation strategies, and more.
CONCURRENT TEACHING
Teachers have been getting ready for concurrent teaching through trainings and setting up their classrooms accordingly so students at home and in class have equitable instruction. Note that in the concurrent teaching instructional model, students will have opportunities to interact, regardless of their location.
LCPS is allowing staff members who have certain medical documentation to continue to teach from home, and a "proctor" will supervise the students who are attending in person. The teacher will be in all Google Meets and will still be responsible for all instruction, grading/assessment, and communicating to parents.
As previously discussed in our November Town Hall meeting, the majority of students at FWS selected distance learning for Semester 2. We have about 340 students set to return to school two days a week as hybrid students.
- Students whose last names begin with A-Larson and chose hybrid will attend FWS on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Students whose last names begin with Lee-Z and chose hybrid will attend Thursdays and Fridays.
- On limited occasions, we may have only one or two students in the hybrid, in-person section while the remaining students are in the distance learning environment. All students will have opportunities to interact, regardless of their location.
- Transportation information for those who requested it will be available in ParentVUE on January 15th.
If you have questions, please contact your grade level counselor for more information.
NEW BELL SCHEDULE FOR CONCURRENT TEACHING
- Click HERE for the Concurrent Learning Bell Schedule. It's a good idea to print this schedule for your student for when concurrent learning begins.
If LCPS is in 100% distance learning mode for all students due to Covid thresholds, then the current distance learning Bell Schedule will be followed.
- Click HERE for the 100% Distance Learning Bell Schedule that students are currently following.
HYBRID STUDENTS - DAILY SYMPTOM CHECKER
A reminder for parents that chose hybrid learning for Semester 2:
- LCPS requires that everyone complete the Covid-19 Symptom Checker before entering a LCPS school building. LCPS will send a daily email in the morning to parents of hybrid learners. Please complete this before your student gets on the bus or out of your car at school. Students will not be allowed into the school building unless this has been completed each morning before they attend school.
If for some reason you do not receive the LCPS email in the morning, you can access the QR code and link on our webpage. Videos providing step-by-step instructions on how to complete the Symptom Checker is available in multiple languages.
LIFETOUCH PICTURE INFORMATION
MONDAY JANUARY 11 - MAKEUP PICTURE DAY AT FWS
- If you missed one of our previous picture days or want a retake, our makeup date is scheduled for January 11 from 9am-12pm at FWS.
- Click HERE to make an appointment for Monday's makeup day.
- If your student is coming for a retake, please bring their portrait package with you on January 11.
- To pre-order pictures: go to mylifetouch.com and enter Picture ID: EVT2JGZ93
PORTRAIT PACKAGES AND PROOF SHEETS AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP
- If you have not yet picked up your portrait package or proof sheet, please come to the school's main entrance on Tuesdays - Fridays between 9am - 4pm.
- If you cannot come during these days/times, please call the main office at 571-252-2320 or email Sue Weaver.
- Note that we will hand out Student IDs to students once they return to school.
PTA MEETING IS JANUARY 12
- Please mark your calendars. Our next PTA virtual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm. A meeting link will be sent via email and posted on twitter and our main webpage. We hope you will join us to learn more about the latest FWS school news!
SPIRIT NIGHT IS JANUARY 14
- Our next Spirit Night is actually an all day Spirit Day. Consider ordering from Mod Pizza (dine in, take out, delivery) located at 19855 Belmont Chase Drive in Ashburn. Mention FWS and 20% of proceeds will go to the school!
- Click HERE to view our Mod Pizza Flyer.
QUARTER 2 ENDS JANUARY 15
- Quarter 2 ends in one week! Now is a good time to view grades in ParentVUE with your student to see how they are doing and decide if they should reach out to their teachers for some extra help.
FWS BAND STUDENTS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND!
- Congratulations to the following FWS Band students who participated in the District XVI Virtual Solo Festival in December. Students submitted videos of their solo performances and were judged by band directors throughout Loudoun County. ALL of these students received a "Superior" rating for their extra efforts and fantastic performances!
Jessica Awuah - Clarinet
Matthew Bates - Flute
Avery Edwards - Flute
Michael Gehley - Snare Drum
Ella Sreniawski - Flute
Carey Waddle - Flute
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Registration for the Loudoun County Middle School Softball Program is now open. Tryouts will be held in February. Games are expected to begin after spring break and continue through Memorial Day. If interested, click HERE to review Softball Flyer.
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025
- If you are an 8th grader interested in attending the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJSST) next year, their application window is open from February 1 at 8:00am to February 26 at 4:00pm. More information about the application process can be found HERE.
- Contact 8th grade counselor, Ann Neri, with any questions.
FUN FRIDAYS
- Even though it's cold outside, we can have some fun with Sunglasses Day inside on January 15.
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY!
- To purchase a Yearbook, click HERE and enter the school name or code: 21644.
- Want your student in the yearbook? Submit a photo: Download the free Herff Jones EShare app (enter the school name: farmwell) and upload photos of your student from your phone. Or you can upload to their website. Show us those First Day of School Photos, Fun Friday photos, etc.
NEED A LIBRARY BOOK?
- Farmwell will continue to offer curbside pickup of library books on Mondays. To request a book, fill out this request form.
- Library Books can be returned Mon-Fri to the Book Return bin outside the FWS front door.
REQUIRED TO ENTER LCPS SCHOOLS
- LCPS requires that everyone complete the Covid-19 Symptom Checker before entering a LCPS school building.
- There is a QR code to access the Symptom Checker on the front door of FWS. Or you can access the QR code and link to the Questionnaire on our main webpage.
JOIN ONE OF OUR VIRTUAL CLUBS
Virtual Clubs available at FWS:
- FWS Library Book Club - Mondays after school
- Chamber Orchestra - Wednesdays after school
- Science Olympiad - Thursdays after school
- Kpop Club - Thursdays after school
NEED HOMEWORK HELP?
- Broad Run HS Key Club is offering free online tutoring.
- Online sessions will take place through Google Meet using the student's school issued email address.
- More information and a sign up form can be found here.
SHOP AT AMAZON SMILE
- You can make a difference. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com and designate Farmwell Station Middle School PTA as your charity.
Other ways to support FWS:
- Join The PTA - Family Membership ($15); Staff Membership ($5)
Link your Harris Teeter VIC card to FWS - Fill out this Google Form and FWS will take care of this for you
SPIRIT WEAR FOR SALE
- Show your school spirit and order today! Hoodies, long sleeved t-shirts, magnets, and more!
- When your order comes in, we will email you to schedule a pick up date/time at the school.
NEED TECH HELP?
- FWS Tech Website - a great resource for parents and students
- Troubleshooting Your Chromebook
About Us
Email: FWS-Secretaries@lcps.org
Website: lcps.org/farmwell
Location: 44281 Gloucester Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: 571-252-2320
Twitter: @LCPSFarmwell