Farmwell Station News
January 15, 2021
SCHOOL NEWS
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE
- Monday, January 18 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - student and staff holiday
- Tuesday, January 19 is a teacher workday - student holiday
- Wednesday, January 20 is Inauguration Day - student and staff holiday; 12 month employees report to work
- Thursday, January 21 is the first day of Semester 2 / Quarter 3 and is an "A" Day.
HYBRID IN-PERSON LEARNING
- Earlier this week the School Board voted on new metrics related to moving between hybrid instruction and 100% distance learning. At this time, all students will continue to do 100% distance learning from home until further notice.
RETURN TO A TRADITIONAL BELL SCHEDULE
Highlights of the Semester 2 bell schedule:
- School begins at 8:40am
- Each block is 85 minutes long, with no formal Learning Lab. Teachers will utilize the class block to provide synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences relevant to the lesson and refine based upon student learning needs.
- We will have 3 lunch blocks, each 30 minutes long. All lunches are during Block 3 on A days and Block 7 on B days. Your student's 3rd block teacher will tell your student which lunch they have on January 21, and 7th block teacher will inform them on January 22.
- Half Block Switch times are noted in the bell schedule. This pertains to our 6th and 7th grade students as one of their classes will change on January 21. For 6th graders, this is their art / computer application course. If they had computers in first semester, they will now have art during that block. They will follow the Half Block Switch time during that block since half the block is spent in Resource. For 7th graders, this is their FACS / Tech Ed course. Our counselors are available to answer any questions about the Half Block Switch schedule.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE HYBRID LEARNING BEGINS
- Your student's assigned days for hybrid learning are visible in ParentVUE on January 15. Students will either attend school on Tues/Wed or Thurs/Fri.
- Transportation information will be visible in ParentVUE once it is determined that hybrid students will return to in person learning.
- The first class of the day will begin at 8:40 a.m.
- Students will not be allowed to enter the building until 8:15 a.m. Students who arrive prior to 8:15 a.m. will need to wait in their respective cars.
- Student walkers should plan to arrive no earlier than 8:15 a.m.
- Release time for dismissal for walkers and car riders is as follows:
6th grade students- 3:20 p.m.
7th grade students- 3:25 p.m.
8th grade students- 3:30 p.m.
- Deliveries will not be allowed during school hours including food deliveries.
- Students will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines.
- Visitors will need to have required identification as usual. Any drop off/pickup of materials will take place outside the building. Only parents with an appointment for a designated meeting will be allowed to enter the building.
- All students who are returning to the building will be required to complete the LCPS symptom checker before leaving for school in the morning.
- Students will not be issued a locker. They will be required to carry their belongings with them from class to class.
- Students who report for in person learning will have resource class. Students who are in DL learning mode will continue to follow their schedule as usual.
- Students who are ill should remain at home and participate via DL if possible. If students become ill at school they will be taken to a Care Room and monitored until parents are able to pick them up. They will need to have a Doctor's note prior to their return to the building or they will have to quarantine for 14 days.
- Bus passes will not be allowed for the remainder of the school year.
- All other questions can be directed to Principal Loya.
SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR IN PERSON LEARNING
- Backpack
- Chromebook - fully charged with cover and power cord
- Earbuds - LCPS will provide one free pair to each student, although students are welcome to bring their own
- Pencil/pen and paper
- Water Bottle - students will not be able to drink directly from water fountains
- Class specific supplies for A Day or B Day
- PE Students - Dress appropriately for class with tennis shoes and comfortable clothing as the locker rooms will be closed
- Bring a lunch if you prefer; however, free breakfast and lunch will be served to all students for the remainder of the year
UPCOMING TESTS
MAP TESTING - ALL STUDENTS
- FWS will be conducting mandatory MAP math testing on Monday, January 25 and MAP reading testing on Monday, February 1.
- Teachers will be taking attendance during their MAP testing.
- Students will receive information about the time of their test and obtain codes to log into their testing site from their Math and English teachers.
- These tests are not graded. The data will give teachers information to guide instruction. Please encourage your student to do their best on the MAP test.
- If you wish that your student NOT participate in the Winter MAPs assessment, please send an email indicating this decision to Assistant Principal, John Ameen.
ACCESS TESTING - ENGLISH LEARNER (EL) STUDENTS
- This testing is for FWS EL students only and will take place in person at FWS on Monday, February 1, 8, and 22.
- If you have questions, email Assistant Principal, Tonya Edwards.
SOL WRITING TESTING - ALL 8TH GRADE STUDENTS
- This testing will take place in person at FWS on the following dates:
March 1 and 8 for Distance Learners
March 3 and 9 for Hybrid students assigned Tues/Wed schedules
March 4 and 5 for Hybrid students assigned Thurs/Fri schedules
- Bus transportation will be provided for the tests.
- 8th grade parents should have received an email from Principal Loya with more details for participation in the Writing SOL tests this past Thursday.
- Testing times and transportation details are coming soon.
- If you have questions, email Assistant Principal, Tonya Edwards.
QUARTER 2 ENDS TODAY
- Quarter 2 grades will be visible in ParentVUE on January 26 at 4pm. Reach out to your student's teachers, dean or counselor if you have any questions.
FWS STUDENTS GO ABOVE & BEYOND
- The Carbon Busters is a team made up of 3 FWS students who do projects to lower carbon emissions in Loudoun County.
- They are asking for your help to recycle and/or reuse plastic bags and books. Click HERE to view their informational video.
- Email carbonbustersloudoun@gmail.com if you have questions.
LIFETOUCH PICTURES
MAKEUP PICTURE DAY AT FWS
- If you came to school on Monday, January 11 for a picture retake, we will email you once your portrait package arrives at FWS for pick up.
PORTRAIT PACKAGES AND PROOF SHEETS AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP
- If you have not yet picked up your portrait package or proof sheets from our picture days last fall, 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.
FREE COVID TESTING EVENT
- Loudoun County is hosting a free drive-thru Covid testing event on January 27 from 10am-1pm at Claude Moore Park (21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road in Sterling).
- Click Here to register.
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.
- The deadline for NJROTC Admissions is January 22. The application is open to current LCPS 8th grade students. Click HERE to learn more.
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
- Our next Fun Friday is Mismatch Day on January 22.
- Parents - feel free to upload photos of your student's Fun Friday outfits for the yearbook. Click HERE to learn more.
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?
- Because of the upcoming school holidays next week, there will be no curbside pickup of library books at FWS on Monday, January 18. The next opportunity for curbside pickup is Monday, January 25.
- 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