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STERLING MIDDLE SCHOOL ENTER TO LEARN – LEAVE TO SERVE

Dear Parents, Schools to Watch “STW” is part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Each school is selected by state leaders for its academic excellence, its responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and its commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels. In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement. Schools that appear to meet the criteria are visited by state teams who will observe classrooms, interview administrators, teachers, students and parents and look at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work. Sterling Middle School has been selected for a site visit by the Virginia Schools to Watch Committee. This group of state educators will be visiting our school on Wednesday, December 7th, in hopes of learning more about our high performing school, dedicated faculty and staff, and outstanding student body. To date, only 25 other Virginia middle schools and about 260 middle schools across the nation have been identified as “Schools to Watch.” Simply being selected for this site visit is an honor! We know that we are not a perfect school, but we strive to continue to improve. Your continued feedback is always very helpful. We thank you all for your continued support!

Sincerely, Nereida Gonzalez-Sales [email protected]

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Very Important!!!

BENCHMARK DATES TH

TH

MATH DATES: DECEMBER 14 & 15 RD TH TH SOCIAL STUDIES DATES: JANUARY 3 , 4 , 5, & 6 TH TH SCIENCE DATES: JANUARY 9 & 10 TH TH READING DATES: JANUARY 11 & 12

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_________________________________________________________________ Cold and Flu Season is here: Please do not send sick children to school because this spreads illness to others. Students should stay at home until they have been without a fever for 24 hours. Children who have been vomiting should also stay home from school. Please remind your student to wash their hands frequently. It is important for children to get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet and exercise daily. Following these simple steps can help children stay healthy. Vision Screening: You may have received a letter from the clinic advising you that your student did not pass a vision screening here at school. Please have your child’s eye doctor complete the bottom half of the letter and return this form to the school clinic. Garden Plans: Sterling Middle School students received a $1000 grant from The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia. This money will be used to plant a school fruit and vegetable garden. We will need lots of help to make our garden grow. We will meet in February to begin preparations to plant our garden in the spring. Meeting times will be posted in the January newsletter and shared on the morning announcements.

DECEMBER EVENTS

Please check website – Updates happen daily!

December 1st

Mentor Event in Café 6th Grade Assembly 10:00am 8th Grade Assembly 1:45pm 7th Grade Band rehearsal in band room 7th, 8th – Chorus Rehearsal on Stage Yearbook Meeting Latin Dance Meeting Mentor Event 3:30-4:25 – Café Cultural Club – 1st meeting

December 2nd

Book Club Meet during lunch Chorus Rehearsal in Chorus Room

December 5th – 16th

Hope for the Holidays Campaign

December 5th

7th grade band in band room 6-7-8 Grade Chorus Dress Rehearsal in Auditorium+

December 7th

7th and 8th Grade Guitar Rehearsal

December 8th

6th, 7th, 8th Chorus Concert 7:00 pm Yearbook Meeting Latin Dance 7th grade band rehearsal in band room

December 10th

All County Strings Audition (TBD)-Saturday

December 12th

½ day to Elementary Tour 8th Grade Band 8:30 – 11:00am 7th band rehearsal in band room 3:30-4:25

December 13th

Parent Coffee – 6:00 – 7:00 pm PTSA Meeting @ 7:00pm 7th & 8th grade guitar rehearsal 7:00 pm 7th and 8th grade Guitar Concert

December 14th

Club and Candid pics during school hours 7th and 8th band winter concert 7:00 pm

December 15th

Yearbook Meeting Latin Dance Best Buddies 7th grade Spelling Bee – Auditorium 3:30-4:25pm Musical Q&A Aud- 3:30-4:25

December 16th

Family Movie Night 6-9pm

December 19th

SCA Officers Meeting Full day Elementary Tour 7th Grade 8:30-3:00pm Wendy Dining for Dollars 5-8 pm @ Potomac Run Plaza Geography Bee Round 2 – Ms. Morey's Room

December 20th December 21st December 22-30 January 2nd January 3rd

7th and 8th Strings Winter Concert – 7:00PM Elementary Tour 8th grade full day 8:30-3:00pm Winter Break Winter Break Classes Resume

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