A Message from the Principal

Greetings Irving Families,

This week we participated in Stress Less Week. I want to thank our school counselors and military connected family counselor (Mr. Frenck, Ms. Kiefaber, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Pareja, and Ms. Stevens) for providing a wide variety of activities and spaces for students to destress and relax! During break each day, students could meet a therapy dog, walk-and-talk with music and friends, or participate in activities in our Calm Den. Students also heard important Stress Less Tips during morning announcements about getting enough sleep, eating breakfast and lunch, and staying hydrated throughout the day. We will continue to remind students of these tips as we begin our SOL testing next week. We know our students are prepared and the tips above will help them perform their best over the next couple of weeks and beyond.

Congratulations to our Track and Field Team on a successful first meet at Centreville High School. Despite the wide range of weather last Saturday, our students did an excellent job, and many students set personal records during their races. Tomorrow the team heads to Edison High School where they will compete against thirteen other middle school students. We wish them all the best!

This year, we are celebrating ALL our staff during Staff Appreciation Week - May 5-9. We want to thank our outstanding PTA executive board and PTA volunteers who are helping ensure the week is special by providing a variety of treats and small gifts throughout the week. We hope you will join us in celebrating our staff by sending in positive notes and/or emails to staff. One of our annual traditions is to hold a Car Wash for staff on Friday, May 9. We are still looking for volunteers to help wash cars during the day! Admin and volunteers will be washing cars from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm along the side of the school. If you have a free hour or two or more on Friday, May 9 and would be willing to help wash cars, please sign up HERE.

Take Care!

Cindy Conley

Principal

Important Irving Information

8th Grade Celebration - Friday, May 30 from 6:00-8:00 pm

The purpose of this event is to have fun and celebrate one last time as a class before they head out for the summer and on to high school.
Only 8th grade students attending Irving Middle School may attend.
The 8th grade celebration is NOT a formal event.
This event will be in our 7th grade gym and out on our tennis courts/black top (weather permitting). Students should be comfortable to dance, play games, and likely take a lot of pictures in our photo section with the horseman backdrop.

In previous years, students have worn a pair of slacks and a polo type shirt or a skirt/blouse or dress, again NO formal attire or high heels are required or recommended for this event (often high heels are taken off within about 5 minutes of arriving…).

Students often attend in groups, so having a “date” is NOT a requirement to attend.
We will be utilizing outdoor spaces for the event - fingers crossed for good weather!
We will be sending Sign-Ups for chaperones and food donations next week.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.

Excellence at a Crossroads: FCPS Budget Update

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will begin finalizing the budget on Tuesday, May 6. The current advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million.

Without new revenue, such as the meals tax (adding just $2-3 to an average dining bill for a family of four), FCPS will face significant cuts.

What Is at Risk?

Go to fcps.edu/crossroads to see examples of where FCPS exceeds minimum state standards.

Irving Stays After

After School Information

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. Fab FRIDAYS, is from 2:15 pm dismissal to 3:30 pm. 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.

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! Use the following link to register your student. After School Registration Form

ALL athletic activities and clubs require athletic footwear to participate, locker rooms are not accessible during the After School Program.

LAST DAY of after school and late buses is Thursday, May 29.

Coming Soon:

Soccer Clinic, began Monday, April 21, both blocks.
Whisk Takers, will meet on Tuesday, May 6, both blocks and sign-up are required.
Gardening Club, returned Wednesday, April 23, both blocks.
Super Sleuths, returned Friday, April 25.
Community & Leadership Workshop, began Wednesday, April 2. Follow the link for more details.
Chess Academy, began Wednesday, April 2, 1st block.
Track & Field, began Thursday, April 3. Students must have their physical and registration submitted to participate. Also, running practice is during the 2nd block - students may not leave and return, unless information has been communicated to the Main Office or coaching staff. Shot Put practice, will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays during the 1st block.
FAB Fridays, ends at 3:30pm. There are no late buses on Fridays and the Weekly Sign-up is required.

Canceled for next week:

Core Conditioning for Athletes will return in the Spring

View the schedule on our website, the current schedule is available on your student’s Schoology and their Student Portal.

** 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.**

News from the PTA

Hangry Burger Spirit Night – May 7th, 4-8 PM - Join us for a fun and tasty evening at Hangry Burger. There is no special code needed – just come in and 15% of total sales will be donated to the PTA (excluding DoorDash and Grubhub orders).

PTA Secretary and Vice President Needed - The WIMS PTA is looking for a Secretary and a Vice President for the 2025–2026 school year. These are key roles that help shape the PTA’s work to support students, staff, and families. Please consider volunteering. We are required to have a Secretary in place to operate the PTA next school year. Learn about the roles here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OKiRO1ti0lNTwDhJOjuIIDd_78IWBlfT/view?usp=sharing Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/7Td41pg5eaf5Mpek7 Questions? Email us at: irvingptanomcommittee@gmail.com

Staff Appreciation Week: May 5–9! – Help us celebrate the amazing staff at Irving Middle School! We’re planning a week full of treats, surprises, and gratitude—and we need your help to make it extra special. Please consider sending thank-you cards or emails to brighten a staff member’s day. We’re also collecting gift cards ($10 up to $25) for a drawing to surprise as many staff members as possible throughout the week! Gift cards can be dropped off at the front office or ordered through our Amazon Wish List here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25TA41V5G9GHF?ref_=wl_share The week will wrap up with a staff car wash and lunch on Friday, May 9—volunteers are needed from 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4AAFAF29ABFB6-2022 Thanks to Nando’s Peri-Peri for generously supporting the staff lunch!

Parent Session: Healthy Minds & Successful Transitions - May 13th, 6:00–7:30 PM Join us for a special presentation for parents and caregivers on Tuesday, May 13 from 6:00–7:30 PM at Irving Middle School. We’ll discuss strategies, tools, and provide helpful resources to support the mental health and well-being of current and rising middle school students. Topics include transitions, self-esteem, online safety, anxiety, and more. Spanish interpreter available. Light refreshments and door prizes provided. All parents and caregivers are welcome!

Online Silent Auction – We’re thrilled to have raised over $1,300 in our first silent auction! A huge thank you to our auction committee for all their hard work and to our generous sponsors for making this possible. The funds will support Staff Appreciation Week, the 8th grade celebration, and more. The auction committee will contact winners to arrange prize pickups. Thanks again for your support!

PTA General Membership Meeting -Monday, June 3 at 6:30 PM (Virtual) Join us for our final PTA meeting of the year! We’ll celebrate this year’s accomplishments, hear updates from Principal Conley, elect next year’s officers, and vote on membership dues. All are welcome but you must be a member to vote. Zoom link will be shared later this month.

Papa John's Spirit Day Every Thursday is Spirit Day at Springfield Papa John's (Rolling Road). Order online using promo code IMS4010 to enjoy 40% off all menu prices, and Papa John’s will donate 10% of all online sales to the PTA. Offer valid every Thursday from 11 AM - 10 PM.

Support WIMS PTA & Local Farmers with Seasonal Roots! Support local farmers and our school by joining Seasonal Roots, a local online farmers market! New customers get 50% off the annual membership fee (a $25 savings!), and WIMS PTA receives a $20 donation for each sign-up. To learn more and to sign up, visit www.seasonalroots.com/wims, and use code: WIMS.

We continue to welcome new members. Please visit https://irvingms.memberhub.com/store/ to join us! To donate, visit: https://irvingms.givebacks.com/store/items/62509. Please reach out to us at irvingmspta@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Important FCPS Information

☀️ Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza

Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County!

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.

Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.