Poe Family Newsletter December 15, 2025

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RAVEN REPORT

It was great this week to see so many great things happening in our classrooms. In my walkthroughs this week, students were working on showing their learning through various activities. For example, in Intro to Engineering class, students were creating bridges and 3D models. In band and orchestra, students were practicing one last time before their upcoming performances. And in world languages, students were preparing for their presentations in the target languages. As we enter the last week of school in 2025, we recognize the awesomeness of our profession in preparing students for the future and how exciting it is to be a part of their lives as they continue to grow and learn. Thank you for entrusting your children to us. I wish you all a great last week of 2025!

Follow us on Social Media: To see the latest from Poe MS follow us on Instagram at @poeravensfcps!

Important Dates

12/16: Orchestra Concert 7:00 -7:30

12/16: Chic-Fil-A PTSA Fundraiser (see details below)

12/17: Winter Chorus Concert 7:00-8:00

12/18: The Day the Internet Died Raven Theatre Performance 7:00 (see details below and how to support!)

12/19: Rising 6th Grade visits

SPIRIT WEEK SCHEDULE

Raving Ravens

FRED Cards: Here’s what people are saying about our amazing staff. Below are some of the highlights from the recent FRED Cards that were submitted. The person’s name is who is being highlighted followed by what was said about them by a colleague. I will continue to highlight them in each Raven Report so keep them coming!

Olivia Holloway: “Thank you for knocking on my door just to use my pencil sharpener and share stories with me. I appreciate that you laugh so much in the hallway, and that you brought joy to my room, even though we are in different departments.”
Emily Christopher: “We are so lucky to have you at Poe! Thank you for jumping right in to support our students, you genuinely care about our Poe community.”
Morgan Brittian: “Thank you for being my wing- woman in the cafeteria every morning. Our students love you! You bring such a patient and positive presence to Poe”.

Opportunities

Chic-fil-A PTSA Fundraiser: Buy Chic-fil-A on December 16th at the Annandale location and support Poe Middle School by using the word “ravens” at check out or online by using the Chic-fil-A App (online code is case-sensitive)

Poe Winter Reading Competition: We want to make sure our Ravens are reading over break so we are having a reading competition to encourage consistent reading over the break. The competition starts on December 1 and will go through December 31.. We encourage all students to be reading and they can track their reading here. The more entries, the more times the student will be entered in a raffle. The winning students from each grade level will get lunch with a friend on me! Happy Reading everyone!

Important Information

Reporting Student Absences: We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Whenever your child is unable to attend school, please let us know. Reporting absences helps our staff support students and connect them with resources they may need. Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling our attendance line at 703-813-3838.

Parents may monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.

Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained: Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.

When Your Child Is Sick: It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.

For instance, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home.

Rising 6th Grade Visits: Students from our feeder elementary schools will be visiting us on 12/19/25 to learn more about middle school. We will be running a different bell schedule to accommodate our visitors so we will begin the day with Period 3, then 4, 2, 6, 8. We look forward to seeing our rising 6th graders!

Rising 9th Grade Visit to Annandale HS: Annandale HS will be hosting its rising 9th grade open house on Wednesday January 14 from 6:00-8:00. The goal is for students and parents to leave this event excited about all the opportunities you will have as an Annandale Atom and prepared to complete your course request form when your student meets with their middle school counselor. Breakout Sessions on the following topics will be offered throughout the evening: Welcome to Annandale, Course Request 101; IB/MYP Program; Activities and Athletics; English for Speakers of Other Languages Program; Special Education Office, and Student Life.

The transition from middle to high school can be difficult and stressful for some students. However, Annandale High School takes tremendous pride in ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible. If you have specific questions that you would like to be addressed during this event, please submit your questions via this Google Form by Monday, January 6. Thank you in advance for your input and assisting us in making this event a success!

Winter Resources for Families: A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!: We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.

Meet the Author: Live on Channel 21 and YouTube: Tune in to the Fairfax Network on Friday, December 12, at 1 p.m., for Meet the Author with Gabriella Aldeman, author of the bilingual children’s book “Squawk of Spanish.” Follow Max as he learns to communicate with his Spanish-speaking grandmother and discovers how language can bring families closer together. Visit the Meet the Author webpage to view previous episodes of the show.

Shape Your Story: Course Selection for Middle and High School Students: Beginning in January 2026, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

Current academic strengths and habits.
Graduation requirements (high school students.
Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
Personal well-being.
Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families may contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Graduation Requirements and Planning: FCPS’ Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. For additional support in tracking these requirements, families can now log into ParentVUE to monitor their student's progress toward graduation.Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful. Be sure to refer to our course catalog and course selection information.

Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens: Are you planning on spending more time with your teen over winter break? Or are they planning to spend time away from you with friends? Now may be a good time to talk to them about fentanyl and overdose.

Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging, no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:

Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving the car, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
Stay patient, and reserve judgment.
Check in with your child early and often.

Learn how to start an unskippable conversation, and find resources to share with your teen on how to spot an overdose and how to respond.

Support Our Schools: 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge: Join Educate Fairfax’s 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge and help ensure every FCPS student has the tools, support, and inspiration to succeed. Every gift, whether you can give $25 or $2,500, helps students learn while supporting the teachers and staff who make a lasting difference.

Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit education foundation that supports FCPS by providing resources, recognizing outstanding educators, and strengthening connections between schools and the community. Educate Fairfax invests directly in classrooms and programs. Last year, they contributed $1.27 million back into our schools.

The foundation supplied more than 5,000 school supply kits to more than 61 schools, centers, shelters, and Welcome Centers. Its Food for All Campaign packed more than 1,000 snack packs and helped feed more than 350 families over Thanksgiving. Read the Educate Fairfax Annual Report to learn more about their impact.

Together, we can support and encourage all learners and educators and strengthen the future of our schools. Donate to Educate Fairfax today.