Hive Happenings Newsletter

Hello Stenwood Families,

The snow and ice has melted enough to get out of the Hive for recess and our Stingers were grateful for it! We know some snow lovers are looking for more coming on Sunday. And some others just cannot wait for Spring to come already. But before we get too carried away looking at forecasts, let’s look back at a short, but fun week in the Hive.

Our PTA Science Labs started on Thursday. Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd graders had fun with slime. 3^rd and 4^th graders investigated some DNA. And 5^th and 6^th graders took to the skies with the rocket shaped sling shots. If your child didn’t have their Science Lab this week, they’ll do it next week on Monday or Tuesday. Thank you to the PTA for this fun enrichment activity.

And today, a well-loved yearly invite for 3^rd grade, the Cities Project, took place this afternoon. 3^rd grade students create items to sell to one another for “Bee Bucks,” and we saw many creative producers, and happy consumers in our simulated “city.”

Next week on Friday, we will have our next Hive Family meetings in the morning. Please make sure your child is at school on time so that they can meet with their Hive Family. It will also be Iconic Character Day! We look forward to seeing our Stingers dressed up in their favorite characters from books, movies, or TV shows as they travel the hallways to meet with their Hive Families!

Below you will find information about the following items:

Purple Up! - NEW
New Visitor Management System- Raptor Safe - Reminder
Ramadan Accommodations - Reminder
Fasting Meal Kits - Reminder
Public Schools Week - NEW
Yearbook Ordering - Reminder
Benchmark: Exploring Technology and Society in Language Arts - NEW
Black History Month Celebration - Reminder
Summer Learning and Fun for Students - Reminder
Community Peers Preschool Program - Final Reminder
Original, Makeup, & Retake Pictures Are Now Online! - Reminder
Marshall High School STEM Night! - Reminder
Dual Language Immersion - Reminder
Holidays and Observations Drawing Contest - Reminder
School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications - Reminder
Stenwood PTA - Reminder

Sincerely,

Erica Riley, Principal
esriley@fcps.edu

Bryan Case, Assistant Principal
bgcase@fcps.edu

Purple Up!

April is the Month of the Military Child, and FCPS will be celebrating Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15^th, 2026. This is a special day for us to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth. In our store, the following items are available:

T-shirt

Hoodie

Pajama pants

Key chain

Yard sign

The online store will be open Monday, February 16^th, 2026, through Monday, March 9^th, 2026.

https://www.customink.com/s/fcps-purple-up-spirit-wear-store

New Visitor Management System - Raptor Safe

Raptor Safe is our new visitor management system. This will be the standard way to sign in at all FCPS schools.

The new system allows you to preregister via the Raptor Safe app, saving you valuable time when checking in for school visits or events! We strongly encourage all family members to download the app and complete their registration today, it will only take a couple of minutes to complete the process!

Registration Options:

Via the App: Search "Raptor Safe" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also visit raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/ for direct links.
In Person: If you are unable to register ahead of time, you can still complete the process at the school kiosk. Please ensure you have a valid photo ID with you to check in.

Ramadan Accommodations

During Ramadan, families are encouraged to contact Mr. Case, bgcase@fcps.edu regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.

Fasting Meal Kits

From February 18^th to March 19^th, 2026, FCPS allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Important Meal Kit Information:

Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

February 23^rd, 2026 for the week of March 2^nd, 2026
March 2^nd, 2026 for the week of March 9^th, 2026
March 9^th, 2026 for the week of March 16^th, 2026

Public Schools Week

Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools. It is honored next week from February 23^rd to February 27^th.

Yearbook Ordering

Help your child remember the moments that made this school year special by ordering your copy of the Stenwood Elementary School Yearbook NOW at http://www.yearbookforever.com! The yearbook will feature memories that you and your child will want to look back on for years to come.

The company has a set amount they will print, so once they hit the limit, they will not print any additional yearbooks. The cutoff date to buy one is March 6^th, 2026, if they are not sold out before then.