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RAVEN REPORT
This past week has been busy here at Poe. We started off the week with our March Madness competition including a spirit week to get us started. This competition is an attempt to boost our student attendance and have some friendly competition along the way. This week we also completed our first round of instructional rounds. We had over 40 staff members participate and be in about 40 classrooms. Our focus was around observing what teachers say and do, what students say and do, and what the academic task is. Poe is a school that learns, and as we continue to learn as a school, we will be looking at the data from these rounds to inform where we go next with our instructional focus for next school year. We have less than three weeks left of this quarter so please make sure students are checking in with their teachers to complete work before the end of the quarter. Here’s to another wonderful week Ravens!
Follow us on Social Media: To see the latest from Poe MS follow us on Instagram at @poeravensfcps!
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Important Dates |
Important Dates
3/10, 3/11, 3/12: MWEE Field Trip (7th Grade)
3/11: Parent Advisory Committee 5:00-6:00 Library
3/12: Fire Drill 1:00
3/13: Bus Evacuation Drill (AM)
3/13: Theater Field Trip
3/17: PTSA Chic-Fil-A Spirit Night
3/20: No School
3/27: Early Release Day Q3
3/30-4/3: Spring Break
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Raving Ravens |
We continue to see amazing high-leverage moves in action. Our staff is able to try something new and get feedback to improve their practice. This week I personally got to see both a collaborative work strucure and an academic vocabulary mini-lesson!
HLM Reflections:
As we begin to finish up our high leverage moves, I’d like to take some time to share the impact these moves have had on individuals at Poe and their instruction. Here is one that I’d like to highlight:
“ How has your teaching changed so far as a result of the environmental scan observations & feedback?”
Elective Reflection: “The observations and feedback that I have received from the environmental scans has helped me to reflect on the amount of time I have implemented this work in the past vs. how often it should be done. It has also allowed me to try new ways of presenting lesson information so that students are able to seamlessly integrate the process and do the work independently.”
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!
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Stephanie Marine: “Welcome to Poe! We have so appreciated how you have jumped right in. Our students are already feeling comfortable with you! You are a ball of positive energy. Looking forward to working with you more as we support our students.”
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Rachelle Farmer: “Where do I start? Thanks for advocating for our students. The way you aggregate data is a game changer! I appreciate how you facilitate data conversations. It's the right work! Let's keep going!”
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Andrea Carcamo: “Andrea, I appreciate how reflective you are with your pedagogy and instructional practices. Your vulnerability invites others to reflect and openly share. We value your voice at the table! Thank you, also, for sharing lovely mate tea from Argentina.”
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Activities |
Turnpike Classic Basketball Event: We are excited to share an upcoming opportunity for our students to participate in the Turnpike Classic Basketball Event between Poe Middle School and Holmes Middle School.
The event will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Holmes Middle School (6525 Montrose St., Alexandria, VA 22312) and will feature a boys basketball game and a girls basketball game between student teams from each school.
Students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at Poe Middle School will have the opportunity to try out for the Poe team that will compete in this event.
Additional information will be sent to families via email on Monday, March 9 at 10:00 AM of what is required to participate.
Save the following date: Student Interest Meeting: A mandatory interest meeting will be held for students who would like to try out.
Date: March 17 Time: During the 1st block of the After School Program Location: Poe Middle School After-School Program
We look forward to providing this exciting opportunity for our students and appreciate your support.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students; Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps: Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
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Important Information |
Weekly March Madness Attendance Competition Update
- Congratulations to the HORNETS team taking the lead in the first week of our March Madness Attendance Competition with the lowest percent of absences for the week (24%)!
- All Hornets advisories will be called to the cafeteria at the beginning of Advisory tomorrow (Monday 3/9) to pick up their prize
- Continue to encourage your students to be present every day in March to help their team win!
- Remember that the team in the lead for that week will earn a small prize the following Monday, and the team that wins the entire competition will earn breakfast burritos from Anitas on Monday 4/13.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid: As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Special Education Family Conference: Rescheduled: The 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to April 18, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Marshall High School.
A new conference registration form is now available. Participants are asked to register again using the updated form, as previous registrations have expired.
Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage.
FCPS Family Engagement Survey: FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Student success.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update: Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports.
If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.
Sleep Awareness Week: The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.
Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration: The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.
Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, delivered a spirited keynote speech. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.
Read more about the Black history event.
Technology issues? Please send Marc Perella an email so he can investigate the problem. Some teachers are having problems with their ScreenBeams. The ScreenBeams are pretty old and some need a simple firmware update. Also, when issues arise, Marc can ask other TSSPEC’s in the County to find out if they are having similar issues as well.
Another tech trick for staff to regularly restart their computers, close tabs that are not being used, delete files they download from the Internet, and delete cookies from their browsing cache in Chrome. Reach out to Marc if you need assistance with any of these items.
Technology Visits: Please email Marc Perella prior to sending students to the technology office. He is often running around the building, and we don’t want students out of class too long missing instruction. Also, please make sure to send students with a pass.
Projectors: Please remember to turn off your projector when you are not using it throughout the school day. The bulbs wear down faster when left on for long periods of time. It is very important to turn off the projector at the end of the school day and before leaving for the weekend.
Student Laptop Care: Please continue to encourage your students to take good care of their laptops, keep the cases on and to not use stickers, graffiti, etc. on the cases or the actual laptop. There have been instances where students are removing the cases, carrying laptops by the screen or throwing backpacks which are causing damage to the machine. Gently remind your students that a damaged screen costs $84 to repair.
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News from Students Services & MTSS Team |
Recognized ASCA Model Program Award: Congratulations to the Student Services team for recently earning the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) award! The RAMP award recognizes schools committed to delivering school counseling programs aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model framework. The RAMP designation demonstrates to administrators, school boards, families, and the community that Poe MS Student Services continues to successfully implement the ASCA National Model, showing evidence of direct and indirect services to students, program planning, and improved student outcomes as a result of our school counseling program. From initial data collection to application submission, the RAMP application process takes nearly 2 years to complete. It involves intensive data collection and analysis, stakeholder input, and more than 50 pages of results reporting and narratives. Poe MS initially earned our RAMP designation in 2020. Please join me in thanking Maya Lidell for leading our team through this application process, and congratulate the entire counseling team for this well-deserved honor of recertifying Poe as a RAMP school!
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Updates from Tech Office |
Student Laptop Care: Please continue to encourage your students to take good care of their laptops, keep the cases on and to not use stickers, graffiti, etc. on the cases or the actual laptop. There have been instances where students are removing the cases, carrying laptops by the screen or throwing backpacks which is causing damage to the machine. Gently remind your students that a damaged screen costs $84 to repair and a complete computer replacement is now $602!
Student Laptop Care: Please continue to encourage your students to take good care of their laptops, keep the cases on and to not use stickers, graffiti, etc. on the cases or the actual laptop. There have been instances where students are removing the cases, carrying laptops by the screen or throwing backpacks which is causing damage to the machine. Gently remind your students that a damaged screen costs $84 to repair and a complete computer replacement is now $602!
News from the PTSA
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