FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS  

                               

HERNDON MIDDLE SCHOOL

901 LOCUST STREET
HERNDON, VIRGINIA 20170

Dear Herndon Middle School Families:

As we approach the end of the first quarter I am pleased to have this opportunity to provide updates and information about the school year so far.  We have challenges due to absences as a result of the flu and we have concerns due to the continuing budget problems.  Even so, our year is progressing well.  The students are cheerful and engaged in learning.  Our teachers are working collaboratively and designing creative lessons together to help all students succeed.  The administrators are focused on ensuring the teachers have what they need to work with all the students and learn from each other about new strategies, technology and best practices in teaching and learning.  Our counselors are rescheduling students so that those who need extra help have additional opportunities with teachers in PowerTime. 

There are some changes underway at HMS.  Of course for half of our families and students, everything is new as a seventh grader and what we think of as changes are just more adjustments.  Indeed, Middle School is a time of constant transition. 

One new initiative is our Soaring Hawks newsletter.  We plan to highlight the good things going on at Herndon Middle.  Mr. James Torrenzano, one of our art teachers will collect information and create the publication.  I am excited to have a new way to celebrate the wonderful things our students and teachers accomplish on a regular basis.  The first issue will be published on November 13th and posted via KIT and the website.

Speaking of wonderful things, I am thrilled to see so many classrooms equipped with Smartboards and Mimios.  I plan to use funds from the magazine drive to provide teachers with more interactive tools such as the Turning Points equipment.  Thank you to the families who have contributed through the PTA and the school.  Your efforts and donations help our teachers and students stay current and excited about learning. 

On October 16th teachers, counselors, administrators and PTA members came together to develop strategies to ensure we implement the 2009-10 objectives for the school plan.  We have three new objectives to ensure our school program is focused on achievement for every student and Herndon Middle Schools continues to strive to be an excellent school for every child and every family.  The three objectives are:

• Teachers will actively engage, challenge and motivate students.
• Teachers and staff will build collaborative and respectful relationships with students, colleagues, and parents.
• Teachers and staff will guide service learning projects for students.

Included in this newsletter are important dates and items from different clubs and organizations in the school and PTA.  I am committed to making our communication from HMS timely, efficient and helpful.  We are working towards this goal continuously and your helpful feedback is appreciated.  Send your suggestions to me at Justine.Klena@fcps.edu  and you are always welcome at our PTA meetings (third Monday of each month at 7:15 p.m. and parent Coffees.  Our next Parent Coffee is scheduled for November 12th at 9:00 a.m.

Thank you for your support and entrusting your student to our care.  Together we can make our goals a reality.

Justine Klena
Principal

For the FCPS Profile for Herndon Middle, please click on the Hawk