Poe Family Newsletter April 13, 2026

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RAVEN REPORT

It was great seeing everyone rested and relaxed from Spring Break this week. Our students were full of energy and excitement as well! At our Parent Advisory meeting on Wednesday we talked to families about SOL season and what role we play in supporting their students for SOLs as well as the role they can play. And then on Friday, I had the opportunity to work with our Instructional Council and CT leads to dig into our data from instructional rounds to support us in determining our instructional focus for next year. I hope to share this with all of you once I share it with our staff at our upcoming faculty meeting on April 22. I wish you all a wonderful FULL week of school!

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

Important Dates

4/14: Annandale Pyramid Art Show (Annandale High School 6:00pm)

4/17: Parent Coffee (9:30-10:30 Raven’s Nest)

4/17: Heritage Night (6:00-7:30 Cafeteria)

4/18: Community Clean Up Day (9:00am-12pm Poe MS)

4/21: Special Election Day (no school for students)

4/23, 4/24, 4/25: Raven Theater- Spring Musical

4/29, 4/30: Band Concert (7:00-8:00pm)

4/29: Reading 8 SOL (different bell schedule)

5/ 6: Reading 6 & 7 SOL/Science 8 SOL (different bell schedule)

5/13: Math SOLs (different bell schedule)

Raving Ravens

Lots of great things are happening in 6th grade this week. Students in Ms. Hughes’s science class taught me about renewable and nonrenewable energy. They used a graphic organizer to capture their thinking and were reading for information independently when I came in. Ms. Hughes was also doing a read aloud with a small group. Then I had a chance to pop into Math 6 and got to see TWO small groups in action- one with Ms. Housley and one with Ms. Mayassi! Our priority around high quality instruction is definitely showing up in many places!

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!

Liz Akingbola: “Thank you for giving a student who was in a trying space a place to shine win your library. You helped to build her confidence and to be seen for the positive things she is capable of doing :)”
Bob Stevens: “Thank you for taking the time to talk with out ISS students about the mistakes they've made and what a better choice would look like.”
Hunter Albertson: “I'm impressed by the way you make your civics projects age appropriate for middle school students. You manage to help them to organize and understand concepts and then present these concepts in a way that is meaningful to them.”

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.

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.

VIP Camp is Almost Here!: We’re excited to announce that VIP Camp will be returning for another year for any rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (attending Glasgow MS, Holmes MS, Jackson MS, Kilmer MS Poe MS, or Thoreau MS) and will be held at Glasgow Middle School (4101 Fairfax Pkwy, Lincolnia, VA 22312)!

Registration Opens: March 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (link will go live then)

Be sure to mark your calendars — spots may fill quickly!

For any questions, please contact Mr. Harsh (pgharsh@fcps.edu)

Heritage Night:

Forest Hollow 5K & Fun Run:

This family-friendly community event is helping raise funds to improve the Forest Hollow pool parking lot, a space where many neighborhood kids gather for swim team practices, summer programs, and community events. The event is designed to be fun and welcoming for all ages, and we expect many local families to attend.

Hillbrook Community Cleanup:

Join us on April 18 from 9am-12pm to clean up our community. To celebrate Earth Day we will be cleaning and refreshing our important community spaces and help keep these spaces safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

Important 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.

SOL Saturday Bootcamps:

Your child is invited to attend our Saturday SOL Review days beginning in April. The purpose is to help prepare our students for their upcoming SOL test in all content areas. Transportation will be provided along with breakfast. Please complete this form by selecting the dates your child will attend and whether you will need transportation.

Google form with Spanish/English

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. on:

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.

Provide the County Government With Feedback on Its Budget:

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).

You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak.

Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget.

2026 Awards Recognizing Special Education Supporters:

Nominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.

Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.

Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.