The Boulevard October 26, 2026
Hello Pioneers,
As always, I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful weekend!
Believe it or not, we have arrived at the final week of the first marking period—Wednesday, October 28th, marks the official end of the quarter. Please encourage our Pioneer Scholars to finish strong by completing all outstanding assignments, assessments, and projects. We want every student to end this first quarter on a high note!
Celebrating Our Exceptional Staff: Last week, our administrative team took time to show appreciation for our incredible staff. We are fortunate to have some of the most talented, committed, and professional educators around. If you, your student, or your family would like to join us in honoring them—whether through an email, a handwritten note, or a small token of gratitude—it would mean the world. Our team is truly deserving of every bit of recognition they receive.
Important Safety Reminders: Please take a moment to review two ongoing safety concerns with your children:
Helmets: Remind students riding bicycles, scooters, or e-bikes to always wear a helmet. We still have students endangering themselves by riding without proper head protection.
Crosswalk Safety: Our crossing guards have reported that some students are crossing streets without waiting for signals or directions. If your student walks to school, please reinforce the importance of following crossing guard instructions and using designated crosswalks safely.
Upcoming Schedule Note As a reminder, students will attend school Monday through Wednesday this week. There will be no school for students on Thursday, 10/29 and Friday, 10/30, as well as Monday, 11/2 and Tuesday, 11/3.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
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Review the Updated Dress Code Policy The Loudoun County School Board recently approved updates to the Student Dress Code (Policy 8270), effective for the 2026/27 school year. Updates include revised clothing coverage requirements, physical education attire expectations, and clarifications on permitted items. Please review the updated policy with your student before the first day of school to ensure they understand these expectations.
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E-Bike and E-Scooter Guidance While e-bikes and e-scooters are popular commuting options, their use presents safety concerns on campus. Out of an abundance of caution, all motorized and electric-powered personal transport devices are prohibited from being operated on school grounds. Students may commute to school on these devices, but they must dismount and walk them once on school property. Please visit the LCPS E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety webpage for more details.
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As always, please share any additional questions, comments, and/or concerns.
🥳 Congratulations to this week's Class Acts of the Week! 🥳 Students receive a certificate from their teacher, 10 LIKES for use in the school store, their photo on our grade level bulletin boards, and an invitation to the Pioneer Class Act Pizza Party.
👨🏻🚀6th Grade👩🏻🚀
Keiht Lereans Alvarez - Keiht is caring of herself and others in the class community. Showing lifelong learner qualities, she is curious about Math and views each effort as a step toward achievement. She is attentive and consistently collaborative with her peers and socially is a leader. With her welcoming smile and gentleness she brings a very good spirit to the class community.
Liam Henriquez- Liam is a hardworking student and he's always paying attention in Science class. He asks questions and wants to do his best. His dedication to his studies has not gone unnoticed by his teachers and he's a great role model to his fellow students! - Ms. Bowling, EL Teacher
👨🏻🚀7th Grade👩🏻🚀
Bayron Nunez Mejia- Bayron has worked hard to maintain his academic success. While he can be busy at times, he has learned to focus, stay on task, and take ownership of his learning. He regularly checks in regarding assignments, seeks feedback before submitting his work, and looks for ways to improve his grade even when he is already doing well. His commitment to growth and continuous improvement is impressive. Ms. Bennett, Science Teacher
Nataly Diaz Nolasco- Nataly consistently demonstrates CLASS in our Science room. Even at the end of the day she comes in with a positive attitude and is prepared to learn. She applies herself to learning new science concepts and makes good connections. She is conscientious with her work and gives her best effort. She is kind and well liked by peers and her teachers. She brightens our classroom with her presence! -Ms. Chamberlain, EL Teacher
👨🏻🚀8th Grade👩🏻🚀
Ashley Navarrete Membrano- Ashley is a great science student! She advocates for herself whenever she is confused in class, takes her time to practice new skills, and respects her classmates and staff. She supports her peers and demonstrates CLASS every single day. - Ms. Hicks, EL Teacher
Mohammed Zaid - Mohammed comes to class each day ready to learn and with a positive attitude. He consistently puts forth his best effort and takes pride in doing his work well. He is kind and helpful to his classmates and is always willing to lend a hand when needed. Mohammed is a wonderful member of our classroom, and I am proud of his hard work and positive contributions to our learning community. Ms. Adofo, EL Teacher
Grade level updates below!
Please click on each grade level below to see important updates and information on what the students in that grade level are learning.
Important Reminder for Parents
Please note that no early dismissals will be allowed after 3:15 PM. This helps us maintain a safe and efficient dismissal process for all students.
If your child has an appointment or needs to leave early, please plan to pick them up before 3:15 PM.
Thank you for your support!
Presentation and Google Form
Thank you to everyone who came to our first parent coffee. Our next one will be in December. If you missed it, please click on the links below for the presentation. In addition, we would love your ideas and interest in volunteering. Please complete the google form. LINK: https://forms.gle/fLfAjd1fZmRLpaVLA
October is Substance Use Prevention Month
Quick Tips:
- Practice Exit Lines: Help your teen practice simple ways to say no, like "I'm good" or "I have to leave."
- Plan Rides Early: Agree on safe transportation before your teen goes out.
- Watch for Changes: Pay attention to sudden shifts in sleep, mood, spending, or friend groups.
- Encourage Safe Fun: Support sports, hobbies, and activities that build confidence and belonging.
- Avoid Shame: If your child makes a mistake, stay calm. Kids are more honest when they don't fear extreme reactions.
Family Action Idea:
Ask your teen: "If you ever need to leave a situation fast, what code word or emoji can you text me?" Pick a secret sign together so you can pick them up, and no questions asked right away. Parents please help your teen memorize a phone number they can call or text if they do not have their own phone or need to use someone else's in order to contact a trusted adult to get them safely out of a situation that is making them uncomfortable.
Hello Sterling Pioneers. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. At STM we are committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every student.
Middle school is a time of immense growth, and learning how to build strong, empathetic relationships is a big part of that journey. Throughout this month, our students will engage in activities focused on kindness, digital citizenship, and standing up for one another—shifting from bystanders to upstanders.
How you can support at home:
Talk Openly: Ask your child about their school day, friendships, and online interactions.
Encourage Kindness: Reinforce the importance of empathy, inclusion, and respecting differences.
Report Concerns: Remind your child that asking for help from a trusted adult—whether a parent, admin, teacher, or counselor—is always the right step.
Together, we can ensure our school remains a place where every student feels valued and supported. Thank you for your partnership!
Rotary Club of Broadlands/Dulles South
Dunlap, Bennett, and Ludwig Law Firm
Sterling United Methodist Church
Moniart Print of Sterling
Akumen Inc.
Sterling Subaru
Teachers' Home Benefits
Benihana Dulles
You'veGotMaids of Sterling
Sterling Middle School
201 West Holly Ave
Sterling, VA 20164
Main Office Hours: 8:20 AM - 3:50 PM
Office Phone Number: 571-434-4520
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