The Boulevard October 4, 2026

October 5, 2026
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Principal's Message
Hello Pioneers,
As always, I hope you and your families are enjoying the weekend, even with the rainy, dreary weather. Fall is officially upon us, and for many, it is the favorite season of the year! As temperatures drop, please encourage our Pioneer Scholars to dress appropriately for the cooler weather.
On Monday, September 28, STM hosted our first Parent Coffee of the school year. This event gave parents and our leadership team a great opportunity to connect on student academic progress, highlight positive changes, and discuss key areas for ongoing growth. Thank you to everyone who attendedβwe look forward to seeing you at our next session!
Over the past week, STM received several generous donations from our community partners. Special thanks to Supervisor Koran T. Sainesβ office for their contribution through the "Back to School Supply Drive Initiative," as well as the Dulles-Leesburg (VA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. We are deeply grateful for their continued advocacy and support of our students, school, and community.
Please review the upcoming events listed below, including our Hispanic Heritage Family Night (Friday, 10/9/26 @ 6:00 PM), the "Battle of Route 7" soccer game vs. Seneca Ridge (Friday, 10/16/26 @ 5:00 PM), and the end of the first quarter on Wednesday, October 28.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns.
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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.
Our Mission
Class Act of the Week
π₯³ Congratulations to this week's Class Acts of the Week! π₯³ 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.
π¨π»βπ6th Gradeπ©π»βπ
Cynthia Benitez- Cynthia has consistently demonstrates responsibility, respect, and a positive attitude in the classroom. She come to class prepared, participate actively in discussions, and always try her best. Her willingness to help classmates and show kindness to others makes our classroom a better place for everyone. - Mr. Salous, Tech Ed Teacher
Noemi Hernandez Canas- Noemi has consistently shown up to class ready to learn. She is always on task and completes all of her work at her highest effort in a timely fashion. Ms. McClenning, English Teacher
π¨π»βπ7th Gradeπ©π»βπ
Alex Sanchez- Alex is a hardworking and positive student who always tries his best in class. He works well with his classmates, participates in activities, and shows a great attitude toward learning - Ms. Gadelsayed, FACS Teacher
Kimberly Lopez Esperanza - Kimberly is a student who focuses on her academic and life goals even when class is busy. She always makes sure she gets her work done and stands up for herself to make sure her projects are done the right way. - Mr. Culver, Tech Ed Teacher
Adeline Justus- Adeline Shows up to class ready to learn. She's hardworking, respectful, and student who shows CLASS. When it comes to group projects, she involves others with enthusiasm and positivity. - Mr. Hayes, Tech Ed Teacher
π¨π»βπ8th Gradeπ©π»βπ
Patrick-Joshua Mutoke- Patrick always contributes to class discussions and is a model when it come to starting and completing his work independently and well. Ms. Fenix, FACS Teacher
Grade Level Newsletters
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.
We Love our Custodians!
Friday, October 2nd was National Custodians Day
We are fortunate to have a fantastic custodial team who makes sure our buildings and grounds are ready for our students and staff each day. We appreciate them.
Chronic Absenteeism by Grade
10% or more, absent from total days of school
π© Current overall rate β 13.7% π©
- Sixth-grade rate β 11.4% π’
- Seventh-grade rate β 15.1% π‘
- Eighth-grade rate β 14.8.% π’
Tiers:
- π’ 10% to 14%
- π‘ 15% to 24%
- π΄ 25%+
We need your help with keeping our chronic absenteeism rate low. Students need to be present in school to learn. We want all of our students to be successful and this starts with them being at school each day. Our goal is for all grade levels to be in the green (tier 1). Please make sure that you talk to your child about the importance of being at school every day.
Attendance Resources
See below for important information from the county about attendance.
https://www.lcps.org/o/doss/page/attendance-resources
Here is a useful link as it includes some of the following:
- Attendance Facts
- Attendance Strategies for Parents
- Attendance Policy/Regulation
Main Office Reminders
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!
Sterling Families, Let's Stay Connected! Follow Us and Find Out!
There's always something happening at Sterling Middle School, and we don't want you to miss it!
Follow us, like our posts, and share with other Sterling families!
Together, let's celebrate everything that makes Sterling Middle School special!
Pioneer Events π
OCTOBER 2026
- Thursday, October 1st - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Friday, October 2nd - 8th grade Band/PVHS Marching Band Collaboration (PVHS and Dominion HS)
- Monday and Tuesday - Oct 5th and Oct 6th - Counselor Bullying Lessons (6th and 7th grade)
- Tuesday, October 6th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Thursday, October 8th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Thursday and Friday - Oct 8th and Oct 9th - Counselor Bullying Lessons (8th grade)
- Friday, October 9th - Hispanic Heritage Family Night - 6pm
- Monday, October 12th - HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
- Tuesday, October 13th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Wednesday, October 14th - Soccer Academy Field Trip to Loudoun United
- Thursday, October 15th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Friday, October 16th - Battle of Route 7 (Dominion HS) 5pm
- Tuesday, October 20th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Thursday, October 22nd - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Tuesday, October 27th - Strings Fall Concert (Auditorium)
- Tuesday, October 27th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Thursday, October 29th - STUDENT HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
- Friday, October 30th - STUDENT HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
- Monday, November 2nd - STUDENT HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
- Tuesday, November 3rd - STUDENT HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
- Monday, November 9th - HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
- Tuesday, November 10th - Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Thursday, November 12th- Adult EL Classes (House A) 6pm -7:30pm
- Friday, November 13th - 6th Grade All County Chorus (Watson Mountain MS & Lightridge HS)
- Friday, November 13th - Junior and Regional Orchestra (Rock Ridge HS)
Well-fed children are better prepared to learn, focus, and succeed.
In Partnership with United Way, Sterling Middle School was able to provide snacks and meals to our students during our PRI program.
When children have access to nutritious food, they can focus their energy on learning, participating, and achieving their goals. Feeding our students is an investment in their education and their future.
Please click the link below to watch the video and learn more about our success.
Purchase a Yearbook!
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Battle of Route 7 Coming Soon
Our Entrance for Battle of Route 7 will be to the Left
BATTLE OF ROUTE 7
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
THE BATTLE OF ROUTE 7 CONCESSION STAND
We are looking for volunteers to help run the concession stand for Battle of Route 7. All volunteers will be trained and provided instructions.
OCTOBER 16TH - DOMINION HIGH SCHOOL
JOIN US AT THE CONCESSION STAND
2 SHIFTS TO PICK FROM
5:30PM - 7:0PM OR 7:00PM - 8:30PM
If your would like to help, please click the link below and fill out the form.
Thank you Wegman's!
Wegman's has graciously donated 100 boxes of fruit bars and 100 boxes of granola bars to support our upcoming endeavor to welcome students in early once a week for homework help/connection time. Thank you Wegman's! Families, be on the lookout for more on our Breakfast Club!
Join Intramural Sports!
CAREER EXPLORATION DAY
Are you passionate about helping students envision their future careers? Sterling Middle School is hosting the Pioneer Career Exploration Fair, and we need volunteers from our Sterling/Northern Virginia community to showcase a variety of careers.
November 11, 2026
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
If your would like to volunteer, please click the link below and fill out the form.
MSAAC-Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee
Nurse's Corner
Middle school brings fast changes. We want every girl to feel safe and ready to learn each day. Please pack a spare pair of pants and fresh underwear in a labeled zip bag. Your daughter can keep this extra set in her school locker just in case she has an unexpected menstrual leak.
La etapa de secundaria conlleva cambios rΓ‘pidos. Queremos que cada alumna se sienta segura y lista para aprender cada dΓa. Por favor, preparen un par de pantalones de repuesto y ropa interior limpia en una bolsa con cierre hermΓ©tico y debidamente etiquetada. Su hija podrΓ‘ guardar este juego adicional en su casillero escolar, por si acaso sufriera una fuga menstrual inesperada.
Counselor's corner
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 anotherβshifting 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 adultβwhether a parent, admin, teacher, or counselorβis 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!
All students will receive grade-level bullying lessons the week of October 5th.
Mark your calendars for October 21st (Wednesday), and we are encouraging the students to wear ORANGE to stand up against bullying.
LOST AND FOUND CORNER
Is This Yours?
Claim your missing property at the main office.
- Items not claimed by Friday, October 9th will be donated.
Park View High School Athletic Newsletter
Check out Park View High School's weekly newsletter for important athletic updates every week!!
STM Business / Community Partners
Rotary Club of Broadlands/Dulles South
Dunlap, Bennett, and Ludwig Law Firm
Sterling United Methodist Church
Teachers' Home Benefits
Benihana Dulles
You'veGotMaids of Sterling
Send us your Pioneer Spotlights - Let's highlight our Pioneers!
We want to hear from you! Send us the awesome accomplishments of our Pioneers!
We want to highlight all the accomplishments of our Pioneer students. Has your child won an award, had an achievement, won a tournament with their sports team or done anything else that you are proud of that we can spotlight here?
If yes, please email Fitzroy.Frew@lcps.org, Viviana.Reyes@lcps.org and Katie.Lovoalbayero@lcps.org with your child's name, grade, details about the accomplishment and a picture(if available) by Wednesday of each week to be included in the Pioneer Spotlight. We can't wait to see all the wonderful things our Pioneers are a part of.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS!
The donations are from Supervisor Sainesβ Back-to-School Supply Drive initiative. This program is in its seventh year and supports our Sterling District Title I schools by collecting school supplies to ensure those students are prepared for success in the new school year.
More Generous Donations
Donations from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
Thank you to the Dulles-Leesburg(VA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. We appreciate your collaboration and contribution to Sterling Middle School. Brother Gerald Harvey, Brother Steven McKinnon, Brother Delmar Obaji and Brother Arnold Platt came to Sterling Middle School to deliver backpacks and school supplies for our students and staff. We look forward to continuing this partnership. Thank you as well to Supervisor Koran T. Saines and Legislative Aide Iymonie Martin for connecting us to the brothers.
Thank You for Joining Us
Thank you to all our parents who joined us for Coffee with the Admin Team!
We appreciate you taking the time to connect, share, and enjoy meaningful conversations with us.
Your partnership, support, and involvement make our school community stronger.
We look forward to many more opportunities to sip, chat, and connect!
Contact Sterling Middle School
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
All rights reserved. Β©2026 Loudoun County Public Schools.