Purple Up For Military Kids on April 15! This is a day set aside for everyone around the Nation to show their support for military-connected students. It is an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of Virginia’s youngest heroes, over 80,000 military connected children. The Virginia Department of Education encourages the entire school community to wear purple on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to show support for our military students and appreciation for their strength and sacrifices.
Thanks!
Mr. Keith
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you of the upcoming Standards of Learning testing dates for our students. Please review the schedule below and help ensure your child is prepared and present on these important days.
Testing Schedule:
Integrated Reading and Writing - Grade 8: Tuesday, April 28
Reading SOL - Grades 6-8 : Tuesday, May 5
Science SOL- Grade 8: Tuesday, May 12
Civics SOL- Grade 8- Thursday, May 14
Math SOL- Grade 6-8 Tuesday, May 19
Algebra/Geometry SOL- Wednesday, May 20
Testing will begin promptly each day, so it is important that students arrive at school on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. We encourage students to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and charge their Chromebooks.
Please avoid scheduling appointments during testing days, as consistent attendance is essential. If your child must be absent, contact the school as soon as possible to arrange a make-up session.
We appreciate your support in helping create a positive and successful testing experience for all students. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 540-268-2262.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
MCPS Preschool Applications
We are now accepting preschool applications for the 2026-2027 school year. You may apply online using the application link on the preschool page of the MCPS website. You may contact us at 540-268-2262 with any questions.
School entrance immunization requirements are established in the Code of Virginia, § 22.1-271.2. Immunization requirements and § 32.1-46. Immunization of patients against certain diseases which remain in effect as written. Additional information about required immunizations for school enrollment is available on the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) School Requirements – Immunization web page. The VDH has prepared important letters, posted under Resources, for families of rising students in Kindergarten and Grades 7 and 12. The Grade 7 packet also includes valuable information about the human papillomavirus (HPV). School divisions are encouraged to share these resources with families and school communities to help them prepare for successful enrollment in the 2026-27 school year and to support ongoing student health and wellness.
The VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety remains dedicated to supporting student health and wellness. Contact the VDOE School Health Coordinator Na-Keisha A. White at Na-Keisha.White@doe.virginia.gov with questions or for additional support concerning K-12 immunization requirements.
Sports Physical Day is on April 11 from 12-3. Parents should contact Coach Buchanan via phone (540-268-2262) or email (henrybuchanan@mcps.org) to set up an appointment.
Thanks!
We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you of the upcoming Standards of Learning testing dates for our students. Please review the schedule below and help ensure your child is prepared and present on these important days.
Testing Schedule:
Integrated Reading and Writing - Grade 8: Tuesday, April 28
Reading SOL - Grades 6-8 : Tuesday, May 5
Science SOL- Grade 8: Tuesday, May 12
Civics SOL- Grade 8- Thursday, May 14
Math SOL- Grade 6-8 Tuesday, May 19
Algebra/Geometry SOL- Wednesday, May 20
Testing will begin promptly each day, so it is important that students arrive at school on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. We encourage students to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and charge their Chromebooks.
Please avoid scheduling appointments during testing days, as consistent attendance is essential. If your child must be absent, contact the school as soon as possible to arrange a make-up session.
We appreciate your support in helping create a positive and successful testing experience for all students. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 540-268-2262.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Please see the important information below.
1. Spring MAP Testing Reminder
We will begin our Spring MAP Testing session next week. Please see the dates below. Help us by making sure your child has a fully charged chromebook each day.
Spring 2026 MAP Testing dates
Reading - Tuesday, 3/24 - All students
Math - Thursday, 3/26 - All Students
Language Usage - Monday, 3/30 - All Students
2. Behavioral Expectations for Quarter 4
If a student receives a full day of ISS or any OSS dates, they will NOT be permitted to participate in any field trips or field day activities for the remainder of the year. Please assist us in encouraging your child to behave in a positive manner and focus heavily on academic success and character for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
There will be no All In Tutoring during the week of 3/23 -3/27 due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
Good morning SMS Parents/Guardians,
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are approaching. They will be held during the week of Monday, March 23, 2026 - Friday, March 27, 2026. Conferences can be held before school, during the school day based on teacher availability, and after school. Our late conference night will be Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 4:00-7:00. Please contact your child’s teachers to set up conferences starting next week. They may be contacted via email or by phone. You may also call the main office at 540-268-2262 to schedule a conference. If your child has a D or an F, their teachers will be contacting you to set up a conference.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Spring MAP Testing
Good morning,
We will begin our Winter MAP Testing session next week. Please see the dates below. Help us by making sure your child has a fully charged chromebook each day.
Spring 2026 MAP Testing dates
Reading - Tuesday, 3/24 - All students
Math - Thursday, 3/26 - All Students
Language Usage - Monday, 3/30 - All Students
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Travel Opportunity New Date
Interested in travel? An MCPS teacher is heading to Puerto Rico in the Summer of 2027 through EF Tours, and is hosting an information session on Wednesday, March 18th for interested families at Christiansburg Middle School at 6PM in Room 622. Please note that this is not school-sponsored, and is open to any student and their families, not just middle school students! RSVP if you plan to attend. All questions will be answered at this meeting. RSVP Link: https://rsvp.efexploreamerica.com/ac3scyt. Ms. Hicks can't wait to see you there!
Ms. Linda Hicks
6th Grade Teacher (Science and Advanced Science)
Christiansburg Middle School
1205 Buffalo Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540) 394-2180
https://cms.mcps.org/
Virtual Virginia for 2026-2027
MCPS will once again provide a virtual school option in 2026-27 through Virtual Virginia.
Virtual Virginia has open their window for choosing virtual school in MCPS is March 2 through April 10.
Families may use this Google Form to express their interest.
Virtual Virginia is an available option for:
full-time elementary students (no partial-day enrollments)
full-time secondary students
secondary courses that are not offered in the face-to-face format at your school
*The end of Quarter 3
All,
Quarter 3 will end on Thursday, March 19th. Please remind your child to complete all missing assignments and give their best efforts. Please contact their teachers if you have any questions at 540-268-2262 or via email.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
*2026 Shawsville Middle School Summer Academy
All,
Summer Academy letters will be sent out with Quarter 3 report cards for all students who currently have a D and/or and F in English/Language Arts and/or Math. This will be a warning letter. Final decisions will be made later in the spring based upon updated student data. If your child does not receive a letter and you would like for them to attend, please contact us at 540-268-2262.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
The 2026-2027 Student Course Request forms have been sent home with students today (3/3/2026) for next year (upcoming 7th and 8th graders only.) Parents/Guardians, please sign and return these to the SMS counseling office by Tuesday, 3/10/2026. This is not the students' class schedule for next year. Final schedules will be sent after July 15th, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Ms. CJ Kostenblatt at 540-268-2262 or email her at ckostenb@mcps.org.
Thanks!
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
Good morning SMS Parents/Guardians,
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are approaching. They will be held during the week of Monday, March 23, 2026 - Friday, March 27, 2026. Conferences can be held before school, during the school day based on teacher availability, and after school. Our late conference night will be Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 4:00-7:00. Please contact your child’s teachers to set up conferences starting next week. They may be contacted via email or by phone. You may also call the main office at 540-268-2262 to schedule a conference. If your child has a D or an F, their teachers will be contacting you to set up a conference.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Spring MAP Testing
Good morning,
We will begin our Winter MAP Testing session next week. Please see the dates below. Help us by making sure your child has a fully charged chromebook each day.
Spring 2026 MAP Testing dates
Reading - Tuesday, 3/24 - All students
Math - Thursday, 3/26 - All Students
Language Usage - Monday, 3/30 - All Students
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Travel Opportunity for MCPS students
Interested in travel? One of the teachers in our county is heading to Puerto Rico in the Summer of 2027 through EF Tours, and is hosting an information session for interested families THIS Wednesday, March 4th at 6PM at Christiansburg Middle School in Room 622. Please note that this is not school-sponsored, and is open to any student and their families, not just middle school students! Please RSVP here if you plan to attend. All questions will be answered at this meeting. RSVP Link: https://rsvp.efexploreamerica.com/ac3scyt. Thank you!
Ms. Linda Hicks
6th Grade Teacher (Science and Advanced Science)
Christiansburg Middle School
1205 Buffalo Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540) 394-2180
https://cms.mcps.org/
SOCCER- Open gyms will occur Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5. Tryouts will occur 2/23-2.24. There will be a MANDATORY parent meeting after Monday’s tryout day beginning at 5pm.
SOFTBALL- Open gyms will occur Wednesday and Friday from 5-6:30pm. Tryouts will occur beginning on 2/23 at Creed Fields. All softball players will ride a second load bus to Creed for practices beginning on 2/23.
BASEBALL- Tryouts will begin on 2/23 at Creed Fields. All baseball players will ride the same second load bus as softball to Creed beginning on 2/23. Times for softball and baseball practices will be announced later this week.
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD information will be announced at a later time.
It’s almost Spring Sports season!
Open gyms for Co-ed Soccer will be held on Tuesday (2/17) and Thursday (2/19) of this week. We will also have tryouts next week Mon - Wed (2/23 - 2/25) with a mandatory parent meeting on Monday (2/23) at 5pm. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Good afternoon All,
Shawsville Middle School is excited to host our Valentine’s Day Dance for students! This event is a fun, supervised opportunity for students to enjoy music, food, friends, and school spirit. Students may purchase tickets for $5 in Mustang Bucks or the donation of one canned food item that will go to the local food pantry. The dance will be on Friday, February 13 directly after school from 3 - 4:30. Parents/Guardians should be at SMS no later than 4:30 to pick their child up. Thank you for your continued support in helping us make this a safe and enjoyable event for all students. Contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
1- Academic and Career Planning Night
Our Shawsville Middle School Academic and Career Planning Night will now be held on Monday, February 9, 2026. We appreciate everyone's flexibility and understanding. Please see the updated details below.
The Shawsville Middle School Academic and Career Planning Night will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm in the Shawsville Middle School auditorium. Chick Fil-A will be provided for all attendees along with Bingo/Scavenger Hunt games. A variety of neat prizes will be available to win.
All Middle school parents are encouraged to attend. Information presented will include:
Middle school schedules
Typical middle school day
Elective courses
Special Education classes
Remediation Opportunities/Classes
Gifted Education
Math Placements
English/Language Arts Placements
School Expectations
Shawsville Middle School works with Eastern Montgomery Elementary School to transition the rising sixth graders to middle school. Our SMS School Counselor will be visiting the elementary school in Mid February to assist students with course registration.
We are looking forward to having all rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in attendance! It will be here before we know it.
Sincerely,
Brandon D. Keith
Principal
2 - Shawsville Middle School is excited to host our Valentine’s Day Dance for students! This event is a fun, supervised opportunity for students to enjoy music, food, friends, and school spirit. Students may purchase tickets for $5 in Mustang Bucks or the donation of one canned food item that will go to the local food pantry. The dance will be on Friday, February 13 directly after school from 3 - 4:30. Parents/Guardians should be at SMS no later than 4:30 to pick their child up. Thank you for your continued support in helping us make this a safe and enjoyable event for all students.
3 - All In Tutoring resumes on Monday
All In Tutoring will resume on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Please remind your child if they are a participant.
4 - Interims on 2/11 at 3:15
Please check your Parent Portal for Quarter 2 Interim Grades starting at 3:30 on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Please be sure to contact any of your child's teachers with concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Good morning All,
Our Shawsville Middle School Academic and Career Planning Night will now be held on Monday, February 9, 2026. We appreciate everyone's flexibility and understanding. Please see the updated details below.
The Shawsville Middle School Academic and Career Planning Night will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm in the Shawsville Middle School auditorium. Chick Fil-A will be provided for all attendees along with Bingo/Scavenger Hunt games. A variety of neat prizes will be available to win.
All Middle school parents are encouraged to attend. Information presented will include:
Middle school schedules
Typical middle school day
Elective courses
Special Education classes
Remediation Opportunities/Classes
Gifted Education
Math Placements
English/Language Arts Placements
School Expectations
Shawsville Middle School works with Eastern Montgomery Elementary School to transition the rising sixth graders to middle school. Our SMS School Counselor will be visiting the elementary school in Mid February to assist students with course registration.
We are looking forward to having all rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in attendance! It will be here before we know it.
Sincerely,
Brandon D. Keith
Principal
Good afternoon,
Sorry for the short notice, but due to other weather-related schedule changes, we are electing to move the EMHS ACP night. It was originally scheduled for 2/4/2026. We are moving it to our alternate night of 2/10/2026 from 6-7:30. Thank you for understanding.
Thanks,
Mr. Lewis
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, all MCPS schools and buildings will open two hours late for students and 10 month staff. All 11 and 12 month non instructional staff may report to work one hour late. Code Blue.
Good morning,
Please use the link below to complete your Google Form for today's Virtual Learning Day. Please be sure to complete it by 10:00 in order to be counted "Present." Call us in the main office at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions or cannot access the form. Only students can access this form. They must use their Google Accounts.
Secondary Google Virtual Day Form
Thanks,
Mr. Keith
Good morning,
Please use the link below to complete your Google Form for today's Virtual Learning Day. Please be sure to complete it by 10:00 in order to be counted "Present." Call us un the main office at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions or cannot access the form.
Secondary Google Virtual Day Form
Thanks,
Mr. Keith