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February 15, 2019
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Fairfax County Schools and Offices Closed Monday, February 18th - Presidents' Day
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Dear Willow Springs,
We did it! We officially reached the 100th day of school, and now we are all 100 days smarter! Our kindergartners enjoyed this grand celebration on Friday as they marched in our traditional 100th-day parade and created memories in their classrooms that will last a lifetime - all while dressed up as 100-year-olds! Other students at WSES focused on groupings and attributes of 100 in their classrooms and different ways to apply mathematical concepts found throughout our school.
On Valentine’s Day, which also happened to be our February Spirit Day, we all dressed in our best attire for “Fancy Dress Day.” Our students enjoyed dressing up for the day, but no one was more adorable than our 3rd graders as they held their annual Manners Day. They rotated through stations to practice etiquette and politeness in a variety of settings. It was a special day, truly filled with LOVE and learning!
Earlier this month we announced the great news about our very own 2nd-grade teacher, Ms. Creek and her FCPS Honors recognition in being named Best Elementary Teacher for Fairfax Pyramid. Willow Springs is happy to share even more exciting news with you! Our office assistant, Ms. Wheeler, and kindergarten teacher, Alison Willison, were also recently named Fairfax Pyramid winners in the FCPS Honors Outstanding Employee Awards. I may be biased in saying this, but I believe Willow Springs is indeed fortunate to have the BEST all-around team working here on behalf of our students. That includes the educators, but also those who work behind the scenes and in our main office. Everyone here is fully committed to keeping our learning environment the best it possibly can be. Without them, our school would not be as welcoming as it is, and for all their hard work we collectively say "thank you" for everything you do for us. Congrats again, Kristin, Phyllis, and Alison!!! Good luck at the regional level. We will receive news on region winners for these categories sometime in March.
This week, we also send a special welcome to our Interim Assistant Principal, Mr. Camarda! We are excited to have Mr. Camarda join our Willow Springs family, and look forward to utilizing his wealth of experience as we continue through the process of hiring a new AP for our school. Most recently, Mr. Camarda retired as principal of Lemon Road Elementary in Falls Church after six years. Before that role, he served as the Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction for FCPS. Before taking that position, Mr. Camarda served as the principal of London Towne Elementary in Centreville, VA for eight years. Throughout his career he has proven himself as a leader and innovator in developing 21st-century learning skills for his students, creating powerful CLTs in schools, and building great relationships with kids and staff alike. Please reach out and say hello; I am sure that you will see him around.
If you are looking for a family activity this weekend, Mount Vernon will open one hour earlier at 8 a.m. and admission on Monday is FREE to honor George Washington's birthday.
Enjoy the three-day weekend and extra time with family,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Rashida Green, Assistant Principal
Andy Camarda, Interim Assistant Principal
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Save the Date
Please join us on Wednesday, February 20th, in the school library for "Hot Chocolate with the Principal." There will be sweet treats to enjoy while you get to know Mr. Taylor. The social will take place from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and will be followed by our February PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m.
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FCPS Honors Outstanding Employee Awards 2019 |
Outstanding New Teacher: Fairfax Pyramid Winner
Alison Willison, Kindergarten, WSES
Outstanding Operational Employee: Fairfax Pyramid Winner
Phyllis Wheeler, Office Assistant, WSES
Outstanding Elementary Teacher: Fairfax Pyramid Winner
Kristin Creek, Second Grade, WSES
The region winners for Outstanding Elementary Teacher:
- Allison Omohundro from Deer Park Elementary School has been named the Region 5 Outstanding Elementary Teacher for 2019.
We will receive news on region winners for additional categories sometime in March.
We’re excited to say that Centreville HS’ basketball team made it to the state championships! This might have an impact on our Spirit Night. Please stay tuned. We will send out more information as it comes in.
 Are you going to be cheering for Team Foxes or Team Willows? Blue or Green? On Friday, February 22nd, we will be hosting our annual Spirit Night at Centreville High School where Team Foxes, coached by Mr. Campen, will take on Team Willow, coached by Mr. Taylor. In addition to a great game of basketball, spectators will enjoy our very own Fox Ensemble kicking off the festivities by performing our National Anthem followed by half time entertainment from our Jump Rope Team, Jump Rope Club and Zumba Club. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $3.00; Spirit wear, food, and drink will be available for purchase. Cash is preferred, but square readers will be available for a much slower and cumbersome admittance process.
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Kindergarten Registration Now Open for 2019-20 School Year! |
If you have a child who will reach the age of five on or before September 30, 2019 they are eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2019-20 school year. If your child meets the age requirement and lives within the boundaries of Willow Springs Elementary School they may be registered at this time. Please sign up for a registration appointment and reserve a space for the orientation session soon. Forms and documents required for registration can be found through this link (scroll down to Student Registration) to the Willow Springs website. Student registrations have a direct impact on teacher staffing so the sooner registrations take place the better able we are to staff accordingly. Please call 703-679-6071 or email Liz Flaherty with any questions
FCPS School Environment Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is studying how school environments relate to discipline practices in the Division. As part of the study, you may receive a survey from FCPS’ Office of Research and Strategic Improvement (ORSI). The surveys are designed to help FCPS understand your and your child’s thoughts about the school environment and how discipline is approached in their school.
Surveys to parents will be translated into multiple languages and come via eNotify. Participation is voluntary for you and your child, and all responses will be anonymous.
I encourage you to participate in this important survey to help FCPS understand what is working well and where we can improve.
FCPS Family Engagement Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools will be conducting a survey to gather information about family engagement in our schools. Relationships are important to us, and your opinion is critical to help us support your engagement in your child’s education. Your feedback will also help us determine how well we are reaching the goals for Caring Culture we have set in our Strategic Plan. Survey translations will be made available, and the survey can be taken on electronic devices, including smartphones.
Survey administration is scheduled for March 24-April 12, 2019, and you will receive more information about how to take the survey in the near future.
We look forward to hearing from you!
WSES Looking Ahead
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Monday, February 18th - Presidents' Day; Student Holiday - School Closed
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Wednesday, February 20th - Hot Chocolate and Q&A with Principal Taylor at 6:00 p.m. followed by PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. (Library)
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Friday, February 22nd - LifeTouch Club and Candid Picture Day
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Friday, February 22nd - Spirit Night, Foxes vs. Willows 6:00 p.m. (Centreville HS)
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Friday, March 8th - PTA Family Bingo Night 6:00 p.m. (Cafeteria)
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Monday, March 11th - Students Released Three Hours Early at 1:00 p.m.
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Friday, March 15th - SCA Color Coded Grade Level Day (K-red, 1-orange, 2-yellow, 3-green, 4-blue, 5-purple, 6-pink)
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Friday, March 22nd - WSES Fun Run Leprechaun Chase 5:30 p.m.
Spring Break, April 15-19, 2019; and the last day of school, June 13, 2019.
Visit the Willow Springs Elementary PTA website.
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