 The staff thanks you for all of the generous pie donations for Pi Day!
Note from Dr. Sheers
As we pass the midyear mark, our students are successfully progressing in all areas of learning! It’s the collective work both at school and home that gives our students the best environment for learning.
The month of March brings us longer daylight hours, warmer weather and the start of a new season. It is also the month during which we have to regroup, get organized, and be prepared to enjoy the remainder of the school year.
We are well into the last half of our school year and it will remain busy. We also know that as the weather gets warmer and spring and summer activities begin, there are more “outside” demands on children’s time. Finding a balance between school and non-school related activities can be a challenge. There are many ways that West Springfield families can support their children as we head into the warm and sunny days of spring to ensure the children have a productive school year. Here are a few tips:
- Get enough sleep. Like all of us, children need a full night's rest to be able to optimally function during the day.
- Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. We all know that healthy eating will benefit the children in all they do.
- Manage time! One of the biggest challenges we all face is time management. Children need your guidance to balance school and non-school activities. Fight the temptation to over-commit your child with fun after school activities, even if they insist they want to do everything.
- Get to school on time. Your children need to be at school! If your child arrives to school by 8:45, they have time to calmly unpack, socialize with friends, and begin their school day in a focused, unrushed manner.
- Stay informed about our school. Pay attention to school events, read the teacher newsletters and school communications. This will help you stay informed about important happenings.
Thank you for your continued support.
News and Notes
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Ms. Brooke Greilsheimer who received the West Springfield Rotary Club Award for “Service Above Self” that recognizes her for effective teaching, problem solving skills and for being a role model to students. Ms. Greilsheimer will be honored at the Rotary Club meeting in April.
Picture Day on March 21
Class group pictures will be taken on Thursday, March 21. Individual portraits will be taken only of students who are purchasing. If you would like your child to have their individual picture taken, be sure to place your order online or to send your child in with their picture order before March 21. Orders received after 9:00 a.m. on March 21 (Picture Day) are not guaranteed to be accepted due to the tight schedule of Picture Day.
Online orders can be made now at mylifetouch.com using the Picture Day ID: HJ248186Q0 . Paper order forms were sent home in yesterday’s Thursday folder and there are extra forms available in the main office.
There is also a need for parent volunteers on March 21 for Picture Day. Volunteers will receive a $35 voucher toward their child’s picture order. If you are interested, please contact Tahnee Blauser, our PTA Volunteer Coordinator at teamblauser@gmail.com.
Yearbook sales have begun
All orders are due by Friday, April 12 and can be placed online (ybpay.lifetouch.com using Yearbook ID Code #13281519) or in the office.
Yearbook prices start at $17, with package prices ranging from $18.75 to $24.20.
Socrates’ Cafe
There are still a few slots open for the Socrates’ Cafe. Socrates’ Cafe is a philosophy club that will meet in Parko 2 on Thursday mornings from 8-8:35 a.m.. Membership is open to all students in Fifth and Sixth grades. Mrs. Mollie Tkacik, AART, is the moderator and the group will meet on the dates listed below:
March 21 May 2
March 28 May 9
April 11 May 16
April 25 May 30
Applications can be found in the upper grade hallway next to Ms. Grifo’s room.
Book Fair Volunteers NeededOur S
pring Book Fair will take place the week of March 25-29. We need your help with sales throughout the week, for set-up on March 21 and breakdown on March 29. We are also looking for volunteers to come in on the preview day, March 22, to help our students. As a thank you, volunteers who help for at least one hour will receive 10% off of their purchases.
We have lots of opportunities to volunteer so please consider coming in and helping. Even if you cannot help with the event, don’t forget to save the date for Family Night Shopping on Tuesday, March 26, from 4-8 p.m.. All proceeds from the book fair go to our library. Please visit the Sign-Up Genius link below to select a time to volunteer. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Rigsby at lsrigsby@fcps.edu.
WSES Spring Book Fair Sign Up
-
Did You Know? FCPS has a program called “Technology @ Home” that provide technology discounts for FCPS students and staff. This program is available to currently enrolled FCPS students. Students must register using their FCPS G Suite for Education email, formerly FCPS Google Apps for Education. After you install the program, you will need to connect to the Internet at least once every 30 days to keep the software active and you will need to verify enrollment annually. After graduation, the subscription/account can be renewed through many post-secondary schools, or through Microsoft.
-
What is Digital Citizenship? Digital Citizenship can be described as the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior (and its positive and negative impact on self and others) with regard to technology use. It's important for parents to help their child become safe, ethical, responsible and respectful digital citizens. To do that, you’ll use the same successful parenting strategies you’re already using. FCPS is providing these resources to support family learning and conversations. Visit the FCPS Digital Citizenship for Families for more details and resources.
Community News
Mary Poppins Jr.
On March 29 and 30, students at Irving Middle School will be performing a production of Mary Poppins Jr. beginning each evening at 7 p.m.. Included in the family-friendly production are 9 Mighty Mustang alumni, so be sure to take the family and support our former Mustangs! Tickets can be purchased here.
Cherry Blossom STEM Day
Special spring fun will be taking place at the Children’s Science Center Lab in Fairfax, Virginia on April 6. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival with a twist of STEM at the Cherry Blossom STEM Day! Guests will be able to experiment with Flower Pigmentation. Visitors will press or rub flower petals onto a coffee filter, and with water added, witness the process of different pigmentation (ie, which colors will appear for the different types of flowers). Surprise and wonder may come as to how many colors will reveal themselves out of one colored petal. Admission is $13. Read more about the Children's Science Center Lab in this KFDC post.
Girl Scouts Camps
Girl Scouts is offering low-cost spring break and summer camps as an introductory program for girls who are not currently Girl Scouts. Activities include arts & crafts, STEM, games, songs, and more!
- Camp Rainbow, our spring break camp, will take place at the Girl Scout’s Camp Coles Trip in Stafford, VA. Buses will be provided from various schools in the area.
- Camp Mariposa will take place from June 24 – 28 at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church on Hooes Road in Springfield.
The camps run from 9-4. Attending camp is a great experience for the girls, and it gives the parents a week of childcare for less than $10 a day. To register, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cb-camper.
Save the Date
Thursday, March 21 Spring Pictures (Classes and Individuals)
Thursday, March 21 PTA Dine-Out at IHOP
Friday, March 22 WSES Book Fair Preview
Monday, March 25 Book Fair Begins
Tuesday, March 26 Family Night Shopping at Book Fair (Library), 4-8 p.m.
Friday, March 29 PTA Science Fair and School STEAM Night 5:30-7:30pm
Tuesday, April 2 PTA Meeting 7-8:30 pm
Thursday, April 4 School-Wide Field Trip, All-School Photo
Friday, April 5 Teacher Workday- No School for Students
Friday, April 5 Kindergarten Orientation 2:30-3:30pm
|
