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October 25, 2019
 Fairfax County Police Officers joined us in the cafeteria for lunch this week to build relationships and provide positive face-to-face interactions with our students.
Willow Springs Families,
Our students have had another week filled with adventure and excitement here at WSES! Sixteen of our 5th and 6th graders participating in the Fairfax County Elementary Honors Choir have been rehearsing after school every Thursday for the past six weeks at Lanier Middle School. We’re so proud of these dedicated vocalists who have worked incredibly hard to perfect their performance, and last night these young students showcased their talent at the Fairfax High School Pyramid Concert for all to enjoy. We want to offer them our heartfelt congratulations on a job well done.
Also last night, we were awarded the Excellence in Equity Award for reducing our Math achievement gap. Our devoted teachers are commended for this achievement. They continuously demonstrate their passion for making our educational environment the best it can be here at WSES, and they do it every single day! Their focus on student collaboration, inclusive learning strategies, focused math workshops, and incorporating best math practices certainly paid off. Please read the article below on how to nominate Willow Springs' faculty and staff for outstanding employee awards. Nominations close next Friday, November 1st.
We recognize that our teachers worked hard for this award. However, without the willingness of our students, and you, the parents, to work just as hard, we could not accomplish all that we do. Everyone working together as a team is what makes success like this possible.
Be sure to follow us on twitter @WSESfox to see the magic happen every day.
Enjoy your weekend,
Mr. Taylor, Principal
Mrs. Green, Assistant Principal
Ms. Hassen, Assistant Principal
Sixteen 5th & 6th Graders Represent WSES in FCPS Elementary Honors Choir at Fairfax Pyramid Concert
Willow Springs Elementary had 16 students participate in this year's Fairfax HS Pyramid Elementary Honors Choir. The concert took place last night at Fairfax High School. In addition to the honors choir, the choirs from Lanier Middle School and Fairfax High School performed. The concert lasted approximately one-hour and will concluded with all students singing en masse!
Willow Springs Elementary Participants Include: Mayar Al Atbi, Ishaan Chugh, Dominic Max Foronda, Alycia Hammett, Claire Ma, Audrey Nagle, Sienna Nguyen, Darianna Paniagua, Manish Pillai, Katie Powderly, Ryan Singh, Mohith Thathineni, Bethany Therrien, Dylan Truncellito, Saketha Vijay, Kaylee Yuen
WSES Students Celebrate School Spirit with Character Dress Up Day
Deadline to Return Federal Impact Aid Survey is October 30
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid that was sent home with students this week.
Returning this form is important because the information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to Willow Springs. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by October 30. All results are confidential.
Learn more about Impact Aid in this short video.
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We're Donating Lost and Found Items on October 30 |
Are your children missing any clothing? Please stop by to take a look if you are missing something before Wednesday, October 30. After October 30th, anything left will be packed up and donated.
Parents please write your child’s first and last name on the inside of winter coats to ensure they can be returned to your child during the frigid winter months!
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You're Invited
Friday, November 1st
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Our next Family Tech Talk is Friday, November 1, at 8 a.m. in Ms. Li's classroom 133.
The topic will be Newsela, NoRedInk, and more. Students are welcome to attend, however if they cannot, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR CHILD’S LOG IN INFORMATION!!! Also, please keep in mind that you/students are welcome to bring your device.
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FCPS Outstanding Employee Nominations |
The FCPS employee award season is here again and your help is needed! We hope you'll nominate WSES employees for the following categories:
Outstanding Teacher
- Must have at least 3 years of experience as a classroom teacher, special area teacher, or librarian.
Outstanding New Teacher
- Must be within the first three years as a classroom teacher, special area teacher, or librarian.
Outstanding Professional Employee
- Instructional Coach, Resource Teacher, SBTS, School Counselor, Technology Support Specialist, Social Worker, Speech/Language Pathologist
Outstanding Operational Employee
- Administrative and Office Assistants, Bus Driver, Bus Attendant, Custodial staff, Food Service, Instructional Assistant, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons
Outstanding Leader
Outstanding Principal
NOMINATION PROCESS:
Please click the link below and nominate any staff member at Willow Springs Elementary School that you think is doing an awesome job serving our students and community.
STAFF NOMINATION FORM
Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 1, 2019.
- You may nominate as many employees as you wish during the nomination window.
- School winners from previous years may be nominated again.
- You must include your name when you nominate the person.
- Each nomination must include a brief paragraph stating why you believe this person is deserving of this honor.
- Winners at the county level receive a cash prize.
- After all nominations have been received, voting will take place if there is more than one nominee in a category.
If you nominate someone and they win you will have to complete a nominator form and/or letter of recommendation to help this person win at the pyramid, region, and county levels. Please do not nominate someone if you cannot help with this part of the process.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Willow Springs Award Liaison, Krystal Styles at krstyles@fcps.edu
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AAP Screening Meeting
Monday, December 2nd
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AAP Level IV Screening Information Session
Monday, December 2, 2019
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Willow Springs Cafeteria
If you are planning to refer your child for the level IV AAP program and would like additional guidance and information, Mrs. Murray, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher will review procedures, time frames, and answer questions regarding what should be included in the referral file and how documents need to be submitted. Information is also available on the web at: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students
It is not possible to meet individually with each family to review files, this is a great opportunity to go over guidelines for screening files to ensure that you are submitting your child’s file completely and accurately. Geared towards grades 2-6.
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Calendar Reminder: November 4 and 5 are Holidays for Students |
As a reminder, schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher work day. Friday, November 1, is the last day of the first quarter. Classes will resume on Wednesday, November 6. See the complete 2019-20 school calendar.
Looking Ahead
More information about each event will be sent out as dates get closer:
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October 30 – Federal Impact Aid Surveys Due
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October 30 – Lost and Found Items Donated
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November 1 – Family Tech Talk, Classroom 133, 8 a.m.
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November 1 – FCPS Outstanding Employee Nominations Close
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November 4-5 – Student Holidays
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November 14 – Tech Night
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November 22 – Dr. Seuss Movie Night: Horton Hears a Who
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December 2 – Advanced Academic Screening Info Session, 9:30 a.m.
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December 6 – WSES Family Game Night
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December 7 – Barnes and Noble Book Fair, 1:00 p.m. 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive Fairfax
Notable dates include Thanksgiving break, November 27-29; Winter break, December 23, 2019-January -3, 2020; Spring Break, April 6-10, 2020; and the last day of school, June 12, 2020.
Visit the Willow Springs Elementary PTA website.
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