 Students in second grade demonstrate various ways to solve a problem in math class.
Note from Dr. Sheers
We are looking forward to this Sunday where Barnes & Noble purchases can help us raise funds to buy more books for teacher classrooms! A percent of all purchases between noon and 4:00 pm will go back to our school provided the WSES coupon is shared at checkout.
When: This Sunday, December 15
Time: Noon – 4 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble Springfield – 6646 Loisdale Road
Bring: Coupon Code
Details: Shop anytime noon - 4pm
2:00 - 2:30 Mighty the Mustang visits
2:30 - School Choir and Strings Perform
Teachers and staff will be visiting throughout afternoon, stop by to say hi!
CAN’T ATTEND OUR BOOKFAIR AT BARNES & NOBLE?
Visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online on December 15 by entering Bookfair ID 12571816 at checkout
Save the Date
Sunday, December 15 Barnes & Noble Event
Tuesday, December 17 WSES SCA Collection Ends
Friday, December 20 READ IN Day and Pajama Day
Monday, December 23 Winter Break Begins
Monday, January 6 School Resumes
Tuesday, January 7 PTA Meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the Library
 Did you know that West Springfield Elementary has one of the largest military populations in FCPS? We have accumulated a number of resources on our school website specific to our military families. Check it out at: https://westspringfieldes.fcps.edu/resources/wses-military-family-information
- AAP Level IV Referral & Screening Parent Open House Information
- WSES Welcomes Author Denise Lawson
- AAP Level IV referral deadline
- Body Safety Program Information
News and Notes
Winter Break
FCPS Winter Break is from December 23, 2019, until January 3, 2019. WSES will resume classes on Monday, January 6. Enjoy your two-week break and we’ll see you next year!
WSES Giving Tree
The WSES Giving Tree supports deserving families in our immediate community. To meet the differing needs of each family, we will collect anything and everything your family is able to contribute. (Household goods, Clothing, Toys/Games, Diapers, Non-perishable food items, etc). Click here for ideas of what to donate
WSES Welcomes Author Denise Lawson For Our First Read In Day On Friday, December 20th
WSES will have our first READ IN day of the year on Friday, December 20th. This will be an all-day event where students get the chance to read books with friends, teachers, parents and community members. Teachers will be putting out an online sign up for parents and community members to come in and read some of their favorite stories with our students. We will also be welcoming local author Denise Lawson of the Black Bear Series to WSES as our Read In Day guest of honor. You can order her books and bring them in on the morning of December 20th to be signed by Mrs. Lawson for you student. You can order from the following links or pick up a copy from our local Springfield Barnes & Noble store on December 15th and help us get money back for classroom libraries!
Amazon: Denise Lawson Author Page
Publisher’s Site: www.brownlowebooks.com
Barnes and Noble: Denise Lawson Author Page
Students are allowed to wear pajamas to school but please do not bring pillows, blankets or stuffed animals. Please keep an eye out for your class sign up form and come and be a part of our READ IN Day!
Advanced Academic Level IV Referral and Screening Parent Open House: Monday, December 16th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, West Springfield Elementary Advanced Academic Learning Cottage: *For families of students in Grades 2-6 ONLY*
Mrs. Maggie Gawen, West Springfield Elementary Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will be hosting an one-hour parent open house for those interested in referring their child for Level IV services. During this time, parents who are referring their child for FCPS’ Advanced Academic Level IV Services will have the opportunity to ask Mrs. Gawen questions and to bring in work samples for review. Please read the AAP presentations on our website before coming to the Open House so that you may come prepared with your referral and work samples. Level IV Referrals are DUE January 9th, 2020. Referral forms WILL NOT be accepted after this date. Please RSVP to this event by using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E44ADAF28A75-west
Read in Day
WSES will have their first READ IN day of the year on Friday, December 20. This will be an all-day event where students get the chance to read books with friends, teachers, parents and community members. Teachers will be putting out an online sign up for parents, and community members to come in and read some of their favorite stories with our students. Students are allowed to wear pajamas to school, but please do not bring pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals, please look at your class’ sign up form and come and be part of our READ IN Day!
Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Level IV services are available for students found eligible through a central selection process. The program is available in Grades 3-8. Eligible students use curriculum from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four academic subject areas on a full-time basis. Due to the volume of files screened centrally for Level IV services, deadlines are strictly held. The referral deadline is January 9th, 2020.
Body Safe Program
Please see the schedule below for the Body Safe Program in December. Opt out forms and information were sent home in the Thursday folder.
12/16/19 - Kindergarten 9:30 am - 11:30 am
2nd Grade 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
12/17/19 - 1st Grade 9:30 am - 11:30 am
3rd Grade 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
12/18/19 - K/1st/3rd Grade 9:15 am - 11:15 am
6th Grade 1:20 pm - 3:20 pm
12/19/19 - 4th Grade 9:30 am - 11:30 am
5th Grade 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
 This week is Computer Science Education Week and educators from 180 different countries will be setting aside time to expose students to computer science concepts through activities like Hour of Code. At WSES, however, our students are involved in much richer computer science education through the STEAM Lab. Beginning this year, every Mighty Mustang from Kindergarten to 6th grade will be engaged in computational thinking while learning grade-level appropriate content related to algorithms and programming, computer systems, cybersecurity, data and analysis, impacts of computing, and networking and the internet. Currently, every grade level is working on a long-term coding project during their STEAM Lab time.
- In grades K-2, students are using an application called Scratch Jr. to experience programming as a means of creative expression. They are using a drag-and-drop block programming language to create interactive collages or tell stories, while learning about important programs concepts like loops and events.
- Students in grades 3 through 5 are also using coding (the full Scratch programming environment) as a means of creative expression, but in more academic ways that are connected to the science content they learn this year. Students in the upper grade levels will also begin to explore more advanced programming concepts like nested loops, while statements, if/else statements, functions, and variables.
- Third graders have been modelling bee pollination while developing ideas for new types of flowers that could support bee populations and address one or more suspected causes of colony collapse disorder.
- Fourth graders have researched an endangered species in Virginia and are developing Scratch programs that illustrate a concept they created to help protect this species.
- Fifth graders are integrating Scratch programming with LEGO Mindstorms robots to develop self-playing music machines (and exploring sound waves as they go).
- Students in sixth grade move beyond using coding as a means for creative expression to using it as a tool to solve problems for others. They will be using a drag-and-drop version of JavaScript to create an educational app to help 4th, 5th, or 6th grade students learn or review information from their grade level curriculum.
Computer Science Education Week is a great opportunity for you to continue this learning at home with your child. Mr. Rice, or Technology Coach, has curated a list of wonderful coding resources on the student links section our school webpage (https://westspringfieldes.fcps.edu/student-links). Happy coding!
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