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December 20, 2019
Greetings, Willow Springs!
Winter vacation is here, and we are so proud of all of the growth and how far our students have come. While this isn’t the halfway point of the year, it is a significant milestone in the school year, and we all have much to be proud of thus far.
As we welcome 2020, take the time to think of individual and family goals you have for the new year. Model the goal setting process with your children. Talk with them about the specific steps that they need to reach a goal, and identify what it will look like when they get there. This is a routine we practice at WSES known as SMARTR Goals and is a great life skill as we all work to improve ourselves every day.
We are so proud of our musicians and all of their performances this month! Our band and chorus students played an amazing concert on Tuesday night. A special thanks to their awesome teachers, Ms. VanHorne, Mrs. Berra, and Mrs. Young.
Please have a safe and enjoyable break, make lots of memories, and have a Happy New Year!
See you in two weeks!
Sincerely,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Rashida Green, Assistant Principal
Positivity Project
This week we learned about self-control. Individuals with this strength are likely to limit impulsive behavior. They have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors, and may be described as, cool, calm, and collected. They have the ability to experience difficult situations while remaining poised. It doesn't mean they lack thoughts, feelings, or impulses; it just means they have command over them.
When we return from Winter Break, we will learn about hope and optimism. People with hope and optimism are often described as positive, cheerful, confident, heartening, encouraging, and inspiring. Most have a positive vision of what the future holds and maintain confidence that they will get there. It's about staying focused on the good in any situation - allowing you to be aware of opportunities and accountable for your emotions.
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)
Level IV Full-time Services Referral and Screening Information
The deadline for referring students in grades 2-7 for AAP full-time Level IV consideration is due no later than January 9, 2020. Parents are welcome to submit early, but no late referrals will be accepted. We advise parents not to wait for pending ability scores if they would like their student screened.
If you would like additional information about Level IV AAP services or the screening process for Level IV, there are two parent presentations available on the AAP public website that have the same information that was shared at our local school information meetings.
AAP Overview
Screening and Identification
Referrals may be submitted to Mrs. Murray, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher any time through January 9. Questions? Feel free to email Mrs. Murray at: saguidicemur@fcps.edu
Enjoy More Family Tech Talks in the New Year
Interest Survey for Family Tech Talks!
 Thank you to Ms. Christine Li for hosting our parents in Family Tech Talks! Christine Li, 5th-grade teacher, has gone above and beyond to ensure that parents are knowledgeable about classroom technology used in our classrooms. She facilitates before and after school sessions around various topics for parents in all grades, K-6. Interested in more sessions in the upcoming new year? Let her know here!
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Save the Date!
Join us for Literacy Night on Jan. 16, and meet children's author, Karen Fulkerson!
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WSES Family Literacy Night
Thursday, January 16th, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Please join us for a fun-filled evening for our first WSES Family Literacy Night on Thursday, January 16, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Parents and their students can attend a variety of learning sessions as well as enjoy dinner from various food trucks and purchase books from our very own book fair in the library. Come and meet local children’s author, Karen Fulkerson. Ms. Fulkerson will be available to sign her book and will hold information sessions about her book writing process. Her book, Oceans!: A Kayful Books Seek-And-Find Adventure, is available for purchase on Amazon.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Mark your calendars!
Bookworm Central Book Fair is coming to the library from January 13th-17th. Teacher wish lists will be available and all students will have a chance to preview the book fair and make their own wish lists. Check out our sales hours below. We WILL be open during Literacy Night, and before school Tuesday-Friday. From 8:45 am to 9:00 am, and during Literacy Night, children must be accompanied by a parent. We hope to see you all there! Thank you for supporting our Willow Springs Library!
PTA Budget Update & Vote
Due to the hugely successful results of our Boosterthon this year, we have found ourselves in the unique position of needing to update our budget to increase our spending. Please click here to find the updated budget. The notable changes from what was previously submitted are the addition of our Watch DOGS program, two water bottle refill stations (for our front lobby and cafeteria), and a new electronic marquee for the front of the school. Please take a few minutes to look over the budget and let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
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Parent Resource Corner
FCPS Parent Resource Center January Workshops
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FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) has a number of free workshop opportunities available in January. Find out more here.
Have Carpentry Skills?
 Our STEAM teacher, Ms. Fisher-Maltese, is looking for a parent volunteer who has carpenter skills who might be interested in helping her and our 4th and 5th-grade ENCORE students build a bird blind and a weather station for the school's outdoor classroom. Please email her at cfishermalte@fcps.edu if you can help. This nature observation station will benefit students at all grade levels in the life sciences for years to come!
STEAM LAB DONATIONS
The STEAM lab is also in need of a few recyclable household items. The following items would be appreciated for an upcoming 3rd-grade project:
- 1-liter plastic bottles
- Gauze (at least 4 in. x 4 in.)
- Nylon stockings
Looking Ahead
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December 23 – January 3, 2020 – Winter Break
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January 9 – AAP Level IV Referral Deadline
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January 13 – January 17 – Bookworm Central Book Fair (WSES Library)
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January 16 – WSES Family Literacy Night
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January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - Student Holiday
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January 24 – WSES SCA School Spirit Day: Fox Day
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January 24 – End of Second Quarter
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January 27 – Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
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January 28 – Professional Development Day - Student Holiday
Notable dates include 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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