Westgate Weekly News

Good Afternoon Westgate Families,

We hope this finds you finishing up another successful week of distance learning.  I have been so impressed with the ways in which our students are engaging in content through technology during this time.  We are utilizing many kid-friendly tech resources that students PK-6 are easily able to access.  We have come so far in just a few short weeks, and I could not be more proud of our amazing students and teachers!

Thank you to everyone that sent messages of love and support to our teachers last week. Although it was hard not to celebrate in person, we certainly enjoyed seeing the wonderful things students shared about them.  Our teachers have worked tirelessly to provide meaningful distance learning instruction for their students and I can't thank them enough for the professionalism, flexibility, and commitment they have displayed during this time.  

As we enter the last month of school, we will begin the process of closing out the school year.  Parts of this process include virtual class celebrations, teacher pack up, and the dissemination of student belongings.  FCPS has provided very clear guidelines as to what this will look like in the coming weeks.  Our teachers will begin packing up their classrooms starting next week.  Live sessions will continue during this time but your child's teacher may make some minor schedule changes on the days they are in the school building.  They will communicate any changes in their day via email so please make sure you are regularly reading their correspondence.

We have set a date where families will be able to pick up student materials that were left in the school building prior to our closure.  This day is set for Friday, June 5 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.  Student materials (i.e. notebooks, folders, crayons, pencils, headphones) that were left in their classroom desk will be collected and then organized OUTSIDE the school building by grade level and by class.  No students or parents will be allowed in the building at this time.  Please see details below as to what this process will look like on that day.  We thank you in advance for your flexibility in retrieving and returning student materials. 

Also, please see below concerning rising 4th - 6th graders and their participation in a music program next school year.  We need to gather this information now so we can plan appropriately for the fall.  Thank you in advance for filling this information out.      

As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and our new platform for teaching and learning.  I continue to be humbled by our thoughtful, kind, and patient school community.  As always, we are here if you need us for anything.  Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

All my best,

Hallie Demetriades 

Student Materials Pick-Up/Drop off Day - June 5 - 9:30 -11:30 am

Families will have an opportunity to pick up and drop off student items on June 5 from 9:30 - 11:30 am.  Classroom teachers will individually bag student items that were left prior to our closure on March 13.  Bags will be organized outside the school building by grade level and class.  Please review the following guidelines:

• Students in Grades K-2 will pickup student materials in the Kiss & Ride line.  
• Students in Grades 3-6 will pickup student materials in the upper bus parking lot (next to cafeteria).  
• If you have students in different grade levels (i.e. 2nd and 4th) you will need to go through both lines to pick up materials.
• Students and parents must stay in car if driving to pick up materials.  Social distancing guidelines are required if you are walking (masks need to be worn). 
• School staff will facilitate distribution of materials through car windows and while wearing protective gear. (masks and gloves)
• Library/Classroom Books: We are asking that ALL library and classroom books from school are returned when you collect your student's materials.  We will have large bins to return these items.  
• Instruments: Students in 4th and 5th grade who have rented an instrument through FCPS may hold on to those instruments during the summer months. However, 6th grade students and students NOT returning to FCPS must turn in their instruments on Friday, June 5.  An email from Mr. Sipzner and Mr. Erickson will be coming to all band and strings families shortly.
• Staff will not be able to go back in the building if you feel something is missing from your student's items.  If you have a concern, please email the classroom teacher directly and we can work with them to problem solve.
• If you are unable to pick up student materials on June 5, the school will hold them until it is safe for students to return to the school building.

This is clearly going to be a new process for all of us.  We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we try to both give you your student's items and retrieve those items needed from the school.  If you have student specific questions, please contact your child's teacher.   

Music Options for Rising 4^th Graders (Current 3rd Graders) for the 2020-21 School Year

In fourth grade, students get the privilege to participate in Strings class in addition to their general music instruction.  Next year, each student will be attending their special in a group geared toward their musical interest.  In order to put each student in their preferred group, we need to know what their interest is.  Our strings teacher, Mr. Sipzner, has created a presentation to explain to you and your child everything there is to know about the Strings program here at Westgate.  Please go through this presentation with your child and have a discussion to decide what to participate in for next year.  After the discussion, please complete this REQUIRED google form to guide the music staff in their music groups.  This form MUST be completed, even if your child does NOT want to participate in Strings by FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020.  If you have any questions about the Strings program, please email Mr. Sipzner at jjsipzner@fcps.edu. 

Strings Music Presentation:  https://youtu.be/OpNSsyYIKwM

REQUIRED Google Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kBKUeyHkPdR24cPEz77DM54vxuixDPltYy-KayOwU0w/edit?usp=sharing

Music Options for Rising 5^th and 6^th Grades (Current 4^th and 5^th Graders) for the 2020-21 School Year

In fifth and sixth grades, students get the privilege to continue to participate in Strings class OR participate in Band and/or Chorus in addition to their general music instruction.  Each student will be attending their special in a group geared toward their musical interest.  In order to put each student in their preferred group, we need to know what their interest is.  Our music team (Mrs. Schubert, Ms. Lammers, Mr. Erickson, and Mr. Sipzner) have created a presentation to explain to you and your child everything there is to know about each of these programs here at Westgate.  Please go through this presentation with your child and have a discussion to decide what to participate in for next year.   After the discussion, please complete this REQUIRED google form to guide the music team in their music groups by FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020.  This form MUST be completed, even if your child does NOT want to participate in any of these extra music options.  If you have any questions about these music options, please contact anyone from the music team:

Band Questions, email Mr. Erickson at PGErickson@fcps.edu

Strings Questions, email Mr. Sipzner at  jjsipzner@fcps.edu

Chorus Questions, email Mrs. Schubert at vjschubert@fcps.edu or Ms. Lammers at alammers@fcps.edu

Band, Strings, and Chorus Presentation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6CAfK82xt8&t=17s

REQUIRED Google Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X-dj9_HEeP-dta5xmMeppzF2H__LCuXh_IXUi5yNAZY/edit

Yearbook Orders - Still on Sale!

Yearbooks are still on sale! They can be ordered online and we will arrange pick up when the shelter in place has been lifted, and they arrive at the school.

You can order your Yearbook at this link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/
Westgate’s School code is: 10997220

Although the regular school year was unfortunately cut short, we hope you can purchase a yearbook to remember all the wonderful memories that happened during the 2019-2020 school year.

County-Wide Food Distribution

FCPS is committed to providing information to assist families that rely on free and reduced priced school meals and is providing grab and go meals at no cost for students as several sites throughout the county.  

Westgate Elementary is a curbside food distribution site!! FCPS students are welcome to come to any of the sites to pick up a breakfast and lunch.  Westgate's site will be open from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.  All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free grab and go breakfast and lunch. Other County children, under the age of 18, can also receive a meal. Adults may pay $2 for the meals as well. In order to receive federal reimbursement, students must be present to request the meals.

You can also click on this link to find other FCPS food distribution locations:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/food-resources

Assistance with Basic Needs

For basic needs of Fairfax residents, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services administers public assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly Food Stamps, as well as Medicaid. FCPS is coordinating with community partners to ensure the locations and timing of food centers and pantries are being communicated with FCPS families.

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services provides access and referrals to both government and community based resources for Fairfax County residents in need.  If you are facing difficulties - including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, healthcare and more other needs, please call 703-222-0880 for assistance.

Below are links to resources in Fairfax to direct families who need this support. 

• Britepaths Food assistance is by referral only.  Please go to the website link for more information.
• SHARE

• Capital Area Food Bank

• Food for Others If you are in need of food, you may come to one of the neighborhood site distributions. Click on the website link for specific locations and times. The only question that is asked is, “How many people are in your household?” Please bring your own grocery bags!