 Nearly 600 laptops are ready for distribution!
We will distribute student laptops during the week of August 24th. Please carefully read through the schedule and all procedures listed below. Note that all laptops will be distributed following CDC regulations. Accordingly, all students and family members must wear masks. It is also required that only one parent accompany your child(ren). Parents must complete the health form prior to arriving. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions, you should not come to the school. Please review the important information below.
All WSES students will receive a school laptop for their individual use for the duration of distance learning, and 6th graders will be issued new laptops for the full school year. If you wish to opt out of receiving a school-issued laptop, please let us know by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/FGM5N79wNq2QwbqN7
Additionally, we have a limited number of MiFi devices that can provide families with internet access if needed. If your family needs internet access for the coming school year, please complete this form once for your household: https://forms.gle/GzUmtYvJ2t8GDQHG7
To pick up your laptop, a parent/guardian must complete a device agreement located at: https://www.fcps.edu/technology-permission-forms. If possible, we request that the form be returned electronically to James Koontz (jhkoontz@fcps.edu). Forms can be signed digitally in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (see this video for instructions) or printed at home and photographed/scanned. If neither of these is possible, you may complete the form at home and bring it with you. We will also have blank forms available at distribution, but this will slow down the process.
More specific details about the pick-up process will be sent out next week.
If you have any questions about laptop or MiFi distribution at this time, please contact James Koontz, our School Based Technology Specialist, (jhkoontz@fcps.edu)
FCPS Laptops in Your Possession
Families who already have a FCPS laptop at home should do the following once per week beginning in August:
- Plug the device into an outlet.
- Turn the device on and let it boot up.
- Ensure it is connected to the internet at that location.
- Let the device sit for 30 minutes. No additional logins or activities are required.
Laptop Insurance
FCPS does not currently offer an option for families to purchase laptop insurance. For any damaged or lost School Board property, families are responsible for reimbursement in accordance with the SR&R and School Board regulations. Families may wish to check their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies for coverage options or search online for insurance companies which offer insurance policies exclusively for student laptops.
Virtual Grade Level Schedules
Schedules for the virtual school year are now available on our website. There are many breaks built into the schedule including transition breaks and an hour lunch break. Additional breaks will be available within Math, Language Arts and Specialized Instruction since not every child will be accessing the small groups daily. You will be hearing from your child’s teacher regarding your specific grade level schedule and upcoming dates.
Placement Decisions
Placements were finalized this week and communicated today via e-Notify. The enrolling parent receives the e-notify email. As previously shared, we will continue to focus on meeting our students’ needs in a whole group, small group, and in an individual capacity. If you did not receive an email, please call the office at 703-912-4000 to ensure we have an accurate email on record and they can provide your child's placement.
Our Virtual Supply Lists
Supply lists are available now on our website at https://westspringfieldes.fcps.edu/acad…/school-supply-lists. Additional supplies may be required by our specialists and will be shared prior to the start of the school year. If you are purchasing on Amazon, consider doing it through AmazonSmile so the WSES PTA receives a percentage back!
New Family Welcome and Orientation
Please join Dr. Sheers, Ms. Dews and WSES staff for a virtual orientation on Monday, August 31 at 9:00 a.m. A link will be shared in e-Notify closer to the date.
Family Life Education Instructional Program Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, non-punitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms will be included in your child’s back-to-school/orientation packets and are available online for Elementary (K-6) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/elementary-family-life-education , Middle School (7-8) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle, and High School (9-12) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/family-life-education-fle. Please fill in the opt-out form and return it to your child’s school prior to Family Life Education instruction.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6) , Middle School (7-8) , and High School (9-12). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) Parent View https://fcps.blackboard.com/. Account information is available at your local school or online at http://www.fcps.edu/is/instructionaltechnology/247help/parents.shtml. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the Fairfax County Regional Library in the City of Fairfax (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online. Questions? Please contact assistant principal, Satonya Dews at sldews@fcps.edu.
Tuesday, September 1: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Survive and Thrive with Virtual Learning: Practical Strategies to Make At-Home Learning Work for You (6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Friday, September 11: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Survive and Thrive with Virtual Learning: Practical Strategies to Make At-Home Learning Work for You (10:00-11:30 a.m. - Register Here)
Friday, September 18: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: 10 Ways to Stop Power Struggles & Start Motivating Your Kids (10:00-11:30a.m. OR 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Thursday, September 24: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series - Setting the Stage for Good Behavior: Routines, Procedures, & Expectations (10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Register Here)
FCPS website for Mental Health Resources and information for emergency mental health services:
These webpages are continuing to be updated as the situation for the 2020-21 school year evolves. The FAQ page includes a date by each question to identify the latest updates.
Save the Date
August 25 - 28 - Laptop Distribution
Monday, August 31 at 9:00 a.m. - New Family Welcome/Orientation (Virtual - link to follow in E-Notify)
Virtual Back to School Night
Tuesday, September 1 :
5:00 - 6:00 PM Kindergarten
6:10 - 7:10 PM First Grade
7:20 - 8:20 PM Second Grade
Wednesday, September 2
5:00 - 6:00 PM Third Grade
6:10 - 7:10 PM Fourth Grade
7:20 - 8:20 PM Fifth/Sixth Grades
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