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November 20, 2020
 Mrs. Willison's second-grade students enjoy outdoor recess and playing creative, socially-distanced games with their friends!
Dear Willow Springs families,
As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to start by saying thank you to our entire WSES community. We are grateful for your partnership and support as we continue to provide authentic and meaningful opportunities for our students daily.
With GRATITUDE as our Positivity Project character strength last week and this week, we encourage our students and families to find time to thank someone who has made an impact on your life. Robert Emmons (a leading expert) calls gratitude a “relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.”
We know that return to school is on the minds of many right now. We want to assure you that FCPS will continue to watch the Health Metrics to determine when the numbers support an increase of students in the buildings and a return to in-person learning for Cohort 5 (Kindergarten) and then Cohort 6 (1st and 2nd grade). FCPS shares daily updates and explains the metrics and threshold for each cohort at COVID-19 Health Metrics.
Next week, Thanksgiving break with our families begins on Wednesday, November 25th. As a reminder, we encourage our entire community, students and staff, to take next Wednesday through Sunday off--with no large assignments given just before the holiday and due in the first few days afterward. We all need the time for self-care and reflection.
Have a great weekend.
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Calendar Reminder: Schools and Offices Closed November 25-27 for Thanksgiving Holiday
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, December 1. Monday, November 30 is an asynchronous day.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
Five Key Mitigation Strategies Practiced at WSES
- Consistent and correct use of masks
- Social distancing to the largest extent possible
- Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Contact tracing in collaboration with local health department
Is Your FCPS Laptop Running Slow or Having Connectivity Issues?
- It is important to RESTART your FCPS laptop daily. If possible, go to an FCPS site once each week or every other week, log in and restart your laptop twice. Doing this at an FCPS location on the FCPS network allows your computer to get valuable and necessary updates. At Willow Springs and most high and middle schools, they have internet reception in their parking lots, which allows you to get these updates without leaving your car.
- Troubleshooting other issues you may experience can be found on FCPS’s website: Tech Support for Families. We recommend bookmarking this site, as it will help solve the most common problems. We want our students to have the best experience possible in this virtual environment!
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Important Update on Grab and Go Meals: Delivery Times and Some Bus Stop Locations Have Changed
Fairfax County Public Schools is offering no-cost nutritious meals to ALL students through June 30, 2021. Meals are available at school sites and along bus routes.
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As of November 9, grab and go bus delivery times and some bus stop locations have changed. The updated bus schedule is now available online. FCPS changed bus delivery times to accommodate the need for more buses to transport students returning to school buildings for in-person learning.
Breakfast and lunch meals are offered Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Breakfast and lunch are served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch are also provided at no cost to any student attending in-person instruction at a school Monday-Friday. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are provided at sites and on bus routes every Friday.
More information is available online or by calling the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
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Last Call for FCPS Employee Awards
The FCPS employee award season is here again and your help is needed! We hope you'll nominate WSES employees for the following categories:
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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 20, 2020.
- 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.
School Monitors and Substitutes Needed at Willow Springs ES |
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We will not be allowed to use volunteers in the school building, but we are looking to hire at least four school monitors to support teachers and students Tuesday - Friday once they return. Please email our administrative team if you are thinking about these opportunities, and we can discuss more details.
New employment opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)!
FCPS schools and centers will be hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when a staff member remains virtual. If you would like more information about the position, please review the job description and qualifications online and apply if interested. Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.
FCPS is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers!
Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply here or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more! To sign up for a session, visit our substitute information page here. Say Yes, 2 FCPS!
Curbside Library Book Pickup
Our next curbside pickup is Monday, November 23rd. Families should receive a generated email today to select a pickup time if the books selected are available. Students in grades 3-6 receive the email in their school Gmail accounts, while lower grades will have the email sent to the enrolling parent or guardian. Be sure to check your junk mail for these email notices. Please email Amy Hurley at achurley@fcps.edu if we need to make other arrangements for you to receive the library books. We are happy to do so. To select books for our next curbside pickup, you have to place holds in Destiny Discover. Log in using the blue side or click here to see directions for placing a hold.
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Access ebooks
Your child can also check out ebooks on Mackin Via, where our digital library collection sits. Willow Springs currently has over 1,500 titles for grades K-6 available. You can also download the Mackin Via app if you want to read books offline.
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Library Equity Access Pass Information
The LEAP program provides every FCPS student with access to book checkout at any Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) branch. Click here for more information.
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Referral Window for Level IV AAP Screening Consideration Ends December 1st
Tuesday, December 1 is the close of the window (Sept 8-Dec 1) for parents to submit a referral form for their student to be screened for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Level IV. The parent referral form, submitted to Mrs. Murray, is one pathway to have a student screened for AAP Level IV. Parents should not wait for an announcement of the second-grade screening pool if they want to make sure their student is screened for AAP Level IV in the coming cycle. Parents of students in grades 2-7 will need to submit the referral form by December 1.
Referrals will not be accepted after December 1. For more information visit FCPS Advanced Academic Programs: AAP Level IV Screening Updates for 2020-21 School Year, or contact Mrs. Murray, AART.
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Students, log in to your @fcpsschools.net Google account, and check out the Willow Springs STEAM Landing Page. Go to Grade Level Challenges and click on your grade level to find the current STEAM challenge. Have fun exploring the different resources!
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#WSESGratitude
November is Gratitude Month! Please use this form to recognize someone in the Willow Springs ES community (staff, parent, volunteer, student or community member) that you are thankful for and why. We encourage you to share on social media as well: #WSESGratitude
Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other. -Randy Pausch |
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Digital Citizenship at WSES
This year more than ever, we must work together as a community to highlight what a digital citizen is. Our staff will have conversations about digital citizenship all year, but families can help by keeping the conversation going home. One way is to discuss your media rules at home. Click here to see a family media agreement template and adapt it to make it work for your family.
You can also check out these tips for how kids can balance media and their well being. Click here.
Virtual Learning Playlist
The virtual learning playlist includes several videos about digital citizenship, technology tips, and how to keep your FCPS laptop and other features ready for student success. Go to the virtual learning playlist.
Online store will be open until Nov 23rd
Foxes, our Spirit War Store is officially OPEN! Shop a variety of t-shirts, hoodies, facemasks, and more with new student-approved designs. This is an excellent opportunity to support our Fox Family and show your Willow Springs Pride. Our online store will only be open until Monday, November 23rd, so get those orders in ASAP. Click here to access our Willow Springs Spirit Wear Store.
Easy Volunteering Opportunities
Help us show our hard-working teachers some love. PTA needs your help with an upcoming event. We are providing teachers with game bundles as an end of the year, "thank you." We need help with the bundle assembly. If you are interested, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040c4aa8ac2aa13-ptateacher.
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New this Year - Gingerbread House Contest
Enter your most creative gingerbread creations in the inaugural PTA Gingerbread House contest! Construct your house in any medium- food, Legos, a drawing- the possibilities are endless! Keep an eye out for entry details in November.
Please plan to submit your pictures in late November, with voting in early December. The contest is open to K-6 AND teachers, with prizes for the winners. Start brainstorming now!
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Chipotle Restaurant Night
December 14 (4 - 8 p.m.)
Science Olympiad offers students the opportunity to improve their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and work together to learn new skills. Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) is a non-profit organization engaging and challenging students in these disciplines through team-based competitive tournaments in Virginia. Events are carefully chosen by the National Science Olympiad organization to reflect national educational standards and are changed or revised every year to allow students to learn new things. This year The Olympiad will be virtual.
If your child is interested in joining the team and more information, please fill out the Science Olympiad Division A Family Interest Form. Forms are due by 12/5.
Students with or without prior chess experience are invited to join the VIRTUAL Willow Springs Chess Club. Club members will receive live online lessons with U.S. Chess Center teachers twice a week, allowing students to participate interactively in real-time. Additionally, they will play matches five times per week with FCPS students from Willows Springs and other schools. Students are placed in groups by the ability for chess lessons. Registration for the club is rolling—there is no official start date. However, no matter when you register, the discounted fee is $120 for online classes (use discount code "SUBC" at registration) that run through the end of January—so register soon!
The registration website is https://www.chessctr.org/online-lessons-fall-registration.
Stay Connected
Our new and improved website has launched, find us at www.willowspringspta.net. Here you can access important information on memberships, upcoming events and activities, and volunteer opportunities. Also, for the latest and greatest, up to date information, please find us on Facebook. Be sure to “like” the Willow Springs Elementary PTA page and follow us.
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Looking Ahead at WSES |
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November 23 Spirit Wear Order Deadline Willow Springs Spirit Wear Store
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November 23 Curbside Library Book Pickup *Holds due by Nov 19
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November 25 - November 27 Thanksgiving Break
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November 30 Girl Scout Troop Virtual Formation Meeting; RSVP 7 p.m.
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December 1 Level IV AAP referral and optional materials deadline
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December 5 Science Olympiad Family Interest form due Science Olympiad Division A Family Interest Form
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December 14 Restaurant Night, Chipotle, 4-8 pm, 11939 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax
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December 21 - January 01, 2021 Winter Break
2020-21 Standard School Year Calendar
Visit the Willow Springs Elementary PTA website.
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