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November 24, 2020
 Happy Thanksgiving, from Ms. Lee's kindergarten class!
Dear Willow Springs families,
Our teachers and staff are so grateful for the emails, messages, and photos you have been sending. Your gratitude and kindness has put smiles on so many people's faces over these past couple of weeks. Willow Springs is always the model of what a caring and warm community looks and sounds like. We appreciate your support as we learn and grow together constantly.
We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving break while practicing safe measures. We are so thankful for our students, families, staff, and community. We encourage everyone to take this the time for self-care, relaxation, and reflection.
From our Willow Family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Virtual Library Book Fair
We are excited to share that our library is hosting a virtual book fair from December 2nd - December 16th. We are partnering with Bookworm Central once again, a local company in Manassas. All orders over $30 will ship directly to your home with free shipping. On our site you can find new releases, games for the whole family, teacher wish lists, and more. You can click on the green box above to access the site. While you should wait until December 2nd to access the site, please check out the flyers below.
Don’t see what you are looking for? Contact Amy Hurley at achurley@fcps.edu for help.
Primary Book Flyer
Elementary Book Flyer
November 19 Town Hall Available Online
The November 19 Town Hall with Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand and guests Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent for special services; Dylan Taylor, principal of Willow Springs Elementary School; Erin Lenart, principal of Fairfax High School; and Jeff Platenberg, assistant superintendent of facilities and transportation, is now available online. The Town Hall discussed return to school issues, health metrics and decision-making guidance, and successful mitigation strategies.
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What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. It occurs in otherwise healthy children and can be a serious health problem if it becomes severe. It generally occurs during the growing years, especially during the growth spurt from 10 to 17 years of age. Scoliosis is more frequently noted in females and when there are other affected family members. It is not caused by anything a child or his or her parents did or failed to do, although a minority of cases are associated with other medical conditions. Early detection is essential to help avoid complications that include back pain, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, deformity, and, in severe cases, problems in heart and lung function.
Treatment may involve bracing. Severe curves may require spinal surgery. The need for treatment is best determined by a trained medical professional. If you suspect your child may be affected, contact your physician or your school nurse for a physician referral.
Methods for Early Detection of Scoliosis
Direct your child to stand up straight, barefoot, with arms hanging freely at the sides. Boys should stand with shirts off; girls may wear halter tops.
- Is one shoulder higher than the other?
- Is one shoulder blade more prominent?
- Does the spine seem to curve sideways?
- Is one hip higher than the other? Direct your child to bend forward at the waist with arms extended toward the floor.
- Is there a hump in the rib region?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should make sure that your child is screened by a doctor. The school public health nurse may provide screening for individual students at the request of the parent or guardian.
 Click here for translations of this message in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
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!
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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#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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Looking Ahead at WSES |
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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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