 Congratulations to Ms. Satonya Dews, who has been announced as the Principal at Lower Bailey's Elementary! Please join us in congratulating her and we wish her the very best. Her last day at West Springfield will be Friday, January 29. She will be missed!
The January 6th siege at the Capitol weighs on us heavily. Teachers and staff were provided with resources and guidance to support the students' questions and concerns. We know this has been a hard period in the history of our country, but as a community we will continue to work together to support and lift one another up to persevere through these trying times. Below are some resources our guidance counselors pulled together to assist you in having conversations with your own children:
Resources to assist in talking to your child(ren) about the election and recent events
Deepening Our Conversations at West Springfield
Please join us on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. as we engage in a dialogue about cultural responsiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusive practices at West Springfield Elementary. All are encouraged and welcome to attend as we dig deeper as a school to build our understanding of these important concepts and discuss what we are doing well and where we can grow. Click to join
Using FCPS Service Learning to Honor the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Even during COVID-19, students are finding incredible ways to serve their communities either virtually or while practicing social distancing and following CDC guidelines. The upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend is a great opportunity to connect students with impactful service opportunities while also teaching students about the life and legacy of Dr. King.
In partnership with FCPS and Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Volunteer Fairfax will begin offering virtual, family-friendly service-learning activities on January 16. To learn more about the MLK, Jr. Weekend of Service and the specific service activities, visit Volunteer Fairfax’s website for more information.
Yearbook Cover Contest! Deadline for entries: Friday, January 29
The yearbook cover design contest is open to all students in K-6th grade. A winning design from a 6th grader will be printed on the front and one winner from each grade level on the back. Students will be given time in art class to work on their designs. They may spend time outside of class too, if they wish. Students may enter more than one design. To enter the contest, take a photo of completed artwork in the appropriate Padlet below. Be sure to log in so the student’s first and last name is displayed. The entries will be narrowed down to the top four per grade level and students will vote for their favorite entry during Art Class in February. Winners will be announced on the morning news mid-February. Families of winning students will also be contacted and asked to drop off artwork to school for scanning. Suggested media includes colored pencils, markers, cut paper collage, watercolor/paint or digital art. The theme is open-ended but ideas are included below.
Padlet links:
Kindergarten: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/y1qctq7xrhbyerme
1st Grade: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/dhp0xa5jeksv5d0d
2nd Grade: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/51mazv1zkoakon7c
3rd Grade: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/ppoaolbrx1tkmu5p
4th Grade: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/6zkn4fyra5l2dxmj
5th Grade: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/41uu4fepyjujbof0
6th Grade: https://padlet.com/alwhitbourne/nh7e7utelr0ec9xu
Guidelines:
- Paper must be vertical
- Size is 8.5” x 11” (copy paper or sketchbook paper will work)
Entries will be judged on:
- Positive connections to our school year
- Visual impact (bold, neat, colorful, fills the page)
- Originality and creativity
- Email Allison Whitbourne with any questions: alwhitbourne@fcps.edu
Candids Wanted
Upload photos from events such as the first day of school, Virtual Ice Cream Social, Book Character Parade, Veteran’s Day or Spirit Week. Or maybe you have photos of your children participating in Specials classes such as Music, PE, Spanish or Art. We would also love to see photos of your children in their workspaces, reading, writing or anything else that you think would be great for the yearbook!
Directions to submit candids for the yearbook:
- Click on this link: http://barksdale.pixami.com/barksdemo/home3/Public.jsp
- Click on PhotoPost
- Fill in our state, city and school name from the dropdown menus and click ok.
- From there, click on the appropriate folder and upload your photo(s).
- Be sure to fill out first name, last name and grade level for each candid uploaded.
Individual Portraits
We are looking for families to submit a portrait of each child
Portrait Guidelines:
- Take the photo vertically (using the camera on your phone will work great!)
- Include the head, neck and shoulders only.
- No full body or body angle poses.
- One person per shot, no others included
- Indoor shot with solid color background is suggested
- Students should be facing straight at the camera, not leaning or tilting head
- Wear school appropriate clothes
- No hats, sunglasses, costumes or distracting props
- Color photos only
- No watermarks
- Crisp shot, no blurry or out of focus shots.
- Submit on time!
- Deadline is February 12
- The yearbook staff reserves the right to not use a photo that does not meet these requirements or is not submitted on time
Directions to submit potraits for the yearbook:
- Click on this link: http://barksdale.pixami.com/barksdemo/home3/Public.jsp
- Click on PhotoPost
- Fill in our state, city and school name from the dropdown menus and click ok.
- From there, click on the appropriate folder and upload your photo(s).
- Be sure to fill out first name, last name and grade level for each portrait uploaded.
Family Guide to Return to School
For those returning soon, the Return to School Guide is a great resource.
Attendance Matters
Here is how you may report your child’s absence, including tardies, and asynchronous participation:
Attendance Line | 703-912-4444
Main Office | 703-912-4400
Online | westspringfieldelem.attendance@fcps.edu
This week's character strength is Prudence - You demonstrate this strength when you plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices. The right choice is hardly ever the easy choice. Nothing can be done quickly and prudently at the same time. Prudence has two eyes, one that foresees what one has to do, the other that examines afterward what one has done. Find out more about Prudence by watching this video.
Next week’s character strength: Perseverance
REQUIRED FORMS
In person Return Health Commitment Form**
Health Information
Digital Resource Permission
Identification of Military Connected Students
Students Rights and Responsibility (SR&R)
OPTIONAL FORMS
FLE Opt-Out
Survey of Homeless Students
FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms
Band and Strings Sign Up (Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade Only)
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
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.
Food Distribution
Please use this link to access the most up to date locations and times for food distribution.
Save the Date
Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday – Holiday
Wednesday, January 20 Inauguration Day – Holiday
Friday, January 22 2 hour early release (end of 2nd Quarter)
Monday, January 25 Teacher Workday – Student Holiday
Thursday, January 28 Deeping our Conversations 7:00 p.m.
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