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March 26, 2021
March 26: 3rd Quarter Ends
2 Hour Early Release, 2:15 pm
March 29-April 2: Spring Break
April 5: Teacher workday and a holiday for students. Teachers will not be available for office hours and students are not expected to complete asynchronous assignments.
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 Ms. McGrath's in-person learners give us two thumbs up! #WillowPride
Dear Willow Springs families,
We have come to the end of the 3rd quarter and have Spring Break to look forward to! We hope everyone is able to relax and enjoy time with family over Spring Break.
Some updates:
- Dr. Brabrand sent an email yesterday and plans to share details regarding the CDC's updated guidance after Spring Break. Once these plans are finalized we will follow-up with communication regarding how we will implement the plans at Willow Springs.
- Our final Picture Make-up Day is Monday, April 12. Sign up now!
- See the information below regarding the option to not take SOL's this school year.
- If you have a great picture that you want to see in the yearbook, upload your photos today!
- Yearbooks are on sale for $20. Order today!
- Please remember to review the health screener prior to sending your child to in-person learning each day.
Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break. We look forward to our students returning Tuesday, April 6th!
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Update Your Child's Default Plan in PickUp Patrol
Willow Springs uses PickUp Patrol for parents to report absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups.
WSES values PickUp Patrol as it ensures a safe dismissal for all in-person learners based on the child's default plan. Please use the link here.
Numbers after WC are the bus#, 05 in this example: Bus Route WC05AMAOB.
To update your child's default plan to "virtual", "bus rider", "kiss and ride", or "walker," simply log in and select a dismissal option. Then hit submit and that’s it! Your child's teacher and the main office will be notified. Updating your child's default plan is a one-time action. Use PickUp Patrol regularly to report a plan change, absence, late arrival, or early pick-up.
Please contact our main office if you do not have an active account and require a new welcome activation email.
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WSES Picture Make-Up Day
Last chance to guarantee your photo is in this year's 2020-2021 WSES Yearbook!
If you missed Picture Day, we look forward to seeing you Monday, April 12th.
Sign up for a time here!
Order your school pictures on mylifetouch.com with the Picture Day ID: EVT79TVDM
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Yearbook Information
Student Photographs
If your student had their yearbook picture taken and you did not pre-order a picture package, you will receive a Proof sheet of your student’s picture. That proof sheet will include a unique Portrait ID, access code, and ordering information.
If you were not able to come to Willow Springs to get your picture taken for the yearbook, there are still two opportunities for you to submit one.
1) Stop by Willow Springs Elementary School for WSES Picture Make-Up Day on Monday, April 12th. Sign up here to reserve a time.
2) The WSES Yearbook Committee is using the Lifetouch Snaps@Home program where students and families can capture a quick snap and add their favorite Lifetouch background. Details on how it works are below:
- Start creating school pictures from home by downloading the Shutterfly App
- Choose any photo package (you don’t have to purchase a package to download a Picture Day Snaps)
- Capture a new photo or upload an existing image to the app (remember to capture a head & shoulders image for the yearbook)
- Select your background (only the blue background is available at no charge)
- Add the images to your cart. It is now available to download.
- Click My Photos in the Shutterfly app to access your digital images. Use password: WSES and upload pictures to: https://wsesyearbookphotos.shutterfly.com/. Please make sure to include your child's name and teacher.
Details also found at https://lifetouch.com/picture-day-snaps-at-home/
Yearbook Orders
WSES 2020-2021 Yearbooks are on sale now! Price is $20. Personalization and enhancements are not available this year. Order your softcover yearbook online at ybpay.lifetouch.com, school code 9870121.
Deadline to order your yearbook is April 23rd.
Fill the Yearbook Challenge
Want to see a special picture in the WSES 2020-2021 yearbook?
Thank you for uploading your photos and helping us share your stories!
Pets, Arts, Sports, and more!
https://wsesyearbookphotos.shutterfly.com
Password: WSES
Family Life Education Parent Preview Session
Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in Kindergarten through grade 3 receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit. Students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions here.
You are invited to attend a virtual information session to learn more about Family Life Education lessons and content. The meeting will be held on Monday, April 5th, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, you may access the opt-out forms online and provide your completed copy to Willow Springs. Please provide your opt-out forms to your child's homeroom teacher or email Gen Thompson.
If you have any questions, please email our FLE lead, Derek Burda, or Assistant Principal, Lesley Hassen.
SOL Testing Opt-Out Form
All FCPS students in grades 3-6 will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests during May and June. GIVEN THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC, THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (VDOE) IS ALLOWING STUDENTS TO OPT-OUT OF SOL TESTING FOR THIS YEAR. Should you want your child to opt-out of testing this year (no penalty against the student), please complete this form by Friday, April 9th, 2021. Completing the form will allow us time to finalize our testing schedule to release upcoming SOL testing dates.
The SOL tests that will be given this year include:
Grade 3: Reading & Math
Grade 4: Reading & Math
Grade 5: Reading, Math, & Science
Grade 6: Reading & Math
Library Updates
Great news! The isolation period for library books that have been returned from home, or handled but not checked out, has changed from 7 days to 24 hours. This is based on new recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health.
Don’t forget that we offer curbside pickup daily. Place your holds in Destiny Discover and you will be sent an email when your book is ready for pickup. If your child is in-person, we will give them their holds on the days they are in the building. For more information on how to place holds, click here.
Email Amy Hurley at achurley@fcps.edu if you need alternative arrangements made to get library books.
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Want ebooks? We have over 1,600 resources in Mackin Via for students to check out.
Tip: When logging in, use the side that says Fairfax County Public Schools.
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Virginia Book Contests
Are your children looking for a good book? We have two contests in Virginia that are highlighting great books.
VA Reads
The VA Reads contest focuses on providing educators and families with diverse, quality books that act as windows, mirrors, and sliding doors for children. (Mirrors, windows, and sliding doors originated from Dr. Ruth Sims Bishop.)
Anyone who wants to participate can read at least four books from a level of their choice and then vote for their favorite. Click here to see this year's books and learn how to vote. We would love for as many people to participate as possible.
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VSLA
This reading contest aims to get readers better acquainted with current books that have broad appeal and increase the awareness of reading for pleasure.
Like with the VA Reads contest, students have to read four books from a category and vote for their favorite. Click here for more information. All books in the picture book contest are available as a read-aloud on the library landing page.
Not every contest level is appropriate for every student, so please make sure you look through the different levels to find which one would best suit your child. The voting deadline is May 25th.
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Free Intro to Coding Virtual Workshop
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WSES Virtual PTA Meeting!
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Please join us here on Wednesday, April 21st, for our virtual PTA membership meeting.
- The WSES PTA meeting is a membership organization open to ALL WSES families and staff.
- We meet once a month to learn about what is happening at WSES, determine projects to implement, discuss opportunities, and work together on programs and activities that support our children's educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement.
April PTA Meeting
Find out the latest surrounding our in-person learners, concurrent instruction, building improvements, upcoming student activities, and teacher support at the April PTA meeting. Please click here to virtually join the WSES PTA meeting on April 21st, at 7–8 p.m.
The PTA will be discussing school supply vendors for the fall school supply sale. If you have any contracts for vendors you would like the PTA to consider, please email them to president@willowspringspta.net by April 17th.
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PTA Bylaws
The PTA has to update our bylaws every five years, and this is our magical year. The PTA has posted the updated bylaws here for review:
We will be voting on the posted bylaws at the April PTA meeting on April 21st, at 7 p.m. The PTA needs 35 members to approve the proposed bylaws. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can vote here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please forward them to Jill Mossman, the PTA President.
PTA Board Elections
We will hold the WSES PTA Board election vote at the June PTA meeting. In the meantime, the PTA must form a three-member committee to nominate people for the Board for 2021-2022. This is an excellent opportunity to help support the local community and shape the direction of the PTA. If you are interested, please contact president@willowspringspta.net. The nominating committee will be formally finalized at the April PTA meeting.
Shop at Harris Teeter, Earn Donations for Willow Springs
When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to. There are no limits to how much we can earn! Link or Re-Link your VIC card for 2020-2021 today! The Willow Spring PTA code is 6390.
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Stay Connected
Want to learn the latest about PTA up to the minute? The Willow Springs PTA Facebook is an excellent resource for learning about the Willow Springs community and hearing about other fun (mainly free) kid-centric ideas for activities around town. Recent posts include:
- Updates for virtual game night.
- Postings on free cultural art activities at George Mason.
Visit our WSES PTA website and access important information on memberships, upcoming events and activities, and volunteer opportunities. Also, for the latest and greatest, up to date information find us on Facebook. Be sure to “like” the Willow Springs Elementary PTA page and follow us.
Positivity Project
This Week's Trait: Humor
Mark Twain said, "Humor is mankind's greatest blessing."
This week's Positivity Project character strength is humor. A person with the strength of humor is skilled at seeing the funny side of things, bringing smiles and laughter to others, and identifying and communicating the absurdities in life. People with this strength do not specifically need to be joke tellers, although many are.
What humorous stories from your childhood can you share with your child? What are some humorous events that your child can share with you? Have a conversation, maybe a few laughs, and take a moment to reflect on and enjoy the humor in life.
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WSES Follows 5 Key Mitigation Strategies
To ensure a healthy environment, we follow five key mitigation strategies: masks, social distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, cleaning/disinfecting, and contact-tracing documentation. Before students return to in-person learning, please watch the safety videos to emphasize our protocols.
Parent/Student Tech Support Portal
To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, Fairfax County Public Schools is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team.
Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and a interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS.)
FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly.
Get more information about the new Parent Technology Help Desk.
Looking Ahead at WSES |
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This Week - Positivity Project Character Trait: Humor
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Friday, March 26 - Third Quarter Ends, Two Hour Early Dismissal at 2:15 p.m.
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March 29-April 2 - Spring Break - No School
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Monday, April 5 - Student Holiday; Teacher Work Day
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Monday, April 5 - Family Life Education (FLE) WSES Parent Preview Session, 1:30 p.m.
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Friday, April 9 - Last Day to Opt-Out of SOL testing
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Monday, April 12 - Picture Make Up Day - Sign up for a time here!
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Wednesday, April 21 - WSES Virtual PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.
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Thursday, April 22 - WSES Virtual AAP Orientation, 5 p.m.
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Friday, April 23 - Last Day for Yearbook Sales and Fill the Yearbook Challenge: Password: WSES
2020-21 Standard School Year Calendar
Visit the Willow Springs Elementary PTA website.
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