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Dear Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you well after another wonderful week back with both our in-person and virtual students. It has truly been exceptional to watch our students transition to the concurrent learning model and equally impressive on how collaborative and technology proficient they have become in the process. Our teachers have done an amazing job pivoting again to a new instructional platform and we are beyond grateful to have such a committed and dedicated staff supporting our amazing students.
As we enter into the final quarter of the school year, I can't thank you enough for your continued patience, resilience, and support of all things Westgate. Without such kind and understanding families, this already challenging year would have proven to be so much more difficult. While we know things are still not perfect, we appreciate all that you have done for your child at home, and your continued faith in our efforts here at school.
However, as we sprint to the finish line of the 2020-21 school year, I am filled with hope for a more normal and consistent year to come. We will continue to meet your child where they are, and we will all work together to pave a brighter path ahead. I am humbled to have worked beside this great community for the past decade and I remain positive for all the good that is in store for us next school year.
As always, I am here to answer any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. Here's to ending our last quarter of this very unique school year on a strong and positive note. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Return to School Update
As you know, Dr. Brabrand announced on Monday that some schools & students in FCPS would be transitioning to 4 days/week of in-person instruction. At Westgate, the change in the CDC guidance from 6 ft. to 3 ft. allows for all of our current in-person students to return 4 days/week starting Tuesday, April 20. This change will be automatic for all in-person students and there is no action needed for those students. Mondays will remain the same with a 9:00 a.m. Morning Meeting, small group learning opportunities, and asynchronous instruction.
Starting the week of April 20, Westgate will:
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Offer four days of in-person instruction to PreK-6 students whose families identified a preference for in-person instruction since fall and are already attending two-days in-person with consideration of the school’s capacity, staffing, and associated current level of community transmission.
- Expand bus transportation for those already attending in-person starting the week of April 20. Bus transportation and new bus routes can be accessed through your Parentvue account here.
Parents of in-person students have already been contacted by their child's classroom teacher regarding this change. At this time, and per FCPS guidelines, 4 days/week in-person instruction is only being offered to current in-person students, not current virtual students, due to capacity guidelines.
For more information, please see the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/returntoschool.
REMINDER - Westgate Virtual Kindergarten Orientation - This Monday, April 12 @ 10:00 a.m.
Do you have or know a rising Kindergartener? Students that turn five prior to September 30, 2021 are eligible to register for Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year. In order to get families acquainted with Westgate and meet our teachers, we are holding a Virtual Kindergarten Orientation this Monday, April 12 @ 10:00 a.m. You may join us by logging on to our BBCU link here. During our session you will learn more about the kindergarten program at Westgate and have the opportunity to ask questions regarding next school year. We plan to schedule an in-person opportunity for students and parents to see the school later this summer. We hope to see many new and returning families at our orientation!
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Westgate Yearbooks
Even through this unique school year, we are excited to again be offering a Westgate Yearbook! This year’s yearbook is $15 and order forms will be going home in the next few weeks. We will also place it for order on Myschoolbucks by April 15. If you pay through Myschoolbucks no order form is necessary.
In addition, Westgate will be doing a special 6th grade section of the yearbook again this year. It will include baby and family photos. If you have a 6th grade student and wish to include your child’s photos, please email them to westgateyearbook@fcps.edu or send them to school in an envelope with your child’s name and teacher. They will be scanned and returned.
Due to current pandemic circumstances, yearbooks will not be finished prior to the end of the school year. However, you will still be able to purchase them in advance and can pick them up when they are delivered this summer. We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity for students again this school year.
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Westgate Walk/Bike to School Day - May 5, 2021
Westgate Walk/Bike to School is Wednesday, May 5th, 2021. Instead of driving or taking the bus to school that day, lets try walking or biking to school that morning!
Walk and Bike to School Day connects with many issues that communities care about, like creating safer and more walkable routes to school; building a sense of community or school spirit; and inspiring families to use their feet for the school commute more often. These events are an easy way for students and families to try walking and bicycling to school, getting good exercise and having FUN. Also, they might be surprised at how little time it takes and how much everyone really enjoys it.
Hope to see you Walking or Biking to School on May 5th, 2021!!!
Cheers,
Coach H. and Mr. Bishop
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Teacher Appreciation Week
The first week of May is nationally recognized as Teacher Appreciation Week, and the PTA has three fun ways students can say thank you. Our educators proactively and safely met the challenges of the 2020/21 academic year—and for that we are tremendously grateful. Between May 3-7, please encourage your child to show teacher appreciation by:
- Keeping cameras on all week during class so our teachers can see the entire class — easy!
- Submitting a thank you message via flipgrid. Your student will know what to do with this link: https://flipgrid.com/65b2dabe
- For a message to a specific teacher, remember to include her/his/their name in the description box when submitting the videoMailing a student-made letter, card, or picture to the school by April 28 to Westgate: Westgate Elementary School, 7500 Magarity Rd. Falls Church, VA 22043
- Or, email teacher appreciation ecards between May 3-5 directly to your child’s teachers! Students can pick from a number of free options:
E-cards
Greetings Island
Hallmark
Let's make our teachers feel loved and appreciated!!
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April 7 Town Hall Recap
Did you miss the superintendent’s Town Hall last night? Dr. Brabrand, along with Dr. Michael Martin, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Dr. Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent for Special Services, answered questions from the community regarding the CDC’s guidance allowing schools to transition from 6 feet to 3 feet social distancing in some circumstances, and within certain community transmission rates. They also discussed the social-emotional impact the pandemic has had on children and the importance of returning all students to in-person learning. Watch the video.
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Amazon Smile - Support our School!
Looking for an easy way to support Westgate? We have an AmazonSmile account! Every time you shop at Amazon and select the Westgate PTA as your designated charity, and .5% of your purchase will be donated to Westgate. You can click here (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1561076) to get started! Just remember, to shop at smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon page each time you make a purchase! Supporting Westgate couldn't be easier!
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FCPS Technology/Support for Families
Parent Technology Help Desk
FCPS has launched a toll-free Parent Technology Help Desk to assist families with technology issues. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered 7 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and an interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS has Parent Information Phone Lines available in eight languages to assist with general questions about FCPS.)
FCPS has also created an online portal for older students and parents/guardians to request technology help.
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