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Dear Westgate Families,
Today marks the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week! I can't think of a more deserving group of individuals than our Westgate staff after everything they have navigated during this school year. Please see below for ways in which your child can show their appreciation for their teacher(s) this week. Also, thank you to our wonderful PTA for showering our teachers with a delicious lunch and some pretty fun prizes.
Don't forget that this Wednesday, May 5, is Westgate's Walk/Bike to School Day! We hope to see many of you riding your bikes or walking to school that morning.
Also, do you have, or know of a new student or rising kindergartener scheduled to come to Westgate next year? Please spread the word that registration is underway as we are are excited to meet our newest Wolves. Registration information for kindergarten and new students can be found on our website here. You may also contact our registrar, Tracy Green, at tmgreen@fcps.edu if you have additional questions.
As we enter into a week of celebrating our amazing teachers, we equally want to thank our wonderful school community. It is hard to believe this very unique and challenging school year is quickly coming to a close and we would not be finishing on such a positive note without your patience and support. We look forward to continued learning and growing as we finish out the last six weeks of the year!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Teacher Appreciation Week is this week! May 3rd - 7th!
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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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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SOL Schedule - Grades 3 - 6
Please see below for the most updated SOL schedule for students in Grades 3-6. You should have received an email from Westgate regarding SOL testing regardless if your child is currently receiving in-person or virtual instruction. If you have any questions concerning SOL testing you may reach out to our Assistant Principal, Mr. Cooper @ egcooper@fcps.edu.
End of Year (EOY) Celebration Ceremonies
To celebrate our students as we finish out this most unique school year, we will continue the tradition of our EOY classroom ceremonies. All ceremonies for Grades 1 - 5 will be virtual and both in-person and virtual students and parents will be able to participate in the event. You will receive a link from your child's classroom teacher closer to the date so you may virtually join the event. Our 6th grade students will have a streamed in-person ceremony (students only) and specific details surrounding that will be sent directly from your child's classroom teacher. We hope that many of you will be able to take part in these celebrations!
Friday, June 4 - PreK @ 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 10
9:15 a.m. - 5th Grade
10:15 a.m. - Kindergarten
11:15 a.m. - 2nd Grade
12:30 p.m. - 3rd Grade
2:00 p.m. - 1st Grade
2:45 p.m. - 4th Grade
Friday, June 11 - 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony @ 10:00 a.m. (Students Only); Parent celebration to follow @ 11:30 p.m.
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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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Student Intention Form for 2021-22 School Year
To help us plan for next school year, please complete this Student Intention Form here by May 15 if your child will NOT be returning to Westgate for the 2021-22 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Green, our registrar, at TMGreen@fcps.edu.
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is Accepting Applications for 2021-22
¡FCPS PreK y Early Head Start ya está aceptando aplicaciones para el año escolar 2021-22! Por favor mire este video para ver si su hijo de 3 o 4 años puede calificar para PreK. Para aplicar en línea: www.fcps.edu busque: PreK Correo electrónico: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu. Para más información llame a la línea de español: 703-208-7901.
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Update on FCPS’ Budget for Next School Year
The Fairfax County School Board will hold public hearings on the FY 2022 budget Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12 (if needed). Both public hearings are at 6 p.m. To bring your voice into the room on the proposed budget, register to speak at a School Board meeting or call 571-423-1075.
See more details on the FCPS FY 2022 Budget and planning documents.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering an updated Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget that includes a 2% salary boost for FCPS employees, funded in part with dollars from the Commonwealth. More details about the updated FY 2022 Fairfax County budget are available here.
Video: Watch Fairfax County School Board Chair Ricardy Anderson’s comments on the FY 2022 Advertised Budget.
Stay up to date with FCPS’ budget calendar here.
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FCPS Seeks Input on Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Curriculum Policy
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to educational equity in which every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. FCPS wants to empower students as the next generation of change leaders for a more just world. To achieve educational equity, FCPS will be analyzing and addressing the beliefs and policies that inform teaching practices along with what is taught in schools. The school division will begin this process by revising the existing Controversial Issues Policy and developing a new Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Education Curriculum Policy.
Families and staff will be asked to participate in a survey seeking input on what should be included in the Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Education Curriculum Policy. The survey will be sent to all families and staff in early May. In addition, FCPS will conduct a series of focus groups to gather perspectives and input of all stakeholders.
FCPS is working with a consultant The Leadership Academy to support stakeholder engagement on the revision and development of these two curriculum policies. An update on the draft policy will be presented to the Fairfax County School Board in the summer.
Resources:
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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