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Dear Westgate Families,
Wow! It is hard to believe that we have entered the very last week of the 2020-21 school year. Throughout the many pivots of distance learning, to the transition to concurrent instruction, we could not be more proud of how our entire school community faced these challenges. As we sail into our final days, there is still much to celebrate. Our students, teachers, and families have been beyond resilient and have learned so much through the many changes this year has presented. As much as we are looking to the future, it is still very important to recognize the hard work, perseverance, and growth that we have ALL experienced over this school year. I continue to feel grateful to be a part of this strong and supportive school community, and we look forward to celebrating all our students and their accomplishments this week.
As a reminder, tomorrow, June 8, is a synchronous day for ALL students (both virtual & in-person). This means that all students will be logging in online and that NO students will come to Westgate for in-person learning on this day. In addition, Friday, June 11 is both the last day of school and a 2-hour early release (1:30 p.m.). Thank you for planning accordingly for these schedule changes.
As we begin to close out another year, I thank you for your continued support of our students, our teachers, and our school. We are extremely fortunate to have created such a caring, compassionate, and generous community at Westgate.
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Student Intention Form for 2021-22 School Year
To help us plan for next school year, please complete this Student Intention Form here by June 11 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.
Laptop Return Dates
ALL students (except pre-k and summer program students) who were issued an FCPS laptop will need to return their device prior to summer break. Please see below for important dates and instructions for both virtual and in-person students. Please note that if you do not return your laptop, charger, and headphones (if applicable) you will be required to pay for the equipment. Thank you in advance for your help in returning these items so that we can clean and re-image them for students next school year.
In-Person Students (Except PreK & Summer Program Students)
- On June 11 (last day of school) all K-6 students will leave their laptop, charger and laptop sleeve (if issued) in their classroom with their teacher.
Virtual Students (Except PreK & Summer Program Students)
- On June 14 families will drive through our front bus loop (by Door 1) and return their laptop, charger, laptop sleeve (if issued), and headphones (if issued) during the following times:
- 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Last name starts with A-L
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Last name starts with M-Z
- Westgate will have staff members collecting and scanning in laptops during this time.
If you have any questions about our laptop pick-up process, please don't hesitate to call the main office at 703-610-5700.
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PTA School Supplies - Order NOW!
The PTA is once again offering families the opportunity to order all their school supplies online for next school year. Order online now and in the fall the supplies will be shipped to the school and delivered to your child's classroom. This is not a fundraiser, just a courtesy to our community. Deadline for ordering is July 6th. Order today by clicking here. Westgate's school ID is WES461.
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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 @ 10:30 a.m. (*Time Change)
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FCPS Summer Practice Books Coming in June
To help support continued learning throughout summer break, practice books are being mailed to homes of many FCPS students. Families who have opted-out of paper mailings from the division will only receive a digital link.
Students will receive the following books:
- Pre-kindergarten students will receive one interdisciplinary summer practice book.
- Students enrolled in grades K-8 in 2020-21 will receive one Language Arts practice book and one Math practice book by course enrollment. These books will also include information and guidance about digital tools that can be accessed by students and families to support learning throughout the summer.
- English learners and students receiving Special Education services may receive additional or customized books.
Please see the Summer Practice Books webpage for more information and details about customized books for English learners and Special Education students.
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Summer Reading Adventure Begins June 11
The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) summer reading program starts on June 11 and runs through August 13. Students are welcome to sign up now on Beanstack and can track their summer reading online.
Opportunities to read and earn prizes include:
- Just for signing up, participants will be eligible to win a $25 e-gift card to Scrawl Books.
- By reading 500 minutes, students will be eligible to win a $50 Chipotle gift card.
- Completing the program by reading 1,000 minutes OR reading 500 minutes and completing 5 activity badges, will offer participants a chance to win a $150 Amazon e-gift card.
Prizes will be awarded after the completion of Summer Reading Adventure and winners will be notified by August 31.
More information about the FCPL summer reading program is available online.
Band Instrument Return by Today, June 7!
Band students will turn in school-rented instruments AFTER their class the week of May 31st-June 4th. In person students can simply leave them with Mr. Erickson after class that week. At home students will need to bring the instrument to the front office after their class. Mr. Erickson will also be available by Door #9 from 10:00-12:00 on Monday, June 7th or parents can bring them to the front office before or after that. Monday, June 7th is that LAST day to turn them in. Instruments MUST be returned by this date.
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Activate Your Parent SIS Account Today
Parents & Guardians, please take a moment to activate your SIS Parent Account today.
Request your activation key here: https://itweb.fcps.edu/ParentView/index.cfm Once you have the activation key, activate your account here: https://www.fcps.edu/node/31379 Your SIS Parent account will provide you with access to your student’s grades and allow you to update emergency contact information online as soon as your account is activated.
For next school year, this account will be vital to accessing school and class information through our Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) our learning management system beginning at the start of the 2021-22 school year. We will share more information about Schoology as the new school year approaches.
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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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New Student and Kindergarten Registration Information
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 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.
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Camp Fairfax - Summer Childcare Opportunity
Immunization Requirement Updates
Effective July 1, 2021, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will require new school entry immunizations. All grade levels will be affected by these additional immunizations.
Required for School Entry:
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A minimum of two doses of Hepatitis (A) vaccine are required: For SY 2021/2022, Kindergarten students must have two doses of Hepatitis A.
- A minimum of two doses of Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine are required: For SY 2021/2022, 7th grade students must have one dose and 12th grade students must have one dose.
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A minimum of one dose of Rotavirus (RV) vaccine is required: One dose is required for students less than eight months of age.
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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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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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