Willow Springs Elementary School News & Information

September 20, 2021


On the Border Restaurant Logo

Restaurant Night Tonight

Monday, September 20th

On the Border

Fair Oaks Mall

The first restaurant night of the school year will be on 9/20 at On the Border at Fair Oaks Mall. Restaurant Nights are a great way to see your friends, make new ones, and take a break from making dinner. They are also a vital fundraiser for the PTA, helping to pay for a variety of events for the school, such as staff appreciation week and field trips. We can’t wait to see you.


Cafeteria Volunteers Needed

lunch box

Please consider volunteering in our cafeteria this week. No training required, we will give you a bucket with condiments, etc. to pass out as kids raise their hands for help. Monday-Friday, 10:30 - 1:30 p.m. If you're interested in a paid position, please send your resume to Amanda McCabe at anmccabe@fcps.edu.

If you are interested in volunteering this week, please click here to sign up. Hope to see you in the cafeteria! 


Virginia Growth Assessments

Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) is a new test required for students in grades 3-8. The state legislature introduced this requirement to measure student growth and progress within the school year in reading and mathematics. 

For fall 2021, VGA will address content taught in the previous school year. The purpose of this fall's VGA is to identify potential learning gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no "passing" or "failing" outcome for the VGA. Results will provide a starting point to measure growth and offer information about areas of strength and development in reading and mathematics.

Students enrolled in grades 3-8 will take an assessment in both reading and mathematics. Click here to access the Parent Notification Letter.

VGA Calendar Testing Dates

Farmer’s Market Every Friday at WSES

The Garden/Farm to Table Club students will run the event in conjunction with Piney Meadow Farm. The money students raise through produce sales will go towards the Garden Club and STEAM activities. The market will be set up on the basketball blacktop from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. Parents are encouraged to park in the adjacent neighborhood and walk over to pick up produce.


Elementary Students Wanted for the Fairfax High School Lions Football High Five Tunnel

FHS is looking for elementary kids to participate in a “high five tunnel” as the players run out on the field! To sign up and for more information, please go to the City of Fairfax website at www.CityofFairfaxSchools.org. Sign up today as there are limited spots.

Fairfax High School High Five Event Flyer

PTA Membership Drive

The PTA has started the fall membership drive and is encouraging all families to sign up. The PTA is an excellent way to support the students and teachers, which we do through a variety of activities including Staff Appreciation week, building upgrades, books and games to teachers, Read Across America activities, etc. Plus, the PTA has several specials for the summer and fall sign ups.  Sign up by 9/30 to be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Sign up here


Upcoming Clubs

WSES has several clubs that are currently recruiting new members! Interested families may sign up by clicking on any of the links below.

Good News Club is not endorsed by the school board, superintendent, or school.

Jump Rope Club 

Virtual Math Club Grades 5/6

Zumba

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad

Virtual Auction

The PTA has started planning for our virtual auction in November. We would like to reach out to the community for donations for the event. No donation is too small and all is greatly appreciated. Donations are tax deductible.  Companies that donate will be featured on our Facebook page and in PTA newsletters. Please contact president@willowspringspta.net for more information.


Fall Volunteer Opportunities

Are you interested in participating more hands on with PTA? Whatever your passion and whatever your time availability, we have a place for you. Only with your support, the PTA can provide more opportunities for fun and learning for our children and maximize assistance to our teachers. Sign up here.


October Restaurant Night

In October, we’ll be hosting a restaurant night on 10/19 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Fair Lakes Chick-Fil-A, 4516 Fair Knoll Dr. Fairfax, VA 22033. Back by popular demand, we’ll be having the 2021 Nugget Eating contest again. Show us that you can eat more chick’n!


November Restaurant Night

November is a good month for pizza. We’ll have a restaurant night with Fairfax Vocelli’s on 11/6 from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.


Glow Party

The PTA is planning the glow party for 10/22. Do you have supplies we could borrow or donations for the event? We are looking for black lights, decorations, neon poster board, neon duct tape, lava lamps, and anything that glows, like glow necklaces, glow bracelets, blinky rings, etc. Please contact president@willowspringspta.net if you can help.

Know a student who needs volunteer hours? We need volunteers, sign up here. Volunteer service hours credit will be given.


Harris Teeter Together in Education Sign Up

Super easy fundraising for PTA.  Link your VIC card to our school today with code 6390. Link online, through the HT app or in store at checkout. We currently have 2 people signed up (one being me/PTA President.) Sign up out of town family or friends! PTA earned $40 last year from the program, hoping to earn more this year!


Coke Gives

Super easy fundraising! Send in your Coke lids, cardboard carton codes and plastic wrapper codes to school. PTA can earn up to .38 per item! 


Looking Ahead at WSES

2021-22 Standard School Year Calendar

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Willow Fox Mascot
  • September 20 Fair Lakes on the Border Restaurant Night
  • September 24 Farmer's Market 4-6 p.m. WSES Blacktop
  • October 8 SEL Screener Opt-out form due if applicable
  • October 11 No School - Staff Professional Development Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day 

  • October 12 PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in the library
  • October 19 Fair Lakes Chick fil a Restaurant Night, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • October 20 Cub Scout Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria
  • October 22 Glow Party, 6:30 p.m. in the gym/cafeteria
  • November 6 Fairfax Vocelli Restaurant Night, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • November 9 PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in the library