Dear Wakefield Forest Families,
Last Friday we started Innovation Hour (K-4) and Electives (5-6). These special activities are unique to Wakefield Forest ES. As we balance our focus on student academic and social-emotional needs, these activities support our students' wellness. The excitement and energy on Friday afternoons is palpable. Be sure to ask your kiddo what they did on Friday and check for pictures on our twitter account.
We are continuing to have a number of students who haven’t been feeling well enough to attend school. Thank you so much for checking in with your children and keeping them home if they are exhibiting signs of illness. This caution is helping to keep all of our students and staff safe. If your child is home with any symptoms we have stream-in available. When your child is ill, please connect with your child’s classroom teacher to receive work for your child to complete at home and for information about streaming into the classroom.
We are so grateful to the Sheckels family and the PTA for donating picnic tables to the school for our outdoor eating options. Thank you to our parents who put together these tables over the weekend and after school. This truly is the best community. Students eat outside when weather permits. When students do eat inside we have several pieces of plexiglass per table to ensure students are able to maintain social distance. Student safety in all weather conditions is a top priority.
While wearing a mask outside is not required, it is recommended. Students are expected to maintain social distance when masks are removed. If students are unable to maintain social distance, they will be asked to put their mask on. We appreciate your support in reminding your child about these safety precautions.
On September 16th, we had a special guest substitute, Kathleen Miller, FCPS Media Specialist and mom, as our substitute. Read this fun article and check out this video about her day substituting in Mrs. Jones’ class. FCPS and WFES are in need of substitutes to function effectively on a daily basis. If you are interested in joining the substitute ranks, check out information here.
Sharyn Prindle
Principal
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Virginia Growth Assessment (Grades 3-6) |
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 that was 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 will offer information about areas of strength and areas for growth in reading and mathematics.
Students enrolled in grades 3-8 will generally take an assessment in both reading and mathematics.
The following points may help you and your student better understand this assessment.
- VGA must be taken in-person at school.
- This online, computer-adaptive test is about half as long as the spring SOL test.
- Questions use Standards of Learning (SOL)-like items to measure current knowledge and skills in the content area.
- Student results will be used to help school staff plan for instruction and supports.
Across Fairfax County, elementary and middle schools will give students the VGA in September or October.
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Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Question and Answer Session tonight, September 28 |
Mr. Tony Gray, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), will host a virtual family question and answer session about Advanced Academics Program (AAP) services tonight, September 28, 2021 at 7:00 pm. A copy of the presentation is available for you to preview. Click here to join the session. For those unable to attend, a recording of this meeting, as well as additional information about applying for Level IV Advanced Academics, will be available on the WFES website.
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Hispanic Heritage Month |
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 - October 15. Ms. Prindle shared a video with students Monday about Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist with ancestry from Haiti and Puerto Rico.
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Walk & Bike to School Day is October 6 |
Wednesday, October 6 is International Walk & Bike to School Day. We encourage all who can to enjoy walking or riding bikes to WFES that day!
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Student Rights and Responsibilities |
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment. Parent/Guardians can acknowledge receipt of the SR&R in ParentVue in your child’s SIS account or sign the Parent Signature Sheet to acknowledge that you have received this document. If you have not done so already, please e-sign through ParentVue or return the signed signature sheet to your child's school by October 29, 2021.
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Counselor Check In |
We would like to remind our families that we are here to support you and your students! If your child needs a check in with Nancy Garcia-Henderson or Chelsea Boateng, WFES counselors, please complete this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sN3uJzbb-O4cRpECBzHOD9ysu07rT8s_QhBrFIcUPlc/viewform?ts=6123e7df&edit_requested=true
Tonight, September 28 at 7:00 pm: Virtual Q and A - Advanced Academics Program (AAP) (see above)
Thursday, September 30 : SCA officer candidates meet (Grade 5 from 9:50 - 10:20 am and Grades 4 and 6 from 2:50 - 3:20 pm)
Monday, October 4: SCA officer candidate speeches due
Wednesday, October 6: International Walk/Bike to School Day
Thursday, October 7: SCA Reporter and Secretary election
Friday, October 8: SCA Vice President and President election
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