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November 18, 2021
 Students are spotted in the library making their wish lists at the Book Fair. 5th graders in Ms. Williams' class collaborated and created videos using green screen effects.
Willow Springs families,
The week kicked off with the launching of an addition to our school-wide behavior approach. All students have the opportunity to earn Willow Pride tickets throughout the day when they show Empathy, Accountability, Respect, and Safety throughout the building. As classes earn tickets, students receive various incentives (i.e., shout out on the announcements, signing the Book of Honor, lunch with an administrator, and more). We are proud of our foxes and the progress they have made so far.
We look forward to expanding this program as the year continues. Please click here to watch the intro video presented to students and staff, created and produced by one of our 6th graders, Nitin Kalluru.
On Tuesday, over 70 of our students joined our Fairfax Pyramid schools for a beautiful evening of music. Schools collaborated for an evening filled with songs, smiles, and celebration. Thank you to our music teachers, Mrs. Berra and Mrs. Young, for preparing our children for such a special event. To check out the amazing performance, click here.
We hope to see everyone tonight at our WSES Book Fair from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the library. We will also have guest staff readers doing read alouds every 15 minutes in "The Little Theatre."
Thank you,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Willow Springs Book Fair is TONIGHT
 Our Willow Springs Book Fair is tonight, where families can shop and purchase books! This special event is a fundraiser for our library. We are open from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We will have guest staff readers doing read alouds every 15 minutes in “The Little Theatre.” Food trucks will also be available if you want to have a meal outside.
The book fair takes credit cards, checks (made out to Willow Springs), and cash. We also have an online site, if people prefer to shop that way. All proceeds go to our Willow Springs library. Thank you for your support!
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards!
The FCPS employee award season is here again and your help is needed! Each school in the county is being asked to nominate employees for the following categories:
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Outstanding Teacher
- Has at least 3 years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district).
- Can be a classroom teacher, special area teacher, or librarian.
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Outstanding New Teacher
- Within their first 3 years of being a teacher (in any school/school district).
- Can be a classroom teacher, special area teacher, or librarian.
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Outstanding Professional Employee
- Has at least 1 year of experience in their current position.
- Instructional Coach, Resource Teacher, SBTS, School Counselor, Technology Support Specialist, Social Worker, Speech/Language Pathologist
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Outstanding Operational Employee
- Has at least 1 year of experience in their current position.
- Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid).
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Outstanding Leader
- Has at least 1 year of experience in their current position.
- Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
NOMINATION PROCESS
Please click the link below and nominate any staff member at Willow Springs Elementary School that you think is doing an awesome job serving our students and community.
STAFF NOMINATION FORM
Nominations will be accepted from Friday, November 12th – Tuesday, November 23rd.
- You can nominate as many employees as you wish during the nomination window.
- SCHOOL WINNERS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS CAN BE NOMINATED AGAIN.
- You must include your name when you nominate the person.
- Each nomination must include a brief paragraph stating why you believe this person is deserving of this honor.
- WINNERS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL RECEIVE A CASH PRIZE.
- After all nominations have been received voting will take place if there is more than one nominee in a category.
If you nominate someone and they win you will have to complete a Nominator Form and/or Letter of Recommendation to help this person win at the pyramid, region, and county levels. Please do not nominate someone if you cannot help with this part of the process.
If you would like to nominate Mr. Dylan Taylor for Outstanding Principal, the process for this award is different. The nomination must be submitted by Wednesday, December 1st.
- If you would like to nominate Mr. Taylor, please contact the Willow Springs Award Liaison, Krystal Styles directly.
- If you can’t complete a nominator form and/or letter of recommendation for Mr. Taylor for the pyramid, region, and county level of the process, please do not nominate him.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Willow Springs Award Liaison, Krystal Styles at krstyles@fcps.edu.
November 22 and 23 COVID-19 Screening Testing for Students is Cancelled
On November 15, Longview International Technology Solutions (LTS) began providing voluntary COVID-19 screening testing for unvaccinated students at most school locations as communicated in an email sent to all WSES families on Friday, November 12.
Due to the shortened school week and potential for staffing limitations, COVID testing for students on November 22 and 23 will be cancelled.
Window for AAP Level IV (full-time) Referrals to Close December 15, 2021
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form to Diane Choi no later than December 15.
The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they are submitted to the central selection committee by emailing Diane Choi. Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school.
For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”) that contain information similar to our fall parent information meetings at Willow Springs Elementary.
Reminders About Attendance
 We especially appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra days off during the Thanksgiving holiday. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and leave your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
We know it’s tempting to extend your vacation by a few days on either side of the holiday. However, this holiday season, the best gift you can give your child is a good education. And the best place to get that education is in school. Every day. On time.
Please remember, November 24-26 is a school holiday. We are eager to welcome your children back in school on November 29.
Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination
FCPS is encouraging all parents whose children are eligible to get vaccinated. We know that vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and we are asking you to help us continue to make our schools as safe as they possibly can be.
The Fairfax County Health Department’s webpage has resources for finding and scheduling a vaccine appointment. Up-to-date information about vaccination opportunities is available on our website.
How to prepare your child for their COVID-19 vaccination
We know you may have questions about the vaccine. We talked with local pediatricians to answer some of the most common questions. Find out how to prepare your child for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and how you can make them more comfortable if they experience side effects in this short video.
Sub and Save the Day!
 FCPS is looking for kind and caring substitute teachers to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers need to be out of the building. Subs save the day- apply today! Click here to apply.
WSES Food Policy Reminder
Due to safety and allergy concerns, we are not allowing edible birthday treats in the school to celebrate student birthdays. This includes homemade and prepackaged treats. You are welcome to send in non-edible birthday items, provided one per student is supplied. Another great birthday treat is to send in a book for the class library.
Thank you for your understanding!
Positivity Project - Gratitude
November 14th - 27th
Cafeteria Volunteers Needed
 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. 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 or use the QR code above to sign up. Hope to see you in the cafeteria!
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. Sign up at https://wses1.memberhub.com/store.
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.
Chess Club
Virtual Math Club Grades 5/6
Zumba
Science Olympiad
Funds for Foxes
Here are some of the easy ways you can help earn money for the Willow Springs Elementary PTA! Take a look at some of the partnerships we have.
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November 18 WSES Library Book Fair Night from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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November 24-26 Thanksgiving Break
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November 29 Chanukah
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