 This month, we learned about and celebrated Ruby Bridges, the first African American student to integrate in an Elementary School in 1960. Kindergarten students read of her bravery and the impact she had on future schools.
Note from Dr. Sheers
This week's Positivity Project theme is Gratitude, a perfect character trait to highlight the week before Thanksgiving.
As we look forward to a day with family and close friends in the warm comfort of our homes and at our bountiful tables, I think of the many acts of kindness that have enriched West Springfield. We consistently see this spirit within our school and community. From our amazing staff, generous PTA and supportive families, I am grateful for so much.
On behalf of all the staff at West Springfield, we hope you enjoy a safe Thanksgiving and holiday break filled with friends and family.
News and Notes
Virtual Office Hours/Q&A
Now that we have entered our second quarter at West Springfield, we wanted to provide an opportunity to check-in with families and answer any questions and/or concerns! Join Dr. Sheers, Ms. Hibner and our new family liaison, Karen Lathrop, on Thursday, December 2 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. A link to join will be sent out via e-Notify at a later date. |
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Visiting the Building
Don't forget to bring an ID to check into our Visitor Management System. An ID is required every time; if no ID, you will be asked to leave the building. (You can use your driver’s license, state issued ID, or passport, etc.), and you must always sign into the Visitor Management System in the front office before volunteering. Please note that, due to COVID, volunteer opportunities are limited.
FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a West Springfield Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please click on the title and you will be taken to the appropriate form.
You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in two or more criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
To submit a nomination for a WSES Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: WSES Nomination Form
The deadline to submit a nomination is Nov. 23, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Phillips at daphillips1@fcps.edu
iReady Score Reports
iReady Score Report letters will be centrally published to ParentVUE Documents, and families will be able to view historical results in ParentVUE Test History. Fall reports will be published to ParentVUE by grade level: Grades 1-2 reports will be available the week of November 8 and Grades 3-6 reports will be available the week of November 29.
Reminder: 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 Maggie Gawen 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 Maggie Gawen. 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 West Springfield.
Irving Middle School AAP Level IV Services Information Night
Irving staff will provide a program on Monday, November 29th at 6:00pm at Irving to talk about the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) they offer for students who have qualified for Level IV services as they differ from what students experience in elementary schools. Irving staff will discuss the classes offered for students who have qualified for Level IV services and the process to apply should families want their child to participate in these classes. The FCPS AAP website also provides information about the various levels and the process to apply. If you have any questions about this program or the classes for AAP Level IV students at Irving, please contact Irving’s Director of Student Services, Meg Gollinger (magollinger@fcps.edu).
Contribute photos to the WSES Yearbook!
You are invited to share photos of your students with the HJ eShare app or in a mobile web browser. Photos you upload to eShare may be used in the yearbook. Using any web browser on your phone:
Mustang Support Network
Please reach out to Jen Lynch, School Social Worker (jblynch@fcps.edu) if your family is struggling financially and may need support. This information will be kept confidential and used by our Wellness Team to determine need when opportunities and programs are offered for our WSES families (for example: school supplies, food programs, holiday assistance, winter wear, etc.).
Lunch
All students will be offered no cost breakfast and lunch for the entire school year. Menus are available online.
Bus Routes
Find out more about bus routes on FCPS' website and download the Here Comes the Bus mobile app.
Positivity Project Week of November 15 – Gratitude - You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen. Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. Find out more about Gratitude by watching this video
Next week’s character strength: Kindness
Family Life Education (FLE)
Students in all grades participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in grades K-3 receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit while students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review online.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Once logged into Schoology, visit the All Parents: West Springfield Elementary course. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available in our school library.
You are invited to attend an evening opportunity to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. Grade level teachers will send a Zoom link prior to November 30. We will begin as a school with general information, and then each grade level will be in a breakout room, allowing you to join different grade levels as needed.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out the online form at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the form provided earlier in the school year, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s teacher in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
Instruction occurs at various times for the instructional units during the school year. Your child’s teacher will provide the specific dates of FLE instruction.
Save the Date
Wednesday, Nov 24-26 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Tuesday, November 23 - Nominations due for Employee Awards
Thursday, December 2 - Virtual Admin/Parent Liaison Office Hours 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 14 - Next PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. (in-person with option to participate virtually)
Monday, December 20 - Winter Break Begins
Monday, January 3 - School Resumes
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