Welcome Back Spartans!
We are excited for the return of all our students and staff from winter break and these unexpected winter weather days. In the meantime, please stay safe and be mindful of the news, notes, and reminders upon our return to school.
Upcoming Events
Monday, 01/17 – Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday)
Thursday, 01/20 – End of Second Quarter, 2hr Early Release
Friday, 01/21 – Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
Monday, 01/24 – Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)
Monday, 01/21 – Holiday (President's Day)
Thursday, 03/03 – 2 Hour Early Release
Navigating the January 2022 COVID Surge
During winter break and the Holiday season, COVID cases have sharply increased in our region. It is expected that this surge of cases will impact FCPS operations for at least the next few weeks.
We have been working hard to anticipate areas of tension, and like all FCPS schools, we are preparing for staffing shortages. These shortages will impact us in every way, from classroom instruction to operations. It will not be business as usual.
FCPS has promised to move central office staff to supporting school operations as much as possible. With that, our number one priority is to provide continuous in-person instruction. Here are some important things you need to know:
Classroom Coverage
When a classroom teacher is out, we will consider the following in this order:
- Dedicated class coverage by:
- a substitute teacher from the sub pool
- another teacher or staff member
- FCPS Central Office volunteer subs who have instructional experience.
- Pairing two classes together with one teacher.
- Grouping multiple classes to provide supervision during asynchronous instruction.
Our teachers will be reminded to upload daily/weekly classroom materials to Schoology, when students need to access lessons asynchronously. While we hope to continue to offer StreamIn/CheckIn for students who are paused, quarantined or in isolation, this may not always be possible.
Transportation
Staffing shortages are impacting our operational staff as well. Expect that there will be delays in bus routes with more double-backs, which means students may arrive after the bell. WSHS will adjust instruction to ensure that no student is missing important classroom time. Access the Bus Delay App to receive current bus delay information. When possible, please consider driving your child to school, or have them walk or bike if your family lives nearby.
Food Services
Breakfast and lunch service has not been impacted at this time, but it is possible that with greater staff absences, we may need to change to providing bag lunches, instead of the regular menu.
Important Reminders
While WSHS is committed to keeping our school doors open, upon our return to school, we will continue to engage in practices that mitigate the transmission of this virus. Here are some ways that you can partner with us to keep our schools safe and open for learning.
- In order to keep all Spartans healthy, we implore parents and guardians to utilize this Health Screening Questionnaire before sending your student to school.
- If your child does not feel well or presents any COVID-like symptoms, have them remain at home and seek medical advice.
- Students who are sent to the Care Room with COVID-like symptoms will be sent home immediately. The return to school process must be followed before they can return to campus.
Masks
Mask recommendations from the CDC and VDH have not changed. It is the student’s responsibility to report to school wearing a proper face covering. Approved face coverings include disposable masks, cloth mask coverings, gaiters, clear masks and cloth masks with clear plastic panels. All cloth masks should be double layered, including gaiters. Masks with vents are NOT allowed.
Students who fail to meet this expectation will be counseled and parents will be contacted if the issue continues.
Health, Safety and COVID-19 Testing Information
Consider vaccination, which is the best protection against serious illness caused by COVID-19.
FCPS COVID-19 Testing Program helps keep our school as a safe place to learn and work. FCPS offers:
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Diagnostic Testing for students at six drive-through locations. Take advantage of these services if you are experiencing symptoms or become a close contact. Appointments are not needed, but families must register on the secure online portal. See the FCPS website for more information about student diagnostic testing, including site locations and schedules. For support, email fcps@lts.com or call LTS Portal Support at (571) 354-6205.
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Optional Screening Testing for unvaccinated students. Parents and guardians can use the secure online portal to register their unvaccinated child(ren) for optional COVID-19 screening. Once enrolled, you have the option to update your child’s vaccination status and/or withdraw consent for testing anytime. [Student-athletes should use the separate portal provided by their coach and Spartan Athletics.]
Technology
Parents, make sure your student brings their laptop and charger home every night.
Guidance For Students Who Are Sick
If your student is not feeling well and/or displaying cold-like symptoms, keep them home and if necessary seek medical advice.
Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
Quarantine vs. Isolation
- You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected.
- You isolate when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Beginning January 10, 2022, FCPS will adopt the following isolation and quarantine guidance for students (based upon December 27, 2021 CDC Guidance):
- Student Quarantine Requirement: 5 days
- Student Isolation Requirement: 10 days [FCPS will NOT adopt CDC’s recommendation for isolation for students as we are unable to implement the required physically distancing protocols during meals.]
- FCPS students who test positive or are diagnosed with COVID-19 will continue to have a 10 day isolation period from school and school-related activities, including sports.
- Students identified as close contacts are required to quarantine for five (5) days and wear well fitting masks for an additional five (5) days when around others in school and during school-related activities, including sports. All close contacts should (not required) take a COVID test at least five (5) days after they last had contact with someone with COVID-19.
Returning to School After COVID Isolation
Students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are able to return to school when all of the following criteria have been met:
- Student completes at least ten (10) days of isolation from symptom onset for symptomatic students or 10 days since tested for COVID for asymptomatic students; AND
- Student is fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication; AND
- The student’s symptoms have improved; AND
- Student submits the FCPS Isolation Letter with the return date to their attending school
Be Prepared for Inclement Weather
It appears that winter is now in full effect with the ongoing chance of impacting school operations. This is a great time for our families to plan for future inclement weather events.
To ensure the safety of students and staff, FCPS may have to close or delay schools due to inclement weather. In the case of an emergency weather-related closing, delay, or early dismissal, the FCPS website will be updated. Parents will also be able to get this information quickly via FCPS Twitter and Facebook pages. Email and text messages will be sent to parents using weCare@school.
Possible Inclement Weather Decisions Include:
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Two-hour Delay: Students should report two hours later than their regular schedule. (10:10am - 2:55pm) With any delayed opening, the buses will arrive to pick up the students two hours later than the regularly scheduled time.
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Two-hour Early Closure: School will close at 12:55pm.
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All Schools Closed: Schools are closed for all students.
For more information about FCPS Weather Cancellation Procedures, click HERE. Click HERE for West Springfield Bell Schedule.
Technology Support
Upon return to school, the WSHS Tech Office will resume regular hours:
- Before school: 7:30 am - 8:05 am
- During the lunch block: 11:20 am - 1:20 pm
- After school: 2:55 pm - 3:10 pm
If assistance is needed at any other time during the day, students’ teachers can email the Tech Team to check availability.
Student Activities Updates
FCPS has mandated that High school athletics will continue with limited spectators. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no general admission to any sports contests through Friday, January 14th. Spectators will be limited to family members of both the home and visiting teams. The exact number of family members permitted is being discussed by each district and this will be communicated to families through their student athlete.
West Springfield will still provide free access to our games online on the NFHS Sports Network. Click HERE to subscribe.
Check out WSHS calendar of sporting events HERE, and let's continue to support Spartan Athletics!
Potential Changes to January Student Events
Performing Arts
- No changes to health and safety guidelines for theatre or chorus activities.
- Audiences at performances will be limited to family members, similar to athletic events.
- TBD, we anticipate District Orchestra Events may be cancelled by host schools.
- All District Band auditions will be virtual and will continue as planned.
Science Fair
- TBD, Science Teams and Science Fair Coordinators are working to adapt upcoming fairs.
Field Trips
- Generally, all whole class or club field trips are paused for the first few weeks of January, after which guidance will be reconsidered.
Save the Date!
Save the Date!
Our next PTSA membership meeting is scheduled for January 11th, 7:30pm. JOIN THE PTSA
You can register to receive a link to the upcoming meeting HERE.
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Hablemos is a bi-annual information meeting for Spanish-speaking WSHS families.
FCPS Information
Job Opportunities
As the pandemic continues to affect our region, FCPS is advertising the following job opportunities, both which serve to keep or schools open. West Springfield HS is especially in need of additional Student Monitors.
Student Monitor: Provides supervision of students throughout the school day to include but not limited to the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials and at arrival/dismissal; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; operates technology; performs administrative and non-instructional duties; ensures all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; works with individual and small groups of students. Click here for more details.
COVID Case Manager: Monitors and manages COVID case data in schools in concert with the local health department. Works closely with students, staff, administration, FCPS central office and the County Health Department. Accesses and uses student information system data to assist health department staff with contact tracing - identifying close contacts and reporting to the health department. Uses applicable technology to collect, maintain, analyze and report data related to management of potential exposures. May assist with collection and/or coordination of COVID testing. Click here for more details.
If you or someone you know is interested, visit the FCPS job opportunities site at the links provided above to apply.
Quick Links
COMMUNITY Information
Courses at NOVA
Students Can Start Their College Courses Early at NOVA
The Early Online College program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) allows FCPS juniors or seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses this spring. Textbook and other course materials purchases may be required. Early Online College courses begin on February 1, 2022, and end on April 25, 2022.
Minimum qualifications apply. The deadline to submit a completed application is January 14, 2022. More information is available online.
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