|
February 21, 2022
 Love and celebration filled the hallways last week as our students and staff celebrated the 100th day of school and Valentine's Day.
Willow Springs families,
Happy Presidents' Day! We had a wonderful week celebrating the 100th day of school and the outpour of love shown throughout the building. Thank you again to our PTA and our families for stocking the staff lounge and providing our staff with various treats throughout the week.
Don't forget our Willow Springs Fun Run fundraiser will kick off in just three weeks on 3/10. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for student programs and activities, school improvements for students and teachers, and strengthen our school community.
We hope everyone is enjoying their three-day weekend, and we look forward to seeing our students on Tuesday morning.
Sincerely,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Congratulations, Annie Park!
We are excited to share that Annie Park, 3rd grade AAP teacher, won the Fairfax Pyramid for Outstanding New Teacher! She will move on to the regional level of competition. We are so proud of Ms. Park, and we are grateful for all that she does for our children and families.
Congratulations, Ms. Park!
|
WSES is Celebrating Black History Month
During February, we celebrate Black History Month by affirming Black and African Americans' accomplishments and contributions to our nation's history. It provides us a time to honor and recognize the essential role that African Americans have and continue to play in U.S. history.
At age 6, Ruby Bridges embarked on a historic walk to school as the first African American student to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. This marked the beginning of integration in U.S. public schools.
During this time, Ruby Bridges ate lunch alone and sometimes played with her teacher at recess, and she never missed a day of school that year. Ruby Bridges was a class of one that year, as Barbara Henry, a white Boston native, was the only teacher willing to accept Ruby.
In 1999, she established The Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and create change through education. In 2000, she was made an honorary deputy marshal in a ceremony in Washington, DC.
 "I believe that we have to come together, and we have to rely on the goodness of each other." - Ruby Bridges
Positivity Project Corner
This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Cheering Others’ Successes. This means when other people succeed, I am happy for them and cheer them on.
Being happy for other people when they succeed isn’t always everyone’s initial reaction. Often, it’s easy to become jealous or envious of others’ victories -- or even to experience schadenfreude, which is deriving pleasure from witnessing (or learning about) another person’s misfortune. People who have these reactions to the success or misfortune of others are colloquially known as “haters.” It’s important to note that these are natural emotions and in small doses can be helpful in allowing us to see what we care about -- and motivate us to pursue those goals.
But making a commitment towards cheering on other people’s successes can be a great way to improve our own health, happiness, and relationships. People can take active steps to be more genuinely happy for the achievements of others. Ways to do this include; telling others about the success of your modest friend; noticing when your reaction to a sibling’s success is envy or jealousy -- and asking yourself why that is; reminding yourself that appreciating the excellence in another is a character strength; asking your successful teammates and classmates what they do to prepare for games or tests.
Being supportive of people who succeed is good for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being and when people cheer each other on it begins a reciprocal process that forges stronger relationships. Those relationships are the foundation for a strong culture in teams, schools, and businesses.
|
2022-2023 Kindergarten Survey
We are conducting a community survey of preschool children who will be eligible for kindergarten enrollment for the 2022-23 school year. If you have preschool children and live in the Willow Springs boundaries, please click on this link to access the survey form. Or, you may complete the registration signup/intake form on the Willow Springs Website (preferred).
The survey can be downloaded to your computer and completed digitally. You may also print the form to complete it, then scan or send a picture of the form to our school registrar. All forms should be emailed to Liz Flaherty.
Please return to Willow Springs by Friday, February 25, 2022.
Your assistance will help us plan for a more accurate kindergarten enrollment and staffing projection for the upcoming school year.
All children who reach their fifth birthday on or before September 30, 2022 are eligible for kindergarten enrollment for the 2022-23 school year. Prerequisites for entry are physical examination, record of immunization, birth certificate and proof of residency.
We appreciate your assistance in sharing this information with neighbors who have preschool children and encouraging them to go to our website for more information.
COVID Protocols for FCPS-Sponsored Activities
Current FCPS COVID mitigation strategies are to be followed for all FCPS-sponsored activities, whether the activity occurs at an FCPS facility or off-site. When FCPS-sponsored activities are held off-site, participants will follow the more rigorous COVID protocols. If the venue requires more strict protocols, all participants will adhere to the venue’s requirements. When activities are held at venues with less stringent COVID mitigation protocols, participants will follow current FCPS practices.
Attendance Matters
- There’s not much we can do about the winter weather, but there are two key steps every parent can take to help avoid absences this year: Make back-up plans for bad weather and keep your children healthy.
- Absences, even if they are excused, can add up to academic trouble. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
- Children who miss too much school in kindergarten are less likely to read well by third grade. By middle school, absenteeism can predict who will graduate from high school.
- A study of weather-related absences in Massachusetts found that each missed day affected a student’s test scores and grades. This was especially true on snowy days when school stayed open but some students missed class.
- Please remember, February 21 is a school holiday. We are eager to welcome your children back in school on February 22.
Now Hiring: Additional WSES Student Monitors
Willow Springs Elementary is seeking individuals to serve as student monitors!
Enjoy working with children? WSES is seeking individuals to serve as student monitors. Student monitors provide supervision support in the classroom, lunchroom, and may work with small groups of students with foundational math and language arts skills. If you're interested, please send your resume to Amanda McCabe at anmccabe@fcps.edu.
|
Provide Feedback on FCPS' Use of Federal (ESSER III) Funding
We encourage you to participate in a public engagement opportunity related to how FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements for ensuring a safe return to in-person instruction and providing continuity of learning. As a reminder, last fall, FCPS received $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students. Grant focus areas include:
- Prevention and mitigation strategies to help keep schools open and safe for students and staff.
- Academic intervention services, such as tutoring, after-school programs, and summer learning programs.
- Equity professional development to ensure our schools are welcoming and culturally responsive to all students and families.
- Multilingual engagement to ensure information is accessible to all families.
- Additional support for students’ social-emotional needs.
All of these areas impact student success! Please provide input today via our online feedback form. For more information on the ESSER III grant, please watch this video and visit the FCPS website.
Elementary Language Arts Resource Review
Participate in our elementary language arts resource review. You can review digital resources and leave feedback online. Physical resources for elementary language arts are being reviewed throughout the month at the Willow Oaks Administration Center from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. In-person review hours will be extended to 7 p.m. February 17 and 24.
Learn more on our website.
|
WSES PTA: Boosterthon
 Our Willow Springs Fun Run fundraiser will kick off in just 3 weeks on 3/10. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for student programs and activities, school improvements for students and teachers and to strengthen our school community.
Here’s what all students can get excited about:
- Fun, engaging character development lessons
- A high-energy event to give our school a much-needed boost of fun!
If your family feels it’s not in the position to financially support the school, that’s ok. Families can actually support our school by also SHARING about our fundraiser with friends and family online. Sharing IS supporting.
Key dates to remember:
- REGISTRATION & DONATING OPENS - 2/24
- Fundraiser Kickoff - 3/10
- Event Day - 3/18
Thank you for supporting Willow Springs through the Willow Springs Fun Run.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA)
 Click the image above to learn more and to register.
FCPS Institute for the Arts (IFTA)
 Click the image above to learn more and to register.
F.P.Y.C. Field Hockey Opportunity
 Click the image above to learn more and to register.
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!
Watch D.O.G.S.
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
A new Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.
We will conduct our second lockdown drill at our school soon. Our kindergarten students were exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in this drill and final drill later this school year.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
Have you heard about our Watch D.O.G.S? The Watch D.O.G.S group is our group of men who volunteer at school and help the school as needed during their day. You can be a dad, stepdad, grandpa, or uncle. Sign up for a time that fits your schedule as many or as few times as your schedule allows. See upcoming spring spots at https://signup.com/go/mWNvXOp.
Spirit Day at FunLand of Fairfax
Join the PTA on Friday, March 4th (student holiday) at FunLand, 5111 Westfields Blvd, Centreville, VA 20120. Buy a wristband online and your child can spend the whole day go carting, rock wall climbing, arcade games, zip lining, laser tag and VR. They have a full restaurant and bar as well. Doors open at noon and play all day! Buy online at https://fairfax.visitfunland.com/retail/item/1644.
For more info: https://bit.ly/3AQJclW
PTA Game Night Postponed
The PTA was looking forward to bringing back game night this month but, we will need to postpone it for the foreseeable future due to COVID. Fingers crossed we’ll be able to do it sometime this spring.
WSES Spirit Wear
The newly revamped Willow Springs PTA spirit wear store is live! Instead of a once a year sale, our new store is open 24-7 all year long. We have so many fun new designs and clothing options for you to check out HERE.
We are excited for our community to show their Willow Pride!
|
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.
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.
-
February 21 Presidents' Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
-
March 4 Student Holiday - NO SCHOOL
-
April 1 Student Holiday - NO SCHOOL
-
April 4-8 Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
-
April 22 Cub Scout Pack 1858 Movie Night
|
