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Dear Families,
This Friday marks the beginning of the month of April and of spring break. Whether you have plans for a quiet week at home or some time away, we hope your children enjoy family time and return to school refreshed and renewed for the final quarter of the school year. For your planning purposes, keep in mind our office will be closed next week. Our next issue of News You Choose will be sent on April 11.
With improved COVID transmission rates, CWES will move forward with planning one field trip for each grade level this spring. We are excited to provide this learning opportunity for our students for the first time since the pandemic began.
April is Earth Month, a good opportunity to remind students that our recycling bins are for paper only; when they put other types of waste in the bins we are unable to recycle the paper therein. We have also noticed an uptick in wasted food -- even whole meals that go untouched. Please remind your children not to take food at breakfast or lunch that they do not intend to eat.
The next PTA General Membership meeting is on April 12 at 7:30 PM. I will be making a presentation on Digital Citizenship. We will record the presentation in the event you are unable to attend.
April is the month of the Military Child. All staff and students are encouraged to wear purple 💜 on Friday, April 15th to celebrate and support our CWES military families.
We are looking forward to International Day on April 20 from 5:00-6:30 PM -- over thirty of our families will be showcasing their countries of origin at tables on the backfield for us all to visit and enjoy!
April is also National Poetry Month. This 2003 poem by Billy Collins is a favorite of mine, a bittersweet reflection on growing up.
On Turning Ten
The whole idea of it makes me feel
like I'm coming down with something,
something worse than any stomach ache
or the headaches I get from reading in bad light--
a kind of measles of the spirit,
a mumps of the psyche,
a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
You tell me it is too early to be looking back,
but that is because you have forgotten
the perfect simplicity of being one
and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
But I can lie on my bed and remember every digit.
At four I was an Arabian wizard.
I could make myself invisible
by drinking a glass of milk a certain way.
At seven I was a soldier, at nine a prince.
But now I am mostly at the window
watching the late afternoon light.
Back then it never fell so solemnly
against the side of my tree house,
and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
as it does today,
all the dark blue speed drained out of it.
This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself,
as I walk through the universe in my sneakers.
It is time to say good-bye to my imaginary friends,
time to turn the first big number.
It seems only yesterday I used to believe
there was nothing under my skin but light.
If you cut me I could shine.
But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life,
I skin my knees. I bleed.
May the month ahead be one of growth, of learning, and of joy for you and your families.
Warm regards,
Diane Leipzig, Dr. L
This Wednesday at 6:30 PM, join our K teachers for a virtual orientation for families at:
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/95946720983
This Thursday at 3:00 PM, bring your rising K or new first grader to CWES for an in-person learning experience and orientation to our school.
Haven't registered yet? Complete the online intake form or contact our registrar Ms. Decatur at aldecatur@fcps.edu.
Hollie McLaughlin joined our office team today as our new full-time Office Assistant! Please give her a warm welcome the next time you drop by the office. Here is a little bit about her background.
 My name is Hollie McLaughlin (but please call me "Mrs. Hollie") I'm excited to be starting my new adventures in the office with the students, parents, and staff here at CWES! I've been in the FCPS system for 26 years with my last 17 years being at Halley Elementary located in Fairfax Station.
A little about myself:
I'm the proud parent of 2 amazing children. My daughter Casey is 23 and an inspiring art teacher who graduated last year from Lincoln University in Lincoln, United Kingdom. My son is in his junior year at John Hopkins studying biomedical engineering. I have a dog named Abel who is a black lab and he loves to play frisbee. I also have a grand dog named Alfie who is a cockapoo and flew all the way from England, UK. I love to read, cook, and bake!
I look forward to meeting and helping each one of you!
Please take a moment to complete the family engagement survey—your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS’ practices to best support our students.
FCPS is partnering with independent firm K12 Insight to administer the survey, and it is available in eight languages. For more information, please watch this short video from Superintendent Brabrand and
A link to the survey is available at the Family Engagement Survey webpage. Simply click the button labeled, "Take the Survey Today."
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CWES Annual Read-A-Thon Fundraiser Kicks Off TODAY!
Date: March 28 - April 15, 2022
How to get started: Our digital fundraising platform – 99pledges - sent an email today with 2 links.
- Link #1: Your donation page to share with family and friends.
- Link #2: Your personal page to track the number of minutes you read.
Prizes: There are many ways your reader can win a Scholastic Gift Card this year - just in time for the Scholastic Book Fair at the end of April!
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Individual Level:
- Top Reader in Each Class: $10 gift card!
- Top Donations: The three students with the most donations each receive a $25 gift card!
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Class level:
- Class with Most Minutes Read – popcorn party and a $50 gift card for the teacher!
- Class with Most Donations- popcorn party and a $50 gift card for the teacher!
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Grade Level:
- Raffle drawing: For every 100 minutes read, a student will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card! (one drawing per grade)
Read-A-Thons get your reader excited about reading and give friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more through donations and support!
Donations will be used to help fund various school needs and program supplies!
Happy Reading!
For questions or more information, contact Read-A-Thon chair Liz McKearin at liz.mckearin@gmail.com
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I am excited to share a new resource that will soon be available to all CWES students to support learning. All students will have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost.
Students can connect online any time, and in most subjects for as long as they need. Tutoring is focused instruction provided to students in a one-on-one format through voice or text chat. Tutors will focus on developing students’ strengths and capabilities in reading, mathematics, or other specified subjects. Tutoring services may be accessed before, during, or after school hours and/or on weekends through a link in Schoology.
All tutors must pass a rigorous application process including an extensive background check. No personal information is shared between a student and tutor. All sessions are recorded and transcripts are available for review by teachers and parents/guardians.
Students will automatically have access to the Tutor.com tutoring service unless a parent/guardian submits an opt-out request. You should have received an email with the online tutoring services notice and opt-out information. Additionally, a hard copy form is being sent home with every student.
For additional information, visit our online tutoring services website. As always, please contact us if you have any questions.
Check out this video about the service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byN81NObfzI
What: A celebration to end a WONDERFUL school year!
Who: ALL DHH students, families, and teachers (parents DO need to stay with their young children
When: Sunday April 24, 2022
Time: 12pm-3pm
Where: Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Rd. Fairfax Station, VA 22039 (Shelter A)
Additional Information: We will provide pizza, water, juice boxes, and snacks.
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*Have old hearing aids to get rid of?? We would love to collect your old hearing aids to use as a training tool with classroom teachers. Rather than using your child’s new hearing aids.
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RSVP: DHHConnections@gmail.com
Save the dates! CWES will be administering the Virginia Standards of Learning Tests this Spring. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments on your student’s testing days.
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3rd Grade: Reading on Wednesday, May 4th and Math on Wednesday, May 11th
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4th Grade: Reading on Thursday, April 28th and Math on Tuesday, May 17th
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5th Grade: Reading on Tuesday, May 3rd, Science on Thursday, May 12th, and Math on Wednesday, May 18th
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6th Grade: Reading on Thursday, May 5th and Math on Thursday, May 19th
March is Music in our schools month. This month we will be visiting 5th grade morning meetings to show the science of sound in band instruments.
 We are also getting in the spirit of March Madness and will be holding a Chromatic March Madness Bracket Tournament for students to see who has the fastest fingers.
 At the end of the month we will do a Spring Concert preview with a grade level combined rehearsal. It’s a busy and exciting time in band!
March 28 - April 15: CWES Read-A-Thon
Wednesday, March 30, 6:30 PM: Virtual Kindergarten Parent Information Session
Thursday, March 31: Two hour early release, End of Q3, 3:00 PM-4:15 PM: In-person Kindergarten Orientation
Friday, April 1: Student Holiday (Teacher workday)
Monday, April 4-Friday, April 8: Spring Break -- CWES Office Closed
Friday, April 15: Wear purple to celebrate and support CWES military families!
Tuesday, April 19 6-8 PM: Woodson Pyramid Art Show, Woodson HS Cafeteria
Wednesday, April 20, 5:00-6:30: International Day
Wednesday, April 27, 5:00-6:00: In-person Level IV AAP Orientation
Thursday, April 28: SOL testing begins
April 25 - April 29: Scholastic Book Fair
May 2 - May 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
Saturday May 7, 11-2: CWES Fun Fair, an outdoor carnival event open to the whole community
 CWES students lent their voices to All County Chorus Festival last week!
 CWES singers had a great time at ACCF! Thanks to Teacher V and Dr. G for preparing them so well.
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