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For a translated version of this newsletter, please visit the Willow Springs website.
May 13, 2022
 Mark your calendars for our next SCA Spirit Day! On Friday, May 27, students and staff will wear red, white, and blue in honor of Memorial Day.
Willow Springs families,
We are thrilled to share that SCA voting season is underway! Our candidates have given speeches, created catchy slogans, hung posters, and are on the campaign trail. We are proud of our students as they prepare to lead our student body during the 22-23 school year.
Shout out to our students in grades 3-6 as they continue to work hard and put forth their best efforts on the SOL tests. We are proud of their efforts and preparation as we go into week two of testing.
We hope to see everyone Wednesday at 7 p.m. as our students perform for our community during our WSES Spring Chorus Concert. Our students and staff have prepared for a beautiful evening of music.
Please see the information below regarding the on-site COVID-19 testing provided tomorrow, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All WSES students and family members may access this testing resource.
We hope you enjoy your weekend. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Testing Clinic at WSES Provided Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
In cooperation with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is sending this letter to inform you that given the increasing number of COVID-19 clusters reported school-wide, the FCHD recommends testing as soon as possible. Testing will identify those who may be infected with COVID-19 but who are not ill or are only mildly ill. It is important that we all do our part to identify who has COVID-19 so steps can be taken to stop the spread of illness and keep children, their families, and the community safe.
To make testing easy for all families, FCPS is providing a testing clinic for ALL Willow Springs students (regardless of class) at the location below. Family members may also access this testing resource.
DATE: Saturday, May 14, 2022
LOCATION: Willow Springs ES - 5400 Willow Springs School Rd, Fairfax Virginia 22030
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
If your child tests positive, please contact the Willow Springs Elementary School administration to report the positive result and follow the guidance for how long to keep your student home. Your school will also provide information on how your child can continue their education remotely if they are told to remain home because of a positive test. No action is needed for a negative test or if you have no symptoms and are waiting for your test result.
Parents should continue to monitor their child’s health and the health of their families for COVID-19 symptoms. Children with COVID-19 often have mild, cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported in some children. It is important that children with symptoms of COVID-19 stay home from school and get tested to stop further spread from occurring.
The recent COVID-19 cases in your child’s school are a reminder of how important it is for everyone to take steps to protect themselves and others, whether in school or in public places. Vaccination of students 5 years of age and above is the best way to protect against COVID-19 and reduce the spread of infection in our schools and community. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov to find locations to receive a vaccination. Additional recommendations to prevent COVID-19 are provided here.
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact your health care provider or the School Public Health Nurse, Mikyoung Moon Kim, BSN, RN, (571) 363-7224.
Stay Home When Sick
 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) continues to monitor cases and report COVID-19 outbreaks, as outlined by the Virginia Department of Health. Currently, Fairfax County's Community Level remains low as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our layered prevention strategies are being implemented based on our COVID-19 Community Level, as recommended by the CDC.
However, FCPS has seen a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks and parents/legal guardians are reminded of the daily health screening requirement to check their students for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents and guardians are advised to keep their students home if sick and get them tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
VaxUp
We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated or boosted as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination keeps children safely in school and childcare settings, and also while participating in sports, playdates, extracurricular activities, and other group activities. Strong community vaccination rates help keep our schools safe for in-person learning. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, or to find a vaccine provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website.
Masking
As a reminder, students may return to school after five days of isolation if they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days (day six through day 10) after the end of the five day isolation period. If individuals are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for a full 10 days at home. While not required, wearing a mask while indoors is still considered an important way to protect yourself and others. Families are encouraged to discuss mask wearing as an additional layered prevention strategy.
Additional recommendations to prevent COVID-19 are available online.
Register for Dr. Reid’s Virtual Town Hall (May 17)
 Dr. Reid will host a multilingual virtual town hall on Tuesday, May 17. Share the registration information with families and staff:
On Tuesday, May 17, incoming superintendent Michelle Reid, Ed.D. will join staff, families, and students for a multilingual virtual town hall, from 7 to 8 p.m. Register online.
Dr. Reid will be hosting additional engagement sessions throughout the county after her official start date on July 1. Stay informed about community engagement opportunities by visiting our website.
Willow Springs Farmer’s Market
The Willow Springs Farmer’s Market has started again for the spring. Enjoy some fresh vegetables while supporting the Garden Club. This past week we had some gorgeous tomatoes, yummy squash and salad greens. The Market will be open Fridays from 4-5:30 p.m.
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Bus Driver Appreciation
The Willow Springs PTA would like to recognize our hard working bus drivers. They have braved a pandemic and have faithfully brought our kids to and from school. They are the first and last school staff most kids see every day and are VIPs. The PTA is planning a special breakfast for the bus drivers and would like to request parent help for this event. We have a sign up available at https://bit.ly/3Fzn0iD.
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Chalk the Walk
The PTA will be hosting a promotion chalk the walk event on June 8 after school. Families and friends are invited to share chalk messages of encouragement to graduating 6th graders. The PTA will provide chalk or you can bring your own.
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Watch D.O.G.S.
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.
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WSES Spirit Wear
The new Willow Springs PTA spirit wear store is live. Our new store is open 24-7 all year long. We have so many spring options from t-shirts to shorts and hats to protect your head by clicking HERE.
We are excited for our community to show their Willow Pride!
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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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