 Students in fifth grade participated in the "Archaeological Dig Project." Project-based learning at its best, this unit has students develop an understanding of different cultures and the way that humans construct history from incomplete data by creating and deciphering their own invented civilizations.
Note from Dr. Sheers
The end of the year inevitably brings changes to our West Springfield staff and we are saying goodbye to some teachers and staff members who have made a significant impact on our school. We are sad to see them go and know their futures elsewhere are bright!
Classroom teachers, Ms. Monaco, Ms. Pendleton, Ms. Delaney and Ms. Burke are moving out of the area and not returning. Ms. Goodman is staying home with her infant son next year and Special Education teacher, Ms. Bustos, has been accepted into occupational therapy school.
Special education teachers, Ms. Samuels and Ms. Pow have accepted different positions within FCPS. Instructional Assistant, Ms. She has accepted a preschool Instructional Assistant position, Ms. Comfort, PHA, is transferring to another FCPS School, and Instructional Assistant Ms. Baldassi is leaving for a part-time position and will not be returning. Part music teacher, Ms. Kocsis has accepted a position at a private school and Ms. Merino has been promoted to a Student Information Assistant at another elementary school.
Please join me in sending best wishes to the fabulous West Springfield staff members who are leaving us. We wish them the very best in their upcoming endeavors.
News and Notes
Thank you!
We are delighted to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to our volunteers who enrich the lives and learning of our children. Our dedicated parent volunteers assist our students in so many ways. We wish to also extend our gratitude to the PTA members who spend countless hours supporting our school, teachers and families. Specifically, a big “Thank you” to this year’s PTA President, Amy Bell, Vice President, Janelle Bradford, Secretary, Valerie Karow & Treasurer, Holly Swanson. Thank you all for helping make West Springfield the special place it is. Finally, thank you to our families as you support your child’s learning at home by sharing a love for learning.
Free and Reduced Meals
For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students is expected to expire at the end of this school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2022-23 school year. The online application will be available later this summer and accessible via the FCPS homepage.
Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes.
Moved or Moving?
We need to have current addresses for all our students! If you have moved, please stop into the school office so we can update our records. If you are planning to move, also be sure you let the school office know.
Medication Pick-Up
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health rooms must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school (June 10 at 1:30) Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medication must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your child. If you require Authorization Forms for the 2022-2023 school year, they may be downloaded from the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services.
The Yearbooks are in!
If you placed an order for a yearbook they have been sent home with your student. If you missed placing an order – sorry – there are no additional copies available.
WSES Panoramic Photo is online!
Any student who has not had a chance to order a Panoramic photo, it’s not too late! All orders using the link below will direct ship to a home address entered at checkout. https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000911751
Outdoor Lunch Volunteers
Below is a Sign Up Genius to help monitor our students during outdoor lunch.
Please sign up if you are able to help us out. On days that it is raining, we will eat inside and will not need your help. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084DACA922AB9-wses
Patrol Application
Is your child a rising 5th or 6th grader and interested in applying to be a patrol for the 2022-23 School Year? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1L_Dvtiqm8u2EBlppkvKVUnj0zD3uzf-CNaFy8EtS-wA/edit?usp=sharing
Attention Students in rising grades 4, 5, and 6!
Now is the time to enroll in your music electives for the 2022-2023 school year. Deadline to enroll is Friday, June 10.
Band or Strings (Rising Grades 4, 5, and 6)
In grades 4 – 6, students have the opportunity to start/continue an instrument. Fourth graders can choose strings, Fifth and Sixth graders can choose band OR strings. Students will receive one band/strings class a week. They will still have two general music classes and will not miss any other instruction.
Enroll here: HERE
Important information to know about the music programs:
- Classes will meet once during specials.
- This choice is a year-long commitment.
- Students will be expected to participate in performances.
- Students are expected to participate fully in class, follow all class rules, and practice regularly to learn their music.
- Parents of Band and Strings students are expected to rent an instrument for their child.
Choir (Rising 5 and 6)
In grades 5 and 6, students can also join the choir program at West Springfield Elementary! Students have the option to participate in choir while also playing an instrument in either band OR strings. Choir will be held for 30-45 minutes once a week for both 5th and 6th grade students.
- Students will be responsible for purchasing a choir polo (~$15-18), black pants/skirt and black closed toe shoes.
- Students are expected to make up schoolwork they miss during instruction when attending weekly chorus.
SIGN UP HERE!
Questions about the programs?
Band Teacher - Leah Hellier at lmbandman@fcps.edu
Strings Teacher – Harlie Krug hikrug@fcps.edu
Choir Teacher – Sarah Sullivan at sbsullivan@fcps.edu
Please sign up by Friday, June 10! https://forms.gle/qTaNoix8r7E5gY3y9
As the end of the school year approaches, we wanted to share with you the procedures related to the FCPS laptop assigned to your student. We will be collecting all student laptops at the end of this school year, so that we may complete our inventory and maintenance.
Please note that we will re-distribute laptops to our students in the fall when our inventory and maintenance is complete, so your student will be able to use an FCPS laptop again next year.
If your child is participating in a summer learning program, you may keep the laptop through
July 29th, 2022.
- Please fill out the Summer Intent Form to indicate if you will be keeping your FCPS issued laptop for summer learning.
- We will have a drop-off window at the end of the summer learning program.
- All laptops MUST be returned to the school that issued it.
If your student currently has a MiFi device for home internet access, and you no longer need it, please return the device to your school. If your student continues to need the MiFi device for summer learning, you do not need to return the MiFi at this time, unless you are relocating outside of Fairfax County.
In-school Student Laptop Return
Students will return their laptop and charger in school on the following dates:
- Grades K-2 on Thursday, June 9th
- Grades 3-6 on Friday, June 10th.
Please be sure to send your child’s FCPS laptop and charger to school on their designated date.
*If your child will not be at school on the above dates then please have your child leave the laptop with their classroom teacher on their last day.
If for any reason you are unable to return your child’s FCPS Laptop and Charger before the last day of school then, please contact our Technology Specialist, Nadia Anwar at nanwar1@fcps.edu and she will schedule a time for you to drop off the device at school.
If your child has lost/ misplaced one of these items, you will need to pay the replacement fee(s). The replacement cost for the device charger is $28 and the laptop replacement fee is $472.
Preparing your device for return
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Clean your laptop. First, make sure you completely shut down or power off your laptop before you attempt to clean it. Using a Clorox wipe is fine if it’s not dripping wet, be sure to squeeze out any excess liquid.
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Do Not return the laptop sleeve, this is for your student to keep and use in the years to come.
Save the Date
Thursday, June 7 - PTA Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 9 - 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony 10:30 a.m.
Friday, June 10 - Last Day of School/Early Release at 1:30 p.m.
Save the Date!
Open House: Thursday, August 18
First Day of School: Monday, August 22
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