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For a translated version of this newsletter, please visit the Willow Springs website.
August 26, 2022
 WSES friends stand in front of student artwork during the first week of school. Students from all grade levels created their own unique portion of a flower. #WillowPride
Willow Springs families,
We had a fantastic first week back with our children! Our hallways are full of energy and excitement!
Teachers and staff have kicked off the school year with read-aloud stories, collaborative community builders, morning meetings, and more. Our Willow Family is together and stronger than ever, and we could not be more excited about what's to come.
We hope to see all of our families tonight at our first PTA-sponsored movie night. Hula lessons will begin at 6 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m. This event will be the perfect way to end a fabulous first week of school.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend connecting with your children as they share all of their first-week experiences. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Tonight is PTA Movie Night
 We look forward to seeing everyone at tonight's PTA-sponsored Movie Night. It will be held outside on the grassy lawn so bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets.
- Hula lessons will start at 6 p.m.
- Concessions will be open with all your favorite movie snacks and candy
- The movie will begin approximately at 7:30 p.m.
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Pizza Pre-orders can be made until NOON today! Place your orders now by clicking HERE.
First Day Photos
 It was wonderful to see our students back in our hallways and classrooms!
Buses and Delays
Please be aware that all of us are getting used to new routines at the start of the school year. Thank you for your patience as those routines are established.
If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. E-Notify (School Messenger) email messages will also be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7000. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
PickUp Patrol: Important Reminders
Willow Springs uses PickUp Patrol for parents to report absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups.
WSES values PickUp Patrol as it ensures a safe dismissal for all students based on the child's default plan. Please use the link here.
Numbers after WC are the bus#, 05 in this example: Bus Route WC05AMAOB.
To update your child's default plan to "virtual", "bus rider", "kiss and ride", or "walker," simply log in and select a dismissal option. Then hit submit and that’s it! Your child's teacher and the main office will be notified. Updating your child's default plan is a one-time action. Use PickUp Patrol regularly to report a plan change, absence, late arrival, or early pick-up. A default plan is NEEDED for all students.
RETURNING PARENTS: Please enter and confirm your students default plan here: https://app.pickuppatrol.net/parents
NEW PARENTS: You will receive a registration email
Please contact our main office if you do not have an active account and require a new welcome activation email.
Below are additional resources:
Parent Flyer
How to use the PickUp Patrol app
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Breakfast and Lunch $ Account
Have you deposited money in your child's meal account? Add money to your child's account using www.MySchoolBucks.com. Once the account is open, parents can check the fund account at anytime.
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Student Monitor Opportunities
We are looking for energetic family, friends, grandparents, or older adult siblings, who may be looking for an opportunity to work, to come to join our Willow Springs Elementary staff. WSES is a positive work environment, and we are ready to fill the following opportunity with members of our community. Applicants must be 18 or older.
Student Monitors
Hourly 8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., approximately $16.00 per Hour
Description
Provides supervision of students throughout the school day, including 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.
Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience is equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable managing student behaviors in large and small groups, ensuring all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed, and have general familiarity/skills with basic office technology in support of teachers, students, and the classroom.
Please pass this information along to anyone you may know. Interested applicants should send resumes to lhhassen@fcps.edu or contact Willow Springs at 703-679-6000.
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Dining Room Assistant Opportunities
Willow Springs is currently seeking a dining room assistant. Dining Room Assistants support students during lunch time. They supervise student clean-up, assist students in the cafeteria, and dismiss students to their teacher.
Qualifications include, friendly, energetic, able to maintain expectations for cafeteria behavior, and loves working with children.
Please pass this information along to anyone you may know. Interested applicants should send resumes to lhhassen@fcps.edu or contact Willow Springs at 703-679-6000.
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2022 Student Rights & Responsibilities Includes Cell Phone Usage Update
The Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read the Letter from the Superintendent on the 2022-23 Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Guide for Families. Key changes to the document for the 2022-23 school year include:
- Adding rights to protect citizenship and immigration status from unauthorized sharing.
- Changes to FCPS’ Acceptable Use Policy Regulation for Technology.
- A new section on cell phones.
The new section on cell phones prohibits cell phone use in classrooms. We recognize that this new policy will be a shift for many students and families this year, but research shows that managing phone use during class time will support students’ attention and ability to fully engage in their learning. Schools are partnering with parents to have students understand the importance of putting their phones away to minimize distractions during class.
Students in K-8 must keep phones silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day unless there is a medical need or emergency, or teachers have allowed the usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool. Cell phones may only be used on campus before and after school.
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14th Annual Asha-Jyothi 5K + 1K
We are pleased to share that we are partnering with a non-profit named Asha-Jyothi (https://www.asha-jyothi.org/ ) to support their 14th Annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, September 18th, at Fairfax Corner at 8 a.m. All proceeds that we raise will go towards STEAM resources and opportunities at WSES. Asha-Jyothi has generously agreed to donate back 100% of the registration money to each participating schools AND:
- An additional $500 for 25+ registrations
- An additional $1000 for 50+ registrations
- An additional $2000 for 100+ registrations
To sign up, participating staff, students and/or their families visit the webpage: https://asha-jyothi.redpodium.com/2022fairfax5k. Simply enter the code “AJ4schools” and select your school from the drop down menu. A discounted price of $10 for the 5K will be given to all participants.
WSES PTA News and Information
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Join the PTA - Be empowered, be informed, and be responsible. It's a great way to connect with other Willow families while making visible and tangible differences at our school. Our PTA meetings will take place on the first Tuesdays of every month @ 7 p.m. Join now by clicking HERE.
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Clubs & Activities - Visit our WSES website to stay updated on clubs and activities.
- Girls Scouts - The Girl Scout Troops of Willow Springs will have a Troop Organization meeting for girls who wish to learn about or join troops on September 6 in the cafeteria at 7 p.m. Email rvesilind@gmail.com for more information.
- Cub Scouts - for boys and girls. Email pack1858@gmail.com for more information.
- RunFits Kidz - Running Club will take place on Wednesdays 4:05-5:20 p.m. starting September 21. Register now: Home (runfitkidz.com)
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Math Olympiad (5-6th grades) & Science Olympiad (3rd-6th grades) - Interest Meeting on 8/22 @ 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.
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Spirit Wear Store - Check out our Willow Springs PTA spirit wear store. We have many spring options from t-shirts to shorts and hats to protect your head by clicking HERE. Purchase spirit wear before our first spirit day happens! Don't miss out!
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Movie Night is tonight, Friday, August 26 - Come hula dance at 6 p.m. Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs! The movie will start at 7:30 p.m., and we will be screening Moana. You can pre-order pizza by clicking HERE.
FCPS SUPERINTENDENT DR. REID TO VISIT FAIRFAX PYRAMID FOR A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, will host a Community Conversation at Fairfax High School on October 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Language interpretation will be provided, as available, as well as child care and light refreshments. If you plan to attend, please register today. We hope to see you there!
Event Registration Link: https://forms.gle/swrp6XYvhNYAe3yy8
[SPANISH - AMHARIC - ARABIC - CHINESE - KOREAN - URDU - VIETNAMESE]
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Messages from Our School Board Representatives
 Rachna Sizemore Heizer - Chair - Member-at-Large
Karen Keys-Gamarra - Member-at-Large
Megan McLaughlin - Braddock District Representative
Laura Jane Cohen - Springfield District Representative
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