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For a translated version of this newsletter, please visit the Willow Springs website.
October 31, 2022
 Many WSES students dressed as their favorite book characters in honor of WSES Spirit Day!
 Our PTA BINGO Night was an evening full of families and fun! Thank you to all who joined us!
 Our 2nd graders enjoyed recess with one of the George Mason Softball players!
Last Chance to Order School Portraits
School Portraits are available to order online, and Picture Day for students who were absent and students new to WSES is Friday, October 14. Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc and use your child' FCPS student ID when prompted for the online code. We will send a portrait of your child home, courtesy of Victor O'Neill Studios, as soon as it arrives next week.
FCPS Employee Award Nominations
The FCPS employee award season is here again and your help is needed! Each school in the county is being asked to nominate employees for the following categories:
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Outstanding Teacher
- Has at least 3 years of experience as a teacher (in any school/district)
- Can be a classroom teacher, special area teacher, or librarian
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Outstanding NEW Teacher
- Within their first 3 years of being a teacher (in any school/district)
- Can be a classroom teacher, special area teacher, or librarian
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Outstanding Leader
- Has at least 1 year of experience in their current position.
- Assistant Principals
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Outstanding Professional Employee
- Has at least 1 year of experience in their current position.
- Resource Teacher, SBTS, School Counselor, Technology Support Specialist, Social Worker, Speech/Language Pathologist
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Outstanding Operational Employee
- Has at least 1 year of experience in their current position.
- Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Services Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
Nomination Process
Please click the link below and nominate any staff member at Willow Springs Elementary School that you think is doing an amazing job serving our students and community.
Staff Nomination Form
Nominations will be accepted from Friday, Oct. 28th – Friday, Nov. 18th.
- You can nominate as many employees as you wish during the nomination window.
- School winners from previous years can be nominated again.
- You must include your name when you nominate the person.
- Each nomination must include a brief paragraph stating why you believe this person is deserving of the honor.
- Please make sure the person you nominate is aware and in agreement with the nomination.
- Winners at the county level receive a cash prize!!
- After all nominations have been received, a Selection Committee will review files if there are multiple nominees per category. Please contact Rebecca VanDerHorst if you are interested in being part of this committee.
If you nominate someone and they win, you will have to complete a Nominator Form and/or Letter of Recommendation to help this person win at the pyramid, region, and county levels. Please do NOT nominate someone if you cannot help with this part of the process.
If you would like to nominate Mr. Dylan Taylor for Outstanding Principal, the process for this award is different. The nomination must be submitted by December 1st.
- If you would like to nominate Mr. Taylor, please contact the Willow Springs Award Liaison, Rebecca VanDerHorst directly.
- If you can’t complete the nominator form and/or letter of recommendation for Mr. Taylor for the pyramid, region, and county level of the process, please do not nominate him.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Willow Springs Award Liaison, Rebecca VanDerHorst at ravanderhors@fcps.edu.
WSES AAP Virtual Information Session: Full-Time (Level IV) AAP Referral and Screening Process
Parents of students in grades 2-6 are invited to attend a virtual informational meeting with our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Ashley Raymond, on Thursday, November 10th, at 6:30 p.m. The focus of this meeting will be on the Full-Time (Level IV) AAP Screening and Identification Process for students in grades 2-6. Please click HERE to access the Zoom link.
Please email Ashley Raymond at alraymond@fcps.edu, if you have any questions.
Strategic Plan Student Survey Coming Soon!
Students will soon be shown a short informational video at school and be asked to complete a survey providing feedback on their experience at school. This feedback will be used to help inform FCPS leadership as they work on planning for the future of the school system. Parents are invited to view the survey questions and get more information.
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Feedback Welcome on Proposed Family Life Education Changes
The Fairfax County School Board is reviewing recommended changes to the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum and invites public feedback as part of the review process. In May 2022, the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) presented recommended curriculum changes, to go into effect for the 2023-24 school year. Those changes include adopting gender-combined instruction, and exploring instruction of gender identity, recommended media, and other instructional changes.
The recommendations reflect leading education and child development research and expert advice. According to research cited in the recommendations, these changes will create a more inclusive learning environment, result in higher academic achievement for students, and improve school climate.
Public feedback will be shared with FLECAC and the School Board. FCPS staff and the School Board will consider all feedback but are unable to reply to individuals.
Learn more about the recommended changes on our website. The public feedback form will be available on our website and will be open October 31 through December 1.
PTA MathCounts Club
Willow Springs PTA is sponsoring the Grade 5-6 Virtual MathCounts Team for the fall/early winter. Our MathCounts Team Training is an advanced and challenging way to promote critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Will meet every Friday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm from 10/14/2022 to the end of Virginia State MathCounts competition, except holiday and winter break. Register here. Please send any questions to chengguichu@hotmail.com.
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WSES Watch DOGS Wanted
We are inviting all dads, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures. Click here to participate, and you can spend a school day volunteering at WSES in your child's classroom. For questions, contact our Top Dog - Jason Fullen - at jfullen@gmail.com.
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Recognizing Employees Who Go Above and Beyond
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, specifically Willow Springs employees.
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October 31 No School for Students, Teacher Workday
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November Native American Heritage Month
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November 1 All Saints Day
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November 1-2 Día de los Muertos
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November 6 Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)
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November 8 No School, Election Day
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November 9 PTA Restaurant Night at Chick-fil-A (4-8 pm)
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November 10 WSES AAP Virtual Information Session, 6:30 p.m.
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November 11 No School for Students, Staff Planning Day
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November 14-18 WSES Book Fair
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November 15 PTA Meeting, 7 p.m. WSES Library or Zoom
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