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For a translated version of this newsletter, please visit the Willow Springs website.
November 15, 2022
 Students stopped in the hallway and watched from their classrooms as our Veterans Day video played on our WSES Morning News Show. Willow Springs thanks and honors those who have served and are currently serving in our U.S. Military.
Dear Willow families,
Last week, students engaged in meaningful learning opportunities about Veterans Day, and our families and staff members submitted photos of the special Veterans in their lives. Our Willow Family viewed this special video on our WSES News Show last Thursday, honoring those who have served in our United States Military.
This week, our students have made their way down to the library to create their wish lists at our annual Book Fair. We hope to see all of our families on Thursday night as we open our doors to everyone from 5-7:30 p.m.
As we think ahead to Thursday, our annual Thanksgiving lunch will look different this year. Our food services can only serve lunches to students due to supply chain issues, so we will not have our usual Thanksgiving lunch celebration with families. We open our doors daily for family members to volunteer or visit at lunch.
We invite our Willow Family to show their spirit this Friday as our SCA promotes Jersey Day! Wear your favorite sports jersey on November 18 to show your Willow Pride.
We hope to see our families join us tonight as the Fairfax Honors Choir performs at Fairfax High School at 7 p.m. We will also have our monthly PTA meeting in person, or you can log in via Zoom at 7 p.m.
Remember to check out our WSES homepage to learn more about our school and keep up with upcoming events! #WillowPride
Thank you,
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
PTA Meeting Tonight, November 15 at 7 p.m.
Join us tonight, November 15 for our monthly PTA meeting. We will meet in person on via Zoom.
Click here to learn more about our WSES PTA.
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What's Happening at Willow Springs?
 Mason softball student-athlete, Maggie, listens in as one of our 1st-graders shares her writing piece.
Willow Springs Book Fair
Fall Festival at Fairfax High School
 Fairfax High School is putting on a Fall Festival open to the whole community. Please join us on Friday, November 18.
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. 28 – Friday, Nov. 18.
- 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 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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Academic Matters
At the last School Board meeting, a new feature was introduced called Academic Matters. During this portion of the Board meeting, updates will be provided on important academic topics. At the November 3 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared some common misconceptions concerning the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessment. Watch the presentation on YouTube.
FCPS Calendar Survey
In an annual planning process, FCPS uses input from the community to help develop the school year calendar for the following year. The Calendar Survey will be sent to parents/caregivers, employees, and students in grades 7-12 next week.
Our framework for creating the calendar is available online to ensure transparency, as we work to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable.
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FCPS Strategic Planning that Reaches All
The strategic planning process is a community-wide effort. There will be many opportunities to share feedback or participate in a community meeting. We want our community to stay informed and be involved. You can help!
If you are an active member of a community organization or group who people look to for information, please consider signing up to be a key communicator during the strategic planning process. FCPS key communicators should have an interest in sharing information about the school division and encouraging involvement. Key communicators will:
- Receive regular updates including news, information, future events, and engagement opportunities.
- Share the information they receive with their group in a timely manner.
- Encourage group participation in engagement and feedback opportunities where appropriate and possible.
If you or someone from your organization would like to serve as an FCPS key communicator during the strategic planning process, please submit this form by Monday, November 28.
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November 14-18 WSES Book Fair and American Education Week
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November 15 PTA Meeting, 7 p.m. at WSES or via Zoom
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November 15 Fairfax Pyramid Honors Choir at Fairfax HS at 7 p.m.
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November 17 Family Night Book Fair, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
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November 18 SCA Spirit Day - Jersey Day
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November 18 Fall Festival at Fairfax HS from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
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November 23-25 Thanksgiving Holiday
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December 7 Winter Chorus and Advanced Band Concert at 7 p.m.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
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