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For a translated version of this newsletter, please visit the Willow Springs website.
December 7, 2022
 Music assemblies, science experiments, relationship building, newspaper editing, communication, and collaboration are components of why WSES is a fun and exciting place for students to learn. #WillowPride
Dear Willow families,
It was a wonderful week welcoming everyone back from Thanksgiving Break. We hope everyone enjoyed quality time with family and friends. We enjoyed a lot of excitement this week as our advanced band and 5th and 6th-grade chorus students showcased their talents during our school assembly. Students had the chance to listen to their peers' musical talents and participate in a sing along as well!
We are excited for the next couple of weeks before we transition into 2023. Throughout the coming weeks, some of our 6th graders will be touring middle schools as they prepare for the next chapter in their academic journey. Again on a musical note, we are thrilled to have our advanced band, and chorus students perform for our families this evening, December 7, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.
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
Mark Your Calendars!
 Remember to check out our WSES calendar to stay up to date with all that is happening at school.
ESSER III Community Conversation on December 13
Thanks to everyone who provided input in October on ESSER III funding–federal funding which was allocated to FCPS to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and student learning. Community feedback indicated that there is a general unawareness of the impact of ESSER funding and a perceived lack of communication around how the funds are being used.
To help address this, Superintendent Reid and Sloan Presidio, chief academic officer, will host a Community Conversation on ESSER on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the Gatehouse Administration Building in the Café. Please stay tuned for more details. Visit BoardDocs for a detailed update on ESSER.
Full-Time (Level IV) AAP Referral Window Closes on December 15
This is a reminder that the referral window for full-time (Level IV) AAP services will close on December 15. Any parent who would like to have their child included in the spring screening cycle must submit the referral form and any optional materials by December 15.
Please click HERE to learn more about the Advanced Academic Program.
Multicultural and Language Resources for Families
FCPS’ Office of Family and School Partnerships would like to remind families of some of the many resources available to them:
- Did you know that every school has a family liaison? Family liaisons will welcome and orient families who are new to the school and community, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can also help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
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Early literacy programs are available to Fairfax County residents for parents of children up to 5 years old. These programs help prepare children for school and build confidence in parents as their child’s first teacher. They also help parents become active partners in their child’s education. Programs are available in African-Heritage, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean.
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Parent Information Phone Lines are available in eight languages for parents who speak languages other than English.
- A Multilingual Family Podcast is produced by the offices of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family and School Partnerships, and Professional Learning and Equity. It covers important information for parents in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean.
- ESOL services are available in Fairfax County not only for students, but also for adults and families. Information on Spring classes will be posted in March 2023.
Visit the Family Engagement webpage for more resources.
Winter Weather Procedures
 Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).
FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school, bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Your school’s principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. The multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.
Strategic Planning
 The success of our strategic planning process depends on our entire community being engaged. Watch as some of our amazing elementary students share their hopes and ideas for the future of schools. Also, stay tuned for information on upcoming opportunities to participate in the development of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
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December 7 Winter Chorus and Advanced Band Concert at 7 p.m.
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December 12-16 SCA Winter Spirit Week
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December 15 Level IV Advanced Academic Program Referrals Due
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December 19 - January 2 Winter Break
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