 We are excited to recognize our 2022-23 School-level FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Winners!
Note from Dr. Sheers
We hope you had a wonderful winter break and that you are excited for a positive and productive 2023!
Last month, I had the opportunity to chat with several student representatives in grades 3-6 as part of FCPS’ Strategic Plan work. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear student voices share what is going well at West Springfield and in FCPS and what we can do to make it even better. Many students shared how much they appreciate their teachers, and I couldn’t agree more!
I also shared an additional feedback form that any student can complete and submit to share their voices on how to continue to make West Springfield a great place to learn.
Please remember to keep your child home if they are not feeling well. If your child stays home, please let the office know via the attendance email at westspringfieldelem.attendance@fcps.edu or complete the attendance form at https://westspringfieldes.fcps.edu/attendance-form. Please always include symptoms so that our office staff do not need to follow up.
News and Notes
We are excited to recognize the following WSES staff members for the 2022-23 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
- Outstanding Teacher - Emma Python
- Outstanding New Teacher - Maggie Murphy
- Outstanding Operational Employee - Debbie Phillips
- Outstanding Professional Employee - Connie Carney
We are so proud of their hard work and dedication they provide to our school and their students. Their nominations will be forwarded on to the Region level for consideration to move forward to the FCPS 2022-23 Employee Awards.
Don't see your favorite staff member recognized? 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 West Springfield employees.
Virtual Principal Chat: Tuesday, January 10th
Topic: Digital Learning & Well-being
Dr. Sheers and Mr. Koontz (School-based Technology Specialist) will be discussing the opportunities (and pitfalls) digital devices can provide in supporting your child’s learning, both at school and at home. We will also discuss the digital citizenship curriculum your students will be taught at school and share additional resources you can use at home to help you raise healthy kids in an increasingly digital world. Please RSVP to James Koontz to receive the zoom link to the meeting by today.
FCPS Family Math Week: January 9-13
Families with students in grades K-8 are invited to come together for a special week of family time with FREE stories, games, and math activities - all from the comfort of your home. Through rich story-based mathematics experiences, math week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a positive way. The games and stories feature several countries including Lesotho, Madagascar, Ghana, and China. Content will be available in both English and Spanish starting January 9 on the FCPS Math Week website. To access the games, families simply click on the day of the week and find their child's grade and language. Our goal is for FCPS to experience 1,000,000 minutes of math outside of the school day and hope you will join us!
|
Winter Recess Guidelines
During typical winter days, students will go outside during the winter months. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately (coat, boots, gloves, and hats) for outdoor weather. On PE days, students should have a pair of tennis shoes as well. Students may go outside if it is snowing.
How Cold is Too Cold to Allow Students to Play Outdoors?
- When the wind chill ”feels like” temperature is 25 degrees or higher, teachers are advised to take their students outside for recess. Teachers of younger grades may make adjustments to this temperature based on student attire and current weather conditions.
- When the wind chill/”feels like” temperature is between 20-25 degrees, teachers may use their professional judgment, based on students’ attire (jackets, snow pants, boots, gloves, and hats) and current weather conditions in determining if students will go outside for recess.
- When the wind chill ”feels like” temperature is below 20 degrees, or there is any rain/sleet, teachers are advised to keep their students inside for recess.
|
Military Family Connections
FCPS honors its military community and believes connecting with one another is invaluable. Blue Star Families is committed to strengthening military-families by connecting them with their neighbors to create vibrant communities of mutual support. FCPS encourages our military-connected families to consider joining Blue Star Families of the National Capital Region (NCR) to grow our network. You will find that the National Capital Region Chapter offers many opportunities for families to connect! To become a member, visit Blue Star Families and click on “Join Now” on the right-hand side of the page. You can also visit the National Capital Region Chapter page for information on events, and to read their monthly chapter newsletter. For more information, please contact Meredith Ayala, FCPS Family Partnerships Specialist, mlayala1@fcps.edu, or Julie Riggs, Blue Star Families NCR Chapter Director, dc@bluestarfam.org.
Tutor.com ~ Still Available for Use
Students who have used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback. Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet the needs of the student from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers. Learn more at FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
FCPS January Webinars
Mark your calendars and don’t miss these new FCPS webinars happening in January! All webinars are free and open to parents, educators, and community members. Interpreters are available by request.
- Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We are All Neurodiverse? - Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 pm and Friday, January 13 at 10:00 am
- Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood - Friday, January 20 from 10:00 – 11:30 am
- Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning - Tuesday, January 24 from 10:00-11:30 am
For more information about each webinar and to register, use this link: Webinar Information/Registration.
Save the Date
Tuesday, January 10: PTA Meeting 9:00 am. (cafeteria or google meet)
Monday, January 16 - MLK Jr. Birthday Holiday - School Closed
Tuesday, January 24 - School Pictures -Clubs and Candids
Wednesday, January 25 - End of Quarter Early Release @ 1:30 pm
Thursday, January 26 - Friday, January 27 - Student Holidays
|
