To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website. Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web. ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Astronomy students from nearby Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology visited 5th grade classes recently. They presented to our students, who were able to ask questions and give feedback. The TJHSST students received valuable feedback, and our students had the chance to learn about the solar system.

Two-Hour Early Release Day Wednesday, January 25, 2023 January 25th marks the end of the Second Grading Period. Students will be dismissed at 1:20 p.m. Please make arrangements for your children to arrive home early. Student Holidays There will be NO SCHOOL for students on Thursday, January 26 and Friday, January 27, 2023. The main office will be open.

Woodchuck Week is January 30 - February 3

Next week, we are having a spirit week in honor of our favorite holiday - Groundhog Day. Groundhogs are also known as Woodchucks, and they are our school mascot here at Weyanoke. We are celebrating with a whole week of fun!

We hope all of our Woodchucks will join in dressing up for Spirit Week:

• Monday, January 30 - COLOR DAY!

  • Kindergarten - Yellow

  • First Grade - Red

  • Second Grade - Orange

  • Third Grade - Green

  • Fourth Grade - Purple

  • Fifth Grade - Blue

• Tuesday, January 31 - 70s Day - Dress like you are from the 70s!

• Wednesday, February 1 - Crazy Hat Day

• THURSDAY, February 2 WOODCHUCK DAY!!! Wear your Weyanoke colors and shirts!

• Friday, February 3 - Pajama Day

We will also be having a door decorating contest for classrooms, drawings for fun, Woodchuck-themed prizes, and much more!

Caregiver Coffee Meeting PLEASE COME JOIN US!

Parents will learn about the Zones of Regulation curriculum. A curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control. We will also have a special speaker from the Office of the Ombuds followed by a question and answer session after. All Caregivers are invited to attend this informational meeting IN PERSON presented by Ms. Alvarez, (School Social Worker) and Ms. Nagel, (School Counselor) and a special visitor from the Office of the Ombuds. Tuesday, January 31st  We will have two sessions for your convenience. You can choose to come in the morning or in the evening. Morning 8:30-9:45 SACC Room Evening: 6:00- 7:30 Cafeteria The information will be presented in English and Spanish. If you have any questions, contact Erika Delgado, Family Liaison at 703-813-5430 or eydelgado@fcps.edu. ]We will provide coffee and pastries in the morning and pizza in the evening, and childcare will be provided in the evening. Register here to attend .

Family Science Night

Join us for Family Science Night on February 7, 2023, brought to you by the Children’s Science Center Lab. Activities include: Stacking Currency: Financial Literacy, Magnets at Work: Everyday Uses, It’s All Relative: Exploring Gravity in Space, among others. Students will be participating in these hands-on experiments, specially designed to provoke interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Volunteers are needed from 5:15-7:45p.m. to set up, assist students with activities, and clean up. Contact Becky Otaizo (STEAM Teacher) at raotaizo@fcps.edu to volunteer. We hope to see you there!

Portrait of a Graduate Portrait of a Graduate (POG) was adopted within FCPS in 2014 to ensure that students develop attributes and skills that will empower them to be productive citizens of a global community and successful in the workforce of the future: Communicator Collaborator Creative and Critical Thinker Ethical and Global Citizen Goal-directed and Resilient Individual POG is aligned to the Virginia Department of Education’s Profile of a Graduate as the knowledge, attributes, and skills students need to be “life ready” upon graduation. To learn more about the Portrait of a Graduate attributes and how you can support your students at home, visit the grade level parent resource pages.

Weyanoke Early Literacy Program

A free, interactive parent and child program.

Read • Play • Learn • Have Fun

Virtual Program

You are invited to participate in a free parenting program for parents and children between the ages of 2 years and 5 years.

Classes start on February 15

Parent topics include:

• Brain development and stages of academic development.
• The role of reading, music, culture, and language, in Learning.
• Positive discipline and effective communication.
• The impact of health and nutrition on learning.

FUN activities that help your child

• learn through songs and play.
• share.
• follow directions.
• create arts, crafts, and finger plays.

All parent programs will be virtual for the 2022-23 school year. 

Days: Wednesday and Friday

Times: 1:00-2:30

Dates: February 15 - April 26

Mayra Barraza at 703-204-4326 or MLBarraza@fcps.edu

or Erika Delgado, Family Liaison for Weyanoke ES 

School Board Reviews Draft School Year Calendar Options At their January 17 work session, the School Board discussed draft calendars that were created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Draft calendars were developed using the following criteria as a framework: Federal, state, and Virginia Department of Education guidance. Superintendent’s priorities. School Board input. Student absentee data. Staff absentee data. Surrounding jurisdictions’ calendars. Survey results. Calendar Feedback Committee input. You may view the draft calendars and other related documents in Boarddocs. The calendars will be presented as new business during the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 26. The Board is scheduled to vote on the calendars during their meeting on Thursday, February 9.  Watch a recording of today’s Work Session. Get information on FCPS' calendar development process.

FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget Highlights

At the January 12 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for FY 2024 that focuses on attracting and retaining teachers and staff, initiatives aimed at closing the achievement gap for all students, and gives our youngest learners a strong start, including investments for special education students impacted during the pandemic.

The FY 2024 Proposed Budget totals $3.5 billion—a net increase of $249.6 million or 7.6% over the FY 2023 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is targeted at instruction. The Proposed Budget focuses on several key areas:

• Innovative investments that close the achievement gap for all students:
• Equitable access to literacy.
• Increased access to PreK programming.
• Supports for students with special education needs. 
• Funding for students in Advanced Academic Programs.
• Changing student enrollment needs.
• Increase in student and family supports, including access to middle school athletic opportunities that support student well-being. 
• Continuation of green investments.
• Increased security measures.
• Proposed increases in employee compensation.

Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation to the board. Access the presentation slides on Boarddocs

COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to implementing a plan for COVID-19 compensatory education as part of its obligation to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Please join us at an informational meeting for parents/guardians and other stakeholders:

• Wednesday, January 25, 7-9 p.m.

Visit our website to see what language interpretation services will be available at each meeting and to learn more about the COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.

Strategic Plan: Make Your Students’ Voice Count!

Strategic Planning is in process and will incorporate feedback from school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. Please encourage your students to participate in this unique opportunity to share their voices.

FCPS is currently seeking secondary students in grades 7-12 who are interested in participating in a Strategic Plan focus group. This focus group provides an opportunity to share feedback in a small group with other FCPS students and a trained facilitator. FCPS is hosting four virtual focus groups for secondary students in February and March:

February 9, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

March 16, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

Interested students should check their email for a form to sign up for the focus groups. Students will be asked to provide their student ID, so their parents/caregivers can be identified and contacted to ask for consent to participate.

If you have any questions about the student focus groups or you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact strategicplan@fcps.edu.  

Register Now to Attend a Community Forum! 

Check out the schedule of Community Forums and register for the one that is most convenient for you. Community Forums will provide every resident an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ Strategic Plan, prior to its completion and formal adoption by the School Board. Learn more about our strategic planning process.

VSRS Youth Softball Free 1st Season Registration (with uniform fee) The Virginia Stingrays Recreational Softball (VSRS) league is looking for players for our 2023 Spring Season which starts in March: Free Registrations for first time players (requires a $40 uniform fee) 8u (born 2014 or later) 10u (born 2012-2013) 12u (born 2010-2011) 18u (born 2009-2004)   VSRS is a recreational league that partners with the Virginia Stingrays travel team. Practices and home games are in the Annandale area. FREE winter clinics for registered players in January/February. Visit http://www.stingraysva.org/vsrs for information/registration instructions. For more information, please email VSRS@stingraysva.org .

FCPS CARES The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Weyanoke Elementary School. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!

Chuck E Cheese Night Benefitting Weyanoke Elementary School PTA Date: Friday, February 3 Time: 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. Address: 9404 Main Street, Fairfax VA 22031 Chuck E Cheese donates up to 20% of the sales generated from this event o your child's school.  Friends and family members are encouraged to help support this event.

Do you have a special talent, passion or skill that you would like to share with others? Then come perform at

Weyanoke's Got Talent!

April 28, 2023

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

While attendance at all rehearsals is encouraged, in order to perform on the 28th, all acts MUST attend at least two rehearsals, one of which must be the dress rehearsal on Wednesday, April 26.

Dates of rehearsals:

• Wednesday February 8, 6-8 pm
• Wednesday March 8, 6-8 pm
• Wednesday April 19, 6-8 pm
• Wednesday April 26, 6-8 pm **REQUIRED

If your student is interested in performing in the Weyanoke's Got Talent show, please go to https://bit.ly/talentshowWES and fill out the form by January 31.

Upcoming Events Wednesday, January 25 - 2-Hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:20 pm) Thursday, January 26 - No School/Prof. Workday Friday, January 27 - No School/Prof. Workday Tuesday, January 31, 8:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. - Caregiver Coffee Friday, February 3 - Chuck E Cheese Night Thursday, February 2 - Woodchuck Day Tuesday, February 7, 6:00 - 7:30 - Family Science Night See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

6520 Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22312 |  Main Office: 703-813-5400
Attendance: 703-813-5484 | Web | Facebook | Twitter