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Good Afternoon Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you having had a wonderful weekend. It is hard to believe that today marks the 100th day of school! I know many of our students are engaging in fun and exciting learning today surrounding this milestone. This month is certainly flying by, and the weather is definitely giving us some spring fever.
As a reminder, this Monday, February 20th is a staff and student holiday in observance of President's Day.
Thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and wishing you a fantastic week ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Girls on the Run - Register Now!
Registration is now open for the Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole program at Westgate! By using a curriculum that creatively integrates running with life lessons, Girls on the Run empowers girls to develop the confidence and character they need to become strong and healthy young adults. Registration for the Spring 2023 program is open from February 6 through 28, and the season will run from the week of March 6 through May 21. The standard program fee is $185, but we also offer military and sibling discounts, as well as financial assistance available for all families. For more information, go to the Girls on the Run of NOVA website (www.gotrnova.org) or contact the Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole team’s head coach, Naveed Khan, at 1naveedk@gmail.com.
Registro está abierto ahora para el programa de Girls on the Run a Westgate. Usando un currículo que se integra creativamente correr con lecciones de vida, Girls on the Run empodera a las chicas para que desarrollen la confianza y el carácter que necesitan convertirse adultas jóvenes fuertes y saludables.Registro para el programa de primavera de 2023 está abierta del 6 al 28 de febrero al 6, y la temporada se extenderá del 6 de marzo al 21 de mayo. El precio estándar del programa es $185, pero ofrecemos descuentos de militar y hermanas, tanto como asistencia financiera para familias que califiquen también. Para más información, va al sitio web de Girls on the Run of NOVA (www.gotrnova.org) o contacta la entrenadora del equipo de Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole, Naveed Khan, a 1naveedk@gmail.com.
MOD Pizza Fundraiser - February 23rd
We have a great way of taking some pressure off your weeknight cooking on Thursday, February 23rd, we are holding a fundraiser at MOD Pizza (8399 Leesburg Pike Tysons, VA 22182).
During this day, Westgate PTA will receive 20% of all digital and in store sales by mentioning the fundraiser or using the digital code: MODGIVE20. So grab some pizza and support the PTA!
Westgate Attendance Information
Report an Absence/Tardy:
Absences and Tardies should be reported to school by 9:30 A.M. Automated Attendance Notifications are sent out by the county if school is not notified by this time.
Report an Absence or Tardy in one of these manners:
-Student’s First and Last name
- Grade or Teacher’s name
- Reason for the absence/Tardy: Include symptoms if they are ill, especially if they have fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat and/or cough. If your child has a diagnosis from a Health care provider, please include that information.
NOTE:
Your child may return to school when they have been symptom free without the aid of medication for 24 hours.
Smart Talk Event - March 14th - Save the Date!
Feeling like your kid knows more about technology than you do? Join on Tues 3/14 at 6:00 – 7:15 p.m at @WestgateElem with your child to learn how you can create technology rules. As this is also Pi(π) day, we will have pizza pie and dessert pie to enjoy as well as give-aways for the kids. Register here to join the event by Friday, March 10th: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4AABAB28A1FB6-smart
Share Program
Can you name a local McLean organization that started over 50 years ago, is 100% run by volunteers, and serves about 1500 local families a year?
It's Share! Check out shareofmclean.org to learn about our food and clothing room, furniture program, technology program and much more.
Whether you can donate time, furniture, or money, we'd love to have you Share! If you find yourself in need of help at this time, our website has information on how to "Get Help."
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 Westgate. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!
Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-k students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year.
Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Visit the DLI registration page for more information on where the programs are offered.
Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin on January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date.
Get more information on DLI programs and registration.
Winter Weather Procedures
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.
Deadline Extended for Feedback on Draft School Year Calendars
Thank you to the approximately 27,000 families, staff, students, and community members who completed FCPS' Calendar Feedback Form!
The School Board discussed the feedback during their January 31 work session. If you haven't had a chance to share your thoughts about the draft school year calendar options, please participate today. The form will close on Monday, February 6, at noon. The School Board is scheduled to vote on a calendar on Thursday, February 9.
Learn more about FCPS' calendar development process.
Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.
Zones of Regulation
This year we are excited to have implemented the program, Zones of Regulation at Westgate school wide. This program teaches students how to name their emotions and build strategies to help manage them. Emotions are categorized by blue, green, yellow, and red and each color represents a state of alertness. The green zone is the calmest and a place where we are ready to learn. You can find out more by clicking this here (English) or here (Spanish).
Free, On-Demand, Online Tutoring
Does your child need homework help or feedback on their writing? How about a practice quiz to get ready for a test? FCPS students who’ve used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback:
- “This tutor was very helpful! She didn't tell me the answers. When needed, she helped me solve them! She was very kind and she really helped me!” –Elementary Math Student
- “This was an awesome tutor! She explained why I needed to do specific steps, and she gave me practice problems! Best tutor I have had!” –IB Chemistry Student
Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
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Want to Work for FCPS? Subs, Monitors, and Others Needed!
FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference.
FCPS has started offering bonuses for substitutes who are available to teach on high volume days. Additionally, substitutes who work more, will earn extra bonuses when they reach 50, 100, or 150 days worked in a school year.
Substitute Teacher and Substitute Instructional Assistant information sessions are held virtually on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Candidates will receive an email link to the virtual information session the Monday before the session. Sign up for an information session.
Join the PTA Today!
Our PTA is amazing and we would love for you to join and be a part of this great community of Westgate families. Signing up is easy and help us reach our goal and sign up today! You can sign up here.
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