 Slippin' into Summer Spirit Week, June 5 - June 9
Note from Dr. Sheers
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I am delighted to announce and extend a warm welcome to our new assistant principal, Mr. Jason Potten.
Mr. Potten brings an impressive background in education to WSES, having dedicated twenty-three years to the field. He possesses considerable experience as a mathematics, computer science, and engineering teacher, as well as serving as a classroom teacher for many years. Throughout his career, he has excelled in various leadership roles, including instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal, within multiple schools and districts in southeastern Pennsylvania.
We are confident that his experience, dedication, and passion will contribute greatly to the success of our school community. Mr. Potten will begin July 12.
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News and Notes
Band (Grades 5 and 6) and Strings (Grades 4, 5 and 6) Sign Up
As we look forward and plan for the next school year, we will have our end of year concerts in band, strings and chorus.
This week, students in 3rd grade were introduced to the various strings instruments in order for them to identify an instrument to rent for the next school year. We typically have the majority of 4th graders participate in strings! Fourth graders cannot choose band until 5th grade.
Rising 5th graders and 6th graders can also sign up for band or strings. They can choose to remain in strings or choose a new instrument and join band.
Band/String Sign Up
Chorus Sign Up (Grades 5 and 6)
Rising 5th and 6th graders are offered this opportunity! Students have the option to participate in choir while also playing an instrument in either band or strings. Choir will be held for 30-45 minutes once a week for both 5th and 6th grade students during the school day. Students will be expected to make up missed instruction during choir practice.
Choir Sign Up
Parents must enroll their students in Band or Strings for the 2023-24 school year by no later than June 16. **Band and Strings is a year-long commitment.
Parent Ambassadors Needed
We are looking for volunteers to serve as Parent Ambassadors for the 2023-2024 school year. At the start of a new school year (and throughout the year), WSES welcomes many new families to our school. While our staff is always available to help new families with whatever they may need, it can also be helpful for a new family to connect with another WSES parent who can share their experience and answer questions. We are particularly in need of Parent Ambassadors who speak a language in addition to English or are military-connected. Even if you don't fit either of those criteria, you are still a valuable resource to our new families as they settle in. If you are interested in becoming a Parent Ambassador for the 2023-2024 school year or have any questions, please email Karen Lathrop (Family Liaison) at kllathrop@fcps.edu.
Medication Pick Up
All medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school on June 16th. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room.
If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).
Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school. Please be sure medication orders are clear.
WSES is hiring Student Monitors for the 2023-24 School Year!
Description: Provides supervision of students throughout the school day to include but not limited to the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials and at arrival/dismissal; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; operates technology; performs administrative and noninstructional duties; ensures all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; works with individual and small groups of students.
Qualifications: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable managing student behaviors in large and small groups, ensuring all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; and has general familiarity/skills with basic office technology in support of teachers, students, and the classroom.
To Apply: Send your resume to Kelly Sheers
Student Monitor
Hourly, $16.36 per hour
Student Score Reports
Score reports for spring assessments continue to be distributed in different ways based on the test type. Most assessment reports are distributed centrally to families through SIS ParentVUE or mailed. Here is a list of assessments and how they will be shared:
- Centrally Posted in SIS:
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SOL expected the week of 6/12
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MI/RI - expected the week of 6/20
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iReady (included oral reading fluency) - expected the week of 5/30 for (Gr. 12); expected week of 6/20 (Gr. 3-6)
- Centrally Mailed:
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VKRP (CBRS, EMAS, LLS, PALS-K) - expected the week of 7/10
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VAAP - expected the week of 8/21
Parent Volunteers
WSES is fortunate to have individuals, groups, and organizations who contribute time and energy to students as volunteers. Because student safety is of utmost importance, we ask that our volunteers complete the following prior to volunteering:
Thank you for your ongoing support of West Springfield.
Parent Resource Center
The Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a variety of resources for families, including free webinars, a free lending library, and free consultations. Below are titles of some new books available at the PRC as well as recent webinar recordings. For help accessing materials, contact the Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941 or prc@fcps.edu or contact Karen Lathrop (WSES Family Liaison) at kllathrop@fcps.edu.
NEW Multilingual Podcasts Available
Listen and subscribe to FCPS Multilingual Family Podcasts to hear timely, important information related to school news (available in English, Spanish, Arabic & Korean). Recent episodes include:
- FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC): Learn how the FRC provides resources and support to all FCPS families and staff (5/15/23)
- Making the Transition to High School (5/8/23)
Save the Date
Friday, June 2 - Library Books due today!
Monday, June 5 - WSHS Graduate Walk at 2:00 pm
Tuesday, June 6 - 4th, 5th, and 6th Strings Concert @7:00 pm
Thursday, June 8 - Spring Choir Concert 5th and 6th grades @7:00 pm
Thursday, June 15 - 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Friday, June 16 - Last day of School (1:30 pm dismissal) & Medications pick up deadline
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