Weyanoke Update for December 2, 2023

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۔


collage of field trip pictures

Preschool students enjoyed a field trip this week. They visited Lewis High School and enjoyed some chilly play time at Hidden Oaks Park.


weather video

❄️ 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’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. 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 for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.

⛄ 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 that 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 getting cold weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare. Please come look through the Weyanoke Lost and Found in the cafeteria for any of your student’s jackets and other items. 


Matilda Jr Flyer

Rebellion is nigh in Matilda JR., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Performances will be Friday, December 1 at 7pm and Saturday, December 2 at 2pm and 7pm. $5 for students and $7 for adults. Tickets can be purchased here:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15718/holmes-middle-school-theatre

(Join us at our 2pm performance for a special Author Talk with Holmes MS’s very own author, Willow Sharp. Matilda and Miss Honey will read her book, and there will be time for questions with Willow!).


Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener in October, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.


Advanced Academics News

Full-Time (Level IV) Referrals

Full-Time referrals for students are due no later than Friday, December 15, 2023. Please visit the FCPS AAP site for helpful information regarding the referral process. For your convenience, here are the links for the Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form and Parent/Guardian Questionnaire. All documents should be emailed to Ms. Mani at jtmani@fcps.edu no later than December 15th.  For more information about all of the AAP services we offer, please contact our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Josie Mani, at jtmani@fcps.edu.

Parent Information Meeting 

Thursday, November 30 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.


Holmes Middle School is hosting a Family Coffee on the topic of Advanced Academics. Are you interested in learning about Advanced Academics in middle and high school in FCPS? 

Learn about:

  • Secondary Advanced Academics
  • Level IV Applications
  • Information on Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Join in person or on Zoom for the meeting.


Two girls walk into school. "Attend Today Achieve Tomorrow

Attendance updates

Weyanoke staff and administrators want to remind parents and caregivers of the FCPS approved reasons for excused absences. Legitimate reasons for excused absences may include:

  • illness of the student,
  • death in the family,
  • doctor or dental appointment,
  • observance of a religious holiday,
  • suspension (for clarification of suspension regulations please refer to the Student Responsibilities and Rights policy), or
  • another reason acceptable to the principal or her designee.

The principal or her designee determines whether or not absences will be excused and may require a physician’s note in cases of chronic or long term illness. Parents, caregivers, and students are encouraged to prearrange excused absences when possible. Please refer to the FCPS 2023-2024 school calendar when planning any travel or vacations to make sure the dates align with the FCPS school days, as vacation and travel days are not legitimate reasons for excused absences.  


🌏 World Languages Offerings in Elementary Schools Survey

Fairfax County Public Schools is considering expansion of our Dual Language Immersion programs to include new languages and school sites, as well as an expansion of new languages for our Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.

Parents/caregivers, please share your thoughts about expanding World Languages elementary program offerings. An FCPS survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is optional and will close on Friday, December 8.


Free Webinars and Events for Families This Winter

The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The following events are currently scheduled.

For more information and to register for the webinars, click on the linked titles.


December 18-20 - Winter Olympics Camp for Students Grades 2-8 

Annandale High School will be sponsoring a 3-day Winter Olympics Camp at Poe Middle School for students in 2nd through 8th grade during Winter Break. Camp will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30am-3:00pm. Cost is $100. Payment will be accepted during drop off on the first day. https://bit.ly/Olympics23Poe


☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.



Weyanoke PTA logo

PTA Updates

Come eat at Chipotle and give back to your PTA! On Wednesday, December 6th, from 5pm-9pm, if you eat at the Chipotle on Little River Turnpike at the Plaza at Landmark Shopping Center, Chipotle will donate a portion of the proceeds back to the PTA to help pay for teacher appreciation week in May and field trips for our students. We have to have a certain number of families participate in order to receive the donation, so please come out to support your PTA! Just bring the flyer sent home with your student or use the code online to order your food from 5pm-9pm. See you there!



Upcoming Events

  • December 1 and 2 - Holmes Middle School musical, Matilda, Jr.
  • Wednesday, December 6,  5:00 - 9:00 p.m. - PTA Chipotle Night
  • Thursday, December 14, 5:00 p.m. - Family Market Night
  • Friday, December 15 – Deadline to submit AAP Full-Time (level IV) services referral form (Grades 2-7)
  • December 18 - January 1 - Winter Break