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 Manners Matter
Third grade students and staff wore dressy outfits, played games, and worked together to learn all about good manners in celebration of Valentine's Day. They exchanged cards, created a heart fox craft, watched a movie, played games, and anticipated in etiquette activities like setting a table and balancing books on their heads. It was a VERY special day for everyone. A BIG thank you hug goes out to all the parents who helped make this day a success!
Dear Willow Springs Families,
This week our building was bursting with positive energy and powerful learning experiences as students and staff celebrated friendships on Valentine's Day and found ways to be kind in honor of Virginia Kindness Week. We encourage everyone to keep this energy flowing by making kindness a daily habit. If you need some new, fun ideas, click on the kindness links below. Students who complete and turn in a challenge board will have a chance to win 1 of 3 fun prizes. Remember, kindness is fun for everyone!
This week we are experiencing some technical difficulties with our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram). We have been unable to access our accounts to post daily updates. We hope to have everything working again next week.
We wish all of you wonderful Presidents Day weekend. Stay safe and warm tonight. Thank you for sending us your best every day! #Willow Pride
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Laura Tapper, Assistant Principal
Bookmark Contest
In honor of Read Across America Week in March, Willow Springs is having a bookmark design contest. Click here to find the contest entry form. All entries are due by February 29th. Good luck!
PTA Meeting Topics
Our February PTA meeting was held last night via Zoom. Thank you everyone who was able to join us hear about past and future school events and plans. If you weren't able to join us but you would like to know what was discussed, you can view our brief PowerPoint presentation here. If you have questions or suggestions, please email or call the school or contact the PTA using the link at the bottom of this newsletter.
We would LOVE to hear from you!
Spring SOL Testing Dates
for Grades 3-6
Every spring, students across the state of Virginia in grades 3-12 take Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess their learning. Elementary school students take reading and math tests starting in 3rd grade and continuing every year through 6th grade. In addition, 5th grade students take a science test. The expectation from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is that all students in grades 3-12 will participate in SOL testing every spring. Testing begins in May and is completed in June.
We understand that May and June are busy times of the year with many events that may take students out of school. To best support our WSES families in planning, we are sharing our testing schedule with you NOW. Please add these dates to your home calendars so we can all plan the best testing situations for our students. We want all of our students to be able to show what they know and let their talents shine!
READING SOL Dates:
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Thursday 5/2: 5th gr.
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Monday 5/6: 3rd gr.
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Tuesday 5/7: 4th gr.
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Friday 5/10: 6th gr.
MATH SOL Dates:
SCIENCE SOL Date:
Kindness Week
This week we recognized Virginia Kindness Week.The purpose of Kindness Week is to teach that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier, and more inclusive place to live, work, learn, and play.
At WSES, we are extending our recognition of Virginia Kindness Week for one additional week in order to give students and families more time to complete kind acts and complete the challenge board linked below.
We encourage ALL students and families to join us in promoting kindness by using this idea board or this one and completing at least 7 of the activities. Students can document their kind acts on this challenge board and turn them in to the school office by Thursday, February 22nd for a chance to win a prize. Three winners will be chosen.
Let's spread kindness everywhere we go!
Eating Disorder Parent Information
In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023),
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources about eating disorders. To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.
In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.
Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
 Work for FCPS!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a school? Are you looking to make a change in your life and career? Do you enjoy being around children? If so, please consider applying for a job with FCPS.
Substitute Teaching: There is always a need for substitute teachers across the area and right here at Willow Springs! Being a substitute gives you the flexibility to work where and when you want, and it allows you to get your foot in the door and gain valuable experiences to add to your resume.
If you are interested in becoming a sub. and would like to learn more, please check out this link HERE.
Student Monitor: Willow Springs is looking to hire a student monitor. This is a full-time position that provides supervision of students throughout the school day to include, but not limited to, the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials and at arrival/dismissal. Monitor helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students. Monitors must feel comfortable operating technology and performing administrative and noninstructional duties, and can expect to work with both individual and small groups of students during the day. It is another great entry point into a career in FCPS!
If you are interested in becoming a Student Monitor and would like to learn more, please check out this link HERE and contact Ipsa Stringer at: ibstringer@fcps.edu
WSES: Looking Ahead
- February 19 - Presidents Day Holiday, Schools Closed
- February 22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
March is Women's History Month and Disability Awareness Month
- March 1 - Read Across America Day (observed)
- March 5 - Student Holiday
- March 10 - Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)
- March 25-29 - Spring Break
Quick Links
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