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Good Afternoon Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you well and enjoying this first week of March!
As a reminder, we have a number of PTA events over the next week. Tomorrow, March 7, we will have our annual DesignPalooza where students will engage in activities around the theme "Gliding the Distance."
In addition, we have our general PTA meeting on Tuesday, March 12. Ally Gilmore, our School Based Technology Specialist and School Testing Coordinator, will be sharing about assessments that students participate in at Westgate. There is a zoom option available for those of you that can't make it in-person.
Lastly, we have PTA Bingo next Friday, March 15. Pre-order pizza and bingo cards by March 13. Feel free to bring the whole family to join in on the fun!
Please see below regarding more information about these events. We hope to see many of our families attending these opportunities during the next week!
As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Design Palooza
Thursday, March 7, the PTA is planning Design Palooza from 6-7 p.m. The theme this year is "Gliding the Distance", inspired by the trial event of Science Olympiad. Students can have the chance to fly a piece of foam, surfing it on a wave of air created with cardboard as pictured in this video.
- Students should bring their own clean, pizza box tops, or similar size cardboard piece. Foam gliders will be provided.
- We need volunteers to support three areas of activity that night, including an obstacle course. You are encouraged to sign up for a station where your student is likely to participate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4AABAB28A1FB6-47829732-designpalooza#/
Contact Dottie at president@westgatewolvespta.com
General PTA Meeting - March 12 @ 6:00 p.m.
Join us on Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. in the library. In addition to our General PTA Agenda, Ally Gilmore, School Technology Specialist and School Testing Coordinator, will join us to talk about the assessment process and answer questions.
What are assessments? Assessments are part of the teaching and learning process in Fairfax County Public Schools and at Westgate. Our teachers give assessments to students on an ongoing basis to check for understanding and gather information about students' strengths and areas of growth.The state and school division also expect students to participate in certain tests to help with monitoring school and student performance and to provide information about additional services that may benefit the student. Please plan to attend this session with any testing questions or for additional information about how our school and teachers use test results to support student success.
For those who need to participate virtually, please use this Zoom link (Meeting ID: 920 5943 1149 and password: wolves)
PTA BINGO - March 15 @ 6:00 p.m.
If you're a BINGO veteran or have never played before, join us for a night of fun on Friday, March 15. We will play 5 regular rounds and 1 blackout round. The winners of each game gets to select a prize from the table. Order your pizza and bingo cards now! Pre-Order ends March 13 at 5:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6PM and the first game starts at 6:30PM sharp! We need volunteers to make this evening fun for all! Please sign up. Students who require volunteer hours (6th grade and up) can sign up as well.
Spring After School Programs- Registration opens at 8:00 p.m. on March 12
Looking for fun enrichment activities for your student(s)? We have lots of exciting offerings this Spring for after school activities including some repeats and some new items. Registration opens on March 12th at 8:00 p.m. via our website (www.westgatewolvespta.com) and closes at midnight on March 19th.
Classes will run from Wednesday April 3rd (the first day back from Spring Break) until Friday May 31st.
Spaces are limited so mark your calendars to sign up and join in these wonderful activities. Limited scholarships available for eligible families. Questions? Check out our website or email: afterschool@westgatewolvespta.com
SOL Dates - 3rd - 6th Grade Students
Please note that students in 3rd - 6th Grade take end of year SOL tests. We ask that you avoid scheduling out of school appointments and vacations during the testing window. The following are our tentative SOL dates. If you you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your child's classroom teacher or our School Testing Coordinator, Ally Gilmore. Thank you for ensuring a smooth testing window for your child.
SOL Testing Dates:
- Wednesday, May 15 – Grades 3-6 Reading
- Friday, May 17 – Grade 5 Science
- Wednesday, May 22 – Grades 3-6 Math
Taco Bamba Fundraiser- March 19
Dragons love Tacos and so does Westgate! Grab food at the Falls Church location of Taco Bamba on Tuesday, March 19th and support Westgate's PTA. If order in the store just mention the fundraiser and if ordering online use coupon code: WESPTA. If you have other plans that day or need a wonderful gift, you can also buy a gift card on March 19th and it supports the fundraiser!
Volunteers Needed for the PTA
To ensure the success of planned events we need parent and family volunteers. We want you to be involved with us.
- We need support with the ongoing administration of the PTA in the form of a nominating committee. Our goal is to have this committee formed by March 1st to help in identifying/nominating PTA Board Members for the upcoming school year.
- Do you have a rising kindergartener for the 2024-2025 school year? We need a volunteer to coordinate three playdates over the spring and summer for the incoming kindergarten families. We are asking now in the hopes this person can solidify some dates before the rising kindergarten orientation in April. This person also coordinates the Boo Hoo breakfast for families on the first day of school.
Please share your time and talents.
Email president@westgatewolvespta.com
Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for Westgate
Please remember to be mindful of our important safety procedures during arrival and dismissal.
- There are NO left hand turns allowed in, or out of, Kiss & Ride during arrival or dismissal.
- There are NO illegal u-turns allowed in front of the school on Magarity Road. Please enter kiss and ride from the correct side (towards rt. 7) and follow the traffic pattern, as we've witnessed both student and staff safety being compromised too often.
- Please ONLY cross your child at the dedicated cross walk (with police officer). Crossing you children at any other location is not safe.
- There is NO parking on either side of Magarity Rd. right in front of the school. Please do not park in these areas.
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Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 8:20 - 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 - 3:40 p.m.
Our number one priority at Westgate remains student safety. Thank you for adhering to these very important safety reminders. Please note that the Fairfax County Police Department will be closely monitoring this situation.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
🎤 Nuestras Escuelas, Nuestro Futuro: Las Conversaciones Comunitarias Continúan
Únase a la Superintendente Dra. Michelle Reid para Nuestras Escuelas, Nuestro Futuro Una Conversación Comunitaria. ¡Su voz es importante! Comparta sus pensamientos acerca de FCPS y traiga sus preguntas a una conversación el:
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Martes, 16 de abril, 6:30-7:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Graham Road.
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Martes, 30 de abril, 6:30-7:30 p.m., en la Escuela Intermedia South County.
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Jueves, 2 de mayo, 6:30-7:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Terraset.
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Miércoles, 8 de mayo, 6:30-7:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Hybla Valley.
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Jueves, 16 de mayo, 6:30-7:30 p.m., en la Escuela Intermedia Poe.
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Martes, 21 de mayo, 6:30-7:30 p.m., en la Escuela Intermedia Katherine Johnson.
No es necesario inscribirse con antelación para asistir a una conversación comunitaria, pero nos ayuda a planificar el evento. Se ofrecerán servicios de cuidado de niños y de interpretación para todos las conversaciones comunitarias. Estos eventos están abiertos para todos. Infórmese sobre otras oportunidades de conectarse con la Dra. Reid.
Magnet School Application and Lottery Information
The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12, 2024. No late applications are accepted.
To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Information Nights:
- Bailey’s Upper, February 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual only)
- Hunters Woods Elementary, February 12, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. (In-person)
- Snow date: February 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
- Bailey’s Primary, February 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
- Snow date: February 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m
Learn more about the FCPS Magnet Programs here.
Join the PTA Today!
Our PTA is amazing and we would love you to join and be part of this great community of Westgate families! Signing up is easy and you can help us reach our membership goal by signing up today! You can sign up here.
SIS ParentVue
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Multilingual Parent Information Line
☎️ Parent Information Phone Line 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.
Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.
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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