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Good Morning Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you having a fabulous first week of June! It is hard to imagine that we are entering into our last week of the school year. I continue to be amazed by this thoughtful and kind student body, and school community.
I had the privilege of attending the Marshall High School graduation yesterday. What made it so special was recognizing so many students and families from their time here at Westgate. I was so proud of those graduating seniors, much like I am, of all of the growth our students made this year. Time simply continues to fly by, and I am grateful for all the memories and connections we get to take with us from year to year.
As we enter our last few days of the year, please know how much your partnership and collaboration has meant to our Westgate staff, and to me. It certainly takes a village, and I am convinced we have the absolute best. As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Field Day - Volunteers Needed
Westgate Elementary School's Field Day is on Thursday June 6 (rain date June 7). Volunteers are needed to make this day a success! Please consider signing up to volunteer and support field day here.
Yearbooks - Limited Quantities for Sale
For those families that purchased a yearbook, they will be going home today, June 4, in your child's backpack. There are a very limited number of extras for sale in the main office on a first come, first serve basis. Students should see Ms. Vargas with $16 cash and must have exact change to purchase. No other form of payment will be accepted.
Message from Mrs. Scherbenske
Hello Westgate Families!
As I pass along the summer reading information, I want to let you all know that I will be retiring at the end of this school year. After 15 wonderful years at Westgate, it is so hard to say good-bye to students, families, and staff! I have loved being part of your lives and watching your children grow as readers. I’ll cherish memories of the fun we’ve had with book fairs, story times, summer checkout and more!
Wishing you all the best, Michelle Scherbenske
Summer Reading Resources
Westgate students enjoyed a visit with librarians from the Tysons Pimmit Library to learn about their Summer Reading Program. See the information below to help your student get excited about summer reading!
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Enjoy the 2024 Summer Reading Program at the Fairfax County Public Library. You can register online or in person and there are programs and prizes for all ages, including adults! Families can stop by their closest library and pick up a reading log. Help students record their summer reading to earn a coupon book full of wonderful prizes and freebies! Summer Reading Program
BARNES & NOBLE
Read 8 books, fill out the Barnes and Noble form, and turn it in at their store for a FREE BOOK! Look for more information about the reading program and special reading events: BN SUMMER READING
BOOK LISTS AND ONLINE RESOURCES
FCPS Online Resources
Enjoy online resources such as MYON, MackinVia Tumblebooks, and Pebble Go all summer! You’ll find databases, ebooks, and audio books to enjoy. These can count for your summer reading log. See the attached list of passwords you’ll need to access these resources. https://www.fcps.edu/resources/library/online-databases-and-e-books
Kindergarten Registration
Do you have, or know of a rising kindergartener scheduled to come to Westgate next year? All students that turn five by September 30, 2024 are eligible to attend Kindergarten this fall. Please spread the word that registration is underway as we are excited to meet our newest Wolves. Please consider registering asap since our staffing reflects the number of registered students. If you have already registered, please sign up for a summer assessment here. Registration information for kindergarten and new students can be found on our website here.
Rising Kindergarten Playdates
Do you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten at Westgate in the Fall? Join us Friday, June 14th 4-5:30pm at the Westgate Elementary School Playground. Come out and meet other new students and their families for our upcoming playdates. PTA members will be on hand as well to answer any questions you may have. Please help spread the word.
Other Playdates include:
- Sunday, July 21, from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Westgate Elementary School Playground
Return Library Books - Due Date was May 29
All student library books should have been returned by May 29 to prepare for inventory. Please help your students find any missing books so that they are returned on time. If you have any questions about lost or damaged books, please contact Mrs. Scherbenske mbscherbensk@fcps.edu Thank you for helping to keep our library in great shape for all students to enjoy!
Westgate - We Need You!
Do you love Fallfest and the yearly Volleyball game? Do your students enjoy after school programming or the PTA sponsored assemblies? Then we need you!
In order to keep these amazing programs going and more we need an active PTA board. Westgate needs you to consider joining the PTA board as we are still in search of nominations for many positions including but not limited to President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and more!
Interested in learning more? Reach out to membership@westgatewolvespta.com or annoucements@westgatewolvespta.com and we can share more about different roles.
Without your support or engagement we will not be able to have a PTA board which is integral for continuing all these activities. Board nominations due by May 10th.
Order School Supplies Online!- Due June 25
The PTA is once again offering online school supply ordering. These kits are exactly what teachers have requested for next year. It's one stop, easy shopping for our community. You order online and in the fall the supplies will be shipped to the school and the PTA will deliver them to your child's classroom. This is not a fundraiser, just a courtesy to our community. Deadline is June 25th. Order today!
Order Online: here
School Code: WES461
Summer Music & Arts Camp Opportunities
If you are interested in having your child explore music and arts this summer, please consider one of the following camps. Please go to your child’s General Music Schoology course for all the detailed information.
Second through Fifth Grade Suggestions:
Summer Choir Camp
E-IFTA
Fifth Grade Suggestions:
Summer Choir Camp
E-IFTA
Music Theatre Summer Camp
Sixth Grade Suggestions:
Summer Choir Camp
IFTA
Musical Theatre Summer Camp
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.
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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