Principal Message
Welcome back to another exciting school year at Washington Mill Elementary! We are thrilled to have our students and families returning, ready to learn and grow together. This year, we have some fantastic new programs and opportunities planned. Please see the information below as we continue to prepare for the first day!
Limited Early Release Mondays for the 2024-2025 School Year
https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-mondays
Dear Parent/Caregiver,
The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route. However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families. To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:
September 16
October 21
November 18
February 10
March 10
April 21
May 12
To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/SLBxtejoK6VBHnyD9 for each of your children who are enrolled at Washington Mill Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024, and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after-school supervision plan for each student.
Thank you,
Principal Bennink
Upcoming events and important information:
Open House Join us for our Open House on Friday, August 16, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. This is an excellent opportunity for students to explore their classrooms and for families and teachers to start building connections. Classroom teachers will be emailing all families on Wednesday, August 14, to introduce themselves and welcome students to their new class.
Kindergarten Play Date Before the Open House, all kindergarten students and their families are invited to a play date on our playground from 8:30 to 9:00 AM on August 16. This event will help students make new friends as they begin their school journey together. Families can then transition to the classrooms at 9:00 AM to meet teachers and see the new learning environment.
Back to School Night Our Back to School Night will be held in person on Thursday, September 5, from 6:45 to 8:00 PM. This event provides families with detailed information from teachers about schedules, supplies, curriculum, supports, and other important details not covered at the Open House. Please mark your calendars for this important evening. We look forward to seeing you at these events and are excited for a fantastic school year ahead!
First Day of School & Bell Schedule The first day of school is Monday, August 19, from 8:35 AM to 3:20 PM. The first bell rings at 8:20 AM, signaling the start of the arrival process. Please do not drop off your child unattended before this time, as staff will not be available until 8:20 AM. Extra staff and patrols will be on hand to assist kindergarteners and first graders. Additional support for kindergarteners will be in place all year, and for first graders through the first quarter.
Student Consent Forms
Effective August 1st, Student consent forms will be available at Parent Digital Consent System (PDC). Families can log into the PDC using their ParentVue credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child. If you have a new ParentVue account, you must wait 24 hours after it is created to use the PDC.
Forms available include School Counseling Opt-out, Digital Resources Consent, SEL Screener Opt-Out, Family Life Education Opt-out, SOL Retest Permission, Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public, Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations
Calendar
FCPS 2024-2025 School Year Calendar Review the FCPS 2024 School Year Calendar for scheduled early release dates and school closings so you can plan accordingly.
Attendance All absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals can be reported on this link, by emailing WashingtonMillElem.Attendance@fcps.edu or by calling our Attendance Line at 703-619-2525 During school hours, you can call 703-619-2500. When reporting your student’s absence, please include the student’s name, reason, and details about illness symptoms.
A Request for Prearranged Absence form is required for families who have a planned absence from school for more than two consecutive days. Please submit the form to the school office at least three days in advance of the absence. You may turn in a hard copy or email a digital copy to mrosadosoto@fcps.edu
100% Id Check For security purposes, you are required to present a government-issued photo ID if you are: Visiting a classroom or cafeteria or if you are picking up a student. Access to the building will be DENIED if you do not have a photo ID. Thank you for supporting us by following these procedures and helping ensure all WMES students and staff are safe at school!
Parent VUE FCPS will be sending communication to parents who do not have an active Parent VUE account. However, you can also request assistance by using the Parent Support Request Form (select “SIS Parent” in the Application dropdown and “Account Activation” from the Inquiry dropdown) for help with this process.
Kiss & Ride Please complete Kiss & Ride form using this link for each student who will use Kiss & Ride at Washington Mill Elementary School this year. Parents will receive a number for their vehicle's rear-view mirror. We will distribute these vehicle numbers as soon as they are ready. For any questions or concerns regarding Kiss & Ride, please contact Assistant Principal Ariel Sparrow-Kamara at alsparrowkam@fcps.edu or 703-619-2500.
Join our PTA The WMES PTA is a fuller volunteer organization of parents and school staff and a great opportunity to give back.
QUICK LINKS
Health and Safety Guidance Webpage
Visit Washington Mills Website
Positivity Project
Report Absences
Student Links
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