 Did you know that every class at West Springfield has a buddy class? Throughout the year, these classes will come together to celebrate their achievements, foster new friendships, and strengthen connections within our school community. Pictured are Ms. Greilsheimer's First Grade class and Ms. Glista's Third Grade class during one of their buddy meetings.
Note from Dr. Sheers
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.
Did you know?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10% (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Attending school even if your student arrives late is valuable for their academic success, however being tardy too much is impactful too.
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Pickup for appointments
When picking up your student we will require a photo ID from any person picking up a child during the school day. Also, any person picking up a child during the school day must either be the custodial parent or stepparent with whom the child resides, or have written permission from the custodial parent.
Chalk4Peace
Our WSES annual Chalk4Peace event is scheduled for Friday, September 27th. Chalk4Peace is an event that started in 2003 in Arlington, VA and now there are many schools from around the world that participate. Teachers will take their classes outside to draw their images of peace on the sidewalks and blacktops around the school. The Peace Book by Todd Parr (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3fcJ1P4OcY) is a wonderful book to read with your child and brainstorm what peace means to them. Ask them what peaceful images could they draw? Please send students in clothes that can get messy on the 27th.
Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS
Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings.
View school menus to see all the new options and when they will become available.
Family Vision Group
Thank you to those parents who expressed interest in being part of Dr. Reid’s Family Vision Group. The first two parents who expressed interest names were submitted: Desi Cullen and Jenny Elliot
Immunization Updates - 9/30 Deadline
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome parent volunteers in the classroom and school in a variety of capacities (i.e. guest reader, library helper, cafeteria helper, assist during Language Arts, etc.). Please reach out to Andrea Howard if you are interested in volunteering and your interests. She will work with you to match you to volunteer opportunities in our school. All volunteers must review the WSES Volunteer Procedures and complete the agreement form before volunteering.
Parent Handbook
Our Parent Handbook is linked here with frequently asked questions on our website here.
We are looking to hire Classroom Monitors and Substitutes! If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out if you have any questions or if you want more information. Here is a link to FCPS’ application portal.
Classroom Monitors: Monitors will directly support classrooms by providing additional supervision to students. The pay is $17.88/hour. Teachers will provide directions/assignments for monitors and students to complete. Please apply here and email Jason Potten at jepotten@fcps.edu. Please share this opportunity with others who might be interested.
Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Information Session
Mrs. Seiler, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), will be offering an information session this Fall. Please join us on Monday, October 7, 2024 from 9:00AM -10:00 AM, in the cafeteria, to learn about the AAP Continuum of Services in FCPS and the screening process for Full-Time services. Full-time AAP Services begin in 3rd grade, with the screening process starting in 2nd grade.
Fall Full-Time Referral Deadline
Fall screening for Full Time AAP Services is available for students who are new to FCPS since January 2024. The fall screening referral deadline is October 15, 2024.
The referral form and optional parent questionnaire for Fall referrals can be submitted to Mrs. Seiler at csseiler@fcps.edu.
AAP One-Time Retake Request Deadline
Parents in 1st – 6th grade can request a one-time retake of either the CogAT or NNAT if you feel your child’s score does not reflect their ability. If you would like to request a retake, please email our School Test Coordinator, Jason Potten, jepotten@fcps.edu, by September 15th for the CogAT and October 15th for the NNAT.
Fall AAP 2024 Newsletter
Fall 2024 Newsletter
 Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week (September 21 – September 29, 2024) is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
At West Springfield, not only do we want to welcome our Military Families but also all of our new families too with the following events:
Chalk the Sidewalk
Students, families, and school staff members are invited to stop by the school on either Saturday, September 21, or Sunday, September 22, and use sidewalk chalk to write or draw positive and welcoming messages on the school sidewalks to help foster a sense of belonging and ensure our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into our school community.
After-School Popsicles on the Playground for WSES Military Families + New Families
To help celebrate Blue Star Welcome Week, we are hosting an after-school Popsicles on the Playground meet-up for our WSES military-connected families and ALL families new to WSES. Please join us on Wednesday, September 25, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the school playground. This will be a great chance to meet and connect with other families in our school community.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Friday, 9/20: https://forms.gle/83Mwir4DyGNS3UNt8
Questions? Contact our family liaison, Ms. Howard, at ahoward@fcps.edu.
Submit Absences
Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office.
Student Lunch
Online payment for student fees and school store items are available through the MySchoolBucks School Store.
By Andrea Howard
NEW FCPS Family Academy – Catalog of Classes, Workshops, Webinars, and Programs
The FCPS Family Academy is where families like yours can learn and get support for their child’s school journey. We know that as a parent or caregiver, you’re important in your child’s education. The Family Academy offers in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
Click here to learn more!
FCPS Family Resource Center Tutor List
The Family Resource Center tutor list contains the names of current FCPS employees who hold a valid and current teaching license in Virginia. Families who want to hire one of these instructors should make arrangements directly with the tutor. FCPS is not responsible for these arrangements. The tutor list is updated monthly during the school year.
Please email the Family Resource Center for a list of available tutors. Click here if you’d like to learn more about the tutoring service.
Save the Date
Monday, September 22 - 27 - Blue Star Welcome Week/Spirit Week
Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4 - Student Holiday, No School
Wednesday, October 9 - Walk to School Day
WSES 3-Hour Early Release Mondays:
- October 21
- November 18
- February 10
- March 10
- April 21
- May 12
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