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 Volume 1, Issue 7
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
We are excited to announce that our third Principal, Ms. Erin Theiss, officially joined us on Monday! Ms. Theiss (pronounced TICE) is an experienced administrator who brings a wealth of knowledge and a trove of ideas to our community, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to have her join our leadership team. Ms. Theiss has already begun visiting classrooms, supporting staff, and meeting with students and families. We encourage you to say hello the next time you visit Westlawn!
Next week is a three-day week for students, and Thursday and Friday (October 3-4) are both student holidays. Despite the short week it is full steam ahead for learning and we are looking forward to three great days on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We appreciate your consistency in ensuring that children are on time and ready to learn no matter the schedule.
Ms. Carpenter, Ms. Theiss, and I are grateful for your flexibility and patience with arrival and dismissal in the dreary weather we have experienced all week. Keeping fingers crossed for a break this weekend!
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
 Caption: Welcome to Westlawn, Ms. Erin Theiss! We are so excited that Ms. Theiss has officially joined our staff as our third Principal! She has been spending her first week meeting staff, observing classrooms, and learning all about FCPS.
 Westlawn Debuts Food Sharing Program on September 30
Starting on September 30, students who get school lunch will have the opportunity to give certain items to a food sharing basket during lunchtime. Food shared in the sharing basket will be made available for all students to take if they are hungry. Classroom teachers are reviewing the food sharing expectations with students this week. Families are invited to learn more about food sharing and preview the slides used by the teachers on our website.
In Case You Missed It: Back-to-School Night Info
Westlawn’s Back-to-School Night on September 19 was a success! If you would like to revisit the slides or snag a link that a teacher shared with you, please check out the ICYMI Back-to-School Night recap on our website.
“All That New Literacy Stuff”
Many families have questions about our new reading program, Benchmark, and the new literacy screener, VALLSS, otherwise colloquially known as “all that new literacy stuff.” Our reading coach, Ms. Baer, shared information about the changes to literacy instruction and assessment during our Community Conversation on September 25. See a recording of the session and browse Ms. Baer’s curated collection of additional resources.
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Reminder: The Feather Report Reader Survey
We are curious to learn about you, the readers of The Feather Report! Please take this brief, anonymous survey to let us know what you look forward to in the newsletter and what suggestions you might have to make it better for you! We will share the data in a future issue of The Feather Report.
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FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture
Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.
FCPS News
Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:
- Accessing Intervention Plans
- Students to be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
- Update Immunizations Today!
 CANCELED DUE TO BAD WEATHER: September 27: Westlawn Students Sing the Star Spangled Banner
Select students will represent Westlawn by singing the Star Spangled Banner with students from other Falls Church High School pyramid schools before the football game. The game starts at 7:00 PM. Families are encouraged to go cheer on the Jaguars and our Eagles!
October 2: Wear Blue to School!
The entire Westlawn community is invited to help our kindergarteners learn their colors by wearing the color of the week on Wednesday. This week’s color is blue!
October 3 - October 4: Student Holidays
There is no school for students on October 3, in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, and October 4, which is a staff work day.
October 9: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day
Students are encouraged to use human-powered systems to come to school on October 9 via walking, biking, or rolling. Participating students will receive a special prize!
October 12: Steamology STEM Fest
Mt. Vernon High School is holding its annual Steamology STEM Fest and families are invited!
To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.
 Volunteer Opportunity: Be the Laps for Learning Queen or King
Laps for Learning is Westlawn’s annual PTA fundraising event, with an emphasis on the fun. In this role you will get to work with PTA President Simone Rose and PE teacher Grant Maloney to help structure and deliver a positive and enjoyable lap-running event on March 27. This role is a great fit for someone who believes in the importance of fitness and wants to help students fall in love with running. To claim it for yourself, please email Simone Rose.
Join a Community Conversation
Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.
 Ideas for Home
Ever wonder how to enrich your students when they aren’t in school? A trip to see something new like a nature center or a museum is always a great idea! But there’s lots of ways you can do something right from your home too. Check out this list of boredom busters from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Also, FCPS has a site with lists of good book choices, and strategies you can try at home. Give something a try and see what sparks your child’s interest!
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