Note from Dr. Sheers
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Are you new to West Springfield and looking to connect with other new families?
Join us for a New Family Coffee Meetup with Principal Dr. Sheers on Friday, October 18, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the school cafeteria. It's a great opportunity to connect, chat, and get to know each other and the school community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Contact Ms. Howard, our Family Liaison, at ahoward@fcps.edu if you have questions.
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Heritage Night - October 24
We are excited and proud to host our annual Heritage Night on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
There are many ways to be involved in Heritage Night to include showcasing a tradition, your culture and/or talent at our Student Showcase, creating a Heritage Night Display showcasing about your culture and you, as well as contributing food! Sign up below to participate:
Student Showcase
Students showcase their heritage and/or talents through dance, song, poem, instrument performance, or special interest. We have limited slots available, so sign up today! Complete the form by October 11, 2024.
Food Sign Up
Bring sample-size of your favorite foods that reflects your family's traditions or cultural background. Sign up here.
Display Sign Up
Showcase information, photos, and interesting facts about your culture, tradition, and, of course, yourself. This could take the form of a poster, trifold, or any creative presentation you prefer. Sign up here.
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.
Coffee & Candy
Thank you for your donations of coffee and candy! A caffeinated staff is a happy staff! They love a sweet treat as a pick me up throughout the day. Please drop off any K-Cup or candy donations to the office to replenish our supply.
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.
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.
Community Conversations: 🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p
We are looking to hire an Instructional Assistant. Please email jepotten@fcps.edu if you are interested and want to learn more!
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
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
October Webinars at the Family Resource Center (Interpretation is Available)
SIBTEEN: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs
Attention FCPS parents: From the same people who brought you Sibshops, we are excited to introduce SibTeen! SibTeen is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with disabilities. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. SibTeen is a place where participants will feel validated and understood and can build upon their community of support.
October 4, 2024, 1-4 p.m. (Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services)
Benchmark Advance: The New K-6 Language Arts Curriculum
Join us for an overview of the new K-6 language arts curriculum. This will include background information regarding the Benchmark Advance and how this program is organized to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students. Join the FCPS Instructional Services Department and FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction for this important webinar. Webinar Highlights:
- What is evidence-based literacy instruction?
- What is The Benchmark Advance and its cross-curricular units?
- Provided scaffolds and supports for students with disabilities
October 8, 2024, 6:30-8 p.m.
October 9, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register Online
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, October 7 - AAP Information Meeting
Wednesday, October 9 - Walk, Bike or Roll to School Day
Monday, October 21 - 3-Hour Early Release
Thursday, October 24 - Heritage Night
Thursday, October 31 - 2-Hour Early Release
Friday, November 1 - Student Holiday, No School
WSES 3-Hour Early Release Mondays:
- October 21
- November 18
- February 10
- March 10
- April 21
- May 12
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