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 Volume 1, Issue 9
Leadership Ledger
Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day this week was a huge success! Each year we see more and more children and families participating, much thanks to our PTA volunteers for handing out Westlawn key chains to children during student arrival.
Next week we celebrate Westlawn’s Digital Citizenship Week - each day has a different theme to promote internet safety, technological literacy, and the use of social media and applications to enhance the student learning experience.
And finally, with the school year in full swing we look forward to some upcoming family events! Please review the ‘Dates and Events’ section below and start marking your calendars!
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
 We had approximately 151 students walk, bike, or roll to school on October 9! We were thrilled with the families who volunteered to make the event fun, and anticipate making the spring one even more amazing!
 Fliers Coming Home Today
Two more clubs are being offered to students in grades 3-6 this fall. Color in Dreams will be hosted by high school students, and Drama Club is also returning. We anticipate there being a high volume of interest in these clubs and will complete selection by lottery. Clubs will meet on Thursdays after school. If your child does not bring home a flier in their folder today and is interested, please contact their teacher.
There is Still Space in the Family Literacy Program!
There are still a few spots available in our Family Literacy Program! The program meets in person on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00-8:00 PM at our school. It focuses on teaching parents activities that they can do with their children to help them learn through songs and play, ultimately leading to their success when they enter elementary school. Interested families are encouraged to contact our parent liaison, Mrs. Reyes (via email or by calling 703-241-5125, in order to claim one of the remaining spots!
October 7-13 is Digital Inclusion Week in FCPS
Technology is for everyone, and Fairfax County works to ensure that all families have access to technology resources regardless of their income. The Digital Equity and Inclusion page on the Fairfax County website provides families with resources to find free WiFi, borrow computers, find tech classes, and more! Fairfax County’s partner, Computer CORE, offers free online classes for adults looking for jobs who want to update their computer skills. Families are encouraged to review these opportunities and see which ones might meet their needs!
REMINDER: Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students
Students are again required to have certain immunizations to attend school in FCPS. If your child still needs any of these required immunizations, there are free immunization clinics offered throughout Fairfax County on October 12, October 21, NEWLY ADDED October 28 and November 18. Please note that the clinics request you to register in advance.
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:
- All FCPS Schools Accredited
- How FCPS is Teaching Reading and Writing
- Become a Special Education Teacher
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 October 12: Steamology STEM Fest
Mt. Vernon High School is holding its annual Steamology STEM Fest and families are invited!
October 12: Early Childhood Resource Fair
Families with children between ages birth and 8 might be interested in attending the Early Childhood Resource Fair at the Culmore Library between 11 AM - 1 PM. Our partner SevaTruck food truck will be on site providing free meals to families.
October 14: Student Holiday
There is no school for students on October 14 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
October 16: Restaurant Night
Grab some grub from Chick-fil-A in Seven Corners today between 11 AM and 8 PM. Use the app, choose Community Care at checkout, and enter code WESTLAWN24 so we can earn 15% of the proceeds, which will go to fund PTA initiatives. Plus, it’s a chance to become Westlawn famous by sharing photos of your crew enjoying the food with Ms. Dushok (or text to 571-355-2321)!
October 17: Full-Time AAP Referral Information Session
Please join us for an informational session about the process of screening for full-time AAP services in Fairfax County Public Schools, and here at Westlawn. Students must be in current grades 2-6 to be eligible, but any parent is welcome to join. This meeting will be held on Zoom, with Mrs. Maxwell from 5:30-6:30 PM. It will be translated and recorded. A copy of the recording will go out to the community if you are unable to join us. Please email Mrs. Maxwell if you have any questions.
October 14-18: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week
Westlawn will celebrate Digital Citizenship Week by hosting a Spirit Week from October 14-18. This year’s focus for Digital Citizenship Week will be on the ways in which digital citizenship overlaps with social-emotional learning.
  October 18: TJ Invitational Science Fair Information Meeting
Learn about entering the TJ Invitational Science Fair at this information meeting from 6:00-7:00 on Zoom. Fill out the information form once for each interested student.
October 21: Three Hour Early Release
Students will be released at 12:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.
October 22: School Picture Day
School photos will be taken by LifeTouch. Families can preorder photos on the LifeTouch website, either by signing in or by clicking “Continue as Guest” and entering code EVTN37GW6.
October 25: International + Art Night
This year International Night will be combined with Art Night for a multicultural and visual spectacular from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM! Learn more about attending as a guest or participating and sharing your family’s background and culture. Look for fliers about participating in International + Art Night in today’s Thursday folder.
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.
Donation Opportunity: Umbrellas
Do you have any extra umbrellas? We are collecting them to use when walking between the quad classrooms and the main building. If you have any to donate, please give them to Ms. Vu or Ms. Escalante in the main office.
Donation Opportunity: Help Fund Sensory-Appropriate PAC Libraries
Our new Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) program is looking for financial support to fund libraries full of sensory-appropriate books for their students. Donations can be made through the Scholastic website, and both PAC teachers will split the total collected.
Volunteer Opportunity: Keep the Paint Shirts Sparkling Fresh
We are looking for a few additional volunteers to help keep our paint shirts sparkling fresh for students in art! The task involves picking up a basket of paint shirts on Friday afternoon, washing and drying them, and bringing them back to school on Monday morning. If your family would like to help, please contact our art teacher Ms. Terrell.
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.
 AAP Service Highlight: Young Scholars
Did you know we have about 100 students at Westlawn designated as Young Scholars? A Young Scholar is a student who has been identified as gifted in one or more subject areas and may be from a historically underrepresented population or a potential first generation college student. These students may face barriers to access and therefore are given some additional opportunities to try new and challenging experiences. Some of the ways we meet the needs of our Westlawn Young Scholars are: goal setting and growth mindset morning meetings, field trips (some during the school day, some after school hours with families), summer learning programming, and encouragement to take part in enrichment opportunities.
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