Westgate Weekly News

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/15/2024 04:04 PM EDT

Dear Westgate Families,

I hope this finds you having a fabulous week!  The wait is finally over for our annual Fallfest which is THIS Friday, October 18.  See all the details below on how you can attend, what you can donate and purchase beforehand, and all the exciting things our wonderful PTA has planned!

As we near the end of the first quarter, please know that paper copies of Quarter 1 Progress Reports will not be sent home this year.  However, you will be able to access them electronically starting on November 12 through your FCPS ParentVue account.  Please take the next few weeks to ensure you have an active ParentVue account in order to view your child's progress report.  If you have questions or difficulty accessing your account, please contact the main office for guidance. 

Lastly, you should have received information concerning how your child will dismiss on our next Early Release Monday on October 28.  Please note that if there are any changes to your plan, it needs to be communicated to your classroom teacher and the main office no lather than Thursday, October 24. Thank you for your partnership in making this day a success. 

As always, thank you for your support of all things Westgate and we hope to see many of you at our fantastic Fallfest this Friday!

Best,

Hallie Demetriades

Principal 

coat

Westgate Coat Drive

Ms. Van Tassel is on a mission to provide warm jackets for kids in need, ensuring every student has something cozy to wear this season. We're currently looking for 8 jackets, with 2 in each size. To make it easier, we've created an Amazon Wishlist for anyone who would like to contribute.

Charleston Wrap Fundraiser Spread the Word!

We’re already halfway through our Charleston Wrap fundraiser! Have you registered yet? www.registercw.com! Can you TEXT 10 of your friends & family right now and help us reach our goal of $2,500? #charlestonwrap #fundraiser #fundraisinggoal #weneedyourhelp

Fallfest 2024 is THIS Friday, October 18

Mark your calendars—Fallfest is this Friday, October 18th, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This year, we've moved the fun to the area behind the school, with activities around the Playground and a silent disco in the gym!

Pre-Order Your Wristbands

Wristbands are available for pre-order until Wednesday at 6 PM (BUY HERE). Pre-ordered wristbands will be distributed to teachers on Thursday (October 17), so be sure to check your child’s backpack. If you think a wristband is missing, email president@westgatewolvespta.com.

Pizza Pre-Orders

We’ve upgraded our pizza this year with large pies from Lost Dog! If you plan on enjoying pizza at the event, we recommend pre-ordering, as it sells out quickly. [Click here to pre-order your pizza.]

Candy Donations

A big thank you to everyone who has donated candy so far! If you haven't had a chance, please drop off your favorite treats in the bin at Door 1. We have 20 teachers setting up a trick-or-treat course, and we could use all the sweet support we can get.

Cake Donations

Calling all bakers (or shoppers)! Our cake walk is a crowd favorite, but we need more cakes to keep it going strong. Please consider donating a baked good to help make this event a success. ADD YOUR CAKE HERE

Volunteers Needed

We’re so grateful for all our volunteers, but we still need more hands on deck! Whether it’s working concessions, managing sales, or helping with the dance, every bit helps. If you can spare some time during the event, please lend a hand—it takes a village! SIGN UP HERE.

For all your Fallfest questions, check out our website here.

The Westgate stress-free Fundraiser              

Thank you to all the families who have contributed to our Stress-Free Fundraiser! We are thrilled to announce that we have officially reached our goal of $2,500. However, the fundraiser will remain open until October 18th.

The PTA will reward the grade that raises the most money with a popsicle party during recess. This week, 2nd Grade made some big moves and is comfortably in the lead, but there is still lots of time left.

Please feel free to donate online here today! 

How Will the Money Be Used?

Westgate Elementary is proud to offer field trips for every grade throughout the year. These trips provide invaluable hands-on learning experiences that reinforce classroom lessons and allow students to explore new environments, sparking their curiosity and fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Field trips are often a highlight of the school year, but they come with costs that can be a burden for both the school and families. While we haven't raised enough to cover all expenses, every dollar contributed will help reduce the costs for both the school and families.

PTA Membership 

All are welcome at our PTA meetings. Joining the Westgate PTA and donating $15 per family amplifies your voice in our school community, gives you the opportunity to vote on PTA-led events and initiatives, and comes with a free, stylish Westgate magnet to drive around OUR neighborhood with. Your membership also helps the PTA create a more dynamic year of programming and advocacy.

To be a part of this thriving community, we invite you to join the PTA. Dues are $15 per family and you can sign up HERE!

🎤 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.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

  • Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
  • Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
  • Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
  • Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
  • A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
  • Alcohol or drug use.
  • Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
  • Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact [name], our [school psychologist, school counselor, or school social worker] at [phone/email], to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for Westgate

Please remember to be mindful of our important safety procedures during arrival and dismissal.  

  • There are NO left hand turns allowed in, or out of, Kiss & Ride during arrival or dismissal.  
  • There are NO illegal u-turns allowed in front of the school on Magarity Road.  Please enter kiss and ride from the correct side (towards rt. 7) and follow the traffic pattern, as we've witnessed both student and staff safety being compromised too often. 
  • Please ONLY cross your child at the dedicated cross walk (with police officer).  Crossing you children at any other location is not safe.
  • There is NO parking on either side of Magarity Rd. right in front of the school.  Please do not park in these areas.
  • Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 8:20 - 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 - 3:40 p.m.  

Our number one priority at Westgate remains student safety.  Thank you for adhering to these very important safety reminders.  Please note that the Fairfax County Police Department will be closely monitoring this situation.

⏰ Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools

You should have received an email from Westgate via eNotify with a required survey about the Early Release Mondays.  Dr. Reid initially communicated the plan for these days in mid-June.  

The remaining scheduled dates for Westgate are:

  • October 28
  • December 9 
  • February 24
  • March 17
  • April 28
  • May 19

Activating Your SIS ParentVUE Account

The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.

Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.

Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.

Many of you have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):  

  • Select the “Forgot Password” button.  
  • Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.  
  • More information is available here.

Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account.  If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Tracy Green at tmgreen@fcps.edu.

Please take action now to ensure your account is active!

School Meals & Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications

Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast will cost $1.75.  Lunch will cost $3.25, and milk $0.60.  Money can be added to your child’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com.  You can also write a check to Westgate Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House.   During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch here .

Free and Reduced-Price Status

Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September.   A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. 

Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 610-5700 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.  

Parent Digital Consent System

New this year, families will use the Parent Digital Consent System to complete some forms that have used paper in the past. You will log in using your ParentVUE Account credentials, There, you will be able complete the Digital Resources Consent form for the school year, which is required for all students. You will also be able to find more information about opt-out forms and complete those forms for your student.

Multilingual Parent Information Line

☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.