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Our Staff Has Character
Staff members joined the fun on
Book Character Dress Up Day!
To see lots more photos of students and staff, check us out on Facebook and Instagram.
A Note from the Principal's Desk
Dear Willow Springs families,
Today is the last day of Quarter 1 and we are so thankful for our dedicated staff, inspiring students, and supportive parents. Together, we are accomplishing so much and we will go far this year.
Students have an extra long 5 day weekend! Tomorrow is a holiday in observance of Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and Monday and Tuesday are Teacher Workdays. We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday, November 6th as we begin Quarter 2.
We hope all of you have a wonderful & safe weekend. #WillowPride
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Laura Tapper, Assistant Principal
Kids Do Good Makes Care Packages for Foster Children
On Tuesday, October 29th, the PTA-sponsored Kids Do Good after school club teamed up with Foster the Family to make care packages for children ages 3-7 entering foster care. As it so happens, the children packed a basket for a 4-year old girl who went into foster care yesterday! Kids Do Good and their families are making an impact all over our community. In addition to this project, over the past five weeks Kids Do Good has cleaned up our school, written letters to the troops and first responders, managed the school's food sharing program, delivered food to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter, collected snacks and cereal for the Loudoun County Hypothermia Shelter, made blessing bags for the homeless, and collected donations for charity.
Outstanding Employee Award Nominations
Nominations are now open for FCPS’ Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Willow Springs Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Willow Springs ES, you will be asked to help complete the Nomination Packet.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons
The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, November 11th.
If you have any questions, please contact assistant principal, Laura Tapper at latapper@fcps.edu.
Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates
Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).
Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.
This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.
We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is available to families online through ParentVUE.
Enrolling parents will receive an email on Monday from Superintendent Reid explaining the Federal Impact Aid Program, which is designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students.
FCPS is eligible for these grants due to the federal presence in our area and we anticipate receiving approximately $3,000,000 that will become part of FCPS’ general operating budget.
Enrolling parents should fill out the form through their ParentVUE account, your information will be kept strictly confidential.
FCPS' Cell Phone Expectations
FCPS' cell phone expectations for students help foster engagement, learning, and positive social behavior in the classroom. The expectations for elementary school students apply to ALL FCPS students in ALL elementary schools. The expectations are as follows:
- Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. Cell phones may be used on campus before and after school only.
- Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
- Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.
- With the approval of the principal or their designee, teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool; however, one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs.
We would also like to ask for your help monitoring your student’s cell phone and device usage. We are seeing a rise in larger group chats, which inevitably result in some students crossing the line with bad choices. Please talk to them about the chats they are in, the apps that they are using, etc., to help ensure they are making appropriate choices.
You can read more about FCPS’ cell phone policy on the website.
Reflections Program:
Call for Entries
For over 50 years, National PTA’s Reflections program has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, and develop artistic literacy through creating their own works of art. This year's Reflections Program theme is Accepting Imperfection.
Willow Springs students are invited to create theme-based artwork in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. For more information on how to submit your artwork, please click here.
Family Engagement Night
Family Engagement Night is planned for Thursday, November 21st from 5 - 7:30 PM. We will have a book fair, food trucks, a parent information session, and more!
🪔 We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. #OurFCPS
This week we recognize those in our community observing All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world. #OurFCPS
Friday, November 1: Student Holiday (No School): Diwali, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints Day
Sunday, November 3: Daylight Saving Time Ends (turn clocks BACK 1 hour)
Monday, November 4: School Planning Day (Student Holiday-No School)
Tuesday, November 5: Teacher Work Day (Student Holiday-No School)
Monday, November 11: Veteran's Day- Holiday (No School)
Wednesday, November 13: PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 21: Family Engagement Night
November 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday
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