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This week 5th grade students went on a field trip to the Children's Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall. They had a great time engaging in hands on learning.
A Note from the Principal's Desk
Dear Willow Springs families,
This week marks the beginning of Quarter 2. This is a good time to reflect with your child/children on how school is going and set a new goal or goals for the quarter. Quarter 1 report cards will be sent home on Tuesday and grades will be available in SIS ParentVue that same day.
Our November PTA meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday and we hope to see many of you there.
As we head into this long weekend, we are thankful for the service and sacrifice of all of our veterans. Thank you for your service!
Dylan Taylor, Principal
Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal
Laura Tapper, Assistant Principal
 Thank you, Veterans!
Willow Springs thanks the veterans in our community for their service today and every day. #FCPSHonorsVeterans
Please remember that schools will be closed on Monday in observance of Veterans Day.
FCPS is asking all families to complete a Federal Impact Aid Survey as soon as possible. The form is available in ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Hear from FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. David Stewart about why this federal program is so important for our schools.
Please complete this form for each school-aged child in your household. Willow Springs has received 181 completed forms out of 821 students. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. The funds support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
You Are Invited
Our cafeteria will serve the annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday, November 21st. Parents are invited to join their children for lunch that day.
More information including a revised lunch schedule and an RSVP form will be sent home next week.
Book Fair
The WSES Book Fair is coming soon! Each student will come in for a preview between 11/15 and 11/20. The book fair will be open Nov. 18-22.
Our preferred payment method for student purchases during the school day is eWallet. Using eWallet allows students to make cashless purchases. You choose the maximum amount your child can spend on the eWallet account and will only be charged what is actually spent. Use the link to sign up and create an eWallet for your child. Note: eWallet requires you to print and send in a paper for us to scan. If using your phone, turn the phone to landscape mode to see the “print ewallet” button. We also accept cash or credit cards (adults only).
Our book fair could use some volunteers! Interested? Please see the book fair hours and use the sign-up link to volunteer. We need everything from working the registers to helping primary students make wish lists. Email Amy Hurley at achurley@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4DACA72CAA8-52723701-2024
Fairfax High School Fall Festival
All families are invited to this special event next Friday at Fairfax High School. Join the community in this special celebration!
- Date: November 15th, 2024
- Time: 4:30 -6:30pm
- Location: Fairfax High School Field house at door 21
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!
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!
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Monday, November 11: Veteran's Day- Holiday (No School)
Tuesday, November 12: Report Cards sent home and grades posted in ParentVUE.
Wednesday, November 13: PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 21: Thanksgiving Lunch and Family Engagement Night
November 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday
December 9: 3 Hour Early Dismissal
December 23-January 3: Winter Break
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