Willow Springs News: 1/24/25

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Our foxes stayed active and warm in the fox den and enjoyed great games and exercises during P.E. class.

Our foxes stayed active and warm in the fox den and enjoyed great games and exercises during P.E. class.


A Note from the Principal's Desk

Dear Willow Springs families,

This week was the last full week of the first semester, and we are ending the week with lots of excitement and energy as students and staff look forward to the NFC Championship game on Sunday. We have had a lot of fun this week showing our team colors and talking about our favorite teams and players. Even if you aren't a Commanders fan, we hope you will support friends and family who have waited 33 years for this game!

We are looking forward to slightly higher temperatures next week so students can get outdoors to exercise their bodies and get plenty of fresh air. Students need to be dressed appropriately for the weather so they can go outside to play. Remember, student health & safety is always a top priority.

Next Wednesday is a Teacher Workday and teachers will be working on finalizing grades for the upcoming progress reports.

We are currently in the midst of the winter testing window. Students in grades 3-6 have been taking iReady reading and math tests and students in grades K-2 are taking iReady math tests. Also, teachers are giving additional literacy and math assessments. Our students who speak another language or languages in addition to English will soon take the WIDA Assessments which are designed specifically for multi-lingual learners. During a heavy testing season like this, it is VERY helpful for students to arrive at school on time after having a good night of sleep and a breakfast. Students who are absent on testing days can makeup the tests they miss, but they likely won't be able to test with their peers who have finished testing.

To stay connected and informed of the tests and activities specific to your child, please be sure to read the newsletters your child's teacher sends home weekly.

We wish all of you a restful, relaxing, and enjoyable weekend. Thank you so much for your continued support!

With warmest wishes,

Dylan Taylor, Principal

Ipsa Stringer, Assistant Principal

Laura Tapper, Assistant Principal


Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for Families

This month, families of students who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report. The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year. 

Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. We will distribute them to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVUE

The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our staff members are committed to working with families to help every student reach their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS.


FCPS’ Proposed Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits

Fairfax County Public Schools updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the proposed FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.

The proposed CIP was presented to the School Board at the January 14 work session. A public hearing was also held January 14. The School Board will take action on the proposed CIP at its Thursday, February 6, meeting.


We are excited to announce that Online Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on January 21, 2025.

Online Registration for 2025-2026 School Year (SY)

We are excited to announce that Online Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on January 21, 2025.

Both new and returning (re-enrolling) families can use our Online Registration (OLR) system to register students entering Kindergarten (00) through 12th grade for the upcoming academic year.

 Welcome to Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Online Registration.

It will provide families with the information to utilize this convenient registration tool. Parents and guardians can still register students using the electronic bundle or choose to complete paper registration forms if they prefer.

Willow Springs Student Registration Page for New Students.



Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program opened on Monday, January 13, 2025

Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program opened on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year. 

In order to apply for the kindergarten immersion program students must be registered at their neighborhood base school.

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Interested parents/caregivers may want to attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered

Get more details on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage


Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. Schools monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

View Fairfax County’s Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Irene Hong, at inhong@fcps.edu.

You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care. 

Also, please check our Lost and Found for missing coats, jackets, sweatshirts, lunchboxes, water bottles and more! Lost and Found is located directly in front of the main entrance to the school.


survey

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey

All FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available through Monday, February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!


Our WSES Spring SOL Calendar is here and testing will take place in May.

Spring 2025 SOL Testing Calendar

 As you make plans for the warmer months, please keep in mind that our 3rd - 6th grade students will be taking standardized tests (SOLs) in May and June.

If you can avoid traveling or appointments that will keep your child out of school on a scheduled testing date, that would be greatly appreciated and will benefit your child. Students tend to prefer taking these tests in their classrooms and learning spaces with their peers and their usual teachers. When students are absent on a testing day, they are eligible for a makeup opportunity, but the makeup test will be given by any available staff and it will not take place in the classroom.

The calendar is linked here. Please know the schedule is subject to change.

We will be sharing more information about testing in the new year. Please stay tuned and attend PTA meetings if possible.


Willow Springs logo.

Important Dates

January 26: NFC Championship Game: Eagles vs. Commanders

January 28: Second Quarter Ends & SPIRIT DAY: Wear School Colors

Blue and Green

January 29: No School-Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year

January 30: 4th Grade Strings Concert at KJMS

January 30: Third Quarter Begins

February is Black History Month and

Love the Bus Month

February 12:  100th Day of School & Crossing Guard Appreciation Day

February 17: No School- Presidents’ Day

February 28: Ramadan begins at sundown

February 24: 3 Hour Early Dismissal

March 17:3 Hour Early Dismissal

April 28:3 Hour Early Dismissal

May 19:3 Hour Early Dismissal

Lunar New Year

Happy Lunar New Year to all our families and friends who celebrate!


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