 16 Buses, 133 chaperones, oh my! We had one fabulous Museum Madness School-wide Field Trip!
On behalf of the entire school community, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support and involvement in making our school-wide field trip such a success. A special thank you to our chaperones for helping us make the day a success.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to engage in fascinating learning experiences at a variety of incredible museums. At the National Museum of Natural History, they explored the wonders of the natural world, from ancient fossils to the incredible diversity of life that has existed throughout Earth's history. The National Museum of African American History and Culture provided an enriching journey through history, helping students better understand the contributions, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped our nation. At the National Air and Space Museum, students were in awe of the incredible achievements in aviation and space exploration, inspiring curiosity about the future of science and technology. Finally, the National Museum of United States Army, they gained insights into the history of military service and the sacrifices made by countless individuals for our country’s freedom.
Thank you again for helping us create a memorable, educational experience for our students. We hope the child(ren) have new knowledge and memories to last a lifetime.
Monday, March 10 Early Release
Our Next 3-hour Early Release is next Monday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m.
We assume students who require childcare previously, will stay. We assume students who have gone home, will continue to go home.
If your needs have changed either way, please complete the following form NO LATER than Thursday, March 6.
Changes can be made here: UPDATE CHILDCARE NEEDS FORM
Due: Thursday, March 6
EARLY RELEASE: Monday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m.
 STEAM Night!
We are excited to work in collaboration with PTA to extend the PTA Science Expo to a Family STEAM Night!
- 5:30 - 6:30 PTA Science Expo (Cafeteria)
- 6:00 - 7:30 WSES Family STEAM Night (Classrooms)
Ramadan - Meditation/Silent Reflection
As we prepare for Ramadan (February 28 – March 30), students who are fasting, may choose to spend their scheduled lunchtime in the library for silent reflection with permission by their parent/guardian.
- Please complete this FORM if you wish for your child to access the Meditation/Silent Reflection Space during their lunch.
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 24, 2025, for February 28 and the week of March 3, 2025
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March 3, 2025, for the week of March 10, 2025
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March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
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March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Optional Parent Input Survey
West Springfield families may assist in this process by sharing insights in our optional Parent Input Survey. Please note the following when providing information. We do not accept requests for specific teachers for the upcoming grade placement. This includes hints that reference specific teachers. While we ask for a named friend, we cannot guarantee friend requests. We do our best to create a positive learning year for your child.
Please provide your input by submitting this form as it will ensure we have your request. Please do not email your child's teacher additional information.
Completion of the form is optional. However, the deadline for any correspondence is March 7 at 4 PM.
Volunteer
Volunteer with us! As we begin our House System in the cafeteria (and will soon expand to other areas), we need parents' help to positively recognize students who demonstrate cafeteria expectations and positive behavior, allowing them to earn House points. SIGN UP HERE to volunteer to help us recognize our students in the cafeteria.
Student Intentions - 2025-26 School Year
Please indicate your child(ren)'s intention for the next school year if you are moving or will attend another school. One form should be completed for each child ONLY if you are moving or will attend another school. This input will support our staffing and planning for the next school year. This information is non binding but will simply be used to plan. If you are returning, you do NOT need to complete this FORM
Lost and Found
Once again we have a large number of items in our lost and found. If your family is missing an item please come and claim your items.
Virginia Department of Health Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
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Rising Kindergarten Student Intention 2025-26
Please complete this form if you have a rising kindergartner and plan on attending West Springfield Elementary School. If you are hopeful to attend, you may complete but please note your status in the form below. We are not using this data for evaluative purposes nor for placement purposes but merely to collect information for the beginning of the school year. All students come in at various levels academically and socially. We are excited for our 2025-26 kindergarten students! |
Kindergarten Orientation - Monday, April 21st at 2:00pm
Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 30, they are eligible to attend Kindergarten for the upcoming year. Registration paperwork can be downloaded at this link. Once you have completed the paperwork and gathered the required documents, please come into the front office to meet with our registrar, MariaPaz Garcia
Alternatively, you can now use an online registration tool. If you choose the online option, you will then have to come into the office with the child’s original birth certificate, your proof of residence (deed/lease), and your ID. You can contact MariaPaz Garcia to coordinate a convenient time.
Upcoming Family Resource Center Webinars
Anxiety in the Context of Autism: What Parents Need to Know
(March 7, 10 – 11:30 am)
Join Dr. Jonathan Dalton, PhD, founder and director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change, as he presents the critical differences in the treatment of anxiety in Neurotypical (allistic) and Autistic children. We will focus on the differences between fear and dread and why traditional anxiety treatment approaches are often insufficient when treating Autistic youth. We will build parenting skills that families can use to help relieve the anxious suffering of their Autistic children. Register Here.
Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Middle School
(March 14, 10 – 11:30 am)
Discover how to support your child’s executive function skills in our webinar series. We will present information on understanding your child’s developmental milestones, recognizing signs of executive dysfunction, and implementing effective strategies to support their learning at home and in school. Register Here.
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact our family liaison, Andrea Howard, at ahoward@fcps.edu or 703-912-4409.
Save the Date
Thursday, March 6 - Early Release Childcare changes due
Friday, March 7 - Parent Input Deadline
Monday, March 10 - 3 Hour Early Release
Thursday, March 13 - STEAM Night and PTA Science Expo
Monday, March 24 - Spring Portraits and Class Photos
Tuesday, March 25 - Parent University - SEL Screener
Monday, March 31 - School Holiday
Future WSES 3-Hour Early Release Mondays:
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