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 Volume 1, Issue 30
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
We hope you enjoyed your four-day weekend with beautiful weather and a chance to breathe and take in the beauty of spring! We are especially excited to welcome our rising kindergarteners and their families to our cafeteria today as they begin their journey at Westlawn.
In the next few school days, students will continue their learning while enjoying special events, including two musical performances and the April Restaurant Night fundraiser. Thank you to our staff and families for supporting our students through these last days before Spring Break. Our newsletter today is focused on the things that are happening between now and the start of Spring Break on April 14. Next week we will begin to share the news and information affecting students and families when we return. If you’re curious, you can take a sneak peek by visiting our website calendar.
Thank you for everything you do every day to help our Eagles fly!
Sincerely,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
 Our annual staff vs. 6th grade volleyball game was a hit! This year featured a 5th grade vs. 6th grade matchup, too. All we need to say: the teacher team REALLY needs to practice this upcoming year!
Summer Camp Info is Now on Our Site
We now have a single page dedicated to sharing the summer camp information that we have received from various partners and departments within FCPS. If you need to make arrangements for your child this summer, check out Summer Camp Central!
⏰ Check Your Email: School Start Times Survey
Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
On April 1, a survey link was sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.
🏫 Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Explore the resources on FCPS’ School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage for ways to help ensure your child starts kindergarten with confidence.
FCPS News
Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:
- School Start Times Survey
- Science Fair Winners
- Celebrating Champion Students and Staff
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
April 7: Spring Picture Day
Get ready for class photos and fun poses! Fliers will be sent home in today’s Thursday folder, and you can snag the order code on our website.
April 8: PTA Meeting
The April PTA meeting will be on Zoom starting at 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there!
April 9: Wear Purple
On April 9 students and staff across FCPS are invited to wear purple for FCPS’ PurpleUp! Day in recognition of military children and families.
April 9: Restaurant Night
The April Restaurant Night is at Chipotle in Falls Church at 358 W. Broad Street! Use code DP2XF7B when placing an order online for pickup, or show this flier when dining in person. Make it dinner and a show by following it with PIRATES!
April 9: PIRATES: The Musical!
Our spring musical debuts tonight for one night only! Make sure you are at Westlawn at 6:30 PM to be mesmerized, impressed, and delighted!
April 11: Drama Club Performance
Families are invited to our drama club performance at 4:30 PM. It’s a great way to kick off Spring Break!
April 14-18: Spring Break
There is no school April 14-18 due to Spring Break.
April 21: 3-Hour Early Release
Heads up! On April 21, the first day back from spring break, students will be released at 12:30 PM.
To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.
Join a Community Conversation
Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and recordings on our website.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life. This year, we are using Second Step, a research-based SEL program designed to teach students essential skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Each focus for the week will share recommendations for conversations and activities families can do at home to promote SEL outside of school.
Kindergarten
In this week’s lesson, your child will show what they have learned about solving problems. They’ll suggest ways to solve problems in different scenarios and draw a picture of themselves using a problem-solving strategy. Try This at Home: If problems or disagreements arise at home, for example, between siblings, ask your child to suggest a way to help solve the problem.
1st Grade
In this week’s lesson, your child will show what they’ve learned about solving problems and suggest ways characters in a comic can apologize, ask for what they need to solve the problem, and make amends. Try This at Home: Help your child practice their problem-solving skills at home. Reinforce the importance of apologizing, asking for what they want or need, and finding a way to make amends when they encounter a problem.
2nd Grade
In this week’s lesson, your child will use what they’ve learned from the unit to solve a given problem. Try This at Home: Ask your child how they solved the problem of Clea and Raquel both wanting the same book in the library.
3rd Grade
In this week’s lesson, your child will apply the STEP process to show what they know about problem-solving. Try This at Home: Ask your child to tell you how they and their partner solved the problem that Jase and Lila had while playing tag.
4th Grade
In this week’s lesson, your child will practice the STEP process they learned in this unit to solve problems. STEP stands for S: Say the problem, T: Think of solutions, E: Explore the outcomes, and P: Pick a solution. Try This at Home: Talk with your child about a time when they experienced interpersonal problems. Ask how they will use the STEP process to try solving these problems.
5th Grade
In this lesson, your child will use the STEP process they learned in this unit to solve an interpersonal problem. STEP stands for S: Say the problem, T: Think of solutions, E: Explore the outcomes, and P: Pick a solution. Try This at Home: Ask your child to tell you about the STEP process and give an example of what someone would do in each part of the process.
If you have questions about these prompts or ideas, or social-emotional learning in general, please email Westlawn’s SEL Coach, Ms. Andrews. We can work together to create a positive and safe school environment!
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