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Last week was Volunteer Appreciation Week! We would like to take a moment to recognize the incredible parent and community volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents to support Westbriar Elementary.
Whether helping in the classroom, organizing PTA events, leading enrichment clubs, chaperoning field trips, or making quiet behind-the-scenes contributionsâyour efforts are felt, valued, and deeply appreciated. You help make Westbriar a place where children can thrive, grow, and feel connected.
It takes a special kind of person to step up and lean in. From coordinating fundraisers and spirit wear to bridging communication between families and educators, the work of our volunteers often extends far beyond what we see. You are the helping hands and compassionate hearts that make a difference every single day.
So from the entire Westbriar team: THANK YOU for all that you do on behalf of our students, our families, and the FCPS mission. Your support is what makes our school community so vibrant, welcoming, and strong.
With deep gratitude,
đ Dr. Sallie Burch & the Westbriar Staff
As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, we invite you to share information that may assist us in making the most thoughtful classroom placement for your child.Â
While specific teacher requests are not accepted, your input is one of many factors we use to build balanced classrooms that support each studentâs academic and social success.
âĄď¸ All required questions must be completed in order for the form to be processed.
Please complete one form per child by Friday, May 23, 2025. Form: 2025â2026 Student Placement Input Form Westbriar Elementary School
Virginia has introduced a new system to measure school performance, and attendance is now a major factor in achieving the highest rating of "Distinguished." At Westbriar Elementary School, weâre committed to partnering with families to reach this important goal.
This school year, we've noticed that attendance has become a critical challenge:
Every absenceâexcused or unexcusedâis counted by the state, making daily attendance essential. We understand that flu season and family travel can impact attendance, and we kindly ask families to utilize scheduled school breaks for trips whenever possible and minimize absences outside these times.
Together, we can ensure that all students are at school, on time, and ready to learn every day. Your partnership is key to our success, and we're confident that with your support, Westbriar can achieve "Distinguished" attendance status this year!
Thank you for helping us reach this important goal!
Please join me in congratulating our outstanding Westbriar students â Violet D., Alexandra H., Zere N, Adiya N., Ishti J., Astrid L., and Avery S. â for their incredible achievement at the State Odyssey of the Mind Tournament this past Saturday at Menchville High School in Newport News, Virginia!
Over 65 teams competed at the tournament, and our Westbriar team, coached by Violetâs parents, Katie and Ben, prevailed and earned the opportunity to advance to the World Finals at Michigan State University on May 21! This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and we believe this is the first time a Westbriar team has advanced to the World Finals â where over 800 teams from 11 countries will compete.
The team designed, built, and operated an "all-terrain vehicle" that traveled to three different locations and successfully overcame three obstacles along the way. Their performance included team-created costumes, props, and sets â a true showcase of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills!
Congratulations again to our remarkable team!
April is the Month of the Military Child, and Westbriar proudly honored our military-connected families with our special "Doughnuts and Dandelions" event. On Wednesday, April 9th, our community showed their support by wearing purpleâthe color symbolizing the unity of all military branches.
During this heartfelt gathering, military families came together in the library to enjoy delicious doughnuts, warm coffee, engaging books, and a delightful dandelion craft. The dandelion beautifully represents the resilience and bravery of military children who bloom and thrive wherever they land.
Thank you to all our military families for your service and sacrifices. Westbriar is honored to stand with you and celebrate your strength and courage.
 
Staff Appreciation Week â May 5â9, 2025
Westbriar is incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated team of educators and staff who go above and beyond each day to support our students. As we prepare for Staff Appreciation Week, we are hoping to make it a truly special celebrationâand welcome your support if you're interested in joining us! âŻOne of the highlights will be our Staff Raffle, and weâre inviting contributions from our generous Westbriar families and community. Participation is completely optional, but if youâre interested in donating, here are a few ideas:
- Gift cards to restaurants, stores, or local businesses
- Products, services, or experiences from your business or workplace
- A weekend getaway or use of a vacation property
- A complimentary night at a hotel
- Fun or creative items that would help make our staff feel appreciated
If you or someone you know would like to contribute, items can be dropped off at the Westbriar front office (ATTN: Staff Appreciation), or feel free to email us to coordinate a pickup.
Your partnership and kindness are part of what makes Westbriar so special. Thank you for considering a contributionâand for all the ways you support our staff and school community. âŻ
Letâs make this a week to remember! đđŚ
As we prepare for the transition to a new school year, we want to provide clarity for families whose children are enrolled in the Level IV Advanced Academic Program (AAP) and currently attend Westbriar Elementary.
Siblings of Level IV AAP Students Transitioning to Kilmer Middle School
As Level IV AAP students advance to Kilmer Middle School, their siblings in lower grades who are not enrolled in the Level IV AAP program must return to their base school for the 2025â2026 school year. Attendance at Westbriar is program-specific, and only those participating in the Level IV AAP program are eligible to attend Westbriar if it is not their designated base school.
Student Transfer Requests
Families who wish to have their non-AAP student continue at Westbriar may submit a Student Transfer Request, which is reviewed based on criteria outlined by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
General Policy:
A student registered in FCPS is expected to attend the school assigned to the studentâs home address. However, an enrolling parent may request a student transfer for their child in grades Kâ12 to attend a non-base school.
Transfers are considered only if:
- The school and grade-level capacity allows for it.
- The curricular program at the requested school can accommodate the studentâs needs.
All student transfers are governed by FCPS School Board Regulation 2230, which includes a variety of transfer types and associated documentation requirements.
Types of Student Transfers and Requirements
Here are several common transfer types allowed under FCPS policy:
- Child Care Hardship
If a parent demonstrates a hardship in securing appropriate full-time before- and/or after-school care within the base schoolâs boundary, the online application system will identify the closest open school to the childcare provider that may be considered.
- Family Relocation
- Transfer requests may be submitted within 180 calendar days prior to a move to the requested schoolâs boundary.
- Families who relocate within the last 90 calendar days of the school year may request to have their children remain at their current non-base school.
- Medical, Emotional, or Social Adjustment
If a student experiences exceptional hardship due to medical, emotional, or social factors, a transfer may be supported if it aligns with a treatment plan from a licensed independent healthcare provider (e.g., physician, psychologist, social worker, counselor).
- Senior Status
Students moving within Fairfax County who wish to complete their final year of elementary, middle, or high school at their current school may be granted a transfer. School capacity is not a barrier for these requests.
- Sibling at Requested School
A student may request a transfer to attend the same school as a sibling living in the same household. Documentation is required and must be submitted with the application.
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Submitting a Transfer Request
To learn more and begin the transfer process:
- Visit the FCPS Student Transfer Information Page.
- Review the full list of transfer types and submission instructions.
- Be sure to submit all required documentation with your application.
Transfer requests are processed as space allows and in accordance with FCPS policy, so we encourage families to apply early if they are considering a transfer for the upcoming school year.
For questions or support, please contact our front office. We are here to help guide you through the process and ensure the best outcome for your student and family.
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March, providing information on their SEL skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.
For support in understanding your individual studentâs results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the SEL Screener Results Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
Measles cases continue to rise in the U.S. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:
- High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.
The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.Â
If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.
The Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.
School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.
Additionally, the school health room staff:
- Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
- Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
- Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning.Â
Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools.Â
Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning and fun! At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.Â
An FCPS Student Program Marketplace will feature student-made goods for sale. Proceeds will support the studentsâ programs.Â
Learn about summer programs and resources available from community and business partners. Enjoy face painting, touring a fire truck, student performances, and much more! For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.Â
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Â
This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Visit the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage to access the nomination information form.Â
FCPSâ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence places a focus on successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade. To increase access to Algebra 1 for middle school students, the school division has decided to streamline the criteria for taking Algebra 1 Honors in seventh grade.Â
With the simplified criteria, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer a prerequisite when selecting either Mathematics 7 Honors or Algebra 1 Honors. Although it is not a requirement for advanced math, families may still use the test scores to help decide which level of mathematics their child signs up for.Â
Families of students who took the IAAT this winter will receive their score report by the end of this month. Students who were scheduled for the IAAT but did not get to complete the test will have the chance to opt-in for a makeup test at the end of the year. Parents/caregivers will receive information about this makeup testing opportunity.Â
Additional information and copies of upcoming family communication can be found on the IAAT webpage.Â
The FCPS PreK Program serves 3 and 4 year old students with a high quality, full-day preschool program with no cost to families at 78 Fairfax County elementary schools.Â
Students may qualify with a variety of economic or educational risk factors. Learn more about the Pre-K and Early Head Start Program by watching this video (English) or video (Spanish).
Spaces fill quickly, so complete an application online now or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) for more information.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Protect Your Child From Measles
- Celebrating FCPS Staff and Students
- Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. Â
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