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 Volume 1, Issue 37
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
We are excited to share that Ms. Shana Curtis will be joining our Principal Team starting in July! She is a new addition to our leadership team, and we look forward to welcoming her to the Westlawn community. As we begin our final few weeks of the school year, please be sure to check the dates and events section of this newsletter—we have many wonderful things planned! Also, if you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete our family communications survey. Your feedback helps us better serve you and our students. Thank you for your continued support!
Next week we look forward to Field Days, completing SOL assessment retakes, and watching Falls Church Seniors Walk the Halls! Thank you for being an integral part of our Westlawn Community!
Sincerely,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
 As the school year is winding down, staff are hard at work continuing to build relationships and create memories with students. Staff and student “lunch bunches” are extremely popular with students of all ages. During a lunch bunch a staff member invites a student into their space for lunch, and the invited student is able to invite friends to join the bunch. Lunch bunches give students the opportunity to be the center of attention and have extended conversations with their teacher, their mentor, or another Westlawn staff member. The distraction-free and device-free time is cherished by both students and staff throughout Westlawn!
Welcome, Ms. Curtis!
On Friday, Westlawn staff were introduced to Ms. Shana Curtis, who will be joining the Principal Team at Westlawn in July! Ms. Curtis is an experienced school administrator who believes passionately in the power of people-centric leadership. She is currently an educational specialist in Region 1, and before that she served Region 2 as an educational specialist focused on multi-tiered systems of support. She is excited to be back in Region 2--as a member of Team Westlawn--starting in July! (And don't worry--nobody is leaving! We were granted an additional school administrator position.)
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LEAP into Summer Reading
Did you know that all students in Fairfax County Public Schools are able to borrow materials from Fairfax County public libraries, even if they don’t have a library card? It’s true! The LEAP program makes it possible for everyone to ensure that their children have access to books and other reading materials throughout the summer. Check out our website for more information about LEAP, the 2025 Summer Reading Adventure, the library of things, and free classes and world language conversation practices happening at the Thomas Jefferson Library this summer!
On a related note, We’ve had a great year of reading in the library this year. Over 25,000 books were checked out this year! But all good things must come to an end. All Westlawn Elementary School library books are now due back to the Westlawn library. Please feel free to email Ms. Heyer or contact me with TalkingPoints if you have any questions or need any additional information. Many thanks for a great year of reading!
Reminder: Communications Survey
We want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to communicate with you in a way that is timely, useful, and life-giving. Please fill out this communications survey to let us know what you love and what you think we can change. We will use your feedback when we analyze our processes, procedures, and products this summer.
PS: to the person who submitted the suggestion for a way to contact the newsletter editor: thank you! You will see that we have already implemented it on the very bottom of the newsletter!
New Survey: Your Hopes and Dreams for Your Child’s 2025-2026 School Year
English Language Survey
As we look ahead to next year and make plans for classes, schedules, after-school clubs, and other opportunities, we value your input as partners in your child’s education. Please fill out this brief survey (in English) to help us as we make plans for 2025-2026.
Encuesta sobre el idioma español
Al planificar el próximo año y las clases, los horarios, las actividades extraescolares y otras oportunidades, valoramos su participación como colaboradores en la educación de su hijo/a. Por favor, complete esta breve encuesta para ayudarnos a planificar el año escolar 2025-2026.
Lost and Found
There is a large collection of jackets, sweatshirts, and various accessories in the Westlawn Lost and Found! If something went missing over the course of the year, please claim it before June 11! When school ends, we donate items in good condition. Students can access the Lost and Found any day during lunch or by asking their teacher to go with a buddy.
Reminder: We Still Want Your Plastic Trash
We continue to collect clean, dry soft plastics in pursuit of turning them into a bench! We have currently collected 92 pounds of material, and we need to collect a total of 1,000 pounds to get the bench. We're 9% there! You can help by donating things like bread bags, bubble mailers, and more! See the full list of donatable plastics on our website. Plastics will be collected throughout the summer and into next school year as well.
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Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Throughout May and June, you will receive your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, there is a list of tests by grade level on the FCPS website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about how test results are reported to families. Individual test websites provide report translations and help for interpreting test results. Please contact us with any testing questions or for additional information about how we use test results to support student success.
As always, if you need support in creating a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact Ms. Caballero in our main office by email or by calling us at 703-241-5100.
Reminder: Subscribe to the Luther Jackson MS Newsletter
Families with sixth graders: we encourage you to subscribe to the Luther Jackson MS newsletter so you can keep up with your child’s big transition! Subscribe here by entering your email address.
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:
- Next Steps for Budget
- Explore Initial Draft Boundary Scenarios
- Check Your MySchoolBucks Balance
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 TONIGHT! May 29: Family Sports Night Under the Stars
Join us for Family Sports Night Under the Stars from 4:30-6:00 PM on May 29! There will be soccer, lawn games, and Popsicles! Any further changes to this event due to weather will be made via TalkingPoints.
June 3: Volunteer Breakfast
We invite you to our cafeteria from 7:40-8:30 on June 3 for a celebratory volunteer breakfast! We would love to thank you in person for everything you do for Westlawn staff and students!
June 3 and June 5: Field Days
June 3 is Field Day for students in K-3, and June 5 is Field Day for students in 4-6. Students should wear sneakers and clothing that is suitable for a high level of physical activity. Students are encouraged to bring hats and water bottles. If you want your child to wear sunscreen, please apply it before sending your child to school. Westlawn staff are not able to apply sunscreen to your child.
June 4: Fun Clothing Wednesday: Exercise Clothes
All staff and students are invited to celebrate Global Running Day by wearing your favorite outfit to exercise in!
June 4: Band and Strings Spring Concert
The community is invited to the evening performance of our Band and Strings Spring Concert at 6:30 PM in the Westlawn gymnasium.
June 8: The Joy and Payn of Ringing
Come experience the magic of music-making as Westlawn’s talented young musicians perform alongside the professionals of Virginia Bronze in a joyful collaboration that promises to inspire and delight The performance will be at Crescendo Studios in Falls Church at 6:30 PM on June 8. Buy tickets now.
June 10: Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony
The Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place in the Westlawn Gymnasium from 9:30-11:00 AM. Families are encouraged to dress for the event and to be mindful when inviting guests so that we have space for every student’s family.
June 11: Fun Clothing Wednesdays: Westlawn Gear or Colors
Let’s have some school pride on the last day! Wear your Westlawn gear or Westlawn colors (red and blue).
June 11: 2-Hour Early Release and the Last Day of School
Wednesday, June 11 is the last day of school this year and is a 2-hour early release. Students will be released at 1:30 PM for summer vacation!
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.
Questions or Comments: Contact the Newsletter Editor
Questions or Comments: Contact the Newsletter Editor
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