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Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you having had a fantastic week. It is hard to believe that we only have eight days left in the school year. Our students have worked so hard and we couldn't be more proud of the growth and resilience they have demonstrated. As we wrap up these final two weeks, please be on the lookout for any important end of year dates from your child's classroom teacher. It has truly been a pleasure having your child at Westgate this school year.
As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and we wish you a wonderful weekend ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Sign up to Volunteer at Field Day!
We are looking for volunteers to join us on Friday, June 6th for a day of fun, laughter, and sunshine! We need some awesome parent volunteers to help with setup, breakdown, water stations, and afternoon activity stations for grades 3–6. (Older students will run the morning K–2 stations.) Field Day runs 9:30–12 for K–2 and 12:30–3 for grades 3–6.
Sign up here to be part of the fun: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D49ACA92BA6FE3-56803898-westgate#/
Note: The rain date is Monday, June 9th.
Promotion Celebration
Hello 6th grade families! To help make the Westgate Class of 2025's Promotion Celebration on June 11th a memorable and fun day, please consider making a donation on this Sign Up Genius. Our theme this year is carnival! Let’s transform the gym for our graduating students. Please have all donations arrive at school by Monday, June 2nd to give us plenty of time to prepare for the party on the 11th. The 6th grade class and teachers thank you in advance! If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help the planning committee, please email 1naveedk@gmail.com
Limited Yearbooks for Sale
If your child purchased a 2024-25 yearbook it will be going home in the next couple of days. If you did not purchase a yearbook, there are a limited number for sale. Yearbook sales will be on a first come, first serve basis. They are $17 (cash) and can be purchased in the main office.
School Board Adopts the FCPS 2025-26 Budget
The Fairfax County School Board unanimously adopted the FCPS Fiscal Year 2025-26 Approved Budget. Facing years of chronic underfunding, the final budget required $121 million in reductions to the needs-based budget that was carefully developed with the FCPS community’s high expectations in mind. While these cuts and reductions will impact our classes, the school division will continue to do what is necessary to provide a world-class education for every student. Read more about the budget in this news release.
Longfellow MS - Jump Start Registration
Jump Start registration for rising 7th graders attending Longfellow is now open on MySchoolBucks.com. Choose between session 1 – August 4th – 5th or session 2 – August 6th – 7th.
Hours are 8:30a.m. – 12:00p.m. Look forward to learning about Longfellow with school tours, ice breakers, scavenger hunts, team building and more. If you have any questions, contact Lavina Gangwani-Colaco at lkgangwanico@fcps.edu
Order your 2025-26 School Supplies by June 22
SHOP NOW for your 2025-26 school supplies. Avoid the stores and get all your school supply shopping done online. EPI school supply packs contain all the items and brands our teachers require. Not only is this convenient for you, but it is cost effective. Order now by June 22 with our School ID of WES461 at https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/
Limited Early Release Days Continue Next Year
During a report to the School Board this month, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced plans to continue limited early release days in elementary schools and shift them to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. This plan is based on recommendations from the Early Release Steering Committee. The committee includes parents, caregivers, school-based staff, and central office personnel. Read more about the reasons for early release and the proposed early release dates.
Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings
You are also invited to participate in another series of community meetings in order to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break:
Click the date to register. Each meeting will be hybrid, meaning that you may attend in person or via Zoom. Childcare for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. Another round of community meetings will be held in the fall.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review page for more information.
Westgate Parent Social
You're Invited!
Join us for a casual Parent Social at Starr Hill Brewery at The Perch rooftop! It's a great opportunity to connect, unwind, and enjoy good company in a fantastic setting.
📅 Date & Time: June 5th at 5:30pm 📍 Location: The Perch, Starr Hill Brewery 7730 Capital One Tower Road, McLean 💳 Details: Everyone is responsible for their own tab
Wear your Westgate School spirit so we can easily spot each other!
We hope to see you there.
Please RSVP so we can get a headcount.
Save the Date - Rising Kindergarten Playdates
We are excited to announce our summer playdates for our rising kindergarten students!
Please join us at the Westgate Elementary playground on:
June 21: 9:30 -11:30 a.m.
July 13: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
August 2: 9:30 -11:30 a.m.
There will also be our annual Boo Hoo Breakfast the morning of the first day of school, August 18, under the tent near the playground after drop-off.
Come meet other parents who have kindergarten students starting at Westgate this fall!
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.
Kindergarten Registration
Do you have, or know of a rising kindergarten student scheduled to come to Westgate next year? All students that turn five by September 30, 2025 are eligible to attend Kindergarten this fall. Please spread the word that registration is underway as we are excited to meet our newest Wolves. Please consider registering asap since our staffing reflects the number of registered students. Registration information for kindergarten and new students can be found on our website here.
🏫 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.
🏫Ayude a su Niño a Prepararse para el Kindergarten
Las FCPS reconocen que los padres son los primeros maestros de sus hijos. Los recursos disponibles en la página web de Preparación para la Escuela y Transición a Kindergarten, les ofrecen a los padres formas de apoyar a sus niños para que tengan una transición exitosa a kindergarten.
Head Lice Awareness
Please be aware that our area experiences a significant number of cases of head lice. We understand that dealing with head lice can be challenging and stressful for families, and we are aware that this is an ongoing issue.
We kindly ask all parents to remain vigilant by regularly checking their child's hair for any signs of head lice. It’s important to remember that head lice can affect anyone, regardless of cleanliness or hygiene. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing the spread of lice in our classrooms and beyond. While not required, it is appreciated if the school is notified of head lice cases so we can further help the reduction of the spread.
Literacy Resources for Families
FCPS has created a literacy resource page for families as we have embarked on a new Benchmark curriculum. Families may access these resources here. Please reach out to your child's classroom teacher if you have specific literacy questions.
PTA Membership
All are welcome at our PTA meetings. Joining the Westgate PTA and donating $15 per family amplifies your voice in our school community, gives you the opportunity to vote on PTA-led events and initiatives, and comes with a free, stylish Westgate magnet to drive around OUR neighborhood with. Your membership also helps the PTA create a more dynamic year of programming and advocacy.
To be a part of this thriving community, we invite you to join the PTA. Dues are $15 per family and you can sign up HERE!
Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for Westgate
Please remember to be mindful of our important safety procedures during arrival and dismissal.
- There are NO left hand turns allowed in, or out of, Kiss & Ride during arrival or dismissal.
- There are NO illegal u-turns allowed in front of the school on Magarity Road. Please enter kiss and ride from the correct side (towards rt. 7) and follow the traffic pattern, as we've witnessed both student and staff safety being compromised too often.
- Please ONLY cross your child at the dedicated cross walk (with police officer). Crossing you children at any other location is not safe.
- There is NO parking on either side of Magarity Rd. right in front of the school. Please do not park in these areas.
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Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 8:20 - 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 - 3:40 p.m.
Our number one priority at Westgate remains student safety. Thank you for adhering to these very important safety reminders. Please note that the Fairfax County Police Department will be closely monitoring this situation.
Activating Your SIS ParentVUE Account
The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.
Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.
Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.
Many of you have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):
- Select the “Forgot Password” button.
- Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.
- More information is available here.
Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account. If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Tracy Green at tmgreen@fcps.edu.
Please take action now to ensure your account is active!
School Meals & Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will cost $1.75. Lunch will cost $3.25, and milk $0.60. Money can be added to your child’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You can also write a check to Westgate Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch here .
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Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals.
Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 610-5700 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Parent Digital Consent System
New this year, families will use the Parent Digital Consent System to complete some forms that have used paper in the past. You will log in using your ParentVUE Account credentials, There, you will be able complete the Digital Resources Consent form for the school year, which is required for all students. You will also be able to find more information about opt-out forms and complete those forms for your student.
Multilingual Parent Information Line
☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.
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