Principal’s Message
Dear Westbriar Families and Community,
As we close out the 2024–2025 school year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for the unwavering support, partnership, and encouragement you’ve shown throughout the year. Whether through volunteering, attending events, or cheering on our Falcons from home, your involvement has made this school year one to remember.
This week has been full of joyful moments—class celebrations, author’s teas, and special recognitions—and we’ve loved seeing our students grow, learn, and soar. Thank you for entrusting us with your children; it is a privilege and honor we don’t take lightly.
As we wrap up the week, here are a few quick reminders:
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Medication Pickup: Please remember to pick up any medication from the health room by dismissal on the last day of school. *REMEMBER WE HAVE A 2:05 PM DISMISSAL ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11th.
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Lost and Found: Our Lost and Found will be donated after the last day—please stop by to check for any missing items!
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Report Cards: Final report cards will be sent home with students and available in ParentVUE.
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Summer Learning Resources: Look out for optional resources and reading activities to help your child stay engaged over the summer.
We also want to recognize and bid farewell to several members of our Westbriar team:
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Emily Nicely, First Grade Teacher, is relocating to Chesterfield, Virginia. Her warmth and dedication will be missed dearly.
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Ann Weagraff, Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, is retiring after years of tireless support for our youngest learners.
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Cheryl Tsang will be transferring to Oakton Elementary to be closer to home—we wish her continued success.
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Neha Goyal, Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, will be taking some time off for R&R—we hope it brings rejuvenation and joy.
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Reem Halabi, Teacher Trainee, who served in kindergarten this year, is also moving on to her next adventure—we’re grateful for her time with us.
These staff members impacted our community in many ways, and we wish them all the very best in their future endeavors.
As the summer approaches, we could still have staffing changes. We will continue to update the community with any changes. We are already almost fully staffed for the next school year. We will introduce our new staff members to you all later this summer.
Wishing you all a restful, joyful summer filled with adventure, laughter, and maybe a little reading, too. Until August—thank you for being a part of what makes Westbriar a truly special place.
With gratitude,
Dr. Sallie Burch
Principal, Westbriar Elementary
Learning to Fly
 
Westbriar Hosts Grade 3 Author’s Tea: Imagination in Ink
On Wednesday, June 4th, the library at Westbriar Elementary transformed into a literary café as we proudly hosted a Grade 3 Author’s Tea, Imagination in Ink. Led by veteran teacher Mrs. Debbie Alsado—who has taught at Westbriar for 25 years and brings 38 years of experience to the classroom—this event celebrated the imagination, hard work, and unique voices of our third-grade authors.
Each student had the opportunity to write, illustrate, and publish their very own book, sharing a diverse range of genres including historical fiction, poetry, biography, and mystery. Notable works included The Many Wives of King Henry VIII by Alice Critchley Hoang, blending storytelling with period recipes; a suspenseful “Guess Who” mystery by Emily Ladu; and The Life of Poetry by Kate Lee, a lyrical celebration of prose.
Guests also explored student work from across the Benchmark writing units, including animal-perspective diaries, digital biographies, weathering projects, and student growth portfolios. The creativity on display reflected the depth of our new language arts curriculum and the exceptional teaching behind it.
Adding to the special occasion, families, staff, and students were honored to welcome distinguished guests Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of FCPS, and Mrs. Melanie Meren, our Hunter Mill District School Board Representative. Their presence elevated the event and underscored the importance of student voice and celebration of learning.
Light refreshments and live music filled the air as our Westbriar community gathered to read and reflect. Performances by our talented sixth-grade musicians on piano, violin, and guitar created a warm ambiance, and third grader Don Cowley impressed the audience with a stunning rendition of The Approaching Storm.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our incredible third-grade team, Mrs. Alsado, and all the parents who supported behind the scenes—from helping publish books to setting up refreshments. Most of all, we applaud our third-grade students, whose imaginations took center stage and truly soared.
Here’s to many more chapters of creativity and celebration ahead at Westbriar!
 
Dietary Accommodations for Students
In recognition of National Food Allergy Awareness Month, the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) wants to emphasize that it has implemented a standardized process for dietary accommodations. This ensures that FCPS students receive safe and healthy food. The Dietary Accommodations information provides step-by-step guidance for families to follow to ensure safe and appropriate food is provided to their student(s). This guidance includes needing a Medical Dietary Accommodation Form to be signed by a Licensed Health Care Provider and forwarded to FNS. For students who need a milk substitute, the Milk Substitution Form signed by a Parent/Guardian must also be on file with FNS.
Forms are to be emailed to dietary.forms.fns@fcps.edu by parents/guardians. FNS Registered Dietitians on staff will then contact the family to begin planning safe meals for their student and place an alert on the student’s file at the register.
✏️ Order Your 2025–2026 Sprout School Supply Kits Today!
Planning ahead for the next school year? Make back-to-school shopping a breeze by ordering your child’s school supplies through Sprout School Supply Kits!
Each grade-level kit is customized to match our updated 2025–2026 supply lists and will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom before the first day of school—no running around to different stores or searching for specific items!
🛒 How to Order: Visit sproutsupplies.com/order
School Code: WES004
📦 Delivery: Free classroom delivery at Westbriar Elementary
📅 Deadline to Order: July 8, 2025
Order early and cross one more thing off your summer to-do list!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Westbriar front office. Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth and organized start to the new school year!
Language Arts Summer Learning: Magazines, Weekly Plans, Activities, and More
We will be sending students home with two Benchmark magazines to help them practice their reading and writing skills during the summer. You will also receive a letter from our school with weekly learning plans and activities.
Find more ways to support your child's literacy skills on FCPS’ Summer Learning Resources webpage. All of these activities are optional, but we encourage families to help their students practice reading and writing during summer break, so that they can start strong next school year.
✅ End-of-Year Reminders
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 11 with dismissal taking place at 2:05 PM! Please see some important reminders below:
- Remind your child to return all school library books and FCPS laptops.
- Check your child’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any balances.
- Pick up any medications your child has been taking at school. A parent/guardian must pick them up in person.
- Bookmark the 2025-26 school year calendar to be ready for next year.
Please contact our front office with any questions.
🌞 Summer Resources Help Students Stay Curious, Healthy, and Busy
FCPS’ Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests from camps to health and safety resources.
Be sure to check back over the summer, as more resources may be added.
🌻 Learning Doesn’t Take a Vacation — and Neither Does Fun!
FCPS’ Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August. Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged!
🍽️ Summer Meals for Students: Details Coming Soon
FCPS’ Summer Meal Service Program provides breakfast and lunch free of charge to all children aged 18 and younger. Check FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services webpage and the USDA Meals Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder in mid-June for specific dates, times, and locations.
Please note that no meals will be served on the June 19 and July 4 holidays. If you have any questions regarding the Summer 2025 meal service, please contact us at SummerMeals@fcps.edu or at 703-813-4800.
💚 Free Virtual Mental Health Consultations for Parents and Secondary Students
This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer free virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from June 23 through August 1. Any FCPS parent, or middle or high school student, will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. Learn more in the latest Healthy Minds blog.
🩹 Required Immunizations
Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the Fairfax County Health Department.
End of Year/Summer Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:
- COVID-19 Compensatory Education: Summer Academy
- Extended School Year (ESY)
- Be a Special Education Teacher
- Planning for Life after High School
- Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Moving this Summer
- Exploring Summer Fun Without Leaving Your Home
- Social Emotional Learning in the Summer
- Self-Care Resources for Parents, Family Members, and Caregivers
- Self, Health, and Relationship Education (SHaRE)
- Preparing Your Student with Disabilities for College Board Exams
- Fairfax County SEPTA News
- Accessibility on the FCPS Website
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we reaffirm and uphold the dignity of LGBTQIA+ people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Visit our LGBTQIA+ Student Resources and Supports webpage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
FCPS celebrates the rich diversity and honors the many contributions of immigrants of Caribbean heritage to our nation during the month of June. Caribbean individuals are some of the most ethnically diverse in the world. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Juneteenth (Holiday)
Wednesday, June 19, is a holiday for FCPS employees. Schools and offices will be closed.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- End-of-Year Reminders
- New Speed Cameras
- SAT Accommodations Deadline
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 
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