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Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you soaking up these last few weeks of summer break. We are so excited to welcome our students back to Westgate for the 2025-26 school year on Monday, August 18.
We will hold our annual Westgate Open House on Thursday, August 14. This is an event for students to come to Westgate, meet their teacher, drop off supplies, and see their classroom. School supply lists can be found here. Open House for Kindergarten students only is from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. while grades 1st-6th will be from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. If you have both a kindergartener and an older student you may come in at 9:30 a.m., but the upper grade classrooms will not be open until 10:00 a.m. Please note that your student's teacher assignment will be sent electronically prior to Open House.
Immediately following our respective Open Houses, we will have Popsicles on the Playground from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. so that our students and families can continue to build relationships and meet one another.
As always, thank you for your support of all things Westgate and have a fantastic rest of your week. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in August for another exciting year together!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
School Supply List for 2025-26
School supply lists for the 2025-26 school year can be found here. If you preordered supplies through the PTA this spring, it will be delivered directly to your child's classroom. We encourage families to bring their child's school supplies to Open House on Friday, August 16.
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.
Save the Date - Rising Kindergarten Playdates
We have one remaining Kindergarten playdate before the school year starts!
Please join us at the Westgate Elementary playground on:
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 immediately following drop-off.
Come meet other parents who have kindergarten students starting at Westgate this fall!
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!
Student Online Verification/Update (OVU) opens July 25, 2025
The 2025-26 Online Verification/Update (OVU) packet will be available in ParentVUE starting July 25th. The OVU packet allows parents to electronically update phone numbers, emergency contacts, health conditions, and upload immunization records for their students via ParentVUE. Electronic capture of this information improves data quality and reduces staff workload. Please encourage all families to sign up for a ParentVUE account so they can have direct access to student information.
Instructions and detailed information are available at the following sites:
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.
Back to School Night - Wednesday, August 27
Please join us Wednesday, August 27 to learn more about your child's teacher and the school year ahead at our annual Back to School Night. We will be offering two sessions for BTSN. The first session will run from 5:30 - 6:10 p.m. and the second from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m.
*As a reminder, this is a parent only event. Please make alternate childcare arrangements for your student if you plan to attend.*
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.
The scheduled dates for Westgate are:
- September 10
- October 8
- November 12
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
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!
Parent Digital Consent System
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, In ParentVUE 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.
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.
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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