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Dear Westbriar Families,
I hope this message finds you rested, recharged, and ready for the exciting school year ahead. It is with great joy and anticipation that I welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year!
Our theme this year is “Let the Adventure Begin,” and it perfectly captures the spirit with which we will approach each day at Westbriar. We believe that every child is on a unique journey—and it is our responsibility and privilege to equip each one with the tools, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive. Whether it’s academic achievement, personal growth, or social connection, we are committed to helping every student chart a meaningful and individualized path to success.
This adventure will be guided by intentional planning, responsive instruction, and above all, a belief in the potential of every learner who walks through our doors. You will see this in the way our teachers differentiate instruction, how our support staff collaborate across roles, and how our school community comes together to lift each other up.
I want to thank you, in advance, for being part of this journey with us. Your partnership makes all the difference—and I look forward to working alongside you as we navigate this year together.
Let the adventure begin—and let’s make it a great one.
Warmly,
Dr. Sallie Burch
Principal
Westbriar Elementary School
- August 14 - Open House (See Information Below)
- August 14 - PTA’s Last Summer Kindergarten Playdate (After Open House)
- August 18 - First Day of School (School Hours: 9:20 AM to 4:05 PM - Students are able to enter the building at 9:05 AM)
- August 18 - PTA’s Back-to-School Donuts @ 9:30 AM (Picnic Area at the Front of WES)
- August 29 - School Closed (Labor Day Holiday)
- September 1 - School Closed (Labor Day Holiday)
2025-2026 FCPS School Year Calendar
✅ Label all personal items your child brings to school—including their backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and jacket.
✅ Need help with school supplies? Reach out to our principal, Dr. Sallie Burch at srburch1@fcps.edu or our school social worker, Beth Jackson, at btjackson@fcps.edu. We're here to support you.
✅ Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals for the 2025–2026 school year. Visit the FCPS Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage to submit your application.
✅ Join the Westbriar PTA! Stay connected, support school events, and help build our Falcon community. Visit https://westbriar.givebacks.com to learn more and sign up.
✅ Update your child’s emergency and contact information through the SIS ParentVUE Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet.
✅ Provide your digital consent for your child to access approved instructional tools. Log in to the FCPS Parent Digital Consent System.
✅ Pick up a Kiss 'N Ride number in the front office if you plan to regularly pick up your child by car.
As we prepare to embark on another exciting school year, we are thrilled to welcome you and your children back to Westbriar Elementary! In keeping with our theme—“Let the Adventure Begin”—we’re setting the stage for a year of curiosity, growth, and personalized pathways to success.
To help your child start their adventure with confidence, we invite you to attend our Annual Open House on Thursday, August 14th. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to meet their child’s teacher, explore the classroom, connect with classmates, and begin building the strong home-school partnership that makes Westbriar such a special place.
To help alleviate parking and crowding inside the building, we’ve structured the Open House into several sessions:
🗓 OPEN HOUSE TIMES – Thursday, August 14th
- Kindergarten & Students NEW to WES – 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
- Students with Last Names A–F – 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
- Students with Last Names G–N – 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
- Students with Last Names O–Z – 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
During your visit, you can:
- Meet your child’s teacher and explore the warm, welcoming classroom environment they’ve prepared
- Drop off school supplies (If you ordered a supply box through the PTA, it will already be in the classroom!)
- Drop off any medications at the school clinic
- Pick up a Kiss ‘N Ride number from the front office
If you are unable to attend the Open House, please know that staff will be on hand the first day of school to assist students in finding their classrooms and starting their adventure with confidence.
We can’t wait to see you on August 14th and begin this exciting journey together. Let the adventure begin!
We’re excited to share that class and teacher placements for the 2025–2026 school year have been finalized and will be available to families beginning Wednesday, August 14th via SIS ParentVUE.
To view your child’s placement, simply log in to your SIS ParentVUE account. If you do not yet have an active account, we encourage you to register now to avoid any delays. Instructions for setting up your ParentVUE account can be found HERE: ParentVUE Account Access, and if you need your activation code, please contact Ms. Revelo in the front office for assistance.
🚍 Transportation Information Bus stop details and transportation assignments will be provided by the FCPS Office of Transportation prior to the start of the school year. If you have specific questions or concerns related to your child's transportation, you may contact Team 46 at 703-249-7100.
We appreciate your attention to these details as we prepare for a smooth and successful start to the school year. Let the adventure begin!
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Mrs. Isu Revelo, if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. You may also access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
The health and safety of our students is a top priority at Westbriar Elementary. Our school health room is here to support a safe and healthy school year for all Falcons! Please assist us by reviewing and adhering to the guidelines below:
💊 Medications at School
All prescription and nonprescription medications must be stored and administered in the school health room. This includes over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough drops, inhalers, and epinephrine.
- Authorization Required: A new FCPS Medication Authorization Form is required each school year for any medication administered at school.
- Prescription Medications: Must be in the original container with a current pharmacy label (30-day supply or less). Instructions on the authorization form must match the pharmacy label exactly.
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Must be in the original, unopened container with no more than 100 pills/tablets/capsules.
📋 Emergency Contact & Health Information
Parents/guardians must update their child’s emergency and health information using the ParentVUE Online Verification/Update Packet:
If needed, paper Emergency Care Information and Health Information forms are also available and may be submitted at any time.
🍎 Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
If your child has food allergies or dietary restrictions, please ensure your physician completes the FCPS Allergy/Dietary Accommodation Form. This form must be submitted according to the instructions provided to ensure our kitchen staff, classroom teachers, and front office are fully informed.
📞 Questions?
If you have any questions about medications or your child’s health needs at school, please contact our Public Health Nurse, Carmen Gant. She is here to support you and ensure your child’s well-being.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students healthy and ready to learn!
At their meeting on May 8, the Fairfax County School Board approved several important updates to the Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) document for the 2025–2026 school year. These changes reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to creating safe, respectful, and inclusive school environments for all students.
Key Updates Include:
- Revised Cell Phone Policy
- Clearer guidance on discipline procedures and data
- Enhanced protocols for parent notifications
- Stronger language and consequences related to hate speech
- Integrated discipline training for staff and students
These updates are designed to provide greater clarity for families and ensure consistent practices across all schools.
🔗 To review the full list of SR&R changes, please visit BoardDocs (select the May 8 meeting).
We encourage all families to take time to review the updated SR&R document with their child prior to the start of the school year. Partnering together helps us promote positive behavior, responsible decision-making, and a safe school environment for all Falcons.
At Westbriar, we’re committed to showing appreciation for our amazing staff all year long—and we’d love your help to make it happen!
Throughout the school year, we provide refreshments and treats for our hardworking team in the staff lounge and during required meetings and trainings. We're asking families to help stock our lounge with individual snacks or drinks to keep our staff fueled and feeling appreciated.
Our staff love a variety of:
- Sweet, salty, or healthy snacks
- Sparkling water, sodas, and juice
- K-cups for coffee and tea
If you're out shopping and can grab an extra box, please drop it off in the main office—your support makes a big difference!
💳 Want another way to contribute? We also hold staff raffles throughout the year and gladly welcome donations of gift cards to restaurants, coffee shops, or general retail stores.
Once the school year begins, we’ll share a list of staff favorites—but in the meantime, any donation is much appreciated.
Thank you for helping us support and celebrate our dedicated Westbriar team!
This school year, Westbriar is excited to launch a daily kindness initiative through our Morning Announcements. Each morning, students will watch a brief (2–4 minute) video segment from the On the Road series with Jack Hartmann, which highlights inspiring and heartwarming stories from around the country.
These videos are designed to spark conversations around empathy, compassion, and community. Teachers will use a daily reflection question to guide classroom dialogue and build connections during Morning Meeting.
By beginning each day with positivity and purpose, we’re working to grow not just great students—but great people. Thank you for partnering with us as we foster a culture of kindness at Westbriar.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Access the application and view criteria on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage
Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- Get records from other states’ systems if your child was immunized outside of Virginia.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s health care provider or one of the following clinics:
- Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekday and weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year.
Three-hour early release days for our school will include:
- September 10
- October 29
- November 12
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
The Westbriar PTA is ready to kick off an exciting 2025–2026 school year—and we’d love for YOU to be a part of it! Here are a few key events and opportunities coming your way:
📅 Upcoming Events
- Thursday, August 14: • Open House • Kindergarten Summer Playdate (right after Open House)
- Monday, August 18: • Back to School Donuts – Join us at 9:30 AM near the front picnic tables for coffee, donuts, and a warm welcome from the PTA and principal!
- Thursday, September 4: • Back to School Night
- Wednesday, September 10: • First PTA Meeting @ 7:00 PM – Come learn how you can get involved!
🧾 Join the PTA for 2025–2026! Stay connected, informed, and involved. Memberships run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
- Individual: $25
- Family: $30
- Staff: $10
🛍 Spirit Wear & Shop to Give Show your Falcon pride with our new spiritwear options! And don’t forget to sign up for the Shop to Give program—support Westbriar every time you shop or dine!
📱 Stay ConnectedFollow the Westbriar PTA on Facebook for updates, photos, and more.
Have questions or want to connect? Contact the PTA!
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