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 New school counselor, Aylin Duruman, was in a 4th grade classroom introducing herself and explaining how school counselors help students.
⏰ K-12 School Start Times Survey
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any cost for this project, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start TImes Survey is open through Tuesday, September 30. It includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs. Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. Find more information about adjusting school start times.
Vision & Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing screening will be held on Sept 30th for 3rd grade classes and October 7th for all kindergarten classes. The screening process identifies students who need additional assessment from a medical provider because they struggle to see the chart or hear the tones. All screenings will be held during the school day.
If your child wears glasses, please be sure that glasses are at school on screening day. Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed. Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning.
If you would like to assist as a volunteer with the screening process, please contact the PTA president Elizabeth Shapiro at elizabethrshapiro@gmail.com, or contact your student's teacher. Thank you!
Kids Do Good Club is Back!
For grades 2-6, Kids Do Good club will enable students to participate in community service activities Tuesdays, beginning October 6 after school in the cafeteria from 4-5 PM.
Details and registration information are available in the flyer here. Register by September 26th.
🍲 New Food Items Include Hearty Homestyle Favorites
Our new menu items debuting in September and October feature hearty homestyle favorites — including veggie chili, pictured above — and fresh global inspiration! Other new additions include:
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Breakfast: Cinnamon apple overnight oats, mini blueberry pancakes, French toast sticks, egg and cheese breakfast quesadillas and tacos, and turkey sausage and cheese bagels.
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Lunch: Teriyaki chicken stir-fry, teriyaki chickenless bites stir-fry, cheesy turkey pepperoni pasta, cheesy pasta with marinara sauce, deep dish pizza, and cheesy fiesta nachos.
Check our online menu to see when your child can try new recipes developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts, based on student feedback.
2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year.
Please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Tuesday, September 30.
Webinars for Parents
- Supporting Your Child with Dyslexia: October 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Join us for an informative webinar on Dyslexia Awareness, designed for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) families. This session will provide essential information about dyslexia and the resources available within FCPS to support students with this learning difference.
- What You'll Learn:
- Understanding Dyslexia: Gain a clear understanding of what dyslexia is, its common signs, and how it can affect students' reading, writing, and spelling.
- FCPS Support Systems: Learn about the various supports and interventions FCPS provides, including evidence-based, structured literacy approaches and the role of reading specialists.
- Virginia Literacy Act: Discover how the new Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and FCPS's Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) Plan are changing literacy instruction to benefit all learners, especially those with dyslexia.
- Resources for Families: We'll share practical tools and strategies you can use at home to support your child's literacy development and partner effectively with their school.
- This webinar aims to empower families with knowledge and resources to help their students with dyslexia succeed.
- Register here
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Reading Plans and Your Student: October 22, 10-11:30 a.m.
- This 1.5-hour webinar is designed to help parents and caregivers understand the new reading plans in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Parents will learn about:
- What a reading plan is: A reading plan is a support system for students who are not meeting literacy benchmarks. It outlines specific, evidence-based instruction and interventions to help them improve their reading skills.
- Who requires a reading plan: All students from kindergarten through eighth grade who are identified as needing additional support based on literacy assessments will receive a reading plan. This is part of a broader effort by FCPS to implement the Virginia Literacy Act.
- How schools will support students: The webinar will explain how FCPS is using a science-based reading approach and will discuss the role of reading specialists, the curriculum used, and the assessments to monitor student progress.
- Resources and tools for parents: Parents will leave with practical resources and tools they can use at home to support their child's literacy development. The webinar aims to empower families to be active partners in their child's reading journey.
- Register here
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WSES School Photos Are Here!
Great news, Willow Springs families!
Your student portraits from Victor O'Neill Studios are now available online! We're excited for you to see the wonderful smiles captured on picture day.
How to View and Order Your Photos:
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E-proofs: Most Families should have already received an e-proof directly to their email address. If you did not receive an email you can view them online.
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Online Access: Your photos are currently uploaded and fully available for you to review and order! Your student's ID number is the online code.
Questions? If you have any questions regarding your student's school pictures, please don't hesitate to contact Victor O'Neill Studios directly at underclass@vosphoto.com.
The team at Victor O’Neill Studios did a fantastic job, and we thank them for a great picture day! We hope you enjoy these lasting memories.
WSES Farmer's Market Is Open
On Friday's
It's that time of year again! The WSES Farmer's Market is back for Fall 2025. You can get fresh, healthy, and local produce from Piney Meadow Farm and our very own school garden, when possible.
The market will be open on Fridays, starting September 12th and running through October 24th. We'll be set up by the blacktop at dismissal.
MUSIC NOTES
All 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, need to bring their recorders back to school for use in Music class! The recorders were sent home last spring and are needed for class. Please make sure both the recorder and the case are labeled with your student's name. Cleaning the recorder with a (small amount) of liquid dish soap is recommended.
Recorders are due back to the music room by September 26th. If your student has lost their recorder, new Yamaha soprano recorders can be found on Amazon for $7.99. Students new to Fairfax County will be given a recorder.
AAP Newsletter
The fall Advanced Academics Program newsletter contains information about the continuum of services offered at the elementary school level, deadlines for submitting a referral form for full-time services and requesting a retake of the ability test, as well as the screening process for AAP services and an overview of the newly adopted ability test – Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
 WSES Fundraiser at Bruster's Real Ice Cream
When: September 30, 2025
- Where: Bruster's, 3903 Fair Ridge Dr, Fairfax, VA 22033
- What: A portion of all sales will be donated to the WSES PTA.
- Guest Scoop Crew: Come see your teachers and staff scooping ice cream!
- 5-5:30 PM: Mr. Taylor and Ms. Li-Krohg
- 5:30-6 PM: Ms. Mejasic and Ms. James
- 6-6:30 PM: Ms. Panczyszyn and Ms. Wood
- 6:30-7 PM: Ms. Leach and Ms. Claudio
- 7-7:30 PM: Ms. Tembe and Ms. Shin
 ✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Goal 5 focuses on preparing every student for life after graduation with the skills they need to thrive. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
At Willow Springs this year, we will be teaching all of our students Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills with an emphasis on being Ethical & Global Citizens.
September 15-October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 30: Bruster's Ice Cream Night
October is National School Principals' Month and Disability History and Awareness Month
October 2:
Yom Kippur Holiday--Schools Closed
National Custodian Appreciation Day
October 8: Walk and Roll to School Day
October 13: Indigenous Peoples' Day/Staff Development Day--Schools Closed
October 15: 3 Hour Early Dismissal Day
October 17: 1, 2, 3 Andres School Assembly
October 20: Diwali Holiday--Schools Closed
October 31: Quarter Ends & 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Quick Links
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