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The Feather Report
Volume 2, Issue 9
 On Thursday, students participated in the Crunch Heard āRound the Commonwealth by biting into a fresh, Virginia-grown apple during lunch. Virginia-grown apples were provided to all schools for October 9 from FCPS Food and Nutrition Services as part of the celebration of Virginia Farm to School Week, which took place from October 6-10.
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
Itās hard to believe how quickly October is moving at Westlawn! There are so many wonderful things happening around our school and community. We are excited to share that we have a new staff position and are looking for someone to join our team as an instructional assistant in one of our Special Education classrooms. If you or someone you know loves helping children learn and grow, please consider applying or sharing this opportunity.
As we look ahead, we are beginning to plan our Veterans Day celebration. Each year, our Veterans Day banner honors the brave men and women in our community who have served in the military. If your family includes a veteran or active-duty member, please send a photo to Mr. Stuebner by October 31 so we can include them in our display.
I also want to encourage families to stay involved and connected. There are many chances this month to learn and celebrate togetherāfrom International Night on October 24 to the Family Resource Center webinars that support student learning. And donāt forget to attend Westlawn Day this Saturday so you can say hello! Thank you for continuing to show your Eagle pride through your time, kindness, and participation. Together, we make Westlawn a wonderful place to learn!
In partnership,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, Shana Curtis, Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
News
Work with Us at Westlawn!
We have been provided with a new staff position at Westlawn, and are hoping to hire someone to join our team as an instructional assistant in a Category B Special Education classroom. Candidates must have the minimum of a high school diploma. Other requirements and the application are available online; just search for Westlawn. Interested candidates are asked to email Mr. Hill in addition to completing the application. Families are encouraged to share this opportunity with anyone they think would be a good fit!
Veterans Day Banner Photo Request
Tuesday, November 11 is Veterans Day. In honor of those who have served our country, we will be making a banner and posting photos of members of our community who have served or currently serve in the military. If you or a family member have served and youād like to be included please send a photo to Mr. Stuebner by Friday, October 31. Original photos can be returned but copies are preferred. Please include their name, branch, and the years they served. If youād like to include any further information such as rank, specialty, or theatre of operation heāll also include it. Materials and information can be submitted to Mr. Stuebner in person, via email, or via TalkingPoints.
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Opportunity for 5th and 6th Graders: Present at the TJHHST Science Fair
Thomas Jefferson High School hosts an invitational science fair for 5th-8th graders around FCPS each year. The fair takes place later in the year, and the parent information meeting is happening on October 17 from 5:30-7:30 PM, both in Zoom and in person. Register for the meeting.
Community Conversation Recordings and Slides
Did you know that we publish the slides and the recording from the Community Conversation on our website each week? You can access the slide decks (in English and Spanish) and the recording on the Get Involved page. We usually have the three most recent conversations published.
Reminder: Webinars for Families
Did you know that FCPS has an entire Family Resource Center that includes free webinars for families? Webinars cover all kinds of topics including information for families of students with disabilities, for families with students planning to go to college, and more! For our Westlawn families, you might consider attending a new webinar offering:
- Supporting Your Child with Dyslexia: October 15, 10-11:30 a.m. This session will provide essential information about dyslexia and the resources available within FCPS to support students with this learning difference.
- Reading Plans and Your Student: October 22, 10-11:30 a.m. This session will help you understand the new reading plans in FCPS. Note: not all students have a reading plan. Send your childās teacher a TalkingPoints message if you are wondering about whether they have a reading plan.
There is translation available on an as-needed basis, so families are encouraged to register today to ensure translators are available.
No-Cost Meals Available for Students on October 13
Weāre excited to share that our school will be offering lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Monday, October 13. As a reminder, all FCPS schools will be closed for students and school staff on October 13 in observance of Indigenous Peoplesā Day. Hereās what you need to know:
- Lunch and a snack will be served together from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Meals must be eaten on site at participating schools.
- Enrichment activities will be available for children. Participation is encouraged but not required.
- Only children 18 and under may receive meals.
- Each child may receive one lunch and one snack.
We are proud to support our studentsā health and well-being, even on days when school is not in session. We hope that many of our families will take advantage of this opportunity. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
š October Community Boundary Review Meetings
FCPSā October community boundary review meetings will begin on Monday, October 13. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our area will be covered at the meeting on Thursday, October 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, (Marshall and Falls Church Pyramids) in person or virtual . Register by clicking āin personā or āvirtual,ā based on how you would like to participate.
At the meeting, the consultant will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and potential changes specific to our pyramid and the Marshall pyramid. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the full list of October boundary meetings.Ā
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
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FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Overperforms State and Global SAT Averages
- October Community Boundary Review Meetings
- Online Activity Reports for Students
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Dates and Events
October 11: Westlawn Day Fall Festival (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
October 13: No School for Students (Staff Development Day)
October 15: Wednesday Color Day: Wear Pink
October 20: No School (Diwali)
October 21: PTA Restaurant Night at Guapoās in Merrifield (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM) Note: this fundraiser requires that you bring a physical copy of the flier with you to the restaurant. Copies will be sent home in Thursday folders on October 16. An electronic version has already been published on the Westlawn calendar.
October 21: The Day the Books Disappeared: Book Launch and Discussion about Book Bans and How to Stop Them at Thomas Jefferson Library (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM). Intended audience: adults. Register now.
October 22: Westlawn Color Day: Wear White
October 24: International Night (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM). Fliers for this event were shared in Thursday folders. Families who want to contribute a dish, participate in the performances, or join the parade are invited to share their interest by returning the bottom of the form. Additional forms are available in the calendar or by asking your childās teacher.
To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient. Click on the little calendar icon in the top right corner of the calendar page of our website to add all current and future events to your cell phone calendar.
Engage with Westlawn
Yes, furloughed federal employees, we would love to have you as volunteers for as long as you are able! Here are our current opportunities, with staff submitting more as needs arise!
Still Requested: Fourth Grade Requests Soccer Referees
The fourth grade team would love to have two people to be soccer referees during outdoor recess, which happens each day from 9:55-10:30. Soccer referees would monitor the soccer game(s) happening at our new goals, and help students make positive choices and display good sportsmanship. Volunteers can work on a daily or weekly basis. Come out and enjoy some fresh air and help students become the best versions of themselves! If you are interested in becoming a soccer referee volunteer, please contact Ms. Schneider via email (or send her a TalkingPoints).
Still Requested: Art Class Volunteers
Ms. Terrell is looking for a few volunteers for art this year! She is hoping to have a parent volunteer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays from 10:15 to 11:15 to help with first grade art classes. As the art volunteer, you would help the students stay organized with their materials, give pep talks when their art is not going how they would like, and help manage the studentsā questions. Ms. Terrell would also love a volunteer to help with matting artwork (stapling it to colored construction paper and then hanging it in the hallways); time is flexible. Finally, Ms. Terrell would love a volunteer to wash the paint shirts over the weekend, about once per month. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please email Ms. Terrell or send her a TalkingPoints message!
Join a Community Conversation
Join us on Wednesdays at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and recordings on our website.
Volunteering in FCPS in 2025-2026 requires you to fill out an online application, and then select the school(s) where you want to be. Learn more and apply today!
Mind Matters
AAP Service Highlight: Full-Time AAPĀ
Did you know Westlawn provides access to full-time AAP services? This means we have trained staff and AAP curriculum to meet the needs of students identified as eligible in grades 3-6. This programming has increased pace, depth, and rigor in all academic subjects.
How do you know if your student needs these services? If you suspect your student needs more challenge in all subjects, consider submitting a referral. A portfolio of information is then collected by the school and submitted to the FCPS central screening committee who makes the decision if a student needs these services. This portfolio includes the referral, work samples, progress reports, test scores, and optional parent questionnaires. A complete virtual information session is coming up at the end of the month! Join the Zoom and hear Mrs. Maxwell explain the process and answer questions on Tuesday, October 28 from 5:00pm-6:00pm.
Access information and forms for full-time AAP. The window for full-time AAP referral closes on December 15, 2025.
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Tech Talk
Podcasts for Learning and for Fun
Fun fact: listening to podcasts activates many of the same areas of the brain as reading a book! People who listen to podcasts build comprehension and vocabulary and often learn how to critically think about issues, especially when they listen to podcasts presenting different sides of a debate. One of the benefits of students bringing home their devices daily is that they now have the power to listen to podcasts whenever they want!
If you arenāt sure where to start with podcasts, we can help! On Student Technology Links we feature over two dozen podcasts that are appropriate for elementary learners, covering a wide variety of topics in multiple languages. Many of the podcasts we feature have been suggested by staff members and students. If you have a suggestion for a student-friendly podcast we should add, send it to Ms. Dushok! Note: you know your child best and what they may or may not enjoy. Several of the podcasts we recommend are āscary storiesā podcasts based on Westlawn studentsā love of spooky books. The icons probably make it obvious which ones fall into that genre. We always recommend giving an episode a listen before or while sharing it with your child!
And, if your child isnāt quite ready to dive into podcasts yet, we have another suggestion! Storytime Online is a database of activities centered around storybooks. The videos are all hosted on YouTube, and many of the featured readers are famous actors. The videos are shorter than typical podcasts and feature the reader sharing the illustrations from the books, and can be used as a bridge to help children who might still be learning to be attentive to a story from start to finish.
Is there a technology topic you want us to tackle in a future issue? Email your questions to Ms. Dushok (school based technology specialist) and Mr. Dinkins (technology support specialist).
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Soaring Staff Spotlight
This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is on Laila Alami!
Ms. Laila is an instructional assistant in our new early autism classroom (EAC) at Westlawn. Fun fact: Ms. Laila does not want to be called Ms. Alami because we already have a Ms. Alami at Westlawn: her mom! Letās learn more about Ms. Laila!
What is your favorite thing about working at Westlawn?
Westlawn has such a welcoming community, everyone is very passionate about making a real difference and seeing their students succeed!
What was your favorite subject in school?
Science
What is your favorite childrenās book?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.!
What is one skill or talent you have that most people donāt know about?
I'm a classically trained pianist and I've played since I was 7!
Whatās the best piece of advice youāve ever received?
Always pick yourself up and try again
Who inspired you when you were growing up?
My mom (Ms. Alami) was always my biggest inspiration. She's always been such a hard worker and taught me to never ever give up!
What is your favorite holiday?
I loveeee Halloween!
Is there someone you hope to see featured in an upcoming Soaring Staff Spotlight? Tell us by text to 571-355-2321.
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