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Dear Woodley Hills Family,
What a wonderful week of learning and growing we've had here at Woodley Hills Elementary! Our scholars have been fully engaged in their classrooms, tackling new concepts and collaborating with their peers. It's truly inspiring to see their curiosity and commitment to becoming critical thinkers and lifelong learners every single day. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication they consistently demonstrate, and we appreciate your support in fostering this love of learning at home.
As we head into the weekend, we’re looking forward to an evening of fun and community next week! Please mark your calendars for our Family Movie Night on Friday, October 24th, at 6:00 PM. We'll be setting up a big screen right out on the school field for an enjoyable evening under the stars. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect as a school family outside of the regular school day.
Bring your blankets, chairs, and good spirits! We can't wait to see many of our Woodley Hills families there to share in this special evening. Have a safe and relaxing weekend, and we look forward to seeing our scholars back and ready to learn on Monday!
Sincerely,
Dr. LaChelle R. Williams, Principal
Mr. Brandon Davis, Assistant Principal
FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Woodley Hills Elementary School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: English or Spanish.
All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location
Positions in this category include Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location
Positions in this category include Resource Teacher and Special Education Department Chair and Multilingual Learners Department Chair who serve in a non-instructional role for more than 50% of their time, After-School Specialist, Assessment Coach, Athletic Trainer, Career Center Specialist, Career Experience Specialist, College and Career Specialist, Crisis Resource Teacher, Instructional Coach, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Reading Specialist, Safety and Security Specialist, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator, or other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional or administrative role in the school)
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location
Positions in this category include Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Student Services Assistant, Registrar, Custodian, Building Supervisor, Operating Engineer, Food Services staff, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, Public Health Training Assistant, Safety and Security Assistant, and all hourly employees*
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, October 24, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Anita Mitchell at aamitchell@fcps.edu.
October 20 - Holiday - Diwali
October 22 - Unity Day (Wear Orange)
October 24 - PTA Movie Night 6pm
October 29 - Field Day
October 31 - 1st Quarter Ends - Early Release
October 31 - Storybook Character Day
October 31 - Kindergarten Field Trip to the Zoo
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, with Unity Day as its signature event on October 22. This is a day when we can come together to send a visible message of building commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. The call to action is simple: wear and share the color orange. This vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, showing support for students who have been bullied and for bullying prevention.
Field Day
Field day is a fun-filled annual event. This year field day will be on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, with a rain date of Thursday, October 30, 2025. The grade levels will be participating during the times as listed below:
9:00am-11:00am
4th grade
5th grade
6th grade
1:00pm-3:00pm
Kindergarten
1st grade
2nd grade
If you would like to volunteer to assist with field day, please email Matt Shoop dmshoop@fcps.edu and Renee Demick rcdemick@fcps.edu to let them know what time you can assist. They will provide further information regarding the volunteer process. On the day of, please report to the main office upon arrival to be checked in, then you will be directed to the field.
When Should Your Child Stay Home
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school and your child’s teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why and for how long.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
Grades in Language Arts
You might notice that your student's progress report grades in English language arts (ELA) look a little different. This is happening because we've brought in a new curriculum and new ways to check on learning (assessments), and there are new state guidelines called the VDOE Standards of Learning.
FCPS is raising the bar and setting high goals! We are teaching and grading students on the big skills they need by the very end of the school year. Think of it like going on a journey. It’s challenging at first, but on your journey, you learn your way — and maybe even a few shortcuts!
First quarter grades may seem lower than usual as students work hard to reach grade-level mastery.
Please know that this is a positive, expected part of the learning journey. We are here to support every student as they grow and achieve. We are celebrating the effort and growth toward these new, higher standards!
Learn more about this change in ELA grading and reporting.
How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning
Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with division leadership, which will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. Attend to:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
- Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
- Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
- Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Agenda details will be shared with registered participants in the coming weeks. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.
Makeup Day for Fall Student Pictures
October Community Boundary Review Meetings
FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings are underway. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our pyramid will be covered at the meeting on Saturday, October 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Sandburg Middle School, in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” 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 West Potomac 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.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
October Webinars for Parents
SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.
Register here
Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
FCPS Buildings Benefit All Community Members
In addition to our students and teachers, we estimate millions of visits by students and community members to Fairfax County schools through more than 500,000 events. Most of the public meeting and recreational facilities available in the county are FCPS facilities.
FCPS works with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and with the Fairfax County Park Authority to ensure that school facilities and athletic fields are available to the public after school hours.
The 2025 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 4. Learn more about registering to vote and make a voting plan.
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