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The Feather Report
Volume 2, Issue 11
 On Tuesday, Westlawnâs Young Scholars took a field trip facilitated by the Annapolis Maritime Museum where they learned how to use specialized equipment--like this refractometer--to check various measures of water quality, such as water salinity. Students had a wonderful time with hands-on learning!
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
What a week! Picture Day, a field trip to Annapolis for our Young Scholars, and a trip to GMU for the children in our mentoring program--just to name a few things happening at Westlawn this week. And we closed out this evening with our annual International Night of Celebration! One of our core beliefs is the power of exposure for all our children, providing opportunities unique to our student body, and experiences to enhance content instruction in the classroom. This week was another prime example of this core belief in action!
Weâd like to take a moment to thank our families in grades 1-6 for continuing to support our laptop initiative. Ensuring children are properly caring for their devices, and coming to school with fully charged laptops is no small task, and we are thankful for your support. We recommend children in grades 1-6 log into their devices each afternoon/evening after school to engage in learning using Lexia (reading), ST Math (math), and Summit K12 (for our multi-lingual learners). These computer-adaptive programs are designed to both close learning gaps and enhance the learning experience. As little as 20-30 minutes per night can make a substantial difference. Please reach out to your childâs teacher with any questions about these programs and ways you can support learning at home.
A reminder that we have two different early releases next week:
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Wednesday, October 29: students dismiss at 12:30 PM. If your child goes to SACC, then they will go there at 12:30 PM. Childcare is available until 3:30 PM only for families who signed up for that option in September.
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Friday, October 31: students dismiss at 1:30 PM. If your child goes to SACC, then they will go there at 1:30 PM. There is no additional childcare available.
Please mark these dates on your calendars. Reminders will be sent via text for both early release days.
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Les recordamos que tendremos dos salidas tempranas diferentes la prĂłxima semana:
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Miércoles, 29 de octubre: Los estudiantes salen a las 12:30 p. m. Si su hijo/a asiste a SACC, asistirå a las 12:30 p. m. El servicio de cuidado de niños estå disponible hasta las 3:30 p. m. solo para las familias que se inscribieron en septiembre.
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Viernes, 31 de octubre: Los estudiantes salen a la 1:30 p. m. Si su hijo/a asiste a SACC, asistirå a las 1:30 p. m. No hay servicio de cuidado de niños adicional disponible.
Por favor, anoten estas fechas en sus calendarios. Se les enviarĂĄn recordatorios por mensaje de texto para ambos dĂas de salida temprana.
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In partnership,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, Shana Curtis, Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
News
Changes to School Supply Lists
Schools in FCPS have recently been directed to remove disinfectant wipes from their supply lists due to a change in school cleaning protocols from the Office of Safety and Security. As such, we are no longer able to request that families supply such wipes for classrooms. While we take every precaution to minimize the spread of germs and illnesses throughout the building, we know that sickness tends to spike in the winter months with increased indoor activity and the amount of time spent at airports for holiday travel. We encourage families to review the FCPS policies about attendance and illness and to consider sending in personal disinfectant or health-related products with your child that you might want them to have due to this change in school cleaning protocol policy.
 Book Character Dress Up Day is Coming!
October 31 is our annual Book Character Dress Up Day and parade! Students are encouraged to wear costumes depicting a favorite book character. Please note that no full face masks and no weapons are allowed in school, even if the book character usually wears one. Need some ideas for characters? Here are some popular ones that you can make at home:
Remember that many popular characters are also featured in books! At the Westlawn library we have books featuring almost all popular Disney characters, Pokemon, Minecraft, Roblox, and other âTV famousâ characters. We also have many books featuring animals (both real and mythical), professions (doctors, firefighters, athletes, etc.), and generic characters (witches, princesses, monsters, etc.). And, of course, we feature a large biography section featuring student favorites Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other famous athletes and historical figures. We hope your child is able to participate in this fun clothing day!
Lunch Reminders
While we love having families in the building, we are not able to host families having lunch with their children in the cafeteria. The space is too small and the timing is too tight with our daily schedule. We are looking forward to hosting families at the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 21--more details to come soon! If you want to see your child during the school day, we recommend registering to become a volunteer at Westlawn or signing up to become a substitute teacher!Â
Students Get Immunized for Free!
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:Â Â
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19Â Â
- 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.
Last Call: 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 youâd 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 youâd like to include any further information such as rank, specialty, or theatre of operation heâll also include it. Materials and information can be submitted to Mr. Stuebner in person, via email, or via TalkingPoints.
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Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- â° School Start Times Update
- đïž 75% of FCPS Schools Recognized for Supporting Military Families
- Return Your Impact Aid Survey
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 28: Full-Time AAP Information Session (5:00-6:00 PM on Zoom)
October 29: Westlawn Color Day: Wear Black
October 29: Multi-lingual Family Breakfast - families of multilingual learners are invited to join Westlawn staff for a light breakfast and a presentation from the ESOL team in the Westlawn cafeteria from 9:00-9:45 am.
October 29: Early Release Wednesday - Students will be released at 12:30 PM. Childcare is available for the families who requested it in September. If you do not remember what you requested, please contact our main office at 703-241-5100.
October 31: Book Character Dress Up Day
October 31: Two-Hour Early Release - Students will be released at 1:30 PM. Childcare is not available unless your child is enrolled in SACC.
October 31: End of Quarter 1
November 3: No School for Students (Parent Conferences)
November 4: No School (Election Day)
November 5: Westlawn Color Day: Wear Brown
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
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
Introducing⊠AVID! Â
Did you know that Westlawn is in year 2 of implementing AVID? AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program that helps prepare students for college and career success! AVID in the middle and high school is an elective course students can choose to take, but itâs more of a school-wide structure in elementary schools. We are one of the first elementary schools in FCPS to bring in AVID and are reaping the rewards already! AVID at its core is the belief that ALL students can be successful in college or career with the right opportunities and knowledge. This belief is held not just by teachers, but with families, the community, and the students themselves.
Last year students in 5th and 6th grade began using agenda planners and keeping organized binders. This year those grades are continuing that but also adding in note-taking structures and other graphic organizer supports. Our students in 3rd and 4th have begun with agendas this year and some organization skills. We have multiple staff members who have attended summer training and along with our Westlawn coordinator, Mrs. Maxwell, are continuing the learning during the school year. We will plan a community share event at some point this school year to share more information and showcase our student achievements!
Check out this video for an overview of AVID in an elementary school!
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Tech Talk
US Media Literacy Week
Next week, October 27-31, is United States Media Literacy Week. With increasing media consumption comes an increased need for media literacy, and that need seems to expand in leaps and bounds every day now that artificial intelligence is becoming more commonplace. This week we are inviting families to explore media literacy and think about the ways in which we can all support students in building their media literacy during the school day and beyond.
Media literacy is a big umbrella term that includes things from spotting images that have been photoshopped to searching for news stories across a variety of reputable sources to determine authenticity. Families who are looking for a good place to start the conversation with their children are encouraged to turn it into a game: can your child spot when a photo is fake, or determine which person is real when presented with two photos? Playing the Fake or Real? game with children gives you the opportunity to help develop your childâs vocabulary and critical thinking skills, and also opens an opportunity to talk about the reasons why people might create or share fake images.
Families who are interested in learning more about media literacy are invited to check out Media Literacy Now for a variety of reports and a selection of news articles about media literacy and what we can do to encourage it. The National Association of Media Literacy Education features information about US Media Literacy Week and content generated by NAMLE members and their sponsors. Their article The Six Eâs of Parenting in the Digital Age is a good summary of ways to approach raising children in a world so different from the one in which they grew up, and even provides specific support for young children, preteens, and teenagers.
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 Sami Schneider!
Ms. Schneider is a fourth grade teacher here at Westlawn. Letâs learn more about Ms. Schneider!
What was your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school had to have been science! I enjoyed the hands-on experiences we were provided as students.Â
What is your favorite childrenâs book?
My favorite childrenâs book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.Â
If you werenât in education, what job would you want?
I would like to work at a pet shelter to provide deserving animals loving homes. (Editorâs note: photo checks out!)
What is your favorite snack?
Cheez-Its are my favorite snack!
What is your favorite restaurant in our area?
My favorite restaurant ever is CAVA!!
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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