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Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you having had a wonderful weekend. We have another busy week planned at Westgate and are looking forward to our Family Book Fair and Mathnasium night!
Upcoming Dates & Reminders
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November 19 – Westgate Family Book Fair Night at 4:00 p.m.
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November 19 – PTA Mathnasium Night at 5:30 p.m.
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November 26–28 – No School for Students – Thanksgiving Holiday
We hope to see many of our families later this week and throughout the months of November and December as we celebrate National Family Engagement month. As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and have an amazing week ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
📚 Westgate Book Fair & Math Night Volunteers Needed!
Westgate is hosting the Book Fair the week of November 14–21, and our wonderful librarian, Ms. Ciarcia, needs your help to make it a success! Please consider volunteering to help students check out books, discover new favorites, and share in the excitement of this beloved event. ➡️ Sign up to help at the Book Fair: https://tinyurl.com/westgate25
The Book Fair will also have evening hours on November 19, so families can come explore together! That same evening, Mathnasium will host a fun, free Math Night in the Westgate Cafeteria from 5–7 PM, featuring games, giveaways, and hands-on math fun for all students. The event can only happen with lots of volunteer support — please consider signing up to help! ➡️ Sign up to help with Math Night: https://tinyurl.com/3ub7zxcj
Westgate Book Fair - November 14-21
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Westgate! The book fair will be held November 14th – 21st. Students can shop during school hours. We hope that families will be able to join us for our family night/ math night on Wednesday, November 19th from 4:00- 7:00.
If you would like to set up an ewallet for the book fair so that your child does not need to bring cash to school, please visit https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/westgateelementaryschool4
Thank you in advance for the support of our book fair!
✅ Please 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.
Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Family Engagement Month at Westgate
November is Family Engagement Month! As we celebrate the many holidays and traditions of the season, we invite families to share something special with their child’s class—a story, craft, or presentation that highlights your culture or family traditions.
You can join in person or share something for your student to present. Presentations should be about 15–20 minutes and not include food due to allergy concerns.
Your child's classroom teacher will be scheduling classroom visits through Winter Break and will reach out to you regarding how you can sign up. We can’t wait to celebrate our diverse and wonderful Westgate community together!
Winter After-School Class Registration
Looking for fun enrichment activities for your student(s)? We have a lot of exciting offerings this winter for athletes, artists, innovators, and more!
Registration for the winter session will be open for two weeks: December 8 - December 19. Activities begin January 12 and will end by March 20.
A flyer with more detailed information will be sent home via Tuesday folders on November 25. In addition, information will be available on our PTA website soon.
Questions? Email afterschool@westgatewolvespta.com
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night @ Longfellow MS- January 14, 2026
Longfellow Middle School will be hosting a Curriculum Night for rising 7th grade families (current 6th grade students) at Longfellow MS on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This evening session aims to provide parents with information that will help their incoming 7th grade student with the transition to middle school. Families will have the opportunity to explore elective course offerings and hear from a variety of Longfellow staff about the courses and programs offered to 7th grade students. Students and staff will also be available to answer questions.
If inclement weather occurs, the event will be rescheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
We look forward to welcoming you to Longfellow!
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Grocery Gift Card & Snack Food Drive
Between October 27 and November 21, 2025 the PTA is encouraging a Grocery Gift Card & Snack Food Drive to support families, students, and teachers in our community.
🎁 Grocery Gift Cards Gift cards give families the flexibility to shop for the items they need most during the holidays. These can be given in an envelope to the main office.
🍎 Snack Drive Help our teachers keep their classrooms stocked with snacks for students. Every donation makes a difference!
🛒 How to Contribute
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Amazon Wish List: Purchase items directly from our - Amazon Wish List
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Drop-Off: Bring snacks or gift cards to school—look for the donation bucket by the front door near Bus Loop for snacks or bring gift cards to the main office.
Thank you for your generosity and for helping make this season brighter for our Westgate families.
Westgate Spiritwear—Available All Year!
Even though the Spiritwear Fundraiser has ended, families can still purchase Westgate gear anytime throughout the year and have it shipped directly to your home!
While prices are slightly higher and there’s a delivery charge, this is a great way to grab something special for the holidays — or show your Westgate pride any time of year.
The online store now includes an even bigger selection, with mugs, hats, blankets, and of course, plenty of Westgate shirts!
🛍️ Shop here!
Your Support Is Making a Difference!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Westgate community, the money raised from our PTA Fundraiser is already being put to good use! The PTA is excited to announce that they've booked a new assembly experience for our students.
On Thursday, December 5th, all Westgate students will enjoy Eric Jao’s Interactive Music Technology Assembly — a high-energy, hands-on program that blends music, creativity, and technology in an unforgettable way!
Want a sneak peek of what our kids will experience? Visit www.mix-major.com/assemblies
And if you haven’t donated yet, the fundraiser is still open — and we’re getting closer and closer to that pie in Mr. H’s face!
Help us reach our goal here: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/9ca818ba-e882-445c-b9dd-a397b724a246/campaigns/f39b8a163d81
Thank you for helping us bring innovative and inspiring experiences to our school — your support truly makes it happen!
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
🩹 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:
- 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.
🎤 Join a Community Conversation with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events are planned for the following dates:
Registration links will be shared soon. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
Remaining Early Release Wednesday Dates
Westgate will have 8 early release Wednesdays throughout the school year. Please note that we will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on those days.
The scheduled dates for Westgate are:
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Student Smart Watches and Cell Phones
Please remind your child that FCPS is phone-free! For elementary school students, this means:
- Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
- Cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-610-5700. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone and personal device policy.
Spanish: La Política de FCPS con los Teléfonos Celulares: Por qué es Importante
La política de FCPS con los teléfonos celulares ayuda a los estudiantes a concentrarse, a aprender y a involucrarse. Cuando los estudiantes guardan sus celulares, tienen más interacciones cara a cara con sus compañeros y los maestros tienen más oportunidades para desarrollar sus habilidades de resiliencia y de resolución de problemas. Por favor, recuérdale a su hijo que:
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Teléfonos celulares y otros dispositivos personales (“Airpods”, “earbuds”, audífonos, otros dispositivos conectados a la internet) deben estar apagados y guardados todo el día escolar (desde el timbre de entrada hasta el de salida).
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Relojes inteligentes o “Smart watches” que tienen distintos propósitos pueden usarse, pero las funcionalidades relacionadas con el celular (textos, navegación internet y llamadas), deben estar apagadas mientras el uso del teléfono esté prohibido.
Si usted necesita comunicarse con su niño durante el día escolar, por favor llame a la oficina principal.
Emergency Care Card
Emergency Care Card Forms are important in helping us contact you in case of an emergency. Parents can help by assuring that the school has the most up-to-date information.
Please update any information by using the ParentVue/Online Verification Update system. To read more about the OVU, visit the OVU page on the FCPS site. To access your ParentVue to update/verify, visit the ParentVue Login page.
Parent Digital Consent System
Families will use the Parent Digital Consent System to complete some forms that have used paper in the past. You will log in using your ParentVUE Account credentials, In ParentVUE you will be able complete the Digital Resources Consent form for the school year, which is required for all students. You will also be able to find more information about opt-out forms and complete those forms for your student.
School Meals & Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will cost $1.75. Lunch will cost $3.25, and milk $0.60. Money can be added to your child’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You can also write a check to Westgate Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch here .
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Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals.
Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 610-5700 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Activating Your SIS ParentVUE Account
The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.
Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.
Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.
Many of you have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):
- Select the “Forgot Password” button.
- Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.
- More information is available here.
Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account. If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Tracy Green at tmgreen@fcps.edu.
Please take action now to ensure your account is active!
Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for Westgate
Please remember to be mindful of our important safety procedures during arrival and dismissal.
- There are NO left hand turns allowed in, or out of, Kiss & Ride during arrival or dismissal.
- There are NO illegal u-turns allowed in front of the school on Magarity Road. Please enter kiss and ride from the correct side (towards rt. 7) and follow the traffic pattern, as we've witnessed both student and staff safety being compromised too often.
- Please ONLY cross your child at the dedicated cross walk (with police officer). Crossing you children at any other location is not safe.
- There is NO parking on either side of Magarity Rd. right in front of the school. Please do not park in these areas.
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Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 8:20 - 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 - 3:40 p.m.
Our number one priority at Westgate remains student safety. Thank you for adhering to these very important safety reminders. Please note that the Fairfax County Police Department will be closely monitoring this situation.
Multilingual Parent Information Line
☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.
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