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The Feather Report

Volume 2, Issue 17

It’s a wrap! Our book fair week was a success! Thank you to all of our volunteers who made the fair a wonderful experience for students and families!

Leadership Ledger

Westlawn Families,

What a wonderful week it has been at Westlawn! On Tuesday evening, our Winter Band and Strings Concert filled the auditorium with incredible music and pride. Our student musicians performed beautifully, and their hard work, along with the dedication and support of their families, was evident in every note. We are so proud of them and grateful to our families for encouraging their ongoing growth in the arts.

As we move into the heart of the holiday season, our school is filled with excitement and joy. While some classrooms may host winter-themed celebrations, I want to remind everyone that each day leading up to the break remains focused on high-quality instruction. Every school day matters, and your partnership in ensuring strong attendance makes a meaningful difference for your child’s learning.

A big thank you as well to our PTA for organizing next week’s Gingerbread House Event. We truly appreciate their continued creativity, commitment, and support for our community.

Wishing all of our families warmth, joy, and connection in the weeks ahead.

In partnership,

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, Shana Curtis, Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

News

Groovy Thank You from the Library

Someone generously gifted six Pete the Cat board books to the library from the library wish list, but no name was included. Ms. Heyer says a giant THANK YOU to the anonymous gifter!

Westlawn’s New VDOE Status

The Virginia Department of Education recently revised the way it categorizes schools. Now, in addition to accreditation, schools get descriptors of distinguished, on-track, off-track, or needs intensive support. Schools are categorized based on 2024-2025 data.

The new statuses are based on various factors, such as:

• standardized test scores, which now require a higher level to show mastery;
• how quickly multilingual learners show mastery of English, requiring higher levels of proficiency in a more compressed timeframe;
• the performance of federally-identified groups, with some students being counted multiple times due to being identified in multiple subgroups; and
• parent refusals of standardized tests, which now actively count against the school.

School statuses are calculated by the total points earned by a school across all categories. Points can be earned in various ways, such as when students pass standardized tests, show significant improvement, or when the school lowers its rate of chronic absenteeism. Partial points can also be earned. Note: points earned are only tracked to the school, but not to the individual student.

Westlawn is currently considered off-track. Here is what we are doing to address it:

• We have made school-wide changes to the way we support multilingual learners and their families.
• We hired a SLIFE teacher to support multilingual learners.
• We offer myriad intervention and support programs for identified students.
• We have increased our focus on family engagement across all populations.

As with all things, we also tremendously value our families and the ways in which you support your child and our community! Here are actions you can take to help us move into the on-track category:

• Send your child to school each day! The FCPS website offers a helpful chart to understand when your child should stay home versus when they should come to school.
• Help your child access Lexia, ST Math, or Summit K12 after school and on the weekends! These programs are designed to help children practice skills and build background knowledge in language arts, math, and English proficiency. Contact your child’s teacher for support in accessing these online platforms at home.
• Maintain communication with your child’s teacher! TalkingPoints is the easiest way to keep an open dialogue with your child’s teacher. Plus, fun fact: research shows that family engagement is twice as likely to predict student success as family socioeconomic status. In other words: your relationship with your child’s teacher is hugely important!

Finally, families are also encouraged to share your opinions with the Virginia Board of Education. Your voice in the community is vital to ensuring Westlawn remains strong.

Anti-Racism Resources

Plurality is the idea that our community is stronger when many voices, cultures, and experiences are included. When children see different people working, learning, and playing together, they learn to value fairness, kindness, and respect. This helps them grow into adults who can listen, understand different viewpoints, and build positive relationships with others.

At school, we work hard to make sure every child feels welcome and seen. Families play an important role too. You can support your child by talking about differences in a positive way, reading books that show many cultures, and helping your child speak up when something feels unfair. Small conversations at home can make a big difference in how children treat others.

To learn more, we invite you to visit the Georgetown University Anti-Racism Toolkit. There you will find a set of anti-racism resources created to help families start conversations, build understanding, and take simple steps that support equity for all students.

Multilingual Family Podcast

The FCPS Multilingual Family Podcast, In A Few Words FCPS, provides families with timely, accessible information about school updates, resources, and ways to support student learning. Its purpose is to strengthen communication and engagement with multilingual families across FCPS, and it is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean to ensure broad access. Please help us share this valuable resource with your school communities. The upcoming December episode will focus on Winter Break and offer tips for families on keeping students engaged at home—be on the lookout for this important episode!

Be Ready for Cold Weather

So far it seems like we might have a colder winter than the ones we have had recently. Despite the cold, students at Westlawn will still be outside on most days, both because they routinely walk to specials in the trailers and because students will be outside for recess as long as the wind chill does not dip into the negatives. Therefore it is important for your child to have appropriate winter clothing to protect them when they are outside.

Below are some graphics that show how to safely dress in extremely cold weather. The alt text is available on our website; it was too long to fit in the newsletter program. If you need help to get warm clothing for your children, please let us know! Both our parent liaison Ms. Reyes and our social worker Ms. Cortez have access to supplies and resources to help you keep your child safe no matter the weather. You can reach them via their linked email addresses, TalkingPoints, or by calling our main office at 703-241-5100.

⛄ Winter Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Recursos para estudiantes y familias

Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Fairfax han compilado una lista de recursos para estudiantes y familias en caso de que necesiten ayuda mientras las escuelas están cerradas por las vacaciones de invierno. Por favor visite nuestra página web de recursos de invierno para enlaces a apoyo académico; apoyo a la salud mental; y alimentos, ropa, vivienda y otros recursos del condado.

Winter Break Literacy Adventures

Engaging in literacy activities over winter break helps students maintain the reading, writing, and speaking skills they built during the first half of the school year. Even a little daily practice, such as these 10 fun family activities, helps ensure they return to school confident and ready to continue growing in literacy. Enjoy these literacy adventures as a family! 

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• FCPS Showcases Success
• Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings
• Winter Resources for Families

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

December 15: Chili Day - volunteer to bring in chili or toppings

December 16: Gingerbread House Decorating - 3:30-4:30 PM; buy tickets now

December 17: Fun Clothing Wednesdays - green for Grinch Day

December 17: Restaurant Night - Chipotle in Mosaic from 5-9 PM

December 22-January 2: No School - Winter Break

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

Volunteer to Warm the Westlawn Staff with Chili!

The PTA is sponsoring Chili Day for staff on Monday, December 15. Volunteers are needed to make chili, donate toppings, and run the event during lunch times. Sign up to be a chili volunteer.

Volunteer at the Gingerbread House Event

The PTA could use some help to set up, clean up, and monitor the Gingerbread House event. Sign up to be a gingerbread volunteer.

Bring Empty Wrapping Paper Tubes to STEAM

Ms. Winters needs your help to collect empty wrapping paper tubes for an upcoming STEAM project. If you empty rolls of wrapping paper in the next few weeks, please bring the tubes to the main office and ask them to set the tubes aside for Ms. Winters. The more the merrier!

Reminder: STEAM Volunteers Wanted

Volunteers are requested to help with STEAM classes in the afternoons from 2:15-3:15, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sixth grade students are working on capstone projects and some are working on rocketry and aeronautics. They need to run tests outside in the field, and a second adult for supervision would be helpful! No knowledge about flying objects is required! Send a TalkingPoints or email to Ms. Winters.

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

Winter Break Fun

How do you keep the learning and fun going while your students have an extended break from school? Giving your child free building time with no instructions or directions, can allow them the opportunity to tap into their creativity. They can use blocks, legos, plastic connectors like these, or even empty boxes from your recycle bin or cans from your cabinet. Mrs. Maxwell’s daughters, who are college grads, were fondly remembering this week a time many many years ago when they spent a whole day building a hospital for dolls and stuffed animals using shoe boxes and a variety of old first aid materials.

Also, we are big fans of strategy games at Westlawn, for example games by ThinkFun like RushHour or GravityMaze, or Sequence or Sequence for Kids by Jax. 

And, keep your eyes peeled for a fun CCT (Creative and Critical Thinking) activity bingo board coming home in folders next week! Mrs. Maxwell will collect in January and deliver prizes to those that complete it!

FCPS published some great ideas as well, check it out!

Last Call! Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15!

Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-6 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to our AART Gretchen Maxwell or classroom teachers no later than December 15, 2025. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.

Once a referral is received, Westlawn staff will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. 

Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.

Tech Talk

Setting Tech Expectations Over Break

Winter break is a great time for rest and family fun. It can also lead to extra screen time, especially since students in grades 1–6 have school laptops. These simple ideas can help families set clear expectations:

• Talk as a family. Decide together how the school laptop should be used during the break. Keep it for learning, reading, and creative projects—not as a replacement for outdoor play or family time. Consider writing a contract on paper that everybody can sign that you can put on the refrigerator.
• Set age-friendly limits. Younger children need short sessions with breaks. Older students can work longer but still need guidance. Try to keep screens in shared spaces instead of bedrooms. Also consider using a simple timer (or the timer on the microwave) to keep track of screentime. That way the timer becomes the “bad guy” when it buzzes to signal the end of screen time.
• Model healthy habits. Take breaks from your own devices. Plan screen-free moments like reading together, cooking, or playing a game. The Thomas Jefferson Library has a wonderful selection of cookbooks, board games, and other items in the “library of things” that you can borrow to use for free or low-cost adventures.
• Give screen time a purpose. Encourage children to use the laptop for writing, drawing, coding, or practicing skills from school. Remember that Lexia, ST Math, and Summit K12 are the three programs we recommend to help your child build background knowledge and practice important skills in language arts, math, and English proficiency.

With a simple plan, families can enjoy a balanced and calm winter break. What might you add?

Web-Based Opportunities for AI and Career Advancement

Virginia has created a website designed to help people grow in their knowledge of AI and build skills to start or advance a career. Virginia Has Jobs is organized by level of commitment, featuring learning opportunities at various price points. Although the site is not designed for elementary learners, we think the adults in our community might find it valuable!

More AI--Directly Tied to FCPS

Are you wondering where FCPS is going with AI? Check out the new FCPS AI website to learn more about how FCPS is addressing AI with staff, students, and families!

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).

Soaring Staff Spotlight

This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is on Rebecca Lentz! Ms. Lentz is a Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) teacher here at Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Ms. Lentz! What was your favorite subject in school? Math What is your favorite children’s book? Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne. What is one talent or skill that you have that most people don’t know about? I can play the piano! What is your favorite memory from elementary school? Library time with bean bag chairs! What is your favorite snack? Chocolate-covered almonds What is your favorite holiday? Christmas or Easter If you could only eat one food for a week, what would you choose? Soup What is the one thing that always makes your day better? Hugs from students or more coffee! Is there someone you hope to see featured in an upcoming Soaring Staff Spotlight? Tell us by text to 571-355-2321.

Connect with Westlawn

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website
• View The Feather Report archives

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