|
English | EspaƱol | į įįį | äøę | ķźµģ“ | Tiįŗæng Viį»t | Ų§ŁŲ¹Ų±ŲØŁŲ© | ŁŲ§Ų±Ų³Ū | Ų§Ų±ŲÆŁ
The Feather Report
Volume 2, Issue 18
 Kindergarten students have been working on printmaking in art class with Ms. Terrell, focusing on different ways that they can use paint and various objects to make different types of prints. Many students were especially delighted when they made pizza pan prints and were able to see how the work they did on the back of the pizza pan would translate onto paper.
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
As we approach winter break, I want to take a moment to thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the Westlawn school community. Our students thrive because of the strong partnership between families, staff, and community members, and I am deeply grateful for all that you do to support our school.
I wish each of you a safe, restful, and joyful winter break spent with family and friends. This time together is important, and I hope it is filled with moments of connection, reflection, celebration, and love with those you hold dear.
While break is a time to recharge, it is also important for students to continue practicing and refining their academic skills, particularly in reading and math. To support this, students will be taking their laptops home and will have continued access to key learning programs. Lexia will be available to strengthen reading skills, and ST Math will support ongoing math learning. In addition, our English Language Learners are expected to log at least 120 minutes on Summit K12, an online platform designed to build language acquisition and confidence. Consistent practice, even in short amounts of time, makes a meaningful difference in student growth.
I am truly excited as we look ahead to the new year and all that lies before us. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the principal of Westlawn Elementary. This is a remarkable community, and I am continually inspired by the care, commitment, and collaboration that define our school.
Thank you again for your continued partnership. I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year refreshed and ready to learn.
In partnership,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, Shana Curtis, Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
Editorās Note: if your child has trouble with their laptop during winter break, please do not try to fix it yourself! Check for solutions on the Parent Technology Helpdesk page or call the parent technology helpdesk for support at 833-921-3277 (English) or 571-423-4950 (Spanish).
News
No Newsletter Until January
There will be no newsletters published during Winter Break. We look forward to sharing the next Feather Report with you on January 9, 2026!
Outdoor Weather and Recess
Students are allowed outside for recess up to 30 minutes unless the National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory, and up to 15 minutes unless the NWS has issued a wind chill warning. If you need help getting winter clothing for your child, we can help!
- Parent Liaison Mrs. Reyes (email or TalkingPoints)
- Social Worker Ms. Cortez (email or TalkingPoints)
- Main office: 703-241-5100
More Cold Weather News
We are building a collection of cold-weather links and pieces of information on our website. On that site announcement, you can find:
- Diagrams of how to dress in different types of cold weather
- Links to Winter Break resources and activities for families
- Information about how FCPS makes the decision to close school for wintry weather
We will maintain this announcement throughout the winter so you can reference it at any time!
Multi-Lingual Learners (MLLs) and Summit K12 During Winter Break
As we head into winter break, we want to encourage students to continue learning using Summit K12, an online program that supports reading and language development.
We ask that students use Summit K12 for at least 20 minutes per day, three days per week during the break. This short, consistent practice helps students maintain skills and build confidence.
A minute-tracking log was sent home with your child yesterday in their Thursday folder. Please encourage your child to log their minutes on Summit K12 over the break, and return the log to their teacher when we return on January 5. Students who log over 120 minutes will be recognized by the school.
Students can access Summit K12 through Clever.
Thank you for supporting your childās learning and helping them start the new year strong!
 Beyond the Book Fair
Thank you to our families for making the book fair a success! Are you wondering how to promote reading in your home now that the book fair is over? We have suggestions! Learn about the FCPL Winter Reading Adventure and the LEAP program on our website!
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Make Your Voice Heard! Have an Impact on the Budget
- Go on a Literacy AdventureĀ
- Enjoy Your Winter Break!Ā
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 22 - January 2: No School - Winter Break
January 7: Fun Clothing Wednesday: Sports Clothing or Jerseys
January 14: Fun Clothing Wednesday: Athletic or Exercise Clothing
January 14: PTA Meeting in-person at Westlawn from 5:30-6:30 PM
January 14: Save the date! Restaurant Night at Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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
Donation Request: 3T-5T Bottoms
Ms. Lentz is about to start potty training with students in her PAC classroom, and she is in need of 3T-5T underwear and pants so that children can be changed into fresh bottoms when they have an accident. If you have items to donate, please bring them to Ms. Reyes and she will pass them along to Ms. Lentz.
Reminder: 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!
Enter a Westlawn Staff Member for a Chance to Win Flowers, a Gift Certificate, Accolades, and More!
Has a Westlawn staff member made you smile this month? Maybe your childās teacher helped them through some unusual challenges, or an office staff member helped you access resources to help your child? Submit them for FCPS Cares! FCPS chooses one winner per region each month, and each monthās winners go on to compete for a quarterly award, which includes a surprise visit from the Superintendent! All nominations are shared on the FCPS website. Read about last monthās winners and nominate a Westlawn staff member. We are Region 2. If you need the full name of a staff member text Ms. Dushok at 571-355-2321 and she can help!
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
Thank you for reading Mind Matters in 2025! Yesterday students took home a Creative and Critical Thinking Bingo card in Thursday folders. Families are asked to encourage students to complete the card over break and return it to Mrs. Maxwell in January.
Tech Talk
Getting Rid of Old Tech
New year, new tech? Perhaps you upgraded your technology over the holidays, either as the lucky recipient of a generous gift or through taking advantage of great sales as stores and manufacturers sought to earn more before 2025 officially ends. Here are some ideas about what you can do with the old technology to keep it out of the landfill:
-
Donate your old technology to your child: Is your child at the age where you are considering them for a personal cell phone? Your old phone might be perfect for the job! The limited battery life, longer app loading times, and relative paucity of features could work as a great set of ātraining wheelsā for a young phone owner.
-
Donate your old technology to others outside of your family: companies such as Goodwill, Computers with Causes, and Human-I-T take your old technology, do light refurbishing, and make it available to people who need devices at a free or reduced cost.
-
Recycle your old technology: Fairfax County residents are also able to recycle old technology through special sites in the county. These recycling sites are able to reduce waste by dismantling devices to recycle as much as possible, and they are also able to safely dispose of batteries.
No matter how you dispose of your old device, remember to wipe it clean before passing it on. If you have the device manual, look for instructions about returning the device to factory settings. If you arenāt sure what to do for a device, you can also search on YouTube for instructions on āwiping clean a (specific device name).ā
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 Ashley Claros!
Ms. Claros is the Special Education Department chairperson here at Westlawn. Letās learn more about Ms. Claros!
What was your favorite subject in school?
Math
What is your favorite childrenās book?
Charlotteās Web by E.B. White.
If you werenāt in education, what other job would you want?
Iād want to be a law enforcement officer specifically tasked with protecting children.
Who inspired you when you were growing up?
All of my elementary school teachers, my middle school math teachers, my high school math teachers, and my tutor who became my mentor.
What is your favorite memory from elementary school?
Swinging at recess DAILY in 6th grade. That was my zen time.
What is your favorite holiday?
Building Legos with my husband.
If you could instantly learn a new skill, what would it be?
Turning left over food into a delicious meal.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Spider-Gwen, also known as Ghost-Spider, possesses a range of powers similar to Spider-Man, including superhuman strength, agility, and reflexes, as well as the ability to cling to walls. She also has a "spider-sense" that alerts her to danger.
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
Questions or Comments: Contact the Newsletter Editor
To unsubscribe: Go to the Subscriber Preferences Page. Once you enter your email address, you can check the box next to Westlawn News and Announcements and then click "submit" to stop receiving emails from us. Thank you for updating your subscription status!
Connect with Westlawn
Questions or Comments: Contact the Newsletter Editor
To unsubscribe: Go to the Subscriber Preferences Page. Once you enter your email address, you can check the box next to Westlawn News and Announcements and then click "submit" to stop receiving emails from us. Thank you for updating your subscription status!
|
