🩅 Westlawn Feather Report: Volume 2, Issue 23

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/13/2026 07:00 PM EST

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The Feather Report

Volume 2, Issue 23

Photo of the Week: four students huddle together over an island made of desks and try to combine wires, a battery, and a lightbulb to create a circuit

Will it make a circuit? That was the question tackled by fifth graders as they worked together to use wires, a battery, a lightbulb, and a variety of other items to determine which items could conduct electricity and which ones could not.

Leadership Ledger

Westlawn Families,

What a joyful and busy week it has been at Westlawn! From celebrating our 100th Day of School on Friday to preparing for exciting moments ahead, there is so much to be proud of in our community.

Kindergarten registration for next year is officially underway, and we are already feeling the excitement for our newest little learners! Thank you to the families who have shared our registration website announcement with neighbors and friends—your outreach truly makes a difference. Word of mouth is powerful, and we are grateful for the way you help grow our Westlawn family. If you know a rising kindergartener, please encourage their family to register soon so we can begin planning for another wonderful year.

I also want to thank everyone for your flexibility during our recent snow days. Adjusting schedules is never easy, and your responsiveness—especially during Kiss and Ride arrival—has helped keep our mornings safe, calm, and organized. We are hoping the warmer days ahead will melt the “snowcrete” and help us get back to normal operations very soon! Your patience and teamwork truly make a difference. And speaking of showing our school pride, spirit wear is now available in a variety of sizes and styles to fit every budget. It is always a joy to see our Eagles representing Westlawn with pride!

As we head into the week, I want to wish all of our families a very Happy Valentine’s Day and a Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate. May this season bring joy, connection, and new beginnings for all. Thank you for being such an incredible part of our Westlawn community—we are stronger together!

In partnership,

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

News

Save the [SOL] Dates!

We have the SOL dates ready for you! We appreciate the things that families do to ensure that doctor appointments, vacations, and other planned absences do not happen during these dates.

  • March 24: 5th Grade Writing
  • April 28: 5th Grade Reading
  • May 5: 5th Grade Science and 3rd, 4th, and 6th Grade Reading
  • May 12: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Math (including Algebra 1)
  • May 18-29: Preparation for retakes
  • June 1-3: SOL Retakes

Additionally, please ensure that you have provided electronic permission for your child to take an SOL retake. Students who earn a close-to-moving-up score are eligible to retake the SOL after reviewing with their teacher. In elementary school, we are required to get parent permission to make this opportunity available for each student. If you want your child to review and retake an SOL test if their score falls into the eligible range, please grant permission online through the Parent Consent Portal. Log in with your ParentVUE credentials. If you need access to ParentVUE, contact Ms. Caballero at 703-241-5100.

Congratulations to John Stevens!

We would like to congratulate former Westlawn Eagle (and son of our own Mrs. Stevens) on his graduation from basic training! You can read about Johnny’s journey on our website.

Newsletter Survey Feedback

Thank you to everybody who responded to our newsletter survey! We have already put a few suggestions into place, such as moving the time of the Monday morning newsletter podcast reminder until later in the day, and adding a list of frequently-contacted people and offices to the bottom of the newsletter. We also had a few questions and suggestions we wanted to address.

Why is the Photo of the Week so big?

We use software called GovDelivery to create and send the newsletters. GovDelivery uses modules to organize information--text only, image only, or image with text. The modules “stack” in a vertical column to create the newsletter. We use the image only module for the Photo of the Week, so the module makes it as wide as the newsletter. If you open the newsletter on a laptop or desktop computer, it will make the photo look huge because it scales to fit the screen.

Can we know more dates in advance?

Sure! When there is an event that requires registration, we will try to tell you in advance as much as we can. We will also give you additional advance notice for big school events that you will want to plan around, such as SOL dates and the date for our 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony. We are actively working with our partners at Luther Jackson MS and Falls Church HS to get their relevant events onto our Tandem calendar, too!

Can we hear more about what teachers are doing in classrooms?

This is such a good idea! It is being added to the folder of ideas for Volume 3. This year we are focused on our Soaring Staff Spotlights, but we are always looking for more awesome ideas!

What’s up with the info that comes from FCPS News?

Each week the Office of Communications sends us information and invites us to put it into our own newsletter. We try to select the information that might impact families the most to reprint in The Feather Report, and we keep the link for FCPS News at the bottom of our News section in case families want more information than we reprinted. We know that many families receive the extra news from FCPS directly, but we would rather you get the information twice than not at all.

Is there a newsletter for anything--education or otherwise--that you really like? Forward one of them to Ms. Dushok and tell her what you like about it. She’s always looking for new ideas!

Reminder: WhatsApp with Westlawn?!

¿Sabías que WhatsApp es una de las plataformas mås populares que la gente usa para mantenerse conectada en todo el mundo, especialmente en el Caribe, Latinoamérica y Sudamérica? Estamos lanzando canales de WhatsApp en español como una forma adicional de conectar con las familias. Los canales se enumeran a continuación. Hay uno para cada nivel escolar.

Did you know that WhatsApp is one of the most popular platforms that people use to stay connected around the world, particularly in the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America? We are launching Spanish-language WhatsApp channels as another way to meet families where they are. The channels are listed below. There is one for each grade level.

Reminder: Ramadan and Fasting Students

From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends. Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.

At Westlawn we recognize that students who are fasting may not feel comfortable sitting in the cafeteria at lunch. Like in years past, students who are fasting are welcome to spend their lunch period in the library. While in the library students may read books, work on their laptops, or use quiet library centers, such as board games. Students are also welcome to bring a friend so they are not sitting alone.

Reminder: Families of Rising 7th Graders: Connect to Luther Jackson MS

It’s hard to believe that our sixth graders are officially in the last half of their final year at Westlawn! If your child is transitioning to Luther Jackson MS next year, it’s time to start connecting to Luther Jackson publications so you know what’s happening.

Reminder: February Fun Clothing Wednesdays – Kindness Month

Westlawn Elementary is celebrating Kindness Month with Fun Clothing Wednesdays in February!

  • February 18 – Wear Workout or Comfy Clothes (Caring for Yourself): At home, talk about ways to care for your body and mind, and try going for a walk, getting active, or relaxing together.
  • February 25 – Wear Neon or Rainbow Colors (Words and Actions Matter): At home, talk about how words and actions can make a difference and try writing or saying a thank-you note to brighten someone’s day.

Participation at home is optional but encouraged. Small acts of kindness make a big difference!

FCPS News

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

  • TJHSST is making history
  • Divisionwide spirit day on February 19
  • FCPS excellence on display at the Olympics

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

February 16 - 17: No School for Students

February 17: Theatre Enrichment Day at Falls Church High School - Join the Falls Church High School International Thespian Honor Society for a Theatre Enrichment Day. Open to 3rd–6th graders, students will explore different aspects of theatre while learning how a show goes from page to stage. Pizza lunch included. Cost: $100/student (MySchoolBucks). Space is limited—sign up online! Questions? Email jaguartheaterboosters@gmail.com.

February 18: Fun Clothing Wednesday: Wear Exercise Clothes or Comfy Clothes

February 18: 3-Hour Early Release; students dismiss at 12:30 PM

February 19: Warm Up FCPS Divisionwide Spirit Day - Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.

February 21: VT STEM Discovery Fair - Registration is now open for your child to participate in the STEM Discovery Fair at the Virginia Tech campus in Alexandria. All K-12 students and families are invited to go to learning sessions, visit with VT partners, and have a delicious lunch! The fair takes place on February 21 from 10 AM - 2 PM, and families should register now to guarantee their spot!

February 25: Fun Clothing Wednesday: Rainbow or Neon Colors

February 27: PTA Bingo Night from 6:00-7:30 PM at Westlawn

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

Reminder: LinkedIn “Likes” Requested

We have partnered with TalkingPoints and are sharing the story of how we use their product to stay engaged with families on LinkedIn. If you are on LinkedIn, please check it out! Your engagement with the posts (liking them, reposting them, leaving comments, etc.) will help spread our story even more widely!

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

Big Vocabulary Fun!

Do you ever get excited about a REALLLLY long word?? No? Just us? You’d be surprised how fun it can be to pronounce and chunk the roots of a really big word.

And what better word to try it out on than: friggatriskaidekaphobia

What in the world!?

Help your students break it into parts: Frigga-triskai-deka-phobia, that should help with pronunciation. 

  • Ask: Frigga, sounds like what day of the week? Friday! In fact Frigg is the Norse goddess of Friday!
  • Ask: Does the root “tri” sound familiar? Three! And triskaideka is Greek for 13.
  • Ask: Have you ever heard the word “phobia?” Many have heard it means the fear of something.

Put that all together and it’s the fear of Friday the 13th! There’s a lot of myth about the number 13 and the day Friday both being unlucky. Put them together and you get a fear that apparently 17 million people suffer from. That’s a lot! Mrs. Maxwell is here to tell you that her daughter was born on a Friday the 13th (WITH a full moon!) and she’s pretty awesome so we’ve debunked this fear.

What other big words can you try this with? Send Mrs. Maxwell ones you’ve enjoyed!

Tech Talk

Tech Talk will return with a new column next week! This week we are re-running the November 14, 2025 column about FCPS resources. This extra-long weekend is a great chance for your child to spend a little bit of time practicing their skills using these three online platforms.

FCPS Digital Resources

What can students do with their laptops at home each night? One option is to explore the various FCPS Digital Resources. The FCPS website offers a handy guide of digital resources by grade level, and includes links to access the resource and a brief description of what the resource offers.

Here at Westlawn there are three main resources we use with students:

  1. Lexia: Lexia is a resource designed to help students learn to read by supporting their development with phonics, spelling, and other discrete reading skills. Like video games, Lexia has levels, and students are generally very excited to pass a level and move on to the next one. Lexia also offers a robust database of information for teachers, including resources that can be used with students to practice specific reading skills.
  2. ST Math: ST Math is a puzzle-based game designed to help students practice math concepts. ST Math is unique in that it features almost no text, so it is intentionally designed to be accessible regardless of a student’s ability to read directions. That said, it is also a different way to learn math than many of us may have experienced when we were children! If your child gets stuck on a puzzle and you can’t figure it out either, just reach out to your child’s teacher for support.
  3. Summit K12: Summit K12 is new for us this year, and is a program designed to help students learn English. Only students learning English have access to Summit K12. We are curious to see how Summit K12 will help our multi-lingual learners this year! Families with questions about Summit K12 are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher.

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

Soaring Staff Spotlight: Mr. Hill prepares to eat a bite of food prepared by the second grade chefs in Ms. Roundtree's room

This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is on Christoph Hill!

Mr. Hill is the principal of Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Mr. Hill!

What is your favorite thing about working at Westlawn?

My favorite thing about our community is the love, care, and committment shown by every staff member and every family. I'm thankful for every day at Westlawn, and consider it an honor to lead us into the future!

What was your favorite subject in school?

Social Studies, hands down. I've always been interested in the past, and learning about everything that has taken place that has led us to the present. We can learn so much from the past to ensure a better tomorrow.

What is one talent or skill that you have that most people don’t know about?

Swimming. I've always loved swimming; breast stroke was always my forte!

If you weren’t in education, what other job would you want?

Paleontologist! Always been a dinosaur nut!

Who inspired you when you were growing up?

Definitely my mother. She raised me all by herself, while working full-time. She is a first generation immigrant and made her own way in the U.S. I admire her more and more every day. 

What is your favorite family-friendly video game?

I'm probably dating myself here, but NBA Jam on Super Nintendo. He's heating up!

What song always makes you smile?

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Soul to Squeeze.”  I used to sing it to my oldest daughter in the hospital 🙂

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

  • Contact the main office: 703-241-5100
  • Submit an absence: 703-241-5151 | email the absence box | using ParentVUE
  • Contact Ms. Caballero (student information assistant): email Ms. Caballero | 703-241-5100 | TalkingPoints: Silvia Caballero
  • Contact Ms. Reyes (family liaison): email Ms. Reyes | 703-241-5125 | TalkingPoints: Hilda Reyes
  • Contact Ms. Cortez (social worker): email Ms. Cortez | 703-241-5190 | TalkingPoints: Pamela Cortez

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