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The Feather Report
Volume 2, Issue 32
 Did you get a yummy treat at the bake sale during the special election this week? The sixth grade students running the bake sale are part of a new service-learning initiative we began this year. Through this work, students build stronger connections within their community while pursuing causes they are passionate about. This project also allowed them to begin earning their required service hours: 5 out of 40 total hours needed to graduate with a Service-Learning Honor and wear a cord at their high school graduation. As for Tuesday’s bake sale results? Our students earned $1000 to donate to the animal shelter!
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
As we head into an important stretch of the school year, I want to share two timely updates with our Westlawn community—one exciting and one essential for the weeks ahead!
First, this is the last call to order your yearbook online! Our yearbooks are already more than halfway sold out, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Ordering online is the only way to guarantee your child will have a copy of this year’s memories to treasure. If you haven’t yet placed your order, please visit ybpay.com and use code 15398626. We would love for every student to have this special keepsake in hand at the end of the year!
At the same time, we are heading into the heart of SOL testing, which begins next week. Over the next three Tuesdays, a subset of our students will be participating in these important assessments. Detailed information about testing dates, retakes, and logistics is available on our website, and we encourage families to review it carefully. Specific tests and the affected grade levels are detailed in our calendar below. We are grateful for your partnership in helping students arrive well-rested and ready, and for scheduling appointments around these key dates whenever possible.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and collaboration. Together, we are setting our students up for success and celebrating all they’ve accomplished this year!
In partnership,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
News
Rising 7th Graders: Go to Luther Jackson’s Boot Camp This Summer
Luther Jackson Middle School is hosting a “How to Survive Middle School” program for rising 7th graders on July 27–28, 2026, from 9 AM–1 PM. Students will participate in fun activities, learn about life at LJMS, and get to know the school before the year begins. Transportation is available from elementary schools, and the $40 registration fee includes bussing, a t-shirt, and lunch. Register now or contact Mr. Ertekin with questions.
Make Someone’s Day with an FCPS Cares Award!
April brings heightened emotions for staff and students as end-of-year testing, summer plans, and decisions about classes for next year introduce changes and new pathways into the community. Did a Westlawn staff member help guide you (or your child) through some April hills and dips? Submit them for the FCPS Cares to thank them for going above-and-beyond!
FCPS chooses one winner per region each month, and each month’s 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 month’s 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!
Reminder: Fun Clothing Wednesdays in April
April is Autism Acceptance Month and Month of the Military Child. On Fridays in April, staff and students are encouraged to wear RED to “Remember Everyone Deployed.” On Wednesdays we will continue with our Fun Clothing Wednesday themes, this time all about autism!
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April 29, 2026 – Spectrum of Colors and Words 🌈 💬 Wear your favorite color to celebrate bright minds and different perspectives, or choose clothing with words or messages to remind us that all forms of communication matter.
Summer Camp Time
It’s time to register for summer camps! We will keep track of all summer camp-related information in one place on our website. Recently added:
We will keep re-running this News item, and will replace the listed camps with any new camps that we add to the announcement on our site over the course of the week.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Student Awards and Recognitions
- Military Child of the Year Finalist
- Required Immunizations Reminder
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
April 24-26: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead at FCHS. Buy tickets.
April 28: SOL - 5th Grade Reading
April 29: Fun Clothing Wednesday: favorite color or positive words
April 30 - May 2: Buy tickets for The Wizard of Oz at Luther Jackson MS.
May 5: SOL - 5th Grade Science and 3rd, 4th, and 6th Grade Reading
May 6: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day
May 6: in-person PTA Meeting from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
May 7: Westlawn Talent Show from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
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
Earth Week
As a proud Virginia Naturally recognized school, this week Westlawn is celebrating Earth Week!
On Thursday we dedicated our bench we received after collecting 1,000 pounds of soft plastics to recycle! A huge thank you goes out to our community for donating the plastic to make it possible, especially the staff at the FCPS HR department who donated over half of the plastic needed! Also, thanks to the Boy Scouts who put the bench together for us and Mr. Maxwell for installing it outside. The bench has been living inside for a few months and now it proudly stands near our flagpole, be sure to check it out (Instagram or Facebook)!
Here’s some ideas to help you find more ways to celebrate at home.
Above all else, we are encouraging students to put down the screens and get outside and enjoy the spring weather!
Soaring Staff Spotlight
This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is on Blanca Heredia!
Ms. Blanca is the cafeteria manager at Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Ms. Blanca!
What is your favorite thing about working at Westlawn?
Feeding the children
What is one talent or skill you have that most people don’t know about?
I am a good singer
If you weren’t in education, which job would you want?
Medical assistant
What is your favorite snack?
Popcorn
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
Japan
If you could only eat one food for a week, what would it be?
Soup with rice
What is one thing that always makes your day better?
Seeing my grandchildren
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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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
Westlawn website | Westlawn Instagram | Westlawn Facebook | TalkingPoints
View The Feather Report archives | Questions or Comments: Contact the Newsletter Editor
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