 Our 'nacho-average' staff saving the day, one student at a time! Just one snapshot from our superhero-themed appreciation week! Thank you to our Mustang families and PTA for spreading your love and appreciation to our staff.
Our upcoming SOL testing window is approaching, and we want to ensure all students feel confident and prepared. A few simple steps at home can make a meaningful difference in your child’s performance:
- Please help your child get a good night’s sleep.
- Eat a healthy breakfast.
- Send in health snacks.
- Arrive to school on time.
- Encouraging a calm, positive mindset and reminding them to do their best can also go a long way!
We appreciate your support in helping your child feel ready and focused during testing. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
School-Wide Picnic - Lunch Order Forms Due
On May 29, we will hold our school-wide picnic. Please review the action items below:
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Pack a lunch: Send your student with a but-free lunch from home.
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Order a cafeteria lunch (optional): Use the form sent home in last week’s Thursday Folder.
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Return forms: Submit completed cafeteria lunch order form by Monday.
Growing Green: Students in 4-6 Are Building a Native Rain Garden
We’re excited to announce a hands-on environmental project for our 4th–6th grade students! Next Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15, students will partner with Fairfax County ecologists to design and install a native rain garden adjacent to our playground.
Why a Native Plant Garden?
This initiative goes beyond a typical gardening activity. It serves as a living classroom where students will explore how native plants play a critical role in managing stormwater runoff, reducing erosion, and filtering pollutants before they enter our local waterways. It’s a meaningful way to connect science learning with real-world environmental stewardship.
Important Logistics
To ensure a safe and productive experience, please help your student come prepared:
WSES Annual Award Nominations Are Open
It is that time of the year that we request nominations for our WSES Awards. Please take a moment to nominate a staff or community member! Please use this form to nominate staff, students or community members for one of our four end of the year awards.
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Extra Mile: You Go the Extra Mile for Children. Your daily walk alongside children has taught them how to walk, and by your example…where to walk. Your footprints will be the stepping stones to their future.
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Footprint: Some people come into our lives and quickly go…But others stay a while, and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.
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Starfish Award: Every day, an old man walked the beach with a pail, picking up starfish that had been washed in by the tide, and throwing them back into the sea. One day a young boy stopped the old man and asked, "Why do you throw the starfish back? It doesn't matter. They will only wash up on the shore again tomorrow." The old man picked a starfish out of his pail, threw it as far as he could into the sea, and replied…"It mattered to that one."
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Inclusive Educator Excellence Award: This award honors a Mustang who actively promotes diversity and inclusion, creates a welcoming and supportive environment where every student feels valued and able to succeed, employs innovative and effective teaching methods that engage all students, demonstrates leadership in advocating for inclusive practices, and commits to ongoing professional development to enhance their understanding and implementation of inclusive teaching strategies.
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
Wednesday, May 13
Early Release at 12:25 p.m. |
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Wednesday, May 13
House Color Spirit Day & Whole School Photo
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Adults on Campus During PM Dismissal
To help us maintain a safe and orderly environment, families are reminded not to enter school property before 3:20 p.m. Students are still in session at that time, and many classes are using outdoor spaces for recess and instruction.
We have noticed an increase in adults gathering behind the building prior to dismissal. For student safety and supervision, this area must remain clear until dismissal procedures begin.
We appreciate your cooperation in waiting until 3:20 p.m. to arrive on campus and for helping us keep all students safe.
Rising 5th and 6th Grade Safety Patrol Application
If your student is a rising 5th or 6th grader and interested in one of the 35 available patrol positions, please complete the Google Form to indicate their interest. After applications are received, Mr. Aleman will gather teacher recommendations to support the selection process. These recommendations typically reflect qualities important for Safety Patrol, such as responsibility, punctuality, attendance, behavior, leadership, and the ability to follow directions.
Students who apply but are not initially selected will be placed on a waiting list based on areas of need, such as walker or bus duties. If openings become available, families and students on the waiting list will be notified promptly.
Safety Patrol members are expected to arrive at school by 8:35 AM and be at their assigned post by 8:40 AM and remain through dismissal at 3:40 PM. If a student needs to leave early, they should notify a patrol captain or Mr. Aleman in advance so coverage can be arranged. Frequent absences, tardiness or missed duties may result in warnings, suspension, or removal from the program.
For questions or additional information, please contact Mr. Aleman.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders
All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12 or as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and healthcare providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results Now Available
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, we will share copies with you directly.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
Visiting our school anytime soon?
Avoid frustration and pre-register!
Raptor Safe is our new visitor management system. This will be the standard way to sign in at all FCPS schools.
The new system allows you to pre-register via the Raptor Safe app, saving you valuable time when checking in for school visits or events! We strongly encourage all family members to download the app and complete their registration today, it will only take a couple of minutes to complete the process!
Registration Options:
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Via the App: Search "Raptor Safe" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also visit raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/ for direct links.
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In Person: If you are unable to register ahead of time, you can still complete the process at the school kiosk. Please ensure you have a valid photo ID with you to check in
Volunteer with Us!
The new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities at our school or across the school district.
Volunteer FCPS is how FCPS provides a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. Anyone interested in volunteering with FCPS must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk on EVERY visit – no exceptions.
Get Ready for Field Day! (Volunteers Needed)
📅 The Game Plan - Friday, May 29
We have broken the day into shifts so you can volunteer for your child's specific session or stay for the whole day:
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Morning Shift (Grades 3rd – 6th): 9:10 AM – 11:10 AM
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School-wide Picnic: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
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Afternoon Shift (Grades K – 2nd): 12:30 PM – 2:10 PM
Kindergarten Registration
It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and begin the registration process!
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SOL Testing and Parent Permission to Retest
 Students in grades 3-8 participate in state assessments each year. These Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments measure how students are learning grade level standards. See the table below for the primary dates for Spring 2026 SOL testing at WSES.
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Grade Level
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Reading SOL
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Math SOL
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Science SOL
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Integrated Reading & Writing SOL
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3
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May 12
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May 14
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none
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none
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4
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May 12
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May 14
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none
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none
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5
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May 12
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May 14
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May 19
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March 24 (no retesting)
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6
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May 12
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May 14
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none
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none
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If you have questions about state assessments or about SOL retesting, contact your student’s teacher or James Koontz, School Testing Coordinator, at jhkoontz@fcps.edu.
Fairfax County Summer Camps & Programs (FCPS Breaks)Fairfax County offers a variety of engaging, healthy, and affordable programs for students during school breaks. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, STEM, service projects, field trips, and more. Free meals and snacks are provided. Click links for more information
Fairfax County Park Authority- SNAP at Farmers Markets (April–November, varies by location)
Families can use SNAP/EBT benefits at select county farmers markets and receive up to $40 in free fruits and vegetables, with tokens that can be used like cash at participating markets; for information, locations, and directions visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/snap or call 571-340-3322; to apply for SNAP call 1-833-522-5582
If you have any additional questions please email rachase@fcps.edu
Save the Date
Tuesday, May 12 - SOLs
Wednesday, May 13 - House Color Spirit Day
Three Hour Early Release at 12:25 pm
Thursday, May 14 - SOLs
Monday, May 25 - Wednesday, May 27 - No School
Friday, May 29 - Field Day and School-Wide Picnic
Friday, June 12 - Inflatable Costume Race and Human Sundaes of Dr. Sheers and Mr. Potten ~10:00 AM
Monday, June 15 - 6th Grade Promotion at 10:00 am
Wednesday, June 17 - Early Dismissal at 1:25 p.m./Last Day of School
Monday, August 24 - First Day of the 2026-2027 School Year!
❓Questions?
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