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The Feather Report

Volume 2, Issue 36

The last day for library checkout this year is May 28, and all materials are due back by May 3!

Leadership Ledger

Westlawn Families,

As we head into the extended Memorial Day weekend, I want to take a moment to wish all of our Westlawn families a safe and restful break! Students will not be in school from Monday, May 25 through Wednesday, May 27, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the building on Thursday, May 28. I hope this time offers a chance to pause, enjoy your loved ones, and recharge for the busy and exciting weeks ahead.

As the end of the school year approaches, we know that this season can bring extra challenges for some families, especially when it comes to food, childcare, clothing, or other summer resources. Please remember that we are here to help. If your family could use support, do not hesitate to reach out to our family liaison, Hilda Reyes, or our social worker, Pamela Cortez. Their contact information is listed at the bottom of this newsletter, and we are always grateful for the opportunity to partner with you.

The final month of school is also filled with wonderful celebrations, and the calendar can get a little wild this time of year! We encourage you to check our website calendar often for upcoming events, and we will continue sending out The Feather Report each Friday through the end of the school year, including the last issue for this year on June 19. Thank you, as always, for your support, your communication, and the strong sense of community you bring to Westlawn every day!

In partnership,

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

News

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:

• Summer Break STEM Camp

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 Cares

Are you going to miss your child’s teacher next year? Consider submitting them for an FCPS Cares Award! Not only will they receive a joy-filled email with your submission, they will also be entered to receive greater recognition from the FCPS central office.

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! 

FCPS News

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

• Graduation and Summer Resources
• Check Your Lunch Balance
• Mental Health Support

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

May 25-27: No school for students

May 28: Last day for library checkout!

May 31: Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Arts Integration Night: Students and families are invited to see Westlawn artwork and listen to a matinee performance by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. Art teachers will share information with families via TalkingPoints about reserving free tickets for the performance that afternoon.

June 3: Fun Clothing Wednesday: exercise clothes and sneakers

June 3: All materials are due back to the Westlawn library

June 3: The spring musical: JOUST! Will be performed at Westlawn at 6:00 PM. The entire community is welcome!

June 4: Volunteer breakfast from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM. If you volunteered at Westlawn this year, help us celebrate you! RSVP for the Volunteer Breakfast.

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

Spring Screening Completed

This week we wrapped up our Spring school-based AAP services screening. Our committee screens every student at Westlawn through a variety of methods. Whew! If your student was found eligible for AAP services you will get a letter home by June 4, please check backpacks. These must be signed and returned if you accept services for the 2026-2027 school year.

As always, our AART Gretchen Maxwell can answer all questions relating to Advanced Academics! Feel free to send her a Talking Points.

Tech Talk

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

You may be thinking: technology and mental health do not always go well together. In some ways, that is true. We are learning more about how tools like social media are designed to keep our attention for long periods of time.

At the same time, technology is part of our everyday lives, and it is not going away. As parents and caregivers, our goal is not to remove technology completely, but to help children learn how to use it in healthy and balanced ways.

During the month of May, we will explore simple, practical ways to use technology to support our well-being, while also setting healthy limits so it does not take over our time and attention.

Tech Talk: Social Media and Big Feelings

Many children are curious about social media, even at a young age. These platforms can be fun, but they can also bring up strong feelings.

Children may compare themselves to what they see online or feel left out when they see others’ experiences. It is important to remind children that what they see online is often a small part of a person’s life, not the full picture.

Open conversations can help children make sense of what they see and feel. Letting children know they can talk about their experiences without getting in trouble builds trust.

Starting these conversations early can help children develop healthy habits as they grow.

Try this at home: Ask your child, “Have you ever seen something online that made you feel upset or left out?” and listen without judgment.

At Westlawn, we are here to support you and your family. If you have questions about your child’s well-being or would like mental health resources, please reach out to our Wellness Team. If you would like to talk about technology or healthy tech habits, Ms. Dushok is happy to help.

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 it’s a double feature!

This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is on Jamie Soutos! Ms. Soutos is a strings teacher at Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Ms. Soutos! What is your favorite thing about working at Westlawn? Out of the four schools that I work at, Westlawn staff has been the nicest to me as a new staff member to the school.  What is your favorite children’s book? Brown Bear Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle. If you weren’t in education, what other job would you want? Cardiothoracic surgeon, I love to help people.  What is your favorite memory from elementary school? I liked field day!  What is your favorite restaurant in our area? Balos Estiatorio What song always makes you smile? If I Lose Myself Tonight by OneRepublic!  What is one thing that always makes your day better? When someone tries to make me smile!

This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is also on Toni Oppermann! Miss O is a kindergarten instructional assistant at Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Miss O! What is your favorite thing about working at Westlawn? Family generations are here.   What was your favorite subject in school? Math What is your favorite children’s book? Pete the Cat by James Dean  If you weren’t in education, what other job would you want? Sports reporter What is your favorite movie or TV show? The Wizard of Oz If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go? Poland What song always makes you smile? Happy Birthday  What is one thing that always makes your day better? When I hear others LAUGHING

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

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