A Message from our Administrators
Dear School Community,
Wow, what a weekend! I want to extend a massive, heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out for our Spring Festival and Silent Auction. Between the laughter, the incredible community spirit, and the slightly competitive bidding wars over those gift baskets and certificates for specials activities, events, or lessons, it was an absolute joy to see our school family together. Your generosity and support mean the world to us and directly benefit our wonderful students.
Now, for the news I’m sure your kids have already reminded you about: Memorial Day weekend is officially here! Please note that our students have an extended break and will not return to school until next Thursday, May 28th. We hope this gives everyone ample time to relax, recharge, and sleep in. Please also be aware that the school office will have limited hours on Tuesday, May 26th. If you need to register your student for the upcoming year, we encourage you to call and make an appointment with our school registrar.
When we return, we will have roughly 15 school days left until the official end of the 2025-26 school year. While summer is just around the corner, we aren't crossing the finish line just yet! Our dedicated teachers will keep the learning going right up to the end, though we promise to sprinkle in plenty of fun end-of-year activities along the way.
However you choose to spend these next few days, whether you're firing up the grill, traveling, or happily doing absolutely nothing at all, we hope you have a safe, wonderful, and restful holiday weekend.
See you next Thursday!
Warmly,
Keieownna Hightower, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Assistant Principal
 
 |
|
Mark Your Calendar
May 25-27th--No School
June 3rd--Spring Concert @ WSHS
June 4-5th--Field Day
June 17th--Last Day of School
|
Drive Thru Dinner for Military Families
Every Wednesday in May. May 13, 20 and 27 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Drive thru style - you stay in your car, and we will bring the meal to your car.
Each pickup includes: *a hot, kid-friendly dinner for a family of four (larger family? just let us know when you arrive), *an identical portion pre-packaged to save for another busy night, *an ingredient list.
RSVP here to help us plan but drive ups are always welcome! Also see this week's menu.
Tri-An-Instrument Day!
Dear Families and Community Members,
The West Springfield High School Tri-M Honor Society is excited to invite you and your children to our upcoming Tri-An-Instrument Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9:00–11:00 AM at West Springfield High School (Door 4)!
This fun, hands-on event gives children the opportunity to:
• Try different instruments from band and orchestra
• Explore singing and choir activities
• Learn about the art of music in an engaging and welcoming environment
• Meet student musicians from WSHS
Whether your child is already interested in music or simply curious to explore something new, this is a great chance to discover the joy of making music!
📍 Location: West Springfield High School – Door 4 (Orchestra Room)
📅 Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
We hope to see many families from our community there for a morning of music, creativity, and fun!
Best,
West Springfield High School Tri-M Honor Society
Spirit Day: Friday, May 29th
COLOR WARS!!! Each grade level is assigned a color. The grade level that has the most students participate by wearing their assigned color, wins!
K: GREEN 4th: BLUE
1st: PURPLE 5th: WHITE
2nd: YELLOW 6th: BLACK
3rd: RED
Hunt Valley Spring Concert
-
WHEN?-Wednesday, June 3rd
- Students arrive @ 5:45pm / Concert begins @ 6:15pm
-
WHO?-All 4th - 6th Grade Band, Strings, & Chorus
-
WHERE?-West Springfield High School in the auditorium
- All students, families, & audience enter via Door #5
-
DRESS?-All performing students wear Purple, Blue, Pink, Black, or White top and jeans or dark pants [galaxy/space theme]
NEW Visitor Check-in System - Raptor Safe App Setup
Hunt Valley ES has a NEW Visitor Check-in System. Downloading and registering on the Raptor Safe App is not required, you can still use your driver’s license in the building, but this is faster.
What is Raptor Safe?
Raptor Safe is a free mobile app designed to make school visits and student dismissals both faster and more secure. By using the app, you can create a Raptor Passport, which allows you to check in at the school entrance by simply scanning a QR code. A new QR code is generated each time so no screenshots.
A few notes for registration in the app: no code is needed so skip that step and foreign id's and passports can be used (as long as they are in English).
Setting Up Your Account
Getting started is straightforward. Here is the play-by-play:
-
Download: Search for "Raptor Safe" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
-
Verification: To keep the community safe, the app will ask you to scan your driver’s license and take a live selfie to verify your identity.
-
Privacy: Don't worry about that selfie—it is used only for the initial verification and is not stored in the app.
-
Stored Info: The app only keeps necessary details like your name, date of birth, the photo from your ID, and the last four digits of your license or passport.
Quick Tips for Users
-
No Passwords to Memorize: The app uses your mobile phone number to log you in. You’ll receive a one-time code via text each time you need to access your account.
-
Need Help?: If you run into any technical snags, you can find troubleshooting guides at raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/.
Raptor Safe FAQ Sheet
Summer Camp Information
Summer is closer than you think ! The family resource center has a great Summer Camp Guide to get you started.
Tech Adventure Camp: Current Kindergarten - grade 5 students explore Business/Marketing, Family + Consumer Sciences, Health + Medical Sciences, STEAM, and Trades by rotating through daily classes
Visit the Tech Adventure Camp Web page!
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy: Current grade 6 - 11 students choose their classes and dive deeper into CTE program areas, skills, and career exploration
Visit the CTE Summer Academy Web page!
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA): A dynamic summer enrichment program serving students currently in grades K–5. Students currently in grade 6 are eligible for our secondary program, Institute for the Arts (IFTA).
Our programs offer students daily experiences in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance in a fun, supportive environment designed to nurture creativity and confidence.
Visit the Elementary Institute for the Arts Web page!
Camp Fairfax: Serves rising 1st through 7th graders and is held in public schools and community centers throughout Fairfax County. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. A sliding fee scale is available. Registration opens March 17!
Visit the Camp Fairfax Web page!
 |
|
Spartan Volleyball Camp Registration has opened!
Camp Dates - July 6 - 10th, 2026
Camp Location - West Springfield HS
Camp Sessions - separated by age and skill levels
Camp is open to all female athletes, regardless of what school they attend. We typically have athletes from 10-15 different high schools and feeder schools.
|
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 with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.
Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.
Did Your Student Get a New Phone or Device?
For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office.
Having lunch with your student
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:
-Bring valid ID to check in the office
-Sign up using this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-51771041-lunch#/
-You may bring a homemade lunch, or you may purchase a lunch from the cafeteria for $5.00 (cash only)
-No fast food or treats are allowed in the cafeteria
-No siblings
-No pictures
Please help with clean up when you are done.
Thank you!
|
