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The Feather Report
Volume 2, Issue 37
 Good news, Westlawn community! All students will receive free breakfast and lunch next school year!
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
With the three-day holiday now behind us, we are ready to jump into the final stretch of the school year! I hope everyone had a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy some special time with family and friends. As we move into these last few weeks, please be sure to take a look at our events section, where we have listed all of the important dates to help make planning a little easier for your family.
We are also excited to share that Westlawn will once again have universal free breakfast and lunch for all students next year! While meals will be free for every student, we still need families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals to complete the paperwork. This is important because it helps us maintain our Title I status and also opens the door for additional opportunities, including free or reduced-price FCPS camps and other supports for children.
Finally, summer is a wonderful time to reset some of our family routines and parenting structures. I encourage you to take a moment to check out Mind Matters, where Mrs. Maxwell talks about the value of allowing children to be bored, and Tech Talk, which shares a few small steps families can take to begin setting screen limits. It is never too early to start planning for a strong summer routine, and I hope you are ready to spring into action on June 18, the first official day of summer for Westlawn students!
Thank you, as always, for your support.
In partnership,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
News
Free Meals Again in 2026-2027
Great news! Westlawn will provide free breakfast and lunch for all students again in 2026-2027!
Even though families do not need to apply for free breakfast and lunch, we encourage all families who qualify to fill out the paperwork for free and reduced meals in order to take advantage of other benefits, such as free or discounted FCPS summer camps and other forms of care. Fill out the application for 2026-2027. You can change the language of the application by clicking on the Language link at the top right of the screen.
Our school maintains its Title I status in part because of families who fill out the free and reduced meals paperwork. The large number of qualifying families ensures that we can keep offering universal free meals and receive Title I funds to help make each child’s experience at Westlawn even more meaningful. If you need help to fill out the paperwork, please contact Ms. Cortez or Ms. Reyes. Their contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Field Days Are Coming!
Lower grades field day (K-3) is on June 10, and upper grades field day (4-6) is on June 12. On field day, please send your child to school:
- In sneakers that are safe for physical activity
- In clothing that can get wet or sweaty
- With a water bottle
- Wearing a hat and/or carrying sunscreen
Please note that staff cannot apply sunscreen on children. Students must be able to apply their own sunscreen, or families must apply it before school. Lower grades field day will take place in the morning, from 9 AM - 12:00 PM. Upper grades field day will take place in the afternoon.
Summer Book Club for 2nd and 3rd Grade Students and Families
This summer we are offering a book club for current 2nd and 3rd grade students and their families! Families will read The World According to Humphrey by Betty Birney from the end of the school year through the end of July. Ms. Heyer will share at-home activities and thinking prompts through TalkingPoints. At the end of the book club, there will be a celebration for all the readers. Space may be limited. If your child and family want to participate, please fill out the book club interest form.
Reminder: 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:
- School Board Adopts Budget
- Celebrating our Graduates
- Register for Summer Online Campus
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 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.
June 8: The Kindergarten Ceremonies for Ms. Juarez and Ms. Perkins will take place from 12:30-1:30 PM. Ceremonies will be help in the teacher’s classroom.
June 9: The Kindergarten Ceremonies for Mrs. Gaither, Mrs. Phuong, and Ms. Rubinger will take place from 12:30-1:30 PM. Ceremonies will be help in the teacher’s classroom.
June 9: The Spring Band and Strings Concert will take place at 6:30 PM in the Westlawn gymnasium.
June 10: Fun Clothing Wednesday: sunglasses and sun hats
June 10: Lower Grades (K-3) Field Day
June 11: Sports Night will take place outside at Westlawn from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM.
June 12: Upper Grades (4-6) Field Day
June 16: The 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place in the Westlawn gymnasium from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM.
June 17: The last day of school! Wear Westlawn clothing or Westlawn colors (red and blue). School will be dismissed at 1:30 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
The Importance of Being Bored
As we near the end of the school year, our students are about to have a lot more free time on their hands! In an era dominated by screens and instant gratification, today’s children are accustomed to constant stimulation. While it is natural for us as parents to want to keep our kids busy and engaged, hyper-scheduling their days can actually do them a disservice. Over-stimulation can shorten attention spans and hinder independent problem-solving.
Recent research shows that when the brain is "bored," a system called the Default Mode Network activates. This network is responsible for daydreaming, memory consolidation, and deep creative thinking. When we instantly hand kids a screen to cure their boredom, we accidentally turn this creative network off.
When we allow our children to experience true boredom—rather than filling every single moment—they will almost certainly complain at first! However, sitting with that slight discomfort builds emotional resilience and self-regulation. Given the time and space, you will soon find them inventing new backyard games, diving into art, making new social connections, and building vital independence. This summer, let's give our kids the space to discover their own inner resources!
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Change Your Response: When kids complain they are bored, try reframing it with excitement: "Wonderful! I can't wait to see what your brain invents today."
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Create a "Boredom Menu": Before summer starts, sit down with your child to write a list of open-ended activities (Legos, drawing, building a fort, playing outside) and tape it to the fridge for easy reference.
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Expect a 15-Minute Whine Zone: Psychologists note that it usually takes about 15 minutes of discomfort before a child pivots from complaining about boredom to actually playing creatively. Hold the line—the creativity is coming!
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: Modeling Healthy Tech Habits
Children learn a lot by watching the adults around them. Our own technology habits send strong messages, even when we do not realize it.
Small actions can make a difference. Putting devices away during conversations, taking breaks from screens, and being present during family time all show children what healthy use looks like.
It is not about being perfect. Everyone uses technology in different ways, and change takes time. Even small shifts can have a positive impact.
When families work together to build healthy habits, children learn that technology is a tool they can use in ways that support their well-being.
Try this at home: Choose one time of day to put your device away and give your full attention to your child or family.
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 Claudia Granados!
Ms. Granados is a fifth grade teacher at Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Ms. Granados!
What was your favorite subject in school?
Math
If you weren’t in education, what other job would you want?
Immigration lawyer
What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving
What is your favorite season of the year?
Fall
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
Turks and Caicos
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird
Sweet or salty snacks?
Sweet
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This week the Soaring Staff Spotlight is also on Griffin Graves!
Mr. Graves is a sixth grade teacher at Westlawn. Let’s learn more about Mr. Graves!
What is your favorite thing about working at Westlawn?
The Westlawn community really makes you feel like your family.
What was your favorite subject in school?
History! I always loved seeing how events from the past connected to our world today.
What is one talent or skill you have that most people don’t know about?
I play guitar and I play in a band. We mostly play pop punk covers. I don't think we’re very good but it's a lot of fun!
If you weren’t in education, what other job would you want?
Before being a teacher I was a tennis coach (and I still do it part time). So I would probably still be doing that! Just a different type of education I guess lol.
What is your favorite memory from elementary school?
Hard to pick just one, but I really enjoyed 4th grade. My teacher Mrs. Lieb was the best and she always made me feel like I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to.
What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving! Family, eating lots of food and falling asleep watching football. Three of my favorite things!
What is your favorite family-friendly video game?
Super Smash Bros or Mario Kart. I'll take you on any time :)
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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
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