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The Feather Report
August 14, 2026
Photo of the Week
 Families gathered at the Thomas Jefferson Library earlier this month to celebrate our first Summer Family Book Club! Students and adults played Humphrey bingo, shared their thoughts about the book, and ate ice pops! Read more about it in the News section below.
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
The start of a new school year is right around the corner, and we are so excited to welcome our students and families back to Westlawn! One of my favorite parts of this time of year is seeing our building come back to life as students reconnect with friends, meet their teachers, and get excited about the year ahead.
Please join us for Welcome to Westlawn on Friday, August 21 from 10:00 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. This year, we are excited to hold the event inside the building, giving students the opportunity to meet their teachers, visit their new classrooms, drop off school supplies, and help families complete any back-to-school forms. We hope this makes the first day feel a little more familiar and comfortable for everyone! Kindergarten families will also be able to walk their children into the cafeteria on the first day of school. From there, our wonderful Westlawn staff will be ready to help students make their way to their classrooms and begin their big first day.
Finally, families can expect to hear directly from their child’s teacher next week through TalkingPoints. If you have the TalkingPoints app, messages will appear there; if you have not downloaded the app, you will still receive the message as a text. We are grateful for your partnership as we prepare for another fantastic year together. We can’t wait to see our students and families and kick off another wonderful year at Westlawn.
In partnership,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
News
Westlawn Families Read Together This Summer!
This summer, 31 Westlawn families—approximately 81 readers—joined our first Family Summer Book Club! Students who had just completed second and third grade and their families were invited to read The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney.
Over six weeks, families followed Humphrey’s adventures while completing weekly activities that brought the story to life. They searched for nocturnal animals, learned new tricks, played games together, designed the perfect hamster cage, built obstacle courses, and more! Families could also extend their adventures into the community with visits and activities at the Thomas Jefferson Library and local nature centers.
The summer concluded with a Book BINGO celebration at the Thomas Jefferson Library, where students, siblings, parents, and grandparents gathered for some end-of-summer fun.
Altogether, approximately 81 children and family members from 31 families participated in the book club, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Families told us they would love to do it again!
A special thank you to Immanuel Presbyterian Church for their generous support, which helped provide books for participating families and made this summer reading experience possible.
Thank you to everyone who spent part of their summer reading, exploring, playing, and learning together. We loved seeing one book become an adventure the whole family could share! 📖🐹☀️
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at 703-241-5100 or via email if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere!
☑️ Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
Free vaccine clinics for students are offered through Fairfax County Public Health Center locations. The Annandale location (7611 Little River Turnpike #400-E) is the closest one to us. They have free clinics on August 15 from 8 am - 12:00 pm, August 18 from 10 am - 6 pm, and August 21 from 8 am - 4 pm. You can make an appointment by calling 703-246-7100.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Breakfast and lunch is provided free for all students at Westlawn again in 2026-2027. Families need to provide their children with money if they want their children to be able to purchase a la carte items in the cafeteria, such as popcorn or cookies. Qualifying families are encouraged to apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits. The benefits include free and reduced-price summer camps and other opportunities for students. Access the Westlawn school meal calendar on our website!
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
New Student ID Cards Coming for Bus Riders This Fall
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families
Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
Building a Brighter Future, Together: FCPS Family Academy
The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child’s school journey.
We know that parents and caregivers are critically important in their child’s education. The Family Academy lists classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources available to help every family ensure their child has what they need to succeed.
Visit the Family Academy webpage. Check out its catalog for upcoming classes, workshops, and webinars to help families learn about FCPS, parenting, early literacy, and how to partner with schools.
Reminder: Supply Lists
Our updated grade-level supply lists are now available on our website. There will be opportunities to drop off supplies during our Welcome to Westlawn event on August 21 so that your child does not need to carry them all by themself into class on the first day of school. While you are in the spirit of getting ready for next year, remember that our Westlawn clothing store will be open all summer online!
Reminder: Free Breakfast and Lunch for Students and Families This Summer
New this summer: both students and adults can eat breakfast and lunch for free at certain elementary schools. The two closest elementary schools to Westlawn that offer meals are Braddock Elementary School (about 17 minutes away) and Glen Forest Elementary School (about 20 minutes away). Learn more about free meals this summer.
Reminder: Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Westlawn’s early release Wednesdays:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New Student Device Requirements
- Math Textbooks
- Football Game Safety Measures
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
A Note From Our Partner: The English Empowerment Center
The English Empowerment Center will have a table at Welcome to Westlawn on August 21, but registration for their upcoming semester takes place on Tuesday, August 18, from 6:30-8:30 PM at the James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road). Here is more about the classes: Our English classes for adults are designed for learners ranging from very-beginning through intermediate levels. Classes focus on building the practical language skills students need for everyday life, work, and connecting with their community. They're also a wonderful way for parents to gain confidence communicating with their children's teachers, helping with schoolwork, and navigating life in the U.S. Our classes are intentionally kept affordable to make them accessible to as many learners as possible. The tuition is $85 for a 12-week semester, with scholarships available, so cost doesn't have to be a barrier. We have morning classes and evening classes, plus tutoring and other supplemental services.
Dates and Events
August 21: Welcome to Westlawn from 10-11:30 AM. All Westlawn families are invited to meet the teachers, drop off school supplies, and catch up with friends you have not seen in awhile!
August 24: The First Day of School! Doors open at 8:30 AM. Dismissal is at 3:30.
August 26: PreK Orientation for families with children entering PreK this year. Families are encouraged to arrive at 9:15 to find parking. Orientation starts at 9:30 AM.
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
Be Prepared to Volunteer in 2026-2027!
FCPS now requires many volunteers to pass a background check. If you want to volunteer in 2026-2027, we recommend that you start the application process now. Then you can complete the background check over the summer and be ready to volunteer when school starts back up in August. Apply now to become an FCPS volunteer.
Westlawn Mentor Program: Supplies are Needed
Unfortunately we have lost the funding for our student mentoring program for next year. We will still have a program, and we need your help to make it as special and successful as possible. If your budget allows, the Wellness Team has compiled an Amazon wish list of items they want to use with students in the mentoring program next year. We are grateful for any support you can provide directly, or through sharing this wish list with friends and family members.
Westlawn Diaper and Wipe Drive
Our amazing PAC team has started a diaper and wipe drive to ensure our students have the supplies they need for successful toilet training! Learn more about the diaper and wipe drive and how to donate.
Tech Talk
New Tech Information for 2026-2027
You may have seen the news that FCPS is adopting a new approach to technology this school year. Like you, we are waiting for decisions to be made by the newly-formed committee that is responsible for considering issues such as the use of devices in the classroom and student access to AI.
At the moment of this writing, currently prekindergarten and kindergarten students will not be using devices during the school day unless they have a documented need in an IEP, 504 Plan, or MTSS recommendation (for multilingual learners). If you have a kindergarten child who needs device access and it is not yet written into their plan, we will be contacting you to make an adjustment so that the paperwork is in line with the division requirement.
Students at other grade levels will be using devices, just as we have been doing for years. The programs they will have access to have not changed: we will still use Lexia for language arts support and ST Math for math support. Students will also continue to have access to creative software like Canva and Wixie, to our learning management system Schoology, and to other programs, apps, etc. that may differ by grade level or student needs. The only change happening is that kindergarten through second grade students will no longer have access to their email through their FCPS account. Email account access will now begin in third grade.
At Westlawn we believe that devices are tools that should be used when they support learning. We also believe that students deserve access to devices and appropriate instruction to ensure that they are building the skills and attitudes with respect to devices that they will need in the future. Throughout the course of this year, all students will participate in formal lessons about digital citizenship, digital literacy, and other important topics.
As parents, you will have the choice this year about whether or not you want your child to take their device home with them. You can mark your choice via the digital consent portal. We understand that the toggle for this choice is really confusing, and sometimes families accidentally say they do not want a device to go home. Unfortunately we cannot change the system because we did not program it, but we can change your response within it. If you are concerned, please send Ms. Dushok a TalkingPoints message or an email and tell her what specific choice you want to make for your child, and she can manually enter it on your behalf. Some families have already done this, and Ms. Dushok has ensured that their wishes are reflected in the database.
Study Help and Support Available to Students in Schoology
A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners.
Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information.
Lightspeed Parent Portal Update
Last year the Lightspeed Parent Portal allowed parents to turn off the internet to FCPS student devices outside of school hours. This year, in addition to that feature, parents and guardians can also create lists of allowed or blocked websites. Like with the internet on/off feature, the parent-created lists will only work during non-school hours.
Families should receive automatic emails from Lightspeed each week with information about each child’s internet use (Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report). Inside of those emails are links to the parent portal. If you are not receiving the emails, please contact Mr. Dinkins or Ms. Dushok.
Home Internet Support for FCPS Students | Cox Access Partnership Program
Fairfax County Public Schools partners with Cox Communications through the Cox Access Partnership Program (CAPP) to help eligible K-12 families receive full reimbursement for home internet service.
How Families Qualify Eligible families must:
- Enroll in the Cox Connect2Compete (C2C) internet plan at $9.95 per month. (Higher-tier Cox internet plans are not eligible for reimbursement.)
- Obtain a PDF confirmation of enrollment from Cox.
Once a family has enrolled, FCPS staff members can submit a reimbursement notification. Please share the PDF confirmation of enrollment with our social worker, Pamela Cortez, so she can help you get reimbursed.
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).
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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