As we enter our third week of school and students begin to settle into routines, we want to remind families to complete these important start-of-year actions:
- Complete your child’s digital consent forms.
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Join the PTA and stay connected to school activities and events.
- Register as an approved volunteerso you are eligible to participate in field trips, classroom activities, and special events.
- Review and update your child’s emergency contact and dismissal information in SIS ParentVUE.
Thank you for taking care of these important items and for partnering with us to support a successful school year!
News and Notes
Blue Star Welcome Breakfast!
To celebrate Blue Star Welcome Week, we welcome all new familes to WSES to join us for a potluck breakfast and coffee on Friday, October 2nd at 8am in the cafeteria. This is a great chance to meet and connect with other families in our school community. Our School Counselor, Military Family Life Counselor, and Family Liaison will be in attendance to provide resources for new families and military families at WSES.
Blue Star Potluck Breakfast and Coffee RSVP
Volunteer With Us!
Now is the time to become an approved FCPS volunteer so you can volunteer as a chaperone, support classrooms and special events, assist in the cafeteria, and more! All volunteers must register with FCPS, complete the volunteer orientation, and sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteer opportunities may also require a background check.
Fall Picture Day
Strawbridge Photography will be here on Monday, September 14, and you may order your pictures now.
Go to https://www.strawbridge.net
- Click “Order Pictures & Yearbooks”
- Enter our school code PX523836
- Click “Find” or order
Parent Equity Committee - LAST CALL!
We are looking to grow our Parent Equity Committee and welcome new parent representatives.
The Parent Equity Committee meets to engage in meaningful conversations about advancing equity and inclusion at West Springfield Elementary. The committee provides feedback, insight, and recommendations to help the school develop strategies and opportunities that promote equitable practices and foster an inclusive school community. Members represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, helping ensure that our work reflects the diversity of our school community while supporting continuous growth and self-reflection. The committee meets bimonthly in the evenings virtually.
If you're interested in continuing to serve on the committee this year, please email Dr. Sheers.
Donations Requested
One way to keep a staff happy is well fed and caffeinated! We would appreciate any candy (preferably chocolate) and K cup donations. Our staff loves a sweet treat and afternoon pick up during the day, thank you!
Parent Handbook
To help you stay informed and connected, we’ve updated our Parent Handbook, which includes important information about school policies, procedures, schedules, and more.
Please take a few moments to review the handbook so you’re familiar with what to expect and how we can best work together to support your child’s success.
Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Caryn Seiler, School Testing Coordinator, at csseiler@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting, led by Caryn Seiler, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services & Full-Time AAP Identification: September 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the cafeteria. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students and the referral and identification process for Full-Time AAP services
For more information, please contact Caryn Seiler, AART, at csseiler@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
SIS ParentVUE
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Dates for Early Release Wednesdays
Early Release Wednesdays will start in late September 2026. Each elementary school will have a total of four early release days throughout the school year. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
Early release Wednesdays for West Springfield ES are:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
School Hours
- 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
- Doors open at 8:45 AM *students should not arrive before 8:45 AM
- Students are expected to be in class by 8:55 AM (after that, they are marked tardy)
Attendance
- Please call the attendance line at 703-912-4444 or use our online form to report absences or tardies
- Daily attendance matters—please aim for on-time arrivals!
Family Resource Center
CPS-Inspire Health Alliance Partnership for School-Required Immunizations for Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, is offering school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for FCPS students ages 18 and under at designated FCPS locations. There are no out-of-pocket costs, participation is voluntary, and additional event dates will be offered throughout the school year.
FCPS Adult and Community Education, Adult ESOL Fall Term
Registration is open for the Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) fall term. Scholarships are available for adults who want to strengthen their English language skills.
Mind in the Making, Offered in Spanish
Families are invited to participate in an eight-week workshop offered in Spanish focused on the Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Participants will learn why these skills are important for children's development and explore research-based, practical ways to strengthen them at home.
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Date: September 8 to October 27, 2026
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Time: This course will take place on eight Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon
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Location: Annandale Community Center, 7861 Heritage Dr b, Annandale, VA
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Registration: Register online
From Rainey Chase, our family liaison.
Save the Date
Looking Ahead to 2026-2027 School Year:
The FCPS 2026-27 School Year calendar is available on the FCPS website.
Friday, September 4 - Monday, September 7 - No School
Monday, September 14 - Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, September 16 - Back to School Night (adult only)
- 5:30 - 6:15 - Kindergarten/First Grade
- 6:00 - 7:15 - Meet our Specialists (Cafeteria)
- 6:15 - 7:00 - Second, Third and Fourth Grade
- 7:00 - 7:45 - Fifth/Sixth Grade
Monday, September 21 - Student Holiday
Wednesday, September 30 - Early Release at 12:30 p.m.
Friday, October 2 - New Family Coffee 8:00 am
Tuesday, October 6 - Multi-Lingual Family Night, 6-8pm
Wednesday, October 7 - Walk & Roll to School Day
Monday, October 12 - Student Holiday
Wednesday, October 21 - Heritage Night, 6-7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30 - End of Quarter, 2-hour early release at 1:25 p.m.
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