5th Grade Students are invited to join our 5th Grade Westbriar Elementary Chorus, 2026-2027. This is a fun and friendly ensemble where students learn the value of working together and performing with their peers.

We welcome any student who loves to sing! Students can sign up by completing the Fifth-Grade Chorus Registration Google Form. Our first rehearsal is on Thursday, September 24th.

Questions? Send them my way! 😊 Julie Auman jdauman@fcps.edu

Sixth-Grade students are welcome to join Westbriar chorus! Please sign your student up using the link below.

Rehearsals are during the school day with Ms. Chernov on Wednesdays 2:25- 2:55 PM (30 min.) starting on September 23.

More information about rehearsals and performances can be found in the Sixth-Grade Chorus Registration Google Form.

Students must be registered to be enrolled in Sixth-Grade Chorus. Please see mchernov@fcps.edu with questions.

When reporting a student's absence, please be specific about why your student will not be attending school.

You can submit attendance updates through any of the following options:

• Log into ParentVUE: https://sisparent.fcps.edu/

• Call the Attendance Line: 703-937-1717

• Email: WestbriarElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

Need help logging into ParentVUE? Please contact Mrs. McGrady at skmcgrady@fcps.edu for account assistance.

Families are permitted to join their students for lunch on an occasional basis; however, due to the high volume of students served in the cafeteria daily, we must limit these visits.

Requirement: All parent lunches must be prearranged directly with the classroom teacher in advance. Unscheduled visits cannot be accommodated.

Please review the following important updates regarding school transportation and dismissal:

• Bus Concerns & Contacts: Please note that the school office does not have direct contact with buses once they have left the school grounds, and our main office closes at 5:00 PM. If you have immediate questions or concerns regarding bus routes or schedules, please contact the FCPS Transportation Office directly at 703-249-7100.

• 🆕 New for 2026–2027: All bus riders will receive a new FCPS Student ID card that they will tap on and off the bus. We are in the process of issuing the bus student identification cards.

• Kindergarten Bus Riders: A parent, guardian, or designated adult must be present at the bus stop to meet kindergarten students when they exit the bus.

• 🚫 Front Door Pickup Policy: The main entrance and lobby area are reserved exclusively for bus dismissal. Parents will not be permitted to pick up students from the front door or main lobby during dismissal time.

At Westbriar, birthdays are recognized with a special classroom acknowledgment. Please keep the following guidelines in mind if you wish to celebrate your student's birthday at school:

• Food Policy: In keeping with FCPS nutrition and allergy guidelines, families should not send food items or treats to school for birthdays.

• Alternative Celebrations: Students are welcome to bring small, non-food items (such as stickers or pencils) or donate a book to their classroom library.

• Invitations: If you choose to send birthday invitations to school, please ensure that every student in the class receives one. Parents are also asked to send a quick email to the classroom teacher in advance to let them know invitations will be distributed.

Providing an excellent education to all students and meeting individual student needs requires appropriate planning time for teachers. Dedicated blocks of time allow teachers to prepare lessons, participate in professional development, and collaborate with peers. With that in mind, early release Wednesdays for elementary schools will continue in the 2026–2027 school year, though the total number of early release days has been reduced from eight to four.

Westbriar ES will observe four Early Release Wednesdays with dismissal at 1:05 PM:

• September 30, 2026

• November 18, 2026

• January 13, 2027

• April 7, 2027

On these days, we strongly encourage families to follow their child’s regular dismissal plan at 1:05 PM, whether that is bus, walker, or Kiss & Ride, for consistency.

Supervision Option & Childcare Needs
While we encourage standard dismissal, we understand that some families may have unique childcare needs. The option for supervision at school until standard dismissal at 4:05 PM is available for families who cannot make alternate arrangements.Please note the following details regarding remaining at school:

• Students staying until 4:05 PM will be supervised by instructional assistants and may be placed in mixed-age groups.

• Students will engage in supervised, quiet activities such as reading, completing homework, playing board games, or using educational technology.

• No academic instruction will be provided, and staffing will be limited.

Required Parent/Guardian Action
To ensure a safe and smooth dismissal process, families are asked to complete the Early Release Wednesday Dismissal Form for each student enrolled at Westbriar Elementary.

• This form will be used to understand WHEN and HOW your student(s) will travel home.

• The information provided will apply to all four Early Release Wednesdays listed above.

• Note: If you have more than one student enrolled at Westbriar ES, please submit a separate form for each child.

To learn more about Early Release Wednesdays for this school year, please visit Elementary School Limited Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27 School Year.

Staying connected with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) keeps you informed about everything from severe weather closures to your child's daily bus ride. Setting up the primary digital communication tools available to FCPS parents takes only a few minutes.

1. TalkingPoints

TalkingPoints is a two-way messaging platform used by FCPS teachers and administrators to send direct updates in your preferred language.

• Automatic Enrollment: You do not need to register manually. FCPS automatically syncs your phone number from your official Student Information System (SIS) record.

• How You Receive Messages: Updates arrive via standard SMS text messages. Replies translate automatically back to the teacher's language.

• Optional App: Search for TalkingPoints for Parents in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to manage messages in a dedicated app rather than SMS text threads.

• Troubleshooting: If you are not receiving texts, update your contact phone number in your FCPS SIS ParentVUE account.

2. News You Choose

"News You Choose" is FCPS's email notification system for receiving custom newsletters from the district, board members, and your child’s specific school.

• Step 1: Visit the FCPS GovDelivery Subscription Page.

• Step 2: Enter your primary email address and select Submit.

• Step 3: Select your preferences by checking the boxes next to your child's specific school(s), district-wide announcements, emergency alerts, or specific topic channels.

• Step 4: Save your settings. You can modify your subscriptions at any time using the subscription link at the bottom of any received email.

3. Here Comes the Bus

This tracking app allows you to view real-time location data for your child’s school bus and receive notifications when the bus approaches your stop.

• Step 1: Download the Here Comes the Bus app from the App Store or Google Play.

• Step 2: Select Sign Up/Register.

• Step 3: Enter the FCPS School District Code (28982) and confirm the district.

• Step 4: Create your user profile and log in.

• Step 5: Under My Students, click Add and enter your child's last name along with their 7-digit FCPS Student ID number.

4. Official FCPS Mobile App

The official Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app consolidates district news, upcoming calendar events, staff directories, and essential links in one place.

• Step 1: Search for Fairfax County Public Schools in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.

• Step 2: Download and open the free application.

• Step 3: Select your child's specific school within the app settings to filter push notifications, lunch menus, and event calendars directly to your main feed.

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.

A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):

• Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School

• Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School

• Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School

• Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School

• Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School

• Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School

 

Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.

See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.

Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?

Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.

If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Lori Luster, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at LALuster@fcps.edu by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.

For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.

Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.

Other Advanced Academic Services

At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.

At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.

For more information, please contact Lori Luster , Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at LALuster@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.

FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.

The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.

Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.

Cellphones and Personal Devices

Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement.

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

• Review and Sign the SR&R

• Your Child Belongs at School

• What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.