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Westgate Families,
We hope this finds you having a fantastic fall week.
Fall Fest is TOMORROW, October 22, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. We still need volunteers, cakes, and candy to make the event a success! Sign up to volunteer or donate a cake. Candy can still be sent to school or dropped in the bin outside Door 1.
Wristbands are $15 at the door. Younger siblings are free, and children of PTA members receive a glow bracelet.
Please note that Fall Fest is not a drop-off event. Every child must attend with an adult and this will be enforced at entry. In addition, this is an inside ONLY event. If families chose to leave the event, there will not be re-entry. We appreciate the active monitoring of your student(s) so we can ensure that all students remain safe and supported at Fall Fest.
Thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate and we hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Westgate Elementary
Fairfax County Youth Survey - 6th Grade
Sixth graders will take the Fairfax County Youth Survey the week of November 9th. You can learn more here https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/youth-survey This survey is anonymous and no identifying information is captured. You can opt your child out through the digital consent site found here https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent/directions
If you have any questions, reach out to Kelly VanTassel kavantassel@fcps.edu
Federal Impact Aid Program
The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the parent that registered the student with FCPS (the ‘enrolling parent’) can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting October 28. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
If you choose to use the ParentVUE app, after signing in, click on ‘Online Registration’. From there, find the Impact Aid button on the bottom of the page to continue to the Impact Aid Survey Form. Depending on your phone’s make, model, and settings, these directions may not work. If you are not able to complete the form using the ParentVUE app, please use Google Chrome to complete the survey.
To access the Impact Aid Form from your computer or mobile device, we recommend using Google Chrome.
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Step 1: Log in to Your SIS ParentVUE account or type sisparent.fcps.edu into your Chrome address bar to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter.
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Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.
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Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
New ParentVUE Mobile App Is Here
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Understanding the FCPS Calendar
Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.
Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed.
If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, please report the absence to our school as early as possible. Find out how to report an absence on our homepage or call the front office.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please let us know. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
We greatly appreciate the support we receive from our PTA. All parents are encouraged to volunteer and attend events and meetings sponsored by our PTA. To become a member please sign up here (https://westgatewolves.givebacks.com/shop?category=23680)! Because of our PTA we can purchase books, technology, and supplies for our students; students can go on field trips; and fun events are planned for our families! If you are interested in taking on a leadership role please send an email to: membership@westgatewolvespta.com. The PTA also sends out monthly newsletters via email. We hope you consider joining the PTA!
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Family & Student Handbook
We are excited to share our updated Family & Student Handbook with you. We hope you take a moment to read as it contains important curriculum and operating information for your child. You can access the Family & Student Handbook here (https://westgatees.fcps.edu/resources/family).
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 of days has been reduced from eight to four.
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.
Please view the dates for our school’s early release Wednesdays below:
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.
Download the FCPS App Today!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.
Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for Westgate
Please remember to be mindful of our important safety procedures during arrival and dismissal.
- There are NO left hand turns allowed in, or out of, Kiss & Ride during arrival or dismissal.
- There are NO illegal u-turns allowed in front of the school on Magarity Road. Please enter kiss and ride from the correct side (towards rt. 7) and follow the traffic pattern, as we've witnessed both student and staff safety being compromised too often.
- Please ONLY cross your child at the dedicated cross walk (with police officer). Crossing you children at any other location is not safe.
- There is NO parking on either side of Magarity Rd. right in front of the school. Please do not park in these areas.
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Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 8:20 - 8:50 a.m. and between 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Our number one priority at Westgate remains student safety. Thank you for adhering to these very important safety reminders. Please note that the Fairfax County Police Department will be closely monitoring this situation.
Multilingual Parent Information Line
☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.
Attendance
Parents/legal guardians should submit full-day absences using ParentVUE. You may also report an absence by calling the Attendance Line at 703-610-5757 by 9:00 a.m. when your child is absent from school. The Commonwealth of Virginia mandatory school attendance laws will be strictly enforced, and parents will be held accountable for students who do not attend school regularly.
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