Heritage Night is almost here - our biggest school celebration of the year! This special evening is a chance for our community to come together, honor our diverse traditions, and learn from one another.
Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
How to Participate:
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Food Sign-Up
Share a taste of your heritage! Bring sample-size portions of a favorite dish that reflects your family’s cultural background. Sign Up Here
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Display Sign-Up
Create a display to share your culture, traditions, and story. Posters, trifolds, photos, artifacts, and other creative ideas are welcome. Sign Up here.
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Student/Family Showcase
Perform or present something meaningful to you, your family, or your culture. All are welcome to showcase until the sign up is full! Students can sign up on the poster near the front office.
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Volunteer to Help
Former Student Mustangs, this is your chance to give back and earn service hours by helping make the night a success! Sign Up Here
News and Notes
Outstanding Mustang Employee Nominations
It’s time to recognize the incredible staff members who make West Springfield ES such a special place! 🐴💙
Nominations are now open for the 2026–2027 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards. Mustang staff and families are invited to nominate a deserving West Springfield employee who goes above and beyond for our students, staff, and school community.
🏆 AWARD CATEGORIES
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Principal
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️ NOMINATION DEADLINE Friday, October 23, 2026
📝 HOW TO NOMINATE Complete the nomination form linked here.
Questions? please contact Jessica Knotts
Thank you for helping us celebrate our amazing Mustang staff! 🐴
 📚 Book Character Parade – DATE CHANGE ***** Friday, October 30
Students are invited to dress as their favorite book character and bring the book to carry in our Book Character Parade!
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Please note: No masks or pretend knives and/or weapons.
Families are welcome to join us on the track at 9:00 AM to watch the parade and celebrate our amazing Mustang readers!
 Socktober - Sock Collection
Help the Mustangs warm feet and warm hearts this fall! Help make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Drop your NEW socks into your HOUSE BOX outside the office through October 30. Earn tokens for your Mustang House!
Celebrating the Power of School Lunches
Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
This National School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reminds families that they are dedicated to providing delicious, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? View the Nutrition Services menus.
Clothing, Toy & Book SWAP
Outgrown clothes? Finished with favorite books? Toys no one plays with anymore? Don't let them collect dust! Bring your gently used clothing, books, and complete, working toys to the PTA’s FREE Clothing, Toy & Book Swap on November 15th. Swap what you no longer need, discover new treasures, save money, and help keep good items in use. Donations may be dropped off at 8111 Greeley Blvd until November 14, or brought to the WSES parking lot that morning between 8:30-10:00 a.m. One family's "done with it" is another family's new favorite find! No donation is required to participate--everyone is welcome.
Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page or contact MariaPaz Garcia.
Please complete by Monday, December 14.
Student Pictures
You still have time to order your student’s photos at www.strawbridge.net/picture-day-lookup
Enter our school name and state
Select “Get Code”
Enter your child’s name and student ID and click “submit”
Click on the student code to access
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.
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
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:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
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:
- 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
Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
Family Café General Flyer
Family Café Registration Form
Introduction to Dyslexia – what is it and what does it mean for my student?”
Friday, October 23, 2026 10- 11:30 AM
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of dyslexia and how it can impact a student’s learning. The session will explore the different types of dyslexia, common challenges students may experience, and the supports that can help them succeed. Participants will also leave with practical strategies, activities, and tips they can use at home to support their student’s learning and build confidence.
Register here
Save the Date
October 19 - 23 - Bookfair
Wednesday, October 21 - Heritage Night, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30 - Book Character Parade 9:00 am
End of Quarter, 2-hour early release at 1:25 p.m.
Monday, November 2 - Tuesday, November 3 - Student Holidays
Wednesday, November 4 - Picture Makeup Day 9:15-12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 - Veteran’s Day Celebration 8-9 a.m.
Thursday, November 12 - Thursday, November 19 - Boosterthon
Saturday, November 14 - Pyramid Challenge at Irving Middle School 10-12 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 - 3-hour early release at 12:30 p.m.
Friday, November 20 - Boosterthon Fun Run
Wednesday, November 25 -Friday, November 27 - Thanksgiving Break
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