October 23rd, 2026 Edition
Important Dates
Saturday, October 24th - WSHS Trunk or Treat (5:00 - 8:00PM)
Friday, October 30th - 2 hour early release for students (end of 1st quarter)
Monday, November 2nd - No school (School planning day)
Tuesday, November 3rd - No school (Teacher workday)
See the complete school year calendar
News from WSHS
Trunk or Treat!
Join Spartan clubs, teams, and organizations at our Trunk-or-Treat event on October 24th from 5:00-8:00PM! We will have candy and crafts for little kids.
After 7PM we will have a short Halloween short movie for all ages ending at 8PM. We hope to see you there!
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✨FCPS Outstanding Employee Nominations✨
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a West Springfield HS Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form link:
West Springfield HS Outstanding Employee Award Nominations Form
All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Principal
- Outstanding New Principal
- Outstanding School Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Cespedes
WSHS Saturday Academy is Back!!
The Saturday Academy provides students with an additional opportunity to receive academic support outside of the regular school day.
Saturday Academy Details
📅 Day: Saturdays
⏰ Time: 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Arrival: Students should enter through Door 1
📚 Support: Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies
Students do not have to complete the interest form in order to attend. However, students are encouraged to complete the Saturday Academy Interest Form so we can better plan staffing and ensure we are prepared to support students based on their content-area needs.
Please note transportation will NOT be provided by FCPS.
Underclass Makeup Portraits and Retakes
Date: Friday, November 6th
Time: 8:00 am-2:30 pm
Location: Spartan Hall
You will need to coordinate with one of your teachers that day to go take your makeup photo or retake. Please talk to them in advance concerning assignments and assessments.
Please note:
- If you had your photo taken at the first photo day in September and are retaking your photo, you will not be issued a new student id.
- If you are taking your photo for the first time (makeup photo), you will be issued a student id card.
- If you are retaking your photo, that photo is the one that will be included in the yearbook.
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Join us at SpartanFest!
November 7th, 10:00AM - 1:00PM
This is an event for all ages- we will have food, games, crafts, performances, and more!
SpartanFest will be held rain or shine.
Come support clubs, activities, and WSHS teams. We hope to see you there! (some activities will be free while others will have a fee ; cash and card accepted)
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Hallway of Honor: Help Us Honor Our Veterans
As part of our annual tradition, our school will be creating a Hallway of Honor to celebrate the veterans in our community. Posters featuring photos and service details of local veterans will be displayed throughout the school.
If you have a family member you would like us to honor, please complete our Google Form and upload any photos you would like displayed. Thank you for helping us recognize those who have served!
Learners Permit Testing at WSHS
Learners Permit testing will be offered at West Springfield HS this year. The testing is only available for current WSHS students. Any student wishing to test at school will need to register and pay for the opportunity at FCPS ACE (https://www.fcpsace.org/). Students must be at least 15 years and 6 months old on the test date. If a student has already failed the Learners Permit test twice, they cannot take the 3rd attempt at WSHS- it must be done at the DMV. Testing is currently offered once per month though additional dates could be added based on need and available space. All tests begin at 3:15pm in Room 2224 on the following dates: November 12, December 10, January 7, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, and June 10. Please make sure to complete all steps of the registration process- additional information is posted on the FCPS ACE site when registering for the test.
Please contact Casey Grubbs, clgrubbs@fcps.edu, if you have any questions.
Spartan Support Hub
All students interested in receiving support in the core subjects are invited to attend the Spartan Support Hub after school on Wednesdays. National Honors Society students will be available to support students in the academic content areas. Late bus transportation is provided. Buses depart at 4:50 at door 1.
Where: Collab 1 (2011)
When: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM every Wednesday (starting November 4th)
Questions? Please reach out to Ms. Abott: fnabott@fcps.edu.
Federal Impact Aid Forms - Please Complete
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in ParentVUE. Your response helps FCPS receive funding for which it is eligible by identifying military and other federally connected families, including families living on a military base.
Please complete one survey for each child. Only the parent who enrolled the student with FCPS can submit the form. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
To complete the survey, sign in to ParentVUE and click on Online Registration. From there, scroll down to find the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
If you are experiencing difficulty completing the survey, sign in to ParentVUE using Google Chrome, select Online Packets, then choose Federal Impact Aid Survey. If you need help accessing ParentVUE, contact your child’s school.
Paper forms will be sent home with students starting October 28 for families who cannot access ParentVUE.
Volunteers & Bakers Needed to Support ANGP During Election Day!
Help support the Class of 2027 All Night Grad Party during Election Day! We are setting up outside Door 11 (Cafeteria Entrance) from 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM to sell baked goods, coffee, and snacks to local voters.
📌 How You Can Help:
- Volunteer for a Shift: We need 1 adult and 2–3 students for each 2-hour shift. Adult supervision is required at all times.
- Bake & Donate: We need cookies, muffins, brownies, cupcakes, scones, and gluten-free/nut-free options!
🎓 Student Volunteer Hours (x2VOL):
- Shift Volunteers: Earn x2VOL service hours for working shifts.
- Bakers: Earn 1 x2VOL service hour for every 2 dozen baked items donated. (Shared with NHS and Key Club).
⚠️ Baking & Packaging Instructions:
- Labeling: Please label all items clearly. Any item containing nuts must have a prominent 'CONTAINS NUTS' label on the front. Gluten-free items are also greatly appreciated!
- Packaging: Wrap items individually or package 2–3 cookies together in Ziploc bags.
🕕 Drop-Off Times:
- Early Morning Items (1/3 of total): Drop off at the Bake Sale Chair's home on Monday, Nov 2, so we are ready for the 6:00 AM voter rush!
- Day-Of Items (2/3 of total): Drop off directly at the Door 11 table on Tuesday, Nov 3, before 11:00 AM.
🔗 Sign Up Here
Pohick Library Collaboration with Spartan Theatre!
Celebrate Halloween at the Pohick Library with the West Springfield High School’s theatre department! Enjoy and friendly family afternoon (12-2) of storytelling, spooky crafts for kids, and a special sneak peek of our fall play The Woodsman! Meet the student performers, creative puppets, and enjoy a playful, creative afternoon perfect for families. There will be CANDY! Costumes are encouraged but not required. Check out the event listing for more information. |
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Attendance Matters: Your Presence Matters!
Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.
Did you know?
Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school. Missing 10% (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read. Attending school even if your student arrives late is valuable for their academic success.
We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!
Please encourage your student to arrive on time every day and maintain regular attendance until the last day of school. Together, we can work toward increasing school attendance rates and improving academic outcomes for all our students.
How You Can Help:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind that complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session
Reach out to Ms. Abott, Dean of Students, with any questions or concerns you may have about your child's attendance: fnabott@fcps.edu.
2027 Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School (SRGS)
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) offers the opportunity for 10th and 11th grade students to apply to attend summer residential Governor's schools in Academics and Visual & Performing Arts (VPA). Students who are accepted into one of the programs will live in residence halls in one of the state colleges in VA for four weeks in the June - late July timeframe. To learn more about SRGS opportunities and the application process, visit the VDOE website.
Governor’s School- Academic
To be considered for an academic Governor's school, students must complete the steps below:
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Complete the interest form linked below for either Academics. The form is a required part of the application process and is due October 30th. No late entries will be accepted. When completing the form, enter a personal email address and do NOT use an fcpsschools.net email address. VDOE cannot send communications to the fcpsschools.net domain. Academic Interest Form
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Attend our school interest meeting for academic applications which will take place on 10/26/2026. Attendance at the meeting is optional but strongly encouraged.
Date: 10/26/2026
Location: Library, College and Career Center/Room 2000B
Time: 4th Period Advisory - 9:47AM - 10:30AM
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Complete the application for the specific program you wish to apply to and return to your school counselor who is supervising the Governor’s School Academic application process by the due date on the FCPS website.
Please contact Ms. Fleming or Mr. Montero with any questions!
Ms. Fleming - msfleming@fcps.edu
Mr. Montero - lfmontero@fcps.edu
Governor’s School- Visual & Performing Arts (VPA)
Radford University, June 20 - July 10, 2027
The VPA program at Radford University offers intensive artistic development in five areas: Visual Art, Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Theatre. Students engage in classes, workshops, individual and group activities, and interdisciplinary courses that integrate the arts with other disciplines. The program emphasizes the process of artistic creation, encouraging students to explore and expand their artistic skills.
To be considered for an VPA Governor's school, students must complete the steps below:
WSHS Governor's School Process for Visual and Performing Arts
Step 1- Check your eligibility by filling out the WSHS VPA Governor's School Eligibility Form
Step 2- If confirmed eligible , Review the WSHS Visual and Performing Arts Governor's School Navigation Guide.
Step 3- Click on the link in the guide to fill out the VPA Governor's School student interest form BEFORE October 30.
If you have any questions, please contact Tiff Duncan at tcduncan@fcps.edu .
News From FCPS
Maintain Access to Your Child’s Grades and Assignments: Download the New ParentVUE App
New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.
For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.
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.
2027 Senior Yearbook Ads On Sale!
Commemorate your student's achievements and milestones with a Senior Ad in the 2027 West Springfield High School Yearbook! These custom recognition ads allow you to share favorite photos, personal messages, and words of encouragement to celebrate your graduating senior.
Important Information:
- ⏰ Deadline to Design & Order: October 31st
- 🔑 School Code: 4150
- 💻 How to Order: Visit https://yearbookordercenter.com/, enter school code 4150, and follow the prompts to choose your ad size and complete your design.
Space in the yearbook is limited, and ads are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to design and submit your ad early.
If you have any questions, please contact Stacie Holzgrefe at slholzgrefe@fcps.edu.
All Night Grad Party
The All Night Grad Party is booked for June 8th, 2027 at The St. James! Stay tuned—ticket sales will be open in November!
Interested in volunteering with ANGP (before, during, or after the party)? Fill out THIS FORM!
Thank you for supporting ANGP!
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Personalized Graduation Yard Signs
Want to celebrate your graduate in a special way? Personalized graduation yard signs are available to order now. (You can also celebrate their sports/band/theater participation) Click this link to create an account and order yours!
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