Dear Westbriar Families,

A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers! What a wonderful Friday we had at Westbriar!

We want to send a heartfelt thank you to all of our parent volunteers who helped make our Annual Field Day on Friday, October 23rd, such a success. The weather was absolute perfection, and the smiles on our students' faces said it all! Everyone had a fantastic time participating in the fun activities and games!

We would also like to extend our immense gratitude to our fantastic PTA and all the volunteers who hosted our Trunk or Treat and Halloween BINGO on Friday evening. It was wonderful to gather, celebrate, and spend quality time together as a school community.

Events like Field Day, Trunk or Treat, and Halloween BINGO are only possible because of the unwavering dedication, time, and energy of our incredible volunteers. Thank you for always stepping up to make Westbriar such a warm and vibrant place for our students and families!

Together, we will keep empowering our Westbriar Falcons to soar!

Warmly,

Sallie Burch, Principal • Katie Blomquist, Assistant Principal • Erin Lear, Assistant Principal

October 26th: 7:00 PM Virtual - FLE Preview Meeting

October 27th: 7:00 PM Virtual - PTA General Meeting

October 28th: 9:45 AM at Westbriar - Parent Workshop: FCPS Tools at Home

October 30th: End 1st-Quarter & Book Character Dress-Up Day & 2-Hour Early Dismissal (2:05 PM)

Please mark your calendars! Friday, October 30th marks the End of the First Quarter, and ALL students will be dismissed early at 2:05 PM. Please note that extended supervision will not be provided, so please ensure arrangements are made for your child to be picked up or arrive home promptly at 2:05 PM. Thank you for your cooperation!

Westbriar Elementary School invites all parents and guardians to a hands-on, practical morning session: FCPS Tools at Home, featuring our School-Based Technology Specialist, Mr. Strawn!

Navigating school technology platforms can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help. This workshop is tailored to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to support your child’s academic progress and digital well-being.

Event Details

• When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 9:45-10:40 AM

• Where: Westbriar Elementary School Cafeteria

• Featured Presenter: Mr. Strawn, SBTS

• RSVP Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026

What We'll Cover

• SIS ParentVUE: Stay up to date on attendance, grades, and demographic information.

• Schoology for Parents: Learn how to check coursework, view announcements, and monitor learning materials.

• FCPS Digital Resources: Discover how students access digital apps and tools outside of school.

• Healthy Tech Habits: Strategies for managing screen time and practicing digital safety at home.

Take Home More Than Tips!

In addition to the presentation and group discussion time, attendees will enjoy morning refreshments, receive a helpful FCPS digital resource guide, and have the opportunity to connect with fellow Westbriar families.

How to Register

Please reserve your spot by completing the FCPS Tools at Home Registration Form by Friday, October 23.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Family Liaison, Jungwook 'Jenny' Kim, at jkim19@fcps.edu. We look forward to seeing you there!

As we work together to ensure a smooth, safe, and efficient end to every school day, we want to share an important reminder regarding changes to your child’s dismissal routine.

To help our daily dismissal process run safely and seamlessly, all dismissal changes must be submitted before 3:00 PM each day.

Why is this policy in place?

After 3:00 PM, classrooms are wrapping up instruction, transitioning to the last specials of the day, packing up belongings, and then transitioning into afternoon dismissals. When changes are requested after 3:00 PM, delivering updated notes or messages to individual classrooms across the building becomes extremely difficult in the final minutes of the day.

Our primary concern is STUDENT SAFETY. When dismissal updates arrive late:

• Teachers may not receive the message in time before students leave the classroom.

• Students risk being dismissed via their regular routine (e.g., boarding a bus instead of going to Kiss & Ride or SACC).

• It creates confusion and stress for students during an already busy time of day.

How you can help:

• Plan Ahead: Please inform the main office or submit dismissal changes as early in the day as possible, and strictly before 3:00 PM.

• Emergency Situations: We understand that unexpected emergencies occur. If a true emergency arises after 3:00 PM, please call the main office directly so our staff can assist you.

Thank you for your cooperation, understanding, and partnership in keeping our students safe and ensuring every child gets home safely every day!

You are invited to join us for our virtual Family Life Education (FLE) Parent Preview Meeting on Monday, October 26, at 7:00 PM. This meeting provides an opportunity to preview instructional media and lesson materials, as well as speak with school staff about the program.

• Date & Time: Monday, October 26, at 7:00 PM

• Virtual Meeting Link: Join the FLE Preview Session on Zoom

About the FLE Program

Family Life Education (FLE) in grades K–6 promotes parental involvement, fosters positive self-concepts, and provides students with coping mechanisms for handling peer pressure and developmental changes:

• Early Elementary (K–3): Focuses on the importance of families, distinguishing between good and bad touch, identifying trusted adults/sources of help, and building positive friendships.

• Grades 4–6: Introduces Human Growth and Development (HGD), covering physical and emotional changes during puberty and prenatal development.

Reviewing Materials & Instruction Dates

• Schoology: Lessons, slide presentations, and media are available to review anytime through Parent View in Schoology.

• Detailed Descriptions: You can also view detailed grade-level program descriptions on the FCPS website.

• Instruction Schedule: FLE instruction occurs at various times during the school year.

Opt-Out Information

Participation in FLE is voluntary. Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of any or all FLE lessons:

• Submitting Opt-Outs: Forms are available electronically in the Parent Digital Consent (PDC) system.

• Already Submitted? If you completed an opt-out form at the beginning of the school year, you do not need to resubmit.

• Changing Your Selection: If you previously opted out but would now like your child to participate, please notify your child’s teacher in writing prior to instruction.

• Alternative Instruction: An alternative, non-FLE health instructional program is provided for students who do not participate. We respect every family’s choices and ensure a supportive classroom environment for all students.

We look forward to working as your partner in supporting your child’s health and well-being!

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:

• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School

• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School

• Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.

Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.

Look for the survey in your email from Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.

Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations

FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.

Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.

Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you!

If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.