Specials
Art, Creative and Critical Thinking, Library, Music, Physical Education, STEAM
Translate this page
Art
Our Art community is alive and well here at Westlawn, with students having art one day a week! From drawing to painting, clay to sculpture work, textiles and more, our artists really shine! Each year the curriculum allows each child to experience a large variety of mediums as well as learn about a diverse array of artists! Each year has a theme, starting with self in kindergarten, moving to family (1st), community (2nd), culture (3rd), time (4th), global awareness (5th), and ultimately bringing everything together with identity in 6th grade. As they grow in their art learning they will get to dig into the many principles of art and design as well as practice good artistic habits.
We also share our art with the community around us! We collaborate with other schools in FCPS to create artwork for the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, have art shown in FCPS arts shows around the area, as well as having an art night celebration where the whole family can enjoy art making together. We love to see you in art!
Our Art Specialists
Sean Stuebner
Brett Terrell
Creative and Critical Thinking Lab
Our Creative and Critical Thinking Lab Specialist
Kathleen Flegal
Library
Our Library Staff
Patricia Heyer
Thuthuy Quach-Vu
Music
Band
Band is a weekly special that is included in our master calendar. Students do not have to miss their other studies to be involved in band. Any 5th or 6th grade student can sign up! The choices you have are flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba or percussion. If you stay on your same instrument from 5th grade to 6th grade, you are eligible to be in the Advanced Band! You may also try a different instrument in 6th grade if you want to explore your other choices. We perform two concerts every year - a winter concert in December and a spring concert in June. All students get to perform at both concerts. Other optional activities we do include our Jingle Bell stroll in December, an area band day/performance with the Falls Church High School Band, the District Ten Solo and Ensemble Festival and our marching band parade. Sign ups begin in late spring and conclude around the third week of the school year. Hope to see you playing an instrument in the Westlawn Band!
Chorus
General Music
Strings
Strings is a weekly special available to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. The instrument choices are violin, viola, cello, and bass. We have two concerts each year and various other performance opportunities. This is a great group of students to be a part of!
Our Music Specialists
Rosalyn Crews
Mark Deal
Hello! My name is Mark Deal and this will be my 28th Year in FCPS. I'm thrilled be at Westlawn this year helping out Ms. Emery in Strings. Over my 27 years in FCPS I have taught at all levels (ES, MS, HS) and at many schools. Besides teaching I also spend some of my evenings and weekends performing with various groups in the Metro DC area.
Ahnika Emery
Paul Erickson
I have been the band director at Westlawn for many years! I even have former students who are working as teachers now. My passion is music and teaching band lets me share that with our students. Students can join band in 5th and 6th grade. I hope that I can give them a good foundation and a love of performing on a band instrument so that they will continue with band throughout their school life! Please contact me with any questions you have about band or how to sign up!