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Volume 1, Issue 15

Westlawn Families:

Sending a BIG Westlawn ‘thank you’ to the Falls Church High School Spotlight Theatre troupe for their absolutely flawless performance of The Phantom Tollbooth on Monday evening! Our goal at Westlawn is to nurture, empower, and advocate for our children, and bringing the performance to Westlawn provides a window into what the future could hold for students as they continue in the Falls Church Pyramid, if they are so inclined. Ms. Beth DeMarco leads a wonderful group of children who spent Saturday preparing for the event, and worked until well past 10:00 PM after the performance to pack up and move to the next location.  

Today is our Thanksgiving Luncheon! Families are welcome to join their child(ren) during lunch time. Students eat free; adult meals are $4.75. Please note we may be running low on change, so exact payments (check or cash) are preferred. Check out the Thanksgiving Luncheon page on our website for more information. There you’ll find grade level lunch times, menus, and a link to volunteer during the luncheon.  

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving season, please know how thankful Ms. Carpenter, Ms, Theiss, and I are to be part of this beautiful community. We are thankful for every day, and consider it an honor to serve the Westlawn Family.

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

Second grade students had the opportunity to get reacquainted with the parachute during PE this week. In this photo students are learning the power of pulling together to stretch the parachute to its maximum size.

The editors will be celebrating with their families. We hope you and your family have a safe and restful break that leaves you recharged for a busy and bustling December!

We recently switched from using Google Slides to using Canva for our Community Conversation slide decks. Canva allows us to host the slide decks at a URL which makes it easier for people to view them on a mobile device. It also allows us to provide our community with slide decks translated into Spanish! Take a look at Community Conversations slide decks in English or Spanish. And remember: you are always welcome to join us for a live Community Conversation on Wednesdays at 11 AM on Zoom!

Did you know that text scores are often reported first in SIS ParentVUE before they are printed and mailed home? We still have 300 families who need to create SIS ParentVUE accounts. If your family is one of them, please contact our parent liaisons at 703-241-5100 or via TalkingPoints messages to Hilda Reyes or Ariana Yataco. They can walk you through the process of setting up an account and using it to access information. Then you’ll be ready for the scores from the SEL screener, which should populate in early December!

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Veterans Day Recognitions
• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

November 21-23: Aesop Live! Performance

Luther Jackson Middle School Drama will be performing Aesop Live! Between November 21-23. Learn more about show times and buy tickets.

November 21: Fall Choral and Instrumental Ensemble Concert

Join us for a night of music featuring our chorus and instrumental ensemble. Doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 6:30! This is a free program and open to all members of our community.

November 22: Bingo Night

Join the Westlawn community for a wonderful night of fun and games! Bingo cards and pizza will be on sale. Bingo games will start at 6:00 PM and last until approximately 7:30. Volunteer to sell pizza, sell bingo cards, or run an activity.

November 27-29: No School

There is no school in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

December 3: Picture Day Retakes

If you missed the first picture day, or you did not like your picture, today is the day to dress sharp and bring your best smile!

December 3: FLE Parent Preview Night

Adults are invited to attend our virtual Family Life Education materials preview night, which will take place on Zoom starting at 7 PM.

December 4: Hoodie Wednesdays

We finished teaching kindergarteners their colors, and now we will switch over to other fun clothing days on Wednesdays. Until winter break, all Wednesdays will be Hoodie Wednesdays! Students and staff are encouraged to wear hoodies to school to be comfortable and to remember to keep it easy during this busy time of year.

December 9-13: Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held December 9-13 in the Westlawn library! The Family and Friends Night will be on Tuesday, December 10. Now is the perfect time to set up an eWallet for your child so they can shop at the fair without needing to carry around a baggie full of cash. Also: we need book fair volunteers!

December 10: Friends, Books, and Music

It is an afternoon and evening of excitement on December 10! The book fair will be hosting a Family and Friends Night from 3:30 PM - 6:15 PM in the library. Then the band and strings winter concert will take place in the gym at 6:30 PM. We hope to see you that evening!

December 11: Restaurant Night

The December Restaurant Night will be held at Panera in the Mosaic District from 4-8 PM. More details are coming in a future Feather Report!

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Are you hoping to spread some cheer this season? Consider supporting a Westlawn classroom via treating a teacher to an item from their wish list!

The Westlawn PE Team is in need of basketballs! If you are cleaning out your garage, they are collecting basketballs in gently used or like-new condition to ensure that all students have quality equipment during upcoming units. You can donate basketballs by sending them into Westlawn to the attention of Mr. Maloney.

Volunteer at bingo night from 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM on November 22. Volunteers are needed to run activities, sell pizza, and sell bingo cards.

Volunteer to help sell books, update displays, and help students complete wish lists.

Westlawn families are invited to support our fall fundraiser through Charleston Wrap. The fundraiser will last from November 6 through November 22. Learn how to join the Westlawn shop and share the shop with your own family and friends.

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and recordings on our website.

Have you ever wondered what makes a teacher prepared to teach AAP curriculum? Great question! Here in FCPS we have a robust AAP team in the central office as well as in every school. FCPS Academy courses in a variety of advanced academic topics are open to all staff. Everyone who works with AAP curriculum on a full-time basis is FCPS endorsed or working toward endorsement in this specialized category, including our Westlawn full-time teachers! Our AART recently finished a masters in gifted education and so is also endorsed with the state of Virginia. Some examples of the AAP curriculum used in FCPS include: William & Mary Center for the Gifted Language Arts materials, William & Mary Center Social Studies materials, and M2 and M3 math materials.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life. This year, we are using Second Step, a research-based SEL program designed to teach students essential skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Each focus for the week will share recommendations for conversations and activities families can do at home to promote SEL outside of school.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels mad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation. Try This at Home: Encourage your child to notice when others around them feel mad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling mad.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels calm. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation. Try This at Home: Encourage your child to notice when others around them feel calm. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling calm.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to use positive self-talk to help themselves feel better when they’re upset, disappointed, or worried. Try This at Home: Ask your child what they want to tell themselves when they’re having a tough day. Encourage them to use positive self-talk at home.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how, when, and where to take a break in different situations as a way to manage a strong emotion. Try This at Home: Discuss where and how your child can take a break at home. Then ask your child how they could take a break in place, for example, in the car or at the grocery store.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn about questions they can ask to rethink situations and they’ll practice asking these questions using made-up stories. Try This at Home: Ask your child, “What questions could you ask yourself to rethink a situation?” (Questions might include, “What happened?” “Has this ever happened to anyone else?” and “What’s something good that happened?”) Talk about how those questions can help them think differently about a situation.

In this week’s lesson, your child will practice breaking down situations that feel big and unmanageable into smaller, more manageable pieces. They will also practice identifying a small change someone could make to manage their strong emotions the next time a situation occurs. Try This at Home: Tell your child about a recurring situation in your life that typically causes you to feel a strong emotion, like stress or anger. Ask your child what you can change to make the situation better, and why they would suggest that change.

If you have questions about these prompts or ideas, or social-emotional learning in general, please email Westlawn’s SEL Coach, Ms. Andrews.  We can work together to create a positive and safe school environment!

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

On Thursday the school will host a luncheon for families to get an early start on the holiday.  If you can take some time to help, please sign up for a shift to help students create their own leaf to express what they're thankful for. Thank you!

Who is looking for a prime opportunity to help out and engage with the kids in the library?  Book fair is coming up the week of December 9th and we ask that parents help out in a few ways:

1.  Offer up some extra hands the Friday before and the last day to help with setup and packing what's leftover. 

2. Be present throughout the week while classes take turns browsing and shopping help create wishlists and make good choices. 

3. Help with shopping and restocking at the family shopping opportunity before the winter concert on Tuesday after school.

Take a look at the sign-up and pick up a shift or two!  As available, we will have the class schedules so that you can plan to volunteer when your child is in the library. 

Stay tuned for more information about using an eWallet for your own child or to make a donation.  This is a great option if you are unsure about sending cash to school.  Thanks in advance!

Hello Westlawn Community!  I was able to attend the FCHS Town Hall last night (though I was a bit late because of the milkshakes I ordered to-go from Red Robin…yumm-sigh)  So, thank you Catherine Coley for filling in some blanks for what I might have missed and here are some key points you might be interested in knowing:

Speakers – Our school board representative, Dr. Anderson represented the school district.  Several architects and representatives from their company were present to speak directly to the project status.

History – the project was originally funded in 2017 and they started construction in 2021.  They are funded at $133 Million with a forecasted completion in 2026. 

• After the $133 Million was approved, costs went up with pandemic. Items were cut from the plan but the community came together to demand the long awaited improvements to the school.  Phase 4, which focuses on the field improvements, are the items that were technically cut and are now back in the plan, but will be covered under a separate budget. They also need to re-permit the work as it was removed from the existing permit.  The outdoor lighting funding was a little unclear, but they repeatedly reassured the group that all items in the plan are funded.

Overall Project Scope:

• Full Renovation: New floor finishes, walls, ceilings, doors, and windows
• New life safety systems, fire alarm, sound, and lighting
• Design Capacity up to 2,500 students - increase from 1,957 students
• New Entry, Admin Suite, Library,
• Sustainability & CHPS Designed
• Improved kiss & ride and bus drop-off/pick-up circulation - improved safety
• Reconfigured softball field

Phase 1 - Complete

• Science/Math Wing Addition (2 story large addition on the back)
• Library/Media Center Addition
• Music/Theater Wing Addition (rehearsal space and black box theater)
• Culinary Arts
• Special Education (1/2 done)
• Design Tech Studio
• Auto Shop
• Cafeteria/Kitchen

 Phase 2 - Building (Now Under Construction)

• Estimated completion in 1st Quarter 2025
• Parking Map - Ended up with more parking spots then they thought they would
• New Entrance with secure lobby for all visitors to check in with ID

 Phase 3 - Future Construction, Estimated Start in 2nd or 3rd Quarter of 2025

• Physical Education Wing
• English Classrooms (remaining)
• Business Classrooms
• Main Gym
• Weight Room
• Wrestling Room
• Aux Gym
• Theater Wing

Phase 4: Athletic Fields, Summer of 2026

• Softball field may be started earlier due to the parking and drainage/runoff mitigation

Final Notes:

• There will be 518 parking spaces eventually
• There will be outdoor bathrooms by the stadium and softball fields
• There is an historic mosaic outside of the gym that was brought to the attention of the group.  The architects were asked to make sure it is protected when the renovation of the gym is started and that a meaningful space be found for it.
• For more info: https://www.fcps.edu/falls-church-high-capital-project The presentation slides should be posted soon.
• Complete feedback survey if you have any concerns about the construction.

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Volume 1, Issue 14

Westlawn Families:

Clear your calendars!! Next week Westlawn is serving up an abundance of activities for families to enjoy, both during and after school. On Monday we are excited to welcome the Falls Church High School Spotlight Theatre for the opening night performance of The Phantom Tollbooth at 7PM! On Thursday we welcome families for our Thanksgiving Luncheon during the day, and back into the building in the evening for our Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble fall performance. Then we wrap up our week with Bingo Night on Friday evening presented by our Westlawn PTA. Whew! What a week!  

We’d like to thank our families and community for prioritizing student attendance, and using different resources to ensure children attend school every day. Our collective school-wide attendance has increased by over 3% from this time last year, and we look forward to continuing this work together.    

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

Students in the Choral and Instrumental Ensemble are busy rehearsing for the big show! Students are not only performing for the Westlawn community; they are also taking their show on the road! They will be performing for FCPS officials at the central office next Friday.

We are pleased to announce that we now have a second parent liaison, Ms. Ariana Yataco! Ms. Yataco will be joining Ms. Reyes in the parent liaison office and is eager to serve our families.

You can contact our parent liaisons by calling the main office at 703-241-5100 and leaving a message. They will return your call when they are able, usually later that same day. You can also send each of the parent liaisons a message via TalkingPoints. If you have the app, you can look up Ariana Yataco or Hilda Reyes. If you do not have the app, either download TalkingPoints from your phone’s app store or call our main office to schedule an appointment for support.

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. Learn more about the Federal Impact Aid Survey.

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Fall Testing Results
• Boundary Review Community Meetings
• Resources for Families 

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

November 16: IEP Palooza and Resource Fair

The Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) will be hosting an IEP Palooza and Resource Fair at Luther Jackson MS from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Learn more about SEPTA and register to attend the fair (and request an interpreter if needed).

November 18: Three Hour Early Release

Students will be released at 12:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.

November 18: The Phantom Tollbooth Performance

The Falls Church High School Spotlight Theatre Company is taking their fall performance on the road! Check out The Phantom Tollbooth right here at Westlawn!

November 21: Thanksgiving Luncheon at Westlawn

Families are invited to join us for the annual Thanksgiving lunch at Westlawn. Lunch costs $4.75 per adult. Learn what time your child has lunch and what is on the menu. Volunteer to help make this beloved event a huge success.

November 21-23: Aesop Live! Performance

Luther Jackson Middle School Drama will be performing Aesop Live! Between November 21-23. Learn more about show times and buy tickets.

November 21: Fall Choral and Instrumental Ensemble Concert

Join us for a night of music featuring our chorus and instrumental ensemble. Doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 6:30! This is a free program and open to all members of our community.

November 22: Bingo Night

Join the Westlawn community for a wonderful night of fun and games! Bingo cards and pizza will be on sale. Bingo games will start at 6:00 PM and last until approximately 7:30. Volunteer to sell pizza, sell bingo cards, or run an activity.

November 27-29: No School

There is no school in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

December 3: FLE Parent Preview Night

Adults are invited to attend our virtual Family Life Education materials preview night, which will take place on Zoom starting at 7 PM.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Did you take any photos at Red Robin Restaurant Night on Wednesday, November 13? Ms. Dushok would love to publish them and share your joy with the community! Send photos via email or by texting them to her at 571-355-2321.

The Westlawn PE Team is in need of basketballs! If you are cleaning out your garage, they are collecting basketballs in gently used or like-new condition to ensure that all students have quality equipment during upcoming units. You can donate basketballs by sending them into Westlawn to the attention of Mr. Maloney.

Volunteer for an hour at the Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 21 to help serve Westlawn families and celebrate the season! We recommend volunteering before or after your child’s lunch time so you can eat with them, too!

Volunteer at bingo night from 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM on November 22. Volunteers are needed to run activities, sell pizza, and sell bingo cards.

Westlawn families are invited to support our fall fundraiser through Charleston Wrap. The fundraiser will last from November 6 through November 22. Learn how to join the Westlawn shop and share the shop with your own family and friends.

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and recordings on our website.

AAP Service Highlight: Full-Time AAP 

Did you know Westlawn is a Local Full-Time AAP School? This means we have trained staff and AAP services right here in Westlawn to meet the needs of students identified for Full-Time AAP services!

Full-Time Services are for identified students in grades 3-8 who access AAP curriculum on a full-time basis. This programming has increased pace and depth in all academic subjects. How is a student identified for these services? A portfolio of information is collected by the school and submitted to the FCPS central screening committee who makes the decision if a student needs these services. This portfolio includes a referral, work samples, progress reports, test scores, and optional parent questionnaires. Watch the complete information session that was held in October by our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Gretchen Maxwell. Spanish translations are included.

Learn more information and access forms for full-time AAP. The window for full-time AAP referral is closing in a month on December 15, 2024.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life. This year, we are using Second Step, a research-based SEL program designed to teach students essential skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Each focus for the week will share recommendations for conversations and activities families can do at home to promote SEL outside of school.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels sad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation. Try This at Home: Encourage your child to notice when others around them feel sad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling sad.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels worried. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation. Try This at Home: Encourage your child to notice when others around them might feel worried. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling worried.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that we can feel disappointed when something we want or expect does not happen. Try This at Home: Remind your child that everyone feels disappointed sometimes. Ask them what they can do to feel better the next time they’re feeling disappointed.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn words for three degrees of anger: annoyed, angry, and furious. Try This at Home: Ask your child to explain the differences between feeling annoyed, angry, and furious.

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn what it means to rethink a situation and how it can help them calm strong emotions. Try This at Home: Tell your child about a time when rethinking a situation, or thinking about it in a different way, helped you feel better. Encourage your child to talk about times in their lives when rethinking could have helped them.

In this week’s lesson, your child will identify signs of stress, situations that can cause them to feel stress, and strategies they can use to manage feelings of stress. Try This at Home: Ask your child what their body feels like when they’re stressed and what things cause them to feel stress. Share your own experiences with stress and what you do to manage it.

If you have questions about these prompts or ideas, or social-emotional learning in general, please email Westlawn’s SEL Coach, Ms. Andrews.  We can work together to create a positive and safe school environment!

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Family, Friends, and Supporters of Westlawn Elementary School PTA,

We're halfway there! Sorry for the delay in sending out an official announcement, but we are well on our way with our fundraiser with Charleston Wrap® – and we need YOUR help! To reach our goals and make this fundraiser a success, we need everyone to do their part. Luckily, it’s super easy! Attached to this message, you’ll find a flyer with detailed instructions about how you can register online and support our goals. We appreciate all of your support and encourage you to spread the word to your friends & family, near and far! The more people who shop, the more money we can raise for our organization! Together, we can ensure our organization reaches its goal – and even surpasses it!

Thank you for your help!
- Westlawn Elementary School PTA

Familia, amigos y seguidores de la Asociación de Padres y Maestros de la Escuela Primaria Westlawn,

¡Ya estamos a mitad de camino! Perdón por la demora en enviar un anuncio oficial, pero vamos por buen camino con nuestra recaudación de fondos con Charleston Wrap®, ¡y necesitamos SU ayuda! Para alcanzar nuestras metas y hacer que esta recaudación de fondos sea un éxito, necesitamos que todos hagan su parte. ¡Por suerte, es muy fácil! Adjunto a este mensaje, encontrará un folleto con instrucciones detalladas sobre cómo puede registrarse en línea y apoyar nuestras metas. Agradecemos todo su apoyo y lo alentamos a que corra la voz entre sus amigos y familiares, ¡cercanos y lejanos! ¡Cuantas más personas compren, más dinero podremos recaudar para nuestra organización! Juntos, podemos asegurarnos de que nuestra organización alcance su objetivo, ¡e incluso lo supere!

¡Gracias por su ayuda!

- Asociación de padres y maestros de la escuela primaria Westlawn

• Charleston 1 pager English.pdf
• Charleston 1pager Spanish.pdf

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Volume 1, Issue 13

Westlawn Families:

While we hope you enjoyed some quality time with your family over the past week we were happy to see children back in the building yesterday! Over the next few weeks we have some exciting community events to enjoy together. Please keep a close eye on the Westlawn calendar so you don’t miss out!

Unfortunately, we need to postpone Westlawn Day, scheduled for this Saturday. We will reboot after the Winter Break and set a new date. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Instead, make sure to join us for the Falls Church HS Theater performance of The Phantom Tollbooth on November 18, the Westlawn Music Department’s Choral and Instrumental Ensemble performance on November 21, and Bingo Night presented by the Westlawn PTA on November 22.  

A busy month, filled with Westlawn fun! Thank you for being part of the Westlawn Family.

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

Members of the traditional Bolivian dance troupe Tinkus Tiataco USA performed the tinkus at our recent International Night. How many Westlawn students can you spot?

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

Students begin exiting the building around 3:25 PM, and families are starting to line up much earlier than that. If your car is stuck in the line on Oak Ridge, please be mindful of not blocking a home’s driveway.

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. Learn more about the Federal Impact Aid Survey.

Thank you to the two outstanding families who have nominated staff members for an award! We are hoping to hear from even more families this week! All it takes is a short paragraph from you to start the process. Nominate teachers, professional employees, and school leaders! Nominations are due by November 8.

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Calendar Reminders
• Resources for Families 
• Complete Impact Aid Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

November 9: Westlawn Day has been cancelled.

November 11: No School

School is closed on November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on November 12. Learn when SACC is open or closed.

November 13: Wear Gray to School!

Help our kindergarteners learn their colors by wearing gray to school today!

November 13: Restaurant Night at Red Robin

Red Robin will be hosting November’s Restaurant Night! Families can dine in and mention the Westlawn fundraiser, or order online and add the fundraiser to their bag before checkout. Westlawn will earn 20% back! The fundraiser is happening during restaurant hours, which are 11 AM - 9 PM.

November 14: First Meeting of Virtual STEM Club

The first meeting of the free Virtual STEM Club will take place on Google Meet from 4:15-5:15 PM. The club is open to students in 3rd-6th grades. Learn more about accessing this opportunity.

November 18: Three Hour Early Release

Students will be released at 12:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.

November 18: The Phantom Tollbooth Performance

The Falls Church High School Drama Department is taking their fall performance on the road! Check out The Phantom Tollbooth right here at Westlawn!

November 21-23: Aesop Live! Performance

Luther Jackson Middle School Drama will be performing Aesop Live! Between November 21-23. Learn more about show times and buy tickets.

November 21: Fall Choral and Instrumental Ensemble Concert

Join us for a night of music featuring our chorus and instrumental ensemble. Doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 6:30! This is a free program and open to all members of our community.

November 22: Bingo Night

Save the date! More information is coming soon!

November 27-29: No School

There is no school in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Support the Fall Fundraiser through Charleston Wrap

Westlawn families are invited to support our fall fundraiser through Charleston Wrap. The fundraiser will last from November 6 through November 22. Learn how to join the Westlawn shop and share the shop with your own family and friends.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and recordings on our website.

AAP Service Highlight: Subject-Specific and Part-Time Services

The continuum of AAP services offered in FCPS and here at Westlawn include two separate part-time programs.

• Students in K-6 can be found eligible for Subject-Specific AAP services which means they have an academic strength and need beyond their peers in one or more subjects. These students receive small group instruction or differentiation in their areas of strength from their classroom teacher. Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Mrs. Maxwell, partners with teachers by directing them to opportunities to infuse AAP curriculum in the classroom.
• Students in 3-6 can be found eligible for Part-Time AAP services which means they have an overall multi-subject need for advanced curriculum beyond their peers. Most of these students receive the same services as Subject-Specific students, but also participate in a weekly pull-out group with Mrs. Maxwell that focuses on CCT skills as well as challenging curriculum in all subjects. Some part-time students access AAP curriculum daily in subjects of strength.

All students are screened for these services in the spring, but a parent can refer at any time by filling out the subject-specific or part-time services referral form and sending it in to your teacher.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life. This year, we are using Second Step, a research-based SEL program designed to teach students essential skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Each focus for the week will share recommendations for conversations and activities families can do at home to promote SEL outside of school.

Kindergarten

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels happy. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation. Try This at Home: Encourage your child to notice when others around them feel happy. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling happy.

1st Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will practice using body language and context clues (looking at the person’s face and body, thinking about what’s going on in the situation) to figure out how someone is feeling. Try This at Home: Ask your child to tell you how they think others around them might be feeling, for example a sibling, or a character in a story, a movie, or a TV show.

2nd Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that we can feel proud when we accomplish something difficult or when we do something nice for others. Try This at Home: Ask your child to tell you about a time they felt proud. Tell them about a time you felt proud of something you accomplished or of doing something nice for others.

3rd Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that emotions give us information about what we want or need. Try This at Home: Ask your child what information the emotions fear, sadness, and happiness give us.

4th Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that our brain works best when the logic and emotion centers are balanced and working together. Try This at Home: Tell your child about a time when a strong emotion made it hard for you to learn something new or caused you to say or do something that hurt someone’s feelings. Discuss why it’s important to learn to manage strong emotions.

5th Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that it’s possible to anticipate recurring situations that cause them to feel strong emotions so they can plan ways to manage those emotions in the future. Try This at Home: Tell your child about a recurring situation in your life that typically causes you to feel a strong emotion, like anger or frustration. Ask your child to tell you about similar situations in their life.

If you have questions about these prompts or ideas, or social-emotional learning in general, please email Westlawn’s SEL Coach, Ms. Andrews.  We can work together to create a positive and safe school environment!

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

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Volume 1, Issue 12

Westlawn Families:

Thank you to all our families and staff who participated in our annual International Night last Friday. It’s always a party when the Westlawn Community comes together, and it was a wonderful way to start the weekend!  

The next few days are a little quirky: today is an early release, and tomorrow (Friday, November 1) is a holiday. Monday and Tuesday of next week (November 4 - 5) are both student holidays; Monday is a professional workday for staff, and Tuesday is Election Day. We will look forward to seeing students back in the building next Wednesday, November 6.  

The Westlawn Front Office will be closed tomorrow for the holiday. The office will be open on Monday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, and closed again for Election Day.  

The children look great today dressed up in their Storybook Character costumes, and we wish our families out trick-or-treating this evening a safe experience full of fun and candy (in moderation 😀).  

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

The season of magical fall field trips is upon us! Last week our kindergarten students had their first ever field trip to Cox Farms where they enjoyed learning about the animals and making memories together. Stay tuned to our social media channels, and TalkingPoints messages from your child’s teacher, to catch all of the field trip fun!

Scores on Tests: Coming Soon!

We are wrapping up fall screening assessments across all grade levels, and scores are in the process of being published. Families with SIS ParentVUE accounts will be able to get their scores soonest. If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account and would like to set one up, please call the main office at 703-241-5100.

• PreK (VALLSS, EMAS, CBRS): expected in ParentVUE Documents by December 6, 2024
• Kindergarten (VALLSS, EMAS, CBRS): expected in ParentVUE Documents by November 15, 2024
• Grades 1-3 (VALLSS): available in ParentVUE Documents as of October 25, 2024
• Grades 1-6 (iReady): available in ParentVUE Documents as of October 31, 2024

Westlawn will be distributing paper copies of available score reports to families that do not have SIS ParentVUE accounts by November 8, 2024.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. Learn more about the Federal Impact Aid Survey.

Parking Reminder

If you are visiting Westlawn, please do not park in the designated handicapped parking spaces unless you are displaying a handicapped placard that allows you to be there. If parking spaces are full, please park on the street. There is street parking available on Oak Ridge, Westley, and the intersection of Kenfig and Nottage.

Afternoon Kiss and Ride Reminder

If you are picking up your child at kiss and ride in the afternoon, please be sure to be in line at 3:30 PM, the end of our academic day. With after-school clubs now happening, we are able to place children into cars more quickly than usual. Once we have run out of cars, all remaining children are asked to report to the office. Staff will not wait outside at kiss and ride when there are no more cars in line.

Absence Reporting Reminder

If your child will be absent, please do not report their absence via TalkingPoints because it is not monitored continuously. Instead, please call our main office at 703-241-5151 or send the absence team an email. Learn more about reporting an absence.

REMINDER: Nominate a Westlawn Staff Member for an Outstanding Employee Award

Thank you to the two outstanding families who have nominated staff members for an award! We are hoping to hear from even more families this week! All it takes is a short paragraph from you to start the process. Nominate teachers, professional employees, and school leaders! Nominations are due by November 8.

LAST CALL: Westlawn Honors Military Service

We will be making a display to honor those in our community who have served or who currently serve the United States. Learn how to include your family member in the display.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Federal Impact Aid Survey
• Applications Open for Thomas Jefferson High School
• Tips to Keep Children Safe

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

November 1, 4, 5: No School for Students

November 1, 4, and 5 are holidays for students. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on November 6. Learn when SACC is open or closed.

November 5: PTA Election Day Bake Sale

Support the PTA Election Day Bake Sale by creating treats to sell, lending a tent to provide shade, or selling baked goods to people casting their vote. You could also support them by taking a walk to buy yourself a treat, too! You deserve it!

November 6: Wear Brown to School!

Help our kindergarteners learn their colors by wearing brown clothing to school today! All staff and students are encouraged to participate.

November 9: SAVE THE DATE! Westlawn Day

Westlawn Day will take place from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details.

November 11: No School

School is closed on November 11 in observe of Veterans Day. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on November 12. Learn when SACC is open or closed.

November 13: Restaurant Night at Red Robin

Red Robin will be hosting November’s Restaurant Night! Families can dine in and mention the Westlawn fundraiser, or order online and add the fundraiser to their bag before checkout. Westlawn will earn 20% back! The fundraiser is happening during restaurant hours, which are 11 AM - 9 PM.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Volunteer for or at the Election Day Bake Sale

This year we are doubling our locations for the Election Day Bake Sale. We need volunteers to bake, to sell, and to drop off tents to keep the treats and the volunteers shaded. Donate baked goods, share a tent, or sign up to sell goodies.

Support the Fall Fundraiser through Charleston Wrap

Westlawn families are invited to support our fall fundraiser through Charleston Wrap. The fundraiser will last from November 6 through November 22. Learn how to join the Westlawn shop and share the shop with your own family and friends.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

Full-Time AAP Program Information Session Recording Now Available

Did you miss Mrs. Maxwell’s presentation about applying to the full-time AAP program on October 17? We have the session recording now available on our website. The video is in both English and Spanish and closed captions are provided.

STEAM Academy

Is your student taking part in our grades 2-6 STEAM Academy this fall? We are so lucky to be able to offer these clubs for FREE thanks to our partnership with Northrop Grumman! The unique Westlawn STEAM Academy is the brainchild of our fantastic STEAM teacher, Meghan Winters. Westlawn staff sign up to teach these clubs in an area that interests them: like Lego Robotics, Green Team, Strategy Games, or Engineering Design. ALSO, we are lucky to have Virginia Tech come every session and run a club on drones the students get to program and fly! This fall is our biggest session yet with 180 students enjoying snacks and STEAM Academy clubs for 6 weeks! If your student didn’t have a chance this fall, we plan to hold more in the spring.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Volume 1, Issue 11

Westlawn Families:

At Westlawn we have a lot to be thankful for: world-class educators, a dedicated community, and our children, who continue to amaze time and time again. The school-family partnership can not be overstated, and we are appreciative of every family member and their impact on student learning.  

This afternoon our staff will celebrate David Paniagua, a recently retired member of the Westlawn Custodial Team, with over 27 years of service to our school and community. In cooperation with Todd Nelson and the Fairfax County Tree Commission, organized on-site by our own Gretchen Maxwell, a tree will be planted and dedicated to Mr. Paniagua and his years of service.  A commemorative plaque will be installed in front of the tree. 

This week we are excited to debut a new section of our newsletter: Second Step Program. The goal of this section is to keep you informed of the social-emotional learning initiatives happening at Westlawn, and provide suggestions for things you can do to extend the learning into your home. Each week all Westlawn students participate in a Second Step lesson, designed to engage and build our students social and emotional learning skills. At Westlawn, learning doesn’t stop with academics!

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

When math and movement work together, magical things happen! Kindergarteners practiced their counting through hopscotch in the crepuscular rays lighting our Discovery Area.

October is Disability Awareness and History Month

Did you know that approximately 20% of our student population has one or more identified disabilities? Our staff works hard to meet each student’s individual needs and ensure that they receive a robust and appropriate education each day. Learn more about how Westlawn staff meet the needs of students with disabilities, and stay tuned to Instagram and Facebook all week to read about several staff member’s journeys to becoming special educators.

Students and Individual Reading Plans

At the beginning of this year we used VALLSS, a reading screener, to determine each student’s level of risk for developing reading difficulties. Based on their scores, some students became eligible for an Individual Reading Plan. Plans were developed by teachers over the past several weeks and include information about the areas of reading comprehension that students may need, such as decoding, encoding, and language. The instruction provided to students who have an individual reading plan is designed to happen in addition to the regular reading instruction that the student will receive in the classroom as part of the standard program. Learn more about where individual reading plans fit into FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy focus area, or email Ms. Baer with questions. Families can also reach out to their child’s teacher via TalkingPoints for information about their child’s specific plan.

Nominate a Westlawn Staff Member for an Outstanding Employee Award

Each year schools across FCPS are asked to nominate staff members to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their schools. School nominees are then advanced to their pyramid (Falls Church), then the Region (2), and finally to the “finals” where one is recognized across all of FCPS. Even without making it all the way through, just being a nominee is a huge honor. We would like your help to nominate teachers, professional employees, and school leaders! All it takes is a short paragraph from you to start the process. Nominations are due by November 8.

New Digital Safety Resource: Thorn for Parents

Thorn is a site focused on the intersection of technology with puberty and sexual development. Their mission is to defend children against threats and sexual abuse. Thorn’s website offers families a robust search tool where they can look for relevant support materials by child’s age, topic, and the adult’s level of comfort with the discussion. Thorn currently has materials to support children between ages 7-17, and there are places on their site to join email lists to be notified when new materials are developed.

Family Compact

As a Title I school, we are required to develop and maintain a Family Compact. This Compact describes the work we intend to do for and with families to ensure that families have opportunities to be meaningfully engaged with the Westlawn community. Our updated 2024-2025 Family Compact is now available on our website. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Hill.

REMINDER: Westlawn Honors Military Service

We will be making a display to honor those in our community who have served or who currently serve the United States. Learn how to include your family member in the display.

REMINDER: Vaccination Clinics

There are still a few vaccination clinics left, including a new one scheduled for October 29. Learn more about the clinics and how to sign up.

REMINDER: We Are Hiring!

We are still looking to find two more amazing people to join our team! Both of the vacancies are for full-time positions. The links below take you to job descriptions for each position. If you want to submit your resume, or you have questions, please email Mr. Hill.

• Public Health Training Assistant
• Preschool Autism Class Instructional Assistant

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• FCPS Family Orientation
• Community Conversations
• Immunization Clinics

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

NEW! October 25: World Series Spirit Day

Game 1 of the World Series is on Friday night, October 25. One of the beautiful things about our community is that we have families from all over the world, and we know we have several staff members and students who are Yankees or Dodgers fans. On Friday we invite everybody to wear their Yankees or Dodgers gear to celebrate each team’s pennant victory. If your child is not a Yankees or Dodgers fan, they are invited to wear their favorite baseball team’s gear, Yankee gray, or Dodger blue clothes.

October 25: International + Art Night

This year International Night will be combined with Art Night for a multicultural and visual spectacular from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM! Learn more about attending as a guest or participating and sharing your family’s background and culture. Look for fliers about participating in International + Art Night in today’s Thursday folder.

October 30: Wear Black to School!

Help our kindergarteners learn their colors by wearing black to school today!

October 31: Two-Hour Early Release

Students will be released at 1:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.

October 31: Book Character Dress Up Day and Parade

Students are invited to dress up as their favorite book character. Costumes should be appropriate for school and not include masks or weapons. Students in costume will be invited to participate in the annual book character parade.

November 1, 4, 5: No School for Students

November 1, 4, and 5 are holidays for students. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on November 6.

November 5: PTA Election Day Bake Sale

Support the PTA Election Day Bake Sale by creating treats to sell, lending a tent to provide shade, or selling baked goods to people casting their vote. You could also support them by taking a walk to buy yourself a treat, too! You deserve it!

November 9: SAVE THE DATE! Westlawn Day

Westlawn Day will take place from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Volunteer at International and Art Night

We are looking for a few enthusiastic family volunteers for Friday’s event! Be one of those enthusiastic volunteers.

Volunteer for or at the Election Day Bake Sale

This year we are doubling our locations for the Election Day Bake Sale. We need volunteers to bake, to sell, and to drop off tents to keep the treats and the volunteers shaded. Donate baked goods, share a tent, or sign up to sell goodies.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

AAP Service Highlight: Access to Rigor 

FCPS is committed to developing the academic talents of all students through lessons with critical and creative thinking (CCT) and AAP curriculum. All students have access to this rigor if they are in K-2 by attending their CCT special. In addition, all teachers K-6 periodically facilitate lessons that provide opportunities to think critically, reason and problem solve and scaffold as necessary so that students are exposed to this level of thinking. You can try some Access to Rigor at home by using our 9 CCT strategies!

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life. This year, we are using Second Step, a research-based SEL program designed to teach students essential skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Each focus for the week will share recommendations for conversations and activities families can do at home to promote SEL outside of school.

Kindergarten

In this week’s lesson, your child will show what they’ve learned about the importance of paying attention, practicing, and continuing to try after making mistakes. They’ll put these skills to use while learning a rhyme with accompanying movements.

Try This at Home: Ask your child to show and teach you the rhyme they learned, along with the movements, so you can do it together.

1st Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will show what they’ve learned about paying attention, managing distractions, and practicing as they learn to draw Pepito, a character from Second Step Elementary animated videos.

Try This at Home: Ask your child to tell you about their experience learning to draw Pepito. Encourage them to draw a family portrait with Pepito in it as a way to keep practicing.

2nd Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will use what they’ve learned from the unit to give advice to someone who is struggling to learn something new.

Try This at Home: Ask your child what advice they would give you if you were having a hard time learning something new.

3rd Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will make their own practice plan.

Try This at Home: Ask your child to share their practice plan with you. If they brought it home, find a place to display it where they’ll see it every day. Check in to see how their plan is going, and support them if they need help adjusting their plans.

4th Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will practice the full goal-setting process as they work toward a 10-minute goal with a group.

Try This at Home: Work with your child to make a list of 1-week goals you could set as a family. Choose one and make sure it’s specific, challenging, and doable. Follow the goal-setting process to make a plan, check in on how it’s going, and at the end of the week, reflect on how it went and what you could do next time.

5th Grade

In this week’s lesson, your child will apply the full goal-setting process they learned in this unit to work toward a 10-minute goal of their choice.

Try This at Home: Ask your child about the goal-setting process they learned in this unit and why it’s important. Encourage them to set a new short-term goal that's right for them and to follow the process they learned. Check in along the way to see how it’s going.

If you have questions about these prompts or ideas, or social-emotional learning in general, please email Westlawn’s SEL Coach, Ms. Andrews.  We can work together to create a positive and safe school environment!

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Volume 1, Issue 10

Westlawn Families:

Digital Citizenship Week has been a big hit! Thank you to all families who supported by dressing in pinks, workout clothes, team gear, and Westlawn Spirit Wear (tomorrow) to encourage safe and responsible use of technology. At Westlawn we have a wide net of technology enhancement supports as we help children learn how to use these resources to enhance and augment the learning experience. Please reach out to Ms. Alanna Dushok if you have any questions around supporting your children at home.  

During this week and next, each grade level team will participate in a full-day collaborative planning and data reflection meeting. These days are designed for teams to closely analyze student data and create individualized, small group, and whole group instructional plans to meet the learning needs for all children. A guest teacher will provide instruction for the day within the classrooms while teachers engage in this work.  

Next Friday we look forward to welcoming families into the building for Art and International Night! A volunteer sign-up sheet will be sent out for anyone interested in helping facilitate the event. A form to bring food for the event was sent home in your child’s Thursday folder last week, as well as a form for anyone interested in performing at the event. We look forward to bringing the community together next Friday night!

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

This week we are celebrating National School Lunch Week and highlighting the importance of school lunch. At Westlawn we are proud of the fact that every student is eligible to receive a free school lunch which means every student has access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and milk of choice every day.

Congratulations, Ms. Roundtree!

Ms. Roundtree recently completed professional learning to become a Global Classroom Project educator. Learn more about what Ms. Roundtree has planned for her students as she embarks on this new journey!

Newsletter Survey Feedback

Thank you to those families who filled out our newsletter survey a few weeks ago! Here is some of the feedback we received and what we are doing to address it:

• Fliers: Due to a recent change to the Americans with Disabilities Act, entities like public schools need to ensure that all electronic communication is accessible, meaning that it can be read by a screen reader on a device. Anything written in plain text is readable, but photographs of text, such as an image of a flier, are not. This is a big change for us! This year we are experimenting with sharing information electronically in ADA-compliant ways, while also balancing families’ preferences for receiving information. If you have any questions or suggestions for how we can better meet your needs, please contact Ms. Dushok, who will be very happy to talk with you about her current favorite field of interest.
• Grade Level Newsletters and Curriculum Information: We went back to our staff to learn about newsletters, and discovered that all families with children in grades K-2 should be receiving a newsletter from that child’s teacher or grade level teacher leader. If you are not receiving that communication, please reach out to your child’s teacher. At this time, grades 4-6 are not creating newsletters, and families are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher with any curriculum questions they might have. Additionally, all schools within FCPS operate under the same academic standards across all subject areas, and our district-wide curriculum ensures that all teachers at any grade level are teaching the same standards at the same time. Families are encouraged to check out the Family-Facing Curriculum to learn more.
• Recordings of Community Conversations: We have traditionally added the Community Conversations slides to our website, and based on newsletter feedback we are also now going to link the video of the recording and add the AI-generated Zoom Summary.
• Testing Dates at Westlawn: There are many assessments that we give at Westlawn, including the Standards of Learning Exams (SOLs), iReady tests, CogAT, VALLSS, and WIDA. Whenever possible, we try to build the tests into the student’s day so that their schedules remain consistent and they do not miss specials, need recess moved, etc. To make that possible, we give grade level teams latitude in choosing their own testing dates within a provided window, customizing their specific testing schedule to meet their students’ needs. For this reason, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher for the specific testing dates for their classroom. For SOLs specifically, we will share the SOL schedule with families as soon as it is available, sometime in the spring. Learn more about the purpose of each test or see a breakdown of which tests happen at each grade level within FCPS.
• Volunteer Opportunities: We do our best to share these opportunities in Community Conversations and in this newsletter under the heading “Engage with Westlawn” (keep scrolling down).
• Weekly Spotlights and Learning More About Teachers: Oh boy! Get ready and keep your eyes on our Instagram and Facebook pages for more great content featuring your favorite Westlawn teachers.

Do you still have questions about the Feather Report or anything we are doing to address this feedback? If so, please email Ms. Dushok.

Westlawn Honors Military Service

We will be making a display to honor those in our community who have served or who currently serve the United States. Learn how to include your family member in the display.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Learn About Lexia for Literacy
• Schools Win Exemplar Awards
• Upcoming Community Conversations

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

October 17: Full-Time AAP Referral Information Session

Please join us for an informational session about the process of screening for full-time AAP services in Fairfax County Public Schools, and here at Westlawn. Students must be in current grades 2-6 to be eligible, but any parent is welcome to join. This meeting will be held on Zoom, with Mrs. Maxwell from 5:30-6:30 PM. It will be translated and recorded. A copy of the recording will go out to the community if you are unable to join us. Please email Mrs. Maxwell if you have any questions.

October 14-18: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week

Westlawn will celebrate Digital Citizenship Week by hosting a Spirit Week from October 14-18. This year’s focus for Digital Citizenship Week will be on the ways in which digital citizenship overlaps with social-emotional learning.

October 18: TJ Invitational Science Fair Information Meeting

Learn about entering the TJ Invitational Science Fair at this information meeting from 6:00-7:00 on Zoom. Fill out the information form once for each interested student.

October 21: Three Hour Early Release

Students will be released at 12:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.

October 22: School Picture Day

School photos will be taken by LifeTouch. Families can preorder photos on the LifeTouch website, either by signing in or by clicking “Continue as Guest” and entering code EVTN37GW6.

October 23: Wear White to School!

Help our kindergarteners learn their colors by wearing white to school today!

October 25: International + Art Night

This year International Night will be combined with Art Night for a multicultural and visual spectacular from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM! Learn more about attending as a guest or participating and sharing your family’s background and culture. Look for fliers about participating in International + Art Night in today’s Thursday folder.

October 31: Two-Hour Early Release

Students will be released at 1:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.

October 31: Book Character Dress Up Day and Parade

Students are invited to dress up as their favorite book character. Costumes should be appropriate for school and not include masks or weapons. Students in costume will be invited to participate in the annual book character parade.

November 1, 4, 5: No School for Students

November 1, 4, and 5 are holidays for students. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on November 6.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Donation Opportunity: Help the PE Team Buy Fresh Gator Balls

The PE team is hoping to be able to replace some of their Gator Balls, the rainbow-colored foam core balls that are used by students in every grade level in a variety of activities that teach throwing and catching. Learn more about what the PE team uses them for and how you can contribute to their Donors Choose.

Volunteer Opportunity: Keep the Paint Shirts Sparkling Fresh

We are looking for a few volunteers to help keep our paint shirts sparkling fresh for students in art! The task involves picking up a basket of paint shirts on Friday afternoon, washing and drying them, and bringing them back to school on Monday morning. If your family would like to help, please contact our art teacher Ms. Terrell.

LAST CALL: Donation Opportunity: Help Fund Sensory-Appropriate PAC Libraries

Our new Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) program is looking for financial support to fund libraries full of sensory-appropriate books for their students. Donations can be made through the Scholastic website, and both PAC teachers will split the total collected.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

AAP Service Highlight: Twice Exceptionality (2e) 

Twice Exceptional students (abbreviated as 2e) are those that are advanced in one or more subject areas and have special education needs. An example of a 2e student is one that might have outstanding critical and creative thinking skills while also requiring teacher support for executive functioning skills like organization and sustaining attention. FCPS trains all teachers to recognize and support our 2e learners. You can learn more about 2e learners through the FCPS website and handbook.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

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Volume 1, Issue 9

Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day this week was a huge success!  Each year we see more and more children and families participating, much thanks to our PTA volunteers for handing out Westlawn key chains to children during student arrival. 

Next week we celebrate Westlawn’s Digital Citizenship Week - each day has a different theme to promote internet safety, technological literacy, and the use of social media and applications to enhance the student learning experience.  

And finally, with the school year in full swing we look forward to some upcoming family events!  Please review the ‘Dates and Events’ section below and start marking your calendars!  

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

We had approximately 151 students walk, bike, or roll to school on October 9! We were thrilled with the families who volunteered to make the event fun, and anticipate making the spring one even more amazing!

Fliers Coming Home Today

Two more clubs are being offered to students in grades 3-6 this fall. Color in Dreams will be hosted by high school students, and Drama Club is also returning. We anticipate there being a high volume of interest in these clubs and will complete selection by lottery. Clubs will meet on Thursdays after school. If your child does not bring home a flier in their folder today and is interested, please contact their teacher.

There is Still Space in the Family Literacy Program!

There are still a few spots available in our Family Literacy Program! The program meets in person on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00-8:00 PM at our school. It focuses on teaching parents activities that they can do with their children to help them learn through songs and play, ultimately leading to their success when they enter elementary school. Interested families are encouraged to contact our parent liaison, Mrs. Reyes (via email or by calling 703-241-5125, in order to claim one of the remaining spots!

October 7-13 is Digital Inclusion Week in FCPS

Technology is for everyone, and Fairfax County works to ensure that all families have access to technology resources regardless of their income. The Digital Equity and Inclusion page on the Fairfax County website provides families with resources to find free WiFi, borrow computers, find tech classes, and more! Fairfax County’s partner, Computer CORE, offers free online classes for adults looking for jobs who want to update their computer skills. Families are encouraged to review these opportunities and see which ones might meet their needs!

REMINDER: Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students

Students are again required to have certain immunizations to attend school in FCPS. If your child still needs any of these required immunizations, there are free immunization clinics offered throughout Fairfax County on October 12, October 21, NEWLY ADDED October 28 and November 18. Please note that the clinics request you to register in advance.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• All FCPS Schools Accredited
• How FCPS is Teaching Reading and Writing
• Become a Special Education Teacher

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

October 12: Steamology STEM Fest

Mt. Vernon High School is holding its annual Steamology STEM Fest and families are invited!

October 12: Early Childhood Resource Fair

Families with children between ages birth and 8 might be interested in attending the Early Childhood Resource Fair at the Culmore Library between 11 AM - 1 PM. Our partner SevaTruck food truck will be on site providing free meals to families.

October 14: Student Holiday

There is no school for students on October 14 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

October 16: Restaurant Night

Grab some grub from Chick-fil-A in Seven Corners today between 11 AM and 8 PM. Use the app, choose Community Care at checkout, and enter code WESTLAWN24 so we can earn 15% of the proceeds, which will go to fund PTA initiatives. Plus, it’s a chance to become Westlawn famous by sharing photos of your crew enjoying the food with Ms. Dushok (or text to 571-355-2321)!

October 17: Full-Time AAP Referral Information Session

Please join us for an informational session about the process of screening for full-time AAP services in Fairfax County Public Schools, and here at Westlawn. Students must be in current grades 2-6 to be eligible, but any parent is welcome to join. This meeting will be held on Zoom, with Mrs. Maxwell from 5:30-6:30 PM. It will be translated and recorded. A copy of the recording will go out to the community if you are unable to join us. Please email Mrs. Maxwell if you have any questions.

October 14-18: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week

Westlawn will celebrate Digital Citizenship Week by hosting a Spirit Week from October 14-18. This year’s focus for Digital Citizenship Week will be on the ways in which digital citizenship overlaps with social-emotional learning.

October 18: TJ Invitational Science Fair Information Meeting

Learn about entering the TJ Invitational Science Fair at this information meeting from 6:00-7:00 on Zoom. Fill out the information form once for each interested student.

October 21: Three Hour Early Release

Students will be released at 12:30 PM today so that Westlawn staff may engage in professional learning.

October 22: School Picture Day

School photos will be taken by LifeTouch. Families can preorder photos on the LifeTouch website, either by signing in or by clicking “Continue as Guest” and entering code EVTN37GW6.

October 25: International + Art Night

This year International Night will be combined with Art Night for a multicultural and visual spectacular from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM! Learn more about attending as a guest or participating and sharing your family’s background and culture. Look for fliers about participating in International + Art Night in today’s Thursday folder.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Feedback Opportunity: Help Us with Our Website

We have been asked to create a “Top 10 Things About Westlawn” page on our website. Please share your favorite thing about Westlawn with us to help us build our list.

Donation Opportunity: Umbrellas

Do you have any extra umbrellas? We are collecting them to use when walking between the quad classrooms and the main building. If you have any to donate, please give them to Ms. Vu or Ms. Escalante in the main office.

Donation Opportunity: Help Fund Sensory-Appropriate PAC Libraries

Our new Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) program is looking for financial support to fund libraries full of sensory-appropriate books for their students. Donations can be made through the Scholastic website, and both PAC teachers will split the total collected.

Volunteer Opportunity: Keep the Paint Shirts Sparkling Fresh

We are looking for a few additional volunteers to help keep our paint shirts sparkling fresh for students in art! The task involves picking up a basket of paint shirts on Friday afternoon, washing and drying them, and bringing them back to school on Monday morning. If your family would like to help, please contact our art teacher Ms. Terrell.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

AAP Service Highlight: Young Scholars

Did you know we have about 100 students at Westlawn designated as Young Scholars? A Young Scholar is a student who has been identified as gifted in one or more subject areas and may be from a historically underrepresented population or a potential first generation college student. These students may face barriers to access and therefore are given some additional opportunities to try new and challenging experiences. Some of the ways we meet the needs of our Westlawn Young Scholars are: goal setting and growth mindset morning meetings, field trips (some during the school day, some after school hours with families), summer learning programming, and encouragement to take part in enrichment opportunities.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

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Volume 1, Issue 8

Dear Families,

We wish all our students and families a happy, safe, and hopefully dry, four-day weekend. The first quarter is winding down, take these days to help your child(ren) recharge. Learning is fun, and it’s also exhausting!

Next Wednesday is our annual "Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day." This event is a great way for our students to get active, promote environmental sustainability, and enjoy the company of their peers. We encourage you to join us for this fun-filled morning, and we thank our PTA volunteers for supporting the initiative. 

And finally, it’s time to schedule a family conference with your child's teacher. If you haven't already done so, please reach out to your child's teacher via TalkingPoints or email to arrange a meeting. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress, set goals, and work together to ensure their academic success.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Have a wonderful long weekend!

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

National Custodian Appreciation Day was October 2, and we celebrated our wonderful custodial team with treats and gifts! Thank you to Morena Bermudez, Elmer Castillo Luis Guerra, Ana Romero, Rafael Sorto, and the recently-retired David Paniagua for all that you do to keep Westlawn clean and safe!

Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students

Students are again required to have certain immunizations to attend school in FCPS. If your child still needs any of these required immunizations, there are free immunization clinics offered throughout Fairfax County on October 8, October 12, October 21, and November 18. Please note that the clinics request you to register in advance.

We Are Hiring!

We are hiring a full-time Public Health Training Assistant (PHTA). If you have questions or want to submit your resume, please email Mr. Hill.

Printable FCPS Lunch Menus

FCPS now offers printable breakfast and lunch menus that look like calendars. At the moment, the printable menus are only available in English. Menus in other languages are available on the LINQ Connect menu page. To change the language, click on the three bars in the top left corner of the screen, then choose the language from the drop-down menu.

HIPPY is Here, and You Can Still Join!

HIPPY is a program designed to support parents of preschoolers in learning how to help their children become school-ready. Westlawn hosts multiple sessions of HIPPY on Wednesdays, and there are a few spots left. If you are interested in signing up, please email our parent liaison Mrs. Reyes, or call her at 703-241-5100. HIPPY is open to all families, not just those who currently have children at Westlawn. Please share this information if you know a family with preschool-aged children in our neighborhood.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• FCPS Strives to Become Purple Star School Division
• Sign and Return SR&R
• Upcoming Immunization Clinics

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

October 3 - October 4: Student Holidays

There is no school for students on October 3, in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, and October 4, which is a staff work day.

October 9: Wear Purple to School!

October 9: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day

Students are encouraged to use human-powered systems to come to school on October 9 via walking, biking, or rolling. Participating students will receive a special prize!

October 12: Steamology STEM Fest

Mt. Vernon High School is holding its annual Steamology STEM Fest and families are invited!

October 14: Student Holiday

There is no school for students on October 14 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

October 14-18: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week

Westlawn will celebrate Digital Citizenship Week by hosting a Spirit Week from October 14-18. This year’s focus for Digital Citizenship Week will be on the ways in which digital citizenship overlaps with social-emotional learning.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Volunteer Opportunity: Hand Out Prizes for Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day!

Get your day off to a great start by handing out prizes to students who walk, bike, or roll to school on October 9! Sign up for a Walk, Bike, and Roll location.

Donation Opportunity: Umbrellas

Do you have any extra umbrellas? We are collecting them to use when walking between the quad classrooms and the main building. If you have any to donate, please give them to Ms. Vu or Ms. Escalante in the main office.

Donation Opportunity: Help Fund Sensory-Appropriate PAC Libraries

Our new Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) program is looking for financial support to fund libraries full of sensory-appropriate books for their students. Donations can be made through the Scholastic website, and both PAC teachers will split the total collected.

Volunteer Opportunity: Be the Laps for Learning Queen or King

Laps for Learning is Westlawn’s annual PTA fundraising event, with an emphasis on the fun. In this role you will get to work with PTA President Simone Rose and PE teacher Grant Maloney to help structure and deliver a positive and enjoyable lap-running event on March 27. This role is a great fit for someone who believes in the importance of fitness and wants to help students fall in love with running. To claim it for yourself, please email Simone Rose.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

Learning = Fun!

One of the unique and super fun things about Westlawn is our Mobile Makerspace! A few years ago the AAP department was able to use grant funding to create a large mobile cart that can be moved all over the school. This cart is chock full of a wide variety of craft, recycled, and building supplies, and the tools to put them all together (such as: cardboard, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, clay, scissors, tape and glue)! Teachers create new lessons or use already existing ideas and allow students to engage in the Engineering Design Process through building, revising, collaborating and presenting their creations. Sometimes major events in history are depicted, sometimes landforms are better understood through building them, and sometimes real-world problems might be solved like building CO2 collectors.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principal Hill has asked that any extra umbrellas be shared with the school to help students keep dry when moving to and from the trailers for classes. There are more students moving back and forth now and after the rain we've seen lately it is clear that more coverage is needed to keep students comfortable for the rest of the day.  If you have a spare umbrella, please drop it off in the front office as a donation.  Thank you in advance!

Simone Rose

PTA President

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Join the Westlawn PTA today!

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Volume 1, Issue 7

Westlawn Families,

We are excited to announce that our third Principal, Ms. Erin Theiss, officially joined us on Monday! Ms. Theiss (pronounced TICE) is an experienced administrator who brings a wealth of knowledge and a trove of ideas to our community, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to have her join our leadership team. Ms. Theiss has already begun visiting classrooms, supporting staff, and meeting with students and families. We encourage you to say hello the next time you visit Westlawn!

Next week is a three-day week for students, and Thursday and Friday (October 3-4) are both student holidays. Despite the short week it is full steam ahead for learning and we are looking forward to three great days on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We appreciate your consistency in ensuring that children are on time and ready to learn no matter the schedule.

Ms. Carpenter, Ms. Theiss, and I are grateful for your flexibility and patience with arrival and dismissal in the dreary weather we have experienced all week. Keeping fingers crossed for a break this weekend!

Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, and Erin Theiss

Proud Principals

Caption: Welcome to Westlawn, Ms. Erin Theiss! We are so excited that Ms. Theiss has officially joined our staff as our third Principal! She has been spending her first week meeting staff, observing classrooms, and learning all about FCPS.

Westlawn Debuts Food Sharing Program on September 30

Starting on September 30, students who get school lunch will have the opportunity to give certain items to a food sharing basket during lunchtime. Food shared in the sharing basket will be made available for all students to take if they are hungry. Classroom teachers are reviewing the food sharing expectations with students this week. Families are invited to learn more about food sharing and preview the slides used by the teachers on our website.

In Case You Missed It: Back-to-School Night Info

Westlawn’s Back-to-School Night on September 19 was a success! If you would like to revisit the slides or snag a link that a teacher shared with you, please check out the ICYMI Back-to-School Night recap on our website.

“All That New Literacy Stuff”

Many families have questions about our new reading program, Benchmark, and the new literacy screener, VALLSS, otherwise colloquially known as “all that new literacy stuff.” Our reading coach, Ms. Baer, shared information about the changes to literacy instruction and assessment during our Community Conversation on September 25. See a recording of the session and browse Ms. Baer’s curated collection of additional resources.

Reminder: The Feather Report Reader Survey

We are curious to learn about you, the readers of The Feather Report! Please take this brief, anonymous survey to let us know what you look forward to in the newsletter and what suggestions you might have to make it better for you! We will share the data in a future issue of The Feather Report.

FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Accessing Intervention Plans
• Students to be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
• Update Immunizations Today!

CANCELED DUE TO BAD WEATHER: September 27: Westlawn Students Sing the Star Spangled Banner

Select students will represent Westlawn by singing the Star Spangled Banner with students from other Falls Church High School pyramid schools before the football game. The game starts at 7:00 PM. Families are encouraged to go cheer on the Jaguars and our Eagles!

October 2: Wear Blue to School!

The entire Westlawn community is invited to help our kindergarteners learn their colors by wearing the color of the week on Wednesday. This week’s color is blue!

October 3 - October 4: Student Holidays

There is no school for students on October 3, in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, and October 4, which is a staff work day.

October 9: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day

Students are encouraged to use human-powered systems to come to school on October 9 via walking, biking, or rolling. Participating students will receive a special prize!

October 12: Steamology STEM Fest

Mt. Vernon High School is holding its annual Steamology STEM Fest and families are invited!

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Volunteer Opportunity: Be the Laps for Learning Queen or King

Laps for Learning is Westlawn’s annual PTA fundraising event, with an emphasis on the fun. In this role you will get to work with PTA President Simone Rose and PE teacher Grant Maloney to help structure and deliver a positive and enjoyable lap-running event on March 27. This role is a great fit for someone who believes in the importance of fitness and wants to help students fall in love with running. To claim it for yourself, please email Simone Rose.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

Ideas for Home

Ever wonder how to enrich your students when they aren’t in school? A trip to see something new like a nature center or a museum is always a great idea! But there’s lots of ways you can do something right from your home too. Check out this list of boredom busters from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Also, FCPS has a site with lists of good book choices, and strategies you can try at home. Give something a try and see what sparks your child’s interest!

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Volume 1, Issue 6

Westlawn Families,

We are excited to welcome families back into the building tonight for Back to School Night! Doors will open at 4:30 PM, grade level sessions begin at 5:05 and 5:30 PM. Enjoy the hallway decor, reconnect with former teachers, and explore your child’s classroom. Different grade level academic sessions will be located throughout the building - there will be signage posted and staff present to guide you in the right direction.  

We’d like to extend our thanks to the entire school community for your flexibility and empathy as we worked through the first early release Monday of the school year. We hope your experience was smooth, and we look forward to streamlining the dismissal process in the future.  

Ms. Carpenter and I are forever thankful and honored to lead this beautiful community. We will look forward to seeing families tonight!

Christoph Hill and Stephanie Carpenter

Westlawn Principals

Each day all classes start with a Morning Meeting, an opportunity for students to greet each other and settle into the day. During some Morning Meetings, students have the opportunity to share about their own lives and make interpersonal connections. During others, students review academic topics or discuss social-emotional learning skills and strategies.

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Feather Report Reader Survey

We are curious to learn about you, the readers of The Feather Report! Please take this brief, anonymous survey to let us know what you look forward to in the newsletter and what suggestions you might have to make it better for you! We will share the data in a future issue of The Feather Report.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Caregiver Checklists
• New Food Options in FCPS
• Early Release Mondays

TONIGHT! September 19: Back to School Night

Visit teacher classrooms and learn about students’ exciting learning opportunities this year! From 4:30-5:00 families will be welcomed into classrooms and have the opportunity to meet specialists. Then, at 5:00 and 5:30 there will be two sessions for families to hear grade-level presentations about what their child will experience this year at Westlawn. Learn more here.

September 24: Advanced Academics Program Information Session

Westlawn’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Gretchen Maxwell, will share information about Westlawn’s AAP program with interested families in the Westlawn library from 5:00-6:00 PM.

September 27: Westlawn Students Sing the Star Spangled Banner

Select students will represent Westlawn by singing the Star Spangled Banner with students from other Falls Church High School pyramid schools before the football game. The game starts at 7:00 PM. Families are encouraged to go cheer on the Jaguars and our Eagles!

October 3 - October 4: Student Holidays

There is no school for students on October 3, in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, and October 4, which is a staff work day.

October 9: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day

Students are encouraged to use human-powered systems to come to school on October 9 via walking, biking, or rolling. Participating students will receive a special prize!

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Volunteer Opportunity: Be the Laps for Learning Queen or King

Laps for Learning is Westlawn’s annual PTA fundraising event, with an emphasis on the fun. In this role you will get to work with PTA President Simone Rose and PE teacher Grant Maloney to help structure and deliver a positive and enjoyable lap-running event on March 27. This role is a great fit for someone who believes in the importance of fitness and wants to help students fall in love with running.

Spread Joy Opportunity: Nominate a Westlawn Staff Member for an FCPS CARES Award

We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with families and work hard to make sure we partner with you to help your child succeed. Now, we are asking for your help. Has your child or your family experienced a “WOW” moment when working with one of our staff members since school began? If so, please nominate them for an FCPS CARES award! All nominated staff members receive an official email announcing their nomination, and each month a handful of nominees “win” and are officially recognized by FCPS, sometimes with flowers. Spread some joy and nominate someone today!

Volunteer Opportunity: Keep the Paint Shirts Sparkling Fresh

We are looking for a few volunteers to help keep our paint shirts sparkling fresh for students in art! The task involves picking up a basket of paint shirts on Friday afternoon, washing and drying them, and bringing them back to school on Monday morning. If your family would like to help, please contact our art teacher Ms. Terrell.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

What Exactly is CCT?

Ever wondered what in the world your child is talking about when they say they had their “CCT Special” that day? CCT stands for Creative and Critical Thinking, and there are 9 identified CCT skills in FCPS. All 9 have one thing in common: they help children develop creative, unique thinking as they reason and problem solve. CCT skills help students in ALL subjects and in the real world. The CCT special at Westlawn is just one way most students are able to access the AAP curriculum on a regular basis, and it’s taught by our veteran CCT teacher, Kate Flegal with support and occasional co-teaching by our AART, Gretchen Maxwell.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

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Volume 1, Issue 5

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to all our families able to attend our first PTA meeting of the year last night!  Your presence and participation are invaluable to our school community. It's wonderful to see so many families engaged in their child's education and committed to making our school a positive and supportive environment.

We are excited to welcome our families at Back-to-School Night next Thursday evening! This event is a fantastic opportunity for you to meet your child's teachers, learn about our curriculum, and discover ways to support your child's academic and social growth.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.  

Your Proud Principals,

Christoph Hill and Stephanie Carpenter

Our AVID focus this year at Westlawn is helping our fifth and sixth graders develop the organizational skills that they need to be successful as they transition from elementary school to middle school and beyond. To that end, we bought all sixth graders an official academic agenda where they will record their assignments and other important information. Stay tuned to see how these students build their capacity to organize themselves and their tasks throughout the year!

Monday, September 16 is a 3-hour early release!

Families, please be aware that Monday, September 16 is a 3-hour early release. Forms were sent home throughout the summer and early fall asking families to share their dismissal plans. If we do not have your plan on file, then we must keep your child at school until 3:30. If you have any questions, please contact our main office at 703-241-5100.

Lockdown Drills at Westlawn

We are required to complete one lockdown drill in the first 20 days of the school year. Prekindergarten and kindergarten students do not participate in this drill, but will participate in one that is held later in the year. Families will receive at least 24 hours notice before a drill is scheduled. These tips for families offer guidance about how to have conversations with your child about the drill and offer strategies to support children who may feel nervous or have questions.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Immunization Reminders
• Make Attendance a Priority
• A Chance to Give Feedback about FCPS’ Redesigned Website

September 14: Free Dental Clinic

A free dental clinic will take place on September 28, and families must register to participate. Registration will take place on September 14 and the clinic is limited to 150 patients. Learn how to register and what services are available.

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release

Our teachers will be participating in professional learning designed to help them become more proficient at teaching children to read. We appreciate your support in ensuring that students are picked up promptly. Other 3-hour early release days are listed on our website calendar.

September 16: The Bandage Program

FCPS high school students will be hosting a series of virtual learning sessions and in-person opportunities related to science and medicine, geared toward FCPS elementary and middle school students. Learn more here.

September 17: Color Days - Wear Yellow!

The entire Westlawn community is invited to help kindergarten students learn colors by wearing the color of the day on Wednesdays during the first part of the year. On September 18, please wear yellow!

September 18: Restaurant Night @ Westlawn

Place your order with Lebanese Taverna by 5:00 PM on September 17, and collect your meal at 4:00 PM on September 18 at kiss and ride (Door 10). Email Lesia Lampton if you would like to place an order but need a later pickup time.

September 19: Back to School Night

Visit teacher classrooms and learn about students’ exciting learning opportunities this year! From 4:30-5:00 families will be welcomed into classrooms and have the opportunity to meet specialists. Then, at 5:00 and 5:30 there will be two sessions for families to hear grade-level presentations about what their child will experience this year at Westlawn. Learn more here.

September 24: Advanced Academics Program Information Session

Westlawn’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Gretchen Maxwell, will share information about Westlawn’s AAP program with interested families in the Westlawn library from 5:00-6:00 PM.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Spread Joy Opportunity: Nominate a Westlawn Staff Member for an FCPS CARES Award

We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with families and work hard to make sure we partner with you to help your child succeed. Now, we are asking for your help. Has your child or your family experienced a “WOW” moment when working with one of our staff members since school began? If so, please nominate them for an FCPS CARES award! All nominated staff members receive an official email announcing their nomination, and each month a handful of nominees “win” and are officially recognized by FCPS, sometimes with flowers. Spread some joy and nominate someone today!

Volunteer Opportunity: Keep the Paint Shirts Sparkling Fresh

We are looking for a few volunteers to help keep our paint shirts sparkling fresh for students in art! The task involves picking up a basket of paint shirts on Friday afternoon, washing and drying them, and bringing them back to school on Monday morning. If your family would like to help, please contact our art teacher Ms. Terrell.

Social Media Opportunity: Be a Blue Star Featured Family!

We are looking for a few military families to be featured on social media during Blue Star Welcome Week. Featured families will be interviewed by Ms. Dushok and asked to share a few favorite family photos that show what life is like for military families. Interviews and photos will be highlighted on our social media channels during Blue Star Welcome Week (September 21-29, 2024). Please contact Ms. Dushok if your family would like to participate.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

FCPS’ Advanced Academic Programs Philosophy

Did you know that FCPS is officially committed--on paper--to developing the strengths and talents of all students? It’s true! In the FCPS Advanced Academic Program Philosophy it states that all students deserve engaging learning experiences and a rigorous education that meets their personal needs. At Westlawn, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher Mrs. Maxwell works tirelessly to ensure that every student has access to rigor through the AAP continuum of services. Learn more about how your child accesses advanced academics at Westlawn by attending our family information session on September 24.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

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Volume 1, Issue 4

Westlawn Families:

While I’ve always been impressed with our childrens’ kindness and courtesy, and regularly receive compliments from outside our community regarding student behavior, our children have kicked it up a notch in the Westlawn Cafe.  Appropriate conversational tones, warm language, and respect for the dining environment have been a focus for children in all grade levels this year, and children are collaborating and partnering to enhance our dining experience the Westlawn Way!

I'm also excited to announce that our first PTA meeting of the year will be held next Tuesday at 6:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, learn about school initiatives, and get involved in our community. The virtual meeting link will be sent out prior to this meeting.  We hope to see you there!

Your Proud Principals,

Christoph Hill and Stephanie Carpenter

An autumn Westlawn tradition is to celebrate Color Days to help kindergarteners learn their colors. Check out Mrs. Feldman’s girls celebrating this week’s color: red! You can see more photos on Mrs. Feldman’s class Instagram. And, to keep track of other Color Days, stay tuned to Westlawn social media or keep tabs on our website calendar!

Attendance matters and Westlawn is here to help!

Did you know that a student who misses 10% of school days is considered chronically absent? That breaks down to 18 days per year, or about 2 per month. One of our evergreen school goals is to reduce the number of chronically absent students. To help with that goal, we have created the Westlawn Attendance Team: Silvia Caballero, Marcela Escalante, Sarah Jacoby, Marisa Johnson, and Hilda Reyes.

• If a student is absent for 5 days, a member of the Westlawn Attendance Team will contact the family using TalkingPoints to alert them that 5 days have been missed.
• Additional action will be taken at various intervals to combat chronic absenteeism and support families in getting children to school regularly.

We are Title I! What does that mean?

Westlawn is a Title I school, which means we receive extra funding due to the percent of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Learn more about how Westlawn uses the extra funding and what it means to be a Title I school in FCPS.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures at Kenfig and Nottage

Families are encouraged to be mindful when dropping off and picking up students at Kenfig and Nottage. The small, busy intersection features plenty of foot traffic, but is not designed for the volume of car traffic it often receives.

Please exercise caution around this intersection. If you drop off or pick up by vehicle, please do not block sidewalk cuts, which are needed by students on bicycles or by families pushing strollers or using mobility-enhancement devices.

FCPS News

Are you curious about what’s happening more broadly in FCPS? This week’s In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) FCPS roundup covers:

• Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities
• School Safety Reminders
• Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

September 6: Outdoor Movie Night

The Scouts are hosting an outdoor movie night for the community! Learn more about it.

September 9: Discovery Zone Cleanup

Join the Scouts after school and help clean up and beautify the Discovery Zone. Learn more about it.

September 10: PTA Meeting

The PTA Meeting will be held on Zoom at 6:30 PM with available translation into Spanish. Click here to join the meeting. All families are welcome! You can also become a member of the PTA today.

September 11: Color Days - Wear Orange!

The entire Westlawn community is invited to help kindergarten students learn colors by wearing the color of the day on Wednesdays during the first part of the year. On September 11, please wear orange!

September 16: The Bandage Program

FCPS high school students will be hosting a series of virtual learning sessions and in-person opportunities related to science and medicine, geared toward FCPS elementary and middle school students. Learn more here.

September 19: Back to School Night

Visit teacher classrooms and learn about students’ exciting learning opportunities this year! Learn more here.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Social Media Opportunity: Be a Blue Star Featured Family!

We are looking for a few military families to be featured on social media during Blue Star Welcome Week. Featured families will be interviewed by Ms. Dushok and asked to share a few favorite family photos that show what life is like for military families. Interviews and photos will be highlighted on our social media channels during Blue Star Welcome Week (September 21-29, 2024). Please contact Ms. Dushok if your family would like to participate.

Grant a Teacher’s Wish!

Thank you to those families who have granted a teacher’s wish! You brought smiles and joy to teachers who have been working so hard to make sure Westlawn students are nurtured, advocated for, and empowered! We are sharing the teacher wish lists one more time as a reminder to families who may have wanted to sponsor a wish and forgotten in the chaos of the extra-long weekend.

Volunteer Opportunity: Clean Up the Discovery Zone

Join the Scouts on September 9 at 5:00 PM to help clean up the Discovery Zone! You will get a good workout, meet new friends, and feel the satisfaction of making a difference for Westlawn students.

Volunteer Opportunity: Westlawn Library

We are looking for a few volunteers to help in our library! Volunteers will be asked to commit to a shift in the morning (before 11 am) or the late afternoon (2:30-3:30). Shifts might be an hour once or twice per week depending on the volunteer’s availability. Volunteer tasks include shelving books and maintaining the collection. If you are interested, please contact our librarian, Ms. Heyer.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Volume 1, Issue 3

Nine days into the school year and Westlawn students are already in the groove! Thank you to all our families, students, and staff members for traversing the transition from summer together, and getting our children ready to learn and thrive. The halls are filled with smiles, love, and students following the Westlawn Way!

We wish all our families a safe Labor Day break, and look forward to seeing children return to learning next Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Christoph Hill and Stephanie Carpenter, Westlawn Principals

Breakfast looks a little bit different at Westlawn this year. Instead of picking up prepackaged meals as students enter the building, they instead have a choice of proteins, produce, and grains to select from breakfast carts. Not only does this new system encourage students to make their own choices, it also cuts down on a ton of plastic waste. We think it is a huge win!

Kiss and Ride Reminder

When dropping a child off using kiss and ride, please remain in your vehicle. Our staff are prepared to support children with exiting or entering vehicles. Your cooperation and support are greatly appreciated!

Community Use at Westlawn: New Regulation

We love when community groups use our space! Please be aware that a new regulation was recently released about requesting the use of the space. Now, all requests must be for dates at least 15 days in advance. This is a new change for all of us and we thank you for your patience as we adopt it moving forward. If you have questions or need help reserving a space, please contact Ms. Escalante in our main office.

Grant a Teacher’s Wish!

Would you like to help Westlawn students have an even more amazing year? Consider granting a teacher’s wish! Several of our teachers have shared their classroom wish lists with us, and we have compiled the set on our website. If you’re wondering how to both support the classroom and say a hearty “thank you for everything you do for students,” this might be the answer!

Fresh Water for Students and Staff Members Thanks to the PTA

Students and staff members are enjoying fresh water thanks to the Westlawn PTA who generously supported the acquisition of new water filters. Staff and students are overjoyed that they will be able to refill their water bottles with fresh-tasting water to stay hydrated for days full of joy and learning. Thank you, Westlawn PTA!

Social-Emotional Learning Happening at Westlawn

Classroom teachers at Westlawn will be using a social-emotional learning program called Second Step with students starting next week. In this week’s Thursday folder, be on the lookout for more information about Second Step, and a set of activities and conversations you can use with your child at home. More information about Second Step at Westlawn can be found on our website.

Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE

Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates. SIS ParentVUE can be used to do many things, including:

• Updating Contact Information
• Completing Permission Forms
• Submitting Absences

If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account yet, contact Westlawn’s registrar, Ms. Caballero, via email for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.

🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service. Learn more about Parent Reports and sign up to receive one.

Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses. 

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2050 with any additional questions. For any concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000. 

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.

✨ Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Each and Every Student

As we begin a new school year, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students. Watch Dr. Reid’s message.

August 30 - September 2: Labor Day Break (no school for staff or students)

We look forward to welcoming students and staff back into the building on September 3!

September 4: Color Days - Wear Red!

The entire Westlawn community is invited to help kindergarten students learn colors by wearing the color of the day on Wednesdays during the first part of the year. On September 4, please wear red!

September 6: Outdoor Movie Night

The Scouts are hosting an outdoor movie night for the community! Learn more about it.

September 9: Discovery Zone Cleanup

Join the Scouts after school and help clean up and beautify the Discovery Zone. Learn more about it.

September 10: PTA Meeting

The PTA Meeting will be held on Zoom at 6:30 PM with available translation into Spanish. Click here to join the meeting. All families are welcome! You can also become a member of the PTA today.

September 16: The Bandage Program

FCPS high school students will be hosting a series of virtual learning sessions and in-person opportunities related to science and medicine, geared toward FCPS elementary and middle school students. Learn more here.

September 19: Back to School Night

Visit teacher classrooms and learn about students’ exciting learning opportunities this year! Learn more here.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

Volunteer Opportunity: Westlawn Library

We are looking for a few volunteers to help in our library! Volunteers will be asked to commit to a shift in the morning (before 11 am) or the late afternoon (2:30-3:30). Shifts might be an hour once or twice per week depending on the volunteer’s availability. Volunteer tasks include shelving books and maintaining the collection. If you are interested, please contact our librarian, Ms. Heyer.

Volunteer Opportunity: Clean Up the Discovery Zone

Join the Scouts on September 9 at 4:00 PM to help clean up the Discovery Zone! You will get a good workout, meet new friends, and feel the satisfaction of making a difference for Westlawn students.

Join a Community Conversation

Join us on Wednesday at 11 AM on Zoom to hear the important news from the school from Principal Hill! Community Conversations happen weekly barring school holidays or weather closures. If you miss a Community Conversation, you can catch up with slides and AI-generated transcripts on our website.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Volume 1, Issue 1

This week we welcomed Westlawn Staff back from Summer Break and started preparing classrooms to welcome students next Monday!  Our Community Walk on Tuesday was a big hit, much thanks to all our families able to come out and see us!  There is so much love in this community, we consider serving you and your children both an honor and pleasure.  

Join us tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM for our annual Welcome to Westlawn Event on the field/blacktop to meet teachers and engage with a variety of different community organizations.  We look forward to seeing everyone!

Look at the smiles on the faces of our families and staff members during the first Westlawn Community Walk!

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back-to School!

As summer winds down, our school and staff are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Before the first day of school, make sure you have completed the following:

Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar Ms. Caballero if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Update Your Contact Information

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

Update Immunizations and Records

Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. Please log in to SIS ParentVUE to see what immunizations your child has recorded. 

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia as soon as possible. If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services.

Remember to request your child’s immunization record and bring that to the school’s front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.

Prepare for Meals at School 

Just like last year, all Westlawn students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch at school this year. Breakfast will be provided in to-go bags for students to pick up on their way into school in the morning. At lunch, students need to simply get in line and will have their choice of hot entree and sides in addition to our salad bar.

Families who want children to be able to purchase additional food items, such as dessert treats, will need to ensure that their children have an account set up using MySchoolBucks. If you have not already, set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. 

MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically as needed, and families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account.

Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. While all students will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch at Westlawn this year, eligible families still must apply. This ensures that we, as a school community, continue to maintain the status required to be eligible for universal free meals. Additionally, having a free and reduced-price meals application on file will open eligible families to other benefits, such as free and reduced-cost summer camps. If you need any support in completing the application, please contact our main office at 703-241-5100.

Save the Date: Back-to-School Night

Westlawn’s Back-to-School Night will be held September 19 from 4:30-6 PM. Stay tuned for more details!

🔖 Bookmark the School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

• Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
• Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days. 
• Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
• Note: Some holidays and observances, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift and the calendar may be adjusted.

Stay Connected! 

Families should expect to receive a newsletter once per week when school is in session. Families are also encouraged to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools: Steering Committee Update

As a reminder, FCPS elementary schools will have limited early release Mondays during the upcoming school year. The goal is to provide elementary teachers with additional time to meet new professional development requirements for the Virginia Literacy Act.

You can help us with planning for the seven early release Mondays. Please watch your email for a short survey from us asking if your child will leave at the early release time on these days or remain at school until the standard dismissal time. Your response will help us in planning activities for students who will need to stay at school until regular dismissal time.

We realize there are many details for us to finalize before our first early release Monday in mid-September. Thank you for your patience, we strive to create a positive and successful experience for students, families, and teachers. 

Early release Mondays for our school include:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

Learn more about Early-Release Mondays.

Free Workshops for Families

Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC).

In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar website.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

Welcome to Westlawn: Friday, August 16, 10-11 AM

Join us on the field on Friday to meet your child’s teacher, drop off school supplies, and reconnect with friends! At 11 AM we will invite new kindergarten families to walk through the kindergarten hallway and take a peek at their child’s classroom.

First Day of School: Monday, August 19, 8:30 AM (doors open) and 8:45 AM (instruction begins)

We are looking forward to a wonderful year! Please note that families will not be able to enter the building this morning, and we will have all staff on hand to ensure that students get breakfast, join their assigned classes, and get off to a strong start.

Parent Coffee for Kindergarten Families: Monday, August 19, 8:45-9:30 AM

Join us on the field under the white tent to celebrate the start of this new adventure! We will provide coffee and pastries, give an overview of your child’s experience in the classroom, and provide time and space for you to meet other kindergarten families.

Labor Day Break: Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2

Since we start school before Labor Day, we are required to turn Labor Day weekend into a four-day weekend. There will be no school on Friday, August 30 or Monday, September 2. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, September 3.

To see more schoolwide and community events, remember to check out our website calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to make it even more convenient.

We are looking for someone to help coach the Science Olympiad team with Ms. Rebecca Lentz, one of our new Westlawn staff members. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Carpenter.

• Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
• Text a staff member with TalkingPoints
• Browse our website

3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Office: 703.241.5100
Attendance: 703.241.5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram