News and Notes
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House Spirit Day - Friday, September 25
Congratulations to all of our Houses! They have unlocked a House Spirit Day/Pajama Day!
Students are encouraged to participate in house spirit on Friday, September 25
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Blue Star Welcome Breakfast!
To celebrate Blue Star Welcome Week, we welcome all new familes to WSES to join us for a potluck breakfast and coffee on Friday, October 2nd at 8am in the cafeteria. This is a great chance to meet and connect with other families in our school community. Our School Counselor, Military Family Life Counselor, and Family Liaison will be in attendance to provide resources for new families and military families at WSES.
Blue Star Potluck Breakfast and Coffee RSVP
 Blue Star Welcome Week Spirit Week
Monday, September 28 - Patriotic Welcome Day so wear red, white and blue.
Tuesday, September 29 - Aloha Welcome Day so wear your tropical or Hawaiian items.
Wednesday, September 30 - Favorite Place Welcome Day so wear something from a place you have lived or visited.
Thursday, October 1 - Wacky Socks Welcome Day so wear wild socks
Friday, October 2 - Mighty Mustang Welcome Day so wear blue, yellow, and white.
Early Release - Wednesday, September 30
Our first Early Release is Wednesday, September 30 at 12:30 p.m. Please plan accordingly. It's a great day to schedule doctor and dentist appointments!
Volunteer With Us!
Now is the time to become an approved FCPS volunteer so you can volunteer as a chaperone, support classrooms and special events, assist in the cafeteria, and more! All volunteers must register with FCPS, complete the volunteer orientation, and sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteer opportunities may also require a background check.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
Get to Know Our School Health Staff
Our clinic aide at West Springfield Elementary is Gilda Rodriguez, and our school nurse is Engy Herakly. Contact them at 703-912-4410 for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions. Visit our school health webpage for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Caryn Seiler, School Testing Coordinator, at csseiler@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting, led by Caryn Seiler, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services & Full-Time AAP Identification: September 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the cafeteria. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students and the referral and identification process for Full-Time AAP services
For more information, please contact Caryn Seiler, AART, at csseiler@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Dates for Early Release Wednesdays
Early Release Wednesdays will start in late September 2026. Each elementary school will have a total of four early release days throughout the school year. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
Early release Wednesdays for West Springfield ES are:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
School Hours
- 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
- Doors open at 8:45 AM *students should not arrive before 8:45 AM
- Students are expected to be in class by 8:55 AM (after that, they are marked tardy)
Attendance
- Please call the attendance line at 703-912-4444 or use our online form to report absences or tardies
- Daily attendance matters—please aim for on-time arrivals!
Family Resource Center
Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Lexia Core5 & PowerUp
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? This virtual session walks families through how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the district this school year to support students’ literacy growth - and gives you a chance to ask questions.
Choose a session and join here: https://lexialearning.zoom.us/j/5891714826
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Save the Date
Monday, September 21 - Student Holiday
Wednesday, September 30 - Early Release at 12:30 p.m.
Friday, October 2 - New Family Blue Star Welcome Coffee 8:00 am
Tuesday, October 6 - Multi-Lingual Family Night, 6-8pm
Wednesday, October 7 - Walk & Roll to School Day
Monday, October 12 - Student Holiday
Wednesday, October 21 - Heritage Night, 6-7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30 - End of Quarter, 2-hour early release at 1:25 p.m.
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