We hope you are enjoying the time with your children and look forward to a successful school year with you. Included in this message are school related items as we begin the new year. Below are some important updates and information.

Be in the Know
Be sure to bookmark our website for the latest school information:  https://westspringfieldes.fcps.edu/ 

You must self-subscribe to News You Choose in order to receive the school’s and PTA weekly emails/updates at  https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/subscriber/new?qsp=VAEDUFCPS_1

Open House – Thursday, August 22
Open House times are the following:

                       1:00                Preschool Open House

                       1:30                New Parent Orientation (cafeteria)

                       2:00 - 3:00    Open House

We request that you bring three things with you to Open House:

1. A letter describing your child to help your child’s teacher get to know him/her a little better and picture if you have one.
2. Student supplies which can be dropped off at the classroom.
3. If applicable, any medications your child needs to have kept at school.  Please bring the medications and appropriate health care forms and drop them off with our clinic aide, Gilda Rodriguez.

Make Sure You are Registered for and Can Access Parent View
Parent View allows parents and legal guardians of FCPS students to access FCPS 24-7 Learning (Blackboard), Fairfax County Public Schools’ Internet-based learning system, without sharing login information with their children. Parents are also able to use other tools of special interest such as wecare@school for updating Emergency Care Information online. If you have already registered for Parent View, you do not need to register again; however, if you need to set up an account or need assistance accessing your current account you can visit the new “FCPS 24-7 Learning: Parent Help” page at http://www.fcps.edu/is/instructionaltechnology/247help/parents.shtml.

School Meals
You can manage your child’s school meals electronically at MySchoolBucks.  Sign up on-line at www.myschoolbucks.com.  

Supply Lists on Web Site
Class supply lists are available on our web site at https://westspringfieldes.fcps.edu/

Student Arrival/Dismissal
School Hours are 8:50 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.

Students can arrive any time after 8:35 a.m. and are to report to the cafeteria. Students are dismissed from the cafeteria at 8:45 a.m. School begins at 8:50 a.m.

In the afternoons, patrols are dismissed at 3:25 p.m., walkers at 3:30 p.m. and bus riders at 3:35 p.m.

No cars are permitted to enter the parking lot during student arrival or dismissal. Please do not block neighbor’s driveways if parking on side streets. We do not have a kiss and ride.

West Springfield’s Communication
The weekly Mustang Memo email communication between home and school is the primary way to stay ‘in the know’. The Mustang Memo is communication from the school sent via the News You Choose system.

You can follow West Springfield ES on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @WSESMustangs to stay up to date on WSES happenings as well.

Get Ready for Back-to-School Night – Thursday, September 5
We are looking forward to seeing you at our Back-to-School Nights. These events are for adults only. Please arrange for child care for your children on this evening and do not bring them to Back-to-School night. These nights are for parents and guardians only.

The beginning of the school year often means some changing in staffing over the summer and additional positions added. This school year, we have gained a lot of additional positions due to growth within our community! Three additional classroom positions and 3 new specialists to fulfill our growing population! Like West Springfield Facebook page to learn more about them!

Monday, August 19
The WSES front office will be closed until noon on Monday, August 19 for staff training. Please take this into consideration if you need to visit the office that day

Since the end of the school year, we had some additional staff changes at West Springfield. Ms. Brooke Menard accepted a counseling position in a charter school in D.C., Ms. Michelle Manella left the teaching profession, and Ms. Dianne Tenney retired. We wish them the very best.

We are looking forward to a great school year! We are a community of learners committed to working together to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students.  The West Springfield staff and administration will work diligently to provide a positive environment for your child. It is our desire to continue to help each child continue to develop into strong, curious learners and become valuable members of our community.

We look forward to partnering with you!