Fairfax County Public Schools and West Springfield Elementary School are committed to supporting our military-connected students. We value our military-connected families and are thankful their service. WSES is proud to have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as a 2023 Purple Star school, its second time receiving this recognition. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.

Annual Veterans Day Recognition

• Each year WSES has a Veterans Day Celebration where we recognize and show our appreciation to our veterans for their brave and selfless service to our country. In 2022, we held a breakfast for the veterans connected to our school and their families. Following breakfast, veterans were invited to join their student(s) in the classroom to share their experiences and answer questions regarding their service in the military. The celebration concluded with a special flag-raising ceremony led by members of the neighborhood Boy Scout Troop.   

Month of the Military Child

• April is designated as the Month of the Military Child. Throughout the month, we recognize our military-connected students for their resiliency and sacrifices. In 2023, we honored our military-connected students with a special banner displayed in the main hallway and each of our military-connected students received a recognition certificate for their service to their school, community, and nation. On our daily Morning News Show, we shared military “Fun Facts” as well as pictures of some of our military families. Finally, we celebrated our military-connected students with a Spirit Week April 17-20 with an emphasis on Wednesday, April 19 when all students and staff were encouraged to “Purple Up!” by wearing purple for military children.

Military and Family Life Counselor

• WSES has a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) who works with our active-duty student population. Our MFLC offers a myriad of services and is available to parents and students. Visit our School Counseling page to learn more about WSES’s MFLC.  

Student Ambassador Program

• Our Student Ambassador Program helps new students with their transition into WSES and navigating a new school environment. Student Ambassadors connect new students with peers, activities, and opportunities. When new students first arrive, they are welcomed by our Student Ambassadors, who give them a school tour highlighting important spaces within the building, introduces them to key staff members, answer questions, and serve as their buddy as they transition to our school. We make every effort to include a military-connected student in each class to serve as Student Ambassador. Additionally, Student Ambassadors will introduce new students to other military-connected classmates. 

Students with Special Education Accommodations

• WSES and FCPS follow federal guidelines with respect to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the 504 process and eligibility. Visit the FCPS Navigating Special Education Needs and Parental Rights page for information specific for military families.  

Points of Contact

School-based Military Student Support Point of Contact

• Jason Potten, Assistant Principal

School-based Student Transition Team Coordinator at West Springfield ES

• Ryann Laden, School Counselor

School Division (FCPS) Point of Contact

• Meredith Ayala, Family Partnerships Specialist, 703-204-4305, @email

Military School Liaison Officers (SLOs)

The National Capital Region school liaison officers serve our school district. These school liaison officers are DOD employees. They are available to assist military families in all branches of the military with education-related matters. 

Additional Resources