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 Volume 1, Issue 33
Leadership Ledger
Westlawn Families,
Spring is in full swing at Westlawn, and our students are thriving in so many ways! We have been delighted to watch students experience the joy of music through using tone chimes borrowed from our partners at the VA Bronze Handbell Ensemble, and to watch students’ confidence soar as they practice riding bikes in PE. We also continue to support students’ academic learning as we work toward completing various standardized tests across multiple grade levels.
As the year begins to wind down, we want to encourage families to soak up as many memories as possible! We still have great events planned in the coming weeks, and families can get a sneak peek in the Dates and Events section below or by browsing our website.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Christoph Hill, Stephanie Carpenter, Erin Theiss
Proud Principals
 Check out these first grade students learning to play the tone chimes, a type of handbell on loan to us from our partners at the VA Bronze Handbell Ensemble! Students in grades K-6 are using them to learn about chords. There are also a few spots left for students in grades 3-6 to join the VA Bronze Handbell Ensemble to perform at an upcoming concert! Look for more details below about joining the Handbell Club.
Order Your Yearbook Today!
Preserve the wonderful Westlawn memories from 2024-2025 by ordering a yearbook today! Here’s how:
- Go to ybpay.com
- Enter in code 15398625
- Choose the yearbook package that meets your needs
Yearbooks will be delivered at Westlawn to students in June. Orders can be made through May 5.
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Reminder: Join the Handbell Club!
Students in grades 3-6 have an opportunity to join the Handbell Club and even play in a real handbell show with our partners, the VA Bronze Handbell Ensemble, on June 8. Learn about the opportunity and register your child today.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March, providing information on their SEL skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the SEL Screener Results Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know
Measles cases continue to rise in the U.S. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:
- High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.
The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.
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:
- Protect Your Child From Measles
- Celebrating FCPS Staff and Students
- Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
May 1-3: Mean Girls, Jr.
Several Westlawn alums will be starring in Mean Girls Jr. at Luther Jackson MS on May 1-3 (various showtimes). Buy your tickets today!
May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9, and there are multiple donation or time volunteer opportunities available for families.
May 7: SOL Testing
Grades 3-6 students will take the reading SOL. Learn how to support your child during SOL season. Learn about SOL logistics at Westlawn. See other SOL testing dates.
May 10: The Addams Family
A limited number of free tickets are available for the 2:00 PM production of The Addams Family at Falls Church HS thanks to Theatre 4 Kids. Apply for free tickets today.
May 13: PTA Meeting
The last PTA Meeting of the year will take place on Zoom from 6:30-7:30 PM.
May 14: SOL Testing
Grades 3-6 students will take the math SOL. Learn how to support your child during SOL season. Learn about SOL logistics at Westlawn. See other SOL testing dates.
May 14: Restaurant Night at Badd Pizza
The final Restaurant Night of the year will be held at Badd Pizza. Stay tuned for more details in a future issue!
May 17: Dangers of Vaping Presentation
Girl Scout Troop 2387 is working toward their Silver Award and will present about the dangers of vaping at the George Mason Library on Little River Turnpike from 1-2 PM. The presentation is geared toward students in grades 3-6 and their families.
May 17: Techstravaganza
Thomas Jefferson High School’s Techstravaganza is a FREE hands-on STEM fair that attracts thousands of attendees from the DMV area every year. Over 300 TJ student and teacher volunteers engage students in STEM activities, which include lava lamps, banana DNA extraction, robotics, rocketry demonstrations, programming workshops, and other STEM exhibits. Reserve your tickets now. The event is at TJHS from 10 AM-4 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.
Teacher Appreciation Week Volunteer Opportunities
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9, and there are many volunteer opportunities available for interested families! Learn more about ways to donate and volunteer! And remember: showing appreciation for your child’s teacher can be as easy as a heartfelt thank you message on TalkingPoints, or as part of a homemade card from your child!
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.
Spring Screening
It’s May, so that must mean it’s time to consider school-based AAP services for all students!
Did you know that in May every student is evaluated using multiple measures to determine AAP service needs? It’s true! Teachers on the local AAP screening committee discuss if a student might show a need for subject-specific, or part-time services. Additionally, a Young Scholars designation is considered for these students.
Letters come home to families in backpack mail by the end of May with decisions. Please email our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher Mrs. Maxwell with questions.
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