Westgate Weekly News

Westgate Families,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the snow today.  Thank you to our incredible PTA for hosting a fantastic DesignPalooza Spaghetti Tower Challenge last week. It was wonderful to see our students and families engaged in creative problem-solving, teamwork, and lots of fun. Events like these truly highlight the strong sense of community that makes Westgate such a special place.

As we look ahead, please be sure to stay tuned to FCPS communications for any updates regarding potential delays or school closures this week.

If there are no cancellations or delays later this week, please take note of these upcoming important dates. 

• January 28 – 2-Hour Early Release @ 1:30 p.m. for ALL Students
• January 29 & 30 – No School for Students

As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate. We hope everyone stays safe and warm during this winter storm event!

All my best,

Hallie Demetriades

Principal 

Westgate Student Ambassadors - Animal Shelter Drive 

Westgate Student Ambassadors are collecting items to donate to Lucky Dog Animal Shelter.  Please consider helping their initiative by dropping items below off in the main office between January 20 - February 6.

  • Dog and Puppy Food - Wet and Dry
  • Cat and Kitten Food - Wet and Dry

  • Clean Towels

  • Pet Toys - dog and cat
  • Treats - Dog and Cat (no rawhide treats please)
  • Leashes and Collars (no retractable leashes please)
  • Breakaway Cat Collars
  • Food/Water Bowls
  • Printer Paper

Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.

⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.

  • Spanish:Preparativos para el InviernoEl tiempo de invierno llegará pronto. El tiempo de invierno llegará pronto. Mire este video para ver cómo deciden cuándo hay que cerrar las escuelas debido al clima. 

El sitio web de FCPS es generalmente el primer lugar donde publicaremos cuando haya un cierre de emergencia por el clima. Otros canales de comunicación serán usados lo más pronto posible incluyendo correo electrónico, texto, medios sociales, y estaciones de noticias. Aprenda más sobre cómo se comunican los cambios de horario. 

Asegúrese de planificar para la temporada de invierno. Asegúrese de que su información de contacto esté actualizada en SIS ParentVUE, marque el sitio web de FCPS, y planifique para el cuidado de niños si es apropiado.

Mantenga a Su Hijo Bien Abrigado Durante las Actividades al Aire LibreEstaremos atentos a las bajas temperaturas, los avisos y advertencias de viento helado y los avisos meteorológicos que pueden impedir que los niños estén al aire libre. Sin embargo, asegúrese de que su hijo esté vestido apropiadamente con un abrigo y otra ropa de clima frío para que pueda disfrutar cómodamente de su tiempo al aire libre. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ofrece algunos consejos para mantenerse seguro durante el tiempo frío.

Si necesita ayuda para proveer a su hijo de ropa para el clima frío, por favor llame a la Planificación de Servicios Coordinados del Condado de Fairfax al 703-222-0880. El personal multilingüe puede ayudarle con cualquier dificultad que se le presente, como la alimentación, el alojamiento, el empleo, la asistencia financiera, la atención sanitaria y otras necesidades.

Winter Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!

We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at hom

More News and Updates on-the-Go With the FCPS App

Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here’s how it makes life easier:

  • Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events.
  • No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly. There’s no password to remember, and no login is required.
  • Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates including weather announcements.
  • Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.

To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app or download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.  

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Westgate 

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages

FCPS’ 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program lottery opens on Monday, January 12. The program offers students in kindergarten and first grade the opportunity to learn in English and another language — French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish — for half of each instructional day.

The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program. 

Families applying for first grade must do so by Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. Those applying for kindergarten must do so by Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m.

Informational meetings will begin in January. View dates and details on the FCPS calendar. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.

Solicite Cupo para que su Niño Aprenda en Dos Idiomas

La Lotería de cupos del Programa Dual de Inmersión en Idiomas (DLI, por sus siglas en inglés) del período 2026-2027 abre el lunes, 12 de enero. Este programa les ofrece a estudiantes de kindergarten y de primer grado la oportunidad de aprender en inglés y en algún otro idioma, francés, alemán, japonés, coreano o español, durante la mitad de cada día escolar.

Esta lotería, la cual es online e incluye a todo el condado, está abierta para residentes del Condado de Fairfax. Para participar en ella, las familias deben tener una cuenta en SIS ParentVUE. Los estudiantes que no estén inscritos en FCPS, deberán inscribirse en su escuela base antes de solicitar cupo en el programa de inmersión. 

Aquellas familias que estén solicitando cupo por primera vez, deberán hacerlo antes del jueves, 12 de febrero. Quienes estén solicitando cupos para kindergarten deberán hacer su solicitud antes de las 4 p.m. del lunes 2 de marzo. 

Se realizarán reuniones informativas a partir de enero. Encuentre las fechas y detalles en el calendario de FCPS. Si tiene alguna pregunta, puede contactar a Brigid Williams, llamando al 571-423-4600.

Volunteer Registration Update

Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. 

If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.

Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities. ​​​​​​​

Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check). 

To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.

Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.

Westgate Spiritwear—Available All Year!

Even though the Spiritwear Fundraiser has ended, families can still purchase Westgate gear anytime throughout the year and have it shipped directly to your home!

While prices are slightly higher and there’s a delivery charge, this is a great way to grab something special for the holidays — or show your Westgate pride any time of year.

The online store now includes an even bigger selection, with mugs, hats, blankets, and of course, plenty of Westgate shirts!