|
November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break
December 15: Full-Time AAP Referrals Due
December 16: Chorus Concert @ 6:30PM
December 18: PTA Meeting and Family BINGO Night @ 6:00PM
Dear Washington Mill Families,
As we head into the Thanksgiving break, we want to take a moment to thank you for being such an important part of the Washington Mill community. This time of year reminds us how fortunate we are to work alongside dedicated families, resilient students, and a staff who care deeply about the success and well-being of every child.
We are grateful for your partnership, your support at home, and the many ways you contribute to helping our school thrive. Our students continue to grow academically, socially, and emotionally because of the collaboration we share with you each day.
We hope the upcoming break gives you time to rest, connect with loved ones, and enjoy moments of peace and gratitude. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a strong finish to 2025.
From all of us at Washington Mill, we wish you a safe, warm, and happy Thanksgiving.
With appreciation,
The Washington Mill Elementary School Administrative Team
With Thanksgiving and the December holidays approaching, this is a good time to remind everyone that all treats for classroom celebrations must be safe for students with peanut allergies. Please avoid homemade treats, as we cannot verify ingredients or cross-contamination. Any store-bought items should be checked carefully to ensure they are peanut-free and not processed in facilities that handle peanuts.
Thank you for helping us keep all students safe while we celebrate together.
It's time for our annual Holiday Giving Project! Help support the members of our community to have the best holiday season. Please drop off WRAPPED and LABELED gifts to WMES no later than Friday, December 12!
Contact the PTA at washingtonmillpta@yahoo.com with any questions!
How to help:
- Review the options and sign up for your gifts
- Shop
- Wrap your gifts
- Label the wrapped gifts with the family number listed with the sign-up
- Drop off your gifts to the Washington Mill Elementary School front office by December 12
Sign up to donate here.
Reminder: Full-Time AAP Referrals due December 15, 2025
WMES Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jennifer Morris at jmmorris1@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025. Parents are highly encouraged to complete and submit the Optional Parent Questionnaire and 2 work samples as well.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and Part-Time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jennifer Morris at jmmorris1@fcps.edu
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss the December 15th deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
FCPS is participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5). VQB5 is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Refer to “VQB5 for Families English/Spanish” for more information.
Our first Attendance Challenge is underway, and we’re excited to see which class will win a donut party! We’re working hard this year to reduce chronic absenteeism, and we need your support to help every student succeed.
Here’s how you can help:
- Send your child to school every day — unless they have a fever, diarrhea, or are vomiting.
- Set a regular bedtime and turn off screens at least one hour before bedtime.
- Establish a consistent morning routine so your child wakes up on time and is ready to learn.
- Avoid scheduling medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session. If appointments must be made, let your child attend school before or after the appointment.
Let’s work together to build strong attendance habits and make every day count!
 ❄️ 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.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Budget
- Prepare for Winter Weather
- Community Meal Nights
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
En caso de que se lo haya perdido en FCPS This Week, la división escolar compartió actualizaciones sobre los siguientes temas y otros:
- El presupuesto de FCPS
- Prepárese para el Clima Invernal
- Cenas Comunitarias
Lea FCPS Esta Semana para aprender más sobre estos temas. Si aún no recibe este boletín semanal, suscríbase hoy mismo.
QUICK LINKS
|
