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Dear Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you staying warm this week! Winter is certainly upon us so please remember to send your child in with hats, gloves, and a jacket as classes do go outside for recess on most days. If you need support in getting any of those items, please reach out to Ms. Ana Trevino Gongora, our family Liaison, or call the main office.
As some of you may be aware, Mr. Bishop, our longtime PE Teacher relocated to Texas before winter break. While it was hard to see Mr. Bishop go we are happy for him and his family in this new life adventure. I am also excited to share that Mr. Rob Thompson has assumed his position and will be working with Mr. Hochstrasser and our students for the rest of the school year. Mr. Thompson is married with five children, a Virginia Tech graduate, and owner of KidRealm Camps. He taught elementary PE for 30 years, 25 of those at Poplar Tree in FCPS. He is so excited to be back teaching and is thankful for the opportunity to work with the amazing students and staff at Westgate!
Also, a huge shout out to Ms. Schubert, Ms. Jennelle, and our amazing 5th and 6th grade chorus students for an amazing concert this week. It is so fun to watch our students grow throughout the year and show off their musical talents!
Lastly, we will have our general PTA meeting next Wednesday, January 22, at 6:00 p.m. Details are below but we are excited to have our wonderful art teachers share details about the art program at Westgate, and highlighting our 6th graders artwork in the cafeteria. We will also be conducting a school tour where you will get to see other grade level artwork and spaces in our building. We hope to see you there!
As always, thank you for your continued support of Westgate and have a wonderful long weekend ahead!
Best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
West Fest 2025 - Need Your Input!
Student leaders at Westgate are planning our second annual West Fest and would love your feedback. Please complete this short survey to help them cater the event to the needs of the community.
Family Survey
Join Our Volunteers at Westgate
We hope you had a wonderful winter break and are reaching out as we need your support. The PTA has upcoming events such as BINGO, Volleyball and others that we can only make happen with the support of volunteers. We are looking for individuals to chair these events in partnership with a board member who has run these events in the past. Chairing these events are a great way to get involved and to be sure they can continue to happen at Westgate and the kids love seeing their parents help at school. If interested in getting involved or learning more, please reach out to president@westgatewolvespta.com
PTA Meeting: Wednesday, January 22nd
The next General PTA Meeting will be held on January 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. It will include a tour of the school and an art show featuring the 6th graders' art projects. A virtual option for the first 10-15 minutes of the meeting is available if you are unable to meet in person (click HERE to join). However, because of the tour and art show, in person attendance is strongly encouraged.
Georgetown Basketball Game for our Westgate Families!
Calling All Westgate Families! Get ready for an unforgettable day of basketball, fun, and exclusive perks! Join us as Georgetown Hoyas take on Seton Hall on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 12 PM. This exciting event is open to Westgate students, parents, and fans who want to cheer on the Hoyas while creating lifelong memories with friends and family.
What’s Included?
- High-Five Tunnel Experience for Students:
- Watch your kids light up as they high-five the players as they take the court! (Limited to approximately 50 students—reserve your spot early!)
- Access to the Game and Activities:
- Your ticket grants full access to the game and all its exciting activities.
- Fundraiser for Westgate PTA:
- A portion of each ticket purchased supports our school—making it a win-win for everyone!
Seating Options:
- Sections 217 & 213:
- Enjoy a fantastic view of the action for only $30 per ticket
Important Details:
- Arrival:
- Stadium doors open at 11 AM; the High-Five Tunnel takes place 20 minutes before game time.
- Act Fast:
- Limited spots available for the High-Five Tunnel!
Reserve Your Tickets Now! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to share in the fun and excitement of Georgetown Basketball!
See you courtside, Westgate Wolves!
Upcoming PTA Restaurant Night: Mark your calendars
Tuesday, February 18th: Taco Bamba, 2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, 703-639-0505, runs from 9am-9pm. Mention the coupon code GIVE20 or Westgate at time of order. When purchasing gift cards or ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code: GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out.
Literacy Resources for Families
FCPS has created a literacy resource page for families as we have embarked on a new Benchmark curriculum. Families may access these resources here. Please reach out to your child's classroom teacher if you have specific literacy questions.
Head Lice Awareness
Please be aware that our area has experienced a number of head lice cases this fall. We understand that dealing with head lice can be challenging and stressful for families, and we want to work together to prevent the spread. As we enter the winter season, please remind your child not to share hats and coats with friends, or touch heads with others, as this is the way most lice is transmitted.
We kindly ask all parents to remain vigilant by regularly checking their child's hair for any signs of head lice. For more information, visit Lice Treatment and Prevention | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) Early detection and treatment are key to preventing the spread of lice in our classrooms and beyond.
PTA Membership
All are welcome at our PTA meetings. Joining the Westgate PTA and donating $15 per family amplifies your voice in our school community, gives you the opportunity to vote on PTA-led events and initiatives, and comes with a free, stylish Westgate magnet to drive around OUR neighborhood with. Your membership also helps the PTA create a more dynamic year of programming and advocacy.
To be a part of this thriving community, we invite you to join the PTA. Dues are $15 per family and you can sign up HERE!
Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for Westgate
Please remember to be mindful of our important safety procedures during arrival and dismissal.
- There are NO left hand turns allowed in, or out of, Kiss & Ride during arrival or dismissal.
- There are NO illegal u-turns allowed in front of the school on Magarity Road. Please enter kiss and ride from the correct side (towards rt. 7) and follow the traffic pattern, as we've witnessed both student and staff safety being compromised too often.
- Please ONLY cross your child at the dedicated cross walk (with police officer). Crossing you children at any other location is not safe.
- There is NO parking on either side of Magarity Rd. right in front of the school. Please do not park in these areas.
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Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 8:20 - 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 - 3:40 p.m.
Our number one priority at Westgate remains student safety. Thank you for adhering to these very important safety reminders. Please note that the Fairfax County Police Department will be closely monitoring this situation.
⏰ Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools
You should have received an email from Westgate via eNotify with a required survey about the Early Release Mondays. Dr. Reid initially communicated the plan for these days in mid-June.
The remaining scheduled dates for Westgate are:
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
Activating Your SIS ParentVUE Account
The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.
Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.
Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.
Many of you have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):
- Select the “Forgot Password” button.
- Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.
- More information is available here.
Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account. If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Tracy Green at tmgreen@fcps.edu.
Please take action now to ensure your account is active!
School Meals & Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will cost $1.75. Lunch will cost $3.25, and milk $0.60. Money can be added to your child’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You can also write a check to Westgate Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch here .
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Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals.
Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 610-5700 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Parent Digital Consent System
New this year, families will use the Parent Digital Consent System to complete some forms that have used paper in the past. You will log in using your ParentVUE Account credentials, There, you will be able complete the Digital Resources Consent form for the school year, which is required for all students. You will also be able to find more information about opt-out forms and complete those forms for your student.
Multilingual Parent Information Line
☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.
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