Note from Dr. Sheers
As we prepare for the new school year, we are working toward 100% completion of student re-enrollment forms for every family before school begins. The annual re-enrollment packet includes the early release Wednesdays childcare selection.
Families may complete their forms electronically through ParentVUE, or by downloading the paper forms from the FCPS website and returning them to the school office. All re-enrollment forms must be completed before the start of school.
Please note that teacher assignments will be released only after your child's re-enrollment forms have been completed.
News and Notes
Online Annual Forms (Action Needed)
The Online Verification/Update (OVU) packet is now open and available for parents to complete.
As we prepare for the new school year, we are working toward 100% completion of student re-enrollment forms for every family before school begins.
Families may complete their forms electronically through ParentVUE, or by downloading the paper forms from the county website and returning them to the school office. All re-enrollment forms must be completed before the start of school.
Dates for Early Release Wednesdays
Early Release Wednesdays will start in late September 2026. Each elementary school will have a total of four early release days throughout the school year. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
Early release Wednesdays for West Springfield ES are:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE
Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success! Caregivers can view important information like attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores through ParentVUE.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. It is available online and as a mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up to date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View additional details about ParentVUE.
FCPS Updated Cellphone Policy
For elementary school students, cellphones and other personal smart devices - including smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, smart glasses, and other internet-connected devices - must be off and stored away during the entire school day, including lunch.
Devices should be kept in a backpack during the school day.
Students and families are encouraged to review the full policy and learn more about what to expect for the upcoming school year on the FCPS Cellphone Policy. The biggest change for us will be the removal of the lunch period for phone use.
School Supplies
School supplies are available on our website.
Save yourself the trip to multiple stores and help the school earn extra supplies by placing your PTA Supply Kit by Friday.
If you need financial assistance, please email our school counselor, Ryan Laden.
How to Modify or Unsubscribe to the Newsletter
If you no longer wish to receive WSES News You Choose updates, you must unsubscribe yourself. Please follow this link and enter in your email address to modify your subscriptions.
New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall
This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school.
Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.
All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
New ParentVUE Mobile App
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Save the Date
Looking Ahead to 2026-2027 School Year:
The FCPS 2026-27 School Year calendar is available on the FCPS website.
Wednesday, August 19 Homeroom Assignments communicated
Thursday, August 20 Open House
- 2:00 - 2:30 - New WSES Families Only
- 2:30 - 3:30 - Open House
Monday, August 24 First Day of School! Doors open 8:45 am
Friday, September 4 - Monday, September 7 - No School
Wednesday, September 16 - Back to School Night (adult only)
- 5:30 - 6:15 - Kindergarten/First Grade
- 6:00 - 7:15 - Meet our Specialists (Cafeteria)
- 6:15 - 7:00 - Second, Third and Fourth Grade
- 7:00 - 7:45 - Fifth/Sixth Grade
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