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Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you having had a wonderful week. It is hard to believe that our school year will begin again in a couple short weeks! This year, you will be notified of our child's classroom assignment directly by their classroom teacher. Those emails will be sent on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 19.
As a reminder, our annual Westgate Open House will be held on Thursday, August 20. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet their teacher, visit their classroom, and drop off school supplies before the first day. School supply lists can be found here.
Open House times are:
Families with both a kindergartener and an older student are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. Please note that classrooms for grades 1-6 will not open until 10:00 a.m.
*Teacher assignments will be shared via email prior to Open House*
Following Open House, we invite all families to join us for Popsicles on the Playground from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is a fun opportunity for students to reconnect with friends, meet new classmates, and begin building relationships before the school year begins.
We are so excited for the year ahead and look forward to seeing everyone on August 20 for Open House and again on August 24 for the first day of the 2026-27 school year!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Last Kindergarten Playdate is Tomorrow, Aug. 8
We have one remaining Kindergarten playdate before the school year starts!
Please join us at the Westgate Elementary playground on:
August 8: 9:30 -11:30 a.m. (Come Play & Make Friendship Bracelets)
There will also be our annual Boo Hoo Breakfast the morning of the first day of school, August 24, immediately following drop-off.
Come meet other parents who have kindergarten students starting at Westgate this fall!
Back to School Night - Wednesday, September 2
Please join us Wednesday, September 2 to learn more about your child's teacher and the school year ahead at our annual Back to School Night. We will be offering two classroom sessions and two optional topic specific sessions during BTSN. You will also have an opportunity to meet our Specialists Team (PE, Music, Art, Library, Counselors). The schedule is as followed:
First Classroom Session - 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Second Classroom Session - 6:05 - 6:25 p.m.
Meet the Specialists - 6:00 - 6:45 pm. (Library)
Optional SR&R Updates - 6:30 - 6:45 p.m. (Cafeteria)
Optional Reading Plans & VALLSS Info - 6:45 - 7:00 p.m. (Cafeteria)
*As a reminder, this is a parent only event. Please make alternate childcare arrangements for your student if you plan to attend.*
New Student ID Cards Coming for Bus Riders this Fall!
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Este otoño llegarán Nuevas Tarjetas de Identificación para los Estudiantes que usan el autobús.
Como parte del compromiso continuo de fortalecer los programas de protección y seguridad mediante múltiples medidas, FCPS implementará un nuevo sistema de identificación estudiantil para los estudiantes que utilizan los autobuses escolares.
La implementación de estas identificaciones constituye una medida de seguridad adicional para los 130,000 estudiantes que utilizan el autobús escolar cada día. El sistema ayudará a garantizar que los estudiantes aborden el autobús correcto, suban y bajen en la parada correspondiente y que únicamente los estudiantes autorizados utilicen nuestros autobuses.
Las tarjetas de identificación se proporcionarán a los estudiantes que utilizan el autobús. Se espera que estos estudiantes pasen su tarjeta por el lector al subir y bajar del autobús. Las tarjetas no rastrean la ubicación ni los movimientos de los estudiantes. La única información disponible será el momento en que un estudiante pase su tarjeta al subir o bajar del autobús. Al igual que la aplicación Here Comes the Bus, una nueva aplicación permitirá a los padres y/o tutores seguir el recorrido del autobús escolar.
En el futuro, es posible que el programa de identificación se amplíe para incluir otros usos, como el acceso a servicios en bibliotecas y el pago de comidas. Conozca más sobre el nuevo sistema de transporte y las tarjetas de identificación estudiantil.
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number of days has been reduced from eight to four.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Please view the dates for our school’s early release Wednesdays below:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
¡Estamos entusiasmados por recibir a todos de vuelta en la escuela!
Mientras el verano llega a su fin, nosotros nos preparamos para darles la bienvenida a los estudiantes en nuestros salones de clase. ¡Revise esta lista para que se asegure de que su niño está listo para el primer día!!
☑️ Inscríbase en SIS ParentVUE
Tenga acceso a los récords de asistencia, calificaciones y tareas asignadas a su estudiante, cuando lo necesite a través de SIS ParentVUE. Contacte al registrador de la escuela llamando al [email/phone number] si necesita un código de activación. Conozca más sobre SIS ParentVUE.
Actualice su información de contacto
¡Asegúrese de que pueda recibir información que es importante! Actualice sus números telefónicos y direcciones email haciendo clic en “Mi Cuenta” y revisando lo que aparece en la sección “Verificación/Actualización Online”. En este formulario, usted también puede actualizar los récords de vacunación, la información de salud y los contactos de emergencia.
☑️ Revise las Vacunas y los Récords de Vacunación
Las vacunas son obligatorias para todos los estudiantes que van a la escuela en Virginia. Este es un paso importante para protegerlos de ciertas enfermedades y mantenerlos saludables.
Cuando le ponga alguna vacuna a su niño, recuerde pedir una copia de su récord de vacunación y entréguela en la oficina principal de la escuela o envíela a través de SIS ParentVUE lo más pronto que le sea posible. Encuentre más información en la página web de FCPS.
☑️ Conozca más sobre las Comidas Escolares
Las familias deben darles dinero a sus estudiantes para comprar comidas en la escuela o enviarles un almuerzo preparado en casa. Como alternativa, pueden solicitar los beneficios de comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido, sujetos a aprobación.
☑️ Ponga el Calendario del Año Escolar en sus Favoritos
Asegúrese de poner en sus favoritos el calendario del año escolar de FCPS para que esté al tanto de los días feriados escolares, las vacaciones y las fechas especiales religiosas y culturales:
- Los días marcados con una “H” azul, son feriados para los estudiantes. Las escuelas estarán cerradas esos días.
- Los días marcados con una “O” naranja son días de observancia religiosa y cultural (o tardes, si solamente se marca medio día). Habrá clases esos días, pero ciertos eventos que no puedan reprogramarse, podrían no realizarse esos días.
- Los días marcados con las letras TW, SD, y SP en color rosa son feriados para los estudiantes, pero son días de trabajo para maestros y personal escolar.
Por favor, note que algunos días feriados o fechas especiales como Eid al Fitr, podrían cambiar y el calendario sería ajustado.
Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families
Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
New Requirement for Student Device Use During the School Day
Starting this school year, students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.
Students may only use their personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28
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.
Download the FCPS App Today!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.
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.
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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