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October 12- No School
October 13 - PTA Meeting
October 13 - Family Life Education Parent Night
October 13 - AAP meeting (identification process)
October 13-16 SEL Screener (Grade 3-6)
October 20-27 NGAT Testing (Grade 2 and some 3-6)
October 21 - 3 hour early release
October 29- Fall Fest
October 30- 2 hour early release
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Thank you to everyone who attended the Principal's Virtual Coffee on Tuesday October 6. During this session Principal Bennink discussed what it means to be a Title I school, how Title I supports teaching and learning at Washington Mill, our school data and improvement priorities, family engagement, and ways families can be involved in our work.
If you have not had an opportunity to view our School Family Compact it is available on our school website. We are still accepting feedback.
Please take a moment to review it and share any thoughts, suggestions, or questions. Your input will help strengthen our partnership with families and ensure the compact reflects our shared commitment to student success.
Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Feedback Form English
Feedback Form Spanish
Dear Washington Mill Parents and Caregivers,
We are writing to share information about our school’s rating under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). This system provides information about our school’s performance on academic and readiness measures.
Our school has been designated as Approaching Expectations, based on data from last school year. This means the state believes we need additional support to improve our overall school performance.
I want to be clear in saying that our students are much more than the results of standardized tests and point systems. Every day in our classrooms, our amazing educators are leading moments of joy in learning. Our students are working hard and making progress. I am proud to lead our wolves and I am proud to be a part of this amazing community.
Understanding Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework
The School Performance and Support Framework is in its second year and replaced what you may remember as Accreditation. The framework places emphasis on standardized test results, alongside student growth, graduation, and readiness measures that vary by school level.
Washington Mill has an overall framework score of 85.7, which falls into the “Meets Expectations” state performance category. However, because we also received a federal designation of Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), our state performance category was lowered to “Approaching Expectations.”
Our TSI designation means we will receive additional federal resources that support improvement for specific student groups within our school.
How We Are Addressing These Concerns
At Washington Mill, we have been working to strengthen academic outcomes for students with disabilities, particularly in reading and mathematics. Through our School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP), Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) plan, we have identified areas where we need to improve our instructional practices and provide more consistent support for students.
Our efforts include:
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Increased classroom observations and feedback: School administrators are conducting more frequent observations of special education instruction and providing targeted feedback to strengthen instructional practices.
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More frequent student data reviews: We have increased our review of individual student performance and progress for students with disabilities to better identify academic needs, evaluate interventions, and make timely instructional adjustments.
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Targeted instructional coaching and planning support: We have increased coaching, collaborative planning, and instructional support for special education teachers to strengthen the quality and consistency of reading and mathematics instruction.
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Strengthening access to the general education curriculum: We have implemented schoolwide instructional strategies that increase student processing time, discussion, and academic discourse. These practices help make grade-level content more accessible to students with disabilities while maintaining high academic expectations.
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Strengthening targeted interventions: We are providing small-group, evidence-based reading and mathematics interventions and improving our systems for monitoring their implementation and effectiveness.
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Increasing collaboration and accountability: General education teachers, special education teachers, instructional specialists, and administrators are working more closely together to review student progress, plan instruction, and ensure students receive the support they need.
We are encouraged by the substantial academic growth our students with disabilities demonstrated in reading last year, including a double-digit increase in our state reading growth measure. This progress is an important indication that our efforts to strengthen instruction and provide more targeted support are moving us in the right direction.
Our goal is not simply to improve a state performance category. It is to ensure that every student at Washington Mill has access to strong instruction, receives the support they need, and continues making meaningful academic progress.
We remain committed to transparent communication with a continued focus on academic rigor, and supporting each and every student’s learning. Thank you for your trust and partnership in this journey.
Sincerely,
Brad Bennink
Principal
FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring.
Please view the dates for when students in 3rd-6th grade are scheduled to complete the SEL Screener:
October 14- 4th Grade
October 15- 3rd & 5th Grade
October 16- 6th Grade
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses the online Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT) to learn more about students’ reasoning skills in different areas.
Students in Grade 2 and some students in grades 3-6 are scheduled to take the NGAT between October 13 and November 13. It is important that your student attends school on these days, if possible. A later date will be available if your student misses this test and needs an ability test score. Students are not expected to prepare like they would for an achievement test, and they are not expected to know answers to all the questions. However, students will have opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test.
The NGAT is an abilities test. Its purpose is to provide information about your student's cognitive strengths and areas of growth. It has three parts that give information about different strengths: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. Some questions may ask students to find an object that is different from others within a group. Other questions may ask students to complete puzzles by rotating a shape.
An abilities test is one of several tools that schools use to better understand a student’s reasoning strengths and learning profile. Teachers review results with other information to help plan instruction and support. Results can also help determine if a student needs advanced academic services. Score reports are provided to families once results become available. Typically, these reports are available within about one month of the end of the testing window.
If you have any questions about this test, please contact the school test coordinator, Jasmine Piernas (jmpiernas@fcps.edu), at our school. For more information on the advanced academic services and the referral process, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs). You may also contact our school’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Jennifer Morris (jmmorris1@fcps.edu).
 Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to WMES!
Dates: October 26-30th
Location: WMES Library
Family Event schedule and location: October 29, 5:30-7:30 School homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/washingtonmillelemschool
This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books that will get them excited about reading, while also earning funds for our school.
The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating a Book Fair eWallet through our school homepage. It’s easy to set up and easy for family and friends to add funds.
With eWallet, you’ll also have the chance to contribute to Share the Fair™—the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!
Preview the books coming to the Fair by taking a 360° virtual tour via our school’s Book Fair homepage and explore the titles, watch video book trailers, and more.
We can’t wait to see you at the Fair and help every student discover a book they’ll love!
Happy reading!
¡Prepárense! ¡La Feria del Libro de Scholastic llega a nuestra escuela!
Fechas: 10/26-10/30
Lugar: WMES Biblioteca
Día, hora y lugar del evento familiar: 10/29, 5:30-7:30
Página web de la escuela: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/washingtonmillelemschool
Esta es una excelente oportunidad para ampliar la biblioteca de sus niños con libros nuevos que despertarán su interés por la lectura y, al mismo tiempo, recaudar fondos para la escuela.
La forma más sencilla de que sus niños compren de manera independiente en la Feria es crear una eWallet de la Feria del Libro a través de la página web de la escuela. Es fácil de configurar y es fácil que los familiares y amigos aporten fondos.
Con una eWallet, también tendrán la posibilidad de colaborar con Share the Fair™, el programa solidario que apoya a los estudiantes de nuestra escuela que necesitan ayuda para adquirir libros. ¡Considere participar para que ningún niño o niña se vaya de la Feria con las manos vacías!
Echen un vistazo a los libros que habrá en la Feria realizando un recorrido virtual de 360° a través de la página web de la Feria del Libro de nuestra escuela y exploren los títulos, miren los avances en video de los libros y mucho más.
¡Esperamos verlos en la Feria y ayudar a cada estudiante a descubrir un libro que le encantará!
Feliz lectura
Get ready to join the fun! The Wolfpack Wobble, our annual school fundraiser, starts October 15. Keep an eye out for more information about fundraiser details, activities, and prizes. We can’t wait to wobble together!
 Join us for Fall Fest! Washington Mill Elementary School’s Fall Fest is October 29 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Enjoy Trunk or Treat, games and prizes, food, music, and the Book Fair. Join the Wolfpack by signing up to decorate a car, donating candy alternatives or prizes, or volunteering at the event.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Jasmine Piernas, School Testing Coordinator, at jmpiernas@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Jennifer Morris, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
AAP Continuum of Services (Virtual - see link below)
Thursday, October 8th from 6:30-7:30 pm. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Tuesday, October 13th in Room 131. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Morris, AART, at jmmorris1@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Join Steamology on Saturday, October 17 AM - 2 PM at South County HS for STEM FEST 2026!
STEM FEST is a fun-filled, educational event that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for elementary and middle school students. This event provides students with a chance to engage in hands-on activities that are related to STEM fields, featuring high school clubs and vendors, who will set up informational booths or displays related to STEM.
High school students are invited to serve as STEM FEST Volunteers. This is a valuable opportunity for high school students to develop leadership skills, gain community service hours, and potentially inspire younger students to pursue their STEM interests.
Participants can register here. Volunteers can register here.
Need a ride? Free bus service runs from 11 AM to 2 PM, with pick-up and drop-off at Lorton Community Center, Lorton Station Elementary School, and South County High School.
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Conversaciones Comunitarias Directamente con la Dra. Reid
Acompáñenos en una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes lugares de la división escolar. Estas reuniones están abiertas a todos, incluyendo familias, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad. Puede asistir al evento que le resulte más conveniente, aunque no se lleve a cabo en su escuela o comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus opiniones, conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid y hacerle preguntas sobre temas importantes para nuestra comunidad de FCPS.
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