Note from Dr. Sheers
We are excited to welcome you to our upcoming Open House next Thursday, a special time for you to visit your child’s classroom, meet our dedicated staff, and learn more about the amazing year ahead!
During Open House, we encourage you to:
- Visit your child’s classroom and meet their teacher(s).
- Visit and meet the other grade level teacher(s).
- Access the teacher's Amazon Wish List to support their classroom supply needs.
- Check out other areas of the school, including the cafeteria, library, STEAM room, specials classrooms, and PTA table.
- Review how your child will enter and exit the building and practice that route.
- Is your child a walker? Find a location to meet them after dismissal (i.e. the tent, a tree, the butterfly bench, etc.)
- Bring in any purchased school supplies. PTA supplies will be delivered directly to your child's classroom.
This is a drop-in event, so feel free to come anytime during the scheduled window. While this is not a time for individual conferences, it’s a great opportunity to start building that home-school connection that is so vital to student success.
Parking Reminder: Please be mindful that parking will be limited. We encourage families to carpool if possible and be respectful of our neighbors by not blocking driveways or using restricted areas.
We can’t wait to see you and look forward to a fantastic evening together!
Kelly Sheers and Jason Potten
News and Notes
Key Before-School Action Items
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Digital Consent: Please log into the FCPS Digital Resources Consent portal to review and grant permission for your child to use school-provided digital tools and resources.
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Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet: The enrolling parent must complete the annual OVU forms via ParentVUE or download paper forms from the county website to return to the school office. Only update the portions of the packet that requires updating. *If you are new to FCPS, you do not need to complete this step.
Parent Handbook
To help you stay informed and connected, we’ve updated our Parent Handbook, which includes important information about school policies, procedures, schedules, and more.
Please take a few moments to review the handbook so you’re familiar with what to expect and how we can best work together to support your child’s success.
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.
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
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.
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.
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
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.
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
School Hours
- 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
- Doors open at 8:45 AM *students should not arrive before 8:45 AM
- Students are expected to be in class by 8:55 AM (after that, they are marked tardy)
Attendance
- Please call the attendance line at 703-912-4444 or use our online form to report absences or tardies
- Daily attendance matters—please aim for on-time arrivals!
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, August 28 - Student Spirit Day - Wear Your House Color!
Friday, September 4 - Monday, September 7 - No School
Monday, September 14 - Fall Picture Day
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
Monday, September 21 - Student Holiday
Wednesday, September 30 - Early Release at 12:30 p.m.
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