Mustang Memo 3.27.26
Spring Break: March 30 - April 6
ICE CREAM

Many of our Houses earned an ice cream sundae this week!


Note from Dr. Sheers

As we approach Spring Break and prepare for Quarter 4, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for their continued hard work and commitment. This has been a demanding stretch, and our school community continues to show what it means to be Mustang Proud.

Spring Break is a time to rest and recharge. I hope everyone returns refreshed and ready to finish the year strong.

Quarter 4 is an important and exciting time. Let’s stay focused, support one another, and continue to demonstrate Mustang Proud in all we do.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable Spring Break!


News and Notes


Calendar Changes

April 21, 2026 - CALENDAR CHANGE - No School
Due to the need to accommodate polling locations at our schools and worksites for the Virginia statewide election, FCPS schools will be closed for students on Tuesday, April 21.

April 22, 2026 - CALENDAR CHANGE - No Early Dismissal


Visiting our school anytime soon?
Avoid frustration and pre-register!

Raptor Safe is our new visitor management system. This will be the standard way to sign in at all FCPS schools.  

The new system allows you to pre-register via the Raptor Safe app, saving you valuable time when checking in for school visits or events! We strongly encourage all family members to download the app and complete their registration today, it will only take a couple of minutes to complete the process!

Registration Options:

  • Via the App: Search "Raptor Safe" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also visit raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/ for direct links.
  • In Person: If you are unable to register ahead of time, you can still complete the process at the school kiosk. Please ensure you have a valid photo ID with you to check in

Optional Parent Input - Due Today

Parent Input for the 2026-2027 School Year
As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, our staff collaborates regarding student placements.  A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academic abilities are considered as we create our new classes.  Other factors impacting the decision-making process of student class assignments are new student enrollments and teachers moving to a new assignment.      

West Springfield families may assist in this process by sharing insights. Please note the following when providing information. We do not accept requests for specific teachers for the upcoming grade placement.  This includes hints that reference specific teachers.  While all feedback is reviewed and considered, we cannot guarantee placement or non-placement with any other specific students.   We do our best to create a positive learning year for your child. 

Please provide your input by submitting this FORM as it will ensure we have your request.  Please do not email us additional information to your child’s teacher or administration.  Completion of the form is optional: however, the deadline for any correspondence is Friday, March 27 at 4 PM. Thank you for your input.


Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Screening for Subject-Specific and Part-Time Services

Students may be evaluated for subject-specific and part-time AAP services at any point during the school year. Each spring, schools also review data for all students to determine service placements for the upcoming school year.

  • Parents or guardians may begin the screening process by submitting the AAP School-Based Services Referral Formto the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) or Assistant Principal by April 15 each year.
  • Families who submit a referral will receive notification from their local elementary school regarding their student’s eligibility status by early June.

For additional details, please refer to the Spring AAP Newsletter.

If you have questions, contact our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Caryn Seiler, at csseiler@fcps.edu


2026 Special Education Family Conference

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.


Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

Nominate Our Outstanding WSES Staff
Do you know an outstanding WSES staff member who goes above and beyond or turns ordinary to extraordinary? Nominate them for an FCPS Cares Award and help share how amazing they are!

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on: 

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.


Pyramid Art Show
Save the date!  Wednesday, April 15th, 5pm-8pm, West Springfield High School

The Pyramid Art Show is an annual art exhibit.  Selected artwork from West Springfield ES will be displayed along with artwork from surrounding elementary schools, Irving Middle School and West Springfield High School.  Students that have art on display will receive an official invitation with their name on it in the beginning of April. 

Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
The new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities at our school or across the school district. 

Volunteer FCPS is how FCPS provides a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. Anyone interested in volunteering with FCPS must:

  • Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS. 
  • Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS. 
  • Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk on EVERY visit – no exceptions.  

SOL Testing and Parent Permission to Retest

testing

Students in grades 3-8 participate in state assessments each year. These Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments measure how students are learning grade level standards. See the table below for the primary dates for Spring 2026 SOL testing at WSES. 

Grade Level

Reading SOL

Math SOL

Science SOL

Integrated Reading & Writing SOL

3

May 12

May 14

none

none

4

May 12

May 14

none

none

5

May 12

May 14

May 19

March 24 (no retesting)

6

May 12

May 14

none

none

More information about these assessments can be found on the webpage SOL Tests in Elementary and Middle Schools. The Grade Level Tests webpage outlines the division testing schedule for required assessments at each grade.

The state allows elementary school students who fail a spring SOL test to have another attempt before the end of the school year. Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-6. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s grades or academic record.  

If you believe your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, submit your decision using the Parent Digital Consent application. This application uses your SIS ParentVUE login. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE Account, you may complete and return a printed copy of the permission form (available in seven different languages) to give permission for retesting.  

If you have questions about state assessments or about SOL retesting, contact your student’s teacher or James Koontz, School Testing Coordinator, at jhkoontz@fcps.edu.


From our Family Liaison

CU

Celebrating Month of the Military Child in April

The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child where we recognize and celebrate all our military connected students. FCPS designates April 15th as Purple Up Day where everyone wears purple to show our support for our military students. Please save the date of April 15th for our Purple Up Breakfast where we invite all WSES military connected students and their families to join us. Please RSVP here.

Additionally, we encourage our military connected students to fill out an about me poster to display in our front hallway. These were sent home in Thursday folders but if your student needs another copy they can pick one up from the office or you can print one here.

Purple Up Spirit Week April 13th-17th

Monday- Patriotic Day! Wear red, white, and blue.

Tuesday- Stars and Sparkles! Wear stars and/or sparkles.

Wednesday- Purple Up Day! Wear lots of purple!

Thursday- Hats Off to Military Kids! Wear your favorite hat to school.

Friday- House Color Day! Wear your house color.


All Things Rising Kindergarten

kinder

It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and begin the registration process!

 

Questions? Please contact our registrar Maria Paz Garcia.


Kindergarten Orientation

DATE: Wednesday, April 22
TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
WHERE: Cafeteria
WHO: Parent and Rising Kindergartner


Save the Date

monday, March 30 - Monday, April 6 - Spring Break

Thursday, April 9 - School Wide Field Trip!

Friday, April 10 - No School

Monday, April 13 - Week of Book Fair

Wednesday, April 15 - Purple Up! and STEAM Night