Westgate Weekly News
Westgate's Weekly News3 days 21 hours agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Westgate Families,
I hope this finds you having had a wonderful long weekend!
Tonight is Taco Bamba Restaurant Night. Make sure you mention GIVE20 when you order as a percentage of all proceeds will go directly back to Westgate students.
Also, our next 3 hour early release day is this Monday, February 24. School dismisses at 12:30 p.m. Students that go to afternoon SACC will go directly to SACC unless you noted otherwise. Paper copies of how your child is getting home on this day will be in your child's Tuesday folder. Please note that no changes to your dismissal decision can be made past Thursday, February 20. Thank you for your cooperation as we ensure all students get home safely on this day.
As always, I appreciate your support of all things Westgate, and wish you and your family a wonderful rest of your week ahead.
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Restaurant Night TONIGHT: Taco BambaTODAY!!!, February 18th: Taco Bamba, 2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, 703-639-0505, runs from 9am-9pm. Mention the coupon code GIVE20 or Westgate at time of order. When purchasing gift cards or ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code: GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out.
🎉 Bingo Night is Almost Here! 🎉Join us for a fun-filled Bingo Night on March 14 at 6:30 PM in the school cafeteria!
🔹 Bingo Boards: $5 per board – reusable for all rounds! Boards are rented for the night and must be returned at the end. Buy as many as you’d like HERE! (pre-orders available until 5 PM on March 12) 🔹 Special Deal: Pre-purchase 4 boards for just $15 HERE (available until 5PM on March 12). 🔹 Pizza: Whole pies available for $20 each HERE – perfect for a family dinner! Must pre-order by 5PM on March 12.Limited quantities will be sold that night. 🔹 50/50 Raffle: Take a chance to win big! Half the pot goes to the winner, and the other half supports our school! The raffle starts NOW and the winner will be announced at Bingo Night. Enter HERE.
We Need Volunteers! These events are only possible—and successful—when our community gets involved! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with check-in, board rentals, and more. If you can lend a hand, please sign up HERE.
International Flags Initiative – Submission Deadline: February 25thThe Physical Education Department, Administration, and Parent-Teacher Association are working collaboratively to enhance our gymnasium with international flags that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our student population.
We kindly ask that you review the list at our Parent Teacher Association website: https://westgatewolves.givebacks.com/w/westgatecommunity to confirm that the countries representing your family are included. If you find any omissions, please contact Mr. Hochstrasser at [email protected] or the PTA at [email protected] by February 25th.
Girls on the Run Registration Feb 3-23For girls in 3-6 grade, Girls on the Run (GOTR) is coming back to Westgate! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision-making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of March 3rd, the team will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes lessons/practices, a t-shirt, GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration
Registration for the Spring 2025 program is open February 3-23, and the season will run from the week of March 3 through May 19. For more information and to register please go to www.gotrnova.org. You can also email your Westgate GOTR coaches if you have questions:
- Amina Ahmad; [email protected]
- Jeanne Yozaites; [email protected]
- Naveed Khan; [email protected]
* GOTR is not affiliated with the Westgate PTA. Registration and all proceeds go directly to the GOTR organization.
🚀 Calling All Future Engineers: Design Palooza 2025 is Here!Design Palooza will happen on March 27th- you must register in advance to participate by March 4th.
Ready for an egg-citing challenge? This year's Design Palooza is taking engineering to new heights – literally! Your mission (should you choose to accept it): Create an out-of-this-world landing craft that will keep an egg safe during a daring drop. Think you've got what it takes to be the next NASA engineer? Whether you're a kindergartener with big dreams or an 6th grader with brilliant ideas, we want YOU to join the fun!
But wait, there's more! We're also on the hunt for an amazing t-shirt design that captures the spirit of this egg-straordinary event. Got artistic flair? Put your creativity to work and submit your design by March 4.The winning design will be immortalized on t-shirts worn by all our brave egg-stronauts!
🎨 Submit your t-shirt masterpiece to: [email protected] T Shirt design submissions due by March 4th
Ready to crack this challenge and participate in Design Palooza sign up by March 4th? Click here to sign up for Design Palooza which will happen on March 27th and join the scramble for glory!
Where science meets fun, and eggs learn to fly!
Join Our Volunteers at WestgateWe hope you had a wonderful winter break and are reaching out as we need your support. The PTA has upcoming events such as BINGO, Volleyball and others that we can only make happen with the support of volunteers. We are looking for individuals to chair these events in partnership with a board member who has run these events in the past. Chairing these events are a great way to get involved and to be sure they can continue to happen at Westgate and the kids love seeing their parents help at school. If interested in getting involved or learning more, please reach out to [email protected]
Literacy Resources for FamiliesFCPS has created a literacy resource page for families as we have embarked on a new Benchmark curriculum. Families may access these resources here. Please reach out to your child's classroom teacher if you have specific literacy questions.
PTA MembershipAll are welcome at our PTA meetings. Joining the Westgate PTA and donating $15 per family amplifies your voice in our school community, gives you the opportunity to vote on PTA-led events and initiatives, and comes with a free, stylish Westgate magnet to drive around OUR neighborhood with. Your membership also helps the PTA create a more dynamic year of programming and advocacy.
To be a part of this thriving community, we invite you to join the PTA. Dues are $15 per family and you can sign up HERE!
Arrival/Dismissal Safety Reminders for WestgatePlease 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.
- 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.
⏰ Limited Early Release Mondays - Westgate Dismisses at 12:30 p.m.The remaining early release dates for Westgate are:
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
The SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE Account is an online tool parents can use to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, discipline incidents, health information, and more. In ParentVUE, you can also view student progress reports/report cards and SOL scores.
Your secure SIS ParentVUE Account offers you the ability to use one username/password to login to both the SIS ParentVUE Account and Schoology.
Using the SIS ParentVUE account, parents will also be able to view school information, including teacher e-mail addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. Visit the FCPS website and use the search function and keywords “SIS Parent Overview” for more information.
Many of you have already activated your SIS ParentVUE account with the activation key. If you are unable to login to your account, you may need to reset your password on the SIS Parent Account login page (https://sisparent.fcps.edu):
- Select the “Forgot Password” button.
- Your username is the primary email address you have on file with us in our Student Information System.
- More information is available here.
Newly enrolled families should have received an activation key for your account. If you have not yet activated your account, please reach out to Tracy Green at [email protected].
Please take action now to ensure your account is active!
School Meals & Free and Reduced Price Meal ApplicationsBreakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will cost $1.75. Lunch will cost $3.25, and milk $0.60. Money can be added to your child’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You can also write a check to Westgate Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager at Open House. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch here .
Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year and forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals.
Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 610-5700 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Parent Digital Consent SystemNew this year, families will use the Parent Digital Consent System to complete some forms that have used paper in the past. You will log in using your ParentVUE Account credentials, There, you will be able complete the Digital Resources Consent form for the school year, which is required for all students. You will also be able to find more information about opt-out forms and complete those forms for your student.
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.
February24 - Early Release for Students @ 12:30 p.m.
March12 - PTA Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
14 - PTA Bingo @ 6:30 p.m.
27 - DesignPalooza @ 6:00 p.m.
31 - No School for Students/Staff - Eid al-Fitr
April1 - No School for Students
- Kindergarten Orientation @ 9:00 a.m.
7500 Magarity Rd, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Office: 703.610.5700