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Westgate Families,
We are off to a great start in our second week of school, and it has been wonderful to see our students settling back into their routines! We are looking forward to welcoming our families tomorrow, September 2, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. for Back to School Night!
Back to School Night is an opportunity for parents and guardians to visit classrooms, hear from teachers, learn more about the year ahead, and connect with our Westgate community. Families may attend two classroom sessions, as well as optional informational sessions throughout the evening. You will also have the opportunity to meet our Specialists Team, including PE, Music, Art, Library, and our Counselors.
Back to School Night Schedule
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5:30–6:00 p.m. – Classroom Session 1
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6:05–6:25 p.m. – Classroom Session 2
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6:00–6:45 p.m. – Meet the Specialists, Library
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6:30–6:45 p.m. – SR&R Updates, Cafeteria
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6:45–7:00 p.m. – Reading Plans & VALLSS, Cafeteria
**Please remember that Back to School Night is a parent/guardian only event. We ask that families make alternate childcare arrangements for the evening.**
As a reminder, there will be no school for students on Friday, September 4, or Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We hope all of our Westgate families enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, September 8!
We look forward to seeing everyone at Westgate tomorrow evening!
All my best,
Hallie Demetriades
Principal
Westgate Elementary
NEW Westgate Spirit Wear
This year we have added a second logo option and additional colors to our Westgate Spirit Wear sale!
The Flash Sale will be open through September 27. Purchases will be shipped directly to your child's classroom free of charge. After the Flash Sale, shipping will not be included.
Please use the link Westgate Spirit Wear 2026-27 to shop and order today!
**Recycle your old Spirit Wear**
Additionally, the first drive this year will be at Back to School Night September 2nd, Door 1 bin drop. Be on the lookout for more ways to donate your old Spirit Wear that is outgrown, so we can gather a good pool of clothing to upcycle to families that prefer a used option. Go through your drawers and closets today!
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Fall Fest is Coming - We need 20 volunteers by September 15!
Mark your calendars. Fall Fest is coming Thursday, October 22. This beloved Westgate tradition brings our community together for an evening of games, food, music, and fun.
None of it happens without volunteers. Setup, running a station, cleanup. Every shift has a start and an end time.
Without enough of us, we will not be able to hold it this year. We would love for it to happen. That comes down to how many of us show up for it.
Please consider signing up here to volunteer!
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PTA After-School Classes - Registration ends on September 8
Registration closes Tuesday, September 8 at 8:00 p.m. Thirteen activities this fall for grades K through 6, from chess and pottery to cooking, coding, drama and flag football. Activities run September 14 through November 20, 3:40 to 4:40 p.m.
Activities fill fast, so register here before the deadline.
Scholarships are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Email afterschool@westgatewolvespta.com.
Ledo's Pizza Restaurant Night - Sept. 14 & 15
Skip cooking for a night (or two) and a portion of everything you spend comes straight back to Westgate when you dine at Ledo's Pizza on September 14 & 15!
Restaurant nights are one of the easiest ways to support the school as the proceeds go directly back to our school community!
Where: Ledo’s Pizza 7510 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Mention Westgate when you order so the PTA gets credit!
PTA Meeting - September 23 @ 6:00 p.m.
Come join us in person in the Westgate cafeteria for our first PTA meeting. We will cover the year ahead, approve the budget, and have a conversation about the Advanced Academic Program in FCPS.
You do not have to be a PTA member to attend and we hope to see many of you here!
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
We greatly appreciate the support we receive from our PTA. All parents are encouraged to volunteer and attend events and meetings sponsored by our PTA. To become a member please sign up here (https://westgatewolves.givebacks.com/shop?category=23680)! Because of our PTA we can purchase books, technology, and supplies for our students; students can go on field trips; and fun events are planned for our families! If you are interested in taking on a leadership role please send an email to: membership@westgatewolvespta.com. The PTA also sends out monthly newsletters via email. We hope you consider joining the PTA!
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
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.
New Student ID Cards for Bus Riders
This fall, every FCPS student who rides the bus will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a division wide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school. Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card.
These ID cards were distributed to students at Westgate both this week and last. Please make sure your child brings their students ID card to and from school everyday if they are riding the bus.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Early Release Wednesdays - Action Required
As we prepare for the new school year, we are working toward 100% completion of student online verification forms for every family before school begins. The annual re-enrollment packet includes the early release Wednesday’s childcare selection. This year, we will have a total of four early release Wednesdays, where we dismiss at 12:30 p.m. Our dates are: September 30, November 18, January 13, and April 7.
Families may complete their forms electronically through Parent Vue (https://bit.ly/3RZepAK), or by downloading the paper forms, (https://bit.ly/4gd8Rfj) from the FCPS website and returning them to the school office.
All online verification (OVU) forms must be completed by Thursday, September 3.
Follow the steps to complete the Early Release Wednesday Survey:
Step 1: Log into FCPS ParentVUE
Step 2: Click on “Online Packets” in the upper right-hand corner (If you are using the App, you will click on online registration and then scroll to Online Verification (OVU).
Family & Student Handbook
We are excited to share our updated Family & Student Handbook with you. We hope you take a moment to read as it contains important curriculum and operating information for your child. You can access the Family & Student Handbook here (https://westgatees.fcps.edu/resources/family).
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.
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 - 8:50 a.m. and between 3:15 - 3:45 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.
Attendance
Parents/legal guardians should submit full-day absences using ParentVUE. You may also report an absence by calling the Attendance Line at 703-610-5757 by 9:00 a.m. when your child is absent from school. The Commonwealth of Virginia mandatory school attendance laws will be strictly enforced, and parents will be held accountable for students who do not attend school regularly.
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