Wild Cat ROAR! December 14, 2025

This week we are featuring members from our EL Team! Starting from left to right: Katy Curling, Jennifer Gillis, Shannon Cornell, and Sujen Nawrot. Our EL teachers support the acquisition of English for many of our Weller students. They co-teach and they provide individual and small group instruction. This powerhouse team focuses on individual learning goals. Last year, SWES had the highest growth in performance by EL students in LCPS on the national language proficiency exam. The EL teachers form close relationships with students and their families and this trusting relationship allows for students to make mistakes and keep trying, even when learning is really difficult!

The new Virginia Department of Education School Accountability information has been released. Schools earn points based on how they do in each of the following measures: Student performance on academic tests in reading, math, science, and EL student progress, Student growth in reading and math, and Attendance Rates, adding up to one of four Performance Categories:

Distinguished (90+ points): Exceeding.

On Track (80–89 points): Meeting expectations.

Off Track (65–79 points): Below expectations, receives extra state support.

Needs Intensive Support (<65 points): Significantly below expectations, receives the strongest

state support.

Steuart Weller received a score of 88.6 which is just a fraction below the Distinguished identification. We are considered to be On Track and Meeting Expectations.

“For schools identified by the state as needing additional support, we are committed to providing targeted, data-informed resources and strategies that will empower our teachers and deliver the most impactful support for the students who need it most,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ashley Ellis.

The new state model places more emphasis on student mastery and less on academic growth. This shift can overlook the progress made by English Learners, students with disabilities and others who may show meaningful gains even if they have not yet reached mastery. LCPS will continue to monitor and celebrate student growth, as it remains a vital part of ensuring long-term academic success.

Click below to access the Virginia School Performance and Support Framework Family Guide

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1egfxzAWknuxSOLwQ3nZ0JBih8XLHYOZ7/view

For more information on the support provided to TSI and CSI schools, please see VDOE’s VA Federal Support One Pager. For more information regarding the SPSF Framework, please see VDOE’s SPSF Parent Overview. To learn more about the state accountability ratings, LCPS SOL tests, AP testing, graduation rates, and more, visit VDOE School Quality Profiles.

The school doors open at 7:10am. If you are dropping off your child, it is critical that you use the car loop on the gym side of the building. Once again we are having children dropped off on Exchange Street. Please consider the safety of all children and use the car loop for drop off and pick up unless you are walking! If you are a walker, please use the cross walks. The car loop will close at 7:30. If your car is not in the loop by 7:30, you need to come to the office to sign in your child.

Dismissal Time! The buses are having difficulty getting into the bus lanes due to the line of cars blocking Marblehead Drive from Loudoun County Parkway. Please do not start lining up in the car loop until 2:05pm. Avoid the left turn lane and approach from the other direction. Students are dismissed at 2:15.

Winter Break is December 22-January 2. School resumes on January 5.

As you’ve heard, our school will be implementing a new phone policy this year (more info below) aimed at reducing distractions in the classroom and improving student well-being. But managing screen time goes beyond the classroom — and we want to support families and staff in doing the same at home.

As the holidays approach and students get new digital devices, we want to help families keep their students safe online. We’re offering a discount on Bark’s premium app. Bark is the leading tech provider for safe monitoring of kids’ devices. To purchase the app with your 20% discount, just order online and enter the code LOUDOUN.

If you’re looking for more support, sign up for Bark’s newsletter or join their Facebook group: over 628k strong of fellow parents participating in conversations around parenting in today’s tech world. For more information about Bark, please visit lcps.org/bark.

As a reminder, in April 2025, a new Virginia State Law was passed that restricts the use of all personal student technology for students in all grades during the school day. Key terms from this law include:

• "Bell to bell" means after the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. "Bell to bell" includes lunch and time in between class periods.
  
  

• "Smart device" means any personal electronic device that can connect to the Internet and wirelessly collect, process, and transmit data, including smart watches and tablets.

Learn more about the new phone policy by reading Policy 8655, Student Personal Device Use.

If a student is wearing a smart watch, they will be directed to keep it in their backpack during school hours.

If your child has an outstanding bill on their account, they will not be able to purchase additional items. If you need meal assistance, please contact our Family Liaison, Gladys Palomino.

Or you may submit an online application for free or reduced meals. The online process can be approved typically within 72 hours. The paper application is available in the office, but it takes longer for the approval process.

Use this link: https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=243AAV

The LCPS School Board will be voting on the boundary changes on December 16. A dedicated webpage (www.lcps.org/2025ESBoundaries) has been established and will provide all data and information as it is shared with the School Board. Please check out the boundary website so you can see the different plans. Our neighborhoods that might be affected could be Lansdowne, Janelia, and Ashbrook.

Adopted attendance zone changes will take effect in the fall, with the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Steuart Weller will be impacted by these boundary changes.

The next School Board to discuss the attendance zone is on December 16, 2025, at 6:30pm at the LCPS Administration building.(21000 Education Court, Ashburn). These meetings will also be broadcast live on Comcast channel 18 or 1070 (HD) and Verizon Fios channel 43 as well as streamed via simultaneous webcast on the LCPS website.

K - Ask your child to tell you how they think others around them might be feeling, for example a sibling or a character in a story, a movie, or a TV show.

1 - Ask your child to tell you some ways they’ve learned to feel calm when they get upset. Have them teach you how to use slow counting to feel calm.

2 - Ask your child to tell you what they learned about their classmates’ feelings and their own feelings.

3 - Ask your child if they can give examples of times they felt strong emotions like furious or excited.

4 - With your child, create a “Rethink It!” chart to display at home. Make a list of questions that everyone can use to rethink when emotions are taking over and you just need a little help to see things in a different way.

5 - Ask your child to tell you about a situation at home that causes them to feel strong emotions, like anger or stress. Ask them what they could change about the situation to better manage their emotions. Talk about what you can do to help them implement the change.

The SWES PTO is offering the second round of the After School Activities Program.

Registration will begin on November 17 and close on December 19. Use the Cheddar Up link below to register!

Upcoming Class Offerings

Tuesday

Basketball League - Grades 2 & 3

Introduction to the Urdu Language

Dance Party with Mr. Fickbohm

Science Exploration

Wednesday

K-3 Lego Creators

Dance and Yoga

Basketball League - Grades 4 & 5

Friday

Volleyball

3-5 Minecraft Builders

Canvas Painting with Ms. Johnson

• PTO NEWS
  Thank you to everyone who generously contributed their time, food donations, and monetary donations to support the teacher appreciation luncheon this week. Your kindness and participation helped make the lunch a wonderful success!
• Shop at Five Below! This is the last weekend to shop at Five Below and have 10% of your purchase benefit Steuart Weller. Don't forget to bring along the attached flyer!
• Snacks teachers lounge: Donate items like chips, granola bars, nuts, treats, gum, and soda or sparkling water. Drop by the office at your convenience.

• Staff favorites: wondering what your student's teacher might enjoy as a gift? Use these favorite lists to help with your holiday shopping. Staff favorite lists here!
• Save these dates!
• PTO meeting schedule
• Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30 pm
• Topic: TBD
• Wednesday, April 8th at 6:30 pm
• Topic: SOL process & prep
• Thursday, June 4th at 6:30 pm
• Topic: Officer election
• Events
• Fun Run - May 15, 2026

• If you have any PTO-related questions or would like to help with planning, please contact us at infoswespto@gmail.com.

Krysti Lloyd, PTO president