Wild Cat ROAR! March 1, 2026

Dear Weller Families,

We have 62 current students who have been impacted by the change in our school's boundaries S and approximately 30 incoming kindergarten students. Special Permission due to Boundary Changes closes tonight, Sunday, March 1. Please check your email if you are a Lansdowne family so that you complete the Special Permission Survey. The survey indicates your plans for fall. The request to stay at Steuart Weller will be reviewed by the Special Permission Office, not SWES. Consideration will be given to rising 5th graders if there is space in our 5th grade classrooms.

Regular Special Permission does not close this weekend. This deadline only impacts Lansdowne families.

Dear Community Members,

You are invited to attend the upcoming LCPS Special Education Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at the LCPS Administrative Building in Ashburn.

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a presentation from the Office of Special Education focused on Learning Language with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Our overall goal is to provide a clear and informative overview of this important program.

During the presentation, we will discuss:

• The Learning Language with AAC program and how it supports students
• The training and coaching provided to teachers, related service providers, and parents
• The thoughtful process used to determine and select the specific AAC systems that best meet individual student needs

Communication is foundational to learning, independence, and meaningful connection. This presentation is designed to help families, educators, and community members better understand how AAC decisions are made and how support is provided across our schools.

The SEAC Business Meeting will follow at 7:15 p.m.

If you are unable to attend in person, you may watch the meeting live and submit questions in real time by visiting www.lcps.org/webcast.

Mark your calendars for this year's Evening with the Arts at Riverside High School! Join us beginning at 6:30 PM on March 18th in the main lobby to celebrate some of our very own Weller Artists. All are welcome to come to this event to support featured artists from Steuart Weller Elementary, Belmont Ridge Middle, and Riverside Highschool. There will be musical performances along with displayed artwork from a variety of grade levels. It will be a memorable evening to celebrate the arts with our cluster group!

They say the days are long, but the years are short. Nothing proves that more than a school yearbook! From the first-day excitement to the final day celebrations, make sure your student has a permanent place for all this year’s memories. Yearbooks are officially on sale now! Click to Purchase a School Yearbook.

School Nutrition Services (SNS) is pleased to inform you that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has received USDA approval for a special waiver during Ramadan 2026. SNS will provide this option to students observing Ramadan from February 18 to March 19, 2026, allowing them to take their meals home at the end of the day, instead of eating at school.

How does the waiver work: Ramadan Meals
Students are allowed one breakfast and one lunch each day. If they choose to eat their meal on campus, they cannot take a meal home. This program ensures that all students have access to one nutritious breakfast and/or lunch meal while respecting their religious fasting practices. It promotes inclusivity and supports the diverse cultural and religious needs of our school community.

• Students in attendance on the day meals are distributed will be eligible to receive a non-congregate meal.
• Students observing Ramadan can go through the service line daily during their regular breakfast or lunch meal periods and request a "to-go" meal from the cashier to be picked up after school. Alternatively, they can order through the SNS website before 10 am each morning. Parents can also order on behalf of their students on the SNS website before 10am each morning. Students will be charged at the point of service for these meals: breakfast, lunch, or breakfast and lunch.
• The meal will be charged to student meal accounts according to their typical meal eligibility status.
• Students’ meals are charged as they normally qualify for school meals, free (no cost) or paid. If the student is in the paid category for breakfast and lunch, their account will be charged accordingly.
• Meals purchased will be provided, no refund if the student does not pick up the meal.
• Students who have requested a meal will come to the cafeteria to pick up their meal. We ask for your support with distribution, if there are fewer than 10 meals ordered.
• SNS will follow proper food handling and safety procedures, including providing reheating instructions if needed.
• Please note: Parents cannot pick-up meals for students.
  Strictly Ramadan Meals (Halal)

Kindly let us know how we can work together to ensure the success of this program.

Link to order meals:

https://forms.gle/wbzGY9FYFYNiN9j8

Thank you!

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve communication with our families, our school is participating in a Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) pilot program for a new two-way communication tool, Rooms (by Apptegy). Families can easily access Rooms right in the LCPS app to message teachers, get school updates and more, streamlining school communications – just what staff, students and families want.

Important: Rooms is similar to Remind and will replace Remind and ClassDojo during this pilot. This pilot program will launch on Tuesday, February 24.

How do I get started?

• On Monday. March 9, check your inbox and/or text for a message from Apptegy. Follow the steps/prompts. (Please note: The email will come from accounts@thrillshare.com.)
• Download the LCPS app by searching for “Loudoun County Public Schools” in your phone’s app store.
• Select “Allow Notifications” when prompted on initial download to ensure you receive notifications.
• Click on “Rooms” or “Messages” to sign in to Rooms.

We know change isn’t easy, but with the Rooms robust platform that already integrates with the LCPS app and your school’s website, it’s a win!

This pilot program is a learning process and your feedback is important for the successful implementation of Rooms to all schools at the beginning of the next school year (2026-27 school year).

Please share your feedback and questions via this form.

Thank you for your support!

Ms. Burton

If parents are driving their children to Weller, or picking up their children at the end of the day, use the car loop on the gym side of the building. Exchange St. is not a drop off zone. Students are WALKING to school and we MUST consider their safety. The only families who may drop off students near the B-2 door are ones who have received explicit permission from the school because their children need assistance getting to their classrooms. Please follow the drop off and pick up guidelines. Accidents happen very quickly and can result in tragedy. Walkers need to use the crosswalks. Cars need to go to the car loop, not the neighborhood side streets. We appreciate everyone's consideration for all of our children.

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

International SEL Day

International SEL Day is March 2nd, 2026, celebrating the theme: “Skills for Community, Skills for Career.” Students will discuss how they can use their SEL skills to help them reach their goals for their futures.

Grades K - 5

Ask your student to share their hopes for their future and how they might use their SEL skills to reach their goals.

• Volunteer!!!
• Staff Volleyball game (April 17)
• Help the PTO organize logistics like tickets, concessions, and spirit wear sales.
• Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8)
• Join a committee to plan a special week for SWES teachers and staff!
• Social Media Coordinator (ongoing)
• Work with the PTO team to regularly post content on social media channels.
• PTO board (ongoing)
• We have vacancies on the PTO board next year. Reach out to discuss what might be a good fit!
• Email infoswespto@gmail.com for more information on any of these opportunities.

• Save the Date!!
• April 8: PTO meeting
• Topic: SOL process & prep
• April 17: SWES staff vs Riverside varsity volleyball game
• 6:00-8:00 pm at Riverside high school
• May 15: Fun Run
• Be on the lookout for information about this special event!
• June 4: PTO meeting
• Topic: schoolyear recap & officer elections