WRES Knight's News Header

As we wrap up the first week of the third quarter, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. It has been wonderful to see our students return after a long weekend energized and ready to learn, and I am truly grateful for the efforts of our staff, students, and families in making this transition seamless and positive.

At Westridge, we remain deeply committed to fostering a learning environment where every child thrives. Your partnership plays a vital role in this mission, and we value the trust you place in us each day. Together, we will continue to support our students in achieving academic success and building the skills they need to grow into confident, compassionate learners.

I am excited about all that this quarter has in store and the opportunities ahead to deepen our connection as a school community. Thank you for all you do to help make Westridge such an incredible place to learn and grow.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Warm regards,

Steven Wilson

Proud Principal - Westridge Elementary School

• January 28 - Principal's Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting from 6pm-7pm

• February 7 - PTA Paint Night from 5:45pm-6:45pm and 7pm-8pm
• February 12 - Gifted Family Game Night from 6pm-7pm
• February 14 - Amicus House Breakfast

We are thrilled to share some extraordinary news about two of our exceptional educators who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to our school and community! Please join us in celebrating Mrs. Kristen Hao, Westridge’s nominee for Teacher of the Year, and Ms. Jessica Sweeting, our nominee for Novice Teacher of the Year. These honors are a testament to their passion, dedication, and the incredible impact they have on our students and school community every day.

Mrs. Hao, a 2nd grade teacher with over 25 years of experience as an educator, continues to transform learning into an unforgettable adventure. From creating dynamic, hands-on lessons to fostering strong partnerships with families, her innovative spirit and advocacy for students are unmatched. Her creativity inspires curiosity and collaboration, and her unwavering commitment ensures that every child feels seen, valued, and supported.

Ms. Sweeting, now in her third year of teaching, has already made a lasting mark at Westridge. Her vibrant kindergarten classroom is a joyful haven where students feel loved, capable, and eager to learn. Her ability to connect with students and families is remarkable, and her positivity and enthusiasm brighten our hallways daily.

These educators exemplify the heart of Westridge - dedication, creativity, and an unwavering focus on the success and well-being of every child. Mrs. Hao and Ms. Sweeting remind us of all the profound impact exceptional teachers have on the lives of their students and the community. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Hao and Ms. Sweeting on these well-deserved recognitions. We are so fortunate to have them as part of our Westridge family, and their work inspires us all to continue striving for excellence.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school and our incredible team of educators.

Prince William County Public Schools is participating in the statewide SNAP in Schools Initiative to address chronic absenteeism. George Mason University’s Learning Laboratory for Community Health, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), is conducting a parent/guardian survey to uncover the root causes of student absences in Virginia’s public schools.

Your insights are critical to helping us support students, families, and schools. The survey takes about 10 minutes, is completely anonymous, and will be open until February 28, 2025.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts and help create meaningful change for our students: Take the Survey Here

The Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) offers a meaningful platform for parents and teachers to come together, share insights, and collaborate on valuable feedback to guide our school’s Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP). We warmly invite all Westridge families to join us for our next PAC meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the WRES Library. Whether or not you serve as an officer, your voice and perspective are vital in strengthening our school environment and advancing our commitment to student success, school culture, and a positive climate.

If you have any questions or suggestions in advance of the meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Principal Steven Wilson directly. Your engagement and support are truly appreciated, and together, we’re making Westridge a place where every student can thrive!

Thank you for being such an important part of our community. We look forward to working with you!

Varsity Tutors for Schools platform is a FREE online resource for grades K-12 designed to support your students’ academic growth. This platform offers:

• 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring
• Essay Review and Coaching
• Live Group Classes
• Test Prep Classes
• Enrichment Classes
• Celebrity-Led Star Courses and more.

Students access Varsity Tutors by logging into Clever using their PWCS email address (for example, username@pwcs-edu.org) and password (this is the same password students use to log into their PWCS issued device). Once logged into Clever, you can find the link for Varsity in the PWCS Resources section. For more information please visit: https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/instructional_technology/online_tutoring/index

Sweet Potatoes are the Virginia Harvest of the Month

We are celebrating Sweet Potatoes as the Virigina Harvest of the Month in January! The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department will be serving our scratch made Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples as a school lunch side at all schools. Be sure to check the School Lunch Menu to see when it will be served at lunch! Below is the recipe if you would like to make it at home!

January is National Soup Month! Celebrate with our Scratch Made Tomato Basil Soup!

It’s time to cozy up and get into the winter spirit—January is National Soup Month! There's nothing quite like the warmth and joy of enjoying a hot bowl of soup while snowflakes fall outside. You can celebrate National Soup Month by trying the Tomato Basil Soup available on the PWCS school lunch menu. The PWCS Nutrition teams make it from scratch in every kitchen! Not only is it creamy and flavorful, but it’s also a delicious way to incorporate your daily veggies. Be sure to check it out on the PWCS menu and consider making it at home using the recipe below!

Watch Video

PWCS recognizes that this time of year can be particularly challenging for many students. To ensure that every student has access to the support they need, we would like to remind parents that free mental health telehealth services are available to all PWCS students through Hazel Health – at no cost. Together, we can make a significant difference in the mental well-being of our students now and beyond.

Visit the PWCS Hazel Health webpage for more information.

For more information or questions, please contact Francesca Knight, coordinator of social work services, at KnightFW@pwcs.edu.

Team Prince William Elite (TPWE) is dedicated to empowering young athletes through the disciplines and experiences of competitive basketball. Please visit teamprincewilliamelite.org for more information.