Knight's News

Dear Westridge Families,

Thank you for another incredible week at Westridge! This week, we had the privilege of celebrating Inclusive Schools Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the strength that diversity brings to our school community. This national initiative reminds us of the importance of fostering a sense of belonging for all students, particularly those with disabilities. At Westridge, inclusion is not just a practice - it is a value we live by every day.

We also observed Special Education Day on December 2, an opportunity to honor the vital contributions of our students receiving special education services, as well as the families, educators, and staff who support them. These moments serve as a powerful reminder of our commitment to ensuring that every student has access to a learning environment where they are valued, challenged, and empowered to succeed!

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the many opportunities to come together as a school community during this season of connection and joy. Whether it’s through holiday celebrations, student performances, or classroom activities, these shared experiences highlight the warmth and partnership that make Westridge such a remarkable place to learn and grow!

Thank you for your continued support and for the many ways you contribute to the success of our school. Together, we are creating a nurturing environment where all students feel seen, supported, and inspired to shine. Wishing you a restful and joyful weekend!

Warm regards,
Steven Wilson
Proud Principal - Westridge Elementary School

• December 10 - Picture Make Up Day (Only for students who missed the original picture day)
• December 16 through 20 - PTA Holiday Store
• December 17 - Winter Strings Concert
• December 18 - Principal's Advisory Council Meeting from 6 to 7PM (Rescheduled)
• December 19 - Music Winter Program
• December 20 - PTA Cookie Celebration
• December 23 through January 3 - Winter Break (No School)

Attendance letters that are automatically generated when students meet certain thresholds of absenteeism. Please note these thresholds are not established at the school level. The intent of the letters is to raise awareness with the parent/guardian as well as ensure accuracy of our attendance records.

• Five total EXCUSED absences: Excused absence letter 1
• Ten total EXCUSED absences: Excused absence letter 2
• Nine total EXCUSED and/or UNEXCUSED absences: Chronic absenteeism letter
• Three absences where no reason has been provided to the school: Truancy letter 1
• Five or more absences where no reason has been provided to the school: Truancy letter 2\

Important to know:

• Once a student reaches 10 total absences (excused and/or unexcused combined), a doctor's note will be required for future absences to be marked excused
• Once a student is absent 15 consecutive days, they are automatically unenrolled and will need to register upon return
• Once a student accrues five unexcused absences, a meeting with administration is required to establish an attendance plan
• Once an additional unexcused absence is accrued after meeting with administration, an interagency meeting is required and the attendance officer is notified and included in the process
• Truancy (when no reason is provided for an absence or excessive unexcused absences are accrued) can quickly become a legal matter; please call Westridge's front office at 703-590-3711 if your child has any unverified absences

PWCS Attendance Regulation 724-1

Calling all bakers! Your talents are needed to make the Westridge staff cookie party a success. Volunteer bakers, bake 2 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies or treats. MAKE SURE TO MARK ANY ITEMS WITH NUTS. Wrap in a disposable or non-returnable container and drop off to the main office by 3:30 pm Wednesday, December 18th. **Store bought treats are accepted too!**

Is baking not your thing but want to join in on the fun? That's ok too! We are also looking for volunteers to assist in setting up cookies in the teacher's lounge on December 19th.

Make sure to sign up here: https://signup.com/go/MSMTrid

Questions? Please contact us at PTAWestridge@gmail.com

The holiday store needs volunteers for set up on Thursday, December 12 and also for the week of December 16-20. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/khDFcgZ

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, which has been rescheduled to Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 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!