Woodbridge Elementary School
Woodbridge Families 2026-27 - Newsletter #11
October 16, 2026 - A Message from the Principal
Dear Woodbridge Families,
I hope you had a wonderful week! As we get closer to the end of the first quarter, please stay connected with your child’s teacher and check ParentVUE to review grades and academic progress. We value your partnership in supporting your child’s learning.
Please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule your November family conference. Conferences may be held by phone, in person, or on Zoom. Share your preferred format with your teacher so you can plan together.
We are looking forward to Trunk or Treat at the end of the month! Many of our teachers will be participating, and we welcome candy donations from families who would like to contribute. We are also working with our community partners to provide candy for this fun evening. Thank you for your support!
Remember that students should wear their House shirts every Friday to earn points for their Houses! We are excited to celebrate our first quarterly assembly, where we will announce the winning House for Quarter 1. If your child needs a replacement shirt or you would like to purchase an additional one, please ask your child’s teacher to send home a purchase flyer.
Everyday Counts at Woodbridge! 🏫
We are excited to share that Woodbridge Elementary is off to a strong start with student attendance! One of our schoolwide goals is to consistently increase student attendance across all student groups by June 2027. We know that when students are at school each day, they have more opportunities to learn, build relationships, develop strong routines, and feel connected to our school community.
As of September 30, our chronic absenteeism rate was 10.22%, compared with 19.73% at our comparison school from the 2025–26 school year. This is an encouraging start, and we appreciate our families for making daily attendance a priority!
Our attendance rates by grade level are also strong:
Kindergarten: 95.85%
1st Grade: 95.3%
2nd Grade: 96.5%
3rd Grade: 96.6%
4th Grade: 98.2%
5th Grade: 97.1%
We are especially pleased to see strong attendance across many of our student groups. We will continue reviewing our attendance data to celebrate successes and identify students and families who may benefit from additional support.
How Families Can Help
Every school day matters! Families can support strong attendance by establishing consistent morning and bedtime routines, scheduling appointments outside of the school day whenever possible, and communicating with us when challenges arise that may affect attendance.
Our goal is not simply to track attendance—it is to partner with families and help every student be present, connected, and ready to learn. If your family is experiencing a challenge that is making regular attendance difficult, please reach out. We are here to help.
Thank you, Woodbridge families, for helping our students show up, learn, and grow each day!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Brooke LeVecchi
Principal, Woodbridge Elementary School
Together We Rise!
October School Calendar
Trunk Or Treat 🍭🎃
PWCS Title I Family Camp- This Saturday!
Join Us for PWCS Title I Family Camp!
Mark your calendars for an exciting day of learning and fun at the PWCS Title I FamilyCamp on October 17, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at George M. Hampton Middle School, 14800 Darbydale Avenue, Woodbridge, VA 22193. This event is designed to bring families together to explore educational activities, engage with teachers, and discover new ways to support your child’s learning journey.
What to expect:
Interactive workshops for parents and students
Fun educational games and activities
Opportunities to connect with other families and educators
Free resources to take home
Bus transportation will be available for families attending the event.
- Pick-up will be at Potomac View Elementary School at 8:00 a.m. and at the Bayview Apartment Leasing Office (1293 Bayside Ave., Woodbridge, VA 22191) at 8:10 a.m.
Community Pop-Up Event @Freedom HS: This Saturday!
🎃 Trunk or Treat at Potomac Place
Join Potomac Place for a FREE Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, October 24, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at 2133 Montgomery Avenue, Woodbridge VA, 22191.
Families can enjoy trick-or-treating, a costume contest, prizes, and both traditional and allergy-friendly treats. Children of all ages are welcome. Don't forget to bring a bag or bucket for collecting treats!
Questions? Contact Sophia at 703-494-3817 or sviggiano@potomacplace.com.
Annual Title I Meeting Presentation
October Family Engagement Series/ Parent Resource Center
Focus: Specialty Programs Information Session for Middle School Students
6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 – Live Zoom Webinar
Target Audience: All PWCS students and families in grades 5-7
Join us on Tuesday, October 20, for an informative webinar designed to help families learn about PWCS Specialty Programs and the opportunities available for middle school students.
During this session, families will explore the variety of Specialty Program opportunities available to students, learn about the application process and important deadlines, and discover the resources and support available to help students and families make informed decisions. Parents and guardians will leave with the information and resources needed to explore program options and navigate the application process with confidence.
Presenters for this session: Jennifer Cavanaugh, Supervisor of Advanced Academics and Specialty Programs; Dr. Laura Evans, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment; and Dr. Jessica Doiron, Coordinator of Advanced Academics and Specialty Programs, with Prince William County Public Schools
All requests for language accommodations are due by October 15, 2026.
Building Confident Readers
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 6-7 p.m. | Live Zoom Webinar
Target Audience: Grades Pre-K–6 Families
Learn how to help your child become a confident reader by fostering a growth mindset, celebrating their strengths, and building student self-advocacy skills. Parents will gain practical strategies to encourage resilience, confidence, and independence while supporting reading success at home and school.
All requests for interpretation are due by October 19, 2026.
Building Strong Foundations: Proactive Strategies that Support Learning, Independence, and Positive Behavior
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 6-7 p.m. | Live Zoom Webinar
Target Audience: Grades K–12 Families
Every child has a unique learning profile that influences how they learn, communicate, and interact with the world. In this introductory session, families will learn how proactive, evidence-based strategies can support learning, foster independence, and promote positive behavior at home and in the community.
All requests for interpretation are due by October 25, 2026.
Focus: Navigating Digital Citizenship for Families
6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026 – Live Zoom Webinar
Target Audience: All PWCS students and families
Join us on Thursday, October 29, for a webinar focused on helping children become safe, responsible, and confident users of technology.
During this session, families will learn practical tips for helping children evaluate information they find online, communicate safely and respectfully, use technology and artificial intelligence responsibly, and maintain a healthy balance between screen time and everyday life. We will also share how PWCS supports digital citizenship and protects student data privacy, while providing resources and strategies families can use at home to guide their children's technology use. Parents and guardians will leave with tools, resources, and practical strategies to help their children navigate the digital world safely and successfully.
Presenters for this session: Dr. Sean Ward, Instructional Technology Coach, and Patrick Heath, Coordinator for Instructional and Information Technology Training, with Prince William County Public Schools
All requests for language accommodations are due by October 26, 2026.
🍎 SNAP Food Assistance Available for Eligible Families
School Vision & Hearing Screening 👓
During the month of October and November, Woodbridge Elementary will conduct hearing and vision screenings for all kindergarten students, third-grade students, and students who are new to Prince William County Schools.
Please help your child prepare by ensuring they wear their prescribed glasses daily, especially during the screening period.
Screening Dates:
- 3rd Grade: October 19th - 23rd
- Students New to PWCS: November 2nd - 4th
Woodbridge Elementary Clubs
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Morrone, our clubs coordinator.
EL Newsletter
We are working hard to help our English Learners (ELs) grow as confident writers. Writing in a new language takes time and practice, and there are many simple ways you can support your child at home—even if English is not the language you speak at home.
Here are some ways to encourage writing:
Encourage writing every day. Your child can write a grocery list, journal entry, note to a family member, or a few sentences about their day.
Talk before writing. Ask your child to tell you what they want to write before putting their ideas on paper. Talking helps children organize their thoughts and build vocabulary.
Use your home language. Encourage your child to talk, read, and write in the language your family uses at home. Strong language skills can support learning English.
Use pictures for ideas. Look at family photos, books, or pictures and ask your child to describe what they see or write a story about the picture.
Ask questions. Try questions such as, “What happened next?” “How did you feel?” or “Can you tell me more?” These questions help children add details to their writing.
Celebrate ideas, not just spelling. Praise your child for sharing ideas and trying new words. Spelling and grammar will improve with practice.
Read together. Reading books, stories, and other texts gives children new vocabulary and ideas they can use in their own writing.
Most importantly, make writing enjoyable and celebrate your child's effort and progress. Every opportunity to talk, read, and write helps build stronger language skills.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's growth as a reader, writer, and English learner!
🧥 Lost and Found
If your child is missing a personal item, please have them check the Lost & Found area in the cafeteria. We have several jackets, water bottles, lunch containers, and other items waiting to be reunited with their owners!
🍎 Lunch Visits & Volunteer Opportunities
We are excited to welcome families and special guests to join their students for lunch beginning October 1st! More information about lunch visit procedures will be shared as the date approaches.
We are also looking for volunteers to help make this school year a success. Opportunities include assisting during lunch, supporting our monthly Family Food Markets, helping with the Book Fair, Field Days, and other school events throughout the year. If you're interested in volunteering, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form linked below.
Please note: All volunteers must complete the required volunteer training and school division volunteer requirements before participating in any volunteer activities.
USE THE BUTTON BELOW TO FILL OUT THE INTEREST FORM
👕 Extra Clothes Reminder
To help students return to learning quickly after an accident or spill, please send a complete change of clothes for your child to keep at school. Our nurse's clinic will not have extra clothing available.
We recommend including:
- Shirt
- Pants/shorts
- Underwear
- Socks
Please place the items in a labeled Ziploc or reusable bag with your child's first and last name, and update them throughout the year as your child grows and seasons change.
If families need resources for extra clothes, please reach out to our School Social Worker, Cory Cobern CobernCD@PWCS.EDU or our School Parent Liaison, Maite Diaz-Funez, DiazfuMS@PWCS.EDU.
Woodbridge Elementary School Pantry Soft Opening
We are excited to announce the soft opening of our school pantry! As we continue to collect donations and build our inventory, we want to ensure that families experiencing an immediate need for food can access support.
If your family is experiencing a need, please complete the form below. Maite Diaz-Funez, School Parent Liaison, or Cory Cobern, School Social Worker, will reach out to you confidentially to discuss available resources and support.
Mobile Food Market
Capital Area Food Bank Mobile Food Market is coming to Prince William Public Libraries this fall!
Families can receive fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring your own grocery bags. Visit the Potomac, Bull Run, or Central Library locations on select dates in September, October, and November for this community resource.
Potomac Library
2201 Opitz Blvd
Woodbridge, VA 22191
Bull Run Library
8051 Ashton Avenue
Manassas, VA 20109
Central Library
8601 Mathis Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
Woodbridge Family Resources & Quick Links
School Hours
School Safety & Identification Reminders
The safety of our students is always our top priority. When visiting Woodbridge Elementary or picking up a student early, please be prepared to show a valid government-issued photo identification upon arrival.
For security purposes, students may only be released to individuals who present a physical form of identification and who are listed as an approved emergency contact.
Photo or digital copies will not be allowed.
Family Communication with Teachers
Family Communication with Teachers 🐦🔥
Strong family-school partnerships begin with open, respectful, and consistent communication. Your child’s teacher should always be your first point of contact when you have a question or concern about your child’s learning, classroom experience, assignments, behavior, or classroom routines.
We also ask families to remember that teachers are actively teaching, supervising, planning, and working with students throughout the school day. Their primary focus during these hours must be student learning and safety.
To help our teachers remain focused on students, please limit multiple messages about the same question or concern and allow teachers time to respond. Sending repeated messages through different communication methods can make it more difficult for teachers to manage communication while providing students with the attention they deserve.
Teachers will respond as soon as they are reasonably able. We appreciate your patience and partnership as we work together to support every student.
For questions about attendance, absences, or general school information, please contact the Woodbridge Elementary School office at wdes-office@pwcs.edu.
Thank you for helping us protect instructional time while maintaining strong communication between home and school.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Snapshot
Evaluación de Aprendizaje Socioemocional (SEL Snapshot)
Los estudiantes de PWCS en los grados 3 al 12 participarán en la encuesta Socioemocional (SEL) Snapshot, que ayuda a comprender cómo desarrollan habilidades importantes para la vida. Esta encuesta no se usa para calificaciones, disciplina ni evaluaciones de salud mental. Las familias pueden revisar las preguntas, acceder a los resultados a través de ParentVUE y optar por no participar.
Para obtener más información, escanee el código QR que aparece en el volante adjunto.
Personal Device Reminder
🎂 Woodbridge Elementary Birthday Policy
Birthday Celebrations at Woodbridge Elementary
For the 2026–27 school year, Woodbridge Elementary is committed to promoting school health and wellness and following the PWCS Regulation 275-1 Wellness Plan.
We know birthdays are important to children! Each child will be recognized on the Woodbridge morning announcements on their birthday, or the Friday before a weekend's birthday. Students will also receive a birthday pencil. We will keep the birthday pencils in the library and those will be available beginning Monday, October 12th!
Food celebrations can exclude children with life-threatening food allergies and other dietary restrictions. To help make Woodbridge a healthy, safe, and inclusive place for all our Phoenixes, we encourage families to choose nonfood birthday celebrations.
Alternatives to food treats include:
Pencils, erasers, fun stickers, temporary tattoos, stencils, or stampers
Small puzzles, bubbles, superhero rings, or rubber bracelets
Donating a book to the classroom or school library in your child’s name
Donating a game to the classroom in your child’s name
For safety reasons, please do not send balloons, flowers, or other celebratory bouquets to school. Teachers may distribute birthday party invitations only if the entire class is invited.
Families may still send small food treats to be shared at lunchtime. We discourage donuts, oversized cupcakes, soda, juice, and juice boxes. Smaller options include mini-cupcakes, small bite sized cookies, or sliced fruit and vegetables. All food items must be store-bought and include an ingredient and allergen label. Labels help staff identify potential allergens; they do not guarantee that a food is safe for every student.
We look forward to a happy and healthy school year! Thank you for supporting healthy food and snack choices at home and at school and helping every Phoenix feel included.
Together We Rise!
📘 Please Take Time to Read the Family Handbook
Thank you to all families who have already reviewed the 2026-2027 Woodbridge Elementary School Family Handbook. If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes to review it. The handbook contains important information about school procedures, expectations, attendance, safety, and communication. We will continue to update it throughout the year as we grow our new school community together.
USE THE BUTTON BELOW TO ACCESS THE FAMILY HANDBOOK
Woodbridge Elementary House Systems
Students are sorted into one of five houses that represent our core values:
- Ignite – Proactive
- Ascend – Perseverant
- Ember – Resilient
- Forge – Innovative
- Radiant – Inspiring
Stay Connected with Woodbridge Elementary
- Friday, October 23- Trunk or Treat, 5-7pm
- Friday, October 30- Last day of first marking period
House System - Family Important Dates
- Student House reveal day – Friday, August 28th
- House parade (mini celebration) - Thursday, September 3rd
- Quarter 1 House assembly – Friday, October 30th
- Quarter 2 House assembly – Wednesday, January 27th
- Quarter 3 house assembly – Thursday, April 15th
- Quarter 4 House cup celebration – Wednesday, June 16th
Woodbridge Contact Information
1550 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Main School Phone Number
703.494.3154
Brooke LeVecchi, Principal - leveccbb@pwcs.edu
Emmanuelle Hill, Assistant Principal - CrossEA@pwcs.edu
Latisha Copeland, Administrative Intern - SAMUELLS@pwcs.edu
Ana Salmeron, Financial Specialist - SalmerAL@PWCS.EDU
Delores Ford, Admin Assistant II - FordDS@pwcs.edu
Doris Guzman, Office Assistant - GuzmanDM@pwcs.edu
Maite Diaz-Funez, Parent Liaison - DiazfuMS@PWCS.EDU
Cory Cobern - School Social Worker - CobernCD@PWCS.EDU
Melba Ester - School Nurse - EsterMT@PWCS.EDU
PWCS Vision 2030 Strategic Goals
Woodbridge Elementary Continuous Improvement Plan 26-27
Woodbridge ES CIP Summary with Goals (2026–2027)
Woodbridge Elementary’s Continuous Improvement Plan focuses on launching a high-performing, inclusive school by strengthening instruction, building a strong culture of belonging, and using data-driven systems to support all students.
Key Priorities
- Increase reading and math achievement for all students
- Close achievement gaps for historically underserved groups
- Establish consistent instructional systems (CLTs, MTSS)
- Build a positive, inclusive school culture and strong family partnerships
Literacy Goals
- 85% of grades 3–5 students will pass the Reading SOL by June 2027
- 80% of K–2 students will be in the low/moderate risk range on VALLSS
- 100% of students will show growth on STAR Reading
Mathematics Goals
- 85% of grades 3–5 students will pass the Math SOL by June 2027
- 100% of grades 1–5 students will show growth on Momentum Math
Instruction & Systems Goals
- 100% of teachers implement consistent CLT structures and data-driven practices
- 100% of identified students receive evidence-based literacy interventions
- Design Thinking integrated into instruction across all teams
Positive Clime & Culture
- Improve overall attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism
- 100% of chronically absent students receive mentoring/support
Family & Community Goal
- Establish and operate a school pantry system to support families and remove barriers to learning
Key Strategies
- Deliver strong Tier I instruction with targeted intervention supports
- Implement MTSS for academics, behavior, and attendance
- Use data to guide instruction and monitor progress
- Build a culture of belonging through the House System, PBIS, restorative practices, and family engagement