Wild Cat ROAR! March 15, 2026

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.

Our PTO's school supply fundraiser is up and running for next year! Each box sold helps raise funds for special events and activities for our students. Click for our school's online store!

Our teachers work hard on their lesson plans, and there's a very good reason behind every item on the school supply list. However, when everyone in town is flocking to the same stores, the shelves get picked over in a hurry, until a red 2-pocket folder with prongs feels like a rare artifact.

Instead of skipping hard-to-find items or grabbing something “close enough,” skip the store and search for our school on SchoolToolbox.com. You’ll find the exact list put together by your child’s teacher, and you’ll be able to buy everything on it in just a few clicks. Take the stress out of back-to-school shopping. Buy from School Tool Box and get back to your summer.

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!

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

Self Advocacy

Students will learn about concepts connected to self-advocacy, such as speaking up respectfully and assertively, setting boundaries, and how they might ask an adult for help with something in an productive way.

Grades K - 3

Students will learn how to use their voice in a respectful way to say what they need in order to be successful in an activity. Share a time when you advocated for yourself and how that helped lead you to success.

Grades 4 - 5

Students will learn how to use their voice in a respectful way to say what they need and set boundaries in order to be successful in an activity. Share a time when you advocated for yourself and how that helped lead you to success.

PTO: What does that even mean?? The PTO is a Parent and Teacher Organization that builds community among families, bridges the gap between teachers and parents, and enriches the school experience. The PTO organizes fun events, raises money to help families in our community, and assists with school projects. The Weller PTO will be losing a significant number of parents next year. We're looking for new parents to step in and help our team of awesome volunteers! Being involved in the PTO is a great way to become plugged in and get to know your child's teachers, friends, and fellow parents. We have a variety of open roles with different commitment levels. We'd love to chat more about how you might help.

**Volunteers Needed**

• Volleyball game: ticket sales, concessions, set-up, clean-up
• Teacher Appreciation Week: plan activities for this special week
• Board & director openings (vice president, treasurer, parent engagement, social media, etc.)
• Reach out to infoswespto@gmail.com for more information!

**Save the Date**

• March 18: "Evening with the Arts" at Riverside High School at 6:30 pm. Celebrate and support some of our very own Weller artists!
• April 8: PTO meeting at 6:00 pm. Topic: SOL testing process & prep.
• April 17: Cheer on Weller teachers as they play against the girls' varsity volleyball state champions! Game is at 6:00 pm at Riverside High School. Tickets are $15/family.
• May 15: Fun Run! This will be an extra special event as we remember and celebrate Wyatt Triplett.
• June 4: PTO meeting at 6:00 pm. Topic: year recap, officer elections, planning ahead

• Yearbooks for sale! Purchase for $20 by March 31st. Prices increase after this date.

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