Hello Gladys West Families,
I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for a full week of school. We have only six and a half school days left in November, and I would love for us to reach at least 90 percent attendance during these days. Let’s finish the month strong.
Interims will be sent home in student folders on Tuesday and will also be posted on ParentSquare. Please take a moment to practice accessing the document on ParentSquare, as we'll begin transitioning to this platform for delivery in the second semester.
Students will wrap up Military Appreciation Month with our Purple Up Fun Run on Friday. Expect lots of purple coming home that afternoon. It’s going to be a fun and spirited event.
Please also mark your calendars for our Math and Literacy Night on Thursday, December 4. Dinner will be served from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. If you plan to join us for dinner, use the RSVP link below. We ask that all families submit their RSVP by Friday, November 21, so we can plan accordingly: Math and Literacy Night Dinner RSVP
And don't forget—our Barnes & Noble fundraiser is this Saturday, November 22, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Stop by to get a jump on holiday shopping and enjoy some festive carols performed by our talented GWES students.
Conversation Starters at Home
Third Grade: Students are practicing multiplication and division facts through 10 x 10. Try quizzing them at home on their 4s and 8s this week. Mixing up the facts helps build quick recall.
First Grade: Ask your child who John Smith is and how he contributed to the history of Virginia. They should have some great things to share.
Thank you for your continued partnership. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Mrs. Wheeler
Principal, GWES
First Semester Important Dates
Tuesday, November 18: Interim Reports will be sent home in folders & via ParentSquare
Friday, November 21: Purple Up Fun Run (Fun Run during Special Area classes)
Saturday, November 22: Barnes & Noble Fundraiser from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday, November 25: Half-Day for all students at 1:00 PM
Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28: Fall Break (No School for Students or Staff)
Monday, December 8 - Friday, December 12: dude. be nice week (see flier below)
Thursday, December 4: Math and Literacy Night at GWES from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 9: PTA Meeting from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the GWES Library
Tuesday, December 16: 2nd and 3rd grade winter concert and art show at 6:00 PM
Friday, December 19: End of Second Nine Weeks
Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2: Winter Break (No School for Students or Staff)
Monday, January 5: No School for Students (Staff Workday)
Tuesday, January 6: School Reopens & Second Semester Begins
GWES Personalized Stanley Raffle
Interested in this awesome GWES Stanley? Grab your raffle ticket for just $1 here:
Interested in this awesome GWES Stanley? Grab your raffle ticket for just $1 here: Enter the Raffle
🎟️ No limit on the number of tickets you can purchase!
⏰ Tickets must be purchased by November 18.
🏆 The drawing will be held on November 19, and the winner will be contacted by December 21.
Dude. Be Nice.
We're excited to announce that Gladys West Elementary will be participating in Dude. Be Nice. Week, happening December 8-12.
The Dude. Be Nice. campaign encourages kindness, positivity, and treating yourself and others with respect—values we proudly celebrate here at GWES!
👮 Officer Cash has planned a fun-filled week for our students and staff to celebrate and spread kindness throughout our school and community.
Parents, guardians, and GWES supporters are all invited to join in on the kindness!
Living Our Gator Core Values!
Our students are doing an amazing job showing what is means to live out our GATOR CORE: Grit, Accountability, Teamwork, Optimism, and Respect. These values guide how we learn, work together, and grow every day. We appreciate your continued support in reviewing and reinforcing them at home—it makes a big difference!
Title I Information
Title I is the largest federal aid program for elementary, middle, and high schools. Through Title I, federal government designates money to school districts around the country based on the number of students in need in each school district. Each district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children, such as:
Class size reduction
Additional teachers and paraprofessionals
Parent resources
Instructional materials and supplies
Tier 2 and Tier 3 support services
The focus of the Title I program is to ensure all students meet challenging content and achievement standards. Title I also authorizes federal grant programs that provide funds for reading instruction, services to migrant children, services to neglected and delinquent children, comprehensive school reform and dropout prevention.
All FCPS students in grades K-8 are eligible to receive programs funded through the Title I grant.
Gladys West Elementary School
Courtney Wheeler (Principal)
Tony Lewis (Assistant Principal)
Constance Malmgren (Assistant Principal/Title I)
(540) 372-1140
My Ride K-12
We are transitioning to a new app for tracking your student's bus.
This year, we will be using My Ride K-12 to help parents track their student's bus. You can access My Ride K-12 through the app OR online. Please view the attached guides to set up your account before the first day of school. You will need your student's ID number to connect your account.
My Ride K-12 is convenient and easy to use, and we look forward to assisting our families with this transition.
📃 English Guide
📃 Spanish Guide
Why Attendance Matters
Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a student’s academic success. When students miss school frequently, they miss out on valuable instruction, classroom discussions, and hands-on learning experiences that build the foundation for future skills. Chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more of the school year—can make it harder for students to stay on track academically, socially, and emotionally.
Every day in school matters. Together, we can help our students build strong habits, stay engaged, and reach their full potential!
Attendance Notes
Every day in school is a chance to learn, grow, and connect, and we want your student here for all of it! If your child needs to miss a day, just submit your attendance note using the link below. Keeping us in the loop helps us make sure they don’t miss out and can jump right back in when they return.
Interested in Volunteering?
We'd Love Your Help!
Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our students and staff—thank you for being part of our school community!
Before you can begin volunteering, please complete the following steps:
✅ Volunteer Application Form
✅ TB Risk Assessment Screener
✅ View the Volunteer Expectations & Guidelines Presentation
✅ Complete the Acknowledgement Form (located on last slide) to confirm you've reviewed the guidelines
All forms must be submitted to the Main Office. The Acknowledgement Form will be submitted and tracked online.
Thank you for helping us keep our campus safe, supportive, and student-centered!
Meet Our Amazing School Counselors!
Our elementary school counselors are here to support every student's academic, social, and emotional growth. Whether it's helping with friendship skills, problem-solving, or just being someone to talk to, they play an important role in making our school a safe and caring place. Please don't hesitate to reach out—we're here to help!
GWES PTA
Being part of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) means joining a team that works together to support our students, families, and staff. Membership helps fund school events, student activities, classroom resources, and teacher appreciation efforts throughout the year.
As a PTA member, you'll:
Stay informed about school happenings
Have a voice in decisions that impact our school community
Help create fun and meaningful experiences for students
Connect with other GWES families and staff
Every membership makes a difference—whether or not you’re able to volunteer your time, your support strengthens our school community.