Rising Kindergarteners

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I contact other parents of rising kindergarteners? The contact information of new students at Westbriar is not officially published until the fall, but if you want information about kindergarten play dates and upcoming activities, please contact Sarah deKramer.

What are the hours of operation for kindergarten? WES kindergarten has the same schedule as the other grades in elementary school. Monday from 9:15 am until 1:25 pm and Tuesday – Friday from 9:15 am until 3:55 pm.

When can I drop my child off in the morning? You may drop your child off as early as 8:50 am. The children should be in their classroom by 9:15 to avoid being counted tardy.

Is the first day of school for other students the same as the first day for kindergarteners? WES start day is the same for all Westbriar students.

I need after school care for my child – who do I contact? School Age Child Care (SACC) is a Fairfax County Office for Children program for children attending elementary school. The program provides professional care for children of working parents attending kindergarten through sixth grade, and is offered at Westbriar. Please contact the Office for Children at 703-449-8989 to receive information or to enroll.

How do I find out what class my child is in? Westbriar will mail the class assignments to your home approximately one week prior to the start of school.

What is Open House? Open House is an opportunity for the students to meet their teacher, see their classroom and meet other students in their class. It is also an excellent opportunity for parents to learn about upcoming Westbriar activities and programs AND it is a great time to join the PTA and get involved! Open House for all students will be held on the Thursday before school starts from 10am – 11am. It is a good idea to attend if possible, as the students feel more comfortable on the first day of school, after visiting Westbriar.

How large should I expect my child's class to be? The average size of WES kindergarten classes typically ranges from 22 – 28 students. Kindergarten classes are always assigned a full-time instructional assistant in addition to the teacher.

On the first day of school, can I walk my child to their classroom? During the first week, many parents accompany their children to the school. If you do this, please arrive as early as possible and walk your child into the cafeteria. This is especially important for the very first day of school. Each kindergarten class will have assigned tables for the first week. You may wait with your child until their class is called. The PTA suggests that you let your child walk with his or her classmates and teacher to the classroom. It provides a smoother transition for both parents and children. Really!

How do I know if my child needs to ride the bus to school? Bus service is provided for children who live more than one mile from school or where walking is hazardous. A bus schedule will be mailed to your home approximately one week prior to the start of school. For more information, please contact FCPS – Department of Facilities and Transportation at call 703-249-7100 or email debra.grimm@fcps.edu.

How can we ensure that my child gets on the right bus? Westbriar takes careful steps to make sure that children ride the correct bus. If your child gets on the wrong bus, the bus driver will return your child to the school and the parents will be notified. Safety is Westbriar’s top concern.

My child is a walker, is it safe for them to walk alone? Walkers should always travel to and from school with older children from their neighborhood or with an adult. The PTA student directory, available in the school office, is a resource, should parents need to contact neighborhood families. Crossing guards help walkers at intersections near the school. Parents may also meet their children at the school in the cafeteria at dismissal time to walk home with them. I want to drive my child to school.

What is the procedure for drop-off and pick-up? Westbriar has a designated "Kiss and Ride" area that is used by parents who drop off and/or pick up their children. Kiss and Ride procedures are provided to enrolling families at the start of each school year and are available at Open House. For safety reasons, parents are asked not to discharge students on other areas of the school property. Please drive with caution around the school.

What supplies do I need to purchase for my child?  Each grade level provides a list of the supplies that are needed. Don’t like to shop? A complete supply kit for Kindergarten can be purchased from the Westbriar PTA and delivered to your child's classroom. School Supply Order Form   detailed list of supplies

Who do I need to notify if my child is absent?  You must call the attendance line before 10:00 at 703-937-1717.  It is also a nice courtesy to notify your child's teacher via email.

Can I visit my child? There are many volunteer opportunities at Westbriar that offer an ideal time to see your child in the classroom setting. Opportunities vary by classroom, at Back-to-School Night in the fall; you will have the opportunity to sign up.

The school day is long – can I send in a snack? Yes, kindergarteners are allowed an afternoon snack – you may pack a healthy peanut-free snack in their back-pack Tuesdays – Fridays. You may also include a small bottle of water.

My child has never eaten lunch in a school cafeteria – it seems quite overwhelming for a 5-year old. The PTA has helpers to assist the kindergarteners purchase lunch in the cafeteria as well as opening their lunches, etc. They are always provided the proper assistance if needed, but we find that they acclimate themselves very quickly! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sarah deKramer. You are welcome to eat lunch in the cafeteria with your child – just be sure to stop in the main office to sign in before visiting the cafeteria.

How does lunch money work? Each student is given a PIN at the start of the school year that is linked to their student account. The two easiest ways to purchase meals are ONLINE using mylunchmoney.com, where you can set up a secure prepaid account for your child – there is a 1.95 convenience fee. Once the account is open, parents may check the account at anytime. BY CHECK Make checks payable to Westbriar Food Services and bring the check to school – students name and PIN must be written on the memo line.