Soaring to Success in Four Weeks: Soar High

Did you know that engaged families effectively add $1,000 per student in a school’s annual budget? (Shoutout to our partners at TalkingPoints for sharing that statistic with us!) At Westlawn, we want to help families be engaged and take advantage of resources that are proven to help students thrive. This is Week 4 in a four-week series designed to help you ensure that your child can be Soaring to Success this year and beyond!

Tip #7: Encourage exploration of the world outside the classroom and the pursuit of personal interests and hobbies

• Visit museums, parks, and libraries: take advantage of local opportunities to introduce children to new ideas and experiences. The Park Authority of Fairfax County has  an events calendar with free and low-cost events happening at region parks. Even if there isn’t a special activity happening at your preferred park, the entire parks system has  miles of trails available from sunrise to sunset, including several accessible ones for strollers and wheelchairs. In DC, the  Smithsonian museums are all free of charge, and most are easily accessible via Metro. And, the entire  Fairfax County Public Library system is at your disposal with a library card! Like the parks, libraries across the county have  special programs --often free--available for children and adults.
• Support their hobbies: provide materials or opportunities for children to pursue things like art, music, sports, or building. At Westlawn we have after-school clubs several times per year--stay tuned to  The Feather Report to learn about upcoming opportunities. Other opportunities for local enrichment include classes and sports available through  Parktakes , or joining Westlawn’s Scout troops. Finally, it’s never too early to plan for summer! FCPS offers a  wide range of summer opportunities , including the Institute for the Arts and Tech Adventure Camp. Although these experiences cost money, qualifying families can receive scholarships. The best way to snag the scholarships is to ensure that your paperwork is current. Our social worker,  Ms. Pamela Cortez , can provide assistance.
• Encourage questions and research: now that students in grades 1-6 will be taking their devices home, families have an easy way to help students explore their passions! The Westlawn website offers  a curated list of websites and podcasts that support student learning . If you have a suggestion for something to add,  email Ms. Dushok !
• Train your social media to present opportunities for your family: by liking or following certain accounts, you can train your social media to share upcoming events or workshops that might appeal to your children. On Facebook:  Fairfax County Parks Authority ,  Fairfax County Public Library ,  City of Falls Church Government . On Instagram:  Fairfax County Parks Authority ,  Fairfax County Public Library ,  City of Falls Church Government .

Tip #8: Use the public library as a resource

• Check out with LEAP: students are eligible to check out a limited number of items from any Fairfax County public library using their name, without needing a library card!  LEAP has no fees, and students can use both LEAP and a library card at the same time.
• Use the immigrant and citizenship resources: the  Thomas Jefferson branch (our neighborhood branch) offers several resources for immigrants, newly-arrived families, and those looking for information on citizenship! These materials include books and guides in various languages, and even an entire children’s book collection designed to meet the needs of newly-arrived immigrant children.
• Explore the Library of Things: did you know that you can borrow a thermal camera from the library? It’s true! Fairfax County libraries feature a “Library of Things,” which are kits designed to accomplish various tasks. Families can borrow things like thermal cameras, a kit designed to help people conserve energy, a family history kit, and even a connect kit featuring a Chromebook!
• Get connected at Thomas Jefferson: besides over one dozen computers featuring Internet access and the Connect Kit, the Thomas Jefferson branch features a 3D printer that people can use for free and a series of Launchpad tablets, which are organized by age and topic. The Launchpad tablets are made by the same company that makes Westlawn’s Playaways, and they are a huge hit with students!

Did you like these suggestions? Check out the rest of the tips from this series  on our website !