Please see the attached Q&As to help you navigate Waples Mill Elementary School (WMES) and PTA.
What time does WMES school day start and end?
Waples Mill students start their day at 9:15am and end their day at 4pm. Please see the Q&A on how to drop off/pick up for further information on when school doors open.
How do I drop off/pick up my child for school?
Kiss-N-Ride:
Please have your child wait to exit/enter the vehicle until you have pulled up to the sidewalk area where the adults are standing. For Mornings: Kiss-N-Ride begins at 8:50 a.m. Students are released to class at 9:05 a.m. (School begins at 9:15 a.m.). For Afternoons: Kiss-N-Ride begins at 4:00pm - 4:10pm..
Bicycle Riders:
All bike riders should obey safety patrols, and automobile traffic rules, including signaling for turns and stopping at intersections. Bikes can be locked to the bike rack. Bicycle helmets are mandatory to ride to school.
Walkers:
Students who are designated as walkers must use designated paths, sidewalks, or the crosswalk where safety patrols are stationed. To pick up your Walker you can meet them in the front of the school or by the doors to the cafeteria.
Bus Riders:
Buses have their own scheduled routes and pickup/drop off designated times. Please check ParentVue or the mobile app to access bus number, stop locations, and pickup/drop off times. Please see the Q&A about “What should i know about Bus Riders” for more information.
What should I know about Bus Riders?
Children should arrive at the bus stop 5-10 minutes earlier than their designated pick up time.
FCPS has a bus app to help with tracking your child. The Here Comes the Bus app is the FCPS app for bus tracking. Logging in is the same as your FCPS ParentVue login.
For Kindergarteners: A parent, daycare provider, designated adult, or sibling in 7th grade or higher is required to meet the child at the bus stop when they are dropped off at the end of the school day. If any of the above are not there to receive the Kindergartener the child will be returned to school. This is to ensure the safety of the youngest children riding the bus.
Can I allow my child to ride a different bus and go to a friend’s house after school?
A child may attain a bus pass from the front office only for any Friday of the week. Parents must write an email and include each of the students' teachers and the parent of each child. Ask the teacher to forward the email to the front office. It would be most prudent to also include the following emails for the change in transportation: amuddansrikr@fcps.edu and WaplesMillES.Attendance@fcps.edu. The child that will be riding a different bus must also visit the front office at some point earlier on Friday to receive a “bus pass” which they must present to the bus driver.
What if my child is late for school?
While students should strive to arrive on time at school each day promptly, it is recognized that unforeseen circumstances occur. Should your child be late, please take them to the front office area. You must sign them in by using the computers directly outside of the front office. This must be done in person (and cannot be completed prior by filling the form found online).
How do I pick up my child early?
If you must pick your child up early from school please come into the front office and let the office staff know that you need to pick up your child. You will then sign them out on the computers in the lobby. If children are leaving early they must be picked up by 3:30pm so as not to disrupt the regular dismissal process.
How do I report an absence?
To report an absence you can either call the school at 703-390-7700, email WaplesMillES.Attendance@fcps.edu or use the online attendance form at https://waplesmilles.fcps.edu/attendance-form
Is there a uniform/dress code for students attending Waples Mill Elementary School?
There is no uniform requirement at Waples Mill Elementary public school. For more information regarding dress code, please review the dress code in the Fairfax County Public Schools Student Rights and Responsibilities
How do I find out about supplies I need to get for my student?
An easy one-stop way to ensure your student receives all their school supplies is to order it thru School Toolbox that can be delivered to your door! Further information on this an be found https://waplesmilles.fcps.edu under the Academics/School Supply Lists tab.
What before-school care and after-school programs are available at Waples Mill?
Enrichment programs are available in both the spring and the fall. There are a variety of programs both before and after school for which you can register your child. To learn more about specific programs you can contact enrichment@waplesmillpta.org.
How can I best contact my child’s teacher?
If you visit the school’s website at https://waplesmilles.fcps.edu there is a school directory listed under the menu. The teacher’s are listed alphabetically and there is a “contact” button located next to each one so that you may send an email.
Can I go to lunch with my child?
Parents are welcome to join a student for lunch. There are designated lunch tables outside of the cafeteria where parents and/or guardians may enjoy a lunch date. Students are permitted to bring along a friend as well. It is best to notify your student’s teacher so they are aware.
Please remember to bring your photo id and check in at the terminal located in the office upon arrival. You must also check out and remove the badge sticker when you are done with your visit.
How do I deliver items to my child’s classroom?
If your child has forgotten an item, such as their lunch or a water bottle, you may deliver the item to the front office and they will call your child up to retrieve it.
What do I need to do if I am visiting Waples Mill or volunteering for school?
Anybody entering the school during school hours must buzz in and state the reason for your visit. Please be aware a camera captures anyone entering the school. Once buzzed in you must proceed to the front office and have an ID ready. There is a visitor management terminal to check yourself in with a valid ID. All visitors at the school must have a sticker badge displayed on clothing to be inside of the school during school hours. Once you are done with your visit you must also scan yourself out of the system before leaving.
Am I allowed to volunteer at the school?
Parents are allowed to volunteer. Volunteer opportunities are designated by the teacher of the classroom. Each teacher typically asks for parent volunteers to be the class Room Parent(s) and/or Yearbook Rep. The teachers then work through the Room Parents to send out other possible opportunities to volunteer for different classroom needs, field trip chaperones, book fair and library. There are also various PTA volunteer positions or help that is needed. We have plenty of opportunities with various levels of commitment. Volunteers are the backbone of this operation! Contact volunteer@waplesmillpta.org for more information and also check https://waplesmill.ptboard.com for updated volunteer opportunities.
How are birthdays celebrated at Waples Mill?
Due to allergies food treats are not allowed to be brought into the classroom, However, if your child would like to bring in a small gift/goody bag (eraser, pencil, stickers, etc) to give to each student in the class they may do so.
How does my child receive the Advanced Academic services?
Waples Mill Elementary will become an Advanced Academic Level IV Center providing full-time Level IV services. This process will be fully implemented in the next few years. Beginning in 2024-25 those students that test into the program during Grade 3 will have the ability to stay at Waples Mill (versus transitioning to Hunters Woods Elementary School as it has been in years past). To learn more you may visit the following website https://waplesmilles.fcps.edu/academics/advanced-academic-programs or you can contact Emily Jemison the Gifted Services Teacher at eajemison@fcps.edu.
What happens if my child has an emergency at school?
If your child has the need for emergency services while at school 911 will be called and you will be notified immediately.
What happens to lost items at school?
Generally, lost items at school are collected and taken to the lunchroom where children can collect them from the Lost and Found coat rack. Please make sure you and your child check the coat rack frequently. All items left at lost and found will be donated to charity organizations at the end of the year.
Will Waples Mill Elementary be renovated any time soon?
Waples is on the list for being renovated as part of the FCPS Capital Improvement Program. During the 2023-24 school year the bond referendum vote for school renovations (which included Waples Mill Elementary) was passed. This is slated to be an apprx. $56 million dollar construction renovation for Waples. Such a large-scale renovation will have many phases to it. The next phase of planning/design is slated to start next year. We will learn more about exactly when the construction process could begin for our school after the planning and permitting phases of this process are completed. The project que found on the Fairfax Public School Capital Improvement website currently shows construction slated FY 2028 (but could be earlier)..
What is the goal of the PTA?
A successful Parent Teacher Association (PTA) depends on the relationship between families and staff. The PTA sponsors a variety of events, field trips, and programs to enrich the already strong education our kids receive at Waples Mill. Please be sure to see the tab labeled “PTA Goals and Objectives” for more specific year to year defined goals.
How does the PTA raise money?
We raise funds through a variety of methods some of which include: membership drives, donations, sales of spirit wear, business sponsorships, and school events.
How can my company/business participate?
We have several sponsorship levels/opportunities available. Please reach out to sponsorship@waplesmillpta.org for more information.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes! The PTA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so donations are tax deductible.
How do I join the PTA/ How much are dues?
Anyone can join the PTA! Dues are $15.00 (subject to change year by year) per voting member. We strongly encourage donations of any amount and suggest an average of $150 for the year. This will greatly help to support the variety of activities and support for the students attending Waples Mill!
If I join the PTA am I obligated to volunteer?
There is no obligation at all to volunteer if you join the PTA. Joining the PTA and becoming a member allows you to be kept apprised of various things going on at the school and allows you to have access to a student directory. It also allows you to provide feedback and the opportunity to voice ideas, learn, and interact with the community if you choose.