BRUIN WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

February 8, 2026

Due to the recent snow day, our 100th Day of School celebration has been moved to February 17th. We are excited to recognize this special milestone and celebrate our students for being 100 days smarter! We look forward to a fun day of learning and activities as we mark all the growth and hard work our Bruins have shown this year.  In addition, we have updated our February calendar below to reflect the 100th day. 

Thank you. 

 Our Community Committee is collecting donations to support the Portsmouth Humane Society. This organization cares for animals, provides them with shelter and medical attention, and helps them find safe, loving forever homes. We invite our families and staff to take a look at the list of needed items and consider donating to help a furry friend in need. Every contribution makes a difference!

Career Day is right around the corner, and we would love for you to be part of it this school year!

This is a wonderful opportunity to inspire our students and give them a behind-the-scenes look at what you do every day in your profession. We’re looking for volunteers who are excited to engage with students by bringing props or tools, sharing pictures, planning an interactive activity, and/or offering hands-on experiences that help students imagine what it’s like to do your job.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, and you’re available on March 13th from 7:45–10:15, we would be thrilled to have you join us for this fun and impactful event!

Thank you for considering being part of Career Day—we can’t wait to learn from you!  Please click here, if you would like to sign up!

 VLP Family Resources- click the link to find many resources to support students in literacy. This link provides Ideas like how to help your child with reading and spelling new words, and so much more! VDOE Family Resources- VDOE Family Supports for Reading is another resource developed by the VDOE with a variety of supports for families to use at home. 

 Your participation in PTA is more important than ever!  We would love to reach 100% membership this year, so please join the PTA.  We welcome all adult members (parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends).  You can join the PTA HERE. 

Our counselors, Ms. Dawson, Mrs. K-B, and Mrs. Evans, have developed a weekly newsletter for November to inform you about the lessons they will be teaching in their classes this month.  In addition, this week's newsletter has MORE information for families —Helping Kids with Positive Self-Esteem. Click here

Welcome to Western Branch Primary- View our video about many of our procedures. 

Bruins Wear Badges- Click here for a video about our Bruins and how they wear their badges every day. Our badges are used every day for getting lunch, checking out library books, and much more! Badge Information from CPS

District Calendar. Don’t miss an event or a deadline. A printable version of our district calendar is also available here.

Student Handbook. Review Chesapeake Public Schools' policies for students. 

ParentVUE Information- ParentVUE information and forgotten passwords. 

CPSCHOOLSVA The mobile app for our district. With our app, you can easily access school events, news updates, and even emergency notifications.

Transportation Information. Directions for finding your student’s bus stop are located here. 

Regular school attendance plays an important role in helping children feel confident, connected, and successful at school. Establishing this habit as early as preschool teaches students that coming to school on time, every day, truly matters. Consistent attendance builds routines, strengthens learning, and helps children develop positive relationships with teachers and classmates. Over time, these strong habits lay the foundation for success not only at Western Branch Primary, but also in middle school, high school, and beyond. Every day counts for our Bruins!

Set up your ParentVue account to submit absentee notes, check grades, and see up-to-date attendance. ( Report an Absence in ParentVue)

HOURS: Western Branch Primary will begin accepting students at 7:15 a.m. Classes begin at 7:35 a.m. Students are considered tardy when they arrive after 7:35. We dismiss at 2:04. Our office hours are 7:00-3:00 each day.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Black History Month Calendar- Our academic committee has created a month of activities and dress-up days to celebrate Black History Month.  Participation is optional- pick one, or as many days as you like!  

February 9-13- Kindness Week- Collecting Donations for the Portsmouth Human Society

February 16th- President's Day (No School)

February 17th- 100th Day of School (Updated) 

February 17th- Lunar New Year Begins 

February 24th- CPI Night 6:00 (CPI Families)

March 3rd- Spring Picture Day (Individual & Classes)