BRUIN WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

February 15, 2026

Thank you to our incredible families for your generosity in supporting the Portsmouth Humane Society through our Community Committee’s donation drive. Your kindness helps provide shelter, medical care, and loving support to animals as they wait for their forever homes. We are so grateful for the compassion our Bruin community continues to show—every item donated truly makes a difference for a furry friend in need.

Thank you. 

 As we continue capturing all the special moments of this school year, we need your help! Please remember to send any photos from school events to wbpyearbook26@gmail.com. The more pictures we receive, the better our yearbook will be—helping us showcase the smiles, celebrations, and memories that make Western Branch Primary such a special place. Thank you for helping us preserve this year’s Bruin memories!

We are excited to invite our Western Branch Primary families to explore our Virtual Winter Art Gallery! Our talented Bruins have been working hard to develop their artistic skills, and this gallery highlights their imagination, effort, and progress so far this year. Please take a few moments to view the gallery using the link below and feel free to share it on social media so our entire community can celebrate the wonderful work of our young artists! Link to Winter Art Gallery

 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. 

Spring Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, March 3!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT69NDRH. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Tuesday, March 3. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

 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 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 16th- President's Day (No School)

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

February 17th- Lunar New Year Begins

                            Ramadan Begins

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

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

March 6th- Teacher Workday Elementary Only (No students)