PTA Trivia of the Week

How did Arlington get its name?



Scroll down for the answer!

PTA Memberships and Donations

Join the PTA today! Please note that you have to join each year - memberships do not roll over from year to year. The cost is $15 per person and $30 per family. Join

Please also contribute to a specific class fund for $40. Donate to Class Funds

Please also consider making a donation of any amount to help with events like Wolf Paw prizes, classroom grants, PALS Day, and more. Donate

Donations are tax deductible!

Administrative Reminders

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WMS Morning Announcements

Keep up with the latest news that your kids are getting each morning. Click here for the WMS Morning Announcements!

PTA Volunteers

If you are interested in getting more involved, please reach out to our PTA President at president@wmspta.org. We would love to hear from you!

**ANNOUNCEMENTS**

Message from the PTA President, Dave Badanes

It was so great seeing everyone at Back to School Night. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to buy the staff a pizza dinner, a small gesture but hopefully one that made their week a little easier.

We've got a few programs kicking off soon, including Reflections. Check out the volunteer spotlight and additional information below to learn more.

As you may know, at our first PTA general membership meeting of the school year, we discussed that APS had eliminated parent-teacher conferences for this school year. We are glad to see that APS has added the parent-teacher conferences back to the calendar for October 8-9 (and another set of dates in March). Good reminder that PTA advocacy matters - the PTA's job isn't just events and fundraising!

Speaking of events, mark your calendars for Fall Parent Trivia Night, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30pm at Clare and Don's. Pub quiz style, parents only, lots of fun. Trust me!

Warmly,

Dave

WMS Volunteer Spotlight - Reflections Program Volunteers

**Lou Elin Najmi**

About me: I am Lou Elin Najmi, mom to APS 6th and 3rd, and four-year-old twins who will be joining APS next year. I work at the State Department and volunteer for the PTA Reflections program.

About the program: Through the PTA Reflections national arts program, we encourage students to explore their creativity and share their unique perspectives through art. This year’s theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.”

Why I volunteer:  I believe it’s important to give back and support our community. I’ve had the opportunity to help with PTA Reflections at Discovery Elementary, and it’s been a wonderful program to be part of.

**Maryann Mayhood**

About me: I am Maryann Mayhood, mom to a 6th grader, and a native Arlingtonian, who also attended WMS! I'm excited to be volunteering for the PTA Reflections program.

About the program: I'm excited to see the students' creative interpretations of "What My Culture Means to Me." What I love about the program is that you don't have to be a traditional "artist" to participate and it allows students to express themselves in ways that may be out of their normal comfort zone. 

Why I volunteer:  I think it's impactful to volunteer in areas in which your personal expertise can support our school community. This young generation has bright futures and witnessing their growth brings me a lot of joy!

Restaurant Fundraiser at Sloppy Mama's - Oct. 21

Please join us at Sloppy Mama's:

- Wednesday, Oct. 21

- 5731 Langston Blvd.

- Use code: WilliamsburgPTA

Take the night off cooking and bring the whole family to help support WMS!

Be sure to use code "WilliamsburgPTA."

Note that orders with deals or coupons cannot be counted toward the fundraiser.

PTA Reflections Program - Entry Deadline is Nov. 20

National PTA’s 50+ year Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Every year, over 300,000 students participate in the program, advancing from the local to the state to the national level, earning recognition and prizes for their talents.

The student-created theme for the 2026-2027 Reflections program is: “What My Culture Means to Me”

Visit Virginia PTA’s Reflections and National PTA’s Reflections websites for more information.

For more information, contact reflectionswmspta@gmail.com

Arlington Travel Basketball - Open Gym (9/20 and 9/26) and Tryouts (10/5)

ATB is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to building a positive basketball community that teaches the game the right way — through strong fundamentals, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to sportsmanship. Our coaches and volunteers focus on helping young athletes grow as players and as people: competing with integrity, supporting one another, and never losing sight of the fact that basketball should be fun.

We've long partnered with Arlington Parks and Recreation and the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League to provide competitive basketball opportunities for 5th-8th grade boys and girls, and that commitment continues to pay off. ATB alumni have gone on to excel both on the court and in the classroom, playing at the high school, collegiate, and even professional level — including WNBA No. 1 overall draft pick Azzi Fudd. Their success is a reflection of the foundation ATB works to build in every player who comes through our program, whether or not they go on to play at the highest levels.

Our new season is starting soon, and we would be so grateful if you could share this information and graphic within your school community.

Updated schedule and registration information are now available on our new website: atbhoops.org

Open Gyms

Open gyms are a great place to work on skill development, shooting, game play, and having fun! They are free to participate in and will be facilitated.

Open Gyms for 5th and 6th grade boys and girls will be:

Sunday, 9/20 at Kenmore MS

·   5th Grade - 8:15a - 10:00a

·   6th Grade - 10:15a - 12:00p

Saturday, 9/26 at Kenmore MS

·   5th Grade - 8:15a - 10:00a

·   6th Grade - 10:15a - 12:00p

Tryouts

Tryouts are also free and will take place in the evenings the week of October 5th (Monday-Thursday), for up to 4 days total. More information will follow for those who register.

Visit atbhoops.org to register for both!

LTC Book Bash — Bring a Book. Take a Book, Share the Joy! - Oct.3

The Literacy Tutoring Collaboration (LTC) is a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit working to

close the literacy gap by helping all students reach grade-level reading through intensive literacy interventions during the school day, at little to no cost to schools. As we begin our first year of programming in Arlington, we’re excited to bring the community together to celebrate the joy of reading!

Please join LTC for a FREE community event on Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00

p.m. at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church City.

The main event is a book swap for readers of all ages—including adults! Bring books you’ve outgrown and swap them for something new to you.

While you’re here, enjoy face painting, outdoor games, crafts, and a live DJ. Bring the whole family and come ready to read, play, and have fun!

Bring a book. Take a book. Share the joy.

The event is completely free, and optional donations are welcome. Those who choose to

donate will receive an LTC canvas tote bag for their books and be entered into a raffle.

For more information, visit www.literacytutors.org/bookbash2026

YHS Dance Team Junior Dancer Clinic - Nov. 3

Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Yorktown High School

The Yorktown Dance Team is looking forward to spending Election Day with your kids! 

They will learn skills and choreography, play games, and perform what they have learned at the end of the day. 

Registrants are divided by grade and all skill levels are welcome! Pizza and snacks are included as well as a T-shirt.

K-8th grade are welcome!

REGISTER HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ydt-junior-dance-clinic

PTA Trivia of the Week - ANSWER

Arlington got its name from Arlington House, the hilltop mansion built by George Washington Parke Custis, the step-grandson of George Washington, in the early 1800s.

Custis named the estate after the Custis family's ancestral home on Virginia's Eastern Shore, which in turn traces back to the Earls of Arlington in England.

WMS GENERAL INFORMATION

Main Phone Line: 703-228-5450

Attendance Line: 703-228-5444

Technical support: 703-228-2570, Monday through Thursday from 7 am - 9 pm, and Friday from 7 am - 6 pm



Technical support information: click here.

ParentVue: click here.

Morning announcements: click here.

APS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Upcoming APS Community Engagement Opportunities:

APS Launches Adopt-a-School: Building Strategic Partnerships for Student Success. Learn more about the Adopt-a-School program. Complete an Interest Form here.

School Board Advisory Councils – Applications are open for APS School Board Advisory Councils for the 2026–27 school year. This is a meaningful way to share feedback and help support our schools. Please consider applying before summer begins. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through the fall. Apply online.

More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español  Монгол  አማርኛ   العربية  (Other languages)

Arlington Community Opportunities and Events:

More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español  Монгол  አማርኛ   العربية  (Other languages)

Have content for a future PTA Newsletter? Send it to our Communications VP by Thursday and we will include it in the following week's newsletter.