 Dear West Potomac Community—
After an action-packed week of celebration, West Potomac’s Homecoming 2016 has drawn to a close. Throughout the week, our halls were filled with students (and staff) participating in dress-up spirit days, lunch-time games, and special events such as PowderPuff football. On Friday, we brought the entire student body together for a pep rally in the gym last period that showcased student athletes, performing groups (including a teacher lip sync contest), and class competitions. We then enjoyed a tailgate party after school visited by local radio station Mix 107.3 before our hard-fought football game Friday evening against T.C. Williams High School.
During the homecoming half-time show we named our 2016 queen, senior Raelyn Davis, and king, Nasim Al-Saadawi. We also recognized retired staff member Betty Graves who was named runner up for the Ms. Senior Virginia America Pageant this year. Ms. Graves has not missed a Groveton or West Potomac homecoming in the stadium since 1976. Wow! Lastly, our homecoming dance went late in the night on Saturday and was among the largest and best-attended in school history (over 1,000 tickets sold). Our students looked absolutely fabulous dressed to the nines. Thank you to Nicole Borghard, student government association (SGA) sponsor, and our student leaders for spear-heading such a memorable West Potomac week.
Aside from the homecoming festivities, several academic honors are important to note. On Tuesday, American Banking Association (ABA) President and CEO Rob Nichols joined Burke & Herbert Bank Senior Vice President Joseph F. Collum to present a lesson to 60 junior and senior students as part of the ABA Foundation’s Get Smart About Credit Day. This annual initiative encourages bankers to present lessons on important financial obstacles facing young adults, including paying for college, knowing their credit score, managing money and protecting their identity. We thank our partners at the ABA and Burke & Herbert for making this event possible. Thank you also to West Potomac alum Blair Bernstein who proposed and advocated for the idea.
Last Wednesday, students in grades 9 through 11 focused on their college and career readiness by participating in the Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) or PSAT 8/9 ReadiStep assessment. Meanwhile, our seniors had an invigorating town hall meeting and took their panoramic class picture. We closed the week with academy teacher Nancy Mantelli receiving the "Pillar of Excellence" award from the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, or more commonly known as the Emmy’s in her classroom on Friday. Though few weeks can be described as “normal”, this week truly was exceptional on many fronts.
It truly is a great time to be a West Potomac Wolverine!
Sincerely,
Alexander B. Case
Principal
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School News
Election-related Service Hours for West Potomac Students
The non-partisan Vote Yes Meals Tax campaign has service hour opportunities for students who want to learn about local elections. Chances are, most voters will arrive at the polls Nov. 8 never having heard of the meals tax. Volunteers are needed to hand information to voters at certain polls throughout the county. This is a nice opportunity for students who need service hours. The volunteer shifts are: 6-8 a.m.; 8-10 a.m.; and 4-7 p.m. To protect student privacy, volunteers can sign up using this link and our volunteer coordinator will match them up with the poll and time most convenient to them. Training will be provided for all volunteers.
SPOOKTACULAR Carnival & Concert – 10/26, 5:30pm
We’re welcoming everyone to our Fall concert this year! The event will incorporate a Fall Community Carnival for students throughout our pyramid. The Carnival will begin at 5:30 pm with games for all ages; a short concert will follow at approximately 6:30 pm. The entire event will conclude shortly after 7 pm. The high school students are planning and leading the games that will be played. Check out our website for the concert flyer under calendar tab!! It is going to be SPOOKTACULAR! www.westpotomacorchestra.org
School of Rock – The Musical
Beyond the Page Theatre Company (BTPTC) at West Potomac High School opens its 32nd Season: Beyond the Silver Screen with the regional premiere of School of Rock - The Musical, and they are here to rock! This all-ages show will be fun for the whole family. Purchase your tickets in advance, as they are selling quickly. Show dates are Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 4-19. Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.westpotomactheatre.org. We expect many shows to be sold out.
Orchestra Regionals Performance November 12
Congratulations to Olivia Scheidt and Henry Drembus who auditioned and were accepted into the Northern Virginia Senior Regional Orchestra. Performance for this event will be November 12 at West Potomac High School, Springbank Auditorium, 2pm.
College
& Career Center (CCC) News
WPHS
College and Career Center Updates
Juniors
and seniors are invited to have lunch in the College and Career Center during
lunch blocks. This is a great opportunity to explore and discuss your options
for after high school graduation. Also “Lunch and Learn” sessions will
begin in October and will be held every Thursday in the College and
Career Center during lunch blocks.
College
Visits Week of October 24-28
Virginia Military Institute Monday, October 24 10:00
AM
George Mason University Monday, October 24 11:15
AM
University of Rochester Tuesday, October 25 9:30
AM
Morgan State University Tuesday, October 25 10:30
AM
NVCC Annandale Campus Wednesday, October 26 9:45
AM
Register
to attend college visits through Family Connection or come to the College and
Career Center for more information.
Upcoming
Events
November
30 – ASVAB Test (Interested students should register in the College and Career
Center.)
Scholarship
and Enrichment Program Information
Scholarship opportunities are
available to FCPS students to review and apply for through Family Connection.
Students can review and apply for scholarships by logging into Blackboard,
Family Connection, Colleges Tab, then Scholarship List at the bottom of the
page. This site is updated weekly and students are ENCOURAGED to review it on a
regular basis as deadline dates are critical. Here is the list of scholarships
updated this week:
New
and Updated Scholarships
- Ron
Brown Scholars Program – deadline Nov. 1
- Allegra
Ford Scholarship – deadline Nov. 13
- Anne
Ford Scholarship – deadline Nov. 13
- Barbara
Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers - deadline Dec. 1
- AXA
Achievement Scholarship - deadline Dec. 15
- Foot
Locker Scholar Athlete Scholarship - deadline Dec. 16
- NFIB
Young Entrepreneur Award – deadline Dec. 18
- AFSCME
Family Scholarship Program - deadline Dec. 31
- Washington
Crossing Foundation - deadline Jan. 15, 2017
- Virginia
Daughters of American Revolution Scholarship - deadline Jan. 15,
2017
- Virginia
Daughters of The American Revolution Nursing Scholarship - deadline
Jan. 15, 2017
- National
Multiple Sclerosis Scholarship - deadline Jan. 18, 2017
- ELKS
National Foundation - Legacy Awards - deadline Feb. 3, 2017
- Virginia
State Scholarship – deadline Feb. 15, 2017
New
and Updated Enrichment Programs
- USC
Bovard Scholars – University of Southern California – July 16 – Aug. 5, 2017 –
deadline Feb. 17, 2017
Interested in a Military career
after high school graduation? Military
Services representatives will be available to speak with interested students
during lunch blocks on the following days:
- US Marine Corps – 1st
Wednesday of every month
- US Navy – 3rd Wednesday
of every month
- US Army – 2nd Thursday of
every month
College
Test Prep Opportunities
SAT/ACT
Information
SAT/ACT
Prep Classes and Mock Test schedule now available for fall 2016/winter 2017.
Come to the College and Career Center for more information. For more
information on the ACT and to register: www.actstudent.org.
For more information on the SAT and to register: www.collegeboard.org.
Fall 2016/Winter 2017 Mock
(Practice) Tests
WPHS, Gunston Building, Rooms
153/154. Check-in opens at 8:30am;
see below for mock test start times. Cost is $23. Walk-in registration
($28) as space allows. Bring registration, photo ID, pencils, calculator,
snack/water. Note: WPHS student scholarships (need-based)
for mocks and classes are available through the WPHS College and Career Center
Specialist, Liz Carter (eecarter@fcps.edu). Dates with
Applerouth codes at right are hotlinked to the registration page for easy
click-to-register access.Online registration closes at midnight,
the Wednesday before the test.
Test Offered Date Time Event code
Mock ACT Sat,
Oct 22 9:00am - 1:15pm M219287
Mock SAT Sat,
Nov 5 9:00am - 1:30pm M219266
Mock ACT Sat,
Nov 12 9:00am - 1:15pm M219288
Mock SAT Sat,
Jan 7 9:00am - 1:30pm M233473
Mock ACT Sat,
Jan 7 9:00am - 1:15pm M232586
Mock SAT Sat,
Feb 11 9:00am - 1:30pm M233474
Mock ACT Sat,
Feb 11 9:00am - 1:15pm M232587
Mock SAT Sat,
Mar 18 9:00am - 1:30pm M233475
Mock ACT Sat,
Mar 18 9:00am - 1:15pm M232590
Winter 2017 Test Prep Classes
Register online at Applerouth.com
with class code.
Start Date End
Date
Class Class Code
Sat 1/7/17 Sat
4/1/17
ACT ACT2914
Sat 12/17/16 Sat
3/4/17
SAT SAT2912
Online registration closes at midnight, the Tuesday before class
starts. Spring prep class schedule will be posted as soon as available –
mid-March start; targets prep for June official tests.
PTSA
Program Manager – Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com
Liz Carter, WPHS College & Career Center, eecarter@fcps.edu
Activities News
WPHS Swim & Dive Time Trials
Time trials will be held Wednesday, November 9, and Thursday, November 10. They will continue the following week Monday-Thursday, November 14-17.
WPHS Sporting Events
For the most current news in West Potomac athletics, please check the athletics
website.
Fundraising
Information
Backstage Rock Demo and Tour for select School
of Rock
Backstage tours are available after the Nov.
5 and Nov. 19 matinee shows of School of Rock, The Musical. Join the cast and
crew for a backstage tour with rock demo and photo ops. This is a great
group activity. Tickets may be purchased online at www.westpotomactheatre.org.
School of Rock Cast & Crew's Rockin' Camp
Hey kids, join us for a rockin' good time!
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Learn Songs & Choreography From The Shows
Sing And Dance With The Cast
This is a great opportunity for students to learn songs and choreography; sing
and dance with the cast; and learn do to hair and makeup. Camp is open to students in 3rd – 8th grades, and runs
from 10:00 am to
2:00 pm. Check-in begins at 9:45, pick-up is promptly at 2:00 pm. Bring your own packed lunch and refillable water
bottle. Cost is $50 for 1st child, $40
for each additional sibling. Payment
MUST be received with registration. We regret that there will be no
waiting lists and no refunds. SPACES ARE LIMITED SO SIGN UP TODAY
at www.westpotomactheatre.org.
Election Day Bake Sale
Sweeten your vote
with a treat from the WPHS Theatre Boosters bake sale. Coffee, doughnuts, and
homemade sweets will be available. You can even pick up a discounted box of
doughnuts for your office. Proceeds support the school’s performance at the
Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival.
Wolverine
Green Update
Oktoberfest was a huge success. The planets
aligned for a spectacular evening, and we could not have written a better script.
The weather was absolutely perfect and the World's Greatest High School community
came out and joined the festivities in the Mitchells' incredible home and
backyard, all for our worthy cause: the Wolverine Green Learning Island. After all the expenses were tallied and funds
designated for benches and bricks, we will have some $18,000 to add to the
construction budget. Phase 1 includes the bulk of the upfront costs: remove trees
and concrete, excavate, grade, pour new concrete, install wall seating and
brick borders. We are working
with Vulcan Concrete, General Shale and other businesses to help us with
"in kind" donations. Build it and they will come! West
Potomac's outdoor classroom will be under construction this fall. Our goal is
to complete the hardscape of
the Wolverine Green before the winter break.
While Oktoberfest
kicked this project into solid financial footing, we still need to raise more
money. Any and all donations are appreciated. Please click here to make your
donation today.
Bricks are on sale now: Pick the size, either
4x8" for $50 or 8x8" for $100. Symbols are an additional $5 each. We
even have the West Potomac logo available as one of the symbol choices. For
more information and to order a brick, please click
here for the order form.
LuLaRue MultiConsultant Sales
Event
Tuesday, November 8, 1-6 pm, Cafeteria
The West Potomac Parent Teacher Student
Association (PTSA) raise funds for PTSA initiatives by offering up to 16
independent LuLaRue sales consultants the opportunity to "purchase"
table and space for presenting and selling their items to the local community.
Please come to support these independent business women as they in turn support
the WP PTSA.
WPHS
Dance Team: Eat Delicious Food, for a Good Cause!
Dine at Moe's October 26 between 5 - 8 pm and Moe's will give 30% of what you spend to the
Varsity Dance Team. Every bit helps us get closer to funding travel to the
National Championship Competition in Orlando. Print and take with you the flyer
found here - http://www.westpotomacsports.org/main/teamfiles/id/15535/seasonid/3957180 - to
be sure Moe's credits Dance Team with the 30%:
Guitar Night at the Cosmopolitan
Grill Wed., October 26
The West Potomac Guitar Program is hosting a
fundraiser at the Cosmopolitan Grill Restaurant on Wednesday, October
26. Members of West Potomac Guitar classes will provide dinner music starting
at 6:30 pm. The Cosmopolitan Grill is located on Rt. 1 beside
Gold’s Gym and the fundraiser will run all day. Just let them know you are
there to support West Potomac so that a percentage of proceeds will be given
back to our program!
Parent Teacher Student Association Updates
Next PTSA Meeting Monday, November 14
Join us Monday, November 14, at 6:30 in the library. Our main topic will be WPHS Activities and Electives Programs.
2016-17 WPHS Directory • Ads on Sale Now
We have over 31 businesses returning with ads for our 2016-2017 school directory. If you have a business or service you would like to advertise to this busy community of over 2,000 families, please contact Marilyn Aboff.
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