 Dear
West Potomac Community—
It is
hard to believe we are but one week away from Winter Break. So much exciting has
been going on and continues to take place on the WPHS campus even as we quickly
wind down 2016. My thanks go to social studies teacher Rob Kerr and our Combatting
Intolerance elective class for sponsoring West Potomac’s activities for National
Inclusive Schools’ week. Their efforts this past week included organizing diversity
spirit days that recognized different subgroups of the school’s population.
In
the week ahead, our Student Government Association (SGA) is inviting the
student body to participate in a series of winter-themed spirit days leading up
to winter break. Details follow in School News. On Monday, math teacher Dr. Amy
Galitzer has arranged a special visit from Slapshot, the Washington Capitals’
mascot, to several classrooms and the Head Start program. Finally, high on my
list remains our performing arts department’s holiday concerts which will
delight the student body and community as they do annually. Perhaps most
exciting is that these activities are but compliments to the great teaching and
learning we see in our WPHS classrooms day in and day out.
Please
note that Friday, December 16 is a full day of school, and the last one before
our two weeks of winter vacation. We hope that this time away from school will
give all families the opportunity to enjoy much time together. Our students and
staff work hard throughout the school year, and it is important that they can
use this lengthy vacation to establish balance and recharge. Similar to our
practice during the recent Thanksgiving Break, students will not have homework
or a need to study over the Winter Break. Some students might have been
assigned long-term projects to hand in after the break, though our expectation
is that such projects (e.g. Science Fair projects) be assigned with ample time
so as not to require any effort over Winter Break. Our offices will be closed
during the break and school will re-open to students on Tuesday, January 3,
2017.
It is
a great time to be a West Potomac Wolverine!
Sincerely,
Alexander
B. Case
Principal
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School
News
Wolverines
Get in the Spirit
Wolverines catch the spirit of the season as the countdown to
Winter Break commences:
- Monday, Dec. 12 - Twin Day
- Tuesday, Dec. 13 - Snow Day
- Wednesday, Dec. 14 - Warm
& Cozy Day
- Thursday, Dec. 15 - Winter
Character Day
- Friday, Dec. 16 - Ugly
Sweater Day
SGA Hosting Donation Drive
SGA Leadership
is sponsoring a drive in partnership with the NOVA Alexandria Honors Program.
Bright purple boxes marked “DONATE” will be in the main office, the Spirit Store
in the cafeteria, and in room 447 to collect unopened boxes of tampons and
pads. Collections will be donated to Distributing Dignity. Distributing Dignity is a public charity
dedicated to lifting up the dignity of women in need by collecting bras, tampons,
and pads to donate to nonprofit organizations servicing women who are in and
aging out of foster care, seeking refuge from domestic violence or abuse,
homeless, struggling with life altering illness, and displaced by disaster. Feminine hygiene products are
consistently the #1 requested item among shelters but only 6% of people will
end up donating them when giving to the homeless. If you have a chance, please
consider donating!
PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9 Scores
Available December 12 (online only)
Beginning, Monday, December 12, students may access PSAT test scores online. If students provided an email address on their PSAT answer sheets, they will receive two emails from College Board. The first email (which students may have already received) includes instructions to set up a College Board account. Students can setup an account at https://account.collegeboard.org/login/login?idp=ECL&appId=8.n This College Board account is the same account students will use to register for the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and view AP scores. The second email will include an access code to get PSAT scores.
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is used as a practice test to prepare students to take the SAT. National Merit Scholarships and recognition are based on results of the PSAT/NMSQT taken during the fall of junior year.
Students in 10th and 11th grade may learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT and test scores by going to https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores/understanding-scores.
Students in 9th grade may learn more about the PSAT 8/9 and test scores by going to https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/scores/understanding-score.
For Students Who Can’t Access their Scores
After students log in to their College Board account, they should click Add Scores. In the Matching Tool, it is essential that the information in their account matches what they entered on the test answer sheet. For example, if they put "William" on their answer sheet and "Wil" in their account, their scores will not load. If students need to change their name, they must call College Board Customer Service at 1 (866) 630-9305. All other changes can be made right in their account. If that still doesn't populate the scores, students will be prompted to indicate which test they're missing and put in the access code to complete the match. It is also important that students choose the correct test name and test year. Ninth grade students should select the "PSAT 8/9" exam; tenth and eleventh grade students should choose the PSAT/NMSQT" exam. All students should choose 2016 as the test year.
During the first week in January 2017, third period teachers will provide students with individual hard copy score reports with students’ test booklets. Students may also contact counselors for scores/access codes.
College
& Career Center (CCC) News
Upcoming Events
-
December
14, 6:30-8:30PM: WPHS College Planning Night for Class of 2018 Juniors and
Parents. Student Services is hosting information sessions for students and
parents to learn more about the college admissions process, four-year college
option, two-year community college, financial aid and scholarships, SAT/ACT and
much more. This event will offer valuable resources as students begin to make
plans for after high school graduation. (There will also be college
representatives to present information in Spanish for our Hispanic Community.)
-
March
16, 2017: Military Service and ROTC Night, 6:30-8:00PM, Edison High School
-
March
29, 2017: Northern Virginia Regional College Fair, 6:30-9:00PM, EagleBank Arena
(formerly the Patriot Center) George Mason University Fairfax Campus
Financial Aid
West
Potomac High School Financial Aid Champion Now Available to assist in
completing the 2017-2018 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and
the CSS Profile. Mr. Dale Schmidt (mailto:drschmidt@fcps.edu) is available to
meet with students and parents/guardians throughout the year in the College
& Career Center. You may also email Mr. Schmidt to schedule appointment: drschmidt@fcps.edu. Mr. Schmidt will be in
the CCC from 11:30AM to 1:30PM December 13 and 15.
Scholarship 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 bottom of page.
This site is updated weekly and students are ENCOURAGED to review on a
regular basis as deadline dates are critical.
Military Service
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 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.
Winter/Spring 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.
2017 Dates Mock Tests Class Code
Sat-1/7, 9:00a SAT
Mock M233473
Sat-1/7, 9:00a ACT
Mock M232586
Sat-2/11, 9:00a SAT
Mock M233474
Sat-2/11, 9:00a ACT
Mock M232587
Sat-2/25, 9:00a SAT
Mock M239185
Sat-2/25, 9:00a ACT
Mock M239196
Sat-3/18, 9:00a SAT
Mock M233475
Sat-3/18, 9:00a ACT
Mock M232590
Sat-3/25, 9:00a SAT
Mock M239184
Sat-3/25, 9:00a ACT
Mock M239197
Sat-5/6, 9:00a SAT
Mock M239187
Sat-5/6, 9:00a ACT
Mock M239198
December
2016/Winter 2017 Test Prep Classes
Register online at Applerouth.com with class code.
Start Date End Date Class Class
Code
Sat-12/17/16 Sat-3/4/17 SAT
(Prep for 3/11 official SAT) SAT2912
Sat-1/7/17 Sat-4/1/17 ACT (Prep for 4/8 official ACT) ACT2914
Sat-2/25/17 Sat-5/20/17 SAT (Prep for 6/3 official SAT) SAT3027
Sat- 2/25/17 Sat-6/3/17 ACT
(Prep for 6/10 official ACT) ACT3028
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
West
Potomac Sports for the Week of December 12-17:
-
Basketball
Boys' Team (FR) December 12 @
West Springfield HS, 4:30pm, Girls’ Team (FR) December 12 @ West Springfield HS, 5:45pm
Boys’
Team (JV) December 13 @ Home vs. West
Springfield HS, 5:45pm
Girls'
Team (JV) December 13 @ Home
vs. West Springfield, 7:15pm
Boys’
Team (V) December 13 @ West Springfield HS, 5:45pm
Girls'
Team (V) December 13 @ West
Springfield, 7:30pm
Girls'
Team December 16 @ Home vs. TC
Williams HS (FR) 4:30pm; (JV)
5:45pm; (V) 7:15pm
Boys'
Team December 16 @ TC Williams
HS
(FR) 4:30pm; (JV)
5:45pm; (V) 7:15pm
-
Wrestling Jamboree
(JV) - December 14 @ Chantilly
HS, 6:00pm
TriMatch (V) - December
14 @ Thomas Jefferson HS, 6:00pm
-
Swim/Dive December
16 vs. Lake Braddock @ Lee District RECenter, 6:00pm
-
Track (Indoor) December 17 vs. South Lakes, Jefferson,
Langley @ Episcopal HS, 7:30am
For
the most current news in West Potomac athletics, please check the athletics
website.
Parent
Teacher Student Association Updates
PTSA
Meeting Update
There will not be a general PTSA
membership meeting in January. The next PTSA meeting is February 13, and the
topic is Academic Advising/Graduation Requirements.
Teacher Appreciation Holiday
Dessert
The PTSA is sponsoring
a Teacher Appreciation Holiday Dessert Bar on Wednesday, December 14. We know each of you want to help let
the teachers and staff know how special they are, so we are asking that you
contribute baked goods, candy, fruit and eggnog. We are also in need of a few
volunteers to set up, serve and clean up following the event. If
you are able to help, please click here to sign up on Volunteer Spot. Items for the dessert bar either be taken to
the school the day of the event or dropped off the day before to Sanita
Walker-Resper at 2419 Stirrup Lane, Alexandria, VA, 703-780-6469. Thank you
in advance.
Citizen Town Hall Meetings with School Board Rep
Mt. Vernon
School Board Representative Karen Corbett Sanders will be holding Citizen Town Hall Meetings this winter. These citizen town halls are to hear from community members about key
issues facing our schools in Mt. Vernon and the school system. Please
plan on joining her at one of these sessions:
Monday, January 9, 7:00 p.m.
Saratoga Elementary School cafeteria
8111 Northumberland Rd, Newington, VA 22152
Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 p.m.
South County High School cafeteria
8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079
FCPS
Approves 2017-18 Calendar
School Begins August 28, 2017
The
Fairfax County School Board has approved the 2017-18 calendar for Fairfax
County Public Schools (FCPS), which sets the first day of school as Monday,
August 28, 2017, and the last day as Friday, June 15, 2018. Click here
to see the full calendar.
Fundraising Information
Beyond
the Page Zombie Camp
In
advance of our late-January production of Night
of the Living Dead, our world-famous theatre department will host a Zombie Drama
Camp for students in 3rd-8th grades on Saturday,
January 7, 2017, from 10 am to 2 pm. Campers will
sing, dance, and learn how to do hair and makeup at this fundraising event, which
supports the hard-working WPHS
theatre students performing at the Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival
this summer. Zombie Camp cost is $50; $40 per
additional siblings. Space is
limited. Sign up at www.westpotomactheatre.org or Zombie Camp Registration.
Support
Boys Soccer at Chipotle Tuesday, December 13
It's Chipotle Night for the boys' soccer team
Tuesday, December 13, 5-9 pm at the Beacon Hill location. The team earns half
of the profits so get your Chipotle fix for a good cause.
WPHS
Dance Team Fundraising Events
Girl's Birthday
Party Coming Up? Let Us Do the Entertainment for You! You tell us the theme, members of the
WestPo Dance Team will do the entertaining. Packages are for 1 hour or 2 hours
and can be built around dance themes - - including the Nutcracker, Around the
World in Dance, Ballerina's Special Day - - or a theme of your choosing. For
more information and pricing please contact Kris Moran at KERakes@fcps.edu.
Weekend dates fill up quickly so don't wait until the last minute to book!
Easiest
Fundraisers Ever
Did you know that you can help the West Potomac
PTSA earn money simply by shopping at your favorite grocery and online
stores? By taking a few
minutes to register your accounts, the PTSA could earn hundreds of dollars to
be used toward programs that benefit all of our kids. Here’s all the
information you need:
-
Amazon
Smile – Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of
your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the PTSA. Amazon Smile is the same as
Amazon. Same products, same
prices, same service. All
you have to do it log into smile.amazon.com and designate West Potomac High PTSA as
the group you would like to help and the school will start earning money. Just remember to log into AmazonSmile
when you shop, instead of Amazon.com.
-
Giant
A+ - Just log onto www.Giant.com/aplus to designate West Potomac, ID #02263, using your
Giant Card or call the A+ Hotline at 1-877-275-2758 for assistance. If you registered in
the past, please verify that West Potomac is still your designated
school. Don’t forget to
encourage your friends and family to register too.
-
Harris
Teeter - The next time you shop
at Harris Teeter, give the cashier the West
Potomac PTSA Account number 3602 and
your VIC card will start earning money for the school. The PTSA will
receive 5% of the purchase price of Harris Teeter brand prodcuts.
If you have any questions about these programs,
please contact Monica Mulvihill at monijeff@cox.net.
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