 Dear West Potomac Community—
Happy New Year! We hope you are staying warm this weekend as
winter weather has firmly established its presence and we enjoyed the first snow.
This past week we noticed excitement among students and educators alike as we reunited
after being away for over two weeks. There was a readiness to get back to the
work we find meaningful, perhaps in part because we have but a few short weeks
remaining in the second quarter and first semester. If you have not done so recently,
now is a great time to log into SIS ParentVue and/or StudentVue to check your progress
on recent assessments. We encourage all students to make use of the Wolverine Time
intervention period and our Monday and Thursday late bus days as we each finish
the semester on a high note.
This week students and educators enjoyed two major facilities
enhancements that many labored mightily to achieve over break. Phase one of our
Wolverine Green island project (brick and concrete work) is now complete. It’s
opening delighted students with easier traffic flow from the Quander and Springbank
buildings to Gunston. In the months ahead, native plants and seating will be
added and we will finish the outdoor classroom component of the project. Inside
the building, three new science labs opened following a mini-renovation funded
by FCPS this fall. The relocation of these classes from general spaces allowed
us to move some math and history classes from our oldest trailers back into the
building for the remainder of this year. We will next renovate those trailers.
As our community manages the continued student growth on our
campus, efforts to maximize space are indeed critical. The Fairfax County Public
Schools FY2018-22 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes discussion of how urgent
support (such as an addition) is to relieve overcrowding at WPHS. The Fairfax
County School Board will hold a public hearing on the CIP on Tuesday, January
10, 2017, at 6 p.m. at Jackson Middle School. Your interest and advocacy for
WPHS, as appropriate, is certainly welcome.
After visiting Sandburg Middle School last week, we kick off
academic advising for current students by holding Curriculum Night on Monday,
January 9, 2017. We thank the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) for
yielding its monthly meeting time to support this essential outreach event and
look forward to seeing you all there.
It is a great time to be a West Potomac Wolverine!
Sincerely,
Alexander B. Case
Principal
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School News
Dance Team Stars Shine
Congratulations to Grace Merkli and Anna Rizzi.
They were chosen as Universal Dance Association (UDA) All Americans and represented
the West Potomac Dance Team in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Congratulations
also to Victoria Rulapaugh for being chosen as UDA All American. Victoria represented
the West Potomac Dance Team in the London New Year's Day Parade.
All Night Grad Committee Meeting: January 17
There will be an All Night Grad meeting Tuesday,
January 17, at 7:00 pm in the College & Career Center. You do not have to
be a parent of a senior to be on the committee. Please join us!
Night
of the Living Dead at WPHS
Beyond the Page Theatre Company returns this iconic thriller
to West Potomac. The story follows characters Ben, Barbra and five others
trapped in a rural farmhouse in Western Pennsylvania, which is attacked by a
large and growing group of unnamed "living dead" monsters. This
performance is not for the faint of heart. It is a true horror film come
to life. The show runs January 26, 27, 28, and February 2, 3, 4. Buy your tickets in advance – click here
for show times and ticket sales.
College & Career Center (CCC) News
Upcoming
Events
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February 7:
GAP YEAR FAIR at George C. Marshall High School, 7-9:00 pm. Fair will offer the opportunity for interested
students/parents to have face-to-face conversations with GAP YEAR program
providers, trip leaders, advisors and GAP YEAR alumni.
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March 14: Mark your calendars for the “College
Planning Night for Juniors and Parents”. Panel of college admissions representatives
will present information on the college admissions process, SAT/ACT tests,
community college option and financial aid/scholarships.
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March 16: Military Service and ROTC Night,
6:30-8:00 pm, Edison High School
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March 29: Northern Virginia Regional College Fair,
6:30-9:00 pm, EagleBank Arena (formerly the Patriot Center) on the George Mason
University Fairfax Campus
-
March 29: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude
Test (ASVAB) opportunity for WPHS juniors and seniors, 8:30 am, in the College
& Career Center. Students must register
to take the test.
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 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 an appointment: drschmidt@fcps.edu. Mr. Schmidt will be in
the CCC from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm January 9, 11, 18, 23, 25 and 31.
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.
Did you know scholarships may be available through colleges and
universities? Students searching for scholarships also need to review college
websites for scholarship information.
Best practice is to look under Admissions and/or Financial Aid for each
school. If you need help, please come to
the College and Career center for assistance.
Military Information
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
Air Force: 1st Thursday of every month
- US
Army and VA Army National Guard: 2nd Thursday of every month
- US
Marine Corps: 1st Wednesday of every month
- US
Navy: 3rd Wednesday of every month
Aspiring Scientists Summer
Internship
The Aspiring
Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University is accepting
applications from high school and undergraduate students who would like to gain
cutting-edge, hands-on research experience during the summer. The application
is available online at assip.cos.gmu.edu. Opportunities are available at Mason’s Science and Technology and
Fairfax campuses as well as select off-site locations. Students 16 years or
older by June 26, 2017, are eligible to apply. This includes seniors regardless
of their future undergraduate institution. Applications
are due February 5, 2017.
Activities News
West Potomac Sports January 9-14:
Basketball
Girls
(JV, V) Tue, 1/10 @ Mount Vernon *Double Header + JV Team, 4:30/5:45
Girls
(FR) Tue, 1/10 vs. Mount Vernon High School, 4:30
Girls
(FR, JV, V) Fri, 1/13 @ Annandale High School, 4:30/5:45/7:15
Boys
(FR, JV) Tue, 1/10 vs. Mount Vernon High School, 5:45/7:15
Boys
(V) Tue, 1/10 @ Mount Vernon *Double Header, 7:15
Boys
(FR, JV, V) Fri, 1/13 vs. Annandale High School, 4:30/5:45/715
Boys
(V) Sat, 1/14 @ Stonewall Jackson High School TBA
Gymnastics Thu, 1/12 Quad Meet @ Falls Church High School, 6:30
Swim/Dive Fri, 1/13 Annandale HS @ Mount Vernon RECenter, 6:30
Indoor Track Fri, 1/13 Oakton,
South County, Lake Braddock (TJ) 5:30
Wrestling
JV
Wrestling Mon, 1/9 Jamboree @ West Potomac High School, 6:00
Varsity
Wrestling Wed, 1/11 Super Quad @ Annandale High School, 6:00
Varsity
Wrestling Sat, 1/14 Tri Match @ Washington Lee High School, TBA
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.
Curriculum/Advanced
Academic Presentation/Electives Fair: Monday, January 9
Don't
miss the Curriculum/Advanced Academic
Presentation/Electives Fair on Monday, January 9. The 9th
grade presentation takes place at 6:00 in the auditorium, and the 10th–12th grade presentation
starts at 6:00 in the Kogelman Theater. The Electives Fair will
begin at 7:00 after the grade break out sessions. Note, the Curriculum Night snow date: Tue., January 17, 6:30–9:00 pm.
PTSA Directories Are Here
The largest fundraiser for the PTSA is the
printed school directories. Local community businesses have paid for
advertising in this useful directory to support our school. Please consider
supporting them as they have committed to support us. In fact, tell them you
saw their ad in the directory! You will also find useful school and contact
information. One directory will be delivered to the oldest student in your
family through English classes starting Monday, January 9. Be sure to get your copy from your
student. We'd like to extend our sincere appreciation to
the Directory team that worked on this profitable fundraiser for the PTSA:
Marilyn Aboff, Sheri Lapan, Sue Bernstein, Ilene Lewis and Rachel Ball.
Producing the directory is hard but valuable work – the funds raised allow the
PTSA to do so much for our school and students.
FCPS Calendar Reminders
• Schools Closed
on January 16 and January 20
•
End of Second Quarter: Friday, Feb. 3, 2017
FY 2018 Proposed Budget to Be
Presented January
12
Interim Division Superintendent Steve Lockard will present
the 2017-18 school year (FY 2018) Proposed Budget at the
School Board meeting on January 12 at Jackson Middle School at 7 p.m. The School Board will be holding a
budget work session on January 23, and a public hearing on the Proposed Budget
on January 30,
with additional hearings on January 31 and February 1 if needed.
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 note the schedule change below; the January 9 town hall meeting has been rescheduled
to January 24. Please plan
on joining Karen at one of these sessions.
Tuesday, January 17 - 7:00 p.m.
South County High School cafeteria
8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079
Tuesday, January 24 - 7:00 p.m.
Saratoga Elementary School cafeteria
8111 Northumberland Rd, Newington, VA 22152
Fundraising Information
Support WPHS Boys Soccer at Chipotle January 17
Let Chipotle do the
cooking for you Tuesday, January 17. Order between 5:00 and 9:00 pm
at Chipotle, 6770 Richmond Highway (Beacon Mall), and tell the cashier
you’re supporting the fundraiser to have 50% of proceeds donated to West
Potomac Boys Soccer. Thank you.
Live Music: WPHS Guitar Fundraiser at Primo January 30
West Potomac Guitar will be holding a
restaurant fundraiser at Primo Restaurant on Monday, January 30,
from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, cash only, for unlimited
pizza and soda. Guitar students will be playing covers and original music
for your dining pleasure.
Wolverine Green
Update
The Wolverine Green outdoor classroom is ready.
Construction began on November 28 and was 95% complete by New Year's
Day. What remains to be done for Phase I is the installation of the tops for
the wall seating and lighting. In our end of year Hail Mary pass to raise an
additional $5,000, we met our goal. Thank you to the many people who so
generously donated. Contributions from last February at the Valentine's Day
Dance through today total about $73,000. Plus, we have received "In-Kind"
donations that are valued at $25,000 so far. This has been an extraordinary example of our
administration, WP families, WP PTSA, local business and the greater community
coming together for a common goal: BUILD the Wolverine Green! Our work is not
done; now we need the GREEN on the Green. Planning for Phase II has already
started. Water and electricity installation as well as a Virginia native habitat
are in the works for this spring. West Potomac's Wolverine Green will have its
first Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 22. Stay tuned for all the
details.
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, 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.
Junior West Potomac Dance Team Forming
Want to be part of the
WestPo Dance Team but not yet in high school? Here's your
chance! K - 6th graders can sign up now for the Winter Junior West
Potomac Dance Team being formed for a two-day dance
workshop Jan. 17
and 18, 4:30 - 6:00, held in the WestPo
dance studio. Dancers will perform the following day, Jan. 19,
at a varsity basketball game; 7:00 arrival
time, game starts 7:30. Dancers will sit with the varsity dance team and dance
with them at halftime! $40 fee includes workshop, T-shirt and
admission to game for your dancer. To reserve a spot, please contact Heather at ROVERSEHG@VERIZON.NET.
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:
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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.
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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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