WTW PTSO WeMail for the Week beginning April 18, Issue No. 30

Dear Members of the W.T. Woodson Community:

Our Annual Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is fast approaching, now just over two weeks away on Wed., May 3! Use the Signup Genius Link http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4cabae2b0-teacher3 to volunteer and/or contribute. Details are in the “Appreciation Luncheon” article below.


The calendars below contain items for the next couple weeks submitted by clubs, booster associations, and the school community. W.T. Woodson publishes the official school calendar at http://www2.fcps.edu/woodsonhs/index.html.

School Calendar

Athletic Calendar

The WT Woodson Athletic Office has switched over to the “News You Choose” system. Click here to view the Athletic Calendar for April 17-22: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/194bdd5. As part of this transition to the new format, the PTSO WeMail will continue to publish the full Athletic Calendar for a few weeks. Schedules below are subject to change; consider checking the schedule before heading out: Hotline 703.503.4683 / http://www.wtwoodsonsports.org/.

  • 4/17: Softball vs. South County, Varsity host 5:00 - JV travel 6:30
  • 4/18: Boys & Girls Tennis vs. Lake Braddock, Boys host / Girls travel / 4:15; Boys & Girls Lacrosse vs. West Springfield, Girls host / JV 6:00 / Varsity 7:30 – Senior Night, Boys travel /5:45 / Varsity 7:15.
  • 4/19: Track & Field @ Home / 5:30 / Senior Night; Baseball & Softball vs. Mt. Vernon JV host / Varsity travel / 6:30.
  • 4/ 20: Boys & Girls Tennis vs. West Potomac Girls host / Boys travel / 4:15; Boys & Girls Lacrosse vs. Briar Woods Girls host / JV 6:00 / Varsity 7:30, Boys travel / JV 5:45 / Varsity 7:15.
  • 4/21: Track & Field @ Lake Braddock / 4:00; Boys & Girls Soccer vs. South County, Boys host / Girls travel, JV 5:45 / Varsity 7:15; Varsity Baseball & Softball @ Lake Braddock / 6:30, JV Baseball host Lake Braddock / 6:30.
  • 4/21: Ted Phoenix Regatta @ Sandy Run Pk / 9:00 am

Inside This Issue

  1. “ADHD and Preparing for the College Experience” Special Education Presentation
  2. All Night Grad Party/Cav Cruise 2017
  3. Appreciation Luncheon for Woodson Staff
  4. Baccalaureate-Sunday, June 18, 2017 – SAVE THE DATE!
  5. Choral Booster Updates
  6. Community Service Hours Opportunity (Canterbury Woods Elementary School Fun Fair)
  7. Drama Yard Sale and Craft Fair Looking for Participants
  8. Precisionette’s Break It Down Camp Begins Tuesday, April 18th 4-6pm
  9. Sports Highlights
  10. WeMail Guidelines
  11. Woodson 5K
  12. Woodson Dance and Cheer Camp
  13. Woodson Yearbook Credit Card Orders
  14. Woodson’s Young Hearts Club Fundraising Success
  15. Workshops and Resources to Benefit Parents, Teachers and Students


1. “ADHD and Preparing for the College Experience” Special Education Presentation

The CHADD of Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia 2016-2017 "Understanding ADHD" Lecture Series begins right here at Woodson High School this Thursday, April 20 at 7pm in room D116A-B. Join us, and hear Dr. Jon Thomas, LPC present “ADHD and Preparing for the College Experience.” Dr. Tomas is the Founder of the The ADHD College Success Guidance Program. Dr. Thomas developed The ADHD College Success Guidance Program from more than 30 years’ experience in successfully reorienting ADHD high school and college students who failed academically.  


2. All Night Grad Party/Cav Cruise 2017 - June 20, 11pm-5am at Oak Marr Rec Center

Registration Prices Go Up in Less than 2 Weeks! Click Here to register online: http://www.woodsonptso.org/register.html: $85 until April 30. Do you have questions about what the All Night Grad Party is all about? View this video for some answers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yguQ_Oaur0. And, visit http://woodsonptso.org/cavalier-cruise.html often for updates.

Volunteers Needed for April 26 and April 27 Kickoff! The All Night Grad Party will officially "set sail” at the end of April! Seniors will meet during their homeroom on Wednesday, April 26 to learn all about the Cav Cruise on Graduation Night (June 20). There will be two days of fun activities and prizes for seniors during their lunch periods on April 26th and 27th. We need several volunteers to publicize the event, decorate, purchase and set up refreshments, distribute the t-shirts and help run the Cav Kickoff. The Sign-up Genius for Cav Cruise can be found here:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4aafaf2ca20-2017

Cav Cruise Burke Nursery Gift Cards Fundraiser April 1–May 15 - Spring is here. Please consider purchasing your spring flowers, Teacher Appreciation gifts and Mother's Day gifts by purchasing Burke Nursery Gift Cards! Gift Certificates will be sold in increments of $25 and 20% of each purchase goes to the Cav Cruise. Purchase your certificates via PayPal at http://woodsonptso.org/cavalier-cruise.html. We will mail certificates weekly to your home address.

Cav Cruise Chipotle Restaurant Fundraiser on Monday, April 24 in Fair City Mall from 5-9pm. 50% of the proceeds go to the Cav Cruise!! We need everyone in full force for this one! 

Volunteer Signup! It takes over 300 volunteers to make Cav Cruise a success. Sign-up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4aafaf2ca20-woodson. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities the day before, during, and after the Cav Cruise for senior and underclass parents, and underclass students (earn your community service hours). Additional details regarding each opportunity as well as points of contact are included within the Sign-up Genius.

Photos Needed For Senior Video - We are looking for candid photos from winter and spring sports senior nights, band, drama, homecoming, spirit days, etc, and want photos that contain multiple Woodson seniors. You should not include any copyrighted photos such as official Lifetouch or other school yearbook photos. Please also identify everyone in the photos, and the event. Please send photos (.jpg format) and questions to Maribeth Luftglass at cavcruisephotos@woodsonptso.org. 


3. Appreciation Luncheon for Woodson Staff

The Teacher Appreciation Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 3, and we need your help to make it a success! The PTSO is looking for volunteers to help with set-up, serving, and clean-up and most importantly to provide side dishes, desserts, and drinks to accompany the Red Hot & Blue barbecue. To sign up to volunteer or to contribute food or beverages, please go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4cabae2b0-teacher3. If you have any questions, contact Stacey Brahmey at brahmeys@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance for helping the PTSO appreciate our hard-working teachers and staff members. We could not hold the luncheon without your delicious donations.


4. Baccalaureate–Sunday, June 18, 2017–SAVE THE DATE!

Please come celebrate our graduating seniors at the Woodson PTSO Baccalaureate on Sunday, June 18 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Woodson Auditorium. Woodson Baccalaureate is an inclusive, non-denominational, and inspirational event designed to help celebrate our graduating seniors.

Our theme this year is “Transcendent,” meaning “surpassing the ordinary” or “exceptional.” We are honored to announce that our keynote speaker this year is Woodson alum and U.S. Paralympian Jessica Rogers. Please join us for the program and reception and a chance for photos at Woodson in cap and gown! Look for your invitation to Baccalaureate in the coming weeks, and be sure to follow us on Twitter @WoodsonBaccalaureate.

Of course we need parent volunteers! We will have a sign-up genius available shortly. Please consider giving your time so that we can honor our seniors. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Kelly Gerber and Melissa French at bacc@woodsonptso.org.


5. Choral Booster Updates

Wednesday, 4/19/17: Spring Trip Check-In. Please bring your luggage and uniform to the Auditorium Lobby.

  • 6:00pm--SELECT WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE CHECK-IN (Auditorium Lobby)
  • 6:30pm--CHORALE (8th period only) CHECK-IN (Auditorium Lobby)
  • 6:45pm--SELECT MEN'S & MEN'S CHOIR CHECK-IN (Auditorium Lobby)
  • 7:15pm--CHORALE REHEARSAL (SEATED BY 7:10pm) (Chorus Room)
  •  WOMEN'S CONCERT CHOIR CHECK-IN (Auditorium Lobby)
  • 8:00pm--CHORALE REHEARSAL ENDS

Thursday, 4/20/17: Spring Trip to New York City

  • 8:10am--ALL STUDENTS SEATED BY BUS # for Attendance and Announcements in Auditorium


6. Community Service Hours Opportunity

Volunteer at Canterbury Woods Elementary School Fun Fair on Saturday, April 29 from 11am-3pm. Signup here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b44abad2ea6f94-volunteers1 Click here for more information about the Fun Fair: http://www.woodsonptso.org/Woodson%20High%20School%20Volunteer%20Flyer%202017.pdf


7. Drama Yard Sale and Craft Fair Looking for Participants

Are you spring cleaning and want to get rid of the clutter? Do you make crafts you would love to sell? We have the opportunity for you! Participants are needed for the Drama Department's Yard Sale and Craft Fair on Saturday, June 3, from 8 am to 2 pm--rain or shine. The cost is $20 to reserve a parking space, $10 for each additional space. (If it rains, we'll move to the cafeteria.) We provide advertising, you provide what you need to sell your goods. For more information or to sign up, email yardsale@epsteinmania.com. Proceeds benefit the Woodson Drama Department's trip to the American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland this summer.


8. Precisionette’s Break It Down Camp Begins Tuesday, April 18th 4-6pm

WHEN: Tuesdays, April 18- May 16th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

WHO should attend: Dancers grades 7th – 11th interested in trying out for high school dance teams

WHAT: Pom, Jazz, High Kick & Hip Hop dance team styles; turns, leaps, jumps, and overall technique required to be on a high school dance team

TAUGHT BY: Coach Caitlin Childress of the WTW Varsity Dance Team (a 2017 National Finalist in Pom, Jazz, and Hip Hop) with assistance from our graduating seniors

COST: $150.00, Due on the 1st day of Break it Down, APRIL 18TH. Checks payable to Woodson HS Precisionettes. Registration Form is available at: http://www.woodsonptso.org/pdf/Break_It_Down_Registration_Form%202017.pdf 

WHERE: Woodson HS Dance Studio

QUESTIONS: Contact Beth Fraser at hokiebeth@aol.com


9. Sports Highlights

There are many ways to follow Woodson sports. Info can be found at http://wtwoodsonsports.org/ or follow our twitter account at @woodsonathletic. Daily updates can also be found on the hotline–703-503-4683.

Boys Lacrosse: Rivalry week started with Cavs hosting South County. Fruchterman and Yost scored 2 quick goals but the Stallions prevailed 14-6. Kim had 14 saves in hard fought game against Robinson. With seconds remaining in 3rd, Kim blocked Ram’s shot and dodging Rams found Yost racing downfield. Yost passed to Solomon with crowd yelling to shoot. His shot rebounded off the pipe. Fruchterman leaped for rebound and dunked it over the goalie knotting the game at 7. Miller had hat-trick, 2 assists, Solomon and Fruchterman 2 goals each but Cavs came up short 8-11. The Cavs rebounded against Chantilly dominating play in a 14-6 win. Cavs led 10-1 early in 3rd before coasting to 1st win against Chantilly in 10 years. Solomon led with 5 goals including 1-hand sweep into the net. Bower had hat-trick. Scoring 1st goals of season were Jenkins 2 and Wright. Olson added 3 assists. Cavs are 7-2.

Girls Lacrosse: The week began with a decisive win over SoCo 16-6. The game was competitive early but after a SoCo timeout the Cavs scored four consecutive goals widening their lead. Goalie Mariel Russ had an excellent game with 6 saves, 3 ground-balls and 1 take-away. Emma Vinall had 5 goals, Logan Dougherty, Cassia Kruse and Natalie Gates had 3, Sara Cordia and Margaret Stephan had 1. Thursday’s game against Robinson started with a 3-goal deficit. The Cavs battled back to end the first half 5-5. Emma Vinall had an outstanding game with 12 DC’s and 4 goals. Natalie Gates contributed 4 goals and Logan Dougherty and Margaret Stephan each had 1 goal and 1 critical take-away. Defenders Sydney Andes, Rachel Williams, Georgia Rafter and Sarah Wilson did an excellent job of guarding players and thwarting scoring attempts. Woodson defeated Robinson, who hadn’t lost to a public school since 2014, 10-9.

Boys Soccer: To close out boys varsity soccer before Spring Break, the Cavaliers hosted the Langley Saxons and travelled to the Annandale Atoms. Senior Nate Rummel scored twice with Bruno Da Silva earning an assist. Senior Brandon Metzler scored off a perfect cross from fellow senior Luis Gutierrez. Final score, after overtime 3-3. In the Battle of 236, goals from Daniel Kang, Ryan Dagley, and Nick Falvo made possible by assists from V Almeida and Bruno Da Silva made way for an emphatic 3-1 win.

Crew: WTW Crew met some stiff weather conditions and even stiffer competition at the Noxontown Regatta at St. Andrews’ School in Middletown, DE. Four of Woodson’s boats placed against schools from Philadelphia, Delaware, and Virginia – including 2 boats of novice rowers and coxswains competing for the first time!

  • Boys 3rd Varsity 8+ finished 2nd, behind only LaSalle Prep. Brandon Snyder, Michael Yi, Wyn Adams, Rory Mcaverly, Nick Shawley, Sam Muras, Jung Won Lee, Aaron Shurberg, and Avery Whittle (coxswain).
  • Boys 2nd Varsity 8+ finished 3rd. James Livingston, Colin McCarthy, Grant McHale, Katon Zhang, James Mullet, Richie Evans, Ethan Pepper, Ethan Feng, and Sebastian Bushey (coxswain).
  • Boys Novice 8+ finished 3rd. Beau Sandino, Heston McClintick, Joseph Bishop, Walter, Andrew Chen, William Mullet, Zach Borja, Mason Phelan, and Krish Soni (coxswain).
  • Girls Novice 8+ finished 3rd. Shelly Li, Jules Heimbigner, Rachel Mailand, Jocelyn Phipps, Abby Pesansky, Nikki Curtis, Natalie Moran, Andrea Paloschavez, and Evelyn Baltz (coxswain).

We congratulate the more than 70 WTW rowers and coxswains who traveled to Delaware and participated in Saturday’s regatta at St. Andrews – especially the two Novice boats who proudly represented Woodson by placing in their first race!

Baseball: Mitchell Clarke’s offensive outburst and defense behind the plate led the Woodson baseball team to a 2 -1 record this past week. Clarke went 7 – 9 (.778 average) at the plate and had 4 steals in wins a 2 – 1 win over South County, a 2 – 0 loss to West Springfield, and a 10 – 0 win over TC Williams. Clarke also threw out 4 attempted base-stealers. Pitching remained strong with Hunter Hoopes (5Ks) and Jack Donohue (1K) teaming up to beat South County. Randy Prosperi (4Ks) pitched a 66 pitch complete game in a tough loss to West Springfield. Brian Hennessey(4Ks) pitched a 5-inning shutout in 45 degrees in the win over TC Williams on Friday. Joe Molnar (3 hits, 2 stolen bases) and Garrett Laraia (3 hits, 2 hit by pitches, 3 runs) remained strong at the plate. The team heads to Richmond for 3 games over Spring Break.

Woodson Athletic Boosters would like to thank its sponsors: Chick-Fil-A, Cruise Planners, Debbie Dogrul Associates, Elevation Burger.


10. WeMail Submission Guidelines

With this issue, the PTSO Weekly Newsletter, WeMail, has moved to the News You Choose format. If you have not subscribed to News You Choose AND selected “W. T. Woodson PTSO” from the list of “Subscription Topics,” you will not receive the PTSO WeMail. To check and/or update your subscriptions, go to the News You Choose Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in or to create a new account. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

REMINDER: submissions are due by 5pm on the Friday prior to Monday’s publication. Guidelines are available on the PTSO Website at: http://www.woodsonptso.org/pdf/WeMail%20Guidelines%202016-2017.pdf.


11. Woodson 5K

The 8th annual Woodson 5KWalk and Fun Run will be held on Saturday May 20, at Woodson High School. This is a chip-timed race. Proceeds from this 5K will benefit Alice’s Kids, a local charity which provides relatively inexpensive school-related items to preserve the dignity of children. All participants will receive a Woodson 5K t-shirt.The discounted Woodson student price is only available by downloading the order form by 4/30. Download an order form at http://www2.fcps.edu/woodsonhs/docs/16-17/5-K%20RUN%20%20WALK%20REGISTRATION%20FORM%20%202017%20.pdf.

Sign up on-line: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fairfax/WTWoodson5k.For more information contact Djschaefer@fcps.edu. For more information about Alice’s Kids: http://www.aliceskids.org/.


12. Woodson Dance and Cheer Camp

DATE: August 14, 2017 – August 18, 2017

TIME: Dance 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm; Cheer 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

COST: Dance $160 per child*; Cheer $160 per child*

AGES: Rising K-Rising 8th grade

WHERE: Dance Room

REGISTER EARLY to Reserve Your Space** http://www.woodsonptso.org/pdf/dance%20and%20cheer%20CAMP%20FLYER%20august%202017%20final%20-mbq.pdf

*Early Bird Discount: 5% discount if Registration & Full payment received by 06/23/2017

*Family Discount: 5% discount for each sibling

*Combined Camp Discount: $300 for both Dance & Cheer

**One discount only


13. Woodson Yearbook Credit Card Orders

LAST CHANCE to pay for the 2016-2017 yearbook using a credit card. After April, only cash and check will be accepted. Plus, the price goes up at that point as well! Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com now, and use school code 5278.


14. Woodson’s Young Hearts Club Fundraising Success

A shout out to Woodson’s Young Hearts club that participated in helping the Providence Players holiday show raise money for two diseases. The Young Hearts club devotes time and research to helping raise awareness and funds for Woodson communities affected by life-threatening diseases. A total of $6,000 was raised. Of the $6,000 raised, 50% went to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The other $3,000 was directed by sophomore student, Ariel Samuel, to go to the ACPMP (Appendix Cancer Peritonel Pseudomyxoma Research Fund). This organization helps fund research for appendiceal cancer, as one of our Woodson families faced a loss this year to this disease.


15. Workshops and Resources to Benefit Parents, Teachers and/or Teens

We are committed to providing and sharing programs and information to help parents, teachers and students navigate high school and beyond. The wide range of issues includes but is not limited to:coping with stress; home-work resources; special education, ADHD support, technology strategies, mental illness, suicide prevention; drug use, addition and overdose; and under-age drinking. More information on the various organizations can be found under the PARENT RESOURCES tab on the PTSO website.

Call 911 in case of a life-threatening emergency; TTY dial 711

CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077

(CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance for how to help a loved one)

CrisisText: Text NEEDHELP to 85511

Dominion Hospital Assessment and Referral Line: 703-536-2000

Inova Emergency Services: 703-289-7560

Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-627-4747

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE

Merrifield Center Emergency Services: 703 573-5679

(The Woodburn Center offers a range of clinical programming. Emergency Services, staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week, works with people in psychiatric crisis who need immediate attention.)