Principal's Message
Dear Whitman Community,
I hope you had a nice Labor
Day Weekend! We had a great first week back at Whitman and I want to
thank parents and students for helping make it go so smoothly. This is
definitely going to be an exciting and successful year!
All parents are invited to attend our
annual Back to School Night on Thursday, September 6th
from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Parents will walk through their child’s
schedule. Please ask your child for a copy of his/her schedule (completed in
Advisory that morning with a school map) or you can access class schedules
through ParentVue. You may also take a picture of your child’s paper copy
on your phone. If you do not have a copy of your student’s schedule,
counselors will be available to provide them in the cafeteria. All
parents should be in the Advisory (8th period class) by 6:30
PM. The evening should conclude around 8:30 PM. In addition,
starting at 5:30 PM, we will be holding Early Bird Sessions.
BTSN Early Bird Sessions
(5:30 – 5:50 PM and repeated 6:00 – 6:20 PM):
Lecture Hall:
- After School
Programming with Ms. Idun
Room A8:
- International
Baccalaureate Middle Years Program with Ms. Bayer
Parent Center
(Room A14):
- Technology
Information with Ms. Quarles
- Parent VUE
Library:
- My School Bucks, Finance with
Ms. Gowins
-
School Board Member Video
Presentations
Cafeteria:
- Community
School Initiative with Ms. Hopkins
- PTSA with Mrs.
Drumgoole
Room E9:
- Family Life Education (FLE) Parent Preview
The Whitman MS After School
Program will begin on Tuesday, September 25. If you want to learn more,
attend the session at Back to School Night or reach out directly to Ms. Idun at
jmidun@fcps.edu. Thank you for all
you do to support our Whitman students and have a great week!
Craig Herring, Principal
Special thanks to Steve Hunt from the Fort Hunt Herald on
capturing our Wildcats on their first day of school!
https://forthuntherald.com/photos-mount-vernon-district-goes-back-to-school/
SEPTEMBER
9/4 Thomas Jefferson Parent Interest Meeting, 6:30 PM
9/6 Back-to-School Night, 6:30 PM
9/10 & 9/11 Student Fall Picture Day
Picture day will take place
during PE classes on Monday, September 10th for periods 3, 5, and 7
and on Tuesday for Periods 1, 2, 4, and 6.
9/10 PTSA Meeting, 6:30 PM
9/17 & 9/18 MWEE Field Trip
9/19 Students Released Three Hours Early (11:30 AM)
9/20 & 9/21 MWEE Field Trip
9/25 After School Program Begins - Academics ONLY
9/25 National History Day Parent Night, 6:30 PM
9/26 Whitman Family Market, 2:45 PM
FCPS Events: https://www.fcps.edu/events
Thomas Jefferson High
School
Information session for
8th grade students and parents
Thomas
Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is an option for rising high
school students, who are academically strong, enrolled in Algebra 1 or a higher
math class in the 8th grade and who have a genuine interest in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math or Computer
Science.
Students
should demonstrate the following:
- Enrollment
in Algebra 1 or higher in 8th grade.
- High
ability, aptitude, and interest in math, science, and technology.
- Intellectual
curiosity and self-motivation to pursue scientific research.
- A
desire to be challenged with an extensive curriculum focused in math, science,
and technology.
- The
highest academic and personal integrity.
-
An
aspiration to become a member of a community of learners, explorers, mentors,
and leaders.
-
The online
application will open on September 3, 2018! An
admissions specialist from the Thomas Jefferson admissions office will be at
Whitman on September 4th to provide information to students and
parents about TJHSST and the application process.
Students
and Parents Information Night:
-
Date:
Tues. Sept. 4, 2018Time:
6:00 – 7:00 PM
-
Place:
Whitman Lecture Hall
-
Contact
Ms. Phelps in Student Services at (703) 660-2445 or LNPhelps@fcps.edu for
additional information.
Kiss and Ride
If you drive your child to school and/or pick up your child, please pack your patience. The first week does involve long lines in the Kiss and Ride. Please remember we have students and staff walking in our parking lots and across our cross walks. To ensure EVERYONE arrives and leaves safely, please drive slowly, stay off phones, be alert, and be patient. Once the routine sets in, we will have smooth sailing for the year – thanks to your help and patience!
Bus transportation is provided for all Whitman MS students. Having your student use the bus helps reduce traffic congestion. Bus transportation is strongly encouraged. Late arrival to school due to traffic is unexcused. To ensure the safety of our students we implement a traffic plan for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. We understand that you have pressing appointments and engagements; however, we must make certain all students arrive and depart in an orderly and safe manner.
If you choose to drive your child to school:
- No traffic will be permitted past the bus attendant at the front parking lot with the exception of the buses and Whitman Middle School staff.
- The bus lane at the front of the school is one-way at all times. When facing entrance #1, the traffic flows from right to left.
- The Kiss and Ride area is out front on Parker’s Lane so do not enter the parking lot. Some parents find it easier to drop students off in the Sherwood Hall Library parking lot. However, please note this is very crowded on Wednesdays with the Farmer’s Market so we encourage you to use the Kiss and Ride on Parker’s Lane.
- You may pick your child up early for appointments before 2:00 PM. Park out on Parker’s Lane or you may get trapped in the visitor’s spaces when buses arrive.
- Following the departure of all buses, you may pick up your child at the front of the building. Plan to pick up after 2:25 PM. If you arrive earlier, you will be in bus traffic. Parents must come into the building after dismissal and present identification.
Thank you in advance for your assistance, understanding, and patience
 Bus Schedule
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