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- Important Dates
- Principal’s Message
- Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
- Substance Abuse Update
- Student Services News
- School Information
- PTSA Update
- Senior Class Update
- SAT/ACT Test Prep
- College and Career Center
- National Honor Society Update
- Beyond The Page Theatre Update
- Choir Update
- FCPS Cares
Important Dates:
- April 26 - May 4: Spring Musical ‘Cinderella’
- May 6: May PTSA meeting 6:30 pm
- May 8: Spring Guitar Concert 7:00 pm
- May 11: ANGC Car Show 9:00 - 1:00
- May 11: Prom 8:00 pm
- May 22: PTSA Pyramid meeting on Capacity Enhancements 7:00
Happy Friday!
Starting Monday the 6th we will officially enter spring testing season. AP testing begins and soon to follow will be school wide SOL testing. Attendance during tis is time is crucial. Also getting enough rest and eating prior to tests is extremely important. Lastly, your support and encouragement of your student to stay focused but calm is key to helping decrease the natural stress of standardized and state testing. Remind students that they have worked hard all year and the test is simply showing what they have learned.
As I am sure most everyone is aware, we have limited parking at WP. As a result, some students have begun parking in a nearby park. I would like to caution any students who are parking there that FCPD parking enforcement may periodically patrol that area and may issue tickets for cars who are parking and not for purposes of using the park.
On a much lighter and happier note we are also in senior countdown to include prom on May 11th, SHOUT Week and GRADUATION!!! Continue to talk with your children about being wise and staying safe as they begin celebrations. I strongly encourage senior parents to participate in All Night Grad. It is the safest way for students to celebrate on the night of graduation. This is my favorite time of year and it is even more special for me this year because I also have a graduating senior at home. Parents, WE are almost there 😊.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Millard
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Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
To all our wonderful volunteers: You are invited to a delicious breakfast
When: Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Where: Career Center
Time: 8:00am – 10:00am
Reservations: Joanna(Yanna) Copeland at: 703-718-2504 or jcopeland@fcps.edu;
By Monday, May 6, 2019 – Please refer to the invitation/flyer below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TAg5A40p0zdn_jQufP3YULQTGAuZZKD4/view?usp=sharing
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Substance Abuse Update
Spring break is QUICKLY approaching and can be a great time for students to recharge and refocus to finish out the school year strong. However, Spring Break is also often associated with an increase in substance use by adolescents. I just wanted to provide a little information for students and parents to discuss prior to departing for any tropical destinations. The good news is that overall underage drinking trends are down nationally. However, according to Youth Survey 2017 statistics, in our WPHS community 22.3 percent of students reported using alcohol in the last 30 days. This is higher than the Fairfax County statistic of 15.5 percent. Adolescents are also more likely to engage in binge drinking, which is consuming 4 (women) or 5 (men) drinks in a short period of time. According to the CDC, binge drinking is responsible for an estimated 4,300 deaths among youth under 21 every year.
It is very important for parents to know that there is a steep increase in the number of students using substances from 10th grade to 12th grade. For example, in 2017, 5.5 percent of WPHS Pyramid 8th graders reported using alcohol in the last 30 days compared to 20 percent of WPHS 10th graders and compared to 43.9 percent of WPHS 12th graders. Parents, please keep talking with your children because your attitude toward alcohol and substance use makes a difference. For information about the effects of alcohol use on the teenage brain and body and how to talk with adolescents about them, there are many great sources such as www.responsibility.org and www.drugabuse.gov. If you have any questions or want to refer your student to speak with me please reach out to me at eaknudson@fcps.edu or 703.718.2749. If you have an 11th or 12th grader that you would like to have more information about the dangers of binge drinking in college there are still two sessions remaining in the Lunch and Learn: The College Experience and Substance Safety Series. The remaining sessions will be April 30, 2019 and May 28, 2019 in the College and Career Center during lunch.
Elizabeth Knudson
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
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Student Services News
Senior Convocation
Attention SENIORS - Class of 2019 Convocation Ceremony June 5, 9:00-11:00 AM, Springbank Auditorium. Convocation is our Senior Honors and Department Awards ceremony where seniors are recognized for their academic accomplishments and scholarship received. PLEASE turn in copies of scholarship awards you will be using to attend college Fall 2019 to Mrs. Carter in the College and Career Center (Rm 332) by May 22nd. I must have documentation of scholarship awards in order to include in awards program. Questions contact Mrs. Carter. Thank you!
The College Experience and Substance Safety Series
Where: Career Center Room 332 Time: During all lunch periods. A reminder of our last Session date: Session 3: May 28—Accepted: Now What? - Bring your lunch and come discuss “the college experience” and how to make it a safe and successful college experience that YOU determine.Questions? Contact our West Potomac Pyramid Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Elizabeth Knudson
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School Information and News
AP Testing Volunteers
AP Testing is quickly approaching. In addition to the counselors, who act as lead proctors, the Student Services department needs PARENT VOLUNTEERS to serve as proctors for the duration of each AP test. Your support is essential to our test security and ability to implement a successful program.
Please review the AP Testing Schedule and consider signing-up via the PTSA volunteer web-page. Except for Comparative Government, all exams will be held in the Main Gym. Please note: You may not proctor your own child during an exam. Please feel free to contact Adriana Meeks, the AP Testing Coordinator with any comments, questions or concerns. Thank you for your continuous support.
AP Pre-arranged Absence Form
AP students who wish to leave immediately after a morning AP exam, or come-in late for an afternoon AP exam, must submit an AP pre-arranged absence form to their Alpha-Administrator, no later than April 26. Pre-arranged students will be able to leave campus immediately after the exam, instead of going to the attendance office to “check-out”. Students who test in the afternoon, will be able to go directly to their test site as opposed to having to “check-in” at attendance. See your Alpha-Administrator or the West Potomac Home Page for more detail.
Forms are available in Student Services, and on the West Potomac Home Page under Announcements: AP Exam Schedule and Pre-Arranged Absence Form. Or see this flyer
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PTSA Update:
Please join us for the next PTSA Meeting on Monday, May 6 at 6:30 pm in the library. Ms. Koszelak, our school psychologist, will discuss and answer questions about student health and wellness and present the results of the Student Youth Survey.
We will also vote for the incoming 2019-2020 PTSA Board. We are still seeking nominees for the corresponding secretary position. If you enjoy staying on top of the current happenings and have an interest in serving, please contact Tanya Stamos. Duties of the corresponding secretary include: gather information for the weekly News You Choose, send out announcements, calendar events via PTBoard communication, and handle incoming and outgoing correspondence.
The slate is as follows:
President: Sue Capper
President Elect: Sally Murphy
Vice President: Kendra Chambers
Vice President: Kathy Penkiunas
Vice President: Julia MacDonald
Treasurer: Frida Hopper
Recording Secretary: Jen Price
Corresponding Secretary: OPEN
WP Teacher & Staff Appreciation BBQ
It's Teacher Appreciation Week and we could use your help to thank our amazing teachers and staff. PTSA is providing a catered BBQ for all staff on Friday, May 10th. Please volunteer to help with providing fruit trays or dessert, set up or clean up, help with serving lunch. Sign up here.
West Potomac High School Pyramid Meeting-May 22 7:00 pm, Main Auditorium
Our elected school board members Karen Corbett Sanders, Tammy Derenak Kaufax, and FCPS officials will provide an update on the planned Capacity Enhancements for West Potomac High School needed to address overcrowding and security concerns. Bring your questions and learn about planned solutions to West Potomac’s security and overcrowding issues.
Class of 2019 Graduation Countdown!
Graduation and the Senior Party is in 33 days
HAVE YOU...
- Bought a celebration ticket? The Hypnotist Show is a one-time only show - don't miss it!
- Entered to reserve a seat? Walk into graduation to premium reserved seats for your family!
- Volunteered? We need every family to help out! Lots of opportunities at the celebration and at our Car Show.
ANG Tickets sold during lunch on May 8, 9, 10 or NOW online. Information, reserved seat lottery and volunteer signups are on our website WWW.ANGCWESTPOTOMAC.COM
Need financial assistance? Contact your counselor for help. We want EVERY senior to attend!
This is a fun and safe celebration and send-off event planned for the WPHS Class of 2019.
Buy a ticket to this 30+ year SMART tradition and encourage your child to come have fun.
Food, casino, challenge courses, mechanical bull, tattoos, DJ with light show, games, hypnotist show and prizes. Win a tv, laptop, portable speakers, headphones, King's Dominion tickets, gift cards, cash plus more! We have been working all year to make this event ALL NEW, all fun and all inclusive!
Calling all cars and trucks! Enter the WPHS Car Show for just $20 - show off your car, talk with enthusiasts, win door prizes or trophies for Best Engine or Diamond in the Rough. Just pull up to WPHS by 9am May 11 to register your car - Open to all - teachers, staff, students, families, neighbors, enthusiasts!
**WPHS Car Show needs your help on May 11. Volunteer anytime between 9am-1pm. Sign up on our website to donate or lend items, sell concessions/tshirts, register vehicles, direct traffic. Students earn service hours. This is a fun community event. Free to spectators. Come hungry - hamburgers, hot dogs and concessions for purchase. Collectible Tshirts for sale, music, 50/50 raffle plus more prizes***
We live in such a great community ~ Hats off to our recent ANG sponsors -
Jack Taylor Toyota, Dominion Design Associates, Famous Dave's and King's Dominion.
See our full list of generous sponsors on our website.
SAT/ACT Test Prep-Upcoming Mocks, Classes and Events
Summer test prep classes WILL be offered. Register here. The registration and schedule should be posted this week. Classes start with benchmark mock on July 27.
Last Chance to take a mock test this school year!!
SAT Mock Test offered May 4.
ACT Mock Tests offered May 11.
PTSA Program Manager – Marilyn Aboff
Test Prep Scholarships: WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the College and Career Center Specialist, Liz Carter.
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College and Career Center
For the latest information including the College and Career Center newsletter, click here!
National Honor Society Update
If you need help with a subject, National Honor Society tutors are here to help! For more information and to sign up.
Beyond the Page Theatre Update
THE SLIPPERS ARE BACK!
Beyond the Page Theatre Company at West Potomac HS is once again opening the curtain on their annual spring musical.
Cinderella - April 26th and runs on select days through May 4th. Tickets are available here.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical. This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It's Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” alongside a hilarious and romantic libretto by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane, as well as some new characters and surprising twists.
Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA was twice re-made, first in 1965 for Lesley Ann Warren and then again in 1997 featuring Brandy and Whitney Houston. The original Broadway production opened in 2013 and starred Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Victoria Clark and Harriet Harris.
Running Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes, including one intermission.
Choir Update
The Choir Spring Show will be a Friday, May 10 at 7:00 pm in the Spring Bank Auditorium. The performance will include song and dance numbers. Come join us. Admission is free!!
Lacrosse Update
WOLVERINE TRASH CAN LAX TOURNEY: Sunday, May 5th 2:30-5:30 pm, WPHS Aux Turf field. Games run every 30 min. $10 fee benefits the Travis Manion Foundation & WPHS Boy’s Lacrosse Team fund - Games every 30 min. No contact rules and soft balls Boys, Girls, Adults, ALL ages. NO EXPERIENCE OR EQUIPMENT REQUIRED (loaner sticks available). Prizes!! See flyer.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sgzLNKO_j4TErnfJL4N_gIf4Xgp_Kdtv/view?usp=sharing
FCPS Cares
Do you know a West Potomac HS or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
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