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- Important Dates
- Principal’s Message
- Student Services News
- School Information
- PTSA Update
- Senior Class Update
- SAT/ACT Test Prep
- College and Career Center
- FCPS Cares
Important Dates:
- 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 Mother’s Day Weekend!
We have had a very smooth start to AP testing this week. Thanks to those of you who have volunteered for proctoring and supporting our staff and students in such an important way. You allow teachers to continue instruction in their other classes, preparing for SOLs and final grading instead of proctoring exams. It also is a huge financial support to our school budget as I do not have to fund substitutes in order for teachers to proctor. So again, THANK YOU!
Speaking of SOLs, they begin in full force on Monday. As always, continue to encourage daily attendance, and positive supportive discussions with your students regarding their ability to do well. They have worked hard all year and this is just about showing what they know.
We had a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week this week. Thanks to all of your many expressions of appreciation throughout the week. Thanks to our amazing PTSA who once again hosted our delicious BBQ (yummy!). We have such outstanding educators here at West Po who go above and beyond daily for our kids and I am blessed to work alongside them.
Enjoy your weekend and take care!
Ms. Millard
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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 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
Vaping Education
Is that Spring I smell in the air? No, unfortunately it’s the smell of strawberry e-juice. You may have noticed that vaping and e-cigarettes have been in the news the last year due to its meteoric rise in popularity among adolescents in the United States over the last three years. Fairfax County and the WPHS community have not been immune to the vaping trend. The percent of WPHS students who reported using an e-cigarette or vaping device rose from 2.9 percent in 2016 to 13.9 percent in 2017. That is over a 350% increase! This appears to match the rise in popularity of the JUUL. According to the most recent research by Stanford Medicine, a single JUUL pod contains the equivalent nicotine of 41 cigarettes. This is significantly higher than the originally thought 20 cigarettes. The JUUL is currently banned in Europe due to its high levels of nicotine. According to Dr. Glantz of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Research Control and Education, the EU has mandated a limit of 20 mg/ml of nicotine. The JUUL contains 41.3 mg/ml of nicotine. Nicotine use by adolescents is especially concerning because their brains are still under construction and nicotine use can disrupt that development. I just want to remind parents that you and your opinion about vaping matters to your child. Don’t be afraid to talk with them about your concerns and provide education. The sooner that substance use is stopped, the better the outcome for the student. Parents and students, if you would like more information about nicotine or any other substance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at eaknudson@fcps.edu or 703.718.2749.
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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.
PTSA Update
West Potomac High School Pyramid Meeting to Address Ongoing Overcrowding and Security Issues at WPHS - May 22 7:00 pm, Main Auditorium.
On behalf of the West Potomac High School Design and Construction Committee, the WPHS PTSA invites the community to attend a meeting to learn about and discuss the planned solutions to the ongoing overcrowding and security issues at West Potomac High School. Our elected school board members, Karen Corbett Sanders and Tammy Derenak Kaufax, and FCPS officials will provide an update on the planned Capacity Enhancements for WPHS.
West Potomac is currently one of the most overcrowded high schools in FCPS. WPHS has been overcrowded for more than five years and is getting worse each year, projected to be at 124% of capacity by 2021. In addition, West Potomac, unlike any other high school in Fairfax County, faces unique security challenges due to its current configuration of 3 separate buildings and 18 trailers. This means that between 600-800 students are outside during class changes and at lunches.
The West Potomac PTSA along with the WPHS Design and Construction Committee have been advocating on behalf of the West Potomac community for solutions to these issues for the past three years. Construction is scheduled to begin on an addition to WPHS in Fiscal Year 2022 (School Year 2021-22) with a scheduled completion date of FY23 (SY 22-23), however, no plans have been shared with the WPHS community. In fact, the planned addition has already been delayed a year. Our students and teachers deserve a safe and secure school with enough classrooms, not trailers or teachers on carts, to teach our growing student population.
Bring your questions and learn about the planned solutions to West Potomac’s security and overcrowding issues. These issues affect ALL of our students and your voice is needed to ensure that these issues are addressed and workable solutions are shared with the community.Please encourage and invite your neighbors and friends to attend this very important meeting on May 22 at 7 pm in the West Potomac Main Auditorium. A flyer with additional information about the meeting is attached.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EtdsPwZVbS5MzHN5Wgn1cNQFEhQvOxdz/view?usp=sharing
Class of 2019 Graduation Countdown!
Graduation and the Senior Party is in 26 days.
HAVE YOU...
- Bought a celebration ticket? The Hypnotist Show is a one-time only show - don't miss it!
- Volunteered? We need help! Lots of opportunities at the celebration. Signup online.
All Night Grad party tickets and volunteer sign up 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!
CAR SHOW this SATURDAY!! Calling all cars and trucks! FREE for spectators or enter the WPHS Car Show for just $20 and 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! Come hungry - hamburgers, hot dogs and concessions for purchase. Collectible Tshirts for sale, music, 50/50 raffle plus more prizes***
May 8-11 - Shop for the perfect Mother's Day gift at Top It Off on Fort Hunt Rd. Mention "ANG" and a percentage of the sale will be donated to the Class of 2019!
We live in such a great community ~ Thank you to all those who have generously supported our ANG mission. See our full list of sponsors on our website. 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!!
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
College and Career Center
For the latest information including the College and Career Center newsletter, click here!
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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