Woodson Weekly -
September 13th
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Woodson Weekly is published every Friday to provide the community with important information about school life at Woodson High School.
Vision Statement
We are a school community where all students have purpose and value!
 Students in Ms. Kunkel's Human Anatomy and Physiology class prepare for lab experiments.
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, September 19th - Back to School Night, see info below
Wednesday, September 25th - Parent Seminar on Study Skills, see info below
Monday, October 14th - Columbus Day, student holiday
Wednesday, October 16th - PSAT Day, 2 hour early release
In this Issue
1. Back to School Night
2. Student Dress Code
3. Monthly Parent Seminar - Study Skills
4. College Financial Aid Night
5. To our Military Families
6. Parking Permits
7. Powderpuff Game & Bonfire
8. PSAT Day, October 16th
9. National Honor Society Applications
10. WTW National Merit Semifinalists
11. Does your student need a dress for Homecoming?
12. Alums visiting WTW
13. Vaping: What Students (and Parents) Should Know
14. World Languages Credit Exam
15. Senior Baby Ads in the Yearbook
16. Reserve Your Yearbook
17. FCPS to host annual Mental Health Conference
18. FCPS Cares
1. Back to School Night
Woodson's Back to School Night is on Thursday, September 19th from 5:30p.m.-8:40p.m.
From 5:30-6:30 p.m., there will be information tables in the Cafeterias and Family Life Education (FLE) information available in the Library. At 6:10p.m., School Board welcome back messages will begin in the Auditorium.
Students will bring home a BTSN Flier on Wednesday, September 18th with full details of the evening. On the back of the Flier, students should complete their class schedule with room numbers for parents/guardians to follow. Maps of the school will be provided at main entrances of the building.
Class rotations will begin at 6:30 p.m. beginning with Period 1.
For the full schedule of the evening including the class rotation bell schedule, visit https://woodsonhs.fcps.edu/event/back-school-night-1.
2. Student Dress Code
Twice a year, Fall and Spring, we remind our families about the FCPS Dress Code. We do this so families are aware of what is and is not allowed in school to inform decisions made when purchasing or making school clothes.
The Student Rights and Responsibilities states: “FCPS respects students’ right to express themselves in the way they dress. It is important, however, that their appearance is tasteful and appropriate for a k-12 school setting. Any clothing that interferes with or disrupts the educational environment is unacceptable.
Clothing that exposes private areas or an excessive amount of bare skin is prohibited. Examples of prohibited clothing include but are not limited to: sagging or low cut pants, tube or halter tops, studded or chain belts, clothing constructed of see through materials and head coverings unless required for religious or medical purposes.”
3. Monthly Parent Seminar - Study Skills
In response to the Family Engagement Survey administered during the 2018-19 School Year, Woodson is focusing on sharing information with parents to help parents improve their child’s learning and to identify and develop social and emotional skills for students to be successful. In addition, we are looking for ways to maintain two way communication between families and the school.
One way we are engaging families is through monthly Parent Seminars. In addition to the PTSO meetings (held on the second Tuesday of each month), administrators and counselors will plan and deliver a monthly seminar based on various topics.
September’s Parent Seminar will address Study Skills and will take place on Wednesday, September 25th at 5:30 p.m. in Cafeteria A.
One task that is essential for all students and their success in high school is developing a way to study. Each student has to find their own routine. The parent seminar will feature a few of our wonderful veteran teachers and information about how to help your child find success while studying. More information will be posted on our website with materials posted after the session for those that are not able to attend.
4. College Financial Aid Night
Parents will have the opportunity to learn about paying for college from a college financial aid officer on Wednesday, September 25th at 7:00p.m. in the Auditorium. You will learn what is required and how the information you provide is interpreted.
Be prepared and informed!! Spanish translation will be available.
For more information on College Financial Aid Night, please contact Kathleen Ishii at kaishii@fcps.edu.
5. To our Military Families
Do you have a family member who is deploying?
Student Services wants to provide support to your student before, during, and after the deployment. If you feel comfortable, please let your student’s counselor know about any current or upcoming deployments. Thank you!
 Students in Mr. Chesson's physics class run experiments with remote control cars in the hallways.
6. Parking Permits
The Safety & Security Team will begin enforcing parking lot violations on Monday, September 16th. Parking permits can be purchased online and picked up from Room E116. The cost for a permit is $200.00 for the school year.
Permits purchased after Thursday, September 12th may not be ready on Monday. Please visit the Security office to confirm and to pick up your parking pass.
https://woodsonhs.fcps.edu/resources/student-parking
7. Powderpuff Game & Bonfire
The annual Powderpuff Flag Football game will take place on Saturday, September 28, at 6:00 p.m. on the main field. Admission is free with a student ID. General admission is $5.00 at the gate. Concessions will be sold during the game.
Players are placed in grade-level teams and are coached by students. The Senior team plays the Juniors, and Sophomores play Freshmen.
This year's theme is "Area 51” which is also the Homecoming Dance theme. Each class wears their team's theme color. This year's colors are as follows:
Seniors are black, Juniors are light blue, Sophomores are purple, and Freshmen are green.
Student participants - all forms and $15 are due by Monday, September 16th by 3:15 p.m. to your class sponsors. Forms are available outside of Room A133. Checks should be made out to “Woodson HS”. Students must have a physical on file in order to participate.
The Homecoming Bonfire will follow the last game. The bonfire will take place behind the stadium, near the Frost MS entrance. There will be a DJ and the concession stand will be open. The Bonfire typically starts around 8:15pm and ends by 9:30pm. Students must be picked up by 9:30pm.
For more information, please email wtwpowderpuff1@gmail.com.
8. PSAT Test Day, October 16th
In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and across the United States, students in grades 10 and 11 will take a Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on Wednesday, October 16th. FCPS will provide the PSAT/NMSQT to tenth and eleventh graders without cost. Only students in grade 11 are eligible to compete for the National Merit Scholarship; however, taking the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 10 provides students practice.
9th Grade students will participate in a career readiness program and executive function activities. Seniors are encouraged to use this day for college visits, college applications and post graduate opportunities.
Additional information about PSAT/NMSQT test content can be found at the following webpage: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test/compare-specifications.
The total time for the PSAT/NMSQT is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and students with disabilities with testing accommodations may require additional time.
Lunch will be a grab-n-go at 12:25pm and students will be released at 12:55p.m. on this day.
 National Honor Society students listened to Cathy Connolly about what it means to be an active member of the community last year.
9. National Honor Society Applications
Applications to join the National Honor Society will be available beginning Tuesday, September 17th. There is an interest meeting after school on Tuesday, September 17th in cafeteria A for students interested in joining. If your student can’t attend, they can see Ms. Dragan in A145 to pick up an application starting Wednesday, September 18th.
Applications are due Friday, October 4th to Ms. Graybill in the Student Services Office, where there is a box for students to drop off their completed applications. Students interested in applying must have a 3.5 GPA, be an active member of the community, and have previous leadership experience.
Students will be notified of their acceptance within 3 weeks of applying. If you have specific questions, please contact Sara Dragan (srdragan@fcps.edu) or Kara Sweeney (kmsweeney1@fcps.edu).
10. WTW National Merit Semifinalists
Ten Woodson seniors were named National Merit semifinalists for 2020. All semifinalists are eligible to compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarship awards worth $31 million, to be awarded in spring 20120.
Congratulations to Bridget Cassata, Ishan Kalburge, Khang Le, Ethan Minyoung Lee, Catherine Liu, Jenny Park, Jessica Suh, Pratistha Timilsina, Samuel Wright, and Zhiyao Zhang..
11. Does your student need a dress for Homecoming?
Do you know someone that might need one? Parent Liaison Sussy Tomer has shoes, necklaces, ear rings, clutches!
Students may go to Mrs. Sussy Tomer’s office, A139 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-2:00pm to see what is available. setomer@fcps.edu or 703-503-4792.
12. Alums Visiting WTW
Cavalier alumnae are always welcome to visit WTW outside of school hours.
If an alum wants to visit with a teacher during the school day, they must have a documented, pre-arranged appointment time and all visitors must check into the Main Office to receive a visitor's badge.
13. Vaping: What Students (and Parents) Should Know
Many students believe that vaping or Juuling is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes, but that's not true. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that e-cigarettes are not safe for children, teenagers, or young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can impact brain development. Some e-cigarettes contain other harmful chemicals.
What Happens If a Student Is Caught Vaping?
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) was updated in September 2018 to include vaping as a prohibited activity. Students found in possession of or using vape products on school grounds will participate in an FCPS intervention program and may receive disciplinary consequences, as noted in the SR&R.
More information about vaping is available online.
14. World Languages Credit Exam
The 2019 Credit Exam for World Languages will be administered November 6 – 8, 2019. Students who take the credit exam will now have the opportunity to earn up to three credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.
Thirty (30) languages will be assessed via the FCPS Credit Exam, including: American Sign Language, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese/Mandarin, Farsi/Persian, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit/Samskritam, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Greek, Hebrew, Portuguese and Turkish languages will be tested using the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), which is a timed test and has a format distinct from the FCPS World Languages Credit Exam. More information on the WPT is available here: Writing Proficiency Test.
Registration opens Monday, September 9, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. and closes on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Students interested in registering for the exam must see their school counselor.
Credit exam information can be accessed at: Credit Exam for WL.
15. Senior Baby Ads in the Yearbook
Looking for a personalized, memorable way to recognize your graduating senior? Want to capture memories with the friends you’ve made for a lifetime? Looking for a fun way to recognize your teammates or club members?
Parents, siblings, relatives, teachers, coaches, and friends of Woodson’s graduating Class of 2020 have an opportunity to purchase ad space in the 2020 edition of the yearbook!
There are many ad sizes available at various price points. Orders are being accepted now, and all ad space is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. So place your order early to reserve ad space for your graduating senior!
Visit www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and enter job number 5278. Choose “Buy a Yearbook Ad” to begin the process.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING BABY ADS is Sunday, October 13th!
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16. Reserve Your Yearbook
Did you know what last year’s yearbook sold out? Did you know that the 2020 yearbook will never be cheaper than it is today?
Order your yearbook now, before the crush of the school year!
Place a senior baby ad
Where did the time go? Place your special pictures and messages in the 2020 yearbook to treasure the memories forever.
Go to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5278 for sizes, prices and how-tos.
The sixth annual FCPS Mental Health and Wellness Conference will be held on Saturday, October 5th, at Fairfax High School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, sponsored by Inova. The morning session will focus on social and emotional learning, with a keynote address given by Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
A special session for high school students, the Our Minds Matter Teen Summit, will take place in the morning as well. Attendees are encouraged to stay for Inova’s Act on Addiction Summit, which will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
More information is available at the Mental Health and Wellness Conference website.
18. FCPS Cares Program
Recognizing Woodson staff who go above and beyond!
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our Woodson staff. https://www.fcps.edu/careers/employee-recognition-programs/fcps-cares-program
Mental Health Resources | 24/7 Emergency Numbers
If you are in crisis, text NEEDHELP to 85511, call 1-800-273-TALK, or dial 911; 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)
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; TTY dial 711 (The Merrifield Center of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, 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.)
Plan D Nova https://www.plandnova.org/ (a website for Northern Virginia teens who suffer from depression: #breakthestigma)
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