Woodson Weekly - September 20th

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Woodson Weekly -
September 20th


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!


Genetics Class

Students in Dr. Morgan's new genetics class perform a yeast enzyme kinetics lab.  They also made root beer earlier in the week.


Important Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, September 25th - Parents as Partners Seminar - Study Skills (see details below)

Friday, October 4th - Homecoming Parade at 4:30pm; Homecoming Game against Westfield HS at 7:00pm

Saturday, October 5th - Homecoming Dance at 8:00pm (see details below)

Monday, October 14th - Columbus Day, student holiday

Wednesday, October 16th - PSAT Day, 2 hour early release

Friday, November 1st - End of First Quarter

Monday-Tuesday, November 4th-5th - Student Holidays


In this Issue

1. Partners for Safe Teen Driving Seminars
2. Parents as Partners - Session 1, Study Skills
3. College Financial Aid Night
4. School Board BTSN Videos
5. Powderpuff Game & Bonfire
6. Hit and Run Accidents
7. Food Deliveries
8. National Honor Society Applications
9. Convertibles and Flat Bed Trucks Needed
10. Homecoming Game and Dance
11. Does your student need a dress for Homecoming?
12. Registration Now Open for FCPS Mental Health Conference
13. World Languages Credit Exam
14. PSAT Day, October 16th
15. Readers Needed
16. Senior Baby Ads in the Yearbook
17. Reserve Your Yearbook
18. Hurricane Dorian Relief
19. FCPS Cares


1. Partners for Safe Teen Driving Seminars

Attention all 10th grade students and their parents.  All new drivers and parents must attend a state mandated traffic safety seminar, Partners for Safe Teen Driving.  Please mark your calendar for the Woodson seminars for 2019-2020.  Seminars will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will take place in the Woodson Auditorium.

Monday, September 23rd

Monday, December 9th

Monday, February 3rd

Monday, April 27th

Questions? Please contact David O'Hara at DGOHara@fcps.edu.


2. Parents as Partners - Session 1

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 Parents as Partners 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.


3. 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.


4. School Board BTSN Videos

Please take a moment to watch the Fairfax County School Board welcome back to school videos from last night's Back to School Night (BTSN).  School board representatives for Woodson HS include: 

Megan McLaughlin, Braddock District; Dalia Palchik, Providence District; Sandy Evans, Mason District; Karen Keys-Gamarra, Member-at-Large; Ryan McElveen, Member-at-Large; and, Ilryong Moon, Member-at-Large.  


Constitution Day

As part of Constitution Day on September 17th, Mr. Hettler and Mr. Rosebrock's US & VA Government students created their own class constitution (how they want to be treated in class and what rights and responsibilities they want to have within the framework of Woodson’s rules and regulations) and then recreated a depiction of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.


5. Powderpuff Game & Bonfire

The annual Powderpuff Flag Football game will take place on Saturday, September 28th, 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.

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 8:15 p.m. and ends by 9:30 p.m.  Students must be picked up by 9:30 p.m.

For more information, please email wtwpowderpuff1@gmail.com.


6. Hit and Run Accidents

There have been a few incidents in our parking lots over past few weeks involving students striking a car, leaving only minor damage, then NOT leaving their information behind or notifying security about it, resulting in a hit and run report/investigation. 

to contact School Security or leave their contact information on damaged vehicle.  Imagine being in the other car owner’s position discovering damage to their vehicle, plus it’s the law! If the student comes forward immediately, it's a simple matter of exchanging information.  For more information, please contact Woodson SRO Smith at bsmith3@fcps.edu.


7. Food Deliveries

No commercial food deliveries can be made to Woodson students during the school day.  This includes deliveries from local restaurants and delivery services like Uber Eats and Grubhub.  If food is delivered, the student cannot pick it up until dismissal.

If your child forgets his/her lunch, food may be dropped off by a family member to Woodson's Main Office for student pickup.


Summit Ropes Course

Ms. Hobson's Tech Theatre students participated in team-building activities at an indoor ropes course.


8. National Honor Society Applications

Applications to join the National Honor Society are available in Ms. Dragan's classroom, A145.

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).


9. Convertibles and Flat Bed Trucks Needed

We are in need of a few more convertibles and flat bed trucks for our Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 4th.  Please email Dan Schaefer for more details.


10. Homecoming Game and Dance

The 2019 Homecoming football game is on Friday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. against Westfield HS.  The Homecoming Parade will start at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a pre-game Pigout on the outdoor basketball courts starting at 5:00 p.m.  The Pigout is a fun tradition for students to enjoy music and games, and to purchase food from vendors and food trucks. 

The Homecoming Dance is on Saturday, October 5th from 8:00-11:30 p.m. in the Main Gym.  There will be NO locker access during the dance.  A coat check, a lounge, and a free photo booth are available to the students.

Leading up to Homecoming, the students will have the opportunity to participate in Spirit Week.  Each day students are encouraged to dress up in themed outfits and participate in games during lunches.  This year’s Homecoming theme is Area 51 – “An Out of This World Homecoming”. 

Tickets for the Homecoming Dance will be sold during all lunches from September 30th through October 4th.  Tickets are $20 through October 3rd.  On October 4th, tickets will cost $25.  There will be no tickets sold at the door.


11. Does your student need a dress for Homecoming?

Do you know someone that might need one?  Parent Liaison Sussy Tomer has dresses, 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.


Pickle Ball

Students in Mr. Dash’s PE classes enjoyed the nice weather this week learning pickle ball.


12. Registration Now Open for FCPS Mental Health and Wellness Conference

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 and Kaiser Permanente. 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. 

Participants in this conference will be able to choose from a wide variety of breakout sessions, and there will be many resource tables available, representing public and private offices and agencies providing services within our schools and community. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Inova.

For more information or to register, go to the Mental Health and Wellness Conference website.   

Student Mental Health and Resiliency

Many students struggle with emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness. If you have any concerns about anxiety, peer relationship problems, depression, or other social and emotional issues your child may be experiencing, please contact your school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor. They are available for consultation and support.

Visit the Mental Health and Resiliency and Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies web pages to learn about mental health resources and fostering resiliency in your child. 


13. 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 is open 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.


14. 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 12:25 p.m. and students will be released at 12:55 p.m. on this day.


15. Readers Needed

The English Department is seeking parent readers to assist with new book approvals. We have an opportunity to refresh and update our bookroom for FREE but we need YOU to help! 

Part of the approval process for each title is a review by two parent readers. The process will be very simple. Step 1: Read the provided text and rationale. Step 2: Decide whether or not you think this book should be part of the curriculum here at Woodson. Step 3: Sign your name and note your approval/disapproval of the text on the form provided. That’s it-no meetings, no long-term commitment. Read what you can as you can from home, on the way to work, anywhere you have the time and the inclination.

Our opportunity to order free books will be after the winter break, the sooner we can get started the more books we can potentially order! If you have any questions please contact Katherine Benzinger, English Department Chair, at kesebunia@fcps.edu. This is a unique volunteer opportunity, please join us!


16. Senior Baby Ads in the Yearbook

Baby Ads

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!


17. Reserve Your Yearbook

Did you know that 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.


18. Hurricane Dorian Relief

Dear Region 5 Communities,

Each of the 32 schools in Region 5 of Fairfax County Public Schools are uniting together to support the humanitarian crisis that has occurred in the Bahamas due to Hurricane Dorian. We have all witnessed the devastation from this deadly storm and we want to be able to help. There is an estimated 18,000 children in crisis and many children have lost everything they own. So we are calling each of our communities to action!

Over the next two weeks, we will be fundraising by using a GoFundMe page. The link is below which also includes a link to a video for more information. All proceeds will go to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Our funds will go to water, shelter, food, clothes, backpacks, books, and other school materials.

Please join Region 5 in making a difference. Any amount can be helpful! The fundraiser will run from Wednesday, September 18th to Friday, October 4th.

Please click this link to go to our GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/sam3qu-hurricane-dorian-relief

Thank you for supporting this cause!


FCPS Cares
 

19. 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)