WTW PTSO WeMail - December 3


Parents as Partners Series

Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4th at 7 p.m. in Cafeteria B for our next Parents as Partners Series, Session #3 on Alcohol, Vaping and other Drugs. 

This session will focus on current trends and will include the most recent Fairfax County Youth Survey Data on this topic.  This data is specifically for Woodson High School as of Fall of 2018.  

Speakers will provide physical examples of vapes, and will discuss what to look for and how to talk to your teen about drugs, alcohol, and vaping.   

Guests and speakers will include Principal, Dr. Floyd, School Counselor, Mr. Ford, Woodson’s School Resource Officer, Officer Bryan Smith as well as our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists, Mr. Ken Johnson and Mr. Marty Joyner.


W.T. Woodson Band Holiday Tunes for Tots Concerts

It's that holiday time of year! Please join the W.T. Woodson Band for the annual Holiday Tunes performances. The Holiday Tunes for Tots concerts include a holiday music performance, joined by seasonal and all-around favorite characters.

Show times are Wednesday, December 4th at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, December 5th at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the Main Gymnasium. Admission is $5.00. Questions? Contact Anne Reed at 703-273-4357 or holidaytunesfortots@gmail.com.

https://www.woodsonband.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/WTWoodson-Tunes-for-Tots-Invitation-2019.pdf  


Mock ACT/SAT Score Report Session

If you took the Mock SAT or ACT on Saturday, November 9th, please attend the Score Report Session this Wednesday, December 4th in Cafeteria A when Mindworks will discuss the SAT/ACT process and return the mock test your child took and his/her Score Analysis Report!

This session is open to all student test takers and their parents/guardians.  Ideally, all parents/guardians will attend with their student(s) if possible to get the most out of this session.  However, only the student OR only the parent/guardian may attend and receive the test and score report.

Schedule 

  • 7-7:30pm: SAT/ACT Test Information and Next Steps
  • 7:30: Students who haven't finished their homework for Thursday dismissed, as well as parents who have engagements to attend elsewhere
  • 7:35 until all questions are answered or you have to leave: Q&A

The PTSO would like to thank Mindworks, who accepts NO compensation for their time to analyze students' scores and writing our students' reports.  This means the Woodson PTSO receives 100% of the proceeds from your donation.  In appreciation of Mindworks' efforts, we ask that parents and students attend the Score Report Session for the brief presentation to receive the score analysis and packet, and do not disrupt the evening's events by requesting to have tests and scores distributed before the presentation.

This is the only time scores will be distributed.  We can't wait to see you on Wednesday!


Mandatory Safe Driving Seminar

All new drivers and their parent(s) must attend a state mandated traffic safety seminar, Partners for Safe Teen Driving. 

The next seminar will be held in the Woodson auditorium on Monday, December 9th at 7pm.  Do not be late - you will not be admitted to the auditorium after 7pm.  

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


Sponsor Student(s) on Field Trips

Did you know that some students are unable to participate in Woodson field trips due to the cost?  Most FCPS field trips are considered optional and enrichment opportunities, therefore students on free and reduced lunch do not qualify for financial assistance.

Since the cost of these field trips cannot be covered by FCPS, students in need (as defined by the Woodson Administration and Counseling Staff) often stay behind and miss this enrichment opportunity. 

Most field trips cost under $20 and that is just to cover the transportation to the activity.  Woodson PTSO has agreed to help cover these costs so that ALL students have the opportunity to visit a museum, tour the Capitol, or experience an event that enhances their learning.

Please consider making a donation to the PTSO to sponsor one or more students so they can join their classmates on their field trip.  Make your donation here: 

https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com/formvw?store=1489&form=10


Holiday Staff Appreciation - Thursday, December 12th

Please help us wish our wonderful Woodson Staff and educators a happy holiday season. 

We invite Woodson families to bring side dishes, drinks, desserts and help decorate for the annual Holiday Hospitality Room on Wednesday, December 12th from 11:15 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.  Please drop off items either the day before (2:00 - 4:00pm) or event morning (a cart will be set up in the front office to receive items).  

If possible, please send in a disposable dish/container, or if you wish to have the dish returned, put your name on it.  You can pick up your dishes in the front office.  We will have holiday music, decorations and light fare for a memorable event for W.T. Woodson staff. 

Please help continue this tradition of warmth, kindness and appreciation.  For questions please text/email Miklos Kiss, 703-975-7928 / miklos.kiss@cox.net

Click here to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D49ADAF29A46-holiday


Help Us Thank Woodson Teachers and Staff

The PTSO invites all Woodson families to celebrate and recognize our wonderful teachers and staff this holiday season.

High School isn’t the same as elementary school where we had organized gift-giving and room parents. Please take time throughout the school year, and especially now in the holiday season, to recognize and thank the educators and support professionals that work with our children. Simple notes of appreciation, emails of gratitude and letters in support of teachers, counselors, principal, and/or support staff have enormous, meaningful impact.

Additionally, Woodson PTSO is collecting gift cards to raffle at the Annual Holiday Party for the Teachers and Staff on Wednesday, December 18th.  Parents, families and students are invited to donate gift cards; please send donated gift cards to the front office in an envelope addressed to “Attn: Celeste Jones, Holiday Party Raffle Prizes.”

We kindly ask that we receive all donations by Wednesday, December 18th.  Please contact Celeste Jones at cbjones@fcps.edu for more information.


Free coats and sweaters!!

We also have accessories like: gloves, hats and scarves! some are new or gently used. Come see Mrs. Tomer, Parent Liaison, room A139, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 2pm


Nominating Committee for PTSO Needed!

The PTSO is looking for a volunteer (or two!) to participate in the PTSO Board nominating committee to help identify candidates to fill vacancies on next year's 2020-21 PTSO Board and standing committees.  We would love to have this committee filled by the end of December if possible.

Interested or have more questions? Please email Melissa French at wptsopres@gmail.com


Holidays for Heroes!

The WTW Military Family Network invites you to support The National Capital Region Red Cross “Holidays for Heroes” Program. Between now and December 13th, please drop off

  • Small toiletries 
  • Gift cards to Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts (families use these when visiting patients at Walter Reed)
  • Other low-value gift cards (such as iTunes, Google, Amazon) 
  • Individually wrapped snacks 
  • New clothing items (Men and women - sizes Small-Large)
  • Mittens/gloves
  • Socks
  • Gently worn coats

All donations will be used to support local military and veterans year-round! Bring your donations to the WTW Main Office.  If you’d like to help coordinate this effort, please contact Lisa Griffin at 703-407-5090 or lisagriffin1970@gmail.com.


Fall Grants

The WTW PTSO Grant Program is pleased to announce that Fall Grants were awarded to our Student Services Department in support of Girls State, where students will take part in a government-in-action experience by assuming roles of leaders who campaign and get elected to official positions, and to the Visual Art Department in support of the Spring Art Show, an event that showcases student artwork from the entire Woodson Pyramid.  

The Spring grant window opens on February 3, 2020 and any member of the WTW PTSO can apply!


Scents of the Holidays

Orchestra is selling Yankee Candles, wrapping paper, lunch containers, baking tools, and more. You can still order online at Yankeecandlefundraising.com, Organization code 990073479.

Support your orchestra who were selected to play for the VMEA last Friday at the Homestead!


Holiday Help for Families in Need

Fairfax-based nonprofit Britepaths is seeking community members to provide Thanksgiving meals, December Holiday meals and gifts for children in December to 500 families in need who live throughout the Fairfax County area. This is a great family or group service project. Donations of funds or gift cards to assist families who are matched with sponsors are also greatly needed. Visit Britepaths Holiday Program page to Learn more, Register or Donate. Contact Shefali Ryan at 703.273.8829 x888 or sryan@britepaths.org with questions.


Cav Cruise 2020

Registration for the Woodson Class of 2020 All night graduation party is now open at https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com/formvw?store=1526&form=1

Purchase your Raffle Tickets for Class of 2020 Graduation Priority Seating at https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com/formvw?store=1526&form=1 First 100 that purchase raffle tickets get a free t-shirt Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25. Proceeds benefit Cav Cruise 2020. Guilt free donations can also be done at the same website and fro each $25 donation your graduate receives an extra $5000 in cav cash to spend at Cav Cruise 2020!


Class of 2020 Yard Signs have arrived!

Purchase Congratulations Class of 2020 Yard Sign. Proceeds benefit Cav Cruise 2020. Contact Carol Harrity - Tun carhar0129@hotmail.com for more information.


Woodson Chorus Boosters

Restaurant Night will be at the Chipotle located at 9506 Main Street on Wednesday, December 4th from 4:00-8:00pm to support the Woodson Choral Boosters.  Please mention you are eating in support of a fundraiser or show the printed/electronic flyer before you pay.

Click here for flyer:  Chipotle Flyer  

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, December 4th
3:15pm-4:30pm - Combined Chorus
4:30-5:15pm - Chorale
5:15pm-6:15pm - Bella Voce           

Thursday, December 5th    Winter Concert        6pm call time/7pm concert

No Chorus Booster meeting in December, but if your child is in Dessert on Broadway, please ensure that you attend the DOB meeting on Saturday, December 7th at 10 am in the Chorus Room.  We will also be doing costume fittings for DOB beginning at 8:30 am the same day.  Students will sign up for a time block with their group.


Woodson Crew Fundraiser

Support the Woodson Crew Team with Dinner at Noodles & Co. Bring this flyer and your appetite to Noodles & Co on Main Street in Fairfax between 4 and 8 pm on Tuesday, December 3rd and help Woodson Crew. Noodles and Co. will graciously donate 25% of the cost of your meal to the team.

Thank you!


Woodson Drama

Woodson Theatre Camp and Movie Night. Elementary school students, grades 1-6, are invited to join Woodson Drama on Saturday, December 14, 2pm-8pm, for a day of acting, playwriting, and holiday craft making. Wrap up the day with pizza and a movie.

This is a great opportunity for parents to drop off their kids and do some holiday shopping! For more information visit www.wtwdrama.org


Do you have a new Student Driver in your household?

Student Driver Magnet

It’s that time of year again and we have a lot of new drivers on the road with their freshly printed DMV Learners’ Permits, but fear not the PTSO has you covered! There are “Student Driver” Magnets available for purchase from the PTSO to help other drivers on the road know to be patient with your new student driver.

The Magnets are available for purchase at all the Partners for Safe Teen Driving seminars held at WTW or on the PTSO online store HERE. Magnets are $8.00 each or 3 for $20.00. Contact Shane Gilbert at drivermagnets@woodsonptso.org with any questions.


Make a Lasting Mark for your Student!

Brick

The brick courtyard in front of the school, between the main entrance and the auditorium, still has plenty of room for engraved bricks for you to remember your special student or as a wonderful legacy for all the members of your family.  They make great graduation presents for Seniors too! 

Orders must be received by May 1st to be included and installed in this year’s order so don’t wait!    Individual bricks cost: $100. Visit the Woodson PTSO website and click the “Join & Support” tab on the main page to find out more information and to print a brick order form.  If you have questions contact Katherine Gilbert at Bricks@woodsonptso.org or 904-891-2643.


Woodson Athletic Booster Passes

Woodson Athletic Booster passes are now on sale for $50 per pass for a student, $80 per adult, $200 for a family of 4 (see other combinations online).

The cost of attending WTW home games is $5 for students, $6 for adults, so the Booster Pass pays for itself in TEN GAMES for a student (thirteen games for an adult)! If you buy your pass now your student can use it to get into all regular season home games i.e. basketball, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, etc. and begin NOW to recoup your return on investment. 

Why pay $5 (and have to find the cash) each time? Please make sure you buy your Booster pass soon.  Click here to purchase passes online using PayPal (or go to wtwoodsonsports.org and click on Booster Membership.

We will be at Meet the Coaches Night on Tuesday November 19th if you would like to buy a Booster pass there.


Woodson Spirit Wear Sales

Get your holiday shopping done from the comfort of your own home and support Woodson Athletic Boosters at the same time by buying some Woodson spirit wear! We’ve got lots of options $15 and under - t -shirts, beanies, baseball caps, socks, drawstring bags, Woodson ornaments, and more!  Looking a bigger gift? We've also got  hoodies, sweatpants, stadium and fleece blankets, long sleeve tees, 1/4 zips, wicking tees and more!  

Shop here:  http://www.wtwoodsonsports.org/main/otherad/contentID/1253829.   

Items are ready for pick up in the Woodson Main Office within days of your order.  You will receive an email when your order is ready for pick up.  Any questions, please contact Liz Brocato at Brocatofam@gmail.com.


PTSO Information

Our PTSO changed all our emails to gmail, so please check our site for the latest email addresses here:

https://www.woodsonptso.org/our-team.html

Did you know that every single penny of your membership fees stay right here at Woodson? If you haven’t joined yet, please join the PTSO here:  

https://www.woodsonptso.org/join--support.html

Want to donate? You can here!

Announce your special events to WTW families right here in the WeMail.  Not sure how?  Email WPTSOCOMM@gmail.com for more information.

Are you a PTSO member? Join our Facebook page  - WT Woodson PTSO. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2325539501108550/.  We want the information shared on the FB  page to be member-driven. Join now and start sharing your parenting tips, resources, and information! 

Follow us on Twitter! @WPtso