Woodson Weekly - December 13th

Woodson Weekly Logo Small

Woodson Weekly -
December 13th


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!


LL Cool J

Woodson High School juniors at the African American History Museum field trip on Monday with singer LL Cool J.  (He is sporting a more modern beanie instead of the traditional Kangol.)


Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, December 23 through Friday, January 3 - Winter Break

Monday, January 6th - School resumes, Even Day


In this Issue

1. Portrait of a Graduate Tip of the Week
2. Stuff the Truck Event
3. To Our Military Families
4. SIS Access Over Winter Break
5. Run, Don't Walk!  Yearbook prices go up on Sunday!
6. Volunteers Needed for Science Fair
7. College and Career Newsletter
8. Senior Class Information Page
9. 2020 FCPS Gap Year Fair
9. Woodson Holiday Gift Ideas
10. PSAT/NMSQT Scores
11. Woodson HS Academic Advising
12. Woodson Holiday Gift Ideas
13. FCPS Cares


Thank you, PTSO!

On behalf of the faculty and staff of Woodson HS, we sincerely thank the PTSO for hosting a festive Holiday Hospitality Room yesterday during lunches.  The generosity of donated treats and time volunteered is appreciated by every member of our school staff.

Thank you!
WTW Administration


1. Portrait of a Graduate Presentation of Learning (POGPOL) Tip of the Week

In September, we sent an email message regarding the pilot program around POG attributes which will ultimately culminate in student led Presentations of Learning (POL) in June.  That message included some background on this pilot.  Each week we will include information regarding the POGPOL pilot at Woodson this year.

In 2014, the FCPS School Board developed and adopted the Portrait of a Graduate (POG) in collaboration with a variety of educational stakeholders – parents, families, local businesses, community members, educators, students, and our FCPS leadership. This adoption of POG was an acknowledgment that in our rapidly changing world, education too needs to evolve to fulfill our mission of supporting student success in school and in life. While still focusing on content mastery, Portrait of a Graduate prioritizes the development of skills that will empower students to be productive citizens of a global community and successful in future endeavors.

Woodson students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will have on-going opportunities to develop and reflect upon the skills outlined in Portrait of a Graduate. Teachers will continue to create learning experiences in which students not only learn course content but also learn about and apply POG skills. Throughout the year, students will regularly reflect on their growth toward POG outcomes and will document evidence of this growth by saving artifacts from their coursework that demonstrate the application of their POG skills. At the end of the year, they will share the story of their POG growth during a Portrait of a Graduate Presentation of Learning (POGPOL). 

Stay tuned as each week we will share more information regarding the POGPOL through this weekly communication.


Winter Spirit Week

Winter Spirit Week themes for December 16th-20th.


2. Stuff the Truck Event

Woodson Leadership students will be collecting food outside of the King’s Park Giant on Saturday, December 14th, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for their annual “Stuff the Truck” event. 

All food items will be donated to the Annandale Food site which has been serving the needs of 60-80 families per week for the past 10 years. 

Thank you in advance for your support.


3. 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!


4. SIS Access over Winter Break

FCPS Weekly Progress Reports will not be sent to parents Sunday, December 22nd through Sunday, January 5th during the Winter break.

SIS ParentVUE, and StudentVUE will be unavailable to all users on Saturday, December 28, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. during system maintenance.


Special Olympics

5. Run, Don't Walk!

Have you heard the news?? Yearbook prices go up soon!

Sunday, December 15th is the LAST DAY to get the $70 price on the 2020 yearbook. Prices will then go up to $80. It’s also the last day to order nameplates! Be sure to reserve your book now…these high-school days are fleeting!  Order Now!


6. Volunteers Needed for Science Fair

The Woodson Science Department is looking for volunteers to judge our school Science Fair. The fair will take place on Thursday, January 30th from approximately 9 a.m.- noon.

Anyone with expertise or background in Science and Engineering is welcome to come judge! Please email Allison Adams at agadams@fcps.edu if you are interested.


7. College and Career Newsletter

Are you reading the WTW College and Career Center Newsletter

The December 13th College and Career Center newsletter has lots of important information - 4 new special (FREE/cheap) opportunities, 1 new internship and urgent call for volunteers, 3 great conferences/seminars, 3 workshops, 1 new employment opportunity; 14 new scholarships.


Dragan Class Activity

Students in Ms. Dragan's class demonstrating POG attribute of collaboration.


8. Senior Class Information Page

Want more information about upcoming dates and events for the Class of 2020?  Visit the Senior Class Information page on the Woodson website.


9. 2020 FCPS Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are hosting the 9th annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m.  This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the variety of experiences available and growing array of gap year opportunities. 

The evening will begin with an informational presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m.  Immediately following, the program fair, with representatives from over 40 programs offering gap year opportunities, will take place in the school cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m.  Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event.  For more information, visit USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather, the snow date and location will be Friday, February 7, 2020, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m.


10. PSAT/NMSQT Scores

Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT were released online to students this week.

Students who are at least 13 years old and who shared their email address on their PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet will receive an email reminder from The College Board explaining where and how to view their scores.

Ask your students to create a College Board account so they can easily access their scores once they're released online and unlock a robust set of personalized resources to help them understand their scores. If a student doesn't see their scores when they log in, please have them check with Ms. Guinee or Mrs. Graybill in Student Services.


AP World History

Students in Mr. Wright's AP World History class learning how Mercantilism worked by participating in a trading simulation.


11. Woodson HS Academic Advising

Starting on Thursday, January 9th, Woodson HS staff will begin working with students on the course selection process for the 2020-2021 school year.

Each teacher will meet with students individually across January 9th (Odd Day) and January 10th (Even Day) during their normal scheduled class time to provide students with guidance on course options available next year and to provide students with their feedback of the course(s) that would be the best fit. Teacher feedback for students will be based on demonstrated work ethic in the class, assessment grades, and applicable testing. This is an important step as we strive to help students and parents navigate the course selection process.

After these advising sessions, students will meet individually with school counselors, according to the timeline below, to select their courses for the coming year. It is very important for students to choose courses carefully aschanges after the new school year begins may not be possible because of class size.

Following the individual counselor and student advising meetings, counselors will print a copy of the students’ selected courses for them to take home.  Students’ course selections are also viewable in SIS.  We strongly recommend students to consider the teachers’ recommendations when selecting courses for the upcoming school year. If your student selects a class that was not recommended by the teacher, you will be notified and are encouraged to discuss your student’s selection with him/her.

Academic Advising Schedule

Teacher Feedback Days: January 9th and January 10th. Teachers will provide students with their suggestions and feedback for courses.

Curriculum Night and Rising Freshman Parent Night: Wednesday, January 8th from 5:00-8:00pm (snow day January 15th)

  • 5:00-6:00pm: Breakout Session for Special Education parents in E146 (Chorus Room)
  • 5:00-6:00pm: Breakout Session for parents of students with 504 Plans in E156 (Orchestra Room)
  • 6:00-6:30pm: AP Class Information Session 1 for current ninth and tenth grade parents (Library). AP Info Sessions will include information on AP courses at Woodson and how you can help your student make the best decisions for their junior and senior years. Please choose and attend one AP Info Session.
  • 7:00-7:30pm: AP Class Information Session 2 for current ninth and tenth grade parents (Library). AP Info Sessions will include information on AP courses at Woodson and how you can help your student make the best decisions for their junior and senior years. Please choose and attend one AP Info Session.
  • 6:00-8:00pm: Electives and Curriculum Fair in BOTH CafeteriasStop by the department tables to talk with teachers and learn about the different classes students can take at Woodson High School and at the Academies (most academy class are for rising 10-12th graders).
  • 6:30-7:30pm: Teachers present on ninth grade classes; overview of graduation requirements in the Auditorium (for current 8th grade parents/guardians).

Academic Advising Schedule

Current 11th Graders (Rising 12th Graders) · Group Advising/Pre-Registration Meeting with School Counselors: January 15th during Returns

  • Individual Advising with School Counselors: January 22nd – February 7th (through US VA History classes)

Current 10th Graders (Rising 11th Graders) · Group Advising/Pre-Registration Meeting with School Counselors: February 3rd during Returns

  • Individual Advising with School Counselors: February 11th- February 27th (through Health and PE 10 classes)

Current 9th Graders (Rising 10th Graders) · Group Advising/Pre-Registration Meeting with School Counselors: February 20th during Returns

  • Individual Advising with School Counselors: February 28th – March 10th (through Health and PE 9 class)

Questions?  Please contact your child's school counselor.


World 1 Escape Room

World 1 Escape Room


12. Woodson Holiday Gift Ideas

Brighten up your holiday season with a W.T. Woodson ornament or a Woodson car magnet!

These make great stocking stuffers for Woodson students, staff, alumni, and graduating seniors.

Purchase your gifts through MySchoolBucks or at the Woodson main office.  If ordering online, you can select school pickup or have the items shipped directly to your home.  Ornaments are $10.00; magnets are $5.00.

For more information, contact Celeste Jones at cbjones@fcps.edu.


FCPS Cares
 

13. 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)