News You Choose - Friday, February 28, 2020

Important Dates:

Happy Friday!

I hope you all will enjoy the extra day of the year tomorrow. Since it is extra, I suggest you enjoy it! 

Our student services office has been hard at work finalizing student course selections and it is going very well.  If you have any questions regarding the choices your students have made, please refer to your Parent Vue in SIS to view their selections.

We have posted the May/June Calendars on our WPHS webpage for your information.  These calendars will highlight all AP and SOL testing dates, final exam schedules and bell schedules for the end of the year.

• https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/event/mayjune-testing
• https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/student-services/testing

We are moving into the 5^th full week of 3^rd quarter grading period.  At this time, your student should have at least 4 grades in their gradebooks (in SIS) for each of their classes.  This would be a good time to check in with your student about their grades and any supports they may need.  Please reach out directly to your student’s teachers if you have questions. 

Have a wonderful leap year weekend!

Ms. Millard

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West Po – Do You Know? 

West Potomac High School has partnered with Food for Neighbors to help feed our students who deal with food insecurity because even in a county as wealthy as Fairfax, one in four kids in our area are struggling with hunger.

Food for Neighbors is a local organization addressing this problem by collecting food from our community via the Red Bag Program and donating directly to our school. The food is then distributed to the students through our food pantry.

For more information regarding the Food for Neighbors, please refer to the attached fliers:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hXMA3DVw4_2eee_dQMTZjOMY8GogrHYQ/view?usp=sharing

 Out of the Darkness Walk: March 28^th

• Suicide prevention starts with everyday heroes like you. Join us on March 28^th, 2020 at West Potomac High School for our first-ever Out of the Darkness Walk as we walk to fight suicide and raise awareness about mental health. Be a part of the movement turning hope into action and create a culture that’s smart about mental health. Funds raised at the walks will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Everyone is welcome to participate! 

• Click on the link to sign up for the opportunity to make a difference in your community. 
•  We are also in need of volunteers to help.

• If you have any questions or want to learn how you can support, contact Holly Williman or Laura McBride

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PTSA Update

March PTSA Meeting - Monday, March 2, 6:30 pm in the library

Plan to attend the general membership PTSA meeting where the special topic will be Managing the High School Timeline. Ms. Watts will present information about AP classes and testing. Ms. Aboff will present about SAT vs. ACT testing and also about test prep classes from Applerouth sponsored by the PTSA. Mr. Johnson will be available as our principal designee in Ms. Millard’s absence.

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Dance Team Camps

The Dance Team will be hosting three weeklong camps this summer!  Please see the attached flyer for details.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kzVfK-QdF62J5o9HPnQew-GVe0o4Xcr_/view?usp=sharing         

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All Night Grad Celebration (ANGC) Update

We need your help to make the ANGC a success!  Please join us for our next meeting on March 19th at 7 PM at 8536 Riverside Rd, 22308.

We are looking for JUNIOR PARENTS to help the day of with set up and chaperone events during the evening, such as raffles, games, and food.  Please visit our website at angcwestpotomac.com or contact Rebecca Losee at angcwestpo2020@gmail.com  for more information.

To purchase tickets and Class of 2020 yard signs, or to make a greatly appreciated contribution, visit our website at angcwestpotomac.com 

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College and Career Center Please click here for the March College and Career Newsletter.

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SAT/ACT Test Prep and Updates

Test Prep Classes School Year 2019/20 - the schedule for the year is available to view and register! Visit https://www.applerouth.com/schools/8946/ to see dates for classes and mock tests. 

Spring SAT and ACT Classes start March 21 and prep for the official SAT or ACT in June. We will have summer SAT and ACT classes. These classes usually start near the end of July. The summer schedule will be posted to the test prep web page and announced in the NYC when finalized.

Set Your Testing Date:

Juniors who participate in extracurricular activities are strongly encouraged to look ahead at their activities schedule to determine the dates they are available to take the official SAT or ACT. Most students take the official tests more than once. Plan ahead and register early for most convenient testing locations!

Decide on Your Test Prep Strategy:

Once the testing date is set, determine your strategy for test prep. Self-directed free resources are available on Blackboard and the official testing sites. For those students who work better in a more structured classroom environment, the PTSA sponsors an on-campus test prep program (through Applerouth Tutoring).

Upcoming Mock Tests- Register https://www.applerouth.com/schools/8946/:

Mock SAT, 9:00am - 1:30pm, Room 438:

03/21/2020

04/25/2020

05/16/2020

Mock ACT, 9:15am - 1:30pm, Room 437:

03/21/2020

04/25/2020

05/16/2020 

Why Take a Mock SAT or ACT? 

Did you know that 54% of students show a natural increase the second time they take a real test? Use the mock to practice test time management skills – see if you have the ability to apply the content and strategies learned while studying when in an official test environment.  Test your mental endurance.  Earn confidence for the “real thing.”

Test Prep Scholarships: WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the College and Career Center Specialist Liz Carter.

PTSA Program Manager – Marilyn Aboff 

Yearbooks

It's 3rd quarter already!  Don't forget to purchase your student's 2020 yearbook. It's bound to be full of memories!  Order online today.

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Fort Hunt or Groveton Grad?

Are you an alumni of Fort Hunt or Groveton High School, or simply a fan of history? If so, we have great news for you!  The Fairfax County Public Library borrowed our archived yearbooks and was able to digitize them so that they will be preserved forever. Yearbooks prior to 1977 can be found by scrolling to the appropriate school on this site.

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West Potomac High School Students to Compete in 2020 School Food Culinary Challenge March 21 at Hayfield Secondary School

Students from West Potomac High School will compete in the 8th annual Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, sponsored by Silver Diner. The event is free to the public, but registration is required. Doors open at 10:45 AM, with a Public Tasting of students’ dishes at 11:00 AM.

The student “challenge” at the heart of this event is to create healthy, delicious, and appealing menu items that conform to USDA school meal guidelines. Winners in the lunch category are featured in school cafeterias across the National Capital Region the following year.

Entries are judged by a panel of celebrity chefs, school food professionals, students and local luminaries. This year 21 teams from 7 school districts will participate.

For more information please visit: 

https://realfoodforkids.z2systems.com/np/clients/realfoodforkids/event.jsp?event=45&

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