Woodson Weekly - April 10th

Woodson Weekly Logo Small

Woodson Weekly - 
April 10th


Woodson Weekly is published every Friday to provide the community with important information from Woodson High School.


Vision Statement
We are a school community where all students have purpose and value!


We Miss You

Dear Cavalier Community:

Everywhere I turn I hear this time referred to as “a time like no other” and “the new normal” defined by terms like “crisis” and “pandemic.”  As I said in a previous message this is NOT normal. Amid the feelings of uncertainty one positive commonality that continues to unite us is Woodson High School. 

We are a community of learners regardless of where and how we meet.  So, when I hear people say, “4th quarter doesn’t matter” or “there are no grades 4th quarter, so why bother?” I say this is an opportunity for learning and working together. 

These next few weeks are about finding that love for learning without pressure; without the stress of grades. This is an opportunity to try and, in doing so, gain feedback that measures growth without traditional grades.  The maxim “If at first you don’t’ succeed, try, try again.” (Palmer, 1840) is relevant now more than ever. This is a time that allows students to try and, if they fail, gain feedback and try again. Trying, failing and learning from feedback is what builds resilience. It is what the scientists are doing in trying to find a vaccine for COVID-19. Like those scientists, our students have nothing to lose by trying and everything to gain. 

So, when your teen doesn’t want to get up for their synchronous session or to get help during office hours, encourage them. Remind them of the positives of learning, of the excitement that comes with learning something new. Remind them of the good feeling they will have when they are prepared for the sequential class next year. Remind them that, selfishly, we want to see them as well.

We miss your kids.  Educators get into this business to work with kids. We know interacting virtually isn’t the same as meeting face to face, but we desire to continue our commitment to you through teaching and learning. This is a tough time for all of us, educators as well as kids, yet as a community we can come together as #oneWoodson and we will be stronger for it. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone online Tuesday!

Dr. Floyd


In this Issue

1. Distance Learning begins Tuesday, April 14th
2. Woodson Sophomore shares her student voice
3. 2020-2021 Course Registration
4. Yearbook Info - Yes, it will be published!
5. Lunch Money Refunds and Transfers
6. FCPS Resources
7. FCPS Fields are Closed
8. AP Exam Updates
9. Families Needing Internet
10. Fairfax County Family Services Resources (Translated - Spanish/Korean)


1. Distance Learning begins Tuesday, April 14th

On Tuesday, April 14th, we are excited to kick off the rest of our school year and transition to Distance Learning. By now you should have heard from your teachers and have a plan in place if you have work to make up from third quarter.   Students will have until April 24th to complete any make up work from the third quarter and any new material will go on the fourth quarter.

I keep hearing the same message over and over - Woodson staff miss our students a great deal.

Distance learning for Students:

This week teachers were asked to reconnect with students and begin planning for the close of third quarter. Next week, April 6-10, is Spring Break; teachers will not be holding distance learning sessions or holding online office hours.  

Starting on Tuesday, April 14th, teachers will be following Woodson’s Distance Learning Schedule.  Teachers will be live through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra during their scheduled class times on Tuesdays and Thursdays (the links can be found on teacher’s Blackboard pages). Teachers will also post office hours for Wednesday and Friday when they will be available to communicate live as well.  Additional information on the FCPS model for distance learning is available online.  

Each week students have a schedule to follow during distance learning.  Each class has a Blackboard Collaborate Link to use to gain access to that class.  To help students organize themselves, they might want to use this electronic Google document (students must log in with their Google credentials to access this document) where they can house all of their necessary Blackboard Collaborate links. On office hour days, see your teacher’s blackboard site to get the link to the office hours and add it to this document. 

Third Quarter Grade Calculation:

  • The 3rd quarter has been extended to Friday, April 24th to allow teachers time to collect work, give a chance for reassessments and close out the quarter.  Students may complete any missing 3rd quarter assignments up to that date.
  • If a 3rd quarter assignment/assessment was completed by students before Friday, March 13, but not yet entered into the gradebook, the teacher may enter the assignment into the gradebook and count the assignment towards the 3rd quarter grade. 
  • If an assignment was given prior to Friday, March 13 and was due after that date, a teacher may provide the option for that assignment to be completed to improve a student’s grade. A student may not be penalized for that assignment, either for not completing or for less than satisfactory work.
  • Teachers may introduce new subject material during the weeks of April 14-24 but will not assess or use that material to impact 3rd quarter grades.

Fourth Quarter and Final Grade Calculation:

FCPS will finalize their guidance on determining final year grades in the next few weeks.  However, I can share with you now that all students will receive a No Mark (NM) for their fourth quarter grade and that work completed in the fourth quarter can only improve a student’s final grade for the year.  

Seniors!  If you have not seen Dr. Brabrand’s letter to the class of 2020 please click here (Dr. Brabrand’s letter to the Class of 2020).  Know that we echo his sentiments and are committed to working with all of you to ensure that your needs are met.


2. Woodson Sophomore shares her voice

Woodson Sophomore, Jada Bromberg shared her student voice by creating a short video that offers advice for mental health and wellness during this time of social distancing.

FCPS shared her video on Twitter

Jada Tweet

3. 2020-2021 Course Registration

The last day to make changes to a students course selection for the 2020-2021 school year is May 1st.  Please contact Woodson Director of Student Services, Josh Peters at fjpeters@fcps.edu if you have any questions.


4. Yearbook Info - Yes, it will be Published!

The yearbook is on schedule for publication and distribution information will be shared once there is a plan. 

It's more important than ever to have a record of this historic 2019-2020 school year! 

It's not too late to reserve your student’s yearbook!!!

Last year’s book sold out!  Order now at https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5278

The deadline to order online is Friday, April 24th!!!


5. Lunch Money Refunds and Transfers

If you would like to request a refund of money on your student's MySchoolBucks lunch account or transfer the funds between students' accounts, please complete the following instructions.

Requesting a transfer of funds between my students' accounts

Meal account transfers can be requested by e-mailing the following information to mealaccountrefund@fcps.edu:

Transfer FROM:                                Transfer TO:

  1. Student Name                              1. Student Name
  2. FCPS Student ID #                       2. FCPS Student ID #
  3. School Name                                3. School Name

Requesting a refund for my student's meal account

Meal account refunds can be requested by e-mailing the following information to mealaccountrefund@fcps.edu

  1. Student Name
  2. Student ID # (listed on the student's schedule)
  3. School Name
  4. Parent Name
  5. Street Address
  6. City, State and Zip code
  7. Phone #

Allow 4-6 weeks for transfers and refunds to be completed due to required audit documentation processing.

For full information regarding student lunch accounts, visit https://www.fcps.edu/node/31166.


August Vesilind

WUSA9 aired a story on Quarantine Serenades and featured was Woodson Sophomore August Vesilind.


6. FCPS Resources

FCPS is now publishing daily updates for the FCPS community, highlighting things you need to know such as updates on the FCPS digital learning plan, major county and state announcements, and news articles.

Quick links to resources:

Food Resources

Talking to Students about COVID-19

Fairfax County Resources (Assistance from a Distance) Flyers posted below

Ways to Support Local Organizations

Academics and Continuity of Learning Plan

FCPS cable channels with learning activities are available. Channel 25 includes middle school programming and Channel 99 includes high school programming. This content will also be available online at www.fcps.edu


7. FCPS Fields are Closed

Based on the latest Fairfax County Health Department recommendations related to COVID-19, all FCPS fields are closed at this time. Please refrain from entering any FCPS fields, including ones at Woodson High School.

Thank you for your cooperation.


8. AP Exam Updates

Here are some updates from the College Board regarding Advanced Placement Exams. 

A great resource for learning about this year's AP Exams is Trevor Packer's presentation

Exam Window:  Exams will be given from May 11–22. 

Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1–5.


9. Families Needing Internet

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please use this website for more information: https://www.internetessentials.com/


10. Fairfax County Family Services Resources

Assistance from a DistanceAssistance from a Distance

Assistance from a DistanceAssistance from a Distance

Assistance from a DistanceAssistance from a Distance

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)