Woodson Weekly -
May 15th
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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!
 The Woodson Cavalier made surprise visits to teachers today! Pictured above is Ms. Kinne and her daughter.
The Cavalier crashed Ms. Kinne's AP Biology review session.
In this Issue
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
2. Fourth Quarter & End of Year
3. National Merit Scholarship Winner
4. Now more than ever... yearbook!
5. What are the impacts on the SAT and ACT?
6. AP Exam Updates
7. This is My Brave Auditions
8. May is Mental Health Awareness Month
9. 30 Minute Consultation with a FCPS Clinician
10. New NOVA Jump Start Opportunity
11. FAQs About Refunds and Fees
12. Lunch Money Refunds and Transfers
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
Good sunny afternoon Woodson Families!
It is hard to believe a week from now will be the start of Memorial Day weekend!
We have a lot going on right now planning for our senior pick up / drop off, the virtual celebration video as well as the photo opportunity. I’ve been working diligently with the region principals as well as our graduation staff here at Woodson on the details around each of these events and we will be sending information out early next week to senior families.
We are also in touch with the companies who deliver caps, gowns and diplomas to see when they are going to arrive as they are not here yet which impacts our timeline for distribution.
If you are not a senior and are not returning to Woodson next year, please email Ms. Jones at cbjones@fcps.edu to let us know as we have specific information to send you as well.
Underclassmen… fear not, your information is coming as well. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and are able to get out and enjoy the weather!
Sincerely,
Dr. Floyd
2. Fourth Quarter & End of Year
Providing Feedback to Students/Parents and Monitoring Progress: Teachers should provide feedback such as comments on quality of work and guidance for improvement.
- Assignment “marks” will be entered into the gradebook and will be: Proficient, Attempted, Not Attempted
- This data will be considered to positively influence the final course grade
- Students and families will be able to see “marks” in SIS, though weekly emails will not be sent since there will not be a Qtr 4 grade
Calculating Final Grades
Final Exams: There will be no final exam and/or culminating activity included as part of the final course grade calculation this year.
Year-Long Courses - Calculating Final Grade
- Teachers have the discretion of raising a student's final grade by one grade distribution (B to B+), based on demonstrated proficiency of Qtr 4 learning.
- A student’s final grade will be the highest of the following:
- Avg of Qtrs 1, 2, & 3
- Avg of (Qtrs 1, 2, & 3) plus 1 grade distribution increase consideration
- 1st Semester Grade
- 1st Semester Grade plus 1 grade distribution increase consideration
- Quality Points as per FCPS Grading and Reporting
Current Semester Courses - Calculating Final Grade
- Schools/teachers have the discretion of raising a student's final grade by two grade distributions (B to A-), based on demonstrated proficiency of Qtr 4 learning.
- A student’s final grade will be the highest of the following:
- Qtr 3 Average
- Qtr 3 Average (w/up to a two grade distribution increase consideration).
Last Day of School
The last day of school for all students (except seniors) is Friday, June 12. Seniors’ last day of school is Wednesday, May 27.
Summer Courses
Additional summer offerings and support through FCPS summer learning programming are being discussed and will be shared as soon as available pending developments with the state-wide closure of schools.
FCPS is highlighting senior students from the Class of 2020. Woodson senior, Daniel Habashi shares his high school memories.
3. National Merit Scholarship Winner
Thirty-three students from eight Fairfax County high schools have been named winners of $2,500 scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Scholarship winners are part of a group of approximately 2,500 National Merit finalists chosen to receive scholarships in 2020 primarily financed by the NMSC.
Woodson senior Ishan Kalburge was awarded a scholarship and his probable career field is academia.
Each of the FCPS winners received a scholarship supported by the NMSC’s own funds.
Each scholarship winner was evaluated on his or her academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; a personal essay; and a recommendation from a high school official. The number of winners named in a state is in proportion to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating high school seniors. Winners are chosen by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, not the school district.
 4. Now more than ever…yearbook!
The kids lost a lot when schools closed in March. They don’t need to lose their yearbook.
Here are some frequently asked questions about yearbook.
Is the yearbook still being published?
Yes! The staff worked hard after the school closing to finish the book on time! We have sold lots of baby ads and plenty of books. It’s happening.
When is distribution?
We don’t know yet. Right around the time we finished the main book, the Kansas City plant was being shut down due to COVID 19. But it reopened May 4! We’ll keep the community posted as we get new information.
What will distribution look like?
Not sure yet, but the plucky yearbook staff can make it work! It will be done with safety and social distancing. When we have a distribution plan, we will get the word out!
Are there photos of spring sports?
Sadly, the spring sports seasons ended abruptly. So there is not the usual spring supplement with photos of spring happenings. But thankfully the teams posed for team portraits, and those WILL be included in the main book.
Is there coverage of COVID 19 and the school closure?
Yes! The yearbook staff pulled some coverage together of this bizarre time in Woodson’s life. Plus of course there is coverage of that wonderful time when we were together in school.
Can students still order the book?
Yes! The online order center has extended their dates. Families can order the book online through June 1. Act now; supplies are limited. Here is the link: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5278
What if I’m not sure if I already ordered one?
There is a document on the library’s Blackboard page with a listing of who has already ordered. You can also email the yearbook adviser, Beth Koby, and I’ll be happy to look you up. ewkoby@fcps.edu
Is picture heading this newsletter the yearbook cover?
Yes!
5. What are the impacts on the SAT and ACT?
What is the impact on SAT administration? The College Board is canceling the May 2 and June 6, 2020, SAT administrations. The College Board will provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new administration in September and the previously scheduled tests on August 29, October 3, November 7, and December 5. Read more at CollegeBoard.org.
What are the impacts on ACT administration? In addition to three previously planned fall/winter 2020 national test dates in September, October and December, ACT will also offer a remote proctoring option for the ACT test, allowing students to take the test at their home on a computer. ACT will launch the test-at-home option in late fall/early winter 2020 as part of its national testing program. The fee waivers ACT provides to students from low-income homes will apply to the at-home testing option, and ACT is considering other ways to address access and equity issues. Read more at ACT.org.
6. 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
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Exam Window: Exams will be given from May 11–22.
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Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1–5.
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7. This is My Brave Auditions
Auditions for This is My Brave have been extended through the end of August. Fairfax County is seeking storytellers who are high school students with a 5-minute story to share about Teen Mental Health via poetry, original music, comedy, essay or other artistic expression.
For more information, email erin.gallagher@thisismybrave.org or visit
https://thisismybrave.org/auditions/.
8. May Is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. 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.
CrisisText Is Available for Students 24/7
Parents: Any student who is feeling extremely overwhelmed or is in crisis can connect with CrisisText. Students just need to text “NEEDHELP” to 85511 or call 1-800-273-TALK. Please feel free to share this information as appropriate.
9. 30 Minute Consultation with a FCPS Clinician
Any FCPS parent may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student.
This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s emotional well-being during their time away from school. Student consultations will provide support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, or peer or family interactions during this unprecedented and challenging time. Information about community resources will also be made available. Parents can schedule a phone consultation online.
This service is not intended for mental health emergencies. If an emergency is suspected or indicated, please call 911. Additionally, students and families can access mental health support online if there is a crisis of emergency during the time of the closure.
10. New NOVA JumpStart Opportunity
NOVA announced the launch of JumpStart, a new opportunity for current and rising seniors to take up to two, tuition-free online college courses this summer. NOVA has identified a specific set of courses available through this initiative, including courses for NOVA degree requirements that are also highly transferable credits to four-year institutions as well as coursework in cloud computing through a collaboration with Amazon Web Services.
FCPS is excited to partner with NOVA on this opportunity and will share more information for students and families as additional details about qualifications and registration emerge.
11. FAQs About Refunds and Fees
Question: What is the status of refunds for fees paid for various activities that are not going to happen due to the pandemic?
Answer:
- Teachers, sponsors, and supervising administrators have been working with vendors and travel companies.
- Refunds for field trips are issued only if the vendor/travel company is providing refunds. Refunds are prorated based on the amount given by the vendor/travel company.
- Travel companies and vendors may just issue a credit to the student’s name on the reservation for a postponed field trip.
- We will issue a refund for a field trip once the vendor or travel company returns the money to Woodson High School. This is based on the amount / percentage refunded.
- Class fees will be refunded at the end of the year as usual based on what is not used on consumables in the class.
- These will typically be issued through the credit card on file in MySchoolBucks.
Question: Can students get a refund on his parking fee?
Answer: Yes. If you paid the full amount you will receive $50 (1/4 of the year). A check will be sent to your house from FCPS. They are currently working on this process, and it will take some time. The school does not have any control over this process.
12. 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:
- Student Name 1. Student Name
- FCPS Student ID # 2. FCPS Student ID #
- 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
- Student Name
- Student ID # (listed on the student's schedule)
- School Name
- Parent Name
- Street Address
- City, State and Zip code
- 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.
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)
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