In this Issue
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
2. Textbook Drop Off
3. Instrument & Uniform Drop Off
4. Woodson Pyramid Town Hall Meeting
5. News You Choose for Athletics and Activities
6. Yearbook Pickup... continued
7. Student Services Information
8. First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8
9. Woodson Minds Matter
10. WTW Military Family Network
11. Seeking Theater Mask Coordinator
12. Summer Yearbook Pictures Needed
13. Mental Wellness Consultations
14. Healthy Minds Blog
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
Hello Woodson Families!
One week from today, we will welcome our teachers back to work! They will spend three weeks planning for the start of school on Tuesday, September 8th. They will be doing a lot of training around technology tools to help engage students this Fall online. Teachers will also be learning their new requirements in their courses as many have changed to better reflect cultural responsiveness.
Books. We are in a virtual world right now and finding hard copies of texts is a challenge. We are asking ALL students to look all over your homes, under the bed, behind the couch and on top of the refrigerator. Bring us those books! You can come Monday – Friday between 8AM – 3PM to Door 1 and just drop them off on the cart we will set up. We will check the textbooks in and be able to get these books distributed to students for the new year. Our plan is to distribute text books and novels the week of September 14.
Here comes virtual learning! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
This weekend/next week, please take time to turn on student laptops, charge them if needed and test the microphone and video. To do so, please type the word "Camera" in the search bar on the lower left side of the desktop screen. Open the camera app. Switch from still camera to video mode on the right. Press the red button to record with some audio. Now view and listen to your video. Can you hear your voice? Can you see yourself? Hurray! Your webcam and microphone are working. If your camera or mic doesn’t work, have the student log on to this site to look for troubleshooting tips: https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/cav-kiosk/tech-help/bbcu-audiovideo-troubleshooting?authuser=1.
We need to run a report at the school to see if our devices are online or if we have an issue at the school.
Freshmen! Fear not! We will be distributing laptops to 9th graders and new students after Monday, August 17th. Please stay tuned for distribution details.
Many of our families participated in a Town Hall on racial equity at Woodson in May. This Tuesday, August 11th, the Woodson Pyramid Principals invite our communities to come together from 7-8 PM to engage in a shared conversation around Cultural Proficiency/Cultural Responsiveness in our pyramid (Elementary schools and Frost Middle School which feed into Woodson). This town hall will be facilitated by our Equity Leads and administrators from the schools. We will present 3-5 guiding questions to solicit feedback around experiences and practices in our school community. This discussion will allow schools to draw similarities for future work around equity and Cultural proficiency/Cultural responsiveness throughout our pyramid schools. We hope you will join us.
In addition to this town hall, we will host the following town halls prior to school starting:
- A Woodson staff presentation and discussion around mental health strategies for students and families before school starts
- Our Equity Team is planning a town hall for our staff featuring the stories of several alumni
- A special education parent town hall on Thursday, August 13th. We will host our Comprehensive Services Site (CSS) from 6-7PM and Learning Services from 7-8PM, link will be sent on the 13th to families of students in special education through eNotify.
Please note we will have a virtual Back to School Night on Thursday, September 10. Since we are virtual, this will be located online for your viewing anytime after September 10.
We hope to engage with families throughout this Fall as we prepare to return to school and once we have launched virtually on September 8.
Until then, stay safe, stay healthy and stay connected,
Dr. Floyd
Principal
2. Textbook Drop Off
Students if you have textbooks at home, please bring them back to Woodson so we can prepare for the new school year.
Please drop your textbooks off at Door 1 between the hours of 8am-3pm, Monday through Friday prior to Thursday, September 3rd. There will be a cart/table outside Door 1 to place your books on if the weather is nice. If it is raining, the drop off cart/table will be just inside Door 1.
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Paula L. DiSalvo at pdisalvo@fcps.edu.
3. Instrument & Uniform Drop Off
Students if you have instruments & uniforms at home, please bring them back to Woodson so we can prepare for the new school year.
You can drop off your instrument and/or uniform just inside Door 1 between the hours of 8am-3pm, Monday through Friday prior to Thursday, September 3rd.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Marc Brooks at drbrooks@fcps.edu.
4. Woodson Pyramid Town Hall Meeting
Woodson will host a Virtual Pyramid Town Hall Meeting, in collaboration with our elementary and middle school families on Tuesday, August 11 from 7-8PM. The purpose of the Town Hall Meeting is to address the recent events across our nation, in addition, to how we can continue to support our students and families moving forward. A secured Blackboard link will be provided to families from each school within the Woodson Pyramid. If you have any questions, please email Dr. George Hewan at gkhewan@fcps.edu.
5. News You Choose Athletics and Activities
In order to receive updates and information from the Woodson Activities Office, be sure to select your subscription options within the News You Choose preference portal. Visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/subscriber/new?preferences=true to update or opt out. Our Activities Office will send out weekly information on topics such as Yellow and Green Day workout schedules, games and tournaments, ticket sales, spirit wear, etc.. Stay connected by following us! Go Cavs!
6. Yearbook Pickup... continued
Yearbooks may be picked up in the main office from 10am-2:30pm daily. You must bring a photo ID and wear a mask upon entering the school building.
Also, there are a very limited number of books available for sale. The cost is $90 cash (exact change, please) or check made out to W. T. Woodson High School. We cannot accept credit cards.
Questions? Email Beth Koby at ewkoby@fcps.edu.
7. Student Services Information
Registration: Until our offices reopen, parents will need to complete the registration paperwork that is available online and reach out to the registrar, Christine Lieb-Mosley via email until offices reopen. Families will be contacted via email or phone for the next steps in the registration process.
Withdrawal: If you need to withdraw your student from Woodson for the 2020-21 school year, please contact Woodson Registrar, Christine Lieb-Mosley, who will schedule a time/date to return the school issued laptop, complete a withdrawal form and other learning materials.
Records Request: Until our offices reopen to the public, there are no office hours. However, if a family has a transcript or records requests, they should email the registrar throughout the summer.
8. First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8th
At their July 9 business meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved delaying the start of the 2020-21 school year to provide staff members additional time to plan instruction and schedules, provide professional staff development, and finalize transportation and other operational details.
The revised calendar delays the first instructional day for students by two weeks, from Tuesday, August 25, to Tuesday, September 8. Other employee work schedules will remain unchanged and the revised calendar provides adjustments for additional staff development and planning time between Tuesday, August 25, and Thursday, September 3.
View the revised 2020-21 school year calendar.
9. Woodson Minds Matter
Woodson Minds Matter is a student-led movement to change school culture around mental health. They are accepting applications for the 2020-2021 leadership board NOW through August. Are you interested? Apply using this link!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hfc0VrxuKKthQJsZ6IIHTvehMY26bahbCxsa5-k7jJA/viewform?edit_requested=true
10. WTW Military Family Network
Calling all current and new military families! We are restarting our military network effort for the upcoming school year. Our mission is to foster a community of military members at WT Woodson High School. This year will be particularly difficult for new students and families to make connections due to the continued pandemic crisis we face.
Current military families, that would like to be part of our “Connections” effort by being a buddy to a new military family or by sharing neighborhood information --or --new families that would like to join our network, please send and an email to: wtwmilitarynetwork@gmail.com
We will be in touch soon!
11. Seeking Theater Mask Coordinator
The PTSO is seeking one parent to help coordinate volunteers to sew special see-through masks (basically larger masks with plastic windows) for theater students and faculty. It is vital for theater students to be able to see as much of a face as possible. If you are interested in this effort, please contact Miklos Kiss at miklos.kiss@cox.net.
12. Summer Yearbook Pictures Needed
The 2021 yearbook needs your help!
Work on the 2021 yearbook has already begun. We want to cover how Woodson students are living their lives in quarantine (and phased reopenings). We need photos of YOU making the best of your spring and summer. Are you…
- Playing lots of video games?
- Sitting with friends around the fire pit (keeping social distance, of course)?
- Trying some new projects in the kitchen?
- Keeping fit?
- Zooming a lot with friends?
- Training your quarantine puppy?
Whatever you are doing, yearbook needs photos!
You can share your pictures with the yearbook staff via eShare. You can do this two easy ways.
- Go to www.HJeShare.com and enter the school code: wtwoodson
- Download the HJeShare app for iPhone or Android at the App Store or Google Play. Again, the school code: wtwoodson
Either place will give you instructions on uploading your images and letting the yearbook staff know who is in the pictures!
While we cannot guarantee that all shared photos will be published, if you don’t share, your great pictures can’t even be considered! Start sharing today!
Contact Beth Koby, yearbook adviser, if you have problems. ewkoby@fcps.edu
13. Mental Wellness Consultations
The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will continue to offer mental wellness consultations throughout the summer. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being or if your child would like to speak with a school psychologist or school social worker, please request a consultation. Our FCPS mental health providers are available to help families get needed support through a 45-minute phone consultation or through secure video conferencing. Appointments are open to all FCPS families.
Consultations are offered in two ways:
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Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social-emotional, behavioral, or academic functioning. Information about community resources will also be made available.
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Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, or peer or family interactions; as well as academic challenges such as organization, time-management, or adjusting to a new school.
We encourage parents to take advantage of this service. Click here to request a consultation. You may also leave us a message at 571-423-4276.
14. Healthy Minds Blog
Healthy Minds is a blog for parents, educators, and community-based providers who are interested in supporting student mental health and wellness.
As a part of the Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services develops posts with timely information for all. Recent topics have included social and emotional learning, countering stigma and racism, and building resilience to handle challenging times. Healthy Minds includes tips and strategies for increasing wellness and resiliency, as well as fostering success at home, school, and in the community.
New content is posted weekly. Visit the Healthy Minds Blog.
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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