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Happy Friday!
We had a very successful SAT School Day on Wednesday! Thanks to all the teachers and staff who came out to support the day and our students. We will have a PSAT Day for juniors on October 29th. More information on that coming soon.
I will be away from school for pre-arranged medical leave starting Monday 28th and will return on Oct. 12th. I am leaving you in the very capable hands of the WPHS Admin Team. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Britton will be my designees during my absence. If you need anything, please reach out to them.
I am sure many of you watched and discussed the recent school board meeting. I know that we all left with more questions than answers at this point. I am hoping to get more clarity so that I can come back to you all with more understanding as to what all this means for West Potomac. I will have a Town Hall to share and answer questions as I have more in the next two weeks. In the meantime, full steam ahead with virtual learning.
Textbook Distribution
We will continue textbook distribution next Monday/Tuesday of next week. If you have not picked up your books (check your fcpsschool.net account for emails) please plan to come on Monday or Tuesday (parents can come without their student)
9/28 9-11:30 am
9/29 9-11:30 am
Thank you,
Tanganyika H. Millard
Principal, West Potomac H.S.
703-718-2504
- Important Dates
- School News Update
- PTSA Updates
- College and Career Center
- SAT/ACT Test Prep
Important Dates:
October 5: PTSA Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM
October 12: Student Holiday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 30: End of First Quarter
Student Activities/School News Updates
Congratulations to senior Lauren Koelsch
Congratulations to senior Lauren Koelsch who is one of two hundred twelve students from 18 high schools named as semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2021.
More than 1.5 million juniors entered the 2021 National Merit program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Semifinalists make up less than one percent of all US. High school seniors and are eligible to compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarship awards worth more than $40 million, to be awarded in the spring of 2021.
Ms. Koelsch finished her junior year with a 4.25 GPA and is taking 3 APs and one Duel Enrollment her senior year. She is a three-year multi-sport varsity athlete playing varsity volleyball and basketball. She has served West Potomac and its community by participating and holding leadership roles in many organizations such as Girl Up, Key Club and the National Honors Society as well as an active player in many West Po musicals.
Walmart School Supply Distribution Sunday, September 27th at 1:00 pm
For those who are in need of school supplies, Walmart is donating 500 school supply packages to our community. Walmart is in the Kings Crossing Shopping Center. This will be a “drive-by” event and supplies are limited. You will need to show proof of the attached flyer.
walmrt school supplies flyer.pdf
Replay It
West Potomac Sophomore, Saira Nagda has recently founded a nonprofit called “Replay It”. Its goal is to give children in need the opportunity to participate in sports through donations of gently used sports gear. To read more, visit website (www.replay-it.org)
In partnership with Hearts and Homes for Youth (www.heartsandhomes.org), an organization dedicated to empowering young survivors in foster homes to make positive life choices and build brighter futures, Replay It has launched its first donation drive and is seeking donations. Please see the attached flyer to see how you can help!
Replay It.JPG
Message from Elizabeth Knudson, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:
Hi West Potomac Pyramid Community!
I hope the school year has started off well, even though it looks a bit different this year.
I have a little good news to share. The CDC has reported that teen vaping is down! This is great news, however, teens that are still vaping are at increased risks for complications from COVID-19. So please continue to talk with your student about the dangers of vaping or refer them to me!
I also want to make you aware that Virginia saw a 9.4% increase in deaths related to overdoses based on the latest data from the Virginia Department of Health. Last year Virginia saw the most deaths from overdose that Virginia has EVER had. This is obviously bad news, but there are things we can do to create change and decrease that number. One thing you can do as a parent is to talk with your children about the dangers of any kind of drugs. Be a person they can come to with questions and help guide them in their decision making so they can develop those skills in a positive way.
A quick warning: You may have heard about the latest teen “challenge” that has gained in popularity on Tik Tok and other popular social media platforms in the last few months. It’s called the “Benadryl Challenge” and is incredibly dangerous. Children are taking excessive amounts of Benadryl in order to experience the hallucinogenic effects that come with taking too much. If your child mentions the “Benadryl Challenge,” please don’t dismiss it. Instead, please have a conversation with them about its dangers and that it is considered an overdose when they misuse medication like that. Misuse of Benadryl can and does cause death. There is a fine line between hallucinations and a coma.
If you want more information about substances of abuse or would like to refer your student to talk with me, please reach out!
Elizabeth Knudson, MA, NCC, Resident in Counseling
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Student Safety and Wellness Office
Fairfax County Public Schools
eaknudson@fcps.edu
Google #703.705.2621
PTSA Membership - Your membership dues are used to directly benefit our school community. The PTSA serves as the Academic Booster Club at WPHS and supports academic success and enrichment, offers education grants to support our teachers, and offers affordable ACT/SAT Test Prep with Applerouth. You can join online at https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.store. You can also make tax deductible donations and purchase WPHS car magnets. If you would prefer to join the PTSA by check, please contact Libby Meares, Membership Chair at MearesTeam@gmail.com.
PTSA Item Donation Request - disposable masks and disinfectant wipes:
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS: Please click on the flyer attached for an easy way to make a big difference once schools reopen in person! The WP Administrative Team in conjunction with the PTSA are collecting Clorox wipes and disposable masks to have on hand for when we re-open. We thank you for your help in keeping our students, teachers and staff well stocked with supplies to keep them all safe. PTSA- WIPES AND MASKS Donations.pdf
PTSA Senior Celebration Committee – This committee will work to celebrate our seniors and is already planning to sell yards signs and car magnets for the Class of 2021. We thank the parents who recently volunteered to lead the committee: Mara Stangler, Chair, Michele Pilc, Vice Chair, and Lauren Cardillo, Treasurer. If you are interested in working with this committee, please reach out to Mara, marasteng@yahoo.com, or Michele, pilcmichele@gmail.com.
Help the PTSA Raise Funds - Amazon Smile - Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your Amazon Smile purchases to the PTSA. Log into Smile.amazon.com and designate WPHS PTSA as the charity you would like to donate
Harris Teeter - link your VIC card to WPHS PTSA- account # 3602 to help earn money for the school. Every time you purchase Harris Teeter brand products, the PTSA will earn 5%of the purchase price.
Thank you from the PTSA – We would like to thank Burke & Herbert Bank and Safeway for their support of West Potomac PTSA programming this year. Thank you also to all who have joined to date for 2020-21. If you haven’t joined yet, we need you. We want you.
WPHS Library Curbside Side Pick-up - The library is excited to start Curbside Pick-up for books. Students place a hold in Destiny (online catalog) and will receive a confirmation email on Mondays that the book is ready. Come to West Po between 12:30-3:00 on Mondays to pick up items. Detailed instructions were posted in the Library Google Classroom. Students can also return books from last school year at this time as well. If freshman have books from Sandburg, you can return them to West Po, and we will we get them back for you. Questions, email Mrs. Landon (jllandon@fcps.edu) or Mrs. Rice (wsrice@fcps.edu).
WPHS Student Services - Class of 2021 Info - Parents/Guardians/Students: Below is the link to the Class of 2021 Senior presentation that was presented to Seniors during Advisory on Sept. 24, 2020. (posted on Class of 2021 google classroom on Monday) recording:
https://us.bbcollab.com/recording/2e335aa0a7f24395a3c90ae4691cb6c0.
Attached are the PowerPoint presentation, the WPHS Transcript Request Form, and the Senior Information Forms. In order to be able to save and submit your transcript request form, be sure to download the Transcript Request Form and open it with Adobe Reader. Opening the file in your browser will not allow you to save or submit your form. Once it’s saved, please email the form to your school counselor as an attachment. Please contact your school counselor or Mrs. Carter if you have any additional questions or concerns.
WPHS – September 2020 College and Career Center newsletter - Please click on link below to learn information on upcoming virtual college rep visits, college fairs, financial aid help, test prep programs, selected scholarships and other opportunities. As always, reach out to Mrs. Carter, College and Career Specialist with any questions, eecarter@fcps.edu.
CCCNewsletter September 2020.pdf
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SAT and ACT Test Prep - NEW SELF-DIRECTED CLASSES OFFERED THIS YEAR ($125.00) -The test prep program is offering self-directed online test prep created by Applerouth. This is an excellent course that covers all the content offered through the usual group class as well as tips and strategies for the official tests. Mock test results provide a solid study guide. Applerouth tutors are available to assist self-directed students with any questions during the course. One mock test is included in the self-directed class. Class licenses expire 7/31/21. Register at PTSA's MemberHub Store.
SAT & ACT TEST PREP MOCKS AND GROUP CLASSES – 2020/21 - View full schedule and Register Here Fall mock test dates are 10/17, 11/14, and 12/5.
Are the Official Tests Still Relevant? - Test optional does not mean test blind! Check the websites of your favored colleges to see their admissions policy and check the scholarship pages to see if test scores are used for admissions, scholarships or class placement.
PSAT/NMSQT FREE ONLINE PREP OFFERED BY APPLEROUTH 9/26/20 - 10/11/20 - You’re invited to Applerouth’s PSAT Prep Rally! Students can join online strategy sessions to prep and then take a full-length proctored practice PSAT/NMSQT - for free. After the practice test, students will receive a detailed score report that highlights both their strengths and areas for growth. [Learn More & Register]
Questions? Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com.
Scholarships - WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the College and Career Center Specialist, Liz Carter, eecarter@fcps.edu.
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