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Good Afternoon WP Family!
Town Hall
I hope you will get out and enjoy this beautiful weekend! Thanks to all of you who took the time to join me at our Town Hall last night. If you were unable to attend, below is the link to the recording. I strongly suggest you and your students take some time to listen as there is important information regarding our current operations in the virtual as well as next steps toward in-person learning options. You all will be receiving communication from me, hopefully next week, confirming your July 15th choice and giving you an opportunity to keep or modify your choice.
WPHS Town Hall 10/22 Link 1 - recording_1
First Quarter Progress Ending with the Rolling Gradebook
We are also approaching the end of the quarter next week. Due to the dynamic learning conditions this school year, I want to remind you of West Potomac’s adjustment to our approach to calculating and reporting student grades this school year, to create more flexibility and equity in our practices. Beginning this year, all West Potomac High School teachers are using a rolling (cumulative) gradebook. We believe this shift will better meet the academic and social-emotional needs of all students by allowing more flexibility and increased opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery, complete make-up work, and retake assessments. To learn more, please review the following video. In addition, course-specific grading policies can be found in each teacher’s syllabus. Please contact your child’s teacher with questions.
October 29th PSAT for Juniors and October 30th 2-hour Early Release
On Thursday Oct. 29th all students will be asynchronous as we will be administering the PSAT to our juniors. Since many teachers will be involved in the proctoring, we will not be able to have synchronous instruction. Juniors taking the PSAT will not be required to complete asynchronous work. Teachers will use that day to begin closing out the quarter allowing time for students to catch up, complete and turn in missing assignments. Some may offer additional office hours on that day to support students finalizing their quarter progress.
The following day Oct. 30th is a two-hr. early release (Please find the bell schedule below and at the link, https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/about/bell-schedules ). Monday Nov. 2nd and 3rd are student “holidays”; however, teachers may offer additional office hours to support student’s completion of first quarter progress.
Take good care,
Ms. Millard
Important Dates
- School News Update
- PTSA Updates
- College and Career Center
- SAT/ACT Test Prep
Important Dates:
October 24: Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout Event, 10am to 2pm
October 27: College Admissions in the Time of Social Distancing (Zoom)
October 29: PSAT Day For Juniors (Must have pre-registered)
October 30: End of First Quarter
October 31: WPHS Beyond the Page Theatre Production: The Hitch Hiker
November 9: PTSA Membership Meeting
Student Activities/School News Updates:
Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout, October 24, 10am – 2pm, Mount Vernon and Franconia District Stations - Hi West Potomac Pyramid Community! While you are decorating your home to celebrate the festivities of fall, remember that you can do something easy to make your home safer for your own ghouls and goblins. CLEAN OUT YOUR MEDICINE CABINET! Many students have access to powerful prescription drugs like Xanax, Adderall, and Opioids because they are stored in an unlocked medicine cabinet.
For more information or to refer your student, please contact me, Elizabeth Knudson, MA, NCC, Resident in Counseling, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, eaknudson@fcps.edu.
Please see attached flyer for additional info, including drop off locations for medicine disposal. Stay safe! Sincerely, Ms. Knudson
Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout Event Flyer.pdf
Beyond the Page Theatre Announcement - click here…if you dare:
The HitchHiker. WPHS Production. 10.31.jpg
Class of 2021 Wolverines Yard Signs For Sale - Celebrate your senior by purchasing a yard sign for $15.00 (designed by one of the talented members of the Class of 2021). Over 130 have already been ordered - order yours today at https://westpotomacptsa.new.memberhub.store/store/items/191467
WPHS Library Update - The library has extended the hours for curbside pick-up. Students can now pick-up items from 1:00-5:00 pm on Mondays. For more information, please email Mrs. Landon (jllandon@fcps.edu) or Mrs. Rice (wsrice@fcps.edu). Please see attached flyer.
Library curbside pickup instruction flyer.pdf
WPHS Spirit Wear Merchandise Available for Purchase - The West Potomac Online School Store is now open until November 2nd! Everything from shirts to sweatpants to hats is available. To shop go to https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/WPSGA2020 and get your West Po merch today!
WPHS Merchandise. SGA.pdf
Looking for a way to support families in our community this holiday season?
Since 2016, Food For Neighbors (FFN) has been providing holiday meals to families of middle and high school students who live throughout Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Please consider making a donation. Through your generosity, students throughout our community will be able to experience a joy during what has been a difficult year. Thank you for your generosity. https://www.foodforneighbors.org/home/holiday-meals/
PTSA UPDATES:
PTSA Membership - Feel like you’re forgetting something? Have you become a PTSA member yet? Join today: https://westpotomacptsa.new.memberhub.store/store
Help with Return to School – Donate Disposable Masks and Disinfectant Wipes – We now have a small number of students learning in person at West Po and will have a few more smaller groups returning in the next couple of weeks. To help with PPE supplies, please consider donating disposable masks and disinfectant wipes to the school. Order from Amazon with your West Po PTSA designated Amazon Smile account, Smile.amazon.com, and your donation goes even further. (Packages must be addressed to West Potomac HS as recipient.) Disinfectant wipes and masks are also returning to store shelves. Next time you’re out, please consider picking up some to donate. See attached flyer for details re drop off and shipping.
PTSA- WIPES AND MASKS Donations.pdf
If you have additional questions, please contact Tracy Dunn at tdunn@mcenearney.com.
Help the PTSA Raise Funds - Holiday Cards and Gifts - This holiday season, the PTSA is partnering with Minted to help us fundraise while also offering our WPHS families 20% off holiday cards and gifts - 15% will be donated back! Check out Minted at https://www.minted.com. Shop holiday cards, stationery, fine art, personalized gifts, and more designed by independent artists. This special offer is available from October to December 2020.
PTSA's promo code is: FUNDRAISEPOTOMAC.
Special Thank You!
Thank you to Burke & Herbert Bank and Safeway for their support of the PTSA this year.
WPHS College and Career Center Updates - October 2020
Greetings West Potomac students and families! Please click below for information on the College and Career Center, upcoming virtual college rep visits, college fairs, NOVA Pathways, 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.
WPHS College and Career Center Oct 2020 Newsletter.pdf
2021 Virginia Summer Governor’s School
Governor’s School is a challenging and enriching Virginia program designed for highly motivated students who are looking for a challenging summer experience. Programs are offered in Visual and Performing Arts, Humanities, Math/Science/Tech, Agriculture, Life Science/Medicine, and Mentorships in Engineering and Life Sciences. These residential programs run from late June to late July and are four weeks in length. Only students who are available during that time frame and whose records match these criteria should apply. To learn more about SRGS, view the video.
If you want to learn more please register for a WP Governor’s School informational session
To attend the informational session, you must first register using the link above. You will receive an email to your school email the morning of the session. There will be 3 sessions available for you to choose from:
- Wednesday, 10/28 at 11:15am
- Wednesday, 11/4 at 11:15am
- Thursday, 11/5 at 3:00pm
To apply for Governor’s School, please complete the steps below:
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Complete the Google Form link below to declare your interest for the 2021 Summer Residential Governor’s School by November 9th, 2020
You must fill all sections and complete for the following reasons:
- The form establishes your contact details for your High School governor’s school representative. Find your school’s SRGS representative
- This will provide district level communication to both you and your designated school contact to allow for an efficient application process.
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Fill out the appropriate application. Use the links below to take you to the program you would like to apply to for the summer of 2021.
This fillable application form needs to be completed and set to your school level governor’s school contact by December 7, 2020.
Link to the applications:
For the Application timeline for Virginia summer Residential Governor’s Schools see the FCPS Governor’s School site.
General information about Summer Residential Governor’s Schools-from the VA DOE website:
Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; or through mentorships in marine science, medicine and health sciences, or engineering.
Each Summer Residential Governor’s School focuses on one special area of interest. Students live on a college or university campus for up to four weeks each summer. During this time, students are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects and performances, and seminars with noted scholars, visiting artists, and other professionals. In the three mentorships, students are selected to work side-by-side with research scientists, physicians, and a variety of other professionals. A director and a student-life staff provide supervision of students 24 hours a day, throughout the program.
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SAT and ACT Test Prep
Applerouth Tutoring Services is excited to partner with West Potomac PTSA to provide free, live online, information sessions this semester!
Tuesday, Oct. 27th - "College Admissions in the Time of Social Distancing" (Online via ZOOM, 7-8 PM)
West Potomac and Applerouth Tutoring Services invite you to join Dr. Jed Applerouth, Ph.D., live online on Tuesday evening! Learn how to best navigate the college admissions process, as well as what we have learned about colleges' reaction to the global health crisis. Jed will arm you with crucial information and timelines, provide the latest expectations of college admissions offices, and discuss optimizing your test scores and grades for admissions, in order to ease any anxiety about the process. Log on and join us, to get your questions answered, and leave prepared to navigate your own college admissions process with confidence! (Zoom link to be emailed to you, following online registration.
Applerouth.com event code: M416205) Sign Up HERE, to register for this free event.
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 11/14, and 12/5.
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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