 This week's episode of The Morning Show features Cav Robotics, cake off winner and planning your schedule for next year.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, January 25th - Teacher Workday
Monday, February 15th - President's Day, School Holiday
In this Issue
ACTION Items
1. WTW Family Engagement Survey
2. For IN-PERSON Learning Students ONLY
NEW News
3. Message from Dr. Floyd
4. SIS Updates
5. Leadership Class for 2021-2022
6. Academic Advising for the 21-22 School Year
7. To our Military Families
8. College & Career Center News
PAST News but still important
9. Parents for Safe Teen Driving Seminar
10. Emotional Wellness Resource
11. Has your contact information changed?
12. Athletic Facilities Access
13. Free STEM Program for 9th Graders
14. FCPS Laptop Tech Support Hours at WTW
15. Parent Technology Help Desk
16. Order the WTW 2021 Yearbook
ACTION Items
1. WTW Family Engagement Survey
Every couple of years Fairfax County Public Schools sends a survey about family engagement to the families of all students.
This year Woodson HS is looking at a couple of key areas and we would like your input as we move forward. We value your partnership in the education of your students, especially during this difficult year. The information you provide in the survey will help us better serve you and your family.
Please complete this Google survey by Friday, January 29th.
2. For IN-PERSON Learning Students ONLY
As we prepare to bring our students back for in-person instruction here are some updates. Starting after winter break, we will be sending out information each week leading up to the start of in-person learning. These emails will contain important information and/or action items.
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Parent Health Commitment Form – Can be filled out in ParentVUE. This needs to be completed prior to your child starting in-person learning. Please see the translated versions
Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
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FCPS Health and Safety Document – FCPS guidance on health procedures
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Return to School – FCPS Website for information on returning to school
- Lunches – we are still working on the exact schedule. What we do know is that students will be eating in our cafeterias with all health and safety protocols in place such as 6ft distance, hand sanitizing/hand washing, cleaning of surfaces, and flow of traffic.
NEW News
3. Message from Dr. Floyd
Hello Woodson families!
Here we are at the end of the first semester. We did it! Somehow, we muddled through this convoluted mess of “hopes” dashed and “maybes” turned to no’s and landed at a place of more hope and possibilities. I refuse to give up the hope of returning in person even if it is twice a week. I am excited that we are looking to return to school based on the draft revised timeline provided to the School Board last night. While the School Board will hear the full Return To School Plan on February 2, 2021, I am hopeful this current draft schedule becomes a yes, for many reasons:
To our Freshmen... we have yet to meet you in person. I can’t wait to see the personality of this group and watch all your contributions to the Woodson community.
To our sophomores who are learning to drive from a screen, I have to admit, not having in person driver’s education is a little scary. I am reassured, however that the behind the wheel component is still in person!
To the Juniors, get to know your teachers. They will be who you ask for recommendations from in future opportunities like scholarships, colleges and internships for employment. Allow them to see you and to get to know you as more than a box on the screen. #secondsemestergoals
Finally, to our seniors, we see you! We hear you! We haven’t forgotten the class of 2021 and we are looking forward to celebrating with you. This semester will look different and that is okay, the class of 2021 is unique and therefore, writing their own legacy. This article reminded me that while this class of seniors is still very much virtual, the adults and peers in your lives are very much present. We may be distant, but we are here to listen, share with and talk to. In addition, we continue to look for ways to make memories. FCPS principals are working on options, advocating for prom and graduation, to the greatest extent possible with social distancing and masks. We do not know what shape it will take, but we are trying and have a committee of various staff, students and parents working on it. We must not focus on what was lost this last year, rather to focus on what was gained and what is ahead.
As we look toward a Return to School, we will be in touch with families who have opted to come back in person. We will share details around transportation, social distancing, hallways, lunches, classrooms and other protocols. Please stay tuned as we will be in touch.
Stay safe, stay healthy and stay connected, Cavs!
Dr. Floyd
4. SIS Updates
FCPS Weekly Progress Reports will not be sent to parents Tuesday, January 19th through Friday, January 29th during second quarter grading and report card generation.
Additionally, the Grade Book and Report Card modules in ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed Friday, January 22nd, at 4 p.m. until Saturday, January 30th, at 6 a.m.
 Dylan and Aryan host The Morning Show this week.
5. Leadership Class for 2021-2022
Students interested in taking Leadership next school year must complete an application, request a teacher recommendation, and sit for an on-line interview.
Application forms and more information are now available on The Class of 2022, 2023, or 2024 Google Classroom.
Applications should be submitted no later than Friday, February 5th.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Schmauder at plschmauder@fcps.edu.
6. Academic Advising for the 21-22 School Year
Over the next several weeks, rising 10th-12th grade students will meet individually with the counselors to select classes for next year. We also have information and resources available to help students prepare to select classes for next school year.
New this year – our Woodson HS Advising & Curriculum Video Website! On this site you will find videos from teachers across all of our departments providing descriptions and overviews of the various classes offered at Woodson. This site will provide students with valuable information they can use to make informed decisions regarding course selections for next year, and will be available throughout the academic advising window.
This week we concluded our teacher feedback meetings regarding course options for next year. If your child was unable to meet with any of their teachers during their assigned time for any reason they can contact their teacher directly to set up a time for them to talk.
Last week school counselors emailed students with more specific information about the overall academic advising process, including grade level timelines, deadlines, and instructions for how students are to enter their draft course selections into StudentVUE prior to meeting with their counselor. Please reference that email for additional information about the academic advising process.
For any questions regarding academic advising, please contact your child’s school counselor.
For additional information you can follow Student Services on Twitter and Instagram - @wtwstudentsvcs.
7. To our Military Families
Do you have a family member who is deploying?
Student Services wants to provide support to your student before, during, and after the deployment. If you feel comfortable, please let your student’s counselor know about any current or upcoming deployments. Thank you!
8. College & Career Center News
Upcoming Events – all upcoming events with registration information are listed in the College & Career Center Calendar that students can access through their FCPS Google account.
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Army ROTC Info Session - A former Woodson student and Army ROTC Cadet at Penn State University is virtually visiting with us on Monday, January 25th at 2 pm. Please join us to learn about the process of applying for an ROTC scholarship and what the program looks like. Please email cliebmosley@fcps.edu to register and get the BBCU link.
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College Access Fairfax FAFSA Line-by-Line Virtual Seminar on January 30th, at 10 am. Please click here to register.
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College 101 – Planning for College Presentation, Wednesday, Feb 3rd, at 7 pm, by Erin Slater, Director of Admissions at Randolph Macon College: “College is a match to be made and not a prize to be won!” Please join us to learn how you can plan and prepare for college and the college application process. This Woodson event is for Sophomores and Juniors, and their parents/guardians. To register, please go to: https://rmc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nsXsLKPaS4yYXmQbRHomig.
- Alfred Street Baptist Church is hosting the 19th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Festival Virtually on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Registration for Seniors is now open. All other grade levels can register after January 25th. For more info, please visit: https://www.alfredstreet.org/hbcu-fest/
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Save the date! Historically Black College and University HBCU Virtual Fair at Edison HS on Feb 22, 2021, 9 am – 3:30 pm. Please stay tuned for more info and the registration link.
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NACAC Virtual College Fairs (Jan – May 2021) – for dates and to register, please go to: https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/
Please follow the Woodson College & Career Center on Twitter and Instagram @wtwcareercenter. The next weekly College & Career Center Newsletter will be sent out on Monday. Newsletters are also saved in Naviance under Document Resources – College & Career Center News for you to access at your convenience.
PAST News - Still Important
9. Parents for Safe Teen Driving Seminar
The next Parents for Safe Teen Driving Seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th from 7-8:30 p.m.
This presentation is required in order to obtain a drivers license before the age of 18. This will be a virtual presentation to be held through Google Meet. This presentation is for all 3rd quarter Driver Education students as well as 1st and 2nd quarter students who missed attending the first two PSTD presentations.
The Google Classroom with the Google Meet link with be provided to all 3rd quarter students at the beginning of the quarter. The 1st and 2nd quarter students who still need to attend can email Mr. O’Hara at dgohara@fcps.edu and you will be added to the 3rd quarter PSTD class Google Classroom.
10. Emotional Wellness Resource
You or your staff may be hearing from parents who are concerned about their child’s emotional well-being. This one-pager (https://bit.ly/38k8Xyz) from Healthy Minds Fairfax provides easy-to-digest information and would be a valuable resource for your school community.
Please consider sharing it with them in your next newsletter and/or during a virtual parent meeting. If you have questions or need additional resources, please let us know.
11. Has your contact information changed?
Has your contact information changed? Do you have a new cell number or contact email address?
If so, please update your student's Emergency Care Card in FCPS 24-7, Blackboard in the weCare@school section.
12. Athletic Facilities Access
Due to social distancing measures and protocols, our Athletic Facilities will be closed to the public during Woodson Athletic practices weekdays from 3pm-6pm. Please note that the end time may extend without notice.
Woodson Parents and Guardians, we are asking for your help. Please communicate to your students that if they do not have a scheduled in season practice or an out of season workout, they should not be accessing Woodson athletic facilities.
13. Free STEM Program for 9th Graders
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) is a FREE educational program of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, designed to ignite a passion in students who already show an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our hope is that the BLAST 3-day residential, on-campus experience, which is packed with demonstrations and collaborative activities led by college faculty, will inspire students to envision a career in a STEM field and motivate them to expand the number of STEM-related classes they take in higher grade levels.
Applications are being accepted online through Monday, February 8th.
14. Laptop Tech Support Hours
If parents or students need FCPS laptop technical support at Woodson HS, the following must be completed:
- Submit a ticket using the FCPS Parent/Student Tech Support Portal,
- Schedule an appointment to come on-site, and
- Complete a health screening questionnaire prior to arriving.
New 2021 Laptop Tech Support Hours
Our onsite laptop tech support hours by appointment only are:
Monday - 1:00 - 7:30 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday - 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Thursday and Friday - 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Thank you,
W.T Woodson HS Tech Support Team
15. Parent Technology Help Desk
To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team.
Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and a interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS.)
FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly.
Get more information about the new Parent Technology Help Desk.
16. Order the 2021 WTW Yearbook!
The WTW yearbook is ready for orders!
I can’t imagine a more significant time to purchase a relic of history and to celebrate our Woodson Cavaliers!
To purchase a yearbook or to make an adorable ad for your graduating senior, go to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ and type in the code 5278. You can create an ad, buy a yearbook, or submit photos all in one place!
Please contact tmweghorst@fcps.edu if you have any questions!
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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