Woodson Weekly - March 5th

Dessert on Broadway

Dessert on Broadway 2021 – A Show Like No Other! This year, we’re going virtual!  The show will air on the Woodson Chorus YouTube channel on Friday, March 5th and Saturday, March 6th at 7 p.m. (Pictured above are the DOB Seniors)


Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, March 8th - Staff Development Day, No School for Students

Friday, March 26th - 2 hour early release, end of 3rd quarter

Monday, March 29th through Friday, April 2nd - Spring Break Holidays

Monday, April 5th - Teacher Workday, No School for Students


In this Issue

NEW News
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
2. Equity in Education Month
3. March Senior Social - Monday, March 15th
4. Woodson Athletic Event Livestream Info
5. Diverse Books
6. Virtual Junior Parent Night
7. College & Career Center News
8. Paying For College Virtual Workshop
9. Applications Wanted for Student Representative to the School Board

PAST News but still important 
10. College Partnership Program
11. English 11 Writing SOL
12. PSAT for 10th Graders on April 19th
13. 2021 Virtual Teen Job Fairs
14. FCPS Laptop Tech Support Hours at WTW
15. Parent Technology Help Desk
16. Order the WTW 2021 Yearbook


NEW News


1. Message from Dr. Floyd

Good windy afternoon Woodson families!

This week has felt a bit contradictory. I’ve come to work in a winter parka, watched the wind blow fiercely and yet it feel like it is August with the start of in-person school. We have worked to acclimate our 9th graders to Woodson while planning celebrations for the seniors. I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing the sophomores and juniors starting Tuesday!  

Virtual students - We want to see you on our big screens in our classrooms. Now is the time to use your camera so we can see all of our Cavaliers' faces!

What is “normal” to the start of school is fall sports - football, volleyball, cheer, pep band and field hockey. Tonight we host the first home football of the season. With COVID restrictions, we cannot allow general admission; however, you can watch this game and any other game on the field or gym through the NFHS network. There is more information further down in this Woodson Weekly describing how to log on to watch our events. We are working to have something similar in the auditorium. Stay tuned!

Spring break and the end of 3rd quarter are only 3 weeks away. It is hard to believe we are starting in person learning only to go out on break. If your son/daughter requires any assistance to complete 3rd quarter assignments please reach out to teachers as soon as possible!  

After spring break we should have information on Prom and Graduation, so hold tight, it is coming!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Floyd


Concurren Teaching

Concurrent Instruction at Woodson this week! Watch the latest episode of The Morning Show.


2. Equity in Education Month

March is Equity in Education month. The Equity Committee wants to thank you for participating in Social Justice Book Club, as we recently finished our text How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.

When we initially surveyed the Woodson community in August, White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo was the runner-up. There’s an interest in continuing the Social Justice Book Club; therefore, we will continue and start back up in April, following spring break.

Please complete the Google survey below if you are interested. The proposal right now is to discuss four chapters each month from April through June. If you have any questions, please email Dr. George Hewan at gkhewan@fcps.edu.

White Fragility Survey


3. March Senior Social - Monday, March 15th

Each month through the end of the school year, Woodson is planning in-person opportunities to celebrate the Class of 2021. 

Our second Senior Social will take place on Monday, March 15th from 12-1:30pm (weather reschedule date: Friday, March 19th at 3:30pm) in the Senior Parking Lot.  This month’s theme is “A Day of Luck.”

These monthly events will take place outside, socially distanced following all CDC guidelines including the mandate to wear a mask during the entire event. If a student experiences any COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of the event, please stay home.

Students can drive or walk to the event. We will have chairs set up 6 feet apart so that students can visit with each other, listen to music, and enjoy some treats. Students will want to dress for the weather and/or bring blankets.

We are asking for parents to provide a cans of whipped cream and individually packaged store-purchased treats for this event. Please use this SignUpGenius to let us know you are planning to drop off treats. 

Treat ideas - Individually packaged store-purchased Granola bars, Rice Crispy Treats, candy, candy bars, potato chips, popcorn, Hohos, cookies/crackers, etc.

Please drop off at the school office between 8am-3pm Monday, March 8th through Friday, March 12th.


Volleyball

4. Woodson Athletic Event Livestream Info

All of our Volleyball, Field Hockey and Football games this season will be livestreamed via the NFHS Network, so be sure to tune in to watch our Cavalier athletes!

You will need to create an account and then search for Woodson. All FCPS events on NFHS are free this year!

To see a schedule of Woodson sporting events, visit https://www.wtwoodsonsports.com/.

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/w-t-woodson-high-school-fairfax-va/gamdfb4edcea7


5. Diverse Books

This month the Equity Team will feature several photos from our faculty and staff, students, and parents reading diverse books in the Woodson Weekly. Please complete out the Google form and share a picture of yourself with the diverse book that you are currently reading or plan on reading. Creating content that is diverse and inclusive is critical to learner success. Research has shown that diverse representation can help close gender and race gaps in education, and can create inclusive and productive course communities for all learners. Thus educators, parents, and guardians have an important role to play in creating diverse and inclusive content. If you are interested please share your photo using this Google form.

PE Teacher Mr. Redmond is currently reading The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore

Woodson parent Ms. Jackson is currently reading The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison

Language Arts Coordinator, Dr. Whitlock is currently reading Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammad.

Social Justice Reading

6. Virtual Junior Parent Night

Please mark your calendars for Woodson's Virtual Junior Parent Night on Thursday, March 24th at 7 pm. The BBCU link will be sent out closer to the date.

Get helpful hints for your spring break college explorations, and discover what you need to know to make your post-secondary research and next steps easier and productive.


7. College & Career Center News

Please follow the Woodson College & Career Center on Twitter and Instagram @wtwcareercenter. The weekly College & Career Center Newsletters are posted on Mondays. The new College Padlet, Career Padlet and Military Padlet have resources for college and career exploration, and post-secondary planning. Questions? Please email me at cliebmosley@fcps.edu. Please see upcoming events below. 

  • Army Recruiter is visiting on Monday, March 8th at 2 pm. Please email me at cliebmosley@fcps.edu  to register and get the BBCU link.
  • Seniors, have you received your financial aid award letters? Now is the time to carefully consider your options and select the types of aid and college that are the best fit for you. College Access of Fairfax is here to help! Please join their Understanding Financial Award Letters Webinar on March 10th, 2021 at 7 pm: Understanding Financial Award Letters Flyer
  • Junior Parents, please mark your calendars! Virtual Junior Parent Night is on Thursday, March 24th at 7 pm. The BBCU link will be sent out closer to the date. Get helpful hints for your spring break college explorations, and discover what you need to know to make your post-secondary research and next steps easier and productive.

8. Paying for College Virtual Workshop

Is your student a current 9th, 10th or 11th grader?  Have you started thinking about his/her post-secondary educational experiences and how you will pay for them?

College Access Fairfax, in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, is offering a free virtual

Paying for College Workshop

Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00 PM

Topics to be covered include: 

  • Understanding Cost of Attendance
  • What is Financial Aid
  • How/when do you apply for Financial Aid
  • What is considered in determining Financial Aid
  • Where you can go for help

Registration for this event is required as space is limited. 

You can access the registration form here. Registration will close 48 hours before the event. You will receive an email link at access the presentation approximately 24 hours prior to the start of the event.  If you have not received the link by the morning of March 24th, please email us at info@collegeaccessfairfax.org.  Emails received after 5:00 PM that day may not allow us enough time to add you to the program.


The Morning Show

The Woodson Crew Team practices on the outdoor tennis courts after school.


9. Applications Wanted for Student Representative to the School Board for 2021-22 School Year, Deadline Is April 7

Each year, FCPS students can apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply, and they do not need to be current members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC). Applications are due by April 7. 

The application and more information are available online


PAST News - Still Important


10. College Partnership Program

The College Partnership Program (CPP) is designed to assist students who are traditionally underrepresented in college (i.e. first generation, African-American or Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, English learners, students with disabilities or economically disadvantaged) in exploring, applying and enrolling in college. In accordance with FCPS’ goal to eliminate gaps in opportunity, access, and achievement for all students, CPP focuses on academic advising, college visits, parent engagement and preparation beyond high school.

The CPP is now accepting applications. Students can only apply online with their FCPS G Suite account.  Applications are due by Friday, March 19th. You will find the translated applications in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish and Urdu. They can be found here.

Please email Ms. Jamie Korpacz at jlkorpacz@fcps.edu with questions.  


11. English 11 Writing SOL

Students in English 11 classes who registered for the Writing SOL will take the test on Mondays, March 15th & 22nd (one component per day).

Please contact Kathleen Guinee, Assessment Coach at kpguinee@fcps.edu if you have questions.


12. PSAT for 10th Graders on April 19th

On Monday, April 19th, Woodson High School tenth graders will have the opportunity to take the PSAT 10.

FCPS will cover the cost for any tenth grade student to take this test.

General information about the PSAT 10 test format is available on the College Board webpage (https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10).

Monday, April 19th has been designated for independent learning in FCPS high schools, so students who choose to take the PSAT 10 will not miss synchronous instruction or intervention with their teachers.

A form to register your student will be sent on or before March 1st. The deadline to respond is Friday, March 19th.

We will share more details about test day schedules and bus transportation in the coming weeks.

FCPS health and safety protocols for PSAT 10 administration are available online (https://www.fcps.edu/node/41891). 


13. 2021 Virtual Teen Job Fairs

Fairfax County high school students looking for their first part-time job, summer and seasonal job opportunities, or who want more information about potential career pathways are invited to attend one of six upcoming teen job fairs and resume building workshops in Fairfax County. Local businesses and agencies will be on hand to offer a range of opportunities including part-time employment, internships, and volunteer work for prospective students.

Volunteer opportunities and resume building workshops will also be available for younger students. Free booth spaces are provided to local businesses. The first two job fairs will be held on Saturday, March 13, from 2 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Students can register for the March 13 Job Fair and the March 20 Job Fair.


14. Laptop Tech Support Hours

If parents or students need FCPS laptop technical support at Woodson HS, the following must be completed:

  1. Submit a ticket using the FCPS Parent/Student Tech Support Portal,
  2. Schedule an appointment to come on-site, and
  3. 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 pm - 5:30 pm 
Tuesday and Wednesday - 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Thursday and Friday - 9:00 am - 11:00 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, 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)


Stop The Spread