West Potomac Weekly News

 

It’s FRIDAY West Po!

 

And another successful return to school week.  It was really nice to see more students in-person.  Please commend your child if they are in-person on doing an excellent job with proper wearing of their masks, sanitizing and distancing.  I am so proud of them. 

 

We are continuing to process requests for in-person instruction.  Thank you for your patience.  We are notifying you of your status daily as we are able to review schedules. 

 

SENIOR GRADUATION UPDATE

As many of you may have heard we will not be graduating from Eagle Bank Arena this year, due to it being used as a state mass vaccination site.  As of yesterday, principals received updated options from Dr. Brabrand.  All schools have the following options:

                Jiffy Lube Stadium

                Outdoor School Stadium

                Indoor School Gym

There are costs associated with each option with the School Stadium option being the most expensive and similar to that of Eagle Bank ($20K range).  There are capacity limitations for all options as well.  It has been my understanding from our senior community that we would prefer the School Stadium option.  Now that we know this is something available to us, we can begin planning.  I will be meeting with the school graduation team and the senior parent graduation/activities team to look at multiple plans for how we would be able to have our graduation at West Po.  We will be communicating our plans with everyone in the next couple of weeks.

 

NEW ATTENDANCE CODE (UPDATE from Last week)

Last week we shared with you that you may see a new attendance code if your child is in person but doesn’t come to school on any given day and logs into virtual instruction.  Starting on 3/15 that code will be SYV.  The SYV code means your child did log in for virtual classes but did NOT come to school physically.  You will receive an automated attendance call if this code is entered.  The code is a positive attendance code, but the call is just to alert you that your student is logged in but did not come to the school building for that period or day. 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Ms. Millard

 

 

  • Important Dates
  • School News Update
  • PTSA Updates
  • College and Career Center
  • SAT/ACT Test Prep

 

Important Dates:

March 15:  Class of 2021 - “Pi(e) Day”

March 15:  WP Clubs and Activities Guest Speaker Series - Details below

March 15-17: School Picture Days

March 17:  FCPS Seniors’ March Madness Talent Show Submissions Due                      

March 26:  End of Third Quarter – Two-hour Early Release

March 29 – April 2:  No School, Spring Break 

April 5:  Student Holiday, Teacher Workday


Student Activities/School News Updates:

 

Attention 9th, 10th and 11th grade students!

It is not too late to signup up for upperclassmen photos at West Potomac on March 15th, 16th and 17th from 3:30-8:30 pm.

The link to sign up is below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ABAA2FA64-2021

Contact Susie Britton at smbritton@fcps.edu or (703)718-2613 with any questions!

 

WP Clubs and Activities Guest Speaker Series:

“How Did You Get Where You Are Today and What Have You Learned from the Global Pandemic?   Guest Speaker:  Shin Fujiyama – Founder of Students Helping Honduras. Bio: N. VA native, CNN Heroes Award recipient.  Hear what it’s like to be living in Honduras when the pandemic shut down the world. As if this wasn’t enough to deal with, imaging your country is then hit by TWO major hurricanes. Hear Shin’s words…ask him questions.

March 15th - Shin Fujiyama Founder of Students Helping Honduras. Guest Speaker Series.pdf

Date/Time:  Monday, March 15 Time: 11:00-12:00

Registration needed to receive BBCU link:  https://forms.gle/WfMTFsD47mpqsfVx8

 

WPHS Theatre - The award-winning Beyond the Page Theatre Company announces its newest production – Check Please: Stay at Home Edition.  Enjoy a light-hearted laugh through the relatability of Zoom calls.  Bringing light to life in a pandemic as we explore the world of online dating with some peculiar individuals.  

Available: March 18th 7:00pm * March 19th 7:00pm * March 20th 2:00pm & 7:00pm Location: Streaming on West Potomac Theatre’s YouTube Page

 

Class of 2021 March Activities: Attention Parents – Two Things!

 

1) Monday, March 15th, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.*, West Po Football Stadium: “Pi(e) Day”- Music, Snacks and Camaraderie guaranteed!  DONATIONS and VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAFAF29A02-senior

What is “Pi(e) Day” for our Seniors?  Seniors come on out to Dietze stadium to see some of your favorite Wolverine staff members get pied and watch your classmates compete in a socially distanced pie eating contest. 

Wear Green: Don’t forget to show your community how lucky we are to have you as a member of the Senior class by wearing GREEN to show your spirit and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a tad early. Feeling lucky? Gift cards will be raffled off to those in attendance.

*Rain date: Monday, March 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  A message will be sent out on 3/15 by 9am if we need to reschedule.

 

2) FCPS Senior March Madness Talent Show - Interested Seniors can submit a video via the Class of 2021 Google Classroom page for a chance to represent West Potomac High School against all FCPS high schools in a talent show. More details on submission to follow on March 12th via Google Classroom. All submissions are due March 17th.

 

Huge Shout-Out for West Potomac Band - 30 Students made District Band this year!

 

Wind EnsembleAmanda Hail (flute), David Rubinstein (bassoon), Caty Campbell (Bb clarinet), Elizabeth Montoya-LaPorte (Bb clarinet), Cameron Homes (bass clarinet), Danny Jurta (alto saxophone), Sammy Nelson (tenor saxophone), Oscar Muendel (baritone saxophone), Nicholas Ray (horn), Fiona Houlgate (horn), Wes Hutcherson (trumpet), Tyler Sigfried (trumpet), Weston Ward (trombone), Jack Sigfried (euphonium)

 

Symphonic BandMegan Shoemaker (flute), Lorelei Dean (flute), Harry Shinkle (oboe), Will Sullivan (bassoon), Janna Helvey (Bb clarinet), Evie Mulhern (Bb clarinet), Ginny Nelson (Bb clarinet), Kye Greenfeld (Bb clarinet), Evelyn Medrano (Bb clarinet), Reanna Anthony (Bb clarinet), Henry Raman (alto saxophone), Andrei Zaitsev (horn), Matthew Verich (trumpet), Griffin Keightley (trombone), Ronny Gattuso (bass trombone), Andy Helvey (tuba). 

 

Support the West Potomac Orchestra – Wolverine Pride Gifts:  Wolverine Cotton Throw and limited Wolverine Key Ring available for purchase.  Please click her for ordering details:  WP Orchestra Fundraiser - Throw and Keychains _.pdf

 Also for sale - WPHS Orchestra face masks. To order, see flyer: WP Orchestra. Face Masks.pdf 

Any questions, please contact Rebecca Losee at craig.rebecca@verizon.net 

 

 

PTSA UPDATES:

PTSA Nominating Committee:  The PTSA Nominating Committee is working on a slate for the 2021-22 PTSA officers. Please forward nominations to any of the Nominating Committee members: Felicia Moore, fbmoore96@gmail.com ; Kendra Chambers, kendrajanedc@aol.com; Elise Bengston, elisebengston@gmail.com.

 

Special Thank You!   Thank you to our corporate sponsors: Burke & Herbert Bank, Safeway, Hollin Hall Automotive, The Moery Group, Toppers Pizza, and Applerouth.


WPHS – March 2021 College and Career Center newsletter: Check out this month’s College and Career Center newsletter for lunch and learn sessions, college information sessions, financial aid help, test prep programs, career information sessions, selected scholarships and other opportunities. Please reach out to Mrs. Carter, College and Career Specialist with any questions, eecarter@fcps.edu.

3.2021 . March College and Career Center Updates.pdf

 

SAT and ACT Test Prep

See attached for info for schedules and free online Applerouth webinars.

 AppleRouth. SAT and ACT Test Prep.pdf

Need Flexibility? SELF-DIRECTED ONLINE CLASSES AVAILABLE

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.

 

More Resources available on the Test Prep Program Web Page

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.