West Potomac High School Weekly News

 

Happy Friday Wolverines!

 

I would like to share with you a few updates regarding construction, end of year grading, going to 4 days a week, 3 feet social distancing and the new instructional calendar.

 

Construction

Good news, construction has fully begun and is going well.  As we stated prior to break, the back parking lot is no longer available.  The back gate will now be OPEN for the remainder of the year.  Our construction team has made a way to keep it open until school ends in June.  That area may have limited access over the summer but will reopen regularly in the Fall. 

Prior to Spring Break, Dr. Brabrand also released updated end-of-year grading policies. That letter can be found in its entirety here.  Below I have further clarified what these options mean to your students.   

Grading Policy Changes for High School

In response to family feedback and student check-in results, FCPS will be seeking to lessen the stress and anxiety posed for some students who have been challenged by the virtual learning environment during the past (and ongoing) pandemic year. FCPS is further adjusting its grading policy for SY2020-21 to ensure students are not penalized by the challenges brought by pandemic learning. 

Key options for high school students are:

  • Use of No Mark (NM) instead of F grades for all courses. 
    • In these cases, students would not have an F factored into their GPA.  However, they would still be required to retake the course if it was a graduation requirement.  The course could be taken over the summer, if offered, or the following school year.  
  • Final Exam flexibility that ensures an exam can only serve to improve a student’s grade for the year. 
    • Collaborative teacher teams will discuss if a final exam opportunity will be made available to students.  If a final exam is offered, it can only serve to improve a student’s final grade, not hinder it.  
    • Some teachers do culminating activities, this does not apply to those.
  • Allowing students/families  to choose a mark of “P”  (pass) instead of passing letter grades (C’s or D’s, for example) as their final mark in up to two courses.
    • We are currently awaiting updated guidance around this option and will share with the community as soon as it is available.  We want to be sure to provide the best guidance possible around how the “P” will be viewed by college and university admissions so families can make the most informed decision around the use of this option.  
    • We will hold a parent / student information session once we have more information to share. 

4 day a week instruction and 3ft Social Distancing

 

All current 2 day a week in-person students are now eligible to request 4 day a week instruction.  You should have received an eNotify message to your email earlier today with more details and direction for the process.

 

We will also, as needed, move our classroom spaces to 3 ft starting 4/20/21.  Our cafeteria space, however, will maintain the 6 ft social distancing requirements as students will not have on masks while eating.

 

Impact of new FCPS Instructional Calendar

FCPS School Board recently approved the 21-22 school year calendar.  The new calendar includes several religious observance days.  We will have the first of those days starting next week.  On these days teachers are directed to refrain from new graded assignments or activities; tests, quizzes, or other assignments on the following dates based on the new approved 21-22SY calendar that is in effect NOW:

 

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Take Good Care,

Ms. Millard

 

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

 

Important Dates:

April 12:               West Po Clubs and Activities Guest Speaker Series, 11 a.m.

April 12:               PTSA Virtual Membership Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

April 13:               WPHS – College 101 Information Session, 7 p.m. (Pre-registration required.)

April 19:               PSAT for Pre-Registered Sophomores

April 23:               DC Slices – PTSA Fundraiser


Student Activities/School News Updates:

 

WP Clubs and Activities Guest Speaker Series, April 12, 11 a.m. - Cindy Morgan-Jaffe, Guest Speaker – Ms. Morgan-Jaffe is the founder of the financial education program Pizza Money.  Join us to learn more about her journey!  Monday, April 12, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Registration needed to receive BBCU link: https://forms.gle/tQRdE51Tid1JuprLA

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West Potomac HS – College 101:  APRIL 13, 2021 7:00-8:00PM VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM

Mark your Calendars:  Inviting our Freshmen and Sophomore students and parents to learn about the college search, preparing for college, the college application and review process, SAT/ACT, and MORE! 

 April 13 - 10th Grade College Night . English.pdf                                  

Pre-registration is required – New Link: https://rmc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8QufQ97qT_24Gb6ms2c7bw

 

ESCUE LA SECU N DARIA DE W EST POTOMAC:  UNIVERSIDAD 101

Los Alumnos de 9th y 10th grados y los Padres estan invitados a aprender acerca de la busqueda de Universidad, su preparacion, la aplicacion y la revision del proceso SAT/ACT y MAS!

 April 13 - 10th Grade College Night. Spanish Version.pdf                  

Haga click en este link: https://radford.zoom.us/j/96711781645

 

 

PTSA UPDATES:

PTSA Virtual Membership Meeting, Monday, April 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m., via Zoom and Facebook Live – Ms. Millard will join us to share the latest updates at West Po.  Zoom link will be emailed to PTSA members in advance of the meeting.  It will also be shown on the West Po PTSA Facebook page.

DC Slices Fundraiser - Friday, April 23rd at Waynewood Rec Association:  

20% of order goes to the PTSA. Stay-tuned for more info and pre-order link next week.

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


 

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER:

Senior Convocation – Date TBD:  Convocation is our Senior Honors and Awards ceremony where seniors are recognized for their academic accomplishments and scholarship awards. Honor graduates will also be recognized and receive an “honor medal” to wear on graduation day. An Honor Graduate is a senior who has earned an overall cumulative grade point average of 4.0 and higher over their entire high school career. 

Scholarship Awards – Seniors, please forward copies of scholarship awards you will be using to attend college to Mrs. Carter in the College and Career Center via email by May 14th at eecarter@fcps.edu. We MUST have documentation of scholarship awards to include them in the convocation awards program. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Carter.

 

April Newsletter - Do you need help with making plans after high school graduation? Interested in learning more about Military Service and Academy Information? 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. April 2021 CCCNewsletter.pdf

 

SAT/ACT TEST PREP:

 

SAT & ACT TEST PREP MOCKS AND GROUP CLASSES – 2020/21

View full schedule and Register Here.  Summer schedule will be available soon!

 

                                                Mock SAT – 4/10, 5/8

                                                Mock ACT – 4/17, 5/15

 

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.

 

Free Online Applerouth Webinars* - Register Here!

*All webinar registrants get an emailed copy of the webinar a few days after the scheduled event, in case they can't attend that exact evening.

 

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.