WTW PTSO WeMail, September 21st

The WTW WeMail is distributed every Tuesday to update the Woodson community on PTSO news, school news, and upcoming events. 

1. SCHEDULE REMINDERS
2. PTSO NEWS
3. WTW NEWS & EVENTS
4. FUNDRAISERS
5. WTW CAV SPORTS RECAP
6. WTW RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES

SCHEDULE REMINDERS

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday, October 5; 6:00 p.m. - PTSO Meeting

Tuesday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 6; 4:45-5:00 p.m. - Start of late bus routes

Monday, October 11 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day - Indigenous Peoples’ Day 

Wednesday, October 13 - Grade 9 - Asynchronous at-home learning

Wednesday, October 13 - Grade 10 and 11 - PSAT/NMSQT (no cost) - Details under WTW News & Events

Wednesday, October 13 - Grade 12 - SAT testing for Seniors who signed up. Excused day for Seniors not signed up

HOMECOMING WEEK EVENTS

Monday, October 11th - PowerPuff Games and Homecoming Bonfire

Tuesday, October 12th-15th - Spirit Week

Friday, October 15th during 3rd Period - Pep Rally

Friday, October 15th from 4:30-5:15 p.m. - Homecoming Parade

Friday, October 15th from 5:00-6:45 p.m. - Pre-game Pig-out

Friday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m. - Homecoming Football Game

Saturday, October 16th from 8:00-11:00 p.m. - Homecoming Dance - PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

- The Main Gym and an outdoor tent will have dancing

- Refreshments and individually packaged snacks will be available for purchase in the Aux Gym

- Attire is semi-formal to formal attire

- A parent volunteer is needed to organize a cohort of chaperones and coat check volunteers. Please contact miklos.c.kiss@outlook.com if you can help.  

PTSO NEWS

Next PTSO Meeting!

Tuesday, October 12; 6:00 p.m.

Community mourns passing of Canterbury Woods, Woodson alum

An Annandale native was among five service members killed in a Navy helicopter crash. This tragic message sent earlier this month to the Canterbury Woods Elementary School community:

We learned this week about the passing of a former CWES Cougar and child of a former CWES staff member, Lieutenant Paul Fridley. On Tuesday, August 31st, 2021, Paul lost his life in an MH-60S helicopter crash off the coast of San Diego, California with four other members of his squadron.

Some of our teachers remember Paul fondly from his elementary days at Canterbury Woods. After graduating from Woodson High School in 2011, he went to UVA and [joined] the Navy. His mom, Pam, served as a Cued Language Transliterator at our school.

The Fridley family has been an integral part of the Canterbury Woods community for decades and still live in the neighborhood. Paul is survived by his wife, Sarah.

Volunteers Needed for Homecoming Dance

A parent volunteer is needed to organize a cohort of chaperones and coat check volunteers. Please contact miklos.c.kiss@outlook.com if you can help. 

PTSO Officer Position Open - Fundraising Chair

The PTSO’s primary source of funding is memberships.  Fundraising efforts supplement the PTSO budget.  There are two main roles for the Fundraising Chair.  The first is organizing “Dinner Nights” at places like Chipotle and Potbelly.  The second is letter writing to medium and large-sized  companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, MAG Aero, Interstate Movers, and Cox.   The latter is an effective donation generator.   

All PTSO funding flows back into Woodson High School in the form of Teacher Grants, Staff Appreciation, Community Outreach, Field Trip Subsidization, and School Supplements.

The Fundraising Chair serves as the primary focal point for all fundraising activities. The time commitment is about 1 hour per week, averaged over the school year. If you are interested in volunteering, please get in touch with Miklos Kiss at wptsopres@gmail.com

Community Resources for Mental Health, Wellness, and Support Groups

We are committed to providing and sharing programs and information to help parents, teachers and students navigate high school and beyond. The wide range of issues include but are not limited to: coping with stress; parenting advice; homework resources; suicide prevention; drug use, addiction and overdose; and underage drinking.

https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com/school/cm?mid=2619 (must be a PTSO member to login)

Ways to Make a Difference

Whether you are a new or returning WTW parent, please get involved in any way that works for you. 

Here are some quick links to get you started:

Join our PTSO

Make a Donation 

Sign up for one of our Volunteer Opportunities

Ask a local business to become a Business or Community Sponsor

Find WT Woodson on Facebook, Instagram  and Twitter

Go shopping! Amazon, Office Depot, groceries, etc. Link your accounts and a portion of your sales will go to our school!

WTW News & Events

Virtual Back to School Night

REMINDER - The Teachers’ Virtual Asynchronous Back-to-School videos are available on the Woodson website as well as on the class Schoology page. If you need to schedule a teacher/parent conference please contact the school counselor.

PSAT/NMSQT for Grades 10 & 11

FCPS will continue the practice of offering the PSAT/NMSQT to all students in grades 10 and 11 at no cost.

This year, the test will be administered on Wednesday, October 13th.

All enrolled students in grades 10 and 11 will take the PSAT/NMSQT unless a student’s family specifically communicates a desire to opt-out of this opportunity. Students are not required to submit an intent form to register for the PSAT/NMSQT exam. 

If you have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT, contact Woodson’s Student Test Coordinator at kpguinee@fcps.edu

More specifics about the October 13 PSAT/NMSQT testing opportunity will be shared later.

On this day, 9th graders will complete asynchronous learning at home and 12th graders not testing will be excused from school.

Woodson Choral Boosters

To find more information about upcoming events, monthly meeting, restaurant nights, and other informative communtives about Chorus and Chorus Boosters, please look on our various online sources such as the Chorus website, Monthly Chorus Booster Newsletter, Gmail, Schoology, Remind, YouTube, WeMail, and Instagram.

Chorus website. www.woodsonchorus.org

YourTube channel- Go to “Woodson Chorus” Please subscribe!

Instagram- Follow us @ wtwchorus

FUNDRAISERS

Restaurant Night at Chipotle for Woodson Crew - Tomorrow, Wednesday, 9/22

Order dinner from Chipotle this Wednesday 9/22 between 5pm-9pm to have a portion of your purchase support Woodson Crew! Great excuse to get takeout!! :) Please let them know that you’re supporting the Woodson Crew fundraiser when you place your order, or use the online promo code listed below. Location: 9506 Main St 22B Online order promo code: BRRMKDF Flyer

Band and Color Guard Tag Day Fundraiser

Thank You, thank you, thank you!! Thanks to the entire Woodson community who donated to help support the band during our tag day on Saturday. Hopefully you got a chance to see the students in their uniforms up close! It’s not too late to donate if you missed the students going through the neighborhoods door to door. You can donate directly on the band’s website using the PayPal link HERE, or use your phone and click the QR code to go directly to the PayPal donation page, plus donations are tax deductible!

The Band is also selling Cav Cards which have discounts with 17 local area merchants. Cards are only $10 each, and all funds go directly to support the band activities this year, including transportation to competitions, uniform maintenance, new instrument purchases and the spring trip! Contact Karen Wallace at cavcards@woodsonband.org for information or check out all the participating vendors on our website page HERE. Want to check out your Woodson Cavalier Marching Band in action? Our first Competition of the season is next Saturday, September 25th! Woodson will be participating in the Big Blue Invitational marching band competition at North Stafford High School (839 Garrisonville Rd. Stafford, VA 22554). Pricing is $10 for general admission to the show. There are multiple area high schools scheduled to perform. Woodson will be performing towards the end of the competition at around 5pm. Come check out the first competition show of the season!!

Senior Class Signs

Senior yard signs are now available for purchase! Limited quantities available. Order online here. Questions? Contact out to merifarling@hotmail.com

Senior Class of 2022 Legacy Bricks

Buy a Brick and Make a Lasting Mark for your Student!

The brick courtyard in front of the school between the main entrance and the auditorium still has plenty of room for bricks for you to honor your special student or alumni.  Individual bricks cost: $100.  They make great graduation presents for Seniors, or as a great legacy for all the members of your family!   Visit the Woodson PTSO PTBOARD website HERE (or from the main page click on “Forms & Payments” section on the left, then click on “Form & Payment” then scroll down to the Buy A Brick section.) If you prefer, you can mail the brick order form (LINK HERE) to the school with a check.  All orders are due no later than April 26, 2022.  Plan accordingly!  If you have questions, or for more info contact Shane or Katherine Gilbert at wptsobricks@gmail.com.

Show your Cavalier Pride with a Woodson Garden Flag!

Order yours today at https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com/formvw/store?store=1894   Garden Flag (dimensions - 12"x17") - $15 Want to personalize it? For $5 more, add your family name or get creative and celebrate your student with their name and graduation year! (Some examples: The Smith Family; Congrats Emily Class of 2021; Woodson Class of 2022) For more information, contact Liz Brocato at Brocatofam@gmail.com

Student Driver Magnets Available With Convenient Home Delivery!

Student Driver Car Magnets are available through PTSO! Magnets are $8.00 each or buy a batch of 3 for multiple cars for $20.00. You can order online from the PTBoard website HERE.  Once orders are received, magnets will be delivered to your door contact free! If you have any questions contact Shane or Katherine Gilbert at wptsomagnets@gmail.com

WTW CAVS SPORTS RECAP

Cavs Varsity Fall Sports

Co-Ed Golf

Woodson lost a tough match against South County by a score of 161-183 to bring the season record to 1-2.  Four golfers played in their first Varsity match.  Scores were Joseph Tso-41, Bobby Kay-46, Alex Klein-46, Jackson Day-50, Winter Lee-51 and Grant Kahler-52.  This week they faced Fairfax.

Field Hockey

The Cavs defeated Thomas Jefferson 5-0 on Saturday. Reese Cuviello, Mia Zganjar, Elizabeth Stribling, Zadie Rowe, and Julia Oleyar scored the goals. Darcy Hilton, Mia Kim, Bethany Betts, and Adia Elcock made passes to set up the Woodson attack. Carmen Anderson minded the goal for the shutout.

Woodson dropped its second game on Saturday to Oakton 1-0.  Levi Weinberger played with defensive savviness. She was helped by fellow defenders Katie Hamrock, Sydney Klugiewicz, and Kim McNamara. The good stick work of Darcy Hilton, Caitlin Tran, and Elia Kim created opportunities.

NEW VHSL Physical Form for 2021-22

This is the NEW VHSL approved Physical Form. This is the only version that can be accepted for the 2021-2022 school year. If you have a doctor fill out the old version with "revised February 2017 in top right corner, your doctor will need to complete the new one, which may require another appointment. So please make sure the form you fill out has "revised January 2021" on the top right.

The VHSL Physical Form must be completed by a parent/guardian and doctor. In order for the physical to be accepted for the 2021-2022 school year, it cannot be filled out and dated by a doctor until May 1, 2021 or after. Once completed, please drop it off to Woodson's Activities Office, Woodson's Main Office or scan it to the Athletic Trainer Chris Hogge at chogge@fcps.edu. This must be turned in prior to participating in athletics. 

The form is also available at https://www.vhsl.org/sports-medicine/physical-examination/, under Resources.

WTW RESOURCES

Woodson Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions by clicking here.

Odd/Even Calendar

Printable  2021-2022 Odd/Even (A/B) Calendar .

College & Career Center News

The Woodson College & Career Center is located in E 109. My office hours are 7:30 am until 3:30 pm. Students can stop by before or after school, or during LS and lunch if they have any questions, or just to say hello. Please join my Course in Schoology. My Access Code is:  3M8B-S8X4-N2H55.  Thank you to our Senior Families who joined us for Senior Night yesterday. The recording of our presentation will be sent out later on today. 

The Woodson College & Career Center is located in E 109. My office hours are 7:30 am until 3:30 pm. Students can stop by before or after school, or during LS and lunch if they have any questions, or just to say hello. Please join my Course in Schoology. My Access Code is:  3M8B-S8X4-N2H55.  My weekly newsletters and scholarship & enrichment opportunities are posted in Schoology and on my padlets. Both go out on Mondays. College Rep Visits for Juniors and Seniors here at Woodson will continue next week with Georgetown University, Georgia Tech, Mary Washington University, NOVA & more visiting. Please see instructions on how to view the schedule and how to register here. We are still adding new visits every day! 

Upcoming Events:

• Financial Aid Night on Wednesday, September 22nd, at 7 pm in the Woodson Auditorium for seniors and their parents - presented by Chad Spencer, Director of Financial Aid at Davidson College. The FAFSA application opens on October 1st and we recommend that seniors submit their FAFSA in October.
• Region 5 Virtual  Financial Aid Night on Wednesday, September 29th, at 6:30 pm for seniors and their parents presented by College Access Fairfax. No need to register, just click on this Zoom link. Additional Financial Aid Night Dates can be accessed in Schoology here. Check out the Financial Aid Night Presentation that College Access Fairfax put together here!
• FCPS ACE Presentation on Monday, October 4th, 10:15 – 11:15 am for Juniors and Seniors in the Career Center. Come and learn about Apprenticeships, Trade Schools, Workplace trainings and Certifications. Many of the FCPS ACE Programs are sponsored by employers and can be completed while you work. FCPS ACE offers scholarships and tuition payment plans. Seniors, if you do not yet know what to do after high school, this presentation is for you! You can register for this visit in Naviance. Please see instructions here.
• Region 5 Virtual Scholarship 101 on Wednesday, October 6th, at 6:30 pm for seniors and their parents presented by College Access Fairfax. Please stay tuned for the Zoom link.
• ¡ALCANZA! College Fair for LatinX students at George Mason University, In-Person Event | Friday, October 22nd, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET. Seniors, please contact your Counselor to register.

Questions? Please email Christine Lieb-Mosley at cliebmosley@fcps.edu.

Laptop Tech Support Hours

If students need FCPS laptop technical support at Woodson HS, please submit a ticket using the FCPS Parent/Student Tech Support Portal.

Our walk-in hours in Room A114 are: 

• Odd Days during Learning Seminar
• Monday - 7:45am - 8:10am
• Tuesday and Wednesday - 11:25am - 1:20pm (lunches)
• Wednesday - 2:55pm - 4:00pm (when late buses start)

Any other time you should try to make an appointment.

Answers to Attendance Questions

How do I check out my student from school?

Please let the Attendance Office know if you need your student to leave school early.  You can notify Attendance 3 different ways:

• Submit the online attendance form and have your student pick up their pink checkout pass from the Attendance Office (E107) between classes or during lunch.
• Student brings a note to the Attendance Office before 9:45am. The student will be issued a pink pass to leave class at the appointed time. The note must include the following - student name, date and time of when student is leaving, and reason for early check-out, student ID, parent signature and contact number. 
• Call the attendance line, 703-503-4800 and select Option 3. After leaving a message, please have your student pick up their pink checkout pass from the Attendance Office (E107) between classes or during lunch.

At the time of dismissal, your son/daughter will bring the pink check-out pass back to the Attendance Office for verification before meeting you outside. 

If returning to school that same day, students must check in at the Attendance office before going back to class, even if it is between classes.

Due to staff responsibilities at the end of the day, we are not able to honor unannounced early dismissals within 15 minutes of school dismissal.

My student will be arriving late to school. How do I let Attendance know?

Please let the Attendance Office know if your student will arrive late to school.  You can notify Attendance 3 different ways:

• Submit the online attendance form to report a late arrival or partial day absence.
• Student brings a handwritten note from a parent or doctor with the reason for the late arrival. Please include the student’s name, time the student is coming to school, the reason for the tardy, a parent/guardian signature, the student ID, and contact phone number for follow-up.
• Call the attendance line, 703-503-4800 and select Option 2. Please include the student’s name, time the student is coming to school and the reason for the tardy.
• If a student does not have a note, he/she will be marked "unexcused tardy" and must present a note to the Attendance Office within 48 hours for the tardy to be changed to excused.

Valid tardiness reasons include illness, medical appointments or family emergency. The following will not be excused: oversleeping, power outages, car trouble, traffic, and missing the bus. Students will be given a pass to enter their assigned class after checking in at the Attendance office.

My student will be out for a college visit.  How do I let Attendance know?

For prearranged Absences (family, college trips, medical reasons), please notify the Attendance Office with the following:

• Student must bring a written notice to the attendance office at least 5 days prior to the intended absence. Please include the student's name, dates of absences, and reason for the absence.
• Student will receive a prearranged absence form for teachers to sign, list the assignments, and due dates.
• Extended Absences: If a student requires long-term medical care, parents should contact their child's school counselor. To find out who your child's counselor is, check the Student Services staff list. 

For full details on Attendance Procedures, please visit the Attendance page on the Woodson website.

What Is Schoology?

We are excited to share that students, families, and teachers throughout FCPS and in our school community will use Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) as our learning management system beginning /Fall 2021.

A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:

• Your child’s classes.
• Your child’s upcoming assignments.
• School, class, and group announcements.

Parent accounts are available now. To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. To login to Schoology, use your same username and password credentials as for SIS ParentVUE.

• Schoology has a connected web conferencing tool, Zoom
• Schoology works with Google Drive
• Students have a Schoology accounts and access with their FCPS student ID and password. 
• Students will not see any classes until the grading period starts

Login to Schoology. Look for the FCPS logo to make sure you are on the correct login page.

If you are not seeing all of your children in Schoology, please be patient as FCPS IT is working on a solution and should have a resolution as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

ParentVUE/StudentVUE Information

The Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account Access allows parents and students access to teacher grade books, attendance information, course history and other useful information.

ParentVUE:

• New Users: Please use the parent account registration page to register your account.
• Returning Users: Please click here to log in to your Parent VUE Account.

StudentVUE:

StudentVUE Accounts: All high school students have access to their StudentVUE account by using their network id and password to log in.

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)

2021-22 PTSO OFFICERS 

Miklos Kiss / President / wptsopres@gmail.com, miklos.c.kiss@outlook.com

Sara Mastro / Vice President - Membership / wptsovp1@gmail.com

Vacant / Fundraising

Amy DeCarlo / Recording Secretary / wptsosecretary@gmail.com

Kyle Durbin / Treasurer / wptsotreasurer@gmail.com

Jill Battaglia / Communications Director /battagliawtw@gmail.com

Michelle Lucas / WTW PTSO Grant Program / WTWoodsonGrants@gmail.com

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