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Woodson Weekly -
November 19th |
Woodson Weekly is published every Friday to provide the community with important information about school life at Woodson High School.
Vision Statement
We are a school community where all students have purpose and value!
 These Woodson Orchestra & Band students were selected to participate in the 2021 Senior Regional Orchestra this past weekend at Westfield HS. They are eligible to audition for All-VA State Orchestra in February 2022.
Important Upcoming Dates
Wednesday-Friday, November 24th-26th - Thanksgiving Holidays
Wednesday, December 8th - Bodhi Day Religious and Cultural Observance
Monday, December 20th - Friday, December 31st - Winter Break
In this Issue
NEW News
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
2. No Late Buses Next Week
3. Thanksgiving Break
4. Attendance for Thanksgiving Week
5. Assistive Technology Ambassador Dominic
6. Woodson Students present at Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children Last Week
7. Flocking Senior Class of 2022
8. Senior Portraits - Last Chance
9. Senior Baby Ads for Yearbook
10. College & Career Center News
PAST News, but still important
11. Shark Tank Technology Challenge Open to All HS Students
12. Nominations Open for Outstanding Employee Awards
13. Order the 2022 WTW Yearbook
14. How do I check my Student out from School?
15. Laptop Tech Support Hours
16. Woodson's PTSO
NEW News
1. Message from Dr. Floyd
Hello Woodson Community,
Thank you to the PTSO for the Woodson teacher and staff snack wagon this week! It is such a treat for our teachers to pick snacks for their desks for when they need a quick pick-me-up during the school day.
As we look forward to the upcoming long weekend to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to encourage our families and students to disconnect from school and technology during this time. While we realize some students may have a long-term assignment due after the break, or are working to make-up assignments, no work will be due the first two full days back to school. Thus, nothing should be assigned on November 22 or 23 that is then due on November 29 or 30. We have also requested that our teachers do not give any major assessments the first two full days back to school. This mirrors our long-standing practice related to no homework during Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks.
As you approach the long holiday weekend, we hope that everyone can relax, spend family time together, and we want all of our Cavaliers to come back recharged as there are only three weeks until winter break. So, let’s refresh our minds and bodies and finish out 2021 Cavstrong!
On behalf of the faculty and staff of W.T. Woodson High School, I wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving break.
Dr. Floyd
2. No Late Bus Next Week
There will be no late bus on Tuesday, November 22nd.
3. Thanksgiving Break
As a reminder, students will be out of school from Wednesday, November 24th through Friday, November 26th. Students return on Monday, November 29th an Odd day.
Woodson Weekly is taking a Thanksgiving break. The next issue of Woodson Weekly will be published on Friday, December 3rd.
4. Attendance for Thanksgiving Week
If you know your child will be missing full or partial days of school the week of November 22nd, please call the attendance line to let us know now.
The attendance line is 703-503-4800 or WoodsonHigh.Attendance@fcps.edu.
5. Woodson student presents at RATE Conference
Woodson sophomore Dominic, an Assistive Technology Ambassador, recently shared why Assistive Technology (AT) is important to him, how AT helps him, and how to use Learning Ally to make reading accessible at the RATE conference.
Dominic went above and beyond in crafting a recorded screencast of his personal experience and opinion towards using assistive technology.
His willingness to communicate his educational experience will have lasting positive impact on many students and adults. You can watch his presentation on YouTube.
 Dominic presents with Mollie Kropp from Assistive Technology at the RATE conference.
6. Woodson Students present at Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children last week
Woodson students Abby and Elysa, along with counselor Adrienne Wood, represented FCPS in the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children virtual meeting on Friday, November 12th.
One of the purposes of the meeting is to approve new Purple Star schools. Their passion and commitment to supporting military families and military-connected students inspired the Council and everyone on the meeting.
Between Abby and Elysa, they have had twenty-one school transitions! They shared their personal stories and everything they are doing at Woodson to support new military-connected students. They are part of Woodson's Student Ambassador Program and Operation Patriot Club.
7. Flocking Senior Class of 2022
The PTSO is looking for a senior parent volunteer to take over the Senior Flocking for the Class of 2022.
There are 350ish flamingos available from last year's flocking initiative, so only yard signs would need to be funded.
If you are interested in this opportunity to celebrate the Class of 2022, please email woodsonclass2021@gmail.com.
8. Senior Portraits - Last Chance
Seniors, please know that we are trying to make sure that all seniors are in the yearbook. If you have not taken your senior portrait, please know that seniors can schedule an appointment at the Annandale Studio location. That studio is located at the John G. Fox Memorial Hall, 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003. You can schedule a studio appointment by going to prestigeportraits.com/studio. Click the blue 'Book Appointment' button to get started. You'll select the Virginia - Northern Virginia location and enter Woodson High School in the search bar. Select Woodson High School when it comes up and you can select your sitting level and appointment date and time from there. Seniors photographed prior to the yearbook deadline will have their images sent to the school for inclusion in the yearbook.
In looking at the studio schedule, there are two available dates remaining for students to schedule through the balance of the calendar year. Those dates are Saturday, November 20th and Saturday, December 18th. We would encourage any seniors interested in scheduling a studio appointment to do so as soon as possible as available appointment slots are filling quickly.
Questions, please reach out to Christine Rocca at crocca@lifetouch.com
 9. Senior Baby Ads for Yearbook
Looking for a personalized, memorable way to recognize your graduating senior? Want to capture memories with the friends you’ve made for a lifetime? Looking for a fun way to recognize your teammates or club members? Parents, siblings, relatives, teachers, coaches, and friends of the graduating Class of 2022 have an opportunity to purchase ad space in the 2022 edition of the yearbook.
There are five ad sizes available at various price points. All ad space is sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Place your order early to reserve ad space for your graduating senior.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ADS is Wednesday, December 15th. Go to yearbookordercenter.com and type in the code 5278
10. 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. Please join my Course in Schoology – Access Code 3M8B-S8X4-N2H55. The College & Career Center newsletters are posted here.
Upcoming Events – please visit my new Upcoming Events & Opportunities Padlet:
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West Point Info Session in the Career Center on 22 Nov 2021, 10:15 – 10:45 am, followed by Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Info Session from 10:45 – 11:15 am. These info sessions are presented by former Woodson students and are open to all grade levels. Please email me at cliebmosley@fcps.edu to register.
Questions? Please email cliebmosley@fcps.edu
PAST News - but still important
11. Shark Tank Technology Challenge Open to All High School Students
Calling all high school students! The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee has announced this year’s Shark Tank Technology Challenge, with a focus on new or improved existing technology that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, wounded warriors, or caregivers. Students are encouraged to consider projects that offer assistance in the following areas:
- Active free time activities.
- Participation in the arts.
- Caregiving.
Students can submit an innovative or creative project as an individual or a team. The deadline to submit the initial proposal is December 6. Final proposals are due February 22, 2022. The Shark Tank event will be held in April 2022. The winning projects will receive a cash prize.
More details are available by visiting the Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge webpage.
 Beautiful sunrise over Woodson this week.
12. Nominations Open for Outstanding Employee Awards
Nominations are now open for the Woodson Outstanding Employee Awards! These nominations are the beginning of the process that will end in the recognition of the Fairfax County Outstanding Employee Awards in an amazing celebration in June. We definitely want one of our staff members to be one of the representatives!! To submit a nomination for a Woodson Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination at https://tinyurl.com/ruem5xp4
You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is to complete the form by explaining how the employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria noted. The link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
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Outstanding Teacher/librarian: At least (3) three years’ experience.
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Outstanding New Teacher/librarian: less than (3) three years’ experience.
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Outstanding Leader: At least one year in position. Example of positions eligible - Assistant Principal, Director of Student Activities, or Director of Student Services.
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Outstanding Professional Employee: At least one year in position. Example of positions eligible - Safety and Security Specialist, Technology Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, SOSA.
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Outstanding Operational Employee: At least one year in position. Example of positions eligible - Administrative Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service, IA's, Parent Liaisons.
Nominations for Woodson Teachers & Staff are due by Tuesday, November 23th. Please feel free to nominate in one category or all of them it is up to you! Be as detailed as possible as your nomination will be used to complete the nomination packet for the selected staff member to move forward in the county nomination process. If you have any additional questions about the categories or which category a specific staff member should be nominated in, please e-mail me at mcedwards@fcps.edu.
13. Order the 2022 WTW Yearbook!
Let’s celebrate our Woodson Cavaliers in 2021-2022! 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!
14. 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.
If one of the options above is not followed, we cannot guarantee a speedy checkout, so please make sure you notify the attendance office prior to picking up your son/daughter to ensure you make your appointment or commitment on time.
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.
For full details on Attendance Procedures, please visit the Attendance page on the Woodson website.
15. 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.
Thank you, W.T Woodson HS Tech Support Team
16. Woodson's PTSO
Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
PTSO meetings take place the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Library at Woodson HS.
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!
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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