WPHS News You Choose - 12/17/21

Holiday Concert

WPHS Orchestra, Band, Guitar, and Chorus joined together on Thursday evening for our annual Winter Concert. They again performed the concert twice today for our students and faculty! Great job to all students involved!!


In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:

  • Important Dates
  • Principal Message
  • PTSA News
  • College and Career Center Updates 
  • School News Update
  • Athletics Reminders and Fundraisers
  • Class of ’22 Updates
  • SAT/ACT Test Prep

December 17-22: To support the SIS upgrade over Winter Break, SIS, ParentVUE, and StudentVUE will be unavailable for all users from Friday, December 17 at 5:00 p.m. until Wednesday, December 22 at 6:00 a.m. for system updates.

December 20 – 31: Holiday Winter Break – West Potomac HS Offices will be Closed

January 3, 2022:    Classes Resume

January 11, 2022: Rising 9th Grade Family Night

January 10, 2022:  PTSA Membership Meeting at 6:30 PM


Happy Holidays Wolverines!

I don’t know about you all, but I am so looking forward to the holiday, resting and spending time with family.  I want to thank you all for your continued support of the WPHS community.  We look forward to the new year with new hope and positivity.   I pray that you and your family have joy and peace to close out 2021.  Be safe in all your travels and we will see you all in 2022!

Happy Holidays from our Admin Family to Yours!

Thank you,

Tanganyika H. Millard


Winter Break Reminder

  • Please note that West Potomac Offices will be closed from December 20-31.  They will reopen with school on January 3, 2022.  Thank you.

PTSA Updates

We wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Thank you for your participation in our school programs, meetings, and events. There is still time to make a 2021 donation to the West Potomac PTSA at https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store.

  • We look forward to seeing you at our January 10, 2022 meeting!
  • The WP PTSA Board says...Go Wolverines! 🎄
  • Next PTSA Meeting: 10 January – Academic Advising / Course Selection - Mr. McMahon
  • Krispy Kreme Donuts - Combine the joy of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed® Doughnuts while supporting the WPHS PTSA! New contactless Digital Dozens are a fast and convenient way to get your hands on Original Glazed Doughnuts and support the PTSA at the same time. Once you purchase one (or many!) Digital Dozens, you'll receive it by email to redeem for an Original Glazed Dozen the next time you visit Krispy Kreme. Did you know that $6.50 from every (1) Digital Dozen ordered is paid back to the PTSA.? 

https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store

  • Teacher gifts! Gifts for friends! Gifts for neighbors!  An email is sent to the recipient - they can enjoy donuts at their leisure. Don’t delay!  Order today!
  • AmazonSmileAmazon donates 0.5% of the price of your Amazon Smile purchases to the PTSA!  Log into amazon.com and designate “West Potomac High School PTSA” as the charity you would like to support. Works on your Phone App as well.  Happy Shopping!

College and Career Center Updates

Seniors: 

  • In between resting and recharging during the next two weeks, it’s also a great time to apply for scholarships.   Remember to review and apply for scholarships by logging into Naviance Student>CollegesScholarship & Money>Scholarship List

FAFSA Resource: 

  • Seniors who still need to complete FAFSA for college next year can use this great guide for students & families. It is available in ten different languages at 

https://understandingfafsa.org/get-the-guide/

Wishing all students and families a wonderful winter break!  I look forward to continuing to share helpful and timely information from the College & Career Center in 2022!!! – Mrs. Young


School Activities/News Updates

Academic Awards  

  • Congratulations to all students who were recognized this past Wednesday at the Academic Awards Ceremony.  Thank you to Mr. O’Grady for serving as our faculty guest speaker and sharing a wonderful message to our students in his remarks.  If you were unable to watch the ceremony on our live stream you can find a recording of it here.  The issue with the sound goes away after the first few moments of the recording.
academic awards

West Potomac Rising 9th Grade Family Night

  • We invite all Rising 9th Grade Families to West Potomac on January 11, 2021 for an overview on Academic Advising and Course Selection.
  • The Flyer for the evening can be found here
  • Come join us to learn about how to select classes in StudentVue, as well as resources to support students and families choose the right classes.
  • Breakout sessions will be available to discuss Math, Science, English, Social Studies, World Language, and Special Education offerings. 
  • Unsure of what elective to choose for 22-23?  Walk our Electives Open House in the cafeteria and learn about the courses as well as have the opportunity to ask questions!
  • We look forward to welcoming our future Wolverine Families to campus!
  • While this event is targeted for our Rising 9th grade families, all are welcome to attend if interested.
  • A reminder, masks will be required indoors for all who attend.
  • Questions about the event?  Contact Kevin McMahon at kjmcmahon@fcps.edu.

Early Online College – Spring 2022

  • Do you have a junior or senior who is planning on taking college courses after graduation?  The Early Online College program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) may be for you.  This program allows juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free courses this spring. 
  • Early Online College courses for the spring semester begin on February 1, 2022, and end on April 25, 2022.  These are for college credit only and designed to jumpstart your students' college experience.  Whether they are planning on going to NOVA or another college/university, the courses were selected because they meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities.  The deadline is quickly approaching on January 14, 2022.  
  • We have attached two documents to help you better understand the benefits of the Early Online College program.  The flyer and brief slideshow provide much of the same information that you will find on the NOVA Early College website. In addition, the FCPS Early College Website has Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).  If you are interested in your  junior or senior participating, please contact their school counselor or NOVA at dualenrollment@nvcc.edu.

  WPHS Science Fair Judges Needed:

  • WPHS needs YOU to volunteer for our Science Fair – Jan. 29, 2022
  • Judges do not need any scientific background.  The whole process starts at 8 am and is over by 12pm.
  • Judges get to meet some of the best students here at WPHS, encourage them to engage in science, and collaborate with other judges.
  • Judges help us select projects to send on to the regional science fair to represent WPHS.
  • Questions should be directed to: jchapman1@fcps.edu
  • Please sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094fabae2fa46-wphs2

Job Opportunity – AVID Tutor

  • AVID is looking for adult and college students to help facilitate tutorials during the school day. The AVID College Readiness System is designed to increase the number of students who enroll and succeed in higher education and in their lives beyond high school. AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 middle or high school students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID).  The class is led by a trained teacher and may include 2-4 tutorial groups (depending on class size).  These groups use higher order questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Tutors may work 1 to 25 hours per week, depending on tutor availability and openings in select Fairfax County public schools.  They earn $17.71 per hour.  Candidates must be currently enrolled in college or be college graduates. They should be willing to serve as positive role models for middle and high school students.  Comfort with higher-level math is especially needed, though not required. Finally, tutors must have reliable transportation as most of our schools are not accessible using public transport. Interested applicants should send a resume to Bridget Wright at bmwright@fcps.edu.

2021 – 2022 WPHS Yearbooks on Sale now – click here!

Class of 2022 - Direct Donation Campaign

  • The Senior Celebration Committee seeks your financial support for several ideas and events designed to celebrate our Seniors. With the outbreak of Covid-19, the past two graduating classes have missed out on many traditional senior events. The Senior Celebration Committee is hopeful the Class of 2022 will be able to experience a few of the traditional year-end events that make graduation so special Let's work together to celebrate each graduate and to honor their hard work while at WPHS.

Class of ‘22 Signs

  • Santa is on his way – show off your Senior to Rudolph and the gang with a WP Class of ’22 sign.  Signs come with a metal stand to push into the ground or can be hung up with adhesive.
  • Cost is $20. https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store  All proceeds go to raising funds to plan Senior Celebration events.  Pick-up details will be provided once the sign you order arrives.  Questions: Contact Shauna Hamilton at shaunahamilton@mac.com

One Love Student Group

  • Kudos to the One Love Student Group who galvanized the West Potomac Community and received hundreds of gifts and gift cards to give to families in need our community.  Great job Wolverines!!
donationsdonations 2

Class of ’22 Updates: 

  • Senior Dues. Senior dues will be $50 which can be paid on myschoolbucks.com. The fee supports graduation and covers the cost of the cap and gown unit and senior t-shirt. ** This cost will be supplemented by FCPS county
  • https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ 
  • After logging into your acct.- click on School Fees Tab (School Store payments).  Click on Browse All Items to locate the Class of 22 Senior Dues Tab
  • Senior Portrait Make-Up Dates. Seniors can take portraits on January 19 – 21 and 24. Lifetouch will be sending an email in January for students to schedule appointments. 
  • Graduation Cap & GownSeniors are required to order their cap, gown, and tassel unit (cost is included in senior dues) online at jostens.com. Additional items such as announcements or senior apparel can be ordered. All items must be purchased online.
  • To order a cap & gown
      • Go to jostens.com
      • Click on “shop your school”
      • Enter West Potomac High School
      • Click on “West Potomac Shop School”
      • Click on “Graduation”
      • Shop the packages and order a package (if you desire)
      • To order the cap & gown (only)
        • Click on “Shop Graduation Products”
        • Scroll down to Cap & Gown Unit only (cost $0.00)
  • If you have questions, please call 1-800-JOSTENS (567-8367) Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Prom Date:   West Potomac Prom 2022 will be held on April 30. Save the date!

  • Location: Renaissance Arlington Capitol View hotel in Crystal City
    • No additional details yet about theme, tickets costs or sales, or other event details

Graduation Date.

  • Graduation will be on Friday, June 3rd at 9:00 am on the WPHS Campus at Dietze Football Stadium. If needed, the rain date will be Saturday, June 4th at 9:00 am.

Class of 2022 Schoology Page. 

  • For updates, seniors can visit the Class of 2022 Schoology page located under the Student Services Course, Folder - Class of 2022Folder - Class Activities and Updates.
  • Additional Note: Through the coordination of WP Class of ’22 Teacher/Faculty Sponsors and Senior Parent/Guardian volunteers, it is the hope to host Class of ’22 (Senior) Celebrations to commemorate their final days at WPHS. As per tradition (Pre-Covid), a Senior graduation party event is being discussed and fundraising activities will be needed. Please reach out to Liz Ver Hage at elizabethbraga@aol.com to support Celebration planning and fundraising.  Thank you!

SAT/ACT TEST PREP

  • Parents – We need someone to take over the test prep program next school year! The program is in a great place for a new leader. Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com, to learn more.
  • Test Prep Classes and Mock Tests - View full schedule and Register Here.  All on-campus events are in Gunston, Room 190 pod. Park in academy lot, enter door 10/Academy.

Next mocks:

ACT 1/22/22, 2/12/22     , 3/5/22

SAT 1/22/22, 2/12/22, 3/12/22

Winter Classes:

ACT starts 1/22/22

SAT started 12/11/21 Online registration closed.

Spring Classes:

  • SAT and ACT start 3/12/22
  • More Resources available on the Test Prep Program Web Page
  • Questions? Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com or info@applerouth.com
  • Scholarships - WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the WPHS College and Career Center Specialist, Karen B. Young, kbyoung1@fcps.edu
  • Need Flexibility? Try Applerouth’s Self-Paced Online Course - Animated video lessons and comprehensive practice for every section of the SAT or ACT. Available for purchase ($125.00) on the PTSA’s MemberHubStore.
  • Applerouth’s Guide to Academic Success ($10.00) available now on PTSA’s MemberHubStore. Build a foundation for better study skills! This 88-page guide teaches students how to take control of their learning and understand why some habits are better than others. The e-book is delivered to your Applerouth account.