 WPHS Chorus students help end our celebration of Virginia Principal Appreciation Week with a live performance for our amazing Principal!
In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:
- Important Dates
- Principal Message
- PTSA News
- School News Update
- College and Career Center Updates
- SAT/ACT Test Prep
- FCPS Opportunities and Quick Links
January 17: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday – Holiday
January 18: Virtual 10th-12th Grade Curriculum/Academic Advising Resources Go Live on website - Email will be sent when all materials are available.
January 19: Academic Advising/Course Selection Presentation to Students in Advisory
January 20: End of Second Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
January 21: Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
January 24: Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)
January 25 – Feb 4: Rising 12th Grade Course Selection through English Classes
January 26: West Potomac Academy Virtual Open House, 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
February 7 – 18: Rising 11th Grade Course Selection through PE 10
February 7: PTSA Membership Meeting at 6:30 PM
February 9: Domino’s Pizza Restaurant Night, PTSA Fundraiser
February 22 – March 4: Rising 10th Grade Course Selection through PE 9
TGIF Wolverines!
I want to express a sincere thank you for all who have reached out throughout the week expressing your appreciation of me. I am so grateful for our community. I cannot do what I do without everyone’s care and support. We are so lucky to be on this journey together and from the bottom of my heart, I love you all.
Despite all our challenges this week, we made it through strong. Although we have averaged about 20 teachers out per day, we have been able to provide the necessary coverage with out pooling multiple classes together. We will continue to do our best to provide coverage that will not create large disruptions in students’ day.
I am sure you have received communication from FCPS regarding the Inclement Weather Virtual Instruction Plan. As I mentioned last week in a communication, we have exhausted all our traditional snow days (5) during the storms last week. Any additional days of poor weather that requires the physical building to close, we will have a full day of virtual synchronous instruction. Your children will need to have their laptops to log in to Zoom links for class and to complete assignments in Schoology.
The bell schedule can be found on our webpage along with instructions for how to log on to Zoom and attendance reminders.
https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/announcements/inclement-weather-virtual-learning-information
- Attendance will be taken for all classes
- If a student can not log on due to power or wifi outages, please call/email attendance. Students will be excused and will have the opportunity to make up any work.
- If a teacher is unable to log in due to power or wifi outages, there will be posted in Schoology asynchronous work that students will complete on their own
- Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Bell Schedule: although the FCPS information used the term 2 hour delay-that is not correct. 2 hr delay schedule is specific to a in person delayed opening. The virtual schedule allows for a 2 hr teacher preparation time, a 45 min common lunch time and 55 minutes for class. This is the same for all high schools in FCPS.
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Period
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Start
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End
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Class Time
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1st Block
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10:10
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11:05
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55 Minutes
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2nd Block
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11:15
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12:10
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55 Minutes
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Lunch
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12:10
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12:55
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45 Minutes
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3rd Block
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12:55
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1:50
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55 Minutes
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4th Block
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2:00
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2:55
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55 Minutes
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Thank you,
Tanganyika H. Millard
Principal, West Potomac H.S.
PTSA Updates
Thank you to the families who joined us this past Monday for the January PTSA meeting with a special thank you to Mr. Kevin McMahon, WPHS, Director of Student Services, for the helpful information regarding course selection for the 2022-2023 school year. Meeting minutes can be found here
Jan 10 Zoom recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/pcquM4mo4NPcoShI9ndK85whdcWhtlK0H_jTJEUEUn3m6zdlW8JaJp0Jh1apeWjf.U2gCVi_zNNs004Jg
Passcode: =%10ZOq1
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Save the date: Next PTSA Membership Meeting, February 7 at 6:30 PM
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AmazonSmile- Amazon donates 0.5%of the price of your Amazon Smile purchases to the PTSA! Log into 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!
WPHS Leadership Training: The focus of this course is to complete and put forth projects throughout WP and the community, to improve and expand leadership skills on an individual level. Along with planning events such as Homecoming, students will participate in collaborative class discussions and group activities, team builders, and individual exercises and much more.
For rising Freshman: who are interested in taking Leadership Training, there is a mandatory application that can be found at https://tinyurl.com/WP9thgradeLship that is due by FEBRUARY 4th at 11:59 PM.
For rising 10th-12th graders: if you are interested in taking Leadership, check out the all student schoology for more information and a link to the application. The application can also be found here: https://tinyurl.com/WPLship2022 and is due Friday February 4th at 11:59 PM.
If you have questions please contact Nicole Borghard at nmborghard@fcps.edu or Steve Przywara at scprzywara@fcps.edu.
West Potomac Academy Virtual Open House, January 26, 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
What is West Potomac Academy?
- West Potomac Academy, housed within WPHS, is a Governor's Health & Medical Sciences Academy and offers outstanding opportunities for FCPS high school students with career interests in health & medical sciences, communications & arts, and social services. Students attending WP Academy explore college and career options, develop marketable career skills for entry level work, participate in career experiences, earn college credit and real-world career certifications, and build an academic foundation that prepares them for success in college. We believe every student should have the opportunity to pursue electives that give career-oriented education and skills that last a lifetime. West Potomac Academy is one of six career and technical education centers in FCPS offering elective courses with a career emphasis.
- West Potomac Academy invites you to attend our Virtual Open House on Wednesday, January 26th from 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM. You will have the opportunity to hear from our Administrator and other staff, meet our instructors and current students, and learn more about our incredible courses! We encourage you to visit our website in advance (https://westpotomacacademy.fcps.edu/) so you can spend your time with the classes and teachers that are of most interest to you.
- Please complete the short Google RSVP formin the (also listed on the Open House Flyer). A link to join our open house will be emailed to you Wednesday morning, January 26th. If you have questions, please contact Nora Covert, West Potomac Academy Counselor at nkcovert@fcps.edu. We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you to West Potomac Academy!
2021 – 2022 WPHS Yearbooks on Sale now – click here!
Class of 22 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. Final events will be based on funds raised. Class of 2022 Direct Donation Flyer.
College and Career Center Updates
Seniors:
Are you planning on attending NOVA in the fall and need help in completing your application? Register to attend our next on-site NOVA application completion event in the WPHS Career Center on Thursday, 1/27/2022 at 3:00 pm. Seniors check your fcpsschools.net email for details and the registration link. Pre-registration is required!
SAT/ACT:
Wolverines, if you are planning to take the SAT or ACT this spring, now is the time to register. The next scheduled date for the SAT is March 12, 2022. The ACT is scheduled to be offered February 12, 2022. Go to collegeboard.org or act.org to register and to see a full list of dates/locations for each test.
Students can access a list of free, on-line test prep resources by visiting Schoology>Student Services Course>College & Career Center Folder>Test Prep Resources Folder
For students who are interested in an in-person test prep resource, Applerouth/PTSA Test Prep will offer numerous mock tests and three class sessions during the school year. Classes target prep for March/April, and June official tests. The full schedule and registration can be found on https://www.applerouth.com/schools/8946/
Questions about the program? Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com.
Test fee waivers and WPHS student need-based scholarships for the prep class are available. Contact the WPHS College and Career Specialist Mrs. Young at kbyoung1@fcps.edu.
Don’t forget to follow the College & Career Center on Twitter for the latest updates @wphsccc.
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. No test prep experience needed, just strong organization skills. 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.
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Next mocks:
ACT 1/22, 2/12, 3/5
SAT 1/22, 2/12, 3/12
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Winter Classes:
ACT starts 1/22/22
SAT started 12/11/21 Registration closed.
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Spring Classes:
SAT and ACT start 3/12/22
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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.
New Applerouth Webinars
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College & Money Series Let’s not mince words: college is expensive. The latest data show the average annual cost of tuition + fees at public four-year colleges is almost $30K for in-state students and over $44K for out-of-state students. For those attending private four-year colleges, the average cost is over $55K. Don’t let cost be the reason you don’t continue your education. Applerouth has the information you need to make 2022 the year you make a plan for college affordability. Sign up for the whole series or just the events that are of interest to you. If you can’t make it live, Applerouth will send you a recording after.
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How to Make College Affordable Wednesday, January 19th at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT College in the US is expensive, but it does not have to be out of reach for anyone. Join Claire Law for an in-depth conversation about the cost of college and how to find your family's path to an affordable degree.
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Financial Aid 101 Wednesday, January 26th at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from Chanell Thomas on how to apply for need-based financial aid and get all of your college affordability questions answered.
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How to Get a Scholarship Wednesday, February 2nd at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT Scholarships can help you pay for college and minimize student loan debt. In this workshop, Will Geiger will teach you about how to find and win best-fit scholarships.
FCPS Opportunities and Links:
Annual FCPS Operational Back2Fairfax Seminar virtual event on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, from 5-8 p.m.
Attendees will have an opportunity to network with current employees in various operational and administrative positions. Attendees can view a live operational employee panel and attend breakout sessions on various topics including Apprenticeship 101, Computer Hardware Repair, Network Engineering, Technology Support, Trade Careers, and more.
Current FCPS juniors, seniors, and recent FCPS graduates considering an operational career with Fairfax County Public Schools are welcome to join this event. To register and learn more: https://www.fcps.edu/news/annual-operational-back2fairfax-seminar
Become a FCPS Substitute Teacher. Attend the Virtual Substitute Job Fair on January 18
- Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Fairfax County Public Schools is looking for enthusiastic, engaged, and dedicated substitute teachers. Starting pay is $17.79 per hour for short-term subs; $23.91 per hour for long-term subs.
- Substitutes help our students thrive when their teacher must be out of the classroom and are essential members of every school’s team. If you are interested, FCPS is holding a virtual Substitute Job Fair on Tuesday, January 18, from 9 to 11 a.m.Learn more about the fair, as well as how to apply, prepare, register, and attend.
Quick Links:
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