WPHS News You Choose - 1/21/22

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/21/2022 02:19 PM EST

In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:

  • Important Dates
  • Principals Message
  • PTSA News
  • School News Update
  • Class of ’22 Updates
  • Student Services/College and Career Center Updates 
  • Athletics Reminders
  • SAT/ACT Test Prep
  • FCPS Opportunities and Quick Links

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 4:  WPHS Leadership Training Application Due

February 4:  Rising Stars Celebration

February 7 – 18: Rising 11th Grade Course Selection through PE 10

February 7:   PTSA Membership Meeting at 6:30 PM

February 8:   All A Honor Roll Celebration

February 9:   Domino’s Pizza Restaurant Night, PTSA Fundraiser

February 11:  Moe’s Chip/Queso Honor Roll Recognition

February 22 – March 4: Rising 10th Grade Course Selection through PE 9

June 3:   Class of ’22 Graduation- WPHS Stadium

Happy Long Weekend Wolverines!

Well, we made it through our first virtual snow day. Thank you to staff who were prepared and ready to receive our students. Thank you to our students, who by all accounts were, logged in, cameras on, and ready to go.  I wonder if a two hour and forty-five minute school day had anything to do with that 😊. 

Next week we begin 3rd quarter, believe it or not.  We will also begin our new Student Support Time, to allow students to get help from teachers during the school day.  Please take 5 minutes to watch the video below for an overview of the process.  We will be presenting this to all students during advisory next week and will begin on January 27th. 

https://youtu.be/PVtgHtNmN_U

Enjoy your long weekend!

Ms. Millard

PTSA Updates

Save the date:  Next PTSA Membership Meeting, February 7 at 6:30 PM

Student Recognition - Second Quarter Events:

The West Potomac PTSA and Student Services are proud and excited to host the following events to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our students!

  • Feb 4:  Rising Stars Celebration - The Rising Stars is a celebration of students who have been identified by a Wolverine Faculty member for showing great effort or improvement during the previous quarter. Students will be notified by their counselor and the event includes a short ceremony and doughnuts!
  • Feb 8:  All A Honor Roll Celebration - The All A Honor Roll celebrates students who have earned All A/A- during the “quarter”. Although grades are no longer calculated by the quarter, the cut off is the same and if a student has all A/A- in the grade book as of the end of this quarter they will be notified by student services by email. The celebration includes a quick ceremony and free doughnuts for all attendees!
  • Feb 11:   Moe’s Chip/Queso Honor Roll Recognition - This very popular event celebrates all students who have earned all As or A/Bs as of the end of the second quarter grading period. It occurs during all four lunch periods and is hosted by the PTSA and catered by Moe’s with free chips and guac/salsa for students who qualify! Students check in during their lunch period for a ticket and can go through the line.
  • The Moe’s Chip/Queso bar takes many volunteers. A sign-up genius link will be posted in February. It takes about 14 people for this to run smoothly and it is a great way to meet and chat with parents and see how grateful and wonderful the students at WP are IN PERSON (masked of course!). Thank you in advance for considering.
  • We will also hold a raffle for $5 gift cards to students who qualify during the lunch periods! We are asking for monetary donations to help purchase the gift cards and the PTSA will purchase the physical gift cards.  

 To donate:  https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store

School News

WPHS Leadership Training Application Information: 

  • 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-12thgraders: 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.
  • Questions? Please contact Nicole Borghard at nmborghard@fcps.edu or Steve Przywara at scprzywara@fcps.edu.

West Potomac Academy Virtual Open House

  • 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!

 WPHS Dance Team Fundraiser:  

 Early Spring Cleaning to Help the WP Dance Team

  • Clean out your closets for a good cause! On Sunday, January 30 between 9:00 and 9:30 am, the West Potomac Dance Team will be collecting clean, gently used clothing and soft furnishings (bedding, pillows, etc.). These items will be donated to the Unique thrift store in Falls Church. Proceeds from that donation will go to the Dance Team based on the total weight of the items donated, so more is definitely better!  Pack items in clean trash bags and drop them off at the big blue bin outside entrance 3A of the Springbank building at West Potomac. Tax receipts will be available at drop-off. Please share this information with others! Contact Carrie Sessine at carriesessine@gmail.com.

Class of 22 Updates

 Message from WPHS Student Services

  • Hello students and families of Class of 2022,The counseling staff had planned to go to advisories for a brief presentation the first week we returned from break, but due to inclement weather, we are unable to reschedule before the end of 2nd quarter. Included is a link to the presentation with important updates on mid-year college reports and upcoming events. This information is important so please take some time to review the 5-minute video and reach out to your counselor if you have any questions. Presentation link: https://youtu.be/ufRC9d_lgLM
  • 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.

Student Services / College and Career Center Updates

Course Selection / Virtual Curriculum Website

  • This week students watched a YouTube Recording that goes over the enter 2022-23 academic advising and course selection process. The video and additional resources are available on the West Potomac Virtual Curriculum Website: https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/curriculumfair

College and Career Center Updates

Happy New Year!  Please take a moment to check out the latest updates in the West Potomac College & Career Center monthly newsletter.

#WhatsYourCareerWolverines Events:  Jan 26: Careers in federal law enforcement

  • What’s Your Career Wolverines is a series of interactive career talks with local professionals. It’s a great way for students to learn about different careers and the paths to get there. To date we’ve had a clinical psychologist and real estate agent to visit WPHS. Presentations take place in the College & Career Center during all lunches. Pre-registration is not required and all grade levels are welcome to attend. Our next event will be on 1/26 and highlight the Academy Arts program. Speakers to discuss careers in federal law enforcement is on the horizon with a date to be finalized.

Naval Academy Summer Programs:

  • Registration for summer programs at the U.S. Naval Academy is now open. Each program is a weeklong residential experience held on the Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, MD. The Summer Seminar is for rising 12th graders. It is designed for students who are seriously considering the USNA as their college of choice with the goal of giving participants an idea of life at the USNA. The Summer Seminar application also starts the application journey for an appointment to the Academy. The Summer Stem Program is for rising 9th, 10th & 11th graders interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Visit the website for specific information regarding dates, cost for each of the residential programs and Covid vaccination requirements. If you are interested, get your applications in early so that you don’t miss this opportunity!!! To learn more or register, go to: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/index.php

Scholarship Opportunity at George Washington University:

  • For all high school students interested in a health career, we are now accepting applications for our Health Career Opportunity Program (HCOP). This program offers scholarships/stipends, mentors, and education/advisement as students embark on the journey of becoming health professionals. HCOP is a federally funded program by HRSAand its mission is to develop and guide individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds through the educational pipeline of a health profession. Flyer for program.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Early Decision Submission Deadline
    • Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - Regular Decision Submission Deadline
  • If you have questions about our program or would like a presentation, please contact jkto1@email.gwu.edu or GWHCOP@gwu.edu.  For more information about HCOP, visit http://smhs.gwu.edu/hcop.

WPHS Athletics Reminders:

Want to Play a Spring Sport?

You Need to...

  1. Turn in a VHSL Physical Form
  2. Register in our Athlete Registration System
  3. Turn in a copy of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card, Medical Exemption Form, or the Religious Exemption Form
  4. Vaccination is not required for students under the age of 16
  5. Unvaccinated Students will be tested weekly for COVID-19 in order to participate in their chosen sport. If you would like to be tested at West Potomac you must register here

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.

 

Next mocks:

ACT 1/22, 2/12, 3/5

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

 

Winter Classes:

ACT starts 1/22/22

SAT started 12/11/21 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.

New Applerouth Webinars

  • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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 News and Links:

Free Home COVID-19 Tests Available

  • Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests, completely free. Visit covidtests.gov to order your free at-home tests and find free testing locations in your area.

Annual Operational Back2Fairfax Seminar virtual event on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, from 5-8 PM.

  • 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/more info:  https://www.fcps.edu/news/annual-operational-back2fairfax-seminar

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