WPHS News You Choose - 2/4/22

RIsing Stars

Congratulations to our 2nd Quarter Rising Stars! Keep up the great work!


In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:

  • Important Dates
  • PTSA News
  • School News Update
  • Senior News/Class of ’22 Updates
  • College and Career Center Updates 
  • SAT/ACT Test Prep
  • FCPS Opportunities and Quick Links

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

February 7:   PTSA Membership Meeting at 6:30 PM (In-person and virtually)

February 8:   All A Honor Roll Celebration

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

February 10:  Moe’s Fundraiser:  WP Orchestra Fundraiser, 5 - 9 PM

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

February 11:  Jazz Band’s Annual Valentine’s Dance, 8-10 PM, Springbank Aud.  

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

June 3:   Class of ’22 Graduation- WPHS Stadium


PTSA Updates

  • Please join us for our next PTSA Meeting on February 7 at 6:30 PM.  The meeting will take place in person, in the WPHS school library, and virtually via Zoom (link below).  We will have Marilyn Aboff, an Applerouth representative, in-person to talk to our WP families about SAT and ACT test prep. The college application process has shifted in the time of COVID, but the SAT and ACT tests remain an important part of many applications. Also, did you know that College Board recently announced that starting with the class of 2025 (current high school freshmen), test-takers will exclusively take a shorter, digital, adaptive SAT?  Come learn about these changes and so much more.
  • Dear West Potomac Families - On February 14th, the PTSA will host a teacher and staff breakfast. We ask for a few minutes of your time to write a note to help us "put into words" how much we appreciate our WP Teachers and Staff for their Dedication, Hard Work, Enthusiasm, Willingness, and Ability to Pivot during these crazy times.  Please submit your note here!  Thank you!  

MOE'S CHIP AND QUESO BAR IS BACK!!! 

  • The celebration for our 2nd Quarter A/B students will be on Friday, February 11 during all four lunches. We will be setting up outside on the patio and masks will be required even outdoors.  We need volunteers to help set up, serve, and clean up. No experience is necessary and it is a great way to meet other parents and see the kids in school again.  Sign up here
  • Volunteers must check-in at the office with a photo ID - You will be directed to the cafeteria and from there directed to the patio. Please dress warmly! It will be chilly! Masks are required for all even outside.
  • Thank you. If you have any questions, please email Sandy at spbodner@yahoo.com

Student Recognition - Second Quarter Events:

This week – WP PTSA and Student Services are SO excited to host the following events to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our students!

  • Feb 8:  All A Honor Roll Celebration
  • 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. 
  • 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

Domino’s Restaurant Night – PTSA Fundraiser:  Feb 9.

  • "Who doesn't love pizza night!  On Wednesday, February 9, Domino's will give the PTSA 20% back on all purchases! Make sure to use CODE DN3 when you order!  Domino's pizza freezes beautifully so order an extra to freeze slices for a quick snack, lunch or dinner reheat on those days where the holidays just keep you too busy!" Enjoy and thank you for supporting the PTSA, Eat. More. Pizza! Domino’s Restaurant Night Flyer.

School News

  • West Potomac Band – Jazz Band’s Annual Valentine’s Dance: February 11, 8-10 p.m., Springbank Auditorium.
    • Come out and enjoy an evening of fun, jazzy, big band music from the West Po Jazz Band students!  Tickets are $5 and will be for sale to students during all lunches on Feb. 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 10th.  In addition, tickets will be sold at the door.  Grab a friend and put on your finest semi-formal duds. Parents are welcome. You’ll love the music and the auditorium’s jazz club makeover! Jazz Band Valentines Dance Flyer.
  • WPHS Choir News
    • The WPHS Choir is pleased to announce that 22 WPHS students were selected to participate in District Choir this spring.  The selected students went through a rigorous audition process to earn their place in the choir.  Congratulations to all of the students listed below.
    • Leslie Witherspoon, Sophia Argueta, Tabby Sydow, Sydney Ashworth, Grace Brown, Natalie Rubio, Gabby Theunissen, Valezka Sarmiento, Merryn Grindstaff, Kennedy Johnson, Jessica Yorke, Johnny Lazo, Nico Pece, Cole Driggers, Charlotte Levine, Xepher Winkler, Sophie Jones, Jadelyn Bethel, Riley Keogh, Brielle Kirk, Brielle Keyes, Ellee St. Pierre

 

  • WPHS Orchestra News:  Moe’s Fundraiser:  Wednesday, February 10th, 5-9 pm
    • Help support the WPHS Orchestra and enjoy dinner at Moe's Wednesday, February 10th, 5-9 pm. Why not take the night off and treat your family to a great meal! We receive a portion of your purchase when you mention the WPHS Orchestra. Moe's is located at 7698 Richmond Hwy, Hybla Valley, 22306. Please see this flyer for more details, and thank you for supporting the WP Orchestra!

From the Office of WPHS Student Safety and Wellness:

  • The Fairfax County Community Services Board is offering FREE virtual REVIVE Training that only takes 60 minutes to learn how to recognize the signs of overdose and effectively administer the life saving drug Naloxone (Narcan). When you complete the online training you will receive a REVIVE Kit that includes a dose of Naloxone. This training gives you the opportunity to save someone’s life. Opiod use is on the rise across our nation and in our community.  For more information visit this website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/news/2020/virtual-revive-training
  • As a prevention measure, I also have medication lock boxes and alcohol bottle locks for anyone who would like one. Please feel free to contact me for a box or with any questions you might have. Elizabeth Knudson- 703.718.2749 or eaknudson@fcps.edu.

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


Senior News/Class of 22 Updates

  • Families – our Senior’s 100-day count down is days away.  Bittersweet for sure. Please take a few minutes to read below some of the Class of '22 Senior Celebration ideas and fundraising needs.   Now more than ever, your talents and support are needed.  Feedback is that our students would be so excited about the possibility of a graduation party – to make this possible, lots of volunteers, lots of planning, and fundraising will be needed in the weeks ahead.
  • Let's work together to celebrate each graduate and to honor their hard work while at WPHS

WP Class of 2022 Yard Signs - 60 remaining 

Class of '22 Facebook page:  Created as an additional platform to help share info with Senior families, to ask a question, provide an answer, etc. 

             https://www.facebook.com/groups/wposeniors22/ 

Class of 22 Direct Donation Campaign:

  • 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 year-end graduation party. Final events will be based on funds raised. Direct Donation Flyer.  To donate:  https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store 

Class of '22 Scholarship - (being explored).  

  • A hope of mine would be to have the class of '22 gift one or two Class of '22 scholarships to be awarded to one or 2 Class of 22 students (Amt. $500 or $1000) - candidates would be chosen by designated WP Teachers or counselors, and the $$ would need to be used towards a future goal - College, technical school, etc.  (Volunteers needs: 1 or 2 parents to help me create an outline to make this a reality)

Class of 22’ Celebrations:

  • 1st - Class of '22 Celebration - 100 Day Celebration Countdown: - Feb 25th
  • The actual 100th day is on Feb 24th, but the school is shifting the celebration to Friday, at the end of the day. In celebration of our Seniors and using the 100-day countdown idea – we have created a 100 Day countdown sign-up. 
  • We will need 650 cupcakes, some drinks, and some volunteers, and also launched the 100 - $22 Gift Card request.  These gift cards will be raffled throughout the next 4 months during the monthly school-based Senior celebrations. 
  • February 25 100 days to 2022 graduation cupcake event
  • https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store

March 22 Event – Senior Celebration- Breakfast:

  • Time:  Approx.: 9:30 am
  • Theme:  Senior Breakfast – Grab and Go foods:  Donuts/granola bars/ maybe some yogurts 
  • **Need two volunteers to help with coordinating -please reach out to me (Liz – elizabethbraga@aol.com)
  •   Approx. 600 Students circulating 

April 22 & May 22 Senior Celebration Events - TBD

Graduation Party – June 4th (TBD)

  • As mentioned above - we do hope to have an end-of-year party, but it will require more research, $$, and other logistics - that will be many follow-up e-mails. One idea being researched is to rent a cruise boat like the Spirit of Washington for a 3 hr late evening cruise

College and Career Center Updates:

  • Calling all young adults!  Interested in a career in public safety? Meet Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, Animal Protection Officers,  Firefighters, and 911 Dispatchers to learn about the amazing opportunities that a career in public safety offers.  Enjoy lunch, live demonstrations, and the chance to talk with recruiters! Attend the Fairfax County Public Safety Career Fair at St Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield on Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 11am – 3pm. Can’t make it, visit governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfaxcounty/for job information.
  • The College Place is hosting an HBCU Virtual College Tour Series.  During the month of February, virtual tours of over 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be featured on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:30 pm.  All sessions will take place at https://ecmc.zoom.us/j/96027749366.  For more information, contact Tomika Brown, Director-The College Place at tbrown@ecmc.org.
  • Looking for opportunities to volunteer in your community?  Volunteer Fairfax has a guide to help students get started and a list of youth service opportunities.  Visit their website for more information:   https://www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals-groups/individuals-groups-get-involved/youth-family-volunteering/

 


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.
  • Sophomores, now through May is the time to take mocks and determine your test preference!

Next ACT Mocks:

 

2/19, 3/12, 4/23, 5/14

Next SAT Mocks:

 

2/19, 3/12, 4/23, 5/14

 

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.
  • Free - Applerouth’s Virtual Bookshelf - all of Applerouth’s most popular free resources on college admissions testing, academic tutoring, and more. To access the free materials, please sign in to your Applerouth account or create one. The Junior Jumpstart is especially helpful!

 


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