 On Tuesday we celebrated over 200 Wolverines who earned 2nd Quarter All A Honor Roll!!
 Chorus Students representing WP today at Districts!
Group photo of our West Potomac Band Students from Districts last weekend! Great job Wolverines!
In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:
- Important Dates
- Principal Message
- 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 11: Jazz Band’s Annual Valentine’s Dance, 8-10 PM, Springbank Aud.
February 14: WPHS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Breakfast
February 15 & 16: Jersey Mike’s Restaurant Night, WP Dance Team Fundraiser
February 17: Five Guys Restaurant Night, PTSA Fundraiser
February 22 – March 4: Rising 10th Grade Course Selection through PE 9
April 30: Junior and Senior Prom- Renaissance Hotel in Crystal City (Details to follow)
June 3: Class of ’22 Graduation- WPHS Stadium
Happy Friday West Potomac!
It’s February, and today and tomorrow it will be in the 60’s so enjoy some time outside if you can. But don’t get too excited because we have had some significant snow in early March around here 😊.
Health Metrics Updates
On Thursday morning you should have received an email from Dr. Brabrand outlining the health metrics necessary for us to begin to make changes in our mitigation strategies including masking. As of now, there are no changes, however, once Fairfax County reaches the moderate transmission rate for 7 consecutive days, masks will become optional for students. The last time we were moderate for 7 days was the first two weeks of November and we have consistently been at high rate of transmission since late November. I, like all of you, hope and pray that we will get back to a place where transmission rates decline soon. In the meantime, I want to extend my continued gratitude to all of our students and staff for continuing to follow the school level mandates.
Construction Updates
It has been a while since we have provided and update on our school addition. No news is actually good news. Everything is moving along as expected. You can clearly see the changes taking shape and it is very exciting. Currently, we are working with vendors to order new furniture for the new spaces. We are on track to move in to our new spaces in early August, just in time for the start of the new school year. Stay tuned as we will begin planning for our grand opening festivities.
Wolverine Student Support Time
Third quarter is well underway and as discussed in January, we have begun our student support option during the school day (formally known as S-Rotation). After advisory, students are able to go to teachers for support (make up work, ask questions, re-learn a concept, take a test/quiz). A student can prearrange to go to a teacher and teachers can request students during this time. Also students have the opportunity to stay with their advisor and use the time as a study hall to complete work on their own. Students who are in good standing (C or better in all classes) can go to the library or the auditorium as well. If staying afterschool is difficult for your child, please encourage them to use Wolverine Student Support Time to their advantage.
Have a great weekend,
Ms. Millard
PTSA Updates
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Final Hours TO Submit: On Monday, February 14th, the PTSA will host a teacher and staff appreciation breakfast. Thank you to the many families who signed up to donate K-Cups, waters, snacks so we can stock up the teacher’s lounge. Last week we rolled out a request asking for a few minutes of your time 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. Messages will be accepted at this link until Sat, Feb 12 at 8:00 PM. Please submit your note here! Thank you.
- Thank you to the families who shared part of their Monday evening with us. Marilyn Aboff, is a PTSA volunteer who has been supporting WP students, for years, with SAT and ACT resources and opportunities available through the Applerouth program. The college application process has shifted considerably but test-optional does not mean test blind. Many colleges/universities continue to ask for these scores as part of their competitive application process. Did you know that your student could be awarded Merit scholarships based on SAT or ACT scores?
- WP is fortunate to be able to offer the Applerouth prep program to WP students at considerable savings and program scholarships are available – please see below for more info on testing schedules and prep classes. Missed the meeting? Click here for meeting minutes.
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Five Guys Restaurant Night – PTSA Fundraiser:Feb 15. Quander and Hybla Valley Locations.
- "Burgers from Five Guys, yes please!! On February 17 from 3:30-7:30, Five Guys will be supporting the WPHS PTSA by donating back 20% of all purchases! Because it starts at 3:30, it is the perfect after-school snack! Please help the PTSA support our school, staff, and students by taking a break from cooking and treating yourself to Five Guys burgers and fries for dinner!" Five Guys Fundraiser Flyer.
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Best Volunteer Opportunity EVER! Do you have freshman and/or younger students? Well, SAT/ACT tests are in your future. Be on the cutting edge of changes to the official tests and college admissions by chairing the PTSA’s Test Prep Program! No test prep experience is needed just strong organization and customer service skills. Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com, to learn more about managing this rewarding program.
School News
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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! If you don’t have a ticket yet, you can buy one at the door for $5. Put on your finest semi-formal duds and come on out. Parents are welcome. You’ll love the music and the auditorium’s jazz club makeover! Also, there will be a bake sale to benefit Indoor Drumline’s competition season.(Pls flyer is attached) Jazz Band Valentines Dance Flyer.
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WPHS Dance Team: Dinner from Jersey Mike's on February 15 or 16
- Jersey Mike's is donating 15% of the proceeds from sales on Tuesday, February 15th, and Wednesday, February 16th to the WP Dance Team. If you head to Jersey Mike's on one of those nights between 4 and 9 pm, print out the attached flyer that corresponds to the night you are going and take it with you -- one is for February 15 and the other is for February 16. Thank you for supporting the West Potomac Dance Team! Jersey Mikes. Feb. 15 Dance Team Fundraiser.
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2021 – 2022 WPHS Yearbooks on Sale now – click here!
Senior News/Class of 22 Updates
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Class of ’22 Senior School Dues: Senior dues are $50 - these funds will cover the Cap and Gown, Diploma Covers, and Senior Shirts and Activities.
- Payments can be made now through your students www.myschoolbucks.com acct. Once logged in, at the top, there is a School Store drop-down option, or click on the "School Fees/School Store Payment." button. This screen may pop up - Welcome to the Fairfax County Public Schools School Store
- Click on Browse All Items. Different category buttons menu option will display, use the “next” arrow at bottom of the page to scroll to next page/menu options until you see "Class of 2022 Senior Dues" box - Click select, your Seniors name should be in the drop-down option. If you are unable to pay through your child’s myschoolbucks.com , please pay by check payable to West Potomac High School. Thanks to everyone who has paid!
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April 30: Juniors and Senior Prom - Renaissance Hotel in Crystal City (More details to follow)
Senior Celebration Events – Volunteers Needed:
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Families – our Senior’s 100-day count down will be celebrated at WPHS on Feb 25th. 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).
- Class of '22 to 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 $$ would need to be used towards a future goal - College, technical school, etc. (Volunteers needs: 1 or 2 parents to help me create an outline to make this a reality)
Class of 22’ Celebration Planned Events:
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1st - Class of '22 Celebration - 100 Day Celebration Countdown: - Feb 25th
- The actual 100th day is on Feb 24th, but the school is shifting the celebration to Friday, at the end of the day. In celebration of our Seniors and using the 100-day countdown idea – we have created a 100 Day countdown sign-up.
- We will need 650 cupcakes, some drinks, and some volunteers, and also launched the 100 - $22 Gift Card request. These gift cards will be raffled throughout the next 4 months during the monthly school-based Senior celebrations.
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February 25 100 days to 2022 graduation cupcake event
- https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store
March 22 Event – Senior Celebration- Breakfast:
- Time: Approx.: 9:30 am
- Theme: Senior Breakfast – Grab and Go foods: Donuts/granola bars/ maybe some yogurts
- **Need two volunteers to help with coordinating -please reach out to me (Liz – elizabethbraga@aol.com)
- Approx. 600 Students circulating
April 22 & May 22 Senior Celebration Events – TBD
Graduation Party – (TBD)
- As mentioned above - we do hope to have an end-of-year party, but it will require more research, $$, 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:
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Gap Year Fair:
- FCPS is co-hosting a Virtual Gap Year Fair with Go Overseas, whose mission is to empower human connection through perspective-changing travel. At the Virtual Gap Year Fair, students and their families can connect with gap year program providers, counselors, alumni, and college admissions representatives to learn everything needed about taking a gap year. It will be on Thursday, February 17th from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Space is limited so register today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-usa-gap-year-fair-2022-feb-17-registration-211523661967?aff=GYFeventscta
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United States Military Academy, West Point, NY Summer Leadership Experience:
- The United States Military Academy, West Point, Summer Leadership Experience (SLE) 2022 provides juniors with a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of a cadet. Participants will explore West Point from all angles, including the high-tech educational facilities, team building athletic activities, and realistic military training. Students will get a taste of Cadet Life through the entire program, which is led by current West Point cadets.
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The Summer Leadership Experience 2022 application window is open and will close on March 15th, 2022.
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SLE Sessions:
- Session 1: May 28 - June 3, 2022
- Session 2: June 4 - June 10, 2022
- The cost of attendance is $625 and generous need-based scholarships are available. There is no application fee. Standardized test scores are not required but the ideal applicant has a strong academic background and participates in team sports and other extracurricular activities.
- SLE Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
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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.
- To learn more or register, go to: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/index.php
- A full list of enrichment programs can be accessed via Naviance>Colleges> Research Colleges>Enrichment Programs.
SAT/ACT TEST PREP :
Sophomores, now through May is a great time to take mocks and determine your test preference! View full schedule and Register Here.
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Next ACT Mocks:
2/19, 3/12, 4/23, 5/14
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Next SAT Mocks:
2/19, 3/12, 4/23, 5/14
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Spring Classes:
SAT and ACT start 3/12/22 and prep for the June official tests
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All on-campus events are in Gunston, Room 190 pod. Park in academy lot, enter door 10/Academy.
More Resources:
Applerouth’s FREE SAT/ACT Practice Test Weekend February 26-27 Sign Up
- Get a score that gives you more options. Start with proctored SAT and ACT practice tests. Before the test, attend an online Strategy Session to learn proven strategies. Afterwards, you'll get a detailed score breakdown and help with creating a custom study plan.
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Online Free Applerouth Webinars
FCPS News and Links
Quick Links:
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