Bulldog Breakdown 3/20 - 3/26

Good Evening Bulldog Families–

I hope that all families are safe and well, and have been enjoying the weekend! 

It’s definitely starting to get a Spring feel around school. The weather is starting to turn and activities are starting to pick up. Please make sure to check out the calendar portion of the Breakdown so you don’t miss events like International Night, the Musical, and athletic games almost every night. There’s a lot to get involved with here at Westfield!

As spring welcomes blossoms, students tend to re-awaken from the winter. While overwhelmingly this is an exciting time, please remind your students that there are expectations for school behavior. Particular behaviors that tend to arrive with the warm weather are: leaving campus/skipping class, tardiness to class, and inappropriate hallway behavior. Please remind your students to stay on track, just as they have been doing all year.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations. You can do that through e-mail, call, or  through the form located here: https://forms.gle/4eW9rgPRVBF2a5gd8

Go Bulldogs!

Tony DiBari 

 

Westfield High School AP Exam Schedule Updates

Change in Religious and Cultural Observance Day

Eid al-Fitr will be observed by Muslims around the world this May 2nd and May 3rd. The date of Eid services/celebrations can shift due to the lunar calendar and can vary by community and country. At the time the FCPS calendar was developed, local Eid observances were expected to occur on May 3rd, but because local Eid observances shifted to May 2nd, the FCPS Employee Newsletter on February 8th announced a change in the Religious and Cultural Observance day in FCPS for Eid-al-Fitr from May 3rd to May 2nd, 2022.

 

AP Exam Schedule

After careful consideration, FCPS leadership decided to continue with the established AP exam schedule for May 2, 2022. 

Students registered for  AP exams on May 2nd (Chemistry, Spanish Literature, Japanese Language, US Government) will need to request late testing if they are unable to attend due to the Eid religious observance. 

May 3rd exams that were previously rescheduled for May 17th will remain on May 17th (AP Psychology and AP Environmental Science). 

Requesting a late AP Exam due to May 2nd Eid Observance

Students who are unable to attend May 2nd AP exams (Chemistry, Spanish Literature, Japanese Language, or US Government) due to the Eid religious observance need to contact Westfield’s AP Testing Coordinators no later than April 22nd to request late testing. Late testing follows the College Board Late Testing Schedule. The dates and times for the May 2nd late testing are listed in the table below. 

 

WHS AP Testing Coordinators: 

Nicole Shaw ntshaw@fcps.edu /Jen Fargo jkfargo@fcps.edu

May 2nd AP Exam 

Late Exam Date

Start time

Chemistry

May 18th

8:00 am

Spanish Literature

May 18th

12:00 pm

Japanese Language

May 19th

12:00 pm

US Government 

May 20th 

12:00 pm

 

 

9-5 The Musical

Tickets are on sale now for 9 to 5 the Musical! All seats are reserved, so order your tickets today. 

Westfield Theatre Spring Musical 9 to 5, the Musical

Rated PG-13 for Adult Themes & Language. Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13.

Online Tickets encouraged.

Cash or Check only at the door.

Dates: 

April 29 & 30

May 1, 6 & 7

9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she?

Here is the link to the ticket site. You can also find the ticket link at www.westfieldtheatre.com

https://www.etix.com/.../15474/westfield-high-school-theatre

 

 

WeStep

In the past, we have held a program for graduating Seniors called WeStep. For those new to Westfield, WeStep has been a nine-day, 60-hour internship that students can participate in at local businesses, schools, and community service organizations, and is usually held the last 2 weeks of May (depending on graduation date). This experience benefits students in numerous ways and provides them with a tangible experience as they exit high school, allowing them to put academic and career interests in action in a non-academic setting. 

There will be a longer interest/overview meeting for those students who are interested.  Information will also be posted on Schoology and given to seniors this week through advisory. Additionally, we will be reaching out with a process for community members who feel that they can help provide experiences for students through internship, volunteering, or other opportunities. 

 

 

International Night

Bulldog Family!! Westfield will be hosting their annual International Night on Thursday, March 24th from 6PM to 8PM. It will be an exciting event as you will get to learn about the different cultures and ethnicities amongst the students. We will have booths in the cafeteria where people will share information about their country and food will be available. There will also be a Kahoot followed by a fashion show and performances in the auditorium! Bring your friends and family to learn more about your peers!

 

Cub Run Cleanup

Cub Run Cleanup

Dogs of Steel Robotics Club

Our Westfield HS Dogs of Steel Robotics Club won their first competition of the season!  

Congratulations to our students and mentors for all their hard work.  The team received a giant banner, trophy, plaque and medals.  We are extremely proud of their accomplishment and the way they are showcasing our STEM program - Go Bulldogs!

Iron Bulldogs

 

Senior Families:

As we head into spring, now is the time to for your student to be researching and applying to scholarships if they plan to attend college or trade school next year. These scholarships can be found in the College section of Naviance or in the College & Career Center (G110). Scholarships range from national to local; from merit-based to need-based; and from requiring an essay to filling out a simple form. There are hundreds of scholarships posted in Naviance!

Some examples include:

  •       Future AMERICAN SYSTEMS Talent (FAST) Scholarship – two senior Westfield students will receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship and be considered for a paid summer internship. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and an essay about their interests and how they align with American Systems’ primary business functions are required. Deadline April 22.
  •       Leslie Kent Memorial Community College Scholarship – two FCPS seniors planning to attend NOVA and transfer to a 4-year institution. Scholarship may be continued each semester at NOVA. Financial need is considered. An essay and personal statement are required. Deadline May 31.
  •       Erin Peterson Fund Scholarships – several $1,000 scholarships to seniors awarded as a way to honor Erin Peterson, a Westfield alum and victim of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. Seeking students who exemplify a love of life, strong education, random acts of kindness, and demonstrate leadership and team spirit. Minimum GPA 2.5 and an essay required. Deadline May 1.
  •       M2 Solutions Scholarship – one $1,500 scholarship to a Latino senior interested in pursuing Computer Science or Information Technology at either a 4- or 2-year institution. Deadline April 25.
  •       Sully Foundation Scholarship - $2,000 scholarship to two seniors. Goal is to promote interest in and knowledge of Sully Historic Site. Original essay (written or video) and application required. Deadline April 25.

 

Senior Dues

Senior Dues are to be paid by Spring Break: For more information please go to this site: https://westfieldhs.fcps.edu/node/6825

 

Families in Need of Support

Westfield High School has partnered with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to provide students in need healthy meals for the weekends. Westfield is delivering approximately 50 meals to students every Friday afternoon. If you have a student who could benefit from a Friday meal at anytime this school year, please reach out to Sonya Williams at snwilliams1@fcps.edu or 703-488-6382. 

 

Staff Recognition

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Please visit the following link to recognize staff members who have done impactful things: FCPS Cares

 

Volunteer Call-out

We are still looking for your help! We value you as community partners and want to invite you to become more involved at Westfield. One way to do this is to volunteer and substitute teach. If you’re interested, the first step is following the links below. Thank you for your willingness to help!

FCPS Volunteers:  https://www.fcps.edu/get-involved/volunteer-fcps 

Substitute Teachers:   https://www.fcps.edu/careers/career-opportunities/substitute-teaching-opportunities/new-applicants

Westfield Volunteer Interest Form:  https://forms.gle/go7B58zdT1cz5Km9A

 

Tech Updates

Need Tech Support? CLICK HERE

 

Calendar

March 21

Girls Lax vs Annandale (JV only)

Varsity Softball vs Battlefield 

6:30

March 23

Boys Lax vs Langley

7:15

March  24

International Night  (cafeteria and theatre)

6pm

March 24

Boys Soccer vs Herndon

7:15

March 25

G Lax vs Herndon

V Baseball  vs Wilson

6:30pm

March 26

Boys Lax vs Battlefield  (5pm)

3pm and 5pm

 

 

From FCPS

Topic: Tutor.com

All FCPS students will have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost.

Students can connect online any time, and in most subjects for as long as they need. Tutoring is focused instruction provided to students in a one-on-one format through voice or text chat. Tutors will focus on developing students’ strengths and capabilities in reading, mathematics, or other specified subjects. Tutoring services may be accessed before, during, or after school hours and/or on weekends through a link in Schoology. 

All tutors must pass a rigorous application process including an extensive background check. No personal information is shared between a student and tutor. All sessions are recorded and transcripts are available for review by teachers and parents/guardians. 

Students will automatically have access to the Tutor.com tutoring service unless a parent/guardian submits an opt-out request. Watch for an email soon that will include the online tutoring services notice and opt-out information. Additionally, a hard copy form will be sent home with every student. 

For additional information, visit our online tutoring services website. As always, please contact us if you have any questions.

VIDEO ABOUT TUTOR.COM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byN81NObfzI 

 

 

Topic: Special Education Conference

Registration Open for 2022 Special Education Conference

Join us for the 2022 Special Education Conference, Bringing our Inclusive Community Together: Affirming, Assessing, Advancing, held virtually on Saturday, March 26. Welcoming ceremonies, guest speakers, FCPS presentations, and an exhibit hall are included. Registration for this free conference is now available online.

Speakers include:

  • Dr. Lisa Cullins, A Conversation About Compassion Fatigue.
  • Marlo Keller, Exceptional Family Member Program Pathways: Navigating the Halls of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) School Move.
  • Ann Dolin, Less Policing, More Parenting: How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments.
  • Dr. Lisa Bateman, Reducing the Stigma Around Mental Health Challenges and How to Support Children in Asking for Help. 

Visit the Special Education Conference webpage for more information and to register.