Bulldog Breakdown 4/17 - 4/23

Good Evening Bulldog Families–

I hope that you and your family were able to enjoy a fantastic weekend. I also want to wish a happy Easter, Passover, and Theravada for all that celebrate!

There are not many new updates this week, but I do urge you to check out the information from the county. One specific thing to look at is the free, virtual tutoring program that the county is providing. This is a new resource for all students and became active this week. There is more information below on how to use this great opportunity. 

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 

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

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

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 of Events at Westfield This Week

FROM FCPS

Topic: Tutor.com Launches 

We are pleased to announce that students now have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Tutor.com is available 24/7, through online voice or text chat, and in your student’s preferred language. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their students out of accessing the service. You can learn more about Tutor.com on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.

Students will be able to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology.  Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos: 

elementary video and secondary video. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.

Topic: Discontinuation of COVID Testing (Apr. 22)

To limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep schools open safely, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been providing a COVID-19 screening and diagnostic testing program to students and staff as part of its layered prevention strategies. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the community level for Fairfax County is currently classified as low; this classification has continued for the past month. In addition, Fairfax Health District COVID-19 Vaccination Status indicates that more than 70% of all Fairfax Health Districts residents have been fully vaccinated (defined by receiving two of a two-dose vaccine or one of a single-dose vaccine). More than 80% of residents have received one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Vaccination rates by age group indicates that more than 50% of students ages 5-11 and more than 90% of students ages 12-17 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.  COVID-19 Vaccinations  are free and available at various locations in our community.  

Based on these metrics and CDC guidance, FCPS will discontinue the following prevention strategies on April 22, 2022: 

• Optional weekly screening testing for all schools 
• Diagnostic Drive Through Testing Sites at Gatehouse Administration Center and Sideburn Center 

 If students or employees have symptoms and need to get tested, the following options are available:

• COVID-19 Testing is available at various sites throughout Fairfax County and the state.
• At-Home Test Kits - Students leaving the school CARE Room with symptoms of illness are provided an at-home test kit. 
• Test-To-Stay Program - In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), FCPS is providing access to the Test-To-Stay program for students who have been identified as a close contact when an outbreak has been declared. This program is available to any student who meets eligibility criteria and whose parent/legal guardian has provided consent for their participation. 

While we are encouraged by the continued decline in COVID-19 cases in our community, we are also committed to keeping our schools safe for all to learn and work in person. Please continue to do your part to maintain a healthy learning environment by using layered prevention strategies including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, monitoring for illness, and staying home when sick. Employees should still report positive test results to their supervisor.

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