WPHS News You Choose - 8-13-22

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/13/2022 12:26 PM EDT

In this week's News You Choose

  • Important dates
  • Principal Message
  • Student Services Updates
  • Registrations/Withdrawals
  • 9th Grade and New Student Orientation
  • Wolverine Welcome
  • Laptop Distribution
  • Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications - Now Available!
  • WABC Membership Information
  • 12th Grade Immunization Requirement 
  • 2022-2023 Opt Out Forms
  • Update your "News You Choose" Settings

Important Dates

  • August 18 - 9th Grade/New Student Orientation, 8:10-12pm
  • August 19 – Wolverine Welcome, 3:30-5:30pm
  • August 22 - First Day of 2022-23 School Year
  • September 2 – No School
  • September 5 – No School, Labor Day
  • September 26 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, Religious & Cultural Observance Day – Rosh Hashanah

Principal Message

Happy Saturday Wolverines!

One.More.Week!  We are looking forward to your return.  Our teachers will be back in force on Monday.  I just want to give a quick update on staffing.  We have made major progress in the past week.  As of today we only have the following vacancies:

3 Main Office (we are actively interviewing so this is going well – should have some hires this coming week)

2 Nursing

1 EMT

1 911

1 JROTC

Thank you for those who reached out to connect us with possible candidates.  We have also hired 1 Student Monitor but we are looking for 3 more, so please continue to put the word out. 

I will be putting out a new Construction update eNotify on Monday after getting a update from FCPS Design and Construction.

Take care and enjoy this beautiful weekend.

Dr. Millard

Student Services Updates

  • WPHS Student Services is excited to welcome our students back for the 22-23 School Year. Two of our counselors will be on leave to start the year and at this time we have been unable to secure substitute counselors.  Therefore, we have divided their alpha amongst the team.  Those that work with Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Bluestein can review the alpha breakdown below regarding who to contact.  Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Mr. McMahon (kjmcmahon@fcps.edu). 
  • Please understand that school counselors are focused on ensuring every student has a complete schedule for the first day of school.  Requests to change classes will be reviewed to the best of our ability but are not guaranteed.  Changes are only on a space available basis.  Schedule changes are not available after school starts except for our elective change window.
  • The elective change window will be the second week of school August 29 - September 1.  During that week, students who are interested in making an elective change should report to their elective class for attendance and then ask for a pass to see their counselor.  Changes will be available based on space availability and only in the same period of their current elective.  
School Counselors

Registrations/Withdrawals

  • Have you recently moved and will not be attending West Potomac this school year? Are you new to the area and need to register for school?  Please contact WPHS Registrar Leslie Dorsey as soon as possible to update our records or schedule a registration appointment.  She is available at ladorsey@fcps.edu and 703-718-2551.

9th Grade and New Student Orientation

  • 9th Grade and New Student (Grades 10-12) Orientation will be this Thursday, August 18, beginning at 8:10am and concluding at 12pm. This event is for students.  Parents are encouraged to come to campus Friday for Wolverine Welcome.   
  • Transportation - While all bus routes will not be running, we want to ensure students who do not have a ride to school that morning can still access Orientation.  As a result, students who need transportation to West Potomac for Orientation can report to the closest elementary school listed below or 7949 Jana Lee Ave where buses will be picking up students at 7:40am at elementary schools and 7:20am at 7949 Janna Lee Ave and returning students after Orientation approximately 12:30pm.
    • Bus Transportation will be available at the following elementary schools: Belle View, Bucknell, Fort Hunt, Groveton, Hollin Meadows, Hybla Valley, Stratford Landing, and Waynewood. 
  • All 10-12th new students should report to the library upon arriving for Orientation.
  • All 9th Graders will report to their Advisory/3rd Period at the start of Orientation (listed as 3rd period on their schedule).  Class Schedules become available at 6am the morning of Orientation.  Adults in the hallways will also have a list of everyone’s 3rd period Advisory location for students who do not have the app. We will have many adults and student leaders in the building to help everyone find their correct location!
  • Each student will receive a paper copy of their schedule when they arrive to their 3rd period advisory class.  
  • Orientation will include an opportunity for 9th graders to meet their peer mentor, advisory teacher, tour the building as well as go through their class schedule!

Wolverine Welcome 2022 – Open House

  • Wolverine Welcome 2022 will be Friday August 19 from 3:30-5:30pm.  Following Wolverine Welcome we hope you stay and join us as our Football Team hosts a home scrimmage and our Marching Band performs at halftime of the scrimmage! 
  • What is Wolverine Welcome?  Wolverine Welcome is our annual school year kickoff event where families can come to campus and participate in a number of activities:
    • Have you child’s schedule printed and activate your ParentVue account.  Please note that because of schedules being accessible on ParentVue and StudentVue app we will not be printing all schedules, but anyone who does not have the app, we will print your child’s schedule and assist you in activating your ParentVue account.
    • The building will be open and faculty will be on campus in their classrooms so it’s a great opportunity to walk your schedule, practice your locker combination, and meet your teachers!  
    • PTSA Membership – Our PTSA will be available to answer questions and help you complete your 2022-23 membership form
    • The WP Clinic will be open should a parent want to check in with our Clinic or drop of medicine.
    • We will also have a number of community resources on site and available to families.
    • We hope to see you on Friday afternoon August 18!

Laptop Distribution

  • Laptop Distribution will begin this week! Below are the dates and locates where you can pick these up. 
    • Tuesday 8/16 – 9am-12pmin the Aux Gym 
    • Wednesday 8/17 – 9am-12pmin the Aux Gym
    • Thursday 8/18 – 12pm - 1:30 after 9th/New Students Orientation in the Aux Gym
    • Friday 8/19 -  3:30pm-5:30pmduring Wolverine Welcome - Aux Gym 

Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Now Available 

  • Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications are now available on the FCPS website. Interested families are encouraged to submit the application at least ten days before the first day of school. A new application must be submitted every school year.
  • We encourage all interested families to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application as soon as possible to begin receiving benefits. Applications and information are available on the FCPS website. 
  • Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced Price Meal application numbers. In order to receive these benefits, you must complete the consent form.
  • Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.

WABC Membership

Dear Wolverine Fans,

It is the very best time of the year! The 2022-2023 sports season is about to begin and the WABC is launching our annual Membership Drive. This year we are offering three different levels of Membership. Students, families, and fans can show their support by purchasing; a Family Pass ($175 for up to six family members including WP students), a Student Pass ($25), or an Individual Family Member Pass ($75).  All purchases are made via Paypal at https://www.supportwestpotomac.com/membership.html

Pass holders will receive free admission to all regular season home games. District, regional, and state tournaments will charge an entry fee. This pass provides HUGE savings over the course of the school year and is one of the best ways to show your Wolverine pride! Each pass holder will receive a personalized card and should remember to bring it to all events for admission. Cards will be available for pick up at the Wolverine Welcome on August 19th and also at all of the first home games for each team. Passes may be mailed to home addresses by request.

The price for the Family Pass increases to $200 on the first day of school (8/22) so order yours today!

Questions may be directed to Wendy Joachim at 703-889-0086.

Let's Go Wolverines! 

Buy your All Sports Pass Here!

12th Grade Immunization requirement

  • Effective July 1, 2021 all students entering twelfth grade are required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older, and prior to the beginning of senior year.

If you have not already done so, please provide one of the following documents to West Potomac High School Student Services (Leslie Dorsey – ladorsey@fcps.edu) ­­­as soon as possible:

  1. An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine.
  2. A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given.
  3. A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.

A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at this link

2022-23 Opt Out Forms

Beginning Friday, July 15, parents the following opt-out forms became available to families via SIS ParentVue: 

  • Tutor.com Access
  • SEL Screener Participation
  • Counseling Opt-Out
  • Transportation Intent
  • Accept FCPS Device
  • Home Internet Access

Any parent/guardian associated with a student, and has a SIS ParentVue account, can update these opt-outs as needed by going to the "Student Info" tab and clicking "Edit Information" in the top left-hand corner.  The parent/guardian must have both "Contact Allowed" and "Records Access Rights" to see and update student information. More information is provided within ParentVue to assist you in your decision making for your child.  

How to Modify or Unsubscribe to the News You Choose Newsletter

To modify your membership to our messages (or to add yourself to the WPHS Athletics Newsletter!) you can manage your subscriptions by visiting this link