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To read this message in other languages, please view machine translations on our website.
Para leer este mensaje en otros idiomas, consulte las traducciones automáticas en nuestro sitio web.
لقراءة هذه الرسالة بلغات أخرى ، يرجى الاطلاع على الترجمات الآلية على موقعنا.
要以其他语言阅读此消息，请在我们的网站上查看机器翻译。
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اس پیغام کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کے لیے، براہ کرم ہماری ویب سائٹ پر مشینی ترجمہ دیکھیں۔
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, 09/13 – PTSA Meeting (via Zoom)
Monday, 09/19 - Saturday, 09/24 – Homecoming Week
Monday, 09/26 – Student Holiday / Professional Work Day
Thursday, 10/06 – Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application Deadline
Wednesday, 10/12 – PSAT / SAT School Day (9th Graders Stay Home)
Tuesday, 10/25 – Community Conversations with FCPS Superintendent
Spotlight On Drugs
Did you know that we are still in an opioid epidemic? Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others (NIH).
The opioid epidemic began with an increase of prescribing these highly addictive medications in the early 1990s.The increase of these medications in society created the issues of overuse and misuse that contributed to the ongoing opioid crisis. In 2010, there was a similar influx of continual problematic opioid use. As a result of the rising opioid overdoses in the community, Fairfax County developed the Opioid Task Force in 2017. Fairfax County created the Substance Abuse Prevention Program in response to the need for prevention education in the schools in 2018. This effort placed Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists in each pyramid.
Opioid abuse is now the leading cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It is in our community and often goes unnoticed. In 2017, over 100 deaths were attributed to opioid overdose in Fairfax County. Over 1,200 opioid overdose deaths were reported in the State of Virginia. The 2021 data from the first and second quarters indicate there has been a slight decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this affect our families?
Prescriptions in the home are one of the primary ways children gain access to opioids (i.e. OxyContin), and other addictive and harmful medications, such as benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax). You can make a beneficial impact on this issue by not saving medication for future use, properly disposing of unused medication, and not giving your prescriptions to children. You can access drug disposal boxes at designated locations throughout the county. For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Rainbow Fentanyl
Safe Disposal Medication Sites
Truth Initiative Student Opioid Story
Narcan Training (English & Spanish)
Substance Abuse Prevention
Kenneth Johnson is a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) with the office of Student Safety and Wellness in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). As a SAPS, he meets with students either individually or in a group setting for tobacco, vaping, and other drug interventions. Additionally, he provides presentation to parents, school staff, students and the community on topics such as trends in substance use and abuse, stages of addiction, refusal skills, warning signs of substance use, and tools for parents. Mr. Johnson has been an employee of FCPS for over 15 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and a master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University. He is also a certified gang specialist with the Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
Ken Johnson offices at West Springfield Monday - Wednesday. If you have a question or concern, send him an email or call (571) 253-2155.
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Cafeteria A La Carte Prices, 2022-2023
Parents should be advised that A La Carte items are now being charged to students, unless the student is eligible for free or reduced price meals.
During the pandemic, all cafeteria food and sundry items (condiments and supplies) were free. Now that the US Department of Agriculture pandemic program to provide no-cost meals to all public school students has ended, A La Carte items that were free during the pandemic are now being charged to students. You can view the full A La Carte price list HERE.
Entrance for Dropping Students Off
The Tuttle Road entrance to the school is for permit parking only. Faculty and staff as well as seniors with parking permits can use this entrance. Parents / guardians please use the Grigsby Drive entrance to drop off and pickup your child.
Drivers Ed News
Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD). The first of 4 opportunities to attend the 90-minute Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD) presentation will occur on September 14. Students taking 10th grade PE are required to attend the session with a parent during their sophomore year in order to pass classroom Driver Ed. Presentations will be held in the WSHS Auditorium and will begin promptly at 7pm. Late arrivals will not be admitted. Other dates for the 2022-23 school year are January 4, February 15, and May 9.
Learner’s Permits: Register and pay for Learner’s Permit testing at WSHS or a Learner’s Permit Test Prep Course through FCPS ACE.
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Learner’s Permit Tests will be taken in Room 2225 at WSHS. Testing begins at 3:15pm on the following dates:
- Sept. 22
- Oct. 6 and 20
- Nov. 3 and 17
- Dec. 1 and 15
- Jan. 5 and 18
- Feb. 2 and 16
- Mar. 24
- Apr. 11 and 25
- May 11 and 25
- June 8
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Learner’s Permit Prep Course (6 - 7:30pm via Zoom)
- Oct. 19
- Nov. 16
- Dec. 14
- Jan. 17
- Feb. 15
- Mar. 23
- Apr. 19
- May 24
Contact Mr Casey Grubbs, clgrubbs@fcps.edu, with any questions.
Parent / Guardian Reminders
Sign and Return the Student Rights & Responsibilities Booklet
FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, we ask parents to review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. In ParentVue, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/caregiver with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed.
Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/caregiver’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted. Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Signatures are due by September 30.
Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.
Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Visit the SIS Parentvue Account Overview page for help logging in to your account. Signatures are due by September 30, 2022.
Please contact our Family Liaison or Main Office Staff if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet.
Parents Requested to Authorize Digital Resource Consent
FCPS is required to obtain parental permission for student use of software / applications for which FCPS does not have a confidentiality agreement. It is critical that parents respond to the request for parental permission so teachers can plan to use the best technology tools with students this school year. Students will have trouble accessing many Google-based applications used in the classroom (i.e. YouTube, EdPuzzle and more), due to their Parental Consent not being signed.
FCPS has developed a WEB FORM to collect the information necessary for parents to grant permission digitally.
The instructions for Digital Consent signing in SIS Parent Vue are available by clicking the image above.
Parents and families who do not have an ParentVue activation code, may request one from the school by filling out THIS FORM.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on our Digital Resources at West Springfield High School webpage.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Due October 6
School nutrition programs have returned to paid, free, and reduced-price student meals with the use of the individual, student personal identification number (PIN).
Households will be required to submit a new application by October 6, 2022.
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Need Help? Contact our Family Liaison
If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for back-to-school success, our Family Liaison can help. Email, or call (703) 913-3830, to set up an appointment.
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STUDENT SERVICES UPDATES
PSAT / SAT School Day Information
SAT School Day Information (12th Graders ONLY)
On Wednesday, October 12, West Springfield High School twelfth graders will have the opportunity to take the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth grade student to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day.
Only Seniors who completed the Intent to Participate form by September 7th will be scheduled to test. We will not be accepting late registrations or walk-ups on the day of. Seniors who did not complete the form will not report to school that day.
We will share exam day schedules and additional details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out the Testing page of our website for general test day information. If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at West Springfield High School, please contact Lauren Ross, Assessment Coach (lmross@fcps.edu).
PSAT Day Information (10th & 11th Graders ONLY)
On Wednesday, October 12th West Springfield High School will host both the PSAT/NMSQT for all 10th and 11th graders. Students are automatically registered and no further action by families is needed. All 10th and 11th grade students who report to school on Wednesday, October 12th will take the PSAT/NMSQT at no cost to families. Students will receive their testing locations in early October.
All FCPS students have access to Khan Academy’s free online test preparation, whether they are taking the PSAT for the first time or preparing for eleventh grade National Merit Scholarship qualification. The Khan Academy online curriculum is customized for students based on any previous PSAT or SAT scores, and their website also offers general test preparation tips for students.
We will share exam day schedules and additional details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out our Testing page of our website for general test day information. If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at West Springfield High School, please contact Lauren Ross, Assessment Coach (lmross@fcps.edu).
Stay Home (9th grade students ONLY)
9th grade students will NOT report to the school building in person on October 12th. FCPS will not be taking attendance this day for 9th graders. Teachers are not expected to provide work for students to complete.
College Fair
Sunday, October 16, 2022
4 to 7 p.m.
Eagle Bank Arena at George Mason University
Register at: https://bit.ly/fcpspostsecondary
Upon registration, students will receive a barcode allowing college representatives to retrieve student information electronically. Barcodes can be scanned from mobile devices.
Approximately 250 colleges and universities represented!
Postsecondary Week
Monday, October, 17 through Thursday, October 20, 2022
Virtual from 5 to 8 p.m.
Join us for Fairfax County Public Schools Virtual Postsecondary Week and participate in one or all of the live virtual sessions. You will learn how to be better prepared for the next chapter of your educational journey.
Register at:
https://bit.ly/fcpspostsecondary
CLASS NOTES
Senior Portraits Scheduling Now Open
Class of 2023 students and parents, Prestige Portraits will be at West Springfield High School on September 12 - 13, and September 19 - 20 for Senior Portrait Yearbook photography.
Use the online scheduling program via schedule.prestigeportraits.com to reserve an appointment. To schedule your appointment without the 8-digit code, search by filtering the City & State. If you have already scheduled your Prestige Portrait, you may confirm or modify online. If you have any questions or need help scheduling an appointment, please call Prestige Scheduling at 1-(800) 736-4753.
Chat help is also available online at schedule.prestigeportraits.com. If students are unable to make the first set of photo dates, additional makeup dates will be available in the Fall. More information regarding the makeup dates will be shared at a later date.
Pricing information is available HERE.
Seniors Yearbook Ads
Parents, Seniors Ads are now available to purchase. You have the option of 1/8 page, 1/4 page, 1/2 page, and full page ads.
Go to yearbookordercenter.com and enter school code 4150 to get started. You will see options to purchase a yearbook and to create an ad (you may need to scroll down depending on your screen size). Ads are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis until all ad pages are gone. You are not able to reserve space for your ad. If you have any further questions, please contact Ms. Melissa Morgan, the yearbook adviser (mmorgan2@fcps.edu).
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES UPDATE
 Homecoming 2022
Homecoming Week is right around the corner! On Friday, September 23, Spartans take on the Hayfield Hawks at 7:00pm in the stadium. We will publish a separate News You Choose next week with all the pertinent information for this year's Homecoming festivities. Here are some highlights:
- September 19 - 23 – Spirit Week! (Hollywood theme each day)
- Wednesday, September 21 – Hallway Decorating (class competition)
- Thursday, September 22 – Pep Rally (during Advisory Period)
- Friday, September 23 –
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Homecoming Parade (4:30 - 5:30pm)
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Tailgate (FREE burgers and hotdogs; Main Parking Lot, 5:30pm)
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Football Game (ORANGE OUT for the game)
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ORANGE OUT T-shirts on sale for $10 (via MySchoolBucks, supplies limited)
- Saturday, September 24 – Homecoming Dance (8 - 11pm)
 Upcoming Sports Events, Week of September 12 - 17
Click image for access to full WSHS Athletic Calendar.
Spartan Crew Interest Meeting and General Membership Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, September 15th at 7:30pm
Contact Stephanie Abicht, Spartan Crew Team Liaison (301) 980-9433 with any questions.
Sign Up For the NEW Sports and Activities News You Choose
Spartan Student Life and Activities will soon have a separate News You Choose Newsletter. This forthcoming newsletter will distribute updates weekly, either on Sundays or Mondays, highlighting upcoming sporting events, scores, spotlight Spartan athletes, and aim to keep our WSHS community aware of events going on across the breadth of our clubs and activities.
You can elect to receive our the new West Springfield Sports and Activities weekly update by updating your Newsletter Subscription Preferences.
Stay in Touch with Spartan Sports!
You can follow WSHS Spartan Sports on social media:
Twittter: @wshssports
YouTube Channels: LINK
FCPS INFORMATION
New Monthly Newsletter for Military Families
There is now an FCPS newsletter for Military Families. Military families are encouraged to update their selections on News You Choose. To subscribe:
- Visit News You Choose and enter your email address.
- Under Subscription Topics, scroll down to “PROFESSIONAL LEARNING & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT”
- Select “MILITARY FAMILIES” from the menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “SUBMIT” to update your subscription preferences.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Never Forget.
Engaging in Service on Patriot Day
This Sunday, September 11, 2022 is the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Congress designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day to commemorate those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and onboard United Flight 93. Each year on this date, we remember the bravery shown, how we came together as a nation, and vow to never forget what happened on September 11, 2001, or those who lost their lives.
There are many ways to honor 9/11 around your community and across the nation, including volunteer projects, moments of silence and memorial runs.
Volunteer Fairfax will be kicking off VolunteerFest 2022 on September 11, Patriot Day. VolunteerFest 2022 is a great way for students and families to engage in service.
Additional information can be found at 911Day.org and 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Thank you for participating in the National Day of Service and Remembrance this Sunday, September 11. May we come together as a community and may we never forget.
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 First membership meeting is scheduled for September 13th, 7:30pm, via Zoom. Please register here to receive the link.
We’ll make quick work of some start-of-year PTSA business, hear from Principal Mukai, then Leah Conte (Director of Student Activities) and Sam Jonsson (Assistant Director of Student Activities/Student Government Advisor) will be speaking with us about ways for students to get involved with clubs and activities at the school. They’ll share important resources, offer some tips for families, and be available for questions.
ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY - 2023!!
WSHS All Night Grad Party Class of 2023 (WSHS ANGP 2023)
Tickets are now on sale for the ANGP 2023. Buy them on WSHS ANGP Booster Organization.
Contact wshsangp@gmail.com with any questions, and find us on Instagram WSHS ANGP 2023.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
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Afghanistan Day
Afghanistan Day is an event welcoming the recent Afghan arrivals and celebrating their history, culture and arts.
Afghan Home USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Afghan community in the DMV area, has been at the forefront of welcoming these recent evacuees.
As part of its continued support for the community, Afghan Home USA is organizing a mega event to celebrate Afghanistan’s rich culture and heritage and to welcome the recently settled Afghans.
We will celebrate this day as “Afghanistan Day” for Bonding and Community Empowerment, where participants will enjoy a fun-filled day together to know our Rich Culture! Meet new fellow Afghans, enjoy the Afghan cuisine, purchase Afghan goods, and enjoy Live Afghan Music.
The events will occur at Bull Run Park (7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121) on September 10th. There is a cost to attend. Find out more by clicking the flyer, or accessing the event website.
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Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
In-person and online classes are available for Fall 2022. LCNV hosts:
- Beginning-level English Classes
- Skills-based Classes
- Family Learning Program
- Destination Workforce®
Find out more and register for classes HERE. Get their schedule of classes HERE.
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