To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, 11/23 - Friday, 11/25 – Holiday (Thanksgiving)
Monday, 12/19 - Monday, 01/02 – Holiday (Winter Break)
Veterans Day Observance
Veterans Day is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our veterans and their families have made on our behalf. Thank You Veterans for your service. Learn about the history of Veterans Day.
Sights of Veterans Day Observance at West Springfield HS
 Thanks to the students in our Military Ambassador's Club for helping plan and execute some of our Veterans Day Observance events this week!
2022-2023 Outstanding Employee Award Nominations
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a West Springfield High School outstanding employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google Form Link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
To submit a preliminary nomination, provide a paragraph or two about how the nominated employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The Google Form Link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
- Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
- Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
- Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding New Principal
- Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
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Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
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Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
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Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
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Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
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Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
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Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Family Liaisons.
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 18th. If you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Wahl.
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
WSHS continues to ask families to fill out the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Students who have missing Impact Aid Forms were issued replacement forms in class on November 10.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3.Impact Aid forms must be returned as original hardcopies; we cannot accept faxed or emailed forms.
All forms must be signed, dated, and returned as soon as possible.
We appreciate you taking time to complete this form and making sure it gets returned no later than November 15.
For more information:
STUDENT SERVICES UPDATES
New Director of Student Services
John Basta has been selected as our new Director of Student Services. John is currently a school counselor at Liberty Middle School in Clifton, VA. He has spent the last 8 years as a school counselor at both the middle and high school level. Before switching careers to education John founded and ran a non-profit, providing education for children in Zambia as well as free medical care for those in need in Fairfax City. His career started in the private sector where he worked as a cybersecurity manager for several years. This will be John’s second tour at West Springfield. He previously served as a school counselor and is excited to be rejoining the incredible Student Services Department, staff, and administration at West Springfield High School.
Please join us in welcoming John back to West Springfield!
WSHS Career Fair
West Springfield HS will host our 6th Annual Career Fair on Wednesday, December 7, 2022! We are seeking industry leaders and career professionals to assist us. If you or someone you know may be interested in participating, please see the message below:
The 6th Annual West Springfield High School Career Fair will be held in person, at WSHS on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 9:30am-11:15am.
We would like to invite you to be a representative of your Career Cluster area (click link below to see where you fall). If you are interested in participating, please fill out the registration form below:
- Identify which of the 16 Career Clusters your industry is by selecting this link to identify your career cluster: 16 Career Clusters
- Submit your RSVP form
We hope to hear from you soon.
Upcoming: Academy Classes
Advanced technical and specialized elective courses are available at FCPS High School Academies for students interested in pursuing coursework in a variety of options related to career pathways. Visit the FCPS Academy Website for more information.
Academy Open House Schedule
- Chantilly Academy: Virtual, January 19th, 6-8 pm
- Edison Academy: In-person, February 4th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fairfax Academy: In-person, February 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- West Potomac Academy: Virtual, January 26, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
CLASS NEWS
Have you registered for your Senior picture? The sample appointment card has available dates and times as well as the sitting fee pricing information.
- November 28, 29, 30: 3 - 9pm
Picture sessions will be in Auditorium. These will be the LAST sessions for the school year.
Seniors must sign up for an appointment HERE.
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SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Click image to view pics of each signing via Spartan Sports Twitter.
Signing Day!
The Student Activities Office hosted the first signing day celebration for the 2022-23 school year this past Thursday. Congrats to our student-athletes who have made commitments to compete in their various sports at the collegiate level.
@Home Varsity Football vs. Hayfield Hawks, Friday 7pm
Winter Sports Parent Night on November 14th
Mark your Calendar for our Winter Sports Parent Night on November 14th in the Auditorium at 7pm.
Agenda:
- 7 - 7:30pm, Meet with DSA, ATC and Boosters
- 7:30 - 8:30pm, Sport Specific Break out meetings.
Coaching Vacancies
We are seeking coaches for the following sports:
- Boys Tennis Varsity
- Boys Head Soccer Coach
- Boys Assistant Soccer Coach
If interested, or if you know someone who could serve in this position, contact Student Activities Office, (703) 913-3860 or email our DSA, Leah Conte lmconte@fcps.edu
Upcoming Sports Events, Week of November 13 - 19
Click image for access to full WSHS Athletic Calendar.
Stay in Touch with Spartan Sports!
You can follow WSHS Spartan Sports on social media:
Twittter: @wshssports
YouTube Channels: LINK
Sign Up For the NEW Sports and Activities News You Choose
Click Image to access sporting events and club activities happening across the entire school.
Performing Arts: Orchestra News
Congratulations to the following students who successfully made it into District XI Senior District Orchestra:
- Kanna Yerks
- Aila Koch
- Eunice Park
- Marisa Lucero
- Emily, Chen (2nd alternate)
The concert will take place on January 21, 2023 at George Mason University.
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SPANISH 1-3 BOOT CAMP
Do you need a review from Spanish 1-3? Do you need some extra help with verb conjugations?
Come join us for review of grammar and vocab!
- Thursday, November 17th from 3- 4pm, Room 1220
Students should bring questions to ask our Spanish teachers and Spanish Honor Society students. This session will focus on verb conjugation drills, tips for memorizing vocabulary.
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FCPS INFORMATION
FCPS Calendar Survey Coming Soon!
In an annual planning process, FCPS uses input from the community to help develop the school year calendar for the following year. The Calendar Survey will be sent to parents/caregivers, employees, and students in grades 7-12 next week.
Our framework for creating the calendar is available online to ensure transparency, as we work to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable.
FCPS Strategic Planning that Reaches All
The strategic planning process is a community-wide effort. There will be many opportunities to share feedback or participate in a community meeting. We want our community to stay informed and be involved. You can help!
If you are an active member of a community organization or group who people look to for information, please consider signing up to be a key communicator during the strategic planning process. FCPS key communicators should have an interest in sharing information about the school division and encouraging involvement. Key communicators will:
- Receive regular updates including news, information, future events, and engagement opportunities.
- Share the information they receive with their group in a timely manner.
- Encourage group participation in engagement and feedback opportunities where appropriate and possible.
If you or someone from your organization would like to serve as an FCPS key communicator during the strategic planning process, please submit this form by Monday, November 28.
November Parent Resource Webinars
The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
Throughout the year, the PRC hosts family and educator webinars. Upcoming sessions include:
To join the PRC email list and receive notices of upcoming webinars, sign up for their News You Choose newsletter.
COMMUNITY NEWS
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions recognized by FCPS.
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LAST DAY (TODAY)! Please help show our incredibly hardworking teachers and staff how much we care by stocking their breakrooms with coffee & snacks!
We need all donations by Friday, November 11
Thank you so much to those who have already participated in our shopping event; we have received lots of fabulous donations, but we are still short on a few items.
It’s easy to help! Shop here at our Amazon wishlist and your donations will ship directly to our parent volunteers,
OR
Shop where you please and drop off donations at 6003 Sherborn Lane (please leave in labeled donation box) by Friday, November 11.
Stock the Break Rooms Wish List Reminder:
- K-cup coffee
- Individually wrapped cookies
- Energy bars
- Fruit snacks
- Candy
- Snack packs of crackers
PTSA Meeting on Tuesday, November 15 (7:30pm), via Zoom
With guest speaker Tisa Frederick on College Prep for Every Grade Level
Please register in advance to receive the link and include any questions you have for Principal Mukai, our student leaders, or Ms. Frederick.
Register here
DECA 2022 Canned Food Drive
The WSHS DECA chapter will collect canned / nonperishable food November 9 - 17. Donations will be given to a local food pantry. WSHS parents and students can drop off canned/nonperishable food items at the school and place in the box near Door #1.
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Thanksgiving Holiday
Schools and offices will be closed November 23-25. Classes will resume on Monday, November 28.
See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
Need Help? Contact our Family Liaison
If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help. Email, or call (703) 913-3830, to set up an appointment.
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