Bulldog Breakdown 11/13 - 11/19

Good Evening Bulldog Families–

I hope that everybody is doing well and enjoying a fantastic weekend! 

There is a lot of information in this week’s Breakdown so please take a second to check it out. A couple of quick points of emphasis: If you have not turned in your studen’ts Impact Aid Form, please do so. Additionally, your student should be receiving a paper version of their report cards on Tuesday. Lastly, please take a second to read about the Signs Of Suicide (SOS) program that we will be doing with 9th graders this week. This is an FCPS program and there is a linked video in the corresponding section below. 

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. Please remember that if you do not include your information on the form, I will not be able to follow-up. 

I wish your family a great week! Go Bulldogs!

Tony DiBari 

Proud Principal

 

Quarter 1 Report Cards

Students will receive a paper copy of their quarter 1 report card on Tuesday, November 15th through 3rd period. Report card grades are also accessible through SIS ParentVUE. 

Click here to learn more about SIS ParentVue Accounts.

 

Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program - 9th Grade

Westfield will be conducting wellness screenings on Tuesday, November 15th for 9th grade students during 3rd period. We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video, which is available in multiple languages, to learn more.

If you have any questions about SOS, please contact your student’s school counselor. 

 

Impact Aid Forms

Thank you to all parents/guardians who signed Impact Aid forms and sent them to school with their students. Students who have not yet turned them in will receive another copy during Tuesday’s (11/15)  Advisory class. It is important that ALL students return the signed form.   In order to facilitate collection, all students will attend their 3rd period Advisory on Thursday (11/17)  instead of the scheduled 8th period/1st period Learning Seminar rotation.  Please be on the lookout for these forms and return them to school with your child on Thursday (11/17).  

 

Westfield Theater

Westfield Theatre is thrilled to present Mischief Theatre's smash hit farce! Welcome to opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production, "The Murder at Haversham Manor," where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!

Performance dates: December 1st and 2nd at 7:00pm and December 3rd at 2:00pm and 7:00pm

Reserved tickets are $10 students and $15 adults.

Buy tickets here:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15474/

 

Principal’s Coffee

Parent coffees are a monthly opportunity to meet with me and give feedback about your experiences at Westfield, as well as ask any questions you may have. It’s a great way to connect with me and impact what’s going on here at Westfield. Our first Principal’s Coffee will be on Thursday, December 1st. See you there!

 

Hidden In Plain Sight (An interactive, informative parent event)

Join us Wednesday, November 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Sully District Station (4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly).

Register here: https://bit.ly/hipsnov22

This is a hands-on learning adventure for PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ONLY! We guide you through a presentation that opens your eyes to what is right in front of you. This program begins with a setup of a teenager’s bedroom which includes close to 100 “red flags” that indicate risky behavior. Parents are encouraged to touch everything and identify our red flags. Times have changed since we were teenagers… do you think you can find them?

The hands-on portion is followed by an educational section that includes a PowerPoint presentation detailing the red flag props that the room contained and how it is indicative of — or used in — risky behavior. We include up to date statistics and local trends, and law enforcement officers will share their experiences they have had in our community identifying risky behavior and helping to put kids on the right path to a healthy life. Let’s open the door to communicating with our teens!

Register for other upcoming presentations dates here: https://bit.ly/fcpdhips

Registration is required, and seats are limited for this free event.

Please email PFC Meg Hawkins (FCPDHIPS@fairfaxcounty.gov) if you have any questions or if you want to set up a presentation for your organization, club, or group.

Fairfax Times: Fairfax County Police Department hosts interactive lesson just for parents - https://bit.ly/3eyxfYa

(Warrenton Lifestyle, 2019) - https://piedmontlifestyle.com/uncategorized/hidden-in-plain-sight/

 

Outstanding Employee Nominations

This is the final week to submit nominations for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Westfield High School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form link.

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The nomination google form has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. 

The deadline to submit a nomination is this Friday, November 18. If you have any questions, please contact Vanessa Hunter, Director of Student Services at vjhunter@fcps.edu

 

Attendance Reminder

As we emerge from the covid-19 pandemic our students are settling into a routine of regular attendance, and it is more important than ever to support this rhythm during the holiday season.  As long as your child is healthy, please ensure they attend class when school is in session. If they must miss school due to illness please call our attendance line at 703-488-6316 to report their absence.  

 

WHS Food Pantry

PTA FOOD PANTRY is looking for donations to help kids in need.  We have seen a huge increase in snack requests since last year.  Please consider checking out our wish list and adding an item to your cart.  It will ship directly to the school.  We are also accepting similar items (individually wrapped snacks, new sweatpants, book bags and water bottles) at the bin on my front porch if you would rather not purchase online.  Please reach out to me with any questions about donating.  

Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/wfhsfoodpantry

Donation Bin: 5445 Tree Line Dr, Centreville VA

Questions: jenmcnerney@hotmail.com

Thank you!

 

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

A comprehensive schedule of events can also be found at www.westfieldathletics.org and on Schoology.

Friday, 11/18

Girls Varsity Basketball

Vs. Gainesville (Scrimmage)

7:00pm @ Westfield HS

Varsity Football

Vs. Centreville

7:00pm @ Centreville HS

 

From FCPS

Academic Matters

At the last School Board meeting, a new feature was introduced called Academic Matters. During this portion of the Board meeting, updates will be provided on important academic topics. At the November 3 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared some common misconceptions concerning the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessment. Watch the presentation on YouTube. 

 

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.

 

Strategic Planning

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.