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In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:
- Important Dates
- Curriculum Night / Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House
- District Band
- PTSA News
- School News Update
- College and Career Center Updates
- SAT/ACT Prep News
- Quick Links/Additional Resources
Important Dates
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December 10: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth
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December 12: Choir Winter Concert 7pm
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December 15: Elevate Educate Enlighten on neurodiversity with speaker Jessica Kidwell 6:30 PM in Kogelman Theater
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December 15: Holiday Concert and Bazaar in Springbank Auditorium 5:30 PM (bazaar) and 7 (concert)
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December 19 – January 3: Student Holiday
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January 7: Applerouth SAT Prep Class Begins
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January 10: Curriculum Night / Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House
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January 16: Student Holiday
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January 18: Career Expo for military families 10 AM at the National Museum of the US Army
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January 25: End of 2nd quarter, 2 hour early release
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January 26 & 27: Student holiday
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January 28: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth
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February 1: Gap Year 6:30 PM at West Springfield HS
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February 28: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth
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March 11: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth & Applerouth SAT and ACT group class begins
Curriculum Night / Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House
- On January 10 (snow dates 12th and 17th) we will have Curriculum Night / Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House.
- 6-6:50pm
- Rising 9th Grade Presentation – Springbank Auditorium
- Rising 10th-12th Grade Presentation – Kogelman Theatre
- 7-8:15pm
- Break out sessions by department
- Electives Open House in Cafeteria
- This is a great opportunity to learn about courses and plan for 23-24 Course Selection.
- We will start academic advising in January so that we are prepared for FCPS Staffing meetings the end of March. Below are the dates school counselors will be meeting with students.
- Rising 9th graders – Jan 12, 13, 23, 24 - @Sandburg Middle School
- Rising 12th graders – Jan 17-20, Jan 30-Feb 3 – through English 11 classes
- Rising 11th graders – Feb 6-17 – through PE 10
- Rising 10th graders – Feb 21-March 3 – through PE 9
- Course adjustments/changes are due by March 10.
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There are no changes after March 10th as we prepare for staffing meetings.
 Our Band had a great winter concert on Wednesday! Be sure to join us next week for our Winter Chorus Performance on Monday evening and our Music Department Holiday Concert on Thursday!
District Band
Congratulations to all our Band students who auditioned for District Band! West Potomac had an impressive TWENTY SIX selected for District Band!
Students selected for the First Band:
- Oboe- Harry Shinkle*
- Bassoon- David Rubinstein*
- Clarinet- Ginny Nelson, Kye Greenfeld, Jessica Vasquez-Luna
- Tenor Sax- Stuart Murphy*
- Horn- Nick Ray*
- Trumpet- Alex Ferrari
- Trombone- Abby LaFleur*
- Euphonium- Jack Siegfried*
- Tuba- James Leggett*
Students selected for the Second Band:
- Flute- Stephanie Kulinski, Piper Qutub
- Clarinet- Delia Scott
- Tenor Sax- Josh Thomann
- Trumpet- Tyler Siegfried, Joseph Rastovski
- Trombone- Jack Siegfried, Nicolas Ries, Karanda Duncans
- Tuba- Andy Helvey
- Percussion- Eva Joshua, Luke Giglio
Students selected as Alternates:
- Trombone and Euphonium- Anna Rathfon
- Percussion- Joel Simpson
Students with an asterisk next to their name are eligible for an All-State audition! Once again congratulations to EVERYONE who participated in the process! You did West Potomac proud!
PTSA News
Please join us for our next Elevate, Educated and Enlighten guest speaker, Jessica Kidwell, on Thursday, December 15th at 7pm in the Kogelman Theater. Jessica will address the audience on neurodiversity. You won't want to miss this!
 Amazon Smile
Did you know that your Amazon shopping during this holiday season benefits the PTSA as well? Just make sure to list "West Potomac High School PTSA) as the Charity under "Charity List" and Amazon will give back 0.05% to our PTSA for all qualifying purchases! And since Amazon shopping is a part of most of our routine (no shame😉), it's the easiest way to help the PTSA!
Please join the PTSA today if you've not already done so. It's quick and easy -- just click here.
PTSA DIRECT DONATION: Click Here
School News
Join the WPHS Music Department for an unforgettable Holiday Concert and Bazaar. December 15th Springbank auditorium. 5:30-9 Holiday Market & 7pm-8:30pm Concert.
 Wellness: Mental Health, Coping & Addiction
One in four Americans suffers from a mental illness. Almost 3 in 5 people with mental illness will receive no treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 47.6 million adults (19% of the country) had a mental illness, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). There are many reasons why a person may turn to drugs or alcohol initially, including using these mind-altering substances as a coping mechanism for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary respite from reality and everyday life. They can enhance pleasure and decrease inhibitions and anxiety. Drug use can be an unhealthy coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage situations or stress levels. Not all coping mechanisms are maladaptive or destructive; however, addiction is both.
Before using drugs as a coping strategy here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset. The goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start. See your Primary Care Physician and a therapist if needed. Quality sleep is also a major factor in a healthy mind. Surround yourself with good people and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Substance Use Disorder info
FCPS Social Work
FCPS Inclement Weather Policy
- In case you missed it last week, here’s a reminder of FCPS’ inclement weather procedures. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will hold virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous (live) instruction following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule which includes a two-hour delay.
- Consider bookmarking FCPS' Weather Cancellation Procedures to stay informed in case of winter weather or other emergency situations.
Free, On-Demand, Online Tutoring
 FCPS students who’ve used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback:
- “This tutor was very helpful! She didn't tell me the answers. When needed, she helped me solve them! She was very kind and she really helped me!” –Elementary Math Student
- “This was an awesome tutor! She explained why I needed to do specific steps, and she gave me practice problems! Best tutor I have had!” –IB Chemistry Student
Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
College and Career Center Updates
Mark your calendars and ‘Save the Date’ for two great upcoming events:
“Growing Your Career” Career & Education Expo for Military Families
This event is for transitioning service members, military spouses, dependents, and veterans. It will include opportunities for summer hire for military dependents. There will be 12 colleges/universities present, and 12 agencies that will be hiring for summer and other employment. The event will also touch on how to apply for GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program as well.
The event will be held at the National Museum of the United States Army (Ft. Belvoir) on January 18, 2023 from 10 am-2 pm. For more information and to register, please see the event flier!
 2023 Gap Year Fair for Students and their Families
FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at West Springfield High School from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities.
The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., by Julia Rogers, Founder of EnRoute Consulting and Gap Year Association Board President. Immediately following, the program fair will be in the cafeteria from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m., with representatives from over 40 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are invited to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available.
Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. Please see the flier for additional information. 2023 FCPS Gap Year Fair Flier
For more information, visit USA Gap Year Fairs or FCPS Gap Year Fair, or contact Pamela White, Special Projects Liaison, at pcwhite@fcps.edu or 571-423-4431.
 **In the event of inclement weather on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Gap Year Fair will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.*
Don’t forget to follow the College & Career Center on Twitter: @wphsccc & Instagram: @westpoccc
SAT/ACT Test Prep Upcoming Events
Mock (Practice) Tests:
Walk-In registration for mocks ($28.00) available as space allows. Check should be payable to WPHS PTSA.
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Mock SAT Date: 12/10/22 Saturday Time: 9:00am - 12:45pm - walk-in available
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Mock ACT Date: 12/10/22 Saturday Time: 9:15am - 1:30pm – walk-in available
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Mock SAT Date: 01/28/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 12:45pm, $23 Sign Up
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Mock ACT Date: 01/28/23 Saturday, 9:15am - 1:30pm, $23 Sign Up
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Mock ACT Date: 02/18/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 1:15pm, $23 Sign Up
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Mock SAT Date: 02/18/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 12:45pm, $23 Sign Up
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Mock SAT Date: 03/11/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 12:45pm, $23 Sign Up
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Mock ACT Date: 03/11/23 Saturday, 9:15am - 1:30pm, $23 Sign Up
Why Take a Mock SAT or ACT?
- Did you know that 54% of students show a natural increase the second time they take a real test? Use the mock to practice test time management skills – see if you have the ability to apply the content and strategies learned while studying when in an official test environment. Test your mental endurance. Earn confidence for the “real thing.”
Do You Know Your Test Preference?
- Most students will show a strong preference for either the SAT or ACT format. This preference usually results in students naturally testing the SAT equivalent of 100 points higher on their preferred test. Sponsored by PTSA, mock tests are offered on campus to help students determine their preferred format and establish baseline test scores – not to mention the benefits of practice. Sophomores can make their junior year less hectic by determining test preference now! Juniors, get a little extra practice!
Group Classes:
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SAT Group Class, First Mock Test: 03/11/23, Sessions: 03/18/23 - 05/20/23 Meets: Saturday (Full Schedule), Max Class Size: 15, $425 Sign Up
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SAT Group Class First Mock Test: 03/11/23, Sessions: 03/18/23 - 05/20/23 Meets: Saturday (Full Schedule), Max Class Size: 15, $425 Sign Up
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ACT Group Class First Mock Test: 03/11/23, Sessions: 03/25/23 - 05/27/23 Meets: Saturday (Full Schedule), Max Class Size: 15, $425 Sign Up
FREE Online Applerouth Webinars:
Questions? Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com
Scholarships! Need-based scholarships to mocks and classes are available to WPHS students. Contact Karen Young, CCC Specialist, kbyoung@fcps.edu
FCPS News /Quick Links
Quick Links:
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