In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:
- Important Dates
- Principal Message
- PTSA News
- School News Update
- Winter Break Office Hours
- Rising 9th Family Night / Curriculum Night / Electives Open House
- Orchestra Update
- Wellness Day - January 25, 2023
- Winter Weather Reminders
- Academy Information
- College and Career Center Updates
- SAT/ACT Prep News
- Quick Links/Additional Resources
Important Dates
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December 19 – January 2: Student Holiday
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January 3: Classes Resume
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January 7: Applerouth SAT Prep Class Begins
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January 10: Rising 9th Family Night / Curriculum 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: Wellness Day
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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
Principal Message
As we head to winter break, I want to wish all of you a wonderful winter break and Happy Holidays. I hope everyone gets some rest and look forward to a wonderful 2023 for our school community!
Take care,
Dr. Millard
 Congratulations to WP Chorus for a wonderful Winter Concert this past Tuesday!
PTSA News
The West Potomac PTSA wishes you a wonderful holiday season and looks forward to seeing you in February at our next monthly meeting.
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
 Our Annual Music Department Holiday Concert was a complete success! Our Orchestra, Band, Chorus, and Guitar Students sounded amazing Thursday night and again today! Well done to all!
School News
Winter Break Hours
- West Potomac Offices will be closed December 19 through January 2. Offices will open again on the 3rd of January as school resumes. Have a wonderful winter break!
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.
Orchestra Update:
- Congratulations to The Following students who were selected for District 10 Honors Orchestra;
- Sydney Ashworth
- Luis Nestares
- Jonathan Larkin
- Hana Keenan
- Miguel Tsang
These Students will perform a Concert on Saturday January 14, 2023, 3pm at South County High School.
Coming SOON! West Potomac Wellness Day!
- We will be setting aside a day to focus on Wolverine Wellness on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. This day is on the student schedule as a 2-hour early release day. The day will consist of opportunities for students to explore their wellness in a variety of ways. Teachers will be leading sessions focusing on creativity, community engagement, physical wellness, and strategies to nurture good mental health habits. You can preview the schedule in this advertisement. Students will be given a complete list of available sessions in their advisory classes when the new year begins and will sign up for sessions of their choice. Attendance will be taken to confirm students attendance throughout the day, but there will be no new instruction or graded work. Students who do not wish to pursue the available sessions will be permitted to sign up for quiet rooms supervised by content teachers. There will be something for everyone!
FCPS Weather Information
- With winter weather on the horizon, please take a moment to watch this video detailing how weather-related closing decisions are made.
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FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
- Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Parents/caregivers should confirm their contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school (or, if you are an Employee, UConnect), in order to receive emails and text messages from FCPS. Bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.
FCPS Academy Information
- FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.
- A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses.
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Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
College and Career Center Updates
2022 Virtual Postsecondary Week Recordings
- In October 2022, FCPS students and families had the opportunity to attend 21 virtual sessions related to postsecondary success. The recordings of the sessions can be found in the flyer. To access individual sessions, click the linked title of the session or enter the URL into your preferred internet browser.
Tutor.com
- Free on-line tutoring is available to all FCPS K-12 students in Schoology. Middle & High School students can get free help with homework, challenging classes, test preparation, writing and more. Tutors are available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin/Chinese. Please visit https://www.fcps.edu/resources/online-tutoring-services for full list of the tutoring services offered, frequently asked questions and additional information about Tutor.com.
  Wishing all of our Wolverines and Wolverine families a wonderful holiday season from the College & Career Center. See you in 2023!
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: 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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