WPHS News You Choose 1/13/22

WPHS

In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:

  • Important Dates
  • PTSA News
  • School News Update
  • College and Career Center Updates 
  • SAT/ACT Prep News
  • Quick Links/Additional Resources

Important Dates

  • January 16: Student Holiday
  • January 18: Career Expo for military families 10 AM at the National Museum of the US Army
  • January 25: End of 2nd quarter, 2 hour early release
  • January 25: West Potomac Wellness Day!
  • January 26 & 27: Student holiday
  • January 28: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth
  • February 1: Gap Year 6:30 PM at West Springfield HS
  • February 6: PTSA Meeting at 6:30 PM in library
  • February 28: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth
  • March 11: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth & Applerouth SAT and ACT group class begins

PTSA News

We look forward to seeing you at our monthly PTSA meetings next month on Monday, February 6th at 6:30pm in the school library.  

West Potomac is holding its first Wellness Day on January 25th.  This is a great opportunity for students to take a deep breath, have some fun and explore a new interest.  West Potomac can use our help to pull off this fun activity!  Please signup to contribute!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4FA5A829A57-wellness

It's FIVE GUYS time, the more burgers you eat, the more money you help us raise for the PTSA!  Grab your Five Guys after school snack and/or dinner on Wednesday, January 18 from 3:30-7:30 PM and Five Guys will donate 20% of the proceeds back to the PTSA! I think they should rename themselves the COOL GUYS, don't you?!

Five Guys

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

WPHS Leadership Training: 

The focus of this course is to complete and put forth projects throughout WP and the community, to improve and expand leadership skills on an individual level. Along with planning events such as Homecoming, students will participate in collaborative class discussions and group activities, team builders, and individual exercises and much more.

For rising Freshman: if you are interested in taking Leadership Training, there is a mandatory application that can be found at https://tinyurl.com/WPLeadershipRising9 that is due by Friday February  3rd at 11:59 PM.  

For rising 10th-12th graders: if you are interested in taking Leadership, check out the all student schoology for more information and a link to the application. The application can also be found here: https://tinyurl.com/WPLeadership2023 and is due Friday February 3rd at 11:59 PM.

If you have questions please contact Nicole Borghard at nmborghard@fcps.edu or Joe Petrucelli at jrpetrucelli@fcps.edu.

FCPS High School Academy Open House

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 have opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service Opportunities

FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. FCPS is excited to collaborate again with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service, Saturday, January 14, to Monday, January 16. This service opportunity helps empower individuals and strengthens communities while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Volunteer Fairfax will host several ways for the community to get involved including volunteer activities for students and adults of all ages. To learn more about the MLK Jr. Weekend of Service and the specific service activities, visit Volunteer Fairfax’s website.


College and Career Center Updates

Northern VA Community College (NOVA) Senior Focused Events:

  1. Application Completion Event: NOVA Admissions Representatives will visit the WPHS College & Career Center on Thursday, 1/19 from 9:45 am – 11:00 am to assist seniors in completing their NOVA applications.  Seniors must register for this event by going into Naviance > Colleges> College Visits.  ***Students who are in a DE class and already have a NOVA ID do not need to complete an application.***
  2. Virtual Info Sessions:  NOVA will hold virtual information sessions for seniors & parents to learn about opportunities, services & resources designed to get students connected to the NOVA community.  Sessions will be held in English and Spanish.  Please see the flyer for dates and registration links.  Questions?  Please contact admissions@nvcc.edu .
NOVA

Apprenticeship 101:  FCPS Adult & Community Education (ACE) will offer a 12 week introduction to construction skills program.  It’s an excellent opportunity for seniors who are interested in exploring opportunities in a trade after high school.  Students earn 80 hours of apprenticeship related instruction, industry recognized credentials and can connect with employers.  See the flyer for additional detail. 

Apprenticeship

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.**

Gap Year

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.

Mock SAT Date: 01/28/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 12:45pm, $23 Sign Up

Mock ACT Date: 01/28/23 Saturday, 9:15am - 1:30pm, $23 Sign Up

Mock ACT Date: 02/18/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 1:15pm, $23 Sign Up Mock SAT Date: 02/18/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 12:45pm, $23 Sign Up

Mock SAT Date: 03/11/23 Saturday, 9:00am - 12:45pm, $23 Sign Up

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:

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

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

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: 

SAT vs ACT: The differences, the timelines, and the expectations of colleges

12/13/22 Sign Up

Your PSAT Scores Are Back: Now What? 12/14/22, 10:00pm Sign Up

Test Optional: Myths and Facts 12/15/22, 8:00pm Sign Up A

Applerouth's College Night for Sophomores: How to Get Set for Success

01/26/23, 8:00pm Sign Up

Applerouth's College Night for Juniors: How to Get on Track for Early and Regular Decision 01/30/23, 8:00pm Sign Up

 

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: