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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, 02/02 - Saturday 02/04 – Spartan Theater "Winter One Acts"
Monday, 02/20 – Spring Sports Season Begins
Monday, 02/20 – Holiday (President's Day)
Thursday, 03/02 – 2-Hour Early Release
Friday, 03/03 – Student Holiday (Professional Workday)
Help Shape FCPS’ Future!
Our students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today. In order to keep pace with these needs, we must rethink our plans for the future and how we will best serve our students for this new era.
We encourage you to join us in this important work of developing a new Strategic Plan.
You’re invited to participate in a Strategic Planning Community Forum. There are in-person, virtual, and Spanish-language options available. View the schedule of Community Forums and register for one that’s most convenient for you.
Community Forums will provide families, students, staff, and community members with an opportunity to review student achievement, access, and perception data and identify both strengths and challenges within the data. Community input from the forums will be shared with the Core Planning Team to incorporate recommendations into finalized Strategic Plan goals.
Learn more about FCPS’ strategic planning process.
Feedback Please! Draft 2023-24 School Year Calendar Options
Your feedback is important! FCPS is seeking community feedback on the draft calendar options for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Please share your thoughts with us by filling out this form.
Text-to-Speech Available on FCPS Websites
FCPS is introducing an innovative way to address the diverse needs of the community. A new text-to-speech feature, available on the FCPS website and each school website, will read the words aloud from webpages.
The feature will help those with accessibility needs, such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or other difficulty reading large amounts of online text. The text-to-speech feature is available for English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and try out the new feature.
Summer Learning Programs Registration: Opening Soon!
FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps will open for registration on Wednesday, February 1.
Career and Technical Education
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage to register.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA website to register.
Institute for the Arts Camps
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website to register.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website to register.
School Approval of Supplemental Instructional Print Materials
Each high school must have a committee to review Supplemental Instructional Print Materials. The committee consists of administrators, teachers, parents, and students. If you are interested in reading and reviewing some books that have been submitted by teachers for use in the classroom, please contact Sub-school 2 Assistant Principal, Shannon Matheny.
Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.
STUDENT SERVICES
High School Academy Open Houses
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.
Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
Highlights:
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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 9:00pm. 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 7:15pm, 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 9:00pm, 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.
FAFSA Help
It’s time for high school seniors and their families to complete college financial aid forms. Most colleges require that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be completed by Wednesday, March 1, to receive the maximum financial aid possible in fall 2023. Some schools have even earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and specific forms to complete. To begin the FAFSA, you will need to create a FSA ID.
A funding opportunity is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA; the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program. Visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website for help in determining which aid option is right for you.
There are several College Access Fairfax recordings, virtual workshops, and resources available for viewing College Access Fairfax website. College Access Fairfax’s Financial Aid Champions also provide help completing the financial aid forms. To request a one-on-one appointment, please email appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org.
Families can also contact WSHS's College and Career Specialist (Ms. Tisa Frederick), or their School Counselor if they need additional help.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
 Would you like to nominate someone for the Athletic Hall of Fame?
Please fill out THIS FORM for consideration!
Signing Day Celebration – February 2nd, 3:15pm [CHANGE]
The Student Activities Office be hosting our second signing day celebration for the 2022-23 school year on February 2nd at 3:15pm after school in Spartan Hall. Students and families that plan to participate in the signing day, must fill out this google form by Friday, January 27th.
If you have any questions email Mrs. Donaldson, rmdonaldson@fcps.edu.
Upcoming Sports Events, January 30 - 31
Click image for access to full WSHS Athletic Calendar.
Upcoming Sports Events, February 1 - 4
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.
Winter One Acts
WSHS Spartan Theater Presents "Winter One Acts" written and directed by students.
- Thursday, February 2 at 7pm
- Friday, February 3 at 7pm
- Saturday, February 4 at 2pm
- Saturday, February 4 at 7pm
For tickets and more information visit: https://www.spartantheatre.com/current-season
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 Yearbook Ads
Senior parents, now is the time to purchase Senior Ads for the yearbook. Deadline of Monday, Feb. 13 is fast approaching. Ads can be placed by going to yearbookordercenter.com and using school code 4150.
FCPS INFORMATION
February Webinars and Events for Parents
FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars in February:
Click on the title for more information and to register.
Youth Substance Use Presentations
FCPS is dedicated to providing parents and community members with the most accurate and up-to-date information on youth substance use, prevention, addiction, interventions and available supports. Please join us and our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board as we discuss these topics as well as the ongoing opioid crisis. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of:
- Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid.
- List what you can do as a caregiver.
- How to identify and connect with community resources.
West Springfield Pyramid presentation: Monday, February 6, 6-8pm in the Library.
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Quick Links
Newsletter Subscription Preferences
FCPS COVID-19 Dashboard
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 Vaccination (Fairfax County Health Department)
Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
FCPS Parent Resource Center
SchoolMessenger Quick Tip Form
Educate Fairfax
FCPS Cares
2022-23 Standard School Year Calendar
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
West Springfield Dance Camp
Learn a hip hop dance routine and perform with the West Springfield Dance Team at halftime at a WSHS Varsity Basketball game! Dancers will receive a WSDT t-shirt for the performance.
WHO: Girls and Boys Grades K-8th
WHERE: WSHS Cafeteria
WHEN: February 2 and 3, 2023
- 2/2 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- 2/3 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Halftime Game Performance: 2/3 at 7:30 pm
COST:
- Pre-Registration by January 27 $75
- Registration after January 27 $85
- Checks made out to WSHS Boosters, Cash also accepted.
Registration Form
Please bring with you a signed Emergency Care Form
Access the event FLYER for more information.
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Free Youth Classes
Local nonprofit Formed Families Forward is excited to offer students and families a resource to address the challenges of poor social skills, impulsive decision making, and trouble interacting with one another that are prevalent impacts of COVID.
Formed Families Forward will be offering free classes weekly on Tuesdays, February 14 through March 28 from 6:30 - 8pm for high school students, in person at Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax City. Health Relationships Plus Program, an evidence based curriculum, focuses on how to recognize and engage in positive peer relationships along with promoting mental wellness. Using a strengths-based frame, participants will build individual resilience and coping skills to enhance interpersonal functioning.
Students register through Fairfax Parks and Recreation.
These classes are offered with the generous support of Fairfax County’s Neighborhood and Community Services Partners in Prevention Fund.
Dinner is served every session and students who attend regularly earn a gift card. Learn more about the class offering at https://bit.ly/3CDu2nl
Stuff the Bus Campaign
Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus campaign has begun. Click the image for donation drop-off dates and locations!
Stuff the Bus began in 2011 in response to a critical need to help restock the shelves of local food pantries after the holidays. This collaborative program is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. See here for more information.
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Coming Soon: International Night
Mark your calendars! The annual WSHS International Night Festival takes place on Friday, March 10th at 7pm. (doors open at 6:30pm). *Performers will celebrate the diversity of the WSHS community. Tickets will be sold at the event or through ETix the day of the event. There will also be food sales starting at 5:30pm. It is sure to be a good activity for the whole family. All funds collected go towards a Senior Scholarship given at the end of the school year!
*WSHS Students, if you would like to perform, see Mrs. Emerson in room 1238 (maemerson@fcps.edu).
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All Night Grad Party - 2023!
WSHS All Night Grad Party Class of 2023 (WSHS ANGP 2023)
Tickets are now on sale for the ANGP 2023. Buy them on WSHS ANGP Booster Organization.
Contact wshsangp@gmail.com with any questions, and find us on Instagram WSHS ANGP 2023.
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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