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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, 03/02 – 2 Hour Early Release
Friday, 03/03 – Student Holiday (Professional Workday)
Monday, 04/03 - Friday, 04/07 – Spring Break
Thursday, 04/13 – End of 3rd Quarter / 2 Hour Early Release
Friday, 04/14 – Student Holiday/Orthodox Good Friday (Teacher Workday)
Calendar Reminder: School Planning Day Mar 3
School Office Hours Change - Next Week
Please be advised of the following change in our Main Office hours due to the early release and Professional Workday next week.
- Office hours for March 2 are 7:15am to 2pm.
- Office hours for March 3 are 9am to 1pm.
Save the Date: International Night
Mark your calendars! The annual WSHS International Night Festival takes place on Friday, March 10th at 7pm in the school auditorium (doors open at 6:30pm). Performers will celebrate the diversity of the WSHS community. Tickets will be sold at the event and 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. We hope you'll make plans to join us.
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West Springfield Pyramid New Teacher of the Year
 Pictured above (l-r): Ms. Coleman with last year's Girls Tennis Team; on the school tennis courts and standing in her math classroom.
Congrats to Vivien Coleman, who was selected as the West Springfield Pyramid New Teacher of the Year, and is a Region 4 New Teacher of the Year Finalist!
Ms. Coleman is a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg SC and has earned a B.A. in Art History and B.S. in Mathematics. She is currently pursuing a MA in Art History at George Washington University.
This is Vivien's third-year teaching at West Springfield. She started teaching in 2020 during the pandemic! In her search for schools, she was looking in areas that had strong education systems and university systems. D.C. and Northern Virginia were at the top of her list. Ms. Coleman's grandmother taught in Fairfax County so this is where she turned her focus. From the beginning, West Springfield "spoke to her," and going from college in Spartanburg, SC to a school with Spartans as a mascot felt like a sign.
At WSHS, Ms. Coleman has taught Algebra II (Honors and Gen Ed), AFDA (Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis), and Geometry. Vivien explains that what she likes most about West Springfield is the community in and around the school. While this is a very transient area, still you find students that were in the same Kindergarten class, 10 years later are in the same math class. Many of her coworkers in the Math Department attended West Springfield as students and are back teaching. Faculty, staff, and students take pride in the school, and it shows in the close-knit community.
When Vivien is done in the classroom teaching math, she heads to the WSHS tennis courts where she serves as Girls Varsity Tennis Coach. Congrats to Vivien Coleman on this great recognition as West Springfield Pyramid New Teacher of the Year, and much success in the next round as a candidate for Region 4 New Teacher of the Year.
STUDENT SERVICES
Integrated Reading / Writing Field Test Administration
Junior Parents/Guardians:
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) requires school divisions to give a special Integrated Reading/Writing (IRW) Field Test in spring 2023. This applies to all WSHS students in a HS English class associated with the SOL EOC English: Reading test.
The field test at our school is scheduled for March 16th (Orange Day) and March 17th (Blue Day). The field test will consist of one non-fiction reading passage followed by a series of multiple-choice/technology-enhanced questions and an “invitation to write” based on the passage. IRW Field Test outcomes are solely for use by the VDOE and will not be reported. Divisions and families will not receive any information about how students perform on the field test.
The IRW field test is available in an online format only. Therefore, students with medical needs, disabilities, or testing accommodations that require a special test format (e.g., Audio, Paper, Braille Test, Large-Print Test) will not participate in this field test.
Additionally, parents/guardians may choose for their students not to participate. The decision to not participate will have no impact on the student’s academic record. If you do not want your student to participate in the IRW field test, please submit this Google form by Friday, March 10th.
If you have any questions about the IRW field test, please contact our Assessment Coach, Lauren Ross.
Free or Reduced Tuition for Summer Courses
In order to receive the free or reduced tuition for summer courses, families must have applied with Food & Nutrition Services for the current school year as well as sign the Consent to Share Information Form in order for this information to be released into our FCPS system. Below are the pertinent links. Families may contact Food and Nutrition Services at 703.813.4800 with any questions.
ASVAB at WSHS - March 9th
Interested in the military? Sign up to take the ASVAB test here at WSHS!
What is the ASVAB? It stands for "Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery." The ASVAB helps the DoD not just determine whether you are a good fit to join the service, but also which service branch you might be best for you and even what military jobs you can hold after you finish basic training or boot camp. The better your ASVAB score, the broader your options.
WSHS will host our final ASVAB for this school year on Thursday, March 9th at 8:30am. Sign-up HERE. Students must use their fcpsschools.net email address to sign-up. Deadline to register is March 2nd by 3pm.
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2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs
Saturday, March 11 from 11am - 1pm at WSHS! Register below to attend!
The 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs, hosted by Pat Herrity, Springfield District Supervisor, Connection Newspapers, Fairfax County Public Schools, as well as local chambers and organizations, have been announced. There will be three Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Career-Building Workshops. The fairs will run on three Saturdays in March.
The fairs are open to all teens in Fairfax County looking for employment, volunteer opportunities, or tips on building their resume. Free table space will be provided to registered businesses and organizations to advertise their available positions. They will also host resume and career building sessions with Chamber of Commerce partners. Beginning January 24, students and employers may register to attend here:
Student Registration
Business/Employer Registration
Please see the event webpage for dates, times, locations, and all event related details.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Upcoming Sports Events, Week of February 27 - March 4
Click image for access to full WSHS Athletic Calendar.
Click image for access to full WSHS Athletic Calendar.
Athletic Boosters: College Sports Night Info Session, March 6th
💙🧡 Breakouts with college coaches, parents and athletes🧡💙
Highlighted Sports:
- 🏐
- 🏈
- ⚾️
- 🥎
- 🏀
- ⚽️
- 🎾
- 🏃🏻♀️
- 🏑
- 🤼♀️
- 🥍
- crew and rifle
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Stay in touch with Spartan Athletic Boosters via:
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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.
Spartan Crew Bingo
Spartan Crew Bingo, a super fun annual favorite in our local community, is coming up! This year’s Spartan Crew Bingo will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023 (inclement weather date March 12th). Tickets are on sale now at THIS LINK. Thank you for supporting Spartan Crew!
Buddies Club Presents: Ballin' with Buddies
...A community event. Come out and join us.
Class of 2023 Information
Senior Dates:
- May 13th: Prom at Sweeny Barn
- TBD: Exam Calendar
- Early June: Senior Picnic
- Early June: Graduation Rehearsal
- June 6th: Graduation at 2pm (Eagle Bank Arena)
Senior Dues: $100 (Senior dues cover:)
- School use of Eagle Bank Arena
- Cap and Gown
- Senior Picnic
Families can pay via MySchoolBucks.
When: June 8 - 9, 2023
Time: 11pm to 5am
Check in: Between 11pm and 11:30pm
Check out:
- 4am: activities start to wind-down
- 4:15am: announcements and raffles
- 4:45am: dismissal of students
All students are required to remain at the venue for the duration of the event unless prearranged with parents.
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Contact wshsangp@gmail.com with any questions, and find us on Instagram WSHS ANGP 2023.
FCPS INFORMATION
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after spring break. Please make sure your student is in school every day until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. Visit our website for more attendance resources.
Strategic Planning
Share Your Thoughts with Us!
What keeps you optimistic about FCPS? What are your concerns? Answer these and two other questions on our Strategic Plan Feedback Form, and help shape our school division’s future.
Student Opportunity: Application for the 2023 Student Representative to the School Board
Each year FCPS students have the opportunity to apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. For more information on this role, see FCPS Policy 1802. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) student delegates will vote to elect the representative to the School Board.
Eligibility
- Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11.
- Be a resident of Fairfax County or Fairfax City and a student in Fairfax County Public Schools.
- Students do not need to be current members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) to apply.
Application Information and Deadlines
To be considered for the Election, students are required to provide:
- A written component; due March 17, 2023.
- A thirty-second candidate statement via Flip video; due March 31, 2023. Candidates will be emailed a link to record their video on March 20, 2023.
- Both application components are required to be considered for the Election.
Find more information and apply.
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
Spotlight on Drugs: Trauma & Coping
February is the time when the recognition and promotion of the resilience and contributions of African Americans is celebrated. Historical trauma is critical to understanding black mental health. African Americans have always thrived through the connection of family. There is an intersection between trauma, coping, and substance misuse. Studies show that about 61% of adults have had at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) according to the CDC. Childhood trauma manifests in many ways and when carried into adulthood, it can create a cycle of adverse experiences that affect future generations.
Trauma prevention and intervention strategies are more important than ever, post-COVID. During the height of the pandemic there were heightened feelings of unsafety, struggles with increased time spent in stressful family environments. Earlier ACE studies highlighted traumatic events in the household as primary factors leading to future substance abuse, misuse, and lack of feeling safe and secure. Current ACE studies have expanded the categories of traumatic events to include experiences such as exposure to racism, discrimination, and historical trauma. Effective coping skills or a brilliant strategy increases levels of resilience and feelings of well-being.
Coping strategies include:
- Developing healthy relationships (internal and external support)
- Teaching self-regulation skills
- Encouragement
- Increasing self-esteem
- Promoting independence and strength
- Modeling healthy behavior when dealing with difficult situations
- Early intervention and mental health care
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Why Historical Trauma is Critical to Understanding Black Mental Health
Addressing Childhood Trauma Starts with Family Support
Violence Prevention
ACEs and Minorities
For further Information & support Mr. Ken Johnson, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall
 Join Springfield District Representative Laura Jane Cohen, Braddock District Representative Megan McLaughlin, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, and Student Representative to the School Board Michele Togbe for a town hall. All Braddock and Springfield District parents/guardians, staff, students, and community members are welcome.
When: Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Braddock Secondary School (Little Theater), 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA
*If American Sign Language or language interpretation is needed, please submit your request by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023.
 Seniors: Check out the PTSA Scholarship for Success for WSHS students!
Purpose: The West Springfield High School PTSA offers a scholarship to a WSHS senior who has had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place for at least two of their four years in high school, and who has overcome obstacles on the road to either academic or other school-related success. The amount of scholarship is determined by their annual budget. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize the growth that a student has achieved throughout his/her high school career. Find out more HERE.
Applications Due: Friday, April 14, 2023 by 8pm, email: awards@wshsptsa.net
Spring Break and Summer Camp Registration
The Fairfax County Park Authority has begun Spring Break and Summer Camp registration. Here is the Parktakes Digital Catalog and the Registration page.
Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.
Free Income Tax Preparation
If you or your family earned less than $60,000 in 2022, you may qualify for this free service!
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a national program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help families maximize their tax returns and avoid the fees businesses charge to prepare taxes. Northern Virginia CASH is a coalition of community partners who support the VITA sites in Northern Virginia. For 15 years the Fairfax County Department of Family Services has provided operational support to the coalition partners assisting about 4,000 families to receive a combined average refund total of $6 million each year.
In-person VITA services are available at several sites in Northern Virginia. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointments are needed. For more information, please send an email or call 703-533-5320 (please leave a message).
Summer Learning Programs Registration
FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps are NOW open for registration.
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, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website to register. Access the new IFTA Catalogue HERE.
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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