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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
Friday, 03/10 – International Night Festival (7pm, Auditorium)
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)
Improved Access to Language Translation on FCPS Websites
 In a continued effort to prioritize access for our diverse communities, FCPS is launching a language translation feature that will be available on every division and school webpage. The feature has been added to the header at the top of the page and will scroll with the user as they navigate the page. Learn more about our new translation feature.
West Springfield HS Honored for Press Freedom
 Three Fairfax County high schools—Chantilly, McLean, and West Springfield—are among 16 schools nationally that have been selected as 2023 First Amendment Press Freedom Award winners. West Springfield is among four schools that were first-time award recipients.
The award recognizes private and public high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and responsibilities of students and teachers, with an emphasis on student-run media where students make all final decisions of content. The 16 winning schools will be honored on April 20 as part of the Spring Journalism Education Association (JEA), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) National High School Journalism Convention in San Francisco. Learn more about Student Press Freedom Day. Visit our website to learn more about the awards presented.
NEXT WEEK: International Night
The annual WSHS International Night Festival takes place next 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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International Night Spirit Week Activities
STUDENT SERVICES
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. Students and employers may register to attend below:
Student Registration
Business/Employer Registration
Please see the event webpage for dates, times, locations, and all event related details.
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Paying for College Presentations!
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91726751009
OR
Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/94488865488
To access these presentations, simply click on the link for your preferred date.
For questions or concern, please email: info@collegeaccessfairfax.org
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Virtual FCPS Military Night
FCPS Virtual Military Night is March 20, 2023 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. FCPS students and families will learn about the various pathways available for military service, including enlistment, ROTC, Senior Military Colleges, and Service Academies. The event site is live and registration is open!
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Upcoming Sports Events, Week of March 6 - 11
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 Students Receive 2023 Regional Scholastic Writing Awards
Three WSHS students earned Honorable Mention recognition in the 2023 Regional Scholastic Writing Awards competition. In all, 213 Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mentions were earned by FCPS students, representing 27 middle and high schools.
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, is the largest, longest-running recognition program of its kind in the United States. Writing categories include critical essay, dramatic script, flash fiction, humor, journalism, novel writing, personal essay and memoir, poetry, science fiction and fantasy, short story, and writing portfolio. West Springfield winners are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list of FCPS winners.
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
FCPS 2023 Purple Up! T-Shirt
April is the Month of the Military Child and Virginia’s Purple Up! Day is Wednesday, April 19. The FCPS Purple Up! t-shirt is available for order now through March 16 here!
NOTE: Students in the WSHS Military Ambassador's Club will also have the option to purchase a unique WSHS MAC version of the Purple Up! t-shirt.
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IEP Updates: A Webinar for Families
Next week, the FCPS Parent Resource Center will offer a special webinar for families of students with special needs: IEP Updates: A Webinar for Families. The Department of Special Services would like to invite families who have children with special needs and are or could receive special-education services in Fairfax County Public Schools to participate in a highly informative webinar.
Families an also check out the previous PRC webinars on YouTube:
Targeted and High Impact In-Person Tutoring
FCPS' Department of School Improvement and Support (DSIS) is working with principals across the region to best identify where there is the most need for in-person tutoring to benefit students. The district is recruiting qualified tutors who will be matched to schools based on need.
Are You Interested in Tutoring?
FCPS is now actively recruiting qualified tutors to provide academic support in-person to small groups of students. These new FCPS tutors will be paid an hourly rate of $47.17. The position is flexible, and the number of hours worked and location will be based on the tutor’s availability and qualifications, as well as the needs presented throughout FCPS. Apply now! Contact tutor@fcps.edu for more information.
Note: Current FCPS staff can only apply to tutor outside of their contracted hours.
Tutor.com Is Still Available and Free for All FCPS Students
Online tutoring through Tutor.com is available to all FCPS students as a resource for support and enrichment. As of January 2023, approximately 8,000 students have participated in approximately 34,000 tutoring sessions. Tutor.com remains available to all FCPS students at no cost. Find out more about Tutor.com.
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
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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
 March is Women’s History Month
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.
From WSHS Theater to HBO Max Series Regular
 Latergram: Check out this Black History spotlight article on a former WSHS Grad: Grace Duah, Class of 2016
As part of Black History Month, FCPS staff recently interviewed Grace Duah (above), West Springfield High School Class of 2016. Grace is a series regular on HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot.
Even though Grace is breaking into the showbiz industry as an actor, she already had quite the legacy while at WSHS. Grace describes herself as a “changemaker.” Not only was Grace the student body president in her senior year, but she also co-founded the Black Student Union at West Springfield HS, which is still active today.
Read HERE to learn how this remarkable Spartan alumnus credits FCPS and West Springfield in her success.
Important Changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government passed a law to temporarily increase SNAP benefits to support families. Recently, the federal government changed the law and the temporary increase to the SNAP benefits ended on February 16, 2023. Beginning in March, all SNAP benefits will return to normal amounts, without the added supplement.
- The Virginia Department of Social Services has created a temporary information line. Please call: 1-855-635-4370
- If you need food now, call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning: 703-222-0880
- For more food resources, visit the Human Service Resource Guide onlineand search “food.”
If you receive SNAP you may also be eligible for Medicaid, TANF, Energy Assistance, Child Care Assistance and more. Apply at CommonHelp.Virginia.gov/access or apply by phone at 1-833-5-CALL-VA (1-833-522-5582).
 Click image to access registration page.
You're Invited!
Encuentro de Chicas Latinas de las Girl Scouts is an annual leadership conference for Latina girls in grades 6—12.
High school girls will explore STEM careers and future pathways and the university experience, including a tour of Marymount University campus. Middle school girls will learn about combating stereotypes, conflict resolution, and building healthy friendships.
All participants will meet Latina leaders from the greater Washington region and be inspired by their leadership stories!
- Saturday, March 11, 9:30am—4pm
Marymount University Arlington, Virginia
- Cost is $25 (lunch included)
- Register Online
- For questions, contact: Cheryl Osborne 703.372.4341
WIC Program Update
Beginning March 3, the Fairfax County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will transition to one phone number: 703-246-5599.
WIC information can be found on the Fairfax County Women, Infants and Children web page.
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March 5th – 11th is National Consumer Protection Week.
On March 9th Fairfax County Consumer Affairs will host a Consumer Affairs Event. Click the flyer for more information.
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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.
Did You Know?: March Daily Holidays and Observances
- March 1: Mardi Gras, Share a Smile Day, World Compliment Day
- March 2: Dr. Seuss's Birthday, National Read Across America Day
- March 3: World Wildlife Day, National Anthem Day
- March 4: National Grammar Day, National Sons Day
- March 5: Employee Appreciation Day, National Day of Unplugging
- March 6: National Dentist's Day
- March 6 - 12: National School Social Workers Week
- March 8: International Women's Day
- March 12: Plant a Flower Day
- March 14: National Pi Day, National Write Your Story Day
- March 16: Freedom of Information Day, National Vaccination Day
- March 17: St. Patrick's Day
- March 18: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Global Recycling Day
- March 20: First Day of Spring, World Storytelling Day
- March 21: World Poetry Day
- March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
- March 27: World Theatre Day
- March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day, National Pencil Day
- March 31: National Crayon Day
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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