WPHS News You Choose - 3/11/23

WPHS

In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:

  • Important Dates
  • Principal Message
  • Wolverines in the News
  • PTSA News
  • Class of 2023 Updates
  • School News Update
  • Student Services and College and Career Center Updates 
  • SAT/ACT Prep News
  • Quick Links/Additional Resources

Important Dates

  • March 11: Mock ACT and SAT offered by Applerouth & Applerouth SAT and ACT group class begins
  • March 11: FCPS Teen Job Fair 11 AM – 1 PM at West Springfield High School
  • March 18: WABC Mulch Sale
  • March 18: FCPS Teen Job Fair 11 AM – 1 PM at at South County High School
  • March 20: FCPS Virtual Military Night 5 – 8 PM
  • March 22: Senior Breakfast and 5 Guys Fundraiser
  • March 25: FCPS Teen Job Fair 11 AM – 1 PM at Chantilly High School.
  • March 30: WP Job Fair at 3 – 4:15 PM
  • March 31: Deadline for students who selected a Dual Enrollment class for 23-24 to complete registration with NOVA
  • April 3 – 7: Spring Break
  • April 10: PTSA Meeting at 6:30 PM in library *
  • April 13: End of Third Quarter
  • May 6: Prom

Principal Message

Your Views and Opinions Are Important to Us!

  • On Monday, March 13, West Potomac parents/guardians will be contacted through email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include instructional leadership, school climate, management (human resources and organizational), communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism.
  • The questionnaire will be collected online between March 13 and March 24. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your opinions matter!

Wolverines in the News!

  • Callie Walsh, WPHS Senior, was selected to ask a question she submitted to Governor Youngkin on a CNN Town Hall about education hosted by Jake Tapper on Thursday evening. She asked a question about book banning and was one of only three students selected to ask a question during the hour long town hall. Three additional students were chosen to attend the Town Hall! 
Town Hall 1

Callie Walsh, WPHS Senior, asking Governor Youngkin a question at Thursday’s CNN Town Hall.

Town Hall 2

From left to right: Nairi Masih (junior), Callie Walsh (senior), Haskew Pearson (senior), Hailey Beizer (senior)

Wolverines design artwork for Richmond Highway BRT Stations

  • Recently WPHS students completed design concepts for artwork at future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Stations. Great job Wolverines and their sponsor WP Art Teacher, Amy Stoll!
BRT Station Design

PTSA News

  • Students and parents, please attend our April 10th PTSA meeting.  "Students Have Their Say - What Works and What Doesn't" PTSA meeting on Monday, April 10th at 6:30pm in the library.  Students, teachers and administrators will have a focused discussion on what is working well and areas of improvement.  West Potomac rises when we all come together!
  • 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

West Potomac PTSA is looking for a 2023 – 2024 Test Prep Chair!

  • Best Volunteer Opportunity EVER!  Do you have freshman and/or younger students? Well, SAT/ACT tests are in your future. Be on the cutting edge of changes to the official tests and college admissions by chairing the PTSA’s Test Prep Program! No test prep experience is needed just strong organization and customer service skills. Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com, to learn more about managing this rewarding program. Planning for summer and next school year starts soon. Now is a great time to jump on board and learn the ropes

West Potomac Pyramid Art Show

Pyramid Art Show 1

We had a GREAT turn out for the West Potomac Pyramid Art Show. Thanks to all those who stopped by Thursday evening and congratulations to all the current and future Wolverine Artists!!

Pyramid Art Show 2

Class of 2023 Updates

Senior Parents!  We have TWO upcoming breakfasts

  • One for the seniors (Senior Breakfast) on 3/22. One is a fundraiser the seniors will host- (Breakfast with the Bunny) on 3/25! 

Shirt Design Contest

  • Seniors! Time to share your artistic talents with your classmates by designing the Class of 2023 Graduation Shirt. Design must include: Class of 2023 (or only 2023) AND WPHS (or West Potomac). Submit your design by Friday, March 17 using the QR code on the flyer. Once all designs are submitted and reviewed by class officers and sponsors, all seniors will have a chance to vote for their choice. Questions? See Ms. Day, Ms. Lintot or Ms. Cashman. 
T Shirt Contest

School News

Prom Updates

If anyone has any questions, please contact Jean – Marie Simpson  jsimpson1@fcps.edu

WABC Mulch Sale

March 10th is the deadline to purchase mulch! Please help support West Po’s Student Athletes by ordering your spring supply of mulch through the WABC. Click HERE for more information

Dance Team

Three Weeks of Dance Team Summer Camp this July — Spaces Filling up Fast!

  • Sign up your youngster for one or more weeks of summer fun with dancers and coaches from the West Potomac Dance Team.  Camps are open to rising Kindergarten through 8th Grade students and include dance, crafts and lots of time with friendly, talented high school dancers.  Themed weeks include U.S. states, Christmas in July, and Hollywood.  See details below.
Dance

Student Services and College and Career Center Updates

Academic Advising/Course Selection Reminders

  • Dual Enrollment 2023-24
  • Course Selections for 23-24: A reminder that Friday March 10 was the deadline to make any changes to 23-24 Course Selection.  There will be no changes accepted through April 17 as West Potomac develops a staffing plan for next year.  Course selection changes will be accepted via an email to the counselor on a space available basis from April 17-May 12.  No changes will be accepted after May 12.

College Access Fairfax: 

  • Is your student a current 9th, 10th, or 11th grader?  Have you started thinking about his/her post-secondary educational experiences and how you will pay for them? Major changes are coming to the financial aid process. 
  • College Access Fairfax, in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, is offering a free Paying for College for Underclassmen virtual workshop.
  • Topics to be covered include:
    • What Cost of Attendance (COA) means
    • What Financial Aid includes
    • How/when to apply for Financial Aid
    • What is considered in determining Financial Need
    • Where can help be found
  • Virtual presentations will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 pm or Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:00 am.  Go to https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/ to access the presentation on the day of the event.  Registration is not required.
  • Questions?  Email College Access Fairfax at questions@collegeaccessfairfax.org.

 FCPS Virtual Military Night: 

  • FCPS Virtual Military Night is March 20, 2023, from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. FCPS students and families are invited to attend to learn about the various pathways available, including enlistment, ROTC, Senior Military Colleges, and Service Academies. The FCPS Military Night Google Site(FCPS login required) has the schedule of events, registration, and many resources to help students and families explore the military as a postsecondary option. Students and families can also sign-up to receive important reminders about FCPS Virtual Military Night.
  • Direct link to Google Site: com/fcpsmilitarynight

Schedule of Events:

  • 5:00pm - 6:00pm Panel Discussion (registration required)

Direct link to register: https://tinyurl.com/3zp8k976

  • 6:00pm - 8:00pm Breakout Sessions

Registration is NOT required to attend breakout sessions. Participants can click the link of the breakout session(s) below they wish to attend to join the webinar. Students and families are free to come and go as they please between the breakout sessions.

Military Night

SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAMS

  • FREE 2-week summer bridge programs for current juniors and seniors who have little or no experience with Information Technology, Computer Science, or Engineering Technology career pathways. Students will be introduced to NOVA’s IET programs, tour regional employers, and meet NOVA faculty, students, and staff. Bridge students also have the opportunity to receive college credit! Program available at Manassas/Loudoun and Annandale/Woodbridge campuses. Apply by March 31st!
  • More information and application available at: https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/bridge.html.

SUMMER STEM INTERNSHIPS

  • These 10-day internships support SySTEMic’s summer STEM camps and are available for students with experience in coding, cybersecurity, fabrication, programming, robotics, or rocketry. Interns can receive up to a $1000 stipend upon program completion. Internships open to college and high school students 16 and older. Applications due March 15th!
  • Apply online at: http://intern.novastem.us/apply.  
  • For additional information on resources, scholarships, and programs , see the February College & Career Center newsletter emailed to all students and parents earlier this week!
  • Don’t forget to follow the College & Career Center on Twitter: @wphsccc & Instagram: @westpoccc
College Planning Night

Thanks to all those who came to Class of 2024 College Planning Night this past week. Students can access each presentation via Schoology: Student Services (course) > Juniors (Class of 2024) > College Planning Night Resources. Counselors will be visiting junior advisories next week to talk more about the information shared on Wednesday night.


SAT/ACT Test Prep Upcoming Events 

  • Best Volunteer Opportunity EVER!  Do you have freshman and/or younger students? Well, SAT/ACT tests are in your future. Be on the cutting edge of changes to the official tests and college admissions by chairing the PTSA’s Test Prep Program! No test prep experience is needed just strong organization and customer service skills. Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com, to learn more about managing this rewarding program. Planning for summer and next school year starts soon. Now is a great time to jump on board and learn the ropes!
  • 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!
  • Mock (Practice) Tests through May 20, 2023:

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.”

Group Classes:

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: