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Woodson Weekly -
March 17th |
Woodson Weekly is published every Friday to provide the community with important information about school life at Woodson High School.
Mission Statement
Woodson High School’s mission is to empower our community to reach their individual potential by creating a healthy environment of mutual respect, responsibility, equity, and inclusion.
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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este mensaje en otros idiomas, podrán ver las traducciones automáticas en nuestro sitio web.
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Woodson's FanQuest Team and Coaches
Important Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, March 21st - Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall at Lake Braddock Secondary School (see story #4)
Wednesday, March 22nd - Religious and Cultural Observance Day - Ramadan (begins at sunset)
Thursday, March 23rd - Religious and Cultural Observance Day - Ramadan (continues through April 21st)
Monday, March 27th - Woodson Pyramid Art Show, 6-8pm in Cav Hall
Monday-Friday, April 3rd-7th - Spring Break, No School
Thursday, April 13th - 2 Hour Early Release, End of 3rd Quarter
Friday, April 14th - Religious and Cultural Observance Day - Orthodox Good Friday, Teacher Workday, No School for Students
The complete FCPS 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
Woodson's Events & Activities Calendar
Message from Dr. Floyd
Hello Woodson Families:
The countdown is on! A student told me today there are only 2 weeks until Spring Break. That means only 2 weeks plus a couple of days until the end of 3rd Quarter. Please check SIS ParentVUE for updates on grades and work completion. Don’t wait until the last minute to get work completed! Students have a number of return periods before break to get caught up.
Thursday, March 31st is the last day to change course requests for next school year. Take the time now to consider your electives and learning opportunities for next year. Please contact your counselor, teacher or administrator with questions.
Have a great last weekend of winter!
Dr. Floyd
Principal
Congratulations to Ms. Pugnetti who was awarded the Region 5 Outstanding Operational Employee of the Year! Ms. Pugnetti is the glue who holds the activities and athletics office together! (Pictured l-r, Blair Smith, Director of Student Activities; Alexa Pugnetti, Warren Williams, Assistant Director of Student Activities)
In this Issue
NEW News
1. 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs
2. Paying for College Presentations
3. Counselor Corner
4. Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall
5. No-Cost Mental health Teletherapy for Students
6. Career Day on April 13th
7. College & Career Center News
8. Difficult Conversations About Drugs and Suicide Prevention
9. High School Assessment and Grading Survey
10. Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities
11. Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
12. Review Draft Goals for FCPS' New Strategic Plan
13. Natural High - a message from our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
PAST News, but still important
14. Attendance Procedures
15. AP Exam Schedule
16. Senior Class News
17. Summer Enrichment Opportunities
18. Mental Health First Aid Training for Parents
19. Tutor.com for Exam Prep
20. Order Your Cavalier Yearbook
21. Laptop Tech Support Hours
22. Woodson's PTSO
NEW News
1. 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Series
High school students are invited to attend the 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Series. The next fairs will be held Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at South County High School and Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Chantilly High School.
Each fair will feature employers offering part-time, full-time, seasonal, and volunteer positions. Students will also be able to attend career-building workshops like Resume Building and Interviewing 101. Most positions at the fair are geared toward students age 16+, but some opportunities for younger students may be available with parental consent. Visit the Teen Job Fair webpage to register.
2. Paying for College Presentations
College Access Fairfax is holding another virtual Paying for College presentation on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM.
To access these presentations, simply click on this link. For questions or concern, please email: info@collegeaccessfairfax.org
Woodson senior Bri Crosby (pictured with Ms. Hagan) placed 1st in CPR/1st Aid and placed 2nd in the Anatomage Tournament at the HOSA State Leadership competition in Williamsburg with Falls Church Academy.
3. Counselor Corner
Counselors are continuing to schedule make-up academic advising meetings for students in all grades to select classes for next year. If you haven't already, please take the weekend to review your child's course selections in ParentVUE/StudentVUE. If your child would like to make a change to their selections for next year, they must contact their counselor by March 31st. This is also the deadline to complete the Dual Enrollment Process for any DE class students may be taking. Additional information about advising can be found on our Academic Advising Padlet.
Information on registering for summer classes can also be found on the Padlet. Please talk to your child about the courses they would like to take, and also ask about their meeting with their counselor. It is important that students are thinking about school/life balance when selecting classes for next year, along with focusing on classes geared towards their interests and aligned with their personal goals. Counselors welcome the opportunity to talk with students and parents regarding any questions or concerns about rigor in scheduling, and how best to achieve balance between academic goals and ambition with personal interests, wellness, and health. Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
Any student who requested an Academy class for next year will be notified by email (fcpsschools.net) of their enrollment status. Emails are expected to be sent out on March 31st.
Additionally, counselors will continue to present wellness lessons during 10th grade health classes. Review of available supports for students and/or friends who may be experiencing mental health concerns will be reviewed. Resources, including stress management strategies, are also available on the Social Emotional Support Padlet.
4. 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. We hope to see you there!
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.
Join us for the annual Woodson Pyramid Art Show on Monday, March 27th!
5. No-Cost Mental health Teletherapy for Students
FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to begin offering virtual mental health services to high school students via live video sessions. Starting Monday, April 10, parents/caregivers who have been struggling to find a therapist for their child or who notice changes in their child’s behavior will be able to connect them virtually with a licensed therapist.
Teletherapy services for students are short-term, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive.
Teletherapy is available on any device, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Therapists will be locally-licensed clinicians; 50% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC); and 40% of whom are bilingual. More than 15 languages are available.
Hazel Health’s licensed therapists can help students who are experiencing:
- Mood/behavior changes, lack of motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Bullying, sexual identity challenges, challenging peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for details.
Congratulations to Woodson student, Cadet Winter Grimes! She was selected to attend the AFJROTC Cyber Academy this summer! This program is fully funded by the National Science Foundation.
6. Career Day on April 13th
Thank you to those community members who have signed up for our Thursday, April 13th Career Day.
We have about 10-13 slots left if you are interested in sharing your career with our students. Session one is 8:20-9:10, session two 9:20-10:10, session three 10:20-11:10.
We would love to have you for any or all of the sessions. Please let us know if you prefer small group (about 30 students), medium group (about 60 students), or large group (about 300 students) and which sessions work best for you.
If interested reach out to pdisalvo@fcps.edu and kebenzinger@fcps.edu.
Ms. Brantley’s class playing a competitive card game on Fun Friday.
7. College & Career Center News
Please mark your calendar for the upcoming events below. Newsletters, Scholarship & Enrichment Opportunities, Military Resources & more can be found in the Woodson College & Career Padlets.
- Virtual Paying for College Presentations for 9 – 11 graders by College Access Fairfax on March 18
- Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs on March 18 & 25
- FCPS Virtual Military Night on March 20 from 5-8pm
- Northern Virginia Regional College Fair at George Mason University on April 4
Please access the live Calendar below for event information, registration links & additional events.
8. Difficult Conversations About Drugs and Suicide Prevention
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars:
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Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations About Alcohol and Drugs: Tuesday, March 21, at 10 a.m. This webinar will give parents tools to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about alcohol and drugs. Parents will learn basic information about alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids; what can be done as a caregiver; and how to identify and connect with community resources.
Click on the titles above to register.
Students in genetics and biotech are working on a multi day lab to grow and isolate the pGlo (GFP) protein. This is the same protein that makes jellyfish glow in the dark.
9. High School Assessment and Grading Survey
Instructional Services is conducting a survey to gather perceptions and preferences around assessments and grading elements. High school students, their families, and high school-based staff will be surveyed. Students and their families will be asked about their current classes and how they feel about assessment, grading, and grading practices and policies. The survey results will be used along with information from student focus groups, research, best practices, and benchmarking to propose recommendations to the School Board later this spring.
Surveys will be sent Monday, March 20, and individuals will have until Friday, March 31, to respond. For more information, contact Michael Gillespie in Instructional Services.
Students in Sports Medicine performing a blood pressure lab.
10. Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Department of Special Services will be hosting two virtual meetings for the FCPS community regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. Please join one of the meetings below via Zoom (click the date to register):
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the suggested updates and ask questions via Zoom Chat. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish. A certified deaf interpreter will be available as well.
Beginning Monday, March 20, families and staff will also be able to provide feedback on proposed updates to the SR&R via a short survey. Please stay tuned for details. Visit FCPS’ website for more information.
11. Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Monday, March 13, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis hosted nearly 400 families, staff, and community members for a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives.
The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, with our next community meeting on the critical topic of fentanyl danger and opioid awareness. More information is coming soon. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for updates as they become available. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.
12. Review Draft Goals for FCPS’ New Strategic Plan
Please take a moment to share your perspectives on the draft work-to-date related to the development of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan. Your input is important to this work and will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student.
FCPS emailed the survey link to all parents and caregivers on Monday, March 6. Please check your email, if you haven't had a chance to take the survey yet. If you are a community member who does not have a student enrolled in FCPS, please use this link to participate.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Urdu, and Vietnamese. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Information from the survey will be shared with and analyzed by Performance Fact, Inc. (PFI), the company FCPS hired to help create our Strategic Plan. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage for more details.
13. Natural High - a message from our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Studies have shown that 13 is the average age of first-time drug and alcohol use. 9 out of 10 addictions start in the teen years.
90% of Americans with a substance use disorder began using substances before the age of 18.
Natural High is “a drug prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well.” The Natural High campaign highlights helping children and teens find healthy thrilling activities to fulfill the dopamine (feel good) levels in the brain.
Resources:
Natural High
Fentanyl Is Now The Leading Cause of Death For Young People In the US (Video)
Live Your Life Naturally High
Knowing The Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Use (Video)
Adolescent Substance Use: America’s #1 Public Health Problem
FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fcps/courses/ATODParentPresentationRequired103119b/story_html5.html
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further Information & support: De’Ja Ruffin, MSW, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, dsmcneil@fcps.edu.
PAST News, but still important
14. Attendance Procedures
Please review Woodson's attendance procedures to ensure accurate reporting for your student.
If your student will be absent from school, a parent/guardian must notify the attendance office. Below is a quick guide for reporting all-day absences, late arrivals, and early check-outs from school.
15. AP Exam Schedule
Woodson's AP exam schedule can be accessed on the Advanced Placement site. Exams will take place the first 2 weeks of May 2023.
16. Senior Class News
There's a lot of new information on the Senior Class webpage - Final exam schedule, graduation rehearsal, senior awards ceremony, prom, and more!
17. Summer Enrichment Opportunities
18. Mental Health First Aid Training for Parents and Students
Woodson is excited to announce the opportunity for parents and students to receive free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training.
This course is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers and students how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge, or is in crisis.
The class is limited to 30 members. There will be a waitlist for any registrations over the limit.
Woodson Training Dates and Registration Links:
Parents: Tuesday, April 11th from 8am-4pm in Cav Hall - registration is FULL. Please email Jackie O'Brien at jtobrien1@fcps.edu to add your name to the wait list.
Click here to register for the student training. (10 spots left)
19. Tutor.com for Exam Prep
Did you know Tutor.com can help with more than just homework? This free, on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests.
Students can take practice quizzes at any time, and if they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor through voice or chat options for help. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com website.
20. Order Your Cavalier Yearbook
Purchasing a Yearbook:
Don't miss out - reserve your student's copy of the yearbook today! We print a limited quantity of yearbooks every year and we WILL sell out. Preordering is the only way to guarantee a copy of the yearbook. Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and type in Woodson's code - 5278.
Thank you for your support of the Woodson Yearbook! For any questions, please email Staci Vega at slvega@fcps.edu.
21. Laptop Tech Support Hours
If students need FCPS laptop technical support at Woodson HS, please submit a ticket using the FCPS Parent/Student Tech Support Portal.
Our walk-in hours in Room A114 are:
- Odd Days during Learning Seminar
- Monday - 7:45am - 8:10am
- Wednesday - 2:55pm - 4:00pm (when late buses start)
Any other time you should try to make an appointment using a ticket from the Support Portal.
Thank you, Woodson HS Tech Support Team
22. Woodson's PTSO
Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Whether you are a new or returning WTW parent, please get involved in any way that works for you.
2022-23 PTSO Board -
Miklos Kiss - President
Lena McGinn - VP Membership
Diane Raffaele - Secretary
Kyle Durbin - Treasurer
Jill Battaglia - Communications
PTSO website https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com/annlist
We look forward to a great school year!
Mental Health Resources | 24/7 Emergency Numbers
If you are in crisis, text NEEDHELP to 85511, call 1-800-273-TALK, or dial 911; TTY dial 711
CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 (CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance for how to help a loved one)
Dominion Hospital Assessment and Referral Line: 703-536-2000
Inova Emergency Services: 703-289-7560
Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-627-4747
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE
Merrifield Center Emergency Services: 703-573-5679; TTY dial 711 (The Merrifield Center of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, offers a range of clinical programming. Emergency Services, staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week, works with people in psychiatric crisis who need immediate attention.)
Plan D Nova https://www.plandnova.org/ (a website for Northern Virginia teens who suffer from depression: #breakthestigma)
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