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Woodson Weekly -
March 24th |
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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Regional Science Fair 2nd Place Winners - Samuel Golden, Leon Orrel, and Yacov Schwartz with their project, "Tactile Sensory Apparatus."
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, March 27th - Woodson Pyramid Art Show, 6-8pm in Cav Hall
Friday, March 31st - Deadline for course requests for 2023-24 school year
Monday-Friday, April 3rd-7th - Spring Break Holidays - School Office Closed
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
Good afternoon Woodson Families:
One week until spring break… this also means the end of the third quarter is eminent. Please make sure all student work is turned in to teachers as soon as possible. Students and staff have worked tirelessly this quarter and are ready for a much deserved break. Teachers should not be assigning work over spring break with the exception of long term assignments that happen to span over the break. In addition, there will be no assessments the first two days back after break. Should you have concerns about this, please contact your child’s administrator.
Friday, March 31st is the last day to change classes for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have questions regarding a course chosen, please contact your child’s counselor and discuss it. Click here to access the counselor’s contact information.
Thursday, April 13th may be the last day of the third quarter (and 2 hour early release) but it is going to be an exciting and special day at Woodson HS. This will be our first Portrait of a Graduate (POG) learning day. Students will be able to hear how the POG skills they learn in school are applied in the “real world.” We have speakers coming from a variety of fields including musicians, event planners, forensic accounting, trades, climate change, government contractors, attorneys, TV / radio anchors and the list goes on. Many local companies will be represented. Students will have a unique opportunity to explore various careers and see how what they are learning is applied after high school.
Unfortunately, bathroom issues continue. As stated in the communication earlier this month, vandalism of toilets is at an all-time high and we are doing everything we can to get toilets fixed and bathrooms opened as quickly as possible.
This week our students viewed a video from FCPS on the dangers of opioid use. Parents, please see the eNotify email message that was sent on Thursday, March 23rd for the link.
Enjoy the first weekend of Spring,
Dr. Floyd
Principal
Join us for the annual Woodson Pyramid Art Show on Monday, March 27th!
In this Issue
ACTION Item
1. Opt-In to No-cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students
2. Update Your Emergency Care Info Through weCare@school
NEW News
3. SIS Availability
4. Course Request Deadline - March 31st
5. Spring Break COVID Test Distribution
6. UNICEF Club receives 2023 Student Peace Award of Fairfax County
7. FCPS Regional Science & Engineering Fair Awards
8. Career Day on April 13th
9. Woodson 5K
10. Proposed Updates to SR&R, and Feedback Opportunities
11. College & Career Center News
12. Drug & Alcohol Facts Week
PAST News, but still important
13. Attendance Procedures
14. 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair
15. AP Exam Schedule
16. Senior Class News
17. Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
18. Tutor.com for Exam Prep
19. Order Your Cavalier Yearbook
20. Laptop Tech Support Hours
21. Woodson's PTSO
ACTION Item
1. Opt-In to 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.
The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form.
Teletherapy Services Opt-In Process
1 - Opt-In via SIS ParentVUE - Parents can Opt-In their children via SIS ParentVUE:
- Click on Student Info
- Click on Edit Information
- Click on the dropdown arrow, choose “Yes” to Opt-In
- Click Save Changes
2 - Opt-In via Submitting an Opt-In Form to the School
For more details, visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage.
2. Update Your Emergency Care Information Through weCare@school
Fairfax County Public Schools provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system, to parents/caregivers who have registered for their own parent account. weCare helps manage emergency medical information by allowing parents to enter and update their children’s medical data online at their convenience. That contact information automatically enrolls parents/caregivers to receive eNotify communications from the district and their child’s school. eNotify is the communications tool for FCPS emergency, transportation, attendance, weather closings and delay, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent via email, text, and occasionally phone.
Learn more about updating your emergency care information.
NEW News
3. SIS Availability
SIS, ParentVUE, and StudentVUE will be unavailable for all users today, Friday, March 24th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM for system maintenance.
4. Course Request Deadline - March 31st
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 Friday, 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.
To celebrate and raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day, students wore crazy socks.
5. Spring Break COVID Test Kit Distribution
If your family is planning to travel or attend large gatherings over spring break, and you would like to ensure your child is healthy before returning to school, students can obtain a test kit in advance of spring break.
Please note, testing is NOT required for students to return to school after break. However, you may want to test your student if they are symptomatic or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Next week, March 27th - 31st, COVID Kits will be distributed from the Main Office - two kits per student/household, on a first-come, first-served basis, until supplies are exhausted.
6. UNICEF Club receives 2023 Student Peace Award of Fairfax County
The Woodson High School UNICEF club was one of 27 recipients of a 2023 Student Peace Award of Fairfax County honored at a reception on Sunday, March 19th. Rep. Gerry Connolly introduced a Resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives listing all the recipients and recognizing their efforts as "building blocks of a more peaceful and tolerant world."
The UNICEF Club supports children in need around the world, defending their rights, and helping them live fulfilling lives. Sophia Huh, a junior, is the president of the club. When she entered high school, she wanted to find a club to get involved in, with the hope of building new friendships and also making a difference in the lives of others. “I found that place with the UNICEF Club,” said Sophia.
The student-led club--led by officers Sophia Huh, Katelyn Tran, Jacqueline Truong, and Roen Dioquino--works to fulfill UNICEF’s three pillars of education, advocacy and fundraising.
7. FCPS Regional Science & Engineering Fair Awards
Congratulations to the following Woodson students who earned awards at the 2023 FCPS Regional Science & Engineering Fair.
GRAND PRIZE NOMINEE and FIRST PLACE moving on to VSSEF and ISEF:
Chemistry: Benjamin Hawkins (The Impact of Insect Repellent on the Effectiveness of Sunscreen)
FIRST PLACE moving on to VSSEF:
Earth and Environmental Sciences: Annette Paik (Identification of Plant Disease from Dracaena marginata and Dracaena sanderiana)
Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics: Andrew Kim and Joseph Tso (Building Equitable and Environmentally Conscious Last-Mile Delivery Infrastructure in Urban Spaces: Using a Multi Nodal, Reverse Hub-and-Spoke design as a Community-Centric Approach to Civic)
SECOND PLACE:
Biomedical and Health Sciences and Engineering: Joshua Park (A Novel Implementation of Simplified Multiview Reconstruction for Prosthetic Socket Dimensioning)
Behavioral and Translational Medical Sciences: Miriam Fabrycky (How Effective Are Lights, Crosswalks, and Signage in Improving Pedestrian Safety?)
Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics: Samuel Golden, Leon Orrel, and Yacov Schwartz (Tactile Sensory Apparatus)
Materials Science: Lizzy Doan (The Effect of Food Storage Type on the Ripeness of Fruit)
Materials Science: Hannah Fabrycky (Strength and Absorbency of Handmade Recycled Paper Compared to Non-Recycled Paper)
Microbiology: Melinda Nguyen and Katelyn Tran (Eczema Remedies - The Effect of Different Substrates on Micrococcus luteus)
Microbiology: Valerie Gutierrez and Valli Swaminathan (The Effect of Propolis and Honey Concentrations on their Antibacterial Properties)
Physics and Astronomy: Nathaniel Kurland (The Effect of Total Volume on Volume of Harmonic Overtones on Violin)
THIRD PLACE:
Animal Sciences: James McClure (The Effect of Sodium Chloride Concentration on the Packed Cell Volume of Dog Blood Cells)
Behavioral and Translational Medical Sciences: Mia Fanshaw and Caelan Hagopian (The Effect of Sex Differences on Flexion in Automobiles to Address Automotive Injury)
Behavioral and Translational Medical Sciences: Sarah Hymans and Nicole Lee (Suggestibility and Patterns in False Memory)
Earth and Environmental Sciences: Noah Tajudeen (Reef-safe Sunscreen: The Most Moisturizing Consistency of Non-nano Zinc-Oxide Sunscreen)
Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics: Mia Richmond (The Effect of Water on Friction)
Materials Science: Wyatt Hadley (The Effect of Additives on Concrete Strength)
Mathematics and Computer Sciences: Natalie Chandler (A Machine Learning Algorithm to Predict Breast Cancer Mortality)
HONORABLE MENTION:
Materials Science: Joelle Madison Chavez and Anna Linton (The Lightfastness of Different Pigments)
 Regional Science Fair Grand Prize Nominee and 1st Place Winner Benjamin Hawkins disussing his project "The Impact of Insect Repellent on the Effectiveness of Sunscreen."
8. 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.
 Woodson's Rocket League and first ever Virginia state champions in Esports were recognized by Braddock District School Board Representative Megan McLaughlin and Braddock District Supervisor James Walkenshaw. Members of Woodson's Rocket League Team are Greysen Berg, Chance Clayville, Connor Lane, and Andrew Wong. Mr. Shu and Mr. Kuykendall, coaches.
9. Woodson 5K
It’s time to register for the 13th Annual Woodson 5k Community Walk/Run on Saturday, April 29th at 8:30am at Woodson HS. All proceeds benefit Venicos Unidos which is an organization dedicated to providing children with safe and engaging after-school activities and helping students overcome academic achievement gaps.
Members of the Woodson Community can register for $30 through on-line or mail-in registration forms before Friday, April 14th. The price increases to $40 after April 14th.
Woodson students and staff can register for just $20 – only through MySchoolBucks.
Registration will take place up until race time. The event begins and ends outside of entrance #1. Every participant receives a Woodson 5K shirt.
If you want to mail the registration form directly to Woodson, use the form located on Schoology.
Register on-line – https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fairfax/WTWoodson5k
Register on MySchoolbucks – Woodson Student Registration
Questions? djschaefer@fcps.edu
10. Proposed Updates to SR&R, and Feedback Opportunities
Last week, we shared information about the Department of Special Services’ virtual meetings regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation for the 2023-24 school year. The meeting scheduled for Monday, March 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. is currently on hold. Please check the event webpage for updates. Please stay tuned for details. Visit FCPS’ website.
Students in US Government participate in Model Congress, a student-led Congressional session where seniors spend time marking up, debating, and voting on bills they create while dressed in business attire.
11. 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.
- Fairfax County Teen Job Fair on March 25 at Chantilly HS
- 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.
12. Drug & Alcohol Facts Week
Quick Facts:
- National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is March 20-26, 2023
- Opioids are the number one cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County. Young adults aged 25-34 are the most common demographic seen in the emergency room for fatal opioid overdoses.
- Nationwide, there were over 100,00 overdose deaths from April 2020- April 2021.
- Using opioids after a period of abstinence, mixing drugs, IV use, and serious medical problems all contribute to an increased risk of opioid overdose.
- 90% of substance users began using prior to 21-years-old.
- Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are usually the most common substances used by adolescents.
- Fairfax County police stations, pharmacies, and medical facilities provide permanent drug disposal drop boxes for residents to safely dispose of their unused/expired medication. DO NOT flush your medications.
Reframing Our Thinking:
Changing our state of consciousness is part of the human experience (kids spinning in circles to induce dizziness, meditation, runner’s high, and more) but using substances has more negative than positive side effects. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine use prevention strategies are also opioid overdose prevention strategies since opioid users likely used one of these three substances first. Every opioid overdose does not lead to death, but it increases the chances of an eventual overdose fatality. Although most opioid users began with alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine, these three drugs are not “gateway drugs”. The term “gateway drug” implies all alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine users will eventually use other drugs, but that is not the case for most, so the time to act is now. Treat your medication carefully; lock it up and properly dispose of any medications you are no longer using.
Sources & Resources:
Fairfax CSB Opioid Info; REVIVE Training for Opioid Overdoses; Medication Disposal; Teen Substance Use; FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program; Everything You Need to Know About Opioids
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
13. 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.
14. 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair
The last fair will be held 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.
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.
Correction from last week: Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet/Major Winter Grimes was recently appointed to the United States Air Force Preparatory School! Cadet Grimes is one of the premiere cadets this year and this is a tremendous achievement!
16. Senior Class News
There's a lot of information on the Senior Class webpage - Final exam schedule, graduation rehearsal, senior awards ceremony, prom, and more!
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
 Regional Science Fair 2nd Place Winners Melinda Nguyen and Katelyn Tran with their project, "Eczema Remedies - The Effect of Different Substrates on Micrococcus luteus."
20. 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
21. 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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