WPHS - News You Choose 4/18/23

School Seal

In this week’s WPHS News You Choose:

  • Important Dates
  • AP Testing Volunteers Needed!!
  • PTSA News
  • Class of 2023 Updates
  • School News Update
  • College and Career Center Updates 
  • SAT/ACT Prep News
  • Quick Links/Additional Resources

Important Dates

  • April 18 (Tonight): College 101 for 9th and 10th Grade Families – 6:30pm Kogelman
  • April 18 (Tonight): College Information Night in Spanish – 6:00pm @ Hybla Valley Community Center
  • April 19: NOVA 2023 Vision Virtual Event
  • April 19/20: NACAC National College Fair, Montgomery County, MD
  • April 20: Crew Boosters Five Guys Fundraiser
  • April 22: MOCK SAT 9:00 AM
  • April 29: MOCK ACT 9:15 AM
  • April 30: NCAA Student-Athlete Webinar
  • May 6: Prom
  • May 10: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon
  • May 13: MOCK SAT 9 AM
  • May 20: MOCK ACT 9:15 AM
  • June 1: Class of 2023 Senior Celebration
  • June 6: Senior Awards 9am
  • June 7:  Graduation 9 AM

  • AP TESTING MONITORS NEEDED!
    • With AP Testing around the corner, we are in need of test monitors.  Volunteers would be in the testing space with two lead proctors who are West Potomac counselors and would follow their direction. Any volunteers we can get helps minimize the number of counselors/teachers who need to be pulled from their primary duties to meet proctoring requirements!
    • Please view the sign up genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4FA5A829A57-aptesting.  Thank you for your consideration- please contact Kevin McMahon at kjmcmahon@fcps.edu if you have any questions. 
    • We currently only have two volunteers with AP Testing starting in less than two weeks – please consider supporting this important need!

PTSA News

  • Thanks to all our students and faculty who attended the April PTSA meeting.  We had a great discussion on what is working well and ideas for improvement at West Potomac!  Together we rise!
Students PTSA
  • Attention 2023 SENIORS!! Graduation is just around the corner! Announce your achievement and memorialize this occasion by sending beautiful Graduation Announcements to all of your friends and family! com also has stationery, fine art, personalized gifts, and more designed by independent artists that provide YOUnique announcements to celebrate YOU!  Just use promo code FUNDRAISEPOTOMAC and 1) get 20% off your Graduation Announcements 2) 15% will be donated back to the PTSA!!

WP Pantry Drive

Supply

Exciting Opportunities:

  • It’s Hard to believe that the 2022 - ’23 school year will be wrapping up in just a few weeks.  Before getting your beach towels and sunscreen out, a few things to get you excited about next year. 
  • The 2023 -’24 WP PTSA Board has some openings.  Yeah!!!   Yep, it’s volunteering but so much more, be a part of a team who work and laugh together and share the same vision - to make WP the best school ever. 
  • A few of last year’s PTSA Board Volunteers are staying on but please check out some open PTSA Positions: 
    • President - Elect: Assist the President, fill in when President is absent, and to train to take on the role of President.
    • Membership Chair: Work with PTSA board to help with recruiting and engaging members, helping them understand and experience the benefits of belonging.
    • News You Choose E-News Chair:  Responsible for receiving weekly announcements and compiling into a draft format with the goal of sharing relevant information, promoting events and enhance parent engagement.
    • Social Media Chair:  Help engage our Wolverine community by sharing information about PTSA initiatives and announcements on Facebook and Twitter. Duties include creating and posting content with time commitment about 1-2 hours per week.  No Selfies required - just a happy heart to get the info out.
    • Canva/PDF Enthusiast: Help WP PTSA Elevate its event flyers. Communication is an integral part of PTSA mission and an Awesome Flyer gets the message out better than anything.
  • Every program the PTSA hopes to do is only possible through bringing together our families ideas, strengths and experiences.  One person can not do it all but collectively we can do it ALL!
  • Please reach out to Liz Ver Hage -   elizabethbraga@aol.com to inquire about positions, sign-up, learn more. 

WP Teacher & Staff Appreciation Luncheon

  • Teacher and staff appreciation luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10th.  Please look out for a volunteer spot coming out shortly.  We welcome everyone’s efforts to make our teachers and staff feel appreciated! 

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

  • Test Prep Chair Needed!  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! Perhaps co-chair for a year?

PTSA DIRECT DONATION: Click Here


Class of 2023 Updates

  • For all things graduation, click Class of 2023 & Graduation Information
  • Please contact Belinda Bault or Heather Condon if you would like to help with the senior celebration.  This huge celebration will be June 1st at West Potomac with food, fun, DJ, prizes and raffles!
  • Interested in purchasing graduation announcements and other Class of 2023 memorabilia? Visit this LINK for more information.
Minted
  • Calling for Graduation Speakers! Interested students should complete this FORM. Please note you will need to upload the text of your speech as part of the form submission. Due date is May 5, 2023. Students will need to audition before a staff panel as part of the selection process. Questions – please contact chcashman@fcps.edu.

CLASS OF 2023:

  • Seniors who have earned and will use a scholarship in college should complete the Class of 2023 Scholarship google form. Information gathered in this form will be used to recognize seniors during the Senior Awards Program in June.  This form was emailed to seniors and parents/guardians this week.  A copy is also located in the Class of 2023 folder in Schoology's Student Services Course.  Seniors can complete this form multiple times if more than one scholarship has been earned and will be used. The deadline to submit this information is May 12th.  Questions?  Contact Mrs. Young in the College & Career Center.

School News

Orchestra News

  • It’s almost CHICK-FIL-A time! The West Potomac Orchestra will sell Chick-Fil-A after school on Thursday April 20. Don’t miss out – use this link to preorder (and pre-pay) either a sandwich or a meal (sandwich, chips, water). Pick up your preorders – or buy on-site – outside Springbank after school on April 20, from 3:30 to 6:30 or until we’re sold out! https://forms.gle/VHfzVKMNvbrvNTvd6
FlyerOrchestra

West Potomac Band 

  • Congratulations to Winter Guard for their second place finish at the AIA Championships held on April 1!
  • Thank you to all who came out on March 30th to support our annual “March Madness” concert where we raise money for The Cutting Fund, an endowment fund memorializing a former band student. The fund supports supplemental instruction like private lessons for band students and guest instructors.
Winter Guard

Great job Winter Guard!!

SHOUT

  • Students Helping Others United Together (SHOUT) is an optional end of the service learning based activity for seniors. SHOUT was created by some seniors in the early 2010s who wanted to have an opportunity to give back to the community at the end of their senior year.
  • After being on COVID pause, SHOUT is back again. Seniors have the opportunity to complete 20 hours of community service from May 30-June 2. In order to participate in the program, students are required to complete an application. Part one of the application is a signature page. For the signature page, the first signature that they must get is from their parent/guardian. After getting parent and teacher signatures, the students give them to their counselor and then administrator for review. The completed signature page is then turned into the library.  Part two is an online application which indicates where they are completing their work. Both parts of the application are due by April 19th
  • All students heard about this opportunity during their Government class during the week of March 20th. If you have questions, please email Mrs. Landon (jllandon@fcps.edu)

Prom Updates

  • The West Potomac Prom Pop Up shop needs your help! Believe it or not, prom will be here before we know it and once again West Potomac is hosting a Prom Pop Up shop, offering free dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry and make up to all local high school students.  Not only does this help reduce the cost of attending the prom, but it is also a great way to reuse and recycle! Here is how you can help:
    • DONATE: We are currently accepting donations of new, unopened makeup; jewelry; and new or lightly used prom dresses, shoes and bags.  Donations can be dropped off in the West Potomac office or please text Kendra Chambers at 703-966-2973 for other drop off locations or to arrange for a pick up.  We will be accepting donations through Friday April 14...
    • OR if you prefer, you may visit https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/839442 to make a monetary donation.  Funds collected will be used to purchase new makeup for the event!
    • VOLUNTEER:  If you have the time, this really is a wonderful event and we would love to have your help!  Please see the signup genius link to help if you are able! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4FA5A829A57-west2
    • HELP SPREAD THE WORD: Maybe you set up a donation collection bin at work; maybe you send your neighbors the Memberhub link for donations; maybe you host a small gathering for friends and ask them each to bring an unopened make up item to donate; or maybe you ask your West Potomac student to help spread the word throughout the school and to their friends at other local high schools about this fantastic event so they can plan to attend. Whatever it is, however you can help us get the word out and bring in donations and students, it is greatly appreciated!
    • The dates for the shop will be Saturday April 15 10-2, Monday April 17 after school (3-5 pm); Tuesday April 18 during advisory (please ask your advisory teacher for a pass); Thursday April 20 after school (3-5) and Thursday April 20 during advisory (please ask your advisory teacher for a pass).  
    • We look forward to a fun and successful event and thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please text Kendra Chambers at 703-966-2973.  
    • Calling all who want to support the Prom on May 6!!!  We are in need of volunteers to help with set up/ clean up and donations for décor.
    • Please sign up on the following sign up genius links. 
    • Prom set up/ clean up link
    • Décor request link
    • If anyone has any questions, please contact Jean – Marie Simpson:  jsimpson1@fcps.edu
Prom

Dance Team Updates

Dance

Food for Neighbors

  • Would you like to help students in our area receive the healthy food they need to succeed in school? Our school partners with Food For Neighbors to receive and supply supplemental weekend food to our students. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. Visit their website at foodforneighbors.org/get-involvedto donate food and volunteer. Thanks for your support!
  • Are you looking for a way to make a difference? We’re a partner with Food For Neighbors, who provides supplemental food for students in our area who might otherwise go hungry on the weekends. Help us by volunteering or donating food. Visit their website at foodforneighbors.org/get-involvedfor details.
  • Our school is partnering with Food For Neighbors to help feed our local students who deal with food insecurity outside of school hours. Even in a county as wealthy as ours, one in four kids in our area are struggling with hunger. Through the Food For Neighbors’ Red Bag Program, you’ll make a difference in a local student’s life just by adding a few extra items to your shopping cart five times a year. And the best part - our students will immediately benefit from your generosity! To learn more about how you can help, visit the Food For Neighbors’ website at foodforneighbors.org/get-involved
Work GroupFLyer EnglishFlyer

Student Services and College and Career Center Updates

College 101 for 9th and 10th Grade Students and Families -Tonight - 4/18

  • 9th and 10th grade students and families are invited to join us for College 101 presented by Amy Barnes, Admission Counselor at Randolph Macon College on Wednesday April 18 at 6:30pm in Kogelman Theatre.

College Information Night - in Spanish - Tonight - 4/18

  • ¡NOCHE DE PLANIFICACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA - EN ESPAÑOL! College Planning Night – Spanish Presentation @ Hybla Valley Community Center
Spanish FlyerSpanish Flyer in Spanish

CLASS OF 2023:

  • Seniors who have earned and will use a scholarship in college should complete the Class of 2023 Scholarship google form. Information gathered in this form will be used to recognize seniors during the Senior Awards Program in June.  This form was emailed to seniors and parents/guardians this week.  A copy is also located in the Class of 2023 folder in Schoology's Student Services Course.  Seniors can complete this form multiple times if more than one scholarship has been earned and will be used. The deadline to submit this information is May 12th.  Questions?  Contact Mrs. Young in the College & Career Center.

NOVA 2023 VISIONVirtual Event- April 19, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

  • FCPS and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) are offering a virtual opportunity for students with disabilities to learn about available options at the post-secondary level.  The conference will include a presentation from Accommodations and Accessibility Services, a student panel, and a Q & A session.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
    • Click HERE to register and receive ZOOM link
    • Click HERE to complete the FCPS registration form
    • See the flyer for additional details.  Questions? Contact our WPHS Employment & Transition Resource (ETR)

NEXT STEPS: Preparing for your future as an NCAA Student-Athlete

  • High school student-athletes focused on playing sports at the next level in college will not want to miss this informative hour with the NCAA Eligibility Center staff. Learn about next steps based on a student’s year in high school and how the removal of standardized test score requirements may impact eligibility experience. Parent/families/advocates are encouraged to join! 

This virtual event will be held on April 30, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Please register at https://mc97gsxn49y6wmpf4p2n764zq7z1.pub.sfmc-content.com/q5t4bub11pp


SAT/ACT Test Prep Upcoming Events 

Group ACT Class Registration Extended to 4/11/23!

  • ACT Group Class First Mock Test: 03/11/23, Sessions: 4/15-6/3, Meets: Sat (Full Schedule), Max Class Size: 15, $425.00 Sign Up
  • You can take an online mock to make up the 3/11/23 benchmark mock test. Class tutoring sessions and class mocks run Saturday mornings 4/15-6/3.

Test Prep Chair Needed! 

  • 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! Perhaps co-chair for a year?

Sophomores - 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 before the real thing!

Mock (Practice) Tests – This is it for the school year!

 

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.”

FREE Online Applerouth Webinars: 

Recording of the webinar sent to all registrants so no worries if you can’t attend!

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: