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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
Saturday, 05/13 – PROM (Sweeny Barn, 8-11pm)
Friday, 05/19 – Buddies Luau Prom (WSHS Spartan Park, 7-9pm)
Monday, 05/29 – Holiday (Memorial Day)
Tuesday, 06/06 – Graduation (Early Release at 10:30am for 9-11th Grades)
Friday, 06/16 – Last Day of School (Early Release at 9:55am)
Banners of Thank You's
 Thanks to everyone who made this Teacher's Appreciation Week at West Springfield one to remember! Banners throughout the school; sweet treats in the main office and in our academic departments; breakfast and several lunches sponsored by WSHS parents, our SGA and the PTSA. Our teachers (and staff!) were really blessed. Thank you!
End of Year Schedule
Our end-of-the-year schedule with AP, SOL, and Final Exam Information has been published. AP testing formally ends today, May 12, with makeup exams on May 17-18. SOLs will run through May 19. Senior and underclass exams and all the important graduation dates are annotated. You can view the entire schedule on our website.
Click image to gain access to WSHS website and EOY Calendar.
End of Year Financial Obligations
West Springfield High School will no longer accept checks for payment of activities or obligations through the end of this school year.
Parents and families can make payments via MySchoolBucks, money order or cash.
Google Access for Seniors and Students Leaving FCPS: A Message from IT
Students, as you prepare to graduate or transfer from FCPS, it’s important to know that your FCPS Google Workspace account will be automatically deactivated the day after your last full day of enrollment. Once your account is deactivated, you will not be able to login to your FCPS Google account or access your FCPS Gmail.
It is important that you download any files you wish to keep before your last day of school in FCPS.
Instructions for downloading your Google data are on the Google Workspace Information for Students and Parents page of the FCPS website. Students will also have a tech lesson during their Learning Seminar to help close out the year.
Please work with the Tech Support Team if you have questions.
Medication Pick Up From Health Room
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after the last day of school will be destroyed.
It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by FCPS, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).
For questions, call the heath room at (703) 913-3810, or email Laura Settles, School Health Aid.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Summer Track Resurfacing Project
On May 15th our Track will undergo a 12- 14 week resurfacing project. This project is expected to begin soon, so our stadium will be closed for use until further notice. We are hoping to be open for business by mid-August. The Student Activities Office is working on plans for all of our programs while the stadium is closed. Thank you for your patience!
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Upcoming Sports Events, Week of May 15 - 19
Click image for access to full WSHS Athletic Calendar.
WSHS Boys Tennis Succeed at Patriot Districts
 Justin Lo (center), and Justin Hardie (kneeling), with some of the Spartan Boys Tennis Team after their doubles championship win on Wednesday.
Our Spartan Boys Tennis Team has had a great season with much more tennis to come. Boys Tennis finished 12-2; 2nd in the Patriot District behind Woodson HS. In this week's District Tournament, WSHS #1 player Justin Lo ('25) earned a second-place finish in the Patriot District Tournament, losing 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 in a hard-fought final. The duo of Justin Lo and Justin Hardie ('24) won the doubles championship, beating out Woodson 6-2, 6-1. Boys Tennis begin Team Regionals next week at home as the #3 seed. The Occoquan Regional Singles and Doubles Tournament begins week of May 22d. Go Spartan Tennis!
FALL SPORTS INFORMATION MEETING
If you have a student interested in trying out for a Fall Sport at West Springfield, please plan to attend the parent information meeting on Monday, June 12th at 6:30pm in the Auditorium.
Agenda
- 6:30- 7:00pm, Parent meeting in the Auditorium
- 7:00 - 8:00pm, Sport specific break out session with parents to review try-out information/rubric and team expectations.
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Girls and Boys Summer Basketball Camps!
 Link for registration: WS COED and Girls Basketball Camp
For more information, contact Coach Bill Gibson.
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.
Upcoming: Performing Arts Spring Concerts
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Spartan Choir
"All That Jazz," Wednesday, May 17, 6pm
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WSHS Orchestra
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WSHS Bands
- Wednesday, May 24th, 6:30pm
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High School Student Equity Ambassador Leader (SEAL): Student Selection SY24 School Year
FCPS has established a leadership program—Student Equity Ambassador Leaders (SEALS)—to amplify student voices and provide an increased understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion through leadership development, projects, and relevant experiences of high school students.
SEALS was designed to enable students to take an active role in fostering a school culture that affirms and sustains racial, linguistic, and cultural identities. As the stories of marginalized students appear, SEALS participants will be able to contribute to a more equitable and culturally responsive learning environment.
Students interested in being a WSHS SEAL next school year should fill out this application by 3pm Friday, May 19th.
WSHS Jazz Guitar Combo Provide Entertainment for FCPS Retirement Ceremony
Our very own WSHS Jazz Guitar Combo, led by Instructor / Conductor Keith Owens, provided entertainment for FCPS annual Retirement Ceremony, "We Honor You," which was held on Wednesday, May 3, at Thomas Jefferson High School. This experienced group of young musicians features Electric Jazz Guitars, Bass, Percussion and Keyboard. Kudos to our students for making this a wonderful event for attending family, friends and FCPS retirees.
Student musicians include:
- Guitars (from left): Adam Owens, Vince Frogale, Paul Nguyen, Conor Bourke, Mark Silas-Rojas
- Keyboard: Ian Barber
- Drums: Brian Blazewick, Ian Griffin
- Bass: Coryn Irish
Class of 2023 Information
Senior Dates: See the full end-of-year calendar HERE
- May 1 - 17: AP Testing
- May 13: Prom at Sweeny Barn, 8-11pm
- May 24 - 31: Senior Exams
- May 30 - 31: Laptop Return
- June 1: Senior Obligations, (settling outstanding debts) 8:30 - 9:30am (Sports Lobby)
- June 1: Senior Picnic, 12pm
- June 1: Graduation Rehearsal #1, 10am (WSHS Auditorium)
- June 2: Senior Awards Ceremony, 9am in the WSHS Auditorium (Students should wear business casual attire)
- June 5: Graduation Rehearsal #2, 10am (WSHS Auditorium)
- June 5: Grad Walk
- June 6: Graduation at 2pm (Eagle Bank Arena)
- June 8-9: Class of 2023 All Night Grad Party
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.
 Time for Senior Portraits
Parents and Rising Seniors Class of 2024:
Victor O’Neill Studios, our school’s official school photographer, is excited to see you on the following date(s) for your senior portraits at West Springfield.
June 22 & 23, 2023 for Senior Formal Yearbook Portraits Session A
**Beat the fall rush and get your portraits done early**
The attire for the school’s yearbook pose will be in the traditional Tuxedos and Drapes. Victor O'Neill will provide the Tuxedo and Drapes. In addition to the yearbook session they also offer sessions that include casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portraits. Please follow the link below to choose your session type and appointment time.
**Sessions are scheduled one at a time. Future session dates have not yet been announced. You will receive another announcement from Student Activities when the next session is available for booking.**
https://pickatime.com/vosphoto/WestSpringfield2024
If you have any questions please email seniors@vosphoto.com
FCPS INFORMATION
📝 Tutor.com Offers Live Tutors and Test Prep
Writing help, practice quizzes, and SAT test prep are available to all FCPS students at no cost through Tutor.com. Find out how your child can get these services, in addition to 24/7 live tutoring, through their Schoology account: How it works.
 🎨 Calling All Student Artists and Designers: Observance Design Challenge
FCPS is looking for high school students to submit artwork to represent the observances on the FCPS school year calendar for 2023-24 (PDF).
The goal of the Observance Design Challenge is to encourage students to tap into their creativity to create visuals that accurately and positively represent the many religious observances celebrated in the FCPS community. Students may also choose to submit a design for Thanksgiving.
Selected entries will be featured on FCPS social media and in newsletters in the next school year!
See all the submission guidelines and instructions on the FCPS website. Entries will be accepted through June 11, 2023.
Upcoming FRC Webinars
The FRC is hosting the following upcoming webinar. Events are virtual unless stated otherwise:
Click on the title above for more information or to register for the webinar.
✅ Final Feedback Opportunity on Draft Strategic Plan
FCPS’ draft Strategic Plan survey will close on Wednesday, May 17. Please take the survey today, if you haven’t already. Your voice matters! Visit FCPS’ website to stay up-to-date on the strategic planning process.
Quick Links
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Click image above to access event website.
Bike to Work (School) Day is Friday May 19th. The West Springfield District Government Center is encouraging WSHS students to stop by on your way to school; they'll be open from 7 - 9am next Friday. Anyone who stops by on a bike will be treated to a FREE Chick Fil-A Sandwich / donuts / coffee / fruit and other giveaways. Anyone who pre-registers, can also have a free shirt.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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Spotlight on Drugs: Mental Health Awareness
The month of May is a time to pause and raise awareness of the fact that many people live everyday with mental and behavioral health issues and there is a need to reduce the stigma attached with the experience. Post-COVID the reality is that millions of Americans are dealing with an increase in mental, behavioral, and substance misuse illnesses in their families (NAMI). Additional mental health challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic have also increased youth related substance use, mental health struggles, and suicide (HHS). According to HHS, suicide is still the second highest cause of death in youth ages 10 to 14 and adults from ages 24 to 35. This prompted the July 2022 launch of 988, the new three digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 call, text, and chat access to crisis counselors. It is for anyone experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises or emotional distress. Concerns about loved ones may also be addressed using the 988 dialing code. SAMHSA has described the new 988 dialing code as an important step in transforming how crisis and trauma situations are handled in the United States. Please note that the 800-273-8255 number still works, 988 is just built off of the 10-digit number.
Resources:
Substance Use Prevention and Encouraging Healthy Brain Development
Together for Mental Health
Fact Sheet: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month 2022
988 Frequently Asked Questions
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support contact Ken Johnson, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
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WSHS Social Media
WSHS Facebook: WSHS Spartans are glad to join in on the conversation on Facebook! We look forward to sending pics and stories of what's happening within our school community into your feeds. Stay tuned; follow us.
We are also on:
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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