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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
Thursday, 08/17– New Student Orientation / Spartan Open House
Monday, 08/21 – First Day of School
Congrats to Our Retiring Staff and Faculty
2023 Spartan Staff and Faculty Retirees: Jerry Mason, Dorothea (Dottie) Swaggard, Erin Wigginton.
Our 2023 staff and faculty retirees have a collective 116 years of service in education!
Jerry Mason served a total of 37 years in FCPS and prior to that, two years in Prince William County. Jerry taught Math, Physics and Chemistry. Subsequently he spent several years as a School Based Technology Specialist, and will end his career as West Springfield's Technology Support Specialist. Prolific not just in the classroom or the tech office, Jerry also coached soccer for 38 years at Osborne Park, Robinson Secondary and WSHS. Jerry plans to remain in the area to love on his kids and grandkids. We may even see him back in our Spartan hallways now and again during busy tech seasons.
Dorothea (Dottie) Swaggard has taught for 42 years, 30(+) of those years in FCPS. Dottie has spent much of her classroom time teaching Studio Art and Design, and Photography. She plans to dedicate this next phase of life to reengaging some of her favorite hobbies including hiking, painting, photography and yoga. She also hopes to travel and get back into cooking.
Dr. Erin Wigginton has taught for 35(+) years, 11 in FCPS. Her classroom time has featured U.S. History and Honors History courses, Government and Dual Enrollment Government. Erin is a college sports enthusiast and plans to spend lots of time rooting for her favorite ACC teams. She also plans to enjoy her grandchildren, two of which she'll move to Illinois to be near.
All of our retirees express their love for teaching and how much they'll miss it. At the same time, they iterate now was just the right time for them to retire.
We're grateful to these staff members for their years of dedicated service to the field of education and to our Spartan family. We wish them well in their next season of life.
Important End of Year Information
Summer Office Hours
Our Main Office will be open daily, 9a - 1p, by appointment only. Call our main office phone, (703) 913-3800, and leave a voicemail to request an appointment.
Moving? Please Let Us Know!
Please notify our Student Services office if your student(s) will not be returning to West Springfield next school year. If your student needs to unenroll from WSHS for next school year, please contact Ms. Linda Andrade, Registrar and submit the Intention for Next School Year form.
SIS End-of-Year Events
Please be advised that:
- SIS, ParentVUE, and StudentVUE will be unavailable for all users from Thursday, June 23 at 4pm until Monday, June 27 at 6am for system updates for SY 2023-24.
- DIT-generated weekly grade book progress reports will not be emailed to parents/guardians after June 12.
- ParentVUE and StudentVUE Attendance, Grade Book, and Report Card modules will close on June 23.
weCare@School Transition
FCPS will be retiring weCare@School at the end of this school year and moving that process into SIS ParentVUE. Parents will be able to log into ParentVUE to update emergency contacts, phone numbers, and student health conditions. weCare and the weCare mobile application will be retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year on Jun 16, 2023.
If you do not have ParentVue account, please see our website for information on how to activate your account.
Mental Wellness Summer Supports
The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from June 26 to August 4. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. Consultations will be offered in two ways:
- Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
- Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.
All parents and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Consultations can be requested online or by calling 703-503-2520 and leaving a message.
Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy Services for High School Students
Teletherapy services will continue to be available for all FCPS high school students at no cost this summer. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, from 7am to 7pm. Hazel’s highly-qualified therapists specialize in speaking “teen.”
Caregivers must first opt in their students to access Hazel Health. Then, a caregiver or school counselor, social worker, or psychologist can refer the student to Hazel for services. Learn more on the FCPS teletherapy webpage.
Take Tutor.com on the Road!
FCPS students will continue to have unlimited access to 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support services through Tutor.com during the summer of 2023. Students are able to use Tutor.com during the summer to review and/or practice in subject areas of interest or need. Students may also choose to access other tools and services such as practice quizzes in a variety of subject areas as well as self-paced study courses for SAT/ACT preparation.
Visit the Summer Access Tutor.com webpage for more information on how to access the online service throughout the summer.
Looking Towards Next School Year
WSHS will host two events to kick off the school year: New Student Orientation and Spartan Open House. Both events will occur on August 17th. These will be opportunities for students and parents to prepare for the upcoming school year. We will publish more specific information later this summer.
Do You Have a Student Entering Seventh or 12th Grade This Fall?
Immunizations are required for all students entering seventh and 12th grades. Visit this Immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines.
Caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations. It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh grade students cannot begin school in August without documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines, and 12th grade students cannot begin school in August without documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.
Get more information on all student immunization requirements.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Summer Track Resurfacing Project
Our 12- 14 week track resurfacing project is underway. The 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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For Students Planning to Try-out for a Sports Team...
Season Start Dates:
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Fall Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, July 31, 2023
Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball
Golf (Tryouts begin July 27th)
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Winter Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, November 6, 2023
Boys/Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Rifle, Swim & Dive, Wrestling
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Spring Sports: Monday, February 19, 2024
Baseball, Crew, Girls/Boys Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Girls/Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls/Boys Tennis
If you have sport specific questions, please contact the coach directly. Please find coaches contact information HERE
Each athlete MUST complete the 2 items below prior to any off season workout or try-outs:
1. VHSL physical is required for participation. It must be dated after May 1, 2023. The VHSL Physical Form can be found HERE
- Please make sure that the insurance information is included, and all parent/student signatures are on the form.
- Please turn your Physical into the Activities Office. Mail to: Attn: Chris Worrell ATC, West Springfield HS, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield VA, 22152 or email to: cworrell@fcps.edu
2. Families & student-athletes must complete the online Athletic Registration each school year after May 1st for the following school year. You can find this link HERE. The information on the registration must be updated each year for the student-athlete to be eligible. Please update any emergency contact information, complete the concussion education, and check the sport(s) that they wish to try-out for.
- Instructions for how to complete Athletic Registration can be found HERE
Athletics Website: https://westspringfield.rschoolteams.com/
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.
🏆 Spartan Music Receives 2023 Blue Ribbon Award
The Virginia Music Educators Association Blue Ribbon Award is the highest award given to schools music programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia and recognizes achieved excellence in Band, Orchestra, and Choral Performance. All disciplines in a school must receive a rating of "Superior" at assessment to qualify for this award. CONGRATULATIONS to our Spartan music programs for this great achievement in 2023!
Class of 2023 Graduation Photos Available
Spartan Class of 2023 parents and grads.... Your graduation photos are now available! Parents may view the images at this direct link here:
https://my.photoday.com/gallery/68957GY23
 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.**
Visit our website for more info and to pick a time.
If you have any questions please email seniors@vosphoto.com
FCPS INFORMATION
🚌FCPS School Bus Driver Job Fairs
Join FCPS’ Transportation Team! It’s a great opportunity to earn income with benefits for stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, or career switchers.
Bus driver job fairs will be held Friday, June 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Lorton Center, and Friday, June 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Stonecroft Transportation Center.
Learn more about bus driver job fairs.
Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation
The Family Resource Center (FRC) has recently published a list with dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.
The FRC provides resources and support for all families and school staff. They offer a free library, confidential consultations, and informational webinars. Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing frc@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC's webpage.
☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages
 Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call our Parent Information Phone Lines for general information about the school division. View the list of phone numbers
FCPS Summer Contact Information
Quick Links
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Unsubscribing
Class of 2023 parents and students, please note that you will not be automatically unsubscribed from our News You Choose. We would love for you to stay abreast of all that's going on at WSHS, but if you care to unsubscribe, you will have to physically access Newsletter Subscription Preferences.
Monday, June 19, is a holiday commemorating Juneteenth.
Juneteenth pays homage tp the day in 1865 that word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth.
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 Congrats to our New PTSA Officers
Richard Ewell, President
Vacant/No candidate, First Vice President
Maggie Ewell, Second Vice President
Sandra Chetalet, Secretary
Heather Christiansen, Treasurer
Summer is a great time to consider joining the PTSA. Get involved and find your place of service before the school year gets underway. Find out more information HERE.
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Shred Event in Mount Vernon
This Saturday, June 17th, the office of Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, Crime Solvers, and the Mount Vernon Police Station will host a free community shred event at Walt Whitman Middle School from 8 to 11am. Each attendee may be bring 3 to 4 boxes of paper to be shredded. See flyer for more information.
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Community Health Fair
The Fairfax County Health Department is sponsoring a Community Health Fair at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springfield on Saturday, August 19th from 10am to 2pm.
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Summer Camps and Activities for Children and Adults with Disabilities
TTAC Online, a community sharing resources to educate students with disabilities, has organized information regarding summer camps for individuals with disabilities. A camp listing with information about each camp is provided on the TTAC Online website.
Additionally, the Fairfax County Park Authority outdoor water parks will offer sensory-friendly times to accommodate individuals and families with autism or sensory-sensitive needs. The events at Our Special Harbor (OSH) and The Water Mine will include limited capacity, reduced sounds, and staff trained to respond to children with special needs.
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Our Special Harbor (Franconia) splash pad is designed for children of all abilities. It includes wheelchair-accessible features and calming stimuli such as water tables and gentle bubblers. Water wheelchairs are available. Admission is free.
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The Water Mine (Reston) is a larger water park that allows visitors to be fully immersed in water. Louder features will be turned off during these events. Regular admission fees apply.
For more details, please visit the Fairfax County Parks Website.
📘 Summer Reading Matters!
The Fairfax County Public Library understands the importance of summer reading. Summer learning loss, or the summer slide, is when children forget learned reading skills because they are no longer using them regularly. Reading and participating in engaging reading activities throughout the summer are two effective ways to combat summer learning loss.
Fairfax Library will kick off their annual summer reading program with Summer Reading Festivals:
Families can enjoy games and crafts, face painting, bounce houses, a mini zoo, caricatures, food, and other activities.
More information on Fairfax Library's Summer Reading Program will be available on June 16.
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Edu-Futuro Summer Session - Emerging Leaders Program
Edu-Futuro will offer their Emerging Leaders Program I (ELP I) this Summer. Here is the information:
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When? Saturday, July 15 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The following week will be virtual mentoring for the Edu-Futuro Scholarship Competition
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Where? NOVA Community College in the Annandale Campus.
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What? Workshops on college readiness and career preparation for high school students. We will work on all the skills needed for the college and scholarships application process, as well as leadership skills for life. From College Fair, meeting professionals from different careers to working on professional skills such as writing emails, building your networking skills, etc.
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Who? All high school students are welcome.
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Why? Because we want to empower the immigrant community by giving them information and tools on all the resources and opportunities to build a better future for themselves.
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How much? FREE
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Prizes? Scholarships for up to $2,000 and Gift Cards
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More information:
- We will offer different programs for parents and middle school students as well.
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
- Please see the flyer attached.
- Registration using the QR code in the flyer or clicking on this link.
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WSHS Social Media
WSHS Facebook: WSHS Spartans are glad to join in on the conversation on Facebook!
We are also on:
WSHS Spartan Weekly News Is Taking a Summer Break
This is the last regularly scheduled issue of our weekly newsletter for this school year. Have a great summer! We’ll return in August with information and resources to help you get the school year started off right!
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