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Woodson Weekly -
August 25th |
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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 Students cheer on the volleyball team at the first home game.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday-Tuesday, August 28th-29th - School Picture Days (#4)
Friday, September 1st - School Holiday
Monday, September 4th - Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, September 5th - Late Buses Start
Thursday, September 14th, 6-8pm - Back to School Night
Woodson's Events & Activities Calendar
The complete FCPS 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
In this Issue
ACTION Needed
1. Required Back to School Forms in SIS ParentVUE
2. Seniors only - SAT School Day Intent Form Due Wednesday, September 6th
NEW News
3. Message from Dr. Floyd
4. Underclass School Picture Days
5. Back to School Night
6. Forgotten Items & Lost and Found
7. FCPS Device Opt-Out
8. Varsity Math Team
9. Partners for Safe Teen Driving Seminars
10. Graduation Date and Time Set
11. Class of 2024 Yard Signs
12. Congratulations and Welcome to Woodson's new Librarian
13. Woodson Career Day - Looking for Speakers
14. Lightspeed Parent Report on Child's Device Activity
15. "When a Nap Isn't a Nap"
PAST News but Still Important
16. Kiss and Ride and Parking Procedures
17. Student Parking Passes
18. Attendance
19. Order Your Woodson Yearbook
20. Optional Beginning of School Forms
21. College & Career Center Information
22. Woodson's PTSO
ACTION Needed
1. Required Forms for All Students
All students must have the following forms completed each school year. These forms can be completed online through the Online Verification Update in SIS ParentVUE.
These forms must be completed by the ENROLLING PARENT.
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Emergency Care Form - Update on SIS ParentVUE
Information must be correct and what we will use in case of an emergency. We are asking all parents to review and update via SIS ParentVUE. If you have more than one child enrolled in FCPS, updating it for one student will update it for all of your students. Having the most up-to-date information for all of our students is essential to our ability to best meet all students' needs in the event of an emergency.
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Health Information Form - Update on SIS ParentVUE
A health information form must be on file for all students. By updating “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details” in the emergency care form via SIS ParentVUE, this will be updated for the student.
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Student's Rights & Responsibilities Signature Page
All students will review the SR&R in the first week of school. Every year, FCPS requires parents/guardians to review, sign, and return the SR&R parent/guardian signature page acknowledging awareness of online access to and/or the opportunity to receive a printed copy of the FCPS SR&R Guide for Families. Please acknowledge the SR&R on SIS ParentVUE.
The SR&R Booklet, can also be found on the FCPS website, along with updates to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year.
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Parent Digital Tool Permission
By completing this digital form, you provide permission for your child to use the FCPS-approved online tools listed as part of an instructional program.
2. Seniors Only - SAT Intent to Participate Form
Senior parents/students: Please refer to the email sent on Monday, August 14th regarding SAT School Day.
This year, the test will be administered on Wednesday, October 11th.
To guarantee participation in SAT School Day exams, students must submit their online intent form by Wednesday, September 6th.
Your student will need to use an @fcpsschools.net email account to access and complete this form.
FCPS sites cannot accept walk-ins on the day of the exam.
If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at Woodson High School, please contact Kathleen Crosson at kpcrosson@fcps.edu .
 Students in Ms. Barry's Biology class in a collaborative and problem solving activity.
NEW News
3. Message from Dr. Floyd
Dear Woodson Community,
What an exciting first week of school! Having students back in the building is both energizing and heartwarming. I have watched students interact and smile as they get to know their teachers and peers – and in class without cell phones. Based on what I have observed thus far, I anticipate a positive and productive school year!
Our students and staff are learning to work without their cell phones in class. So far, we are making progress! Please continue to help your child embrace the new normal of no cell phone access during class.
Also, please be patient to wait for a response from your child until the break between classes or lunch time. The cell phone policy is outlined in the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities which students viewed this week. You can review the information presented at this link. Part of the SRR is a reminder of respect towards all.
I expect all students and staff to respect and honor our diverse community, and build a culture of inclusivity and equity, all day, every day, year round. Should your teen experience bullying or harassment, especially around gender, race, identity, culture, or around anything else that makes them the unique person who they are, please let an adult know – to contact your child’s administrator, please visit this site. We will not tolerate any form of bullying, harassment, hate or discrimination at Woodson HS.
With Fall coming, I invite all families out to see various sporting events, marching band exhibitions and other activities that will happen over the next few months. It is a great time to visit campus and see our students in action.
Enjoy the weekend,
Dr. Floyd
Principal
WoodsonConnect@fcps.edu
4. Underclass School Picture Days
Underclass school Picture Days are coming Monday, August 28th & Tuesday August 29th. Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day.
Freshmen and Sophomores will take pictures during HPE and Juniors will take pictures with their English class. Pictures will take place in the Aux Gym.
Students not enrolled in these classes will take pictures during Return period on Tuesday, August 29th.
Save time and pre-order online. For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com.
5. Back to School Night
Back to School Night is in-person this year on Thursday, September 14th from 5:30p.m.-8:40 p.m. More details will be shared next week.
 Woodson's Marching Band visited elementary schools today!
6. Forgotten Items & Lost and Found
Q - My son/daughter forgot their lunch/homework assignment/laptop. Where can I drop off items?
A– Forgotten items may be dropped off at the main office on a designated bookshelf. Please make sure your child's name is written on the item.
Q - My son/daughter lost their wallet (or any item). Where should I go to see if it has been turned in?
A – You may come to the main office and a Safety and Security assistant will escort you to the Lost and Found room to search for your item.
7. FCPS Device Opt-Out
If your student wishes to use a family-owned device, please review the FCPS BYOD page for details regarding personal device requirements.
To opt-out of the FCPS-owned device, log into your ParentVUE account and select Student Info, then select Edit Information. Scroll down and select NO to "Accept FCPS device." This indication will let us know that we do not need to check-out an FCPS laptop to your child.
Please know that some standardized tests require the student to test on an FCPS-owned device. We will have an FCPS device available for your child to use during testing periods.
8. Varsity Math Team
 Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Varsity Math Team for earning 2nd Place in the Virginia Math League! They competed 6 times from October 2022 to March 2023 against 51 other high schools in the state. We are so proud of all their hard work, and we look forward to seeing what the team accomplishes this year. Pictured are just a small portion of the team from last year who are currently in Multivariable Calculus.
9. Partners for Safe Teen Driving Seminars
Attention all 10th grade students and their parents. All new drivers and parents must attend a state mandated traffic safety seminar, Partners for Safe Teen Driving. Please mark your calendar for the Woodson seminars for 2023-2024. Seminars will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the Woodson Auditorium.
Monday, September 18th
Wednesday, November 15th
Monday, February 12th
Monday, April 15th
Questions? Please contact David O'Hara at DGOHara@fcps.edu.
 Seniors celebrate the first day of school with the traditional Senior Sunrise
10. Graduation Date and Time Set
Mark your calendars! The Woodson HS Class of 2024 will graduate on Thursday, June 6th at 2:00 p.m. at EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University.
11. Class of 2024 Yard Signs
The 2024 yard signs are here! Click HERE to purchase one online! You will receive an email confirming your purchase, and where and how to pick up your order.
Attention Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Parents!
Do you have fun planning and organizing fun events? Ready to volunteer for a spectacular Woodson HS event? Your mad skills are needed for the Woodson All Night Grad Party at The St. James!! Underclass parents are needed to help senior parents focus on this big year. Then one day, underclass parents will do the same for your soon-to-be senior. Everyone wins! Questions? Send an email to Katie Clinton at woodsonANGP@gmail.com.
12. Congratulations and Welcome to Woodson's new Librarian
The Journalism Education Association announced that Woodson's new Librarian has been awarded the JEA Medal of Merit.
This award recognizes significant contributions to scholastic journalism at the national level.
Erinn Harris committed countless hours to helping her own student journalists learn, grow and achieve at the highest level, and she also gives to countless advisers and students in her role as Virginia’s state director for JEA, a board member of the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, a past board member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association and as the past JEA awards committee chair.
In all of these roles she freely gives of her time and talents to help journalism advisers and students both in FCPS and beyond.
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13. Woodson Career Day - Looking for Speakers
Passionate about your work? Interested in sharing your career path with students? Please consider speaking at our 2nd annual Portrait of a Graduate Career Day on Friday, November 3rd from 8:30am-12:10pm!
On this day we are looking for guest speakers to share what they do, how they got started, successes, challenges, and what they learned in high school that they are still using on a daily basis.
If you are available November 3rd and would like to know more about the day please email Katherine Stransky at kbstransky@fcps.edu. If you have already decided to speak that day please complete the speaker form linked here.
14. Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
15. "When a Nap Isn't a Nap"
Overdoses touch people and communities in many ways. International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31st, 2023, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those who have died without stigma while also acknowledging the grief of their loved ones.
An overdose means having more of a drug(s) than the body can handle. Unfortunately, opioid misuse is now the leading cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Don’t allow it to go unnoticed in your home, in our community.
Please view this document on overdose awareness.
PAST News but Still Important
16. Kiss and Ride and Parking Procedures
 In order to maximize traffic flow and safety of all on campus, we need everyone to arrive before 8AM (this allows students to get to class at or before 8:10AM).
Please note, as indicated on the map and explained below, if you are driving on Whitacre Rd, the Kiss and Ride you are to use is off Whitacre Rd. If you are coming off of Pickett Rd, the Kiss and Ride entrance that you will use is off Pickett Road. Please do not attempt to access Entrance 1 via Whitacre Road. This is VERY important for the safety of all students, staff and other drivers.
Please read the following procedures for parking and Kiss and Ride indicated by the map above:
1 - Bus and staff entrance: This is the first entrance off Whitacre Road into the Woodson property.
2 - Senior parking lot: The second entrance off Whitacre Road into the Senior lot is for Senior student parking only.
3 - Whitacre Road Kiss and Ride: The third entrance off Whitacre Road is the entrance to the Kiss and Ride loop by the tennis courts. Drop off students BEFORE 8AM at Door 9, not before (only in front of) Door 9. For safety reasons, only drop off students in front of Door 9, not before.
4 - Junior parking lot: The last entrance off Whitacre Road, which is also the stadium entrance. When looking at the stadium, the Junior lot is on the left.
5 - Pickett Road Kiss and Ride: If you are coming to Woodson from 236, use the Pickett Road entrance, NOT Whitacre Rd. This will allow you to drop your child(ren) off at Door 2. Only staff can access the front lot from Whitacre Road. Only staff can access Kiss and Ride at the front of the school from Whitacre Road.
DO NOT park at the shopping center across the street; they will tow your car.
If you have never used the lots at Woodson High School, please do a dry run prior to the first day of school.
Remember, students are expected to be in class at 8:10am, not walking in the doors of the school. If they are tardy due to a late kiss and ride drop off, it is an unexcused tardy (UNT). If your child(ren) use the school bus and the bus is late, students are marked excused tardy (EXT) in SIS attendance.
Please know that school staff and the SRO are not permitted to direct traffic which is why it is even more important that students are at school by 8AM, to ensure any backup of traffic does not cause your child(ren) to be unexcused tardy (UNT) for class.
Thank you for your assistance with this very important safety matter.
17. Student Parking Passes
Parking passes for the 2022-23 school year are available for purchase. The cost for a full-year parking pass is $200.00.
Parking is free the first week of school while parking passes are purchased. Enforcement will begin on Tuesday, September 5th.
18. Attendance
Attendance is critical to student success in the classroom.
Parents/guardians must contact the attendance office (703-503-4800) to report attendance; emails and online forms will no longer be accepted to notify our school of your student’s absence. Woodson is not monitoring or accepting any absences submitted via email. Due to an excessive number of forgeries, the online attendance form is currently disabled.
Below is a quick guide for reporting all-day absences, late arrivals, and early check-outs from school.
19. Order Your Woodson Yearbook NOW
Purchase your yearbook at the lowest price of the year!
Yearbooks for the 23-24 school year are available to order starting TODAY, Friday, August 18th.
Last year, our yearbooks sold out!!! Reserve your copy now at the early-bird price of $70. Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter Woodson’s code, 5278.
Don’t miss out!
20. Optional Back to School Forms
There are additional forms that are available for Parents/Guardians to complete. Please fill out any that apply to your student and email to Darlene Sheppard at dmsheppard@fcps.edu.
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FCPS Privacy and Opt Out Forms
The 2023-2024 Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms booklet details parents’ rights regarding FCPS policies. These forms should be printed out and turned in ONLY IF YOU WISH YOUR CHILD TO BE OPTED-OUT.
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Military Connected Student Form
In accordance with the Code of Virginia (§22.1-287.04), local school divisions are required to identify students who have a parent in the United States uniformed services. Completing this form allows Virginia localities to maintain reliable and accurate data for potential grant funding and to receive services to meet the needs of uniformed services-connected students.
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FCPS Free and Reduced Lunch Forms and Consent to Share Information
Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2023-24 school year. More information is on the FCPS website, including forms to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch.
If your children are eligible for free and reduced lunch, they may also be eligible to participate in several fee-based programs (class fees, senior dues, parking fees, etc.) at either no cost or a reduced cost if you provide a consent to share information form. You can scroll to the bottom of the FCPS page to access “Consent to Share Information."
21. College & Career Center Information
Woodson College & Career Center Newsletters, Scholarship & Enrichment Opportunities, Resume Building, Military Resources & more can be found on the Woodson College & Career Padlets. Questions? Please email cliebmosley@fcps.edu. Upcoming Events can be accessed in the live Calendar below. College Rep Visits for Juniors & Seniors will begin on Sept 5, 2023.
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.
PTSO meetings take place the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the Library at Woodson HS.
Whether you are a new or returning WTW parent, please get involved in any way that works for you. Here are some quick links to get you started:
Join our PTSO
Make a Donation
Sign up for one of our Volunteer Opportunities
Ask a local business to become a Business or Community Sponsor
Find WT Woodson on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Go shopping! Amazon, Office Depot, groceries, etc. Link your accounts and a portion of your sales will go to our school!
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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