Woodson PTSO WeMail - August 29

WeMail is distributed every Tuesday to update the Woodson community on PTSO news, school news, and upcoming events. 

1. SCHEDULE REMINDERS
2. PTSO NEWS
3. WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS
4. CAVS SPORTS 
5. FUNDRAISERS
6. RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES
7. FCPS NEWS & EVENTS 
8. RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES

SCHEDULE REMINDERS

THIS WEEK

Friday, September 1st - School Holiday

NEXT WEEK

Monday, September 4th - Labor Day Holiday

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday, September 12th - PTSO Meeting 7PM - 8PM

Thursday, September 14th, 6-8 PM - Back to School Night

Monday, September 25th - School Holiday; Yom Kippur

Wednesday, October 11th - PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day

Saturday, October 21st - Homecoming Dance

Monday, December 18th-Monday, January 1st - Winter Break

Monday, March 25th-Friday, March 29th - Spring Break

Saturday, May 11th - Senior Prom

Thursday, June 6th, 2pm - Graduation for the Class of 2024 at EagleBank Arena, GMU

Wednesday, June 12th - Last Day of School

Woodson's Integrated Events and Activities Calendar

The complete FCPS 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

PTSO NEWS

A Message from PTSO Co-Presidents Sara Mastro & Becky Daw

Dear Woodson Families,

We are so excited to start another school year together! The PTSO has several initiatives we are already rolling out and we could use your help.

In the next several weeks we will be:

• Opening our fall grant program to all students/parents and teachers
• Providing additional support to our military families
• Stocking up our pantry for our Woodson families in need
• (and more in the months to come!)

To meet these goals, we need your support.  Please consider donating to the PTSO. We are making it easy this year with PayPal: Donate Here

If you donate $25 you get an automatic membership so make sure to add your first name, last name and email in the notes and we will register you! 

Want to donate $50? That's two adult memberships so add both names and email addresses. An additional $5 adds a student membership, too (with name and email address). 

If you don't have PayPal that's OK - we also have our WoodsonPTSO.org site that will take donations.  

Questions? Please email Sara at saralmastro@yahoo.com or Becky at tbzzdaw@gmail.com

Thank you!

Your 23-24 Woodson PTSO

Woodson PTSO Officer Board for 2023-24 School Year

Sara Mastro / Co-President / saralmastro@yahoo.com
Becky Daw / Co-President / tbzzdaw@gmail.com
Lena McGinn / Membership Director / wptsovp1@gmail.com
Diane Raffaele / Recording Secretary / dianecollinsva@hotmail.com
Kyle Durbin / Treasurer / wptsotreasurer@gmail.com
Sara Mastro / WTW PTSO Grant Program / saralmastro@yahoo.com
Nicole Spindler / Communications Director / WoodsonWeMail23@gmail.com
Amy Zganjar / Enrichment Director / azganjar@strength.org
Vacant / Fundraising Director / Would you like to volunteer? Contact the PTSO Co-President(s)

WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS

Senior Night Slides

In case you were not able to attend Senior Night on August 24, or interested in the presentation slides (including the NOVA & CNU presentations), they are linked here and have been posted on the Senior Padlet.

National Honor Society Interest Meeting

Students in grades 10-12 who are interested in applying for membership in the Woodson High School chapter of the National Honor Society should plan to attend the interest meeting after school on Thursday, September 7th in Cafeteria B.

Members are required to have a GPA of at least a 3.5, be in good academic standing, and have community service and leadership experience. Applications will be due by September 28 at 3:00pm. Students who are unable to attend the afterschool interest meeting should see Ms. Austin (A232) or Ms. Oviatt (J112) as soon as possible to review application requirements.

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.

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.

Woodson Science Fair

Hey Parents! Are you a scientist, engineer, mathematician or medical professional who would be interested in judging the Woodson Science Fair? We’re looking for trained scientists in any of the following content areas to judge and provide feedback for our student projects. Your support and results will help send students to Fairfax County’s Regional Fair, where they can compete for a chance at the International Science and Engineering Fair!

Content areas include:

• Micro & Macro Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Behavioral Science
• Engineering
• Material Science
• Computer Science

The Woodson Science Fair will be held Tuesday, January 30, 2024 during the school day if you’re interested in helping! (Snow date: Feb 1)

Already a science fair judge from last year? Don’t worry, we have your info!

Questions before signing up? Contact Laura Barry in K109 (lebarry@fcps.edu) or Sara Duarte in A145 (srduarte@fcps.edu). We will be contacting you in late September/early October to let you know the process!

Thank you for supporting our students and Woodson Science!

Follow Us on Social Media!

For the most up to date information on activities and ongoing events at Woodson, please follow us on Instagram at @woodsoncavalry AND @wtwoodsonhs.

You can also follow your class at: @wt_woodson2024 OR @wt_woodson2025 OR @wt_woodson2026 OR @wt_woodson2027. 

Athletics - @woodsoncavathletics

Student Services - @wtwstudentsvcs

College & Career Center - @wtwcareercenter

And, follow the Woodson PTSO on Facebook!

FUNDRAISERS

Woodson Marching Cavaliers Tag Day - Saturday September 9th, 2023

The Woodson Band will be “Marching” through the district neighborhoods on Saturday, September 9th for their annual Tag Day. Tag Day is a one-day-a-year fundraising event for the band and this event helps raise funds to support all Woodson Band ensembles throughout the year.

In the past, funds have been used to help replace marching brass instruments, purchase equipment/props to support the fall marching show and repair or replace uniforms.

Please consider donating and supporting your award winning Woodson Band (ensure any No Soliciting signs are covered or removed during the day) PLUS all donations are tax deductible!Be sure not to miss this fall’s marching show, Fabergé, coming soon to a half time show near you!

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.

Woodson Chorus Boosters

The Senior Honors Choir registration form is due this Wednesday, August 30, for any students who are auditioning. Students can fill out the form on Schoology.

New Chorus Spiritwear!  Please click here to order shirts/sweatshirts and follow this link for new pj pants. Orders are due by Friday, 9/29/23.  If you would like to order other gear: Tumbler $15; Car/Fridge Magnet $7; Car Sticker $3, please contact Amy Quigley. amyquig@gmail.com

Chorus Uniform Fittings: All chorus students need a uniform. There are three options for chorus uniforms this year:

Option 1: Formal Dress 

Option 2: Gender Neutral Top and Pants

Option 3: Tuxedo 

There are four steps to the uniform process: 

1) All chorus students must fill out the Google form. Use this link or the form in Schoology. 

2) Pay for the items you are renting or purchasing for your student from Woodson Chorus via My School Bucks.

3) Have your student sign up for their fitting appointment (either September 5 or September 11 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.) in the Chorus Room. 

4) Help your student complete the fitting information form and make sure they bring it to their fitting appointment. 

We also need volunteers to help with the uniform fittings. Please use the Sign-Up Genius link.

Senior Class of 2024 Legacy Bricks

Buy a Brick and create a Lasting Legacy for your Woodson Student!

STUDENT DRIVER MAGNETS

Magnets are $8.00 each or 3 for $20.00. You can order online HERE.  Magnets are delivered to your door contact free! We will also be selling magnets at all the Partners for Safe Teen Driving seminars which are held throughout the year at the Woodson Auditorium.

If you have any questions contact Shane or Katherine Gilbert at wptsomagnets@gmail.com

CAV SPORTS

This Weeks Schedule

Monday, August 28th

Field Hockey vs. Marshall Var 6:15/JV 7:30pm  (Home)

Volleyball @ Oakton 5:00/6:00/7:15pm  (Away)

Tuesday, August 29th

Field Hockey vs. Washington and Liberty 5:00/6:15/7:00pm (Home)

Wednesday, August 30th

Fresh/JV Football vs. Chantilly (Scrimmage) 5:30/7:00pm (Home)

Cross Country vs. West Potomac, Robinson, West Springfield @ Franconia Park 5:00pm (Away)

Volleyball @ Robinson 5:00/5:00/6:30pm (Away)

Golf vs. Fairfax @ ANCC  4:00pm (Away)

Thursday, August 31st

Varsity Football @ Chantilly 7:00pm (Away)

Varsity Volleyball @ Washington and Liberty 6:00pm (Away)

Field Hockey @ Oakton 5:00/6:15/7:00pm (Away)

Friday, September 1st 

Field Hockey vs. Stafford @ South County 9:00am (Away)

Field Hockey vs. Hayfield @ South County Noon (away)

Saturday, September 2nd 

No Games Scheduled 

Varsity Field Hockey Highlights

Woodson earned an emphatic 7-0 victory over Falls Church on Tuesday. Reese Cuviello scored two goals with Julia Oleyar,  Amanda Lee, Eva Lennon,Katie Robertson and Siena Niedrick each scoring one. Astrid Maslin and Allison Um added accurating passing, while the defense was led by Ella Mathias and Kelby Lennen.

The Cavaliers lost to Oakton 5-1 on Thursday night. Alex Walrath scored Woodson’s lone goal on a pass from Amanda Lee.

On Saturday, Woodson secured a 2-1 victory over South Lakes. Alex Walrath’s pass to Siena Niedrick produced the first goal. South Lakes tied the game in the second quarter, but Ava Durosko made two stops to thwart additional scoring. Katie Roberston redirected momentum in the third quarter with a midfield battle for ball control. That effort energized the Cavs with goalkeeper Molly Billingsley making three saves and Grace Hartley stopping another South Lakes attack. With time running out, Woodson earned a penalty corner and ran a corner blitz with multiple players controlling the ball until Julia Oleyar scored the game winner.

Woodson defeated York High school 2-0 in Saturday’s second game. Siena Niedrick scored two goals on passes from Alex Walrath and Julia Oleyar. The score was preserved due to the hustle and stick work of Reese Cuviello, Kelby Lennen, Astrid Maslin, Grace Hartley, Ava Durosko and a save by goalkeeper AJ Ingson.

RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES

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.

FCPS NEWS & EVENTS

Updates on Grading Policies

FCPS’ Grading Policy has been updated for the 2023-24 school year. The following changes were based on input from students, teachers, parents/caregivers, principals, and staff:

• FCPS will maintain the current late work policy. Teachers must accept major assignments up to two weeks late. The maximum deduction for that time period is 10%. The current policy, when applied correctly, balances accountability and flexibility.

• Teachers may now give zeroes for assignments that are not turned in. Students who make a reasonable effort to finish an assignment will get a minimum grade of 50%. 

• A rolling gradebook gives students more chances to show they understand material. Teachers who use a rolling gradebook must use reassessment and grading replacement practices that allow students to update learning from past quarters.

• For teachers using a traditional gradebook, the lowest quarter grade that can be issued is 50%.

In the 2024-25 school year, all grades will be on a 100-point scale, with 50% as the minimum grade for submitted assignments. All high school credit-bearing classes will use the new scale next school year.

Parent Information Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES

Woodson Calendar for ALL Events

Did you know Woodson has an integrated calendar where you can find ALL school events? From the Odd/Even calendar to sports events, testing schedule to club meetings, this calendar has all you need to know!

You can select a category of events you want to see and then filter to target events that interest you. Categories include - Senior Class, Testing, 3rd Period, Athletics, Fine & Performing Arts, etc.

Bookmark this link to quickly access Woodson's events!

Attendance

Attendance is critical to student success in the classroom.

If your student will be absent from school, a parent/guardian must notify the attendance office.

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.

Student Parking

Student parking on the Woodson campus is by permit only.

Students may submit their parking permit applications for the 2023-2024 school year online. Permits will be issued once Woodson High School can verify your application is complete and all outstanding school obligations have been paid.

Students may park on campus through September 5th while waiting for their application to process. After their application submission, students may pick up their permit in E116 only during their assigned lunch period.

Click for more information

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 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!

Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy Services

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 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 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. 

Immunization Requirements for Seniors

The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

All students entering twelfth grade will be required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older, and prior to the beginning of school.

Twelfth grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Meningococcal documentation.

Please provide one of the following documents to Darlene Sheppard at dmsheppard@fcps.edu­­ as soon as possible:

1. An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine.
2. A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given.
3. A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
4. A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online

Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/immunization/school or by calling 703-246-2411.

Please contact Darlene Sheppard at dmsheppard@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

Updates to High School Transcripts

In order to increase transparency on high school transcripts, FCPS has updated high school course titles for courses that receive additional 0.5 or 1.0 weighting. 

For all enrolled high school students in the 2023-24 school year and beyond, high school course titles will now reflect:

• An HN (Honors) for any course that has a 0.5 additional weighting. 

• An AV (Advanced), AP (Advanced Placement), DE (Dual Enrollment), or IB (International Baccalaureate) for any course that has a 1.0 additional weighting.

The new AV label was created to address several college-level courses that previously had a 1.0 additional weighting without a designation. The course title changes will apply to all weighted courses across all high schools. 

Seniors who have already started to enter their senior year course lists through any college applications should review their course list to ensure they include appropriate course titles. 

For additional information, including how to access transcripts, please visit FCPS’ website. 

Quick Links to Additional Resources 

• FCPS Features.
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information.
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Educate Fairfax. 
• FCPS Cares.

W. T. Woodson PTSO