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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
Friday, 09/01 - Monday, 09/04 – Labor Day Holiday
Friday, 09/08 – Friday Night Lights! (First Home Football Game, 7pm)
Monday, 09/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday
Friday, 10/06 - Saturday, 10/07 – Homecoming Activities
Monday, 10/09 – Holiday (Student Holiday / Staff Development Day)
Calendar Reminder: Labor Day Weekend
Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
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Required Forms As We Begin the Year
Health Information and Emergency Care Forms
The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs.
For SY23-24, these forms will be required for all students. Enrolling parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account may submit them electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet.
For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located in the Back to School packets and on the General Registration Forms page.
Sign the Digital Resource Consent
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Read more, LOG into SIS, and submit your consent application HERE.
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Sign and Acknowledge 2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
Family Life Education (FLE) Instructional Program Information
FCPS provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms are available online for Elementary (K-6), Middle School (7-8), and High School (9-12). Please fill in the opt-out form and return it to your child’s sub-school Main Office administrative assistant prior to Family Life Education instruction.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6), Middle School (7-8), and High School (9-12). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in Schoology. Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the City of Fairfax Regional Library (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review in our school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.
Program questions may be addressed by your student's sub-school Principal or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or fle@fcps.edu.
- Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms.
School Meals
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2023-24 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible for the 2023-24 school year, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost. Find the Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application at this link.
Paying With MySchoolBucks
The best way to purchase meals (and keep food lines moving!) is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically, as needed. Families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. Visit FCPS’ Food and Nutrition webpage for more information.
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Communication and Online Resources
Registering for SIS ParentVUE / SIS StudentVue
The Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE Account is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your student's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. It provides an additional conduit for communication with our school.
Customized for Elementary, Middle, and High School students, your SIS ParentVUE Account login credentials can also be used to access Schoology.
Instructions for getting the ParentVue Mobile App.
To request support for ParentVue, use the Parent Support Request form.
For information about registering for an account, visit this SIS ParentVue Account Registration on the FCPS webpage. If you do not have an Activation Code, please submit a Parent Support Request ticket to receive an Activation Code via email.
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STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
On October 23rd and October 25th in 4th period Advisory classes, all students will participate in a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener unless opted out by a parent or guardian. If you have submitted a paper opt out form, it has been filed and your student will be exempt from the SEL Screener. If you would still like to opt your student out and have not done so yet, you can complete this Google Form by October 16th to opt out your student. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. Division and school level results, which do not include individual student information, may be used by staff to improve SEL and mental wellness practices and to inform strategic plans. Division and school level results may also be shared with the community to describe the needs of our student body and provide opportunities for partnership.
SAT / PSAT Day: Oct 11
October 11th is SAT / PSAT Day. Here is the pertinent information students and parents need to know:
Registration:
- Only Seniors may register to take the SAT on October 11th. Sophomores and Juniors will be automatically registered for the PSAT.
- Freshmen will not come to school on this day.
- Seniors need to register using the form below by Wednesday, September 6.
- https://forms.gle/nFfaMXRmBDYR85Ys6
- Parents cannot fill it out since it requires an FCPS login.
- This form is also available on the Class of 2024 Schoology site. In Schoology, students should look in the “calendar” for an event, or scroll down to a recent announcement.
- If seniors do not register for the SAT on this date, they are encouraged to use the day to work on post-graduation plans (i.e. use the time to work on college applications!).
Schedule:
- The SAT School Day will operate as a 2-hour early release, but no classes will take place since everyone will be testing.
- Grab and Go breakfast and lunch will be available.
- Late transportation will be requested for students with extended time accommodations.
Other info:
- Scores will not be released until around November 1st or 2nd, so students who are applying early decision or early action should plan to submit scores from an earlier SAT or ACT. They can visit the College Board Website to register.
- The deadline to request College Board accommodations on the SAT has passed. However, parents and students are welcome to continue turning in accommodations requests, especially if they would like to request them for AP exams or future SATs. We just can’t guarantee that College Board will process them in time for the October 11th SAT Day.
Parents or student with questions should contact our Assessment Coach, Ms. Laura Fitzsimmons.
STUDENT CORNER
Undergraduate Picture Day
School Picture Day is coming Wednesday September 13th & Thursday September 14th 2023. All undergraduate pictures will be taken during their PE class and all English 11 classes. All FCPS Academy students can go anytime during the day to get their picture taken and receive a student ID card.
Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day. Save time and Pre-order online HERE.
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
College Board National Recognition Program Announcement
Congratulations to the following students who been awarded National Recognition from the College Board.
 Students earned this academic honor because of their GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and/or AP® Exams.
Please note that the College Board National Recognition Program is separate from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation regulation.
Award Key:
National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)
National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)
National Rural and Small Town Award (NRSTA)
National Indigenous Award (NIA)
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
 Stadium Construction Update
Our track is still under construction but nearing the end of the project. Variable Virginia weather has impacted the schedule, so we are unable to give an exact timeline for completion. Our Activities Office continues working with our individual teams and programs to make sure they are up to date as we progress. We will send an update as soon as the stadium and track are ready for school-wide and community use. We eagerly look forward to celebrating the opening of our new track!
Home Game Information
Now that that fall season has begun, be aware of the following information about all home games. You can find a schedule of events and information for each individual sport, on our athletic website.
- Ticket prices for each regular season home event will be:
- Post season (District and Region playoff games) ticket prices will be:
- $5.00 for students
- $7.00 for adults
- State Playoff tickets prices will be:
- Tickets will be available to purchase online or at the ticket booth, the day of the game (online ticket sales begin at midnight the day of the game).
- We are offering a Spartan Sports Pass this year!
Pricing info:
- Student Pass: $60
- Spartan Fan Pass: $90
- Spartan Duo Pass: $160
- Spartan Trio Pass: $190
Spartan Family Pass: $220 (4 passes)
Home Game Entrances
 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – Friday, September 8th
We are excited to kick off our football season with our first home game on September 8th as the Spartans take on the South County Stallions @ 7pm.
The theme for this game is a WHITE OUT.
If you don’t have Spartan spirit wear, don’t worry -- the Booster Club will have plenty for sale!
The cost of all Varsity Football games is $5.00 for students and adults. We are expecting a very large crowd so please plan on arriving early.
To avoid long lines, we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets before the game, through our etix website.
All elementary and middle school students need to be accompanied and supervised by an adult while at the game. High school students who get dropped off must plan to have their rides waiting for them at the conclusion of the game.
If you or your student plan to attend a home game, please take the time to discuss the relevant information below:
- No backpacks or other bags will be allowed in the stadium.
- No outside food or drinks are allowed. The concession stand will be open.
- The purpose for students who attend our varsity football games is to watch the game, cheerleaders, band, and dance team.
- We cheer for our team and not against our opponent. All cheers should be positive.
- The gates to the stadium will open at 6:15pm.
- All students need to leave immediately following the game.
- Elementary and middle school students must always be supervised by an adult.
- If you leave the game, you will not be able to re-enter the stadium.
- Whistles, air horns and similar noisemakers are prohibited.
Our goal is to create a positive community event. Any behaviors that take away from this goal may result in removal from the game.
LET’S GO SPARTANS! BEAT SOUTH COUNTY STALLIONS!!
Spartan Sports Calendar, Week of September 5 - 9
Click the image above for access to the Spartan Sports Calendar.
Student Activities Highlight
Late Bus
FCPS late bus routes will begin September 6. Late busses will run each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Pickup is scheduled for approximately 4:45pm each day. Students can view specific routes in the Main Office.
Yearbooks and Senior Ads Now On Sale
 Yearbooks and Senior Ads are now on sale! Orders can be placed online at https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ using school code 4150 and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. We sold out of yearbooks for the past two years, so order yours today! We cannot guarantee books will be available for in-person sales at the end of the year. For questions, please email Ms. Melissa Morgan, Yearbook Adviser, at mmorgan2@fcps.edu.
Dance Team Tryouts
 WSHS Dance Club Tryouts: September 19 - 20, 4-7pm
Requirements:
For questions, contact Coach Perez
Stay in Touch with Spartan Sports!
You can follow WSHS Spartan Sports on social media:
Twittter (X): @wshssports
YouTube Channels: LINK
Sign Up For the Sports and Activities News You Choose
FCPS INFORMATION
2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Goal 2 states that every student will be part of a school community that cares for their health, well-being, and opinions. We will listen to students and use their input to guide our decisions. We will respect their individuality, identity, and experiences. We will make sure they feel safe and supported at school.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 2.
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Quick Links
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY
Now is a great time to consider joining the PTSA. Get involved and find your place of service as the school year gets underway. Find out more information HERE.
The first PTSA Membership Meeting of the school year is Tuesday, September 5, on Zoom.
Register here for Zoom link and to submit any questions.
Driver Education
Learners Permit Testing is Available at West Springfield HS!
When: 3:10pm (specific dates below)
Where: Room 2225
Cost: $20
2023-24 Dates: 1st Semester shown below
- September 13
- October 4 and 25
- November 15
- December 6
- January 10 and 31
Who can take the test: Students MUST be 15 years and 6 months old by the day of the test
- This test is for Fairfax County Public School students ONLY (FCPS ID is required).
- If you have had two unsuccessful attempts at passing this test, then you are required to test at the DMV for your third attempt.
PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW CAREFULLY
How to Register:
1. Visit FCPS ACE and sign up for a specific date: aceclasses.fcps.edu
2. Once registered on the FCPS ACE site, you must also register with the DMV. A link is provided during the ACE registration and in your confirmation email. Failure to register with the DMV will result in not being able to test since they issue the secure testing codes to FCPS proctors.
The following are required to the take the test- bring them with you on your test day:
- Charged, school-issued laptop
- Completed, and signed DTS 41 Consent Form
- A picture ID to verify identity. If the student does not have a picture ID, take a picture, write the student's full legal name under the picture, and have a teacher sign to verify the student's identity. You may also show your photo from SIS.
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Earbuds/headphones to listen to directions and test audio.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD) Presentation Dates
The 90-minute PSTD presentation is required for all 10th grade Driver Ed students. A parent must attend, and sit with, their child. Plan to arrive early to account for traffic, parking, etc. All sessions will be held in the WSHS Auditorium and will begin promptly at 7pm. Late arrivals will not be admitted. Students will not receive the District 8 (pink) card until they have passed the Driver Ed tests and attend the PSTD. You only need to attend one session. No registration is required- attendance will be recorded during the PSTD. The dates for this school year are:
- October 18- Mr. Parker and Ms. Shiffer’s classes need to attend this one. Optional for Mr. Grubbs and Mr. Nieto’s classes.
- January 18- Required for any 10th grade students that didn’t attend the 1st session.
- March 18
- May 21
FAQ sheet regarding Driver Ed
2023-24 Driver Ed Parent Handout
Send any questions to Mr. Casey Grubbs (clgrubbs@fcps.edu)
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WSHS Social Media
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