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Dear Whitman Wildcats Parents and Community,
Attendance Matters!! As we complete our third week of school I wanted to address the importance of your student attending school every day.
Regular attendance enables students to build a rapport with their teachers. Teachers can provide personalized guidance, answer questions, and provide additional support when they have a consistent presence in the classroom. Attending school regularly helps students establish a routine and develop discipline. This is a valuable life skill that can contribute to their success beyond the classroom. School is not just about academics; it's also a place where students develop social skills, make friends, and learn to work collaboratively. Regular attendance provides more opportunities for students to interact with their peers and build these important interpersonal skills. Regular attendance allows students to engage with classroom material, participate in discussions, and ask questions. This active participation often leads to better understanding of the subjects being taught, which can positively impact academic performance. Regular school attendance instills a sense of responsibility and punctuality, which are qualities valued by employers and institutions later in life.
Whitman family let’s make sure our students are in class daily, so that we can achieve our academic and attendance goals.
Warm regards,
John Flowers
Principal of Walt Whitman Middle School
We would like to introduce you to Delia Montecinos, Whitman Middle School's Community School Coordinator.
As the Community School Coordinator, her role is to facilitate partnerships with community resources to enhance the educational experience of our students and support our school community. We believe in the concept of a Community School, which is a public school that actively collaborates with local organizations and services to create a holistic learning environment. Our approach includes a focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. The ultimate goal is to improve student learning, strengthen families, and promote healthier communities.
Key Components of our Community School Program include, but are not limited to:
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Family and Student Support Services: We offer a range of support services to assist students and families with their academic and personal needs.
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Health Services: We prioritize the well-being of our students by providing access to health services within the school.
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Family and Community Engagement Activities: We believe in the power of community involvement. We organize various events and activities to engage both parents and community members, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Furthermore, we offer free clothing for all our families and a food pantry. You are welcome to drop by and visit us or schedule a time.
At Our Community School, we are committed to nurturing an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and families. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services, please don't hesitate to reach out to her at 571-249-7069. You can also connect with us on WhatsApp, Twitter @WWMSCommunity, or send a text message. We would love to hear from you!
We look forward to getting to know you and working together to ensure the success and well-being of your child.
Me gustaría presentarle a nuestra Coordinadora de la Escuela Comunitaria, Delia Montecinos e informarle de los servicios y recursos que ofrecemos tanto a los estudiantes como a los padres.
Como coordinadora de la Escuela Comunitaria, su papel es facilitar asociaciones con recursos comunitarios para mejorar la experiencia educativa de nuestros estudiantes y apoyar a nuestra comunidad escolar. Creemos en el concepto de una Escuela Comunitaria, que es una escuela pública que colabora activamente con organizaciones y servicios locales para crear un entorno de aprendizaje integral. Nuestro enfoque incluye una atención a académica, servicios de salud y sociales, desarrollo juvenil y comunitario, y participación comunitaria. El objetivo final es mejorar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes, fortalecer a las familias y promover comunidades más saludables.
Los componentes claves de nuestro Programa de Escuela Comunitaria incluyen, pero no se limitan a:
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Servicios de Apoyo a Familias y Estudiantes: Ofrecemos una variedad de servicios de apoyo para ayudar a los estudiantes y familias con sus necesidades académicas y personales.
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Servicios de Salud: Priorizamos el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes al proporcionar acceso a servicios de salud dentro de la escuela.
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Actividades de Participación Familiar y Comunitaria: Creemos en el poder de la participación comunitaria. Organizamos diversos eventos y actividades para involucrar tanto a los padres como a los miembros de la comunidad, fomentando un sentido de pertenencia y responsabilidad compartida.
Además, ofrecemos ropa gratuita para todas nuestras familias y una despensa de alimentos. Están invitados a pasar a visitarnos o hacer una cita.
En Nuestra Escuela Comunitaria, estamos comprometidos en fomentar un entorno inclusivo y de apoyo para todos los estudiantes y familias. Si tiene alguna pregunta o le gustaría conocer más sobre nuestros servicios, no dude en ponerse en contacto con Ms. Montecinos al 571-249-7069. También puede conectarse con nosotros en WhatsApp, Twitter @WWMSCommunity o enviar un mensaje de texto. ¡Nos encantaría saber de usted!
Esperamos con interés conocerlo y trabajar juntos para garantizar el éxito y el bienestar de su hijo.
 
Overdoses touch people and communities in many ways. 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.
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as Percocet, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others (NIH).
Opioids slow the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. When taken in excess amounts or in combination with other central nervous system depressants, they greatly suppress breathing and the heart rate.
Signs of an overdose include: Loss of consciousness. Unresponsive to outside stimulus. Awake, but unable to talk. Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped. For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple, for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen. Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”). Vomiting. Body is very limp. Face is very pale or clammy. Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black. Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all
A person may appear as though they are just napping. It may be difficult to tell if someone is napping or potentially overdosing, especially if they are snoring.
If someone is making unfamiliar sounds while “sleeping” it is worth trying to wake him or her up. Many loved ones of users thought a person was snoring, when in fact they were overdosing. These situations are a missed opportunity to intervene and save a life. Snoring and gurgling can indicate that a person is having trouble breathing. With substance use, especially with opioids which slow down the systems of the body, snoring may indicate a serious and potentially life-threatening obstruction of the airway.
In the context of substance use, snoring is not something that should be seen as “normal”. Don’t let someone “sleep it off” if they are snoring; this may be a sign of a significant and life-threatening emergency. You should attempt to wake them immediately.
If they do wake up, then the snoring (airway obstruction) will resolve. If they do not wake up, call 911 immediately.
As we are about to embark on another school year, it is important to bring awareness to our families and students about what to look for in regards to substance use. Take confidence in the fact that you know what is normal for your student and what is not in terms of their behavior.
Potential signs that something may be off with your student:
A student who starts acting withdrawn or seems tired, depressed, or mad for no reason • Changing friends • Not caring about personal appearance • Slipping grades, skipping classes • Losing interest in favorite activities • Behavioral or academic trouble at school or with the law • Changes in eating or sleeping habits • Not getting along with family members • Lying or stealing
These signs do not always mean there is a drug or alcohol problem, but they may be cause for concern. Try to find out what is going on. Do not be afraid to have open and non-judgmental conversations with your student. Get to know their teachers, friends, and their friends' parents. A new school year means new opportunities. Let’s work together to make this year great.
Resources:
Everything you Need to Know about Opioids
Spanish: Todo lo que necesita saber sobre los opioides en menos gracias a una hora
Narcan Training (English & Spanish)
Office of Student Safety and Wellness or 571-423-4270
Fairfax County Public Schools: Alcohol and Other Drugs
For further Information & support:
Beth Mohaupt, MA, NCC, LPC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for MV pyramid
ejmohaupt@fcps.edu
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