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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.
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Table of Contents:
- Important Dates
- Principal's Message
- School News
- PTSA News - Join Today
- School Fundraiser
- Class of 2024 - Senior News
- WABC Passes
Important Dates
September 9: WP Boosters Tag Day, Fundraiser for the WPHS Performing Arts Department
September 11: First day of late buses
September 12: PTSA 1st General Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM - WPHS Library
September 13: PTSA - Five Guys Fundraiser, 4:00 - 8:00 PM
September 13: Chipotle Fundraiser, 5:00 - 9:00 PM, to benefit Class of 2026
September 25: Holiday Yom Kippur
September 30: Homecoming Dance, 8:00 PM
October 28: WP Dance Team Fundraiser, Clean Out Your Closets
Principal's Message
Wolverine Community,
Happy weekend! My thanks to everyone who was able to join us Thursday Night for Back to School Night. As we finish week three and head into week four, I just wanted to share a few brief reminders:
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Arrival/Departure reminders – Please take a moment and review our kiss and ride procedures for morning drop off and afternoon pick up. We ask you please follow these directions. Over the first few weeks we have seen some people using the senior lot for drop off and pick up as well as allowing your child to exit the car while still on Quander Road. For everyone’s safety, we ask that you please follow our kiss and ride procedures.
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Free and Reduced Lunch – A reminder that the free and reduced lunch application must be completed each year. If your family may be eligible and you have not completed the process please visit this link to apply for the 2023-24 school year.
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Late Buses – Late buses at West Potomac begin on Monday. Late buses are available to students on Mondays and Thursdays. An announcement is made at about 4:30pm in the building for students to report to the cafeteria with a pass from their teacher, coach, or sponsor and buses leave campus at approximately 4:45pm. Students who stay after on a late bus day must be with a teacher, coach, or sponsor. Students cannot stay for a late bus unsupervised. Students also cannot leave campus and then return to utilize the late buses. A reminder late buses do not stop at normal bus stops. There are five late buses that have stops in most neighborhoods. Administrators will be available in the cafeteria on late bus days to help students identify which late bus runs closest to their neighborhood.
Wishing you a great weekend!
Take care,
Kevin McMahon
Interim Principal
School News
National Honor Society
- Juniors and Seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to apply to WPHS National Honor Society.
- Application materials have been posted to the “All Students” Schoology. Students will submit their application via Google Form using their FCPS Schools account. Applications are due by midnight on Tuesday, September 26th. No exceptions will be made.
- Please feel free to reach out to the National Honor Society Advisors Ms. Jessica Landon (jllandon@fcps.edu) or Ms. Jean Marie Simpson (jsimpson1@fcps.edu) should you have any questions.
Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete
Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
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Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
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Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor. com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
WPHS Homecoming News:
- Save the Date and Chaperones Needed– Saturday 9/30 at 8 pm – this year’s Homecoming Dance! The theme is tropical paradise, and we need your help chaperoning. Please sign up using this link. Stay tuned for more information about Homecoming Week and how to purchase tickets as we get closer.
College & Career Center:
- Welcome back to a new school year! Please review the first monthly newsletter of this school year. If you happen to miss a newsletter or wish to review information from a previous month, all newsletters will be archived on the WPHS College & Career Center website.
The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
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Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
- Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting Helen Molina, SIA at hymolina@fcps.edu
Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal
- One of the required immunizations for students entering 7th and 12th grade is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The Virginia Department of Health is currently tracking a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. MenACWY can provide protection against the bacteria responsible for this outbreak.
- Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
- Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation.
PTSA News
Dear WPHS Parents and Guardians,
My name is Liz Ver Hage and I have the privilege to serve as this years PTSA president. We are a military family and have been fortunate to call Alexandria, VA home since 2016. Our oldest son entered WP in 2017, we have celebrated 2 WPHS graduations , one in '21 and most recently in ’22, right here on the WP Stadium, and our youngest, a daughter, is a Sophomore. I still remember that first year and being amazed and also overwhelmed with all the academic and extra curricular opportunities WPHS offers - fine arts classes, career and technical classes, over 9 world languages studies, AP, Dual enrollment, band, sports- so very different than my high school many years ago. I am so thankful for the families that supported our transition, answered my many questions and guided our family with their knowledge and encourage each of you to connect and be a network for each other.
The term “It Takes a Village” is often referred to when we talk about raising our children and at our West Potomac Wolverdome, our village includes over 300 Teachers/Staff members, working hard to educate over 2700+ students. As parents, we hope and need our educators to show up each day, being their best version, a very high bar indeed, and just as important, as parents and students we also need to show up, receive the instruction, read the e-mails and fully recognize the depth of logistics and investment required every day to make it all happen. I know we all share the challenge of not enough time but our true bond is that we share the same why’s and it is the reason we should and need to partner together, which is our love for our children and wanting to prepare them both academically and socially for their future. There are 720 days in our students high school journey, together we can lay the ground work needed to make these days matter.
Please take a moment to become a PTSA member today by clicking on link below and let’s take this ride side by side.
Thank you!
Liz Ver Hage
First PTSA meeting
- This Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 PM WPHS library. Enter through main school doors.
- Meeting our amazing volunteer board, vote on the 2023-24 PTSA school budget and Guest Speakers- Mr. Kevin McMahon , Interim Principal and Mr. Matt MacDonald, Director, Student Activities, will be on hand to inform and answer questions.
WEST POTOMAC HIGH SCHOOL PTSA MEMBERSHIP – EASY TO JOIN
- Your membership dues are used to directly benefit our Wolverine teachers and students.
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At the site, you can purchase memberships, make tax-deductible donations, and purchase WPHS car magnets (new design). If you want to learn more or join our PTSA this year, please visit this link.
Five Guys Fundraiser: It's Five Guys time! Come out and support West Potomac High School's PTSA! The more burgers, fries and milk shakes you enjoy, the more money you help us raise to provide grants to teachers. Grab your Five Guys after-school snack and/or dinner on Wednesday, September 13th from 4:00-8:00 PM, and Five Guys will donate 20% of the proceeds back to the PTSA. Thank you for your support!
WPHS WOLVERINES CAR MAGNET - New 2023 Design. $10.00
- Add a touch of WPHS Wolverines spirit to your car, refrigerator, etc with this 5 X 5 Full Color magnet. Pick up details will be shared when magnets arrive. Purchase at this link.
School Fundraising
Tag Day – TODAY - September 9, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Tag Day is the biggest single-day fundraiser for the West Potomac Performing Arts Department. Students in the Performing Arts will be canvassing the WP community in groups of four with a parent driver and ask for donations to support programs from Band to Orchestra to Chorus. Today, keep an eye out for our students playing their instruments or singing in your neighborhood in hopes you'll make a generous donation to support our talented kids. You can donate on Tag Day, or you can donate today via this link. Thank you from the WP Band Boosters!
Class of 2026 Chipotle Fundraiser
- The class of 2026 is gearing up for Graduation! Please support us by dining at Chipotle on September 13th from 5pm-9pm. Use the Flyer attached to help us receive credit. If you have any questions or want to volunteer to help the class of 2026, please contact us!
 Support the West Potomac Dance Team!
- Drop off soft goods (in trash bags, please) between 8:00 am-10:30am on Saturday, October 28th at West Potomac High School (6500 Quander Road). The dance team earns a rebate on all donations in partnership with a local thrift store. See flyer for more details
Class of 2024 - Senior News:
Senior Class of 2024 Yard Signs: Celebrate your class of '24 Senior with a sign! Calling all Class of 2024 families! Senior Dean McDonnell has designed this fabulous yard sign to celebrate the class of 2024. Display it in your yard or anywhere else you want to show your Wolverine Pride. Price per sign is $24.00. Place your order now at the link below. You will be asked to give your cell phone number and you will be contacted about delivery or pick up once the signs are in. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the class of 2024. Thank you for your support!
Athletic News:
Wolverine Athletic Booster Club Game Passes for Sale!
Dear Wolverine Fans! Join the Wolverine Athletic Booster Club (WABC) and cheer on your team all year. By joining the WABC you receive game passes for free entry to all regular season home events. Visit the link below for different purchase plans. Go West Po!
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