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WeMail is distributed every Tuesday to update the Woodson community on PTSO news, school news, and upcoming events.
- SCHEDULE REMINDERS
- MESSAGE TO DR. FLOYD
- PTSO NEWS
- WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS
- CAVS SPORTS
- FUNDRAISERS
- RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES
- FCPS NEWS & EVENTS
- RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES
SCHEDULE REMINDERS
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, September 12th - Virtual PTSO Meeting 7PM - 8PM; Link to join
Thursday, September 14th, 6-8:30pm - Back to School Night
NEXT WEEK
Monday, September 18th, 6:30pm - Parents for Safe Teen Driving Seminar, Auditorium
Saturday, September 23rd, 9am-12pm - Senior Parking Lot Painting
LOOKING AHEAD
Monday, September 25th - School Holiday; Yom Kippur
Monday, October 9th - Student Holiday; Staff Development Day
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
MESSAGE TO DR. FLOYD
Dear Dr. Floyd,
On behalf of the PTSO we would like to wish you a warm farewell and all of the best in your next adventure.
Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for your leadership during such difficult and unprecedented times. Many of us, as Senior parents, remember meeting you over Zoom as we all came together to virtually transition our children into High School. Your positive attitude and approachable nature gave us comfort and hope. You probably did not hear that enough, so please know that there are thousands of Woodson parents who quietly appreciate everything you have done for our children.
We will take your parting words to heart, as a PTSO, and find ways to be more supportive of the awesome Woodson staff.
Congratulations on your new job! We know that you will continue to do great things.
Sincerely,
Woodson High School PTSO
PTSO NEWS
SEPTEMBER’S VIRTUAL PTSO MEETING
Join us for our first monthly PTSO meeting of the school year!
Topic: Sept 12th PTSO meeting
Time: Sep 12, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96155745956
Meeting ID: 961 5574 5956
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023 ⋅ 7pm – 8pm (Eastern Time - New York)
https://zoom.us/j/96155745956
The PTSO Fall Grant Application is Now Open!
This fall, the PTSO has $4300 to award in total for all grants. Our hope is to do our best to accommodate your request or some portion of it.
Applications can be submitted by students, teachers, staff, and parents with a specific request for funding their club, organization, group, or department. Before submitting a grant request, applicants must have discussed/reviewed their request with a teacher, club sponsor, department head, or Director of Student Activities, Blair Smith, when applicable.
Please answer all questions with as much information as possible so the PTSO has a clear understanding of your request and how it will help staff and/or students at WT Woodson.
CLICK TO APPLY NOW!
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
Back to School Night
Back to School Night (BTSN) is in-person this year on Thursday, September 14th from 6-8:30pm.
Look for an eNotify this week for specific details around BTSN. 1st period kicks off at 6PM with 10 minute classes and 10 minute passing times. Be sure to find your child’s schedule on SIS ParentVUE before this event. If assistance is needed with a student schedule please come to door 1.
All entrances to the building will be open. Please arrive early to get a parking spot and remember there is parking behind the school and near the stadium.
4:45-5:45pm – Military Family meet & greet in Café B (optional for families of military students).
5:15-5:45pm – Signs of Suicide (SOS) video screening in Library (optional for parents for 9th/11th graders).
5:30-6:00pm – ESOL Family session in C114 (optional for ESOL Families).
5:30-6:00pm – School Board welcome back messages will stream in a loop in the Auditorium.
6:00-8:30pm – Parents rotate through student schedules periods 1-8.
We all look forward to seeing you at BTSN!
College & Career Center Information
IMPORTANT DATES – for more information, registration links & additional events, please visit the live Calendar below.
September 13 Senior Support every Wednesday morning
October 4 Military Recruiter Lunch Visits Wednesdays through May
October 6 Senior College Application Workshop All Lunches
October 11 PSAT/SAT Day
October 15 FCPS College Fair @ GMU
October 16&17 FCPS Virtual Postsecondary Nights
October 24 Senior College Application Workshop All Lunches
November 3 Woodson Career Day
November 20 Senior College Application Workshop All Lunches
November 28 ASVAB Test
November 29 Junior Information Night
January 30 FCPS Gap Year Fair @ Marshall HS
February 13 U.S. Service Academy & ROTC Program Info Night @ Madison HS
March 13 Sophomore College Night
April 3 Junior Focus Day
Please visit the live Calendar below for more information & events, registration links, and our College Rep Visit Schedule for next week.
Students must go to Naviance to sign up for the College Rep Visits and then create their own E-HallPass to the Career Center. Visit Notes and Rep Contact Info can be accessed on our College Rep Visits Padlet.
Woodson College & Career Center Newsletters, Resume Building, Military, Apprenticeships/Trade Schools resources and more can be found on the Woodson College & Career Padlets. Questions? Please email cliebmosley@fcps.edu.
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.
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
Class of 2024 Yard Signs
The 2024 yard signs are here! Please email woodsonangp@gmail.com to order. 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 next Booster Meeting for all Chorus Parents is Wednesday, September 20, 7pm in the Chorus Room. Mark your calendars!
Woodson Pyramid Sings the National Anthem - On Friday, September 22, the Woodson Pyramid choral groups are invited to sing the National Anthem at Woodson’s Home Football Game. Meet in the Woodson Auditorium between 6:00 and 6:15 pm.
New Chorus Spirit wear! Don’t miss our new designs for the 2023-2024 school year! 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
Senior Class of 2024 Legacy Bricks
Buy a Brick and create a Lasting Legacy for your Woodson Student!
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The brick courtyard in front of the school between the main entrance and the auditorium still has plenty of room for bricks for you to honor your special student or alumni. Individual bricks cost: $100. They make great graduation presents for Seniors, or as a legacy for all the members of your family!
To purchase, visit the Woodson PTSO PTBOARD website HERE. If you prefer, you can mail the brick order form (LINK HERE) to the school with a check.
All orders are due no later than April 14, 2024. Plan accordingly!
If you have questions, or for more info contact Shane or Katherine Gilbert at wptsobricks@gmail.com
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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
Tuesday, September 12th
Freshman Field Hockey vs. Oakton 6:00pm (Home)
Golf vs. Madison @ Army Navy FFX 4:00pm (Away)
Wednesday, September 13th
Freshman Field Hockey vs. Yorktown 5:00 (Home)
JV/Varsity Field Hockey vs. Langley 6:00/7:30pm (Home)
Cross Country vs. Robo, FFX, and AC @ Chiquapin 5:00pm (Away)
Volleyball @ Lake Braddock 5:00/5:00/6:30pm (Away)
Thursday, September 14th
Back to School Night
Friday, September 15th
No Events Scheduled
Saturday, September 16th
Cross Country @ Cary NC 9:00am
Varsity Field Hockey Highlights
The Cavaliers tamed the Lake Braddock Bruins in a 3-0 victory on Tuesday. Katie Robertson scored the first goal and Astrid Maslin followed with the second goal. Captains Ella Mathias, Julia Oleyar, and Reese Cuviello combined for the third goal on a penalty corner, with passes allowing Cuviello to send a screaming shot into the goal. Allison Um and Kelby Lennen were supremely disruptive defending Bruin penalty corners to preserve the lead.
RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES
FREE Virtual SAT/PSAT Math Prep:
Rick Neifeld is again offering free weekly Zoom sessions for SAT/PSAT Math preparation. See his signup sheet for more details and to get on the weekly email notification list, here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qk1Hq_y-nIuxLC_eZVqhhe2mye0AYZ1DYub5eDB-F_w/edit#gid=717310232
Next will will review problems from released test 10, here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-practice-test-10.pdf
Free Tutoring from Tutor.com
 All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
FCPS NEWS & EVENTS
Congressional App Challenge
Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office is once again participating in the Congressional App Challenge and is inviting students in the district to register.
The Congressional App Challenge serves as an opportunity for high school students to be more engaged in coding in their district. Every year, Members of Congress challenge students in their districts to create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Each challenge is district specific. U.S. Representatives publicly recognize their winning teams, and each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.
- Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website, House.gov
- Winning students are invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C.
- Additional sponsor prizes TBA!
For more information, please visit: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/
To register, please visit: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/
Our district’s 2022 winning app can be found here: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/22-VA11/
For more information and questions, please feel free to contact Fatima Malik at fatima.malik@mail.house.gov.
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COLLEGE FAIR
RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES
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.
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:
- An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine.
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- 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.
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.
FCPS Annual Public Notice: Career and Technical Education
 FCPS’ Career and Technical Education Program offers a variety of career and technical programs to all middle and high school students. The program areas include the following:
For more information about Career and Technical Education call 571-423-4526 or visit the Career and Technical Education webpage. Visit ADA accommodations for more information or request accommodations.
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.
Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series
Join Dr. Erin Berman, a Clinical Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland for these important sessions helping children cope with anxiety, depression, and stress.
Part 1 Highlights:
- How to identify a child with anxiety or depression
- The science and biological roots of anxiety in children
- Interventions and considerations in dealing with children with anxiety and depression
- Current treatment options (medications & CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Strategies and tips for supporting your children with anxiety and depression
Part 2 Highlights:
- Identify stress in children of all ages
- Explain common sources of stress
- Provide strategies for lowering stress levels so that all caregivers can benefit
Part 1: 10/27/23 10-11:30 a.m Share this event with others.
Part 2: 11/10/23 10-11:30 a.m Share this event with others.
Register for Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series
Building Family and School Partnerships for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students K-12
When schools and families collaborate all children succeed. Join Nonye Oladimeji, FCPS Educational Specialist for AAP Twice Exceptional (2e) children as she explores successful ways schools and families can collaborate.
Webinar Highlights:
- How to use your child's strengths and challenges to identify and advocate for their needs
- How to work with your child’s school team to develop strategies to help them feel safe while helping them stretch, struggle, and grow.
- How to collaborate with multiple experts to identify activities both in and out of school that build on your child’s strengths.
- How to partner with school staff to address your child’s social and emotional needs
Friday October 6, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others.
Register for Building Family and School Partnerships for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students K-12
SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:
- Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
- Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
- Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
Monday, October 9, 2023, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.
Register for: SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
What Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them *presented in English
Students in grades 11 and 12 will receive drug lessons about substance misuse. Join Tiffany Jones, FCPS Senior Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist as she helps you understand the curriculum and how you might communicate with your child.
Webinar highlights:
- Find out what your children are learning about drugs in the 11th and 12th-grade drug lessons at their schools.
- Prepare yourself to discuss what they are learning in school about substance misuse.
- Gain practice skills to have important conversations about substances
Friday, October 13, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others. *presented in English
Register for What Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them - presented in English
What Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them *presented in Spanish
Students in grades 11 and 12 will receive drug lessons about substance misuse. Join Bryan Villalobos and Diana Vera, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists as they help you understand the curriculum and how you might communicate with your child.
Webinar highlights:
- Find out what your children are learning about drugs in the 11th and 12th-grade drug lessons at their schools.
- Prepare yourself to discuss what they are learning in school about substance misuse.
- Gain practice skills to have important conversations about substances
Friday, October 20, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others. *presented in Spanish
Register for What Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them - presented in Spanish
Quick Links to Additional Resources
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