Woodson PTSO WeMail - September 26

Photo by Katherine Gilbert

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. *INTRODUCING* PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
4. WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS
5. CAVS SPORTS 
6. FUNDRAISERS
7. RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES
8. FCPS NEWS & EVENTS 
9. RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES

Woodson’s undefeated JV Field Hockey team celebrating their 3-0 win against Robinson.

September 21, 2023

Photo by Craig Lee

SCHEDULE REMINDERS

LOOKING AHEAD

Monday, October 9th - Student Holiday; Staff Development Day

Wednesday, October 11th - PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day; Early Release (No school for 9th graders and 12th graders not registered for the test.)

Tuesday, October 17th - PTSO Meeting (Changed from 10/10)

Saturday, October 21st - Homecoming Dance

Saturday, October 28th, 9am-12pm - Senior Parking Lot Painting

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

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!

Join the Woodson High School PTSO! https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com 

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)

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK!

Photo by Mike McKittrick

We posted a last minute request on the PTSO Facebook page for photos from the past week and the Woodson community delivered! A Cavs win, an incredible sunset and a Hawaiian theme certainly helped.

Let’s keep it going! Send your best photos from the week to WoodsonWeMail23@gmail.com or post to the Facebook page to be considered for the next edition of WeMail!

All smiles from future Cavs at Feeder Night. September 22, 2023

Photo by Mike Lennon

Photo by Sarah Girard

Photo by Jennifer Borders

Woodson Varsity Volleyball is 10-1 going into this week!

Photo by Lee Ferrell

WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS

Photo by Mike McKittrick

Senior Baby Ads for Yearbook

Deadline: January 27, 2024

Celebrate your senior with a baby ad in the yearbook! Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and type in Woodson’s code – 5278. Select the option to “Start your Ad” and create your own ad celebrating your 2024 grad. 

The photo above is a half-page baby ad.

College & Career Center Information

IMPORTANT DATES – for more information, registration links & additional events, please visit the live Calendar below.

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.

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!

The Woodson Marching Cavaliers will compete in the first marching band competition of the season at the South County Invitational, a Virginia Marching Band Cooperative (VMBC) competition being hosted at South County High School (8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton, VA) on Saturday the 23rd of September. The marching band class that Woodson competes in starts at 7:30 PM and Woodson’s show time is at 8:00 PM. Other area bands will also be competing at this invitational which starts with the smallest band class at 2:30 PM. Come out and support the Marching Cavaliers as they perform their fall season competition show Fabergé. 

Admission for ages 5 and up is $10. For more information check out the VMBC event webpage HERE. All competing bands schedule can be found HERE.

FUNDRAISERS

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.

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

Woodson Chorus Boosters

Restaurant Night - Tonight!

Chorus Restaurant Night at Noodles & Company!

Today, Tuesday, September 26 from 4-8pm 

10296 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22030

*If placing an online order, enter code Giving25 at checkout.

Last Chance...New Chorus Spiritwear!  Orders due by Friday 9/29/2023. 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. If you would like to order other gear: Tumbler $15; Car/Fridge Magnet $7; Car Sticker $3, please contact Amy Quigley amyquig@gmail.com.

Get ready for TAG DAY! Tag Day is our biggest fundraiser of the year. 

October 14th 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Meet at the Mantua pool.  Student sign up is in the Chorus room.  Parent sign up here

CAV SPORTS

Photo by Heather Walrath

This Weeks Schedule

Monday, September 25th

 No Events Scheduled

Tuesday, September 26th

Patriot District Golf Championship @ Twin Lakes 11:00am (Away) 

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

Wednesday, September 27th

Cross Country vs. SC, AC, Robo @ Franconia 5:00pm (Home)

Thursday, September 28th

Freshman/JV Football vs. Lake Braddock 5:30/7:00pm (Home)

Volleyball vs. Robinson 5:00/6:00/7:15pm (Home)

Field Hockey @ West Potomac 6:15/7:00pm (Away)

Friday, September 29th

Varsity Football @ Lake Braddock 7:00pm (Away)

Saturday, September 30th 

Cross Country @ New Balance Shore Invitational (Holmdel, NJ) Noon (Away)

Photo by Craig Lee

Fall Sport Shoutouts and Senior Tributes

Motivate your Fall Athlete with a shoutout in the Fall Sports Program - Senior Night Edition! Acknowledge their first year in a new sport or crossing that final finish line. We’re proud of our athletes, the work they’ve put in and the friendships and memories they’ve made. Preserve these moments with a message or picture in the program. 

Have a Senior? It’s time to share that side-by-side baby picture and senior photo with a Senior Tribute in the Program. Commemorate that long term friendship with a then and now group photo. Students, surprise your bestie with a heartfelt or funny memento. 

Programs can be pre-ordered using the form linked below and will also be available for purchase for $10 at the Varsity Football game on Friday, November 3rd which is Senior Night for Football, Cheer, Dance, and Band. Come celebrate all our Fall Seniors and pick up your special edition Fall Sports Program - Senior Night Edition. 

➢ $175 – Half Page Ad

➢ $125 – Quarter Page 

➢ $70 – 1/8 Page Ad  

➢ $35 – Personal Ad (text only, limit 25 words)

Images due by Wednesday, October 11th  

Note: Please ensure shoutouts and tributes are school appropriate. Inappropriate submissions will not be included in the Program and will not be refunded. 

Limited space available so order soon!

Use the QR code or link below to start your order!

Contact woodsondancefundraising@gmail.com with questions.

Fall Sport Shout Out and Senior Tribute Order Form

Purchase a Woodson Athletic Booster Pass Here!

Varsity Field Hockey Highlights

The Cavaliers corralled the Robinson Rams 2-0 on Thursday. Siena Niedrick and Reese Cuviello scored the goals and the offense benefitted from the pinpoint passing combinations of Julia Oleyar, Katie Robertson, and Niedrick. Goalkeeper Molly Billingsley protected the shutout with key saves against hungry Ram attackers.

Goals by Julia Oleyar and Amanda Lee led to a 2-1 victory over Alexandria City on Tuesday. The lead was preserved by well-timed saves from goalkeepers AJ Ingson and Molly Billingsley and defensive stops by Ella Mathias, Kelby Lennen, and Allison Um.

Ice Hockey Club:

The Woodson Ice Hockey Club hosted its annual Kickoff Dinner on Monday night, September 11th, where the members and their parents gathered to learn about events scheduled for this upcoming year.  The next event is an evaluation skate for members who are interested in playing in actual games.  The evaluation skate will take place on Monday, September 25th from 10:20 am to 11:40 am at The St. James.  If interested, please contact Royce Edington at royce.edington@gmail.com so he can provide the required forms that must be completed before players can take the ice.  The club will field teams at both the Varsity and Junior Varsity level this year.  Additionally, the club plans to continue its tradition of skating with the Cool Cats, a hockey team made up of developmentally challenged players, as well as its annual Alumni Game to celebrate over 20 years of Woodson Hockey, which we are proud to say that each year we get players who graduated over 10 to 15 years ago back out on the ice to play against the current team……because their experience with Woodson Hockey means that much to them!  Finally, the Woodson Ice Hockey Club will continue its partnership with Hockey Night in Northern Virginia (HNINOVA) to provide opportunities for students to get experience doing a variety of jobs covering local high school hockey games.

We hope the student body and staff come to cheer the team on at games this year!  

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.

RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES

Woodson Math Center

The Woodson Math Center opened on Wednesday, September 20th. Peer math tutors are available after school Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00-3:45pm in B208. Look for the Math Center Flag. Tutors are excited to help students!

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

FCPS NEWS & EVENTS

From the desk of Congressman Gerry Connolly, Virginia’s 11th District:

Service Academy Nominations

For over two hundred years, the United States Service Academies have educated some of our nation’s finest leaders. Here in the 11th District, I am proud to say the acceptance rate into the academies is routinely among the highest in the nation. Nominating young Americans for an appointment to a service academy is among my most gratifying duties as a Member of Congress.

Applications for the Class of 2028 are being accepted by my District Office, and must be received by close of business, Friday October 6, 2023. Fully completed applications should be emailed to: VA11academyinbox@gmail.com

To assist me with selecting the most qualified candidates, I have formed Advisory Boards to interview prospective nominees. These boards are comprised of Academy graduates, former Academy admissions officers and/or career military officers. These interviews will be scheduled between mid-October and early December. Interviews will be scheduled only for those who have submitted complete application packages by the deadline.

You can visit the Academy Nominations page on my website for more information. Please click here for my Congressional Nomination Procedures, and here for the Application for Nomination.

I wish you the very best as you pursue a nomination to an Academy and begin your career as an officer in a branch of our military. If you have any questions, please contact my District Office at 703-256-3071.

Congressional Art Competition

Though this event will not take place until Spring of 2024, I want to take this opportunity to bring the Congressional Art Competition to your attention as well. This competition is open to all high school students who are residents of the 11th Congressional District, regardless of where they attend school. Public, private, and home-schooled students are all invited to participate, and I encourage any student who may be interested to submit an entry.

I look forward to hosting this event every year, as it affords students in our district the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent and creativity. Students do not need to create a new piece of art specifically for this competition – they are welcome to submit any piece from their portfolio.  Past years’ competitions have included paintings, photographs, drawings, digital art, and more.

The winning piece will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year, and with the permission of the artists, additional high-ranking pieces will be displayed in my Capitol Hill and district offices.

Individual arrangements will be made for the collection of the Best in Show piece to be transported to DC. Only the winning piece will be required to meet the established framing guidelines.

Congressional App Challenge

Deadline to apply - November 1 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.

COLLEGE FAIR

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

• Play games and have fun!

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 

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

W. T. Woodson PTSO