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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 Content
- Important Datesl
- Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health / Hazel Health
- School News
- PTSA News - Join Today
- Student Volunteer Opportunity
- School Fundraisers
- Class of 2024 Fundraisers
Important Dates
- Ongoing – POWER UP West Potomac! PTSA Direct Donation Campaign
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October 9: No School for Students - Staff Development Day
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October 11: PSAT Day - 10th/11th, SAT Day - 12th who signed up
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October 12: 3rd Annual Swap-n-Shop Fundraiser to Benefit WP Class of 2024
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October 14: Chips & Paint, Class of 2024 Fundraiser
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October 15: College Fair,4-7 p.m. Eagle Bank Arena
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October 16 & October 17: Postsecondary Virtual Event, 5-8 p.m.
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October 17: Raffle Drawing, Win a Family Photo Session by Renée C. Gage
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October 18: PTSA Meeting, Speaker – author Ana Homayoun 6:45 p.m.
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October 28: WP Dance Team Fundraiser, Clean Out Your Closets
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November 8, 9, and 13: The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker.
Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to sJupport your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers
High school students can access virtual mental health services at no cost through an FCPS program with Hazel Health. Hazel Health therapists are licensed and also trained in teen-specific challenges.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated staff member and participate in weekly video therapy sessions. The therapists will work with students until they achieve their therapy goals, or they can help connect the family with long-term mental health services in the community if needed.
Learn how to opt your students into this service.
School News
AVID Tutors
- Looking for a flexible and part-time position at West Potomac High School? FCPS is hiring AVID tutors for the 2023-2024 school year. AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). These groups use questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Tutors earn $18.97 per hour and should either be a college graduate or currently enrolled in college. If interested, please email your resume to Lisa Shields at lbshields@fcps.edu or AVID@fcps.edu
College & Career Center:
Fall is the season for college fairs! These are two great opportunities to learn about different colleges & universities from across the country.
FCPS 2023 College Fair:
The 2023 College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Approximately 250 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies.
Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Attached is a flyer that details the sessions and schedule. Students and their families are encouraged to register for these events if they plan to attend. Along with registration for the college fair, the Two-Night Virtual Postsecondary Event session details and schedules have been updated on the Look to the Future website.
ASBC 21st Annual HBCU Festival:
The ASBC 21st Annual Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Festival is a hybrid event being held November 17-18, 2023. This event is open to all high school students and will be held at The St. James Sports Complex in Springfield, VA. The festival is dedicated to connecting high school students and their families to HBCUs, and scholarship opportunities. Approximately 80 colleges and universities will be represented during the two-day event. Students and their families are encouraged to register at https://hbcufest.alfredstreet.org/e/hbcu-fest
SENIORS ONLY: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA usually opens on October 1st for college bound seniors to complete. The federal government is still working on revising the FAFSA & it will not open until December. DO NOT complete the current FAFSA application. Seniors & parents, check your email for a financial aid newsletter from Mrs. Young.
PTSA News
The WP PTSA invites you to a special evening, Thurs. October 18th featuring nationally recognized counselor and educational consultant Ana Homayoun, author of Erasing the Finish Line
Ms. Homayoun’s work has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN and MSNBC, and in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Fast Company, SF Chronicle, among others, and she is a frequent guest on NPR.
We ask that you please RSVP so that we can better prepare for this event and communicate if there are any time changes.
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSclZHLozFy08c.../viewform
About Erasing the Finish Line
The world our children are growing up in is socially, economically, and politically unpredictable and ever-changing. How do we help kids navigate a high-tech, pandemic-adjusted world? What fundamental skills help young people adapt, persevere, and thrive?
Learn more about her work at www.anahomayoun.com.
*Please note the new date October 18th @ 6:45pm at the WPHS Library to accommodate the author’s visit to the DC area. There will not be an October 10 PTSA meeting.
PTSA DIRECT DONATION CAMPAIGN: POWER UP WEST POTOMAC!!
- GOAL #1 - $10,000 – SUPER GOAL #2 - $20,000
- WHY THIS MATTERS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!
- As the Academic Booster Club for WP, our guiding principle is to support and fortify an academic foundation for our students. Our students are talented, bold, curious, and every high school year is a fundamental investment to their future successes. As the WP PTSA, we want to be able to say yes to every teacher who wants to introduce an exciting new lesson but needs materials not covered under FCPS budget, we want to subsidize field trips, we want to celebrate our teachers and students achievements and be a strong resource for our Wolverine community.
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CAN YOU HELP US GET THERE? To donate, please visit this link.
Win a Family Photo Session by Renée C. Gage:
- The WP PTSA is excited to announce a raffle to win a Renée C. Gage Family Portrait Session valued at $450
Session includes:
- Family Photo Session with Renée C. Gage Photography
- 1- 8 x 10 Fine Linen Print
- Additional Photos available for purchase
- Winner can select a location in either Old Town, Alexandria or in the Fort Hunt Area *Must be redeemed within a year from winning.
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Raffle will take place on Tues, October 17th, 2023
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Raffle ticket: $10.00 for 1 entry. Or $25.00 for 3 Entries . To purchase please visit this link.
About Renée C. Gage, photography: Renée is a local Master Photographer who has specialized in capturing families, children, expectant mothers, and professionals with her camera for over twenty years. In 2020 and 2021. Two of Renée’s images won the prestigious “Best Portrait of a Child” award from the Virginia Professional Photographers Association and “Ascend” was named Top 50 Portraits of a Child in the United States - www.reneecgage.com
WEST POTOMAC HIGH SCHOOL PTSA MEMBERSHIP – EASY TO JOIN
- Your membership dues are used to directly benefit our Wolverine teachers and students.
- 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
WPHS WOLVERINES' CAR MAGNETS HAVE ARRIVED - 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. Purchase at this link.
Student Volunteer Opportunities
- The Office of Elections is offering you the opportunity to serve inside a Fairfax County polling place as an election page for the upcoming November election. Are you at least 16 years old, live in Virginia, and actively enrolled in high school? Would you like to learn more about the electoral process and earn service-learning hours that can be applied towards the Seal of Excellence in Civics Education?
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Please note the High School Page Program only applies to November elections.
School Fundraisers
3rd ANNUAL SWAP-N-SHOP FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT WP CLASS OF 2024
- Date: Thursday, October 12
- Time: 5:00 - 11:00 PM
- Location: 8418 Stable Drive, Alexandria, VA
- Entry Fee / Suggested Donation: $35
- Looking for a reason to clean out your closets/repurpose any jewelry, handbags you do not use and also pick up something fabulous - best reason ever - 3rd Annual Swap-n-Shop fundraiser to benefit the WPHS Class of 2024.
- Join us for a great night of shopping, friendship, and live music. Please drop off any new or like-new accessories (shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarves, reading glasses) and women's clothing (any season) on the front porch of 8418 Stable Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308 from September 6th - October 11th. Spouses welcome - bring all your friends. Your Entry Fee includes shopping, snacks, drinks, live music, and a fun night with your WP Community and a chance to win a beautiful gift basket. Adults Only event. One tix purchase required for each guest. Proceeds from this event will be used for Senior celebrations. To purchase tickets please visit this link.
Restaurant Night - October 17
Mark your calendars for the West Potomac Bands and Color Guard first Restaurant Night of the year.
- October 17, 4-8pm
- Panera Bread
- 6670 Richmond Highway, Alexandria
- Use code FUND4U when ordering in person or online.
- We will receive 25% of all sales.
- Keep your kitchen clean, eat clean, and support the Band in one delicious trip!
 
CHRISTMAS PLANNING IN OCTOBER?!?!
Why not get a jump on the season ... AND help West Po Crew with critical fundraising to support our coaches, equipment, and regatta fees!
We are selling fresh holiday evergreens handcrafted from the boughs of trees grown high in the Cascade Mountains. They’re full, fragrant, and rich in color—perfect for your front door or above the mantel. They also make great gifts! Your support makes a big difference.
Click the link below to place your order! https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/wpcrew
Remember the ONLINE sale closes October 29! Why so early? This gives our vendor, Sherwood Forest, enough time to send the items by Thanksgiving.
For LOCALS: You've got options!
--You can shop our BOOTH SALES, which will run on Saturdays and Sundays from November 25th through December 17th (earlier if we sell out). We'll sell two sizes of wreaths, plus garland.
-- Want even more products to choose from? Order ONLINE!
Note: If you order online AND the items you want are available for “Local Delivery”, please choose this option! This means your order comes to the team, and we'll bring it to you. Why does it matter? For some reason, we make more money this way!
Class of 2024 Fundraisers
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