|
To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
 UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, 10/21 – Trunk or Treat (Upper Parking Lot, 5pm)
Friday, 11/03 – End of 1st Quarter (2hr Early Release)
Monday, 11/06 - Tuesday, 11/07 – Student Holiday (Staff Work Day)
Wednesday, 11/22 - Friday, 11/24 – Holiday (Thanksgiving Break)
Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online
 FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is now available online in SIS ParentVUE.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Once logged in to SIS ParentVUE, click “Online Packets” in the top right corner. Then, select “Federal Impact Aid Survey.” Get more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. Find out how to get technical support for ParentVUE.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the Impact Aid Form prior to Monday, October 30.
If you have not done so, while you are filling out your Impact Aid Form, please take a moment to sign the Digital Resource Consent Form for your student(s)! Your signature will allow your student(s) permission and access to FCPS-approved instructional tools to use in their classrooms.
If you have any questions about Impact Aid, contact our Impact Aid Coordinator, Tami Czajkowski.
Request Veterans Day Submission
Veterans Day 2023 is Saturday, November 11. Since the holiday is on Saturday, Veterans Day will be observed on Friday, Nov. 10, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our tradition at WSHS is to honor veterans in our school community by displaying posters that include pictures and information about their lives and service. If your family cares to participate, complete the information at this link and don't forget to upload pictures. WSHS Military Ambassador Club students will help create posters that we will display throughout the school. Thanks in advance for participating and honoring a veteran!
Outstanding Employee Awards
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a West Springfield High School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher: Eligibility - Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher: Eligibility - Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal: Eligibility - Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader: Eligibility - At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
- Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee: Eligibility - At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
- Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee. Eligibility - At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
- Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Family Liaisons
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 3.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. John Thorson.
West Springfield Among 17 FCPS Schools Named to Advanced Placement Honor Roll
The College Board announced that 17 FCPS high schools have been named to the Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. Four levels of distinction are offered: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. West Springfield was named a Silver Distinction School.
Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. See the list of schools.
STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
2024 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS)
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) offers the opportunity for 10th and 11th grade students to apply to attend summer residential Governor’s schools in academics and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). Students who are accepted into one of the programs will live in residence halls in one of the state colleges in VA for four weeks in the June - late July timeframe. To learn more about SRGS opportunities and the application process, visit the VDOE website and view the promotional video.
To be considered for an academic or VPA Governor’s school, students must complete the steps below.
1. Complete the interest form linked below for either Academics or VPA. The form is a required part of the application process and is due November 3rd. No late entries will be accepted. When completing the form, enter a personal email address and do NOT use an fcpsschools.net email address. VDOE cannot send communications to the fcpsschools.net domain.
2. Attend our school interest meeting on:
-
Monday, October 30, 2023 at 3pm in Spartan Hall.
- Attendance at the meeting is optional but strongly encouraged.
3. Complete the application for the specific program you wish to apply to and return to your school counselor who is supervising the Governor’s School application process.
- Academic applications are due to the school on December 8, 2024.
- VPA applications are due to the school on January 31, 2024.
Points of contact for students that have any questions about the application:
Academic Governor’s School Program
Fine and Performing Arts Governor’s School Program
World Language Governor’s School Program
- Speak to your World Language Teacher
STUDENT CORNER
SPANISH 1-3 BOOT CAMP
Do you need a review from Spanish 1-3? Do you need some extra help with verb conjugations?
Come join us for review of grammar and vocab!
November Dates:
- Wednesday, November 1, 3-4pm
- Thursday, November 30, 3-4pm
Please bring questions to ask our Spanish teachers and Spanish Honor Society students. This session will focus on verb conjugation drills, tips for memorizing vocabulary!
|
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Senior Yearbook Picture Session C
Senior Class (and Parents):
Victor O’Neill Studios serves as our official school photographer, and they are excited to see you on the following date(s) for the next session of senior formal yearbook portraits. Note: photo sessions will occur at the school.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be photographed for the yearbook. There is no charge to have photos taken for the yearbook.
The attire for the school’s yearbook pose will be in the traditional tuxedos and drapes, or you can provide your own formal attire (coat and tie, all black or black and white clothing). Victor O'Neill will provide the tuxedo and drapes. In addition to the yearbook session the photographer will also offer sessions that include casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portraits. Follow the link below to choose your session type and appointment time.
Sessions are scheduled one at a time. Future session dates have not yet been announced. You will receive another announcement from the school when the next session is available for booking, but don't wait. Get your photo taken now.
For questions, email seniors@vosphoto.com; (please mention West Springfield HS when emailing).
Spartan Sports Calendar, Week of October 24 - 28
Click the image above for access to the Spartan Sports Calendar.
Support Your Varsity Cheerleaders!
- Saturday, 10/28 - Varsity Cheer Regional Finals at Hayfield at 11am.
Come support your Varsity Cheerleaders!
Fundraiser
Monday, 10/30 and Tuesday, 10/31 - Spartan cheerleaders will be selling boo-grams in the cafeteria during lunch times. Buy them for $5 each (cash only) and “duck” your friends for Halloween!
|
Stay in Touch with Spartan Sports!
You can follow WSHS Spartan Sports on social media:
X: @wshssports
YouTube Channels: LINK
Sign Up For the Sports and Activities News You Choose
Student Activities Highlight
 We're using a new Activities Calendar this year. Clubs and school organizations are just beginning to post many of their meeting and event dates. Check it out.
Trunk or Treat 2023!
 West Springfield SGA presents Trunk or Treat 2023! This Saturday, October 21, at 5pm in Upper Parking Lot.
Peforming Arts
Fall Choir Concert
|
Orchestra: Masquerade Concert
- Chamber and Symphonic w/ Irving MS
- Thursday, October 26, 7pm
|
Band: Fall Concert
|
SWEENEY TODD SCHOOL EDITION
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth-century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun!
Recommended for ages 13+ for adult themes and simulated violence.
Show Dates / Times:
- Thurs, Nov 9, @ 7pm
- Fri, Nov 10 @ 7pm
- Sat, Nov 11 @ 7pm
- Thu, Nov 16 @ 7pm
- Fri, Nov 17 @ 7pm
- Sat, Nov 18 @ 7pm
|
Yearbooks and Senior Ads Now On Sale
 Yearbooks and Senior Ads are now on sale! Orders can be placed online at https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ using school code 4150 and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. We sold out of yearbooks for the past two years, so order yours today! We cannot guarantee books will be available for in-person sales at the end of the year. For questions, please email Ms. Melissa Morgan, Yearbook Adviser, at mmorgan2@fcps.edu.
FCPS INFORMATION
Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential Primary
The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.
March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as it does on other professional work days.
Newsletter for Military-Connected Families
Did you know that the Office of Family and School Partnerships sends a monthly newsletter for military-connected families? Subscribe today.
Dyslexia Open House
FCPS will host a Dyslexia Open House on Thursday, October 26, 4-6pm, at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, Virginia. This event is open to families and staff members who would like to learn more about dyslexia and how FCPS supports students with dyslexia.
For the first hour, participants will have the opportunity to visit tables set up with information from a variety of FCPS offices including the Office of the Ombuds, Office of School Psychology, and the Office of Special Education Instruction. During the second hour, speakers will address the importance of dyslexia awareness and how you can support your student with dyslexia. Please register in advance.
October Events Hosted by the Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The FRC is hosting the following event in October:
Click the links above to register for the events. For more information, visit the Family Resource Center webpage.
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future: A Community Conversation. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to:
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability.
Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. Your voice matters!
National School Bus Safety Week
Thank you to our more than 1,800 bus drivers and Transportation Services staff who work every day to ensure our students get to and from school safely.
The FCPS bus fleet is one of the largest in the U.S., transporting approximately 131,000 students on 1,625 buses each day. Read about how some bus drivers tested their safety skills last year at FCPS’ Road-eo competition.
Quick Links
NEWS FOR THE COMMUNITY
Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday
Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday starts Friday, October 20, and ends Sunday, October 22. During the sales tax holiday, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products without paying sales tax. View the Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines for more information.
Volunteer Fairfax – VolunteerFest 2023 – This Saturday!
We are just a few days away from Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest. This is a county-wide service event with many ways for students to get involved in service learning activities.
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.
ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY - 2024!!
BAKE SALE – ELECTION DAY – NOVEMBER 7TH
Seniors are hosting a Bake Sale to raise funds for ANGP. We need Seniors (and parents) to sell baked goods (by donation only) on Election Day, November 7th at WSHS. Seniors will earn volunteer hours and money for their ANGP. We also need baked goods.
You can sign up to help here:
Baked goods – https://bit.ly/24Goodies
Volunteer - https://bit.ly/24ElectVols
YARD SIGNS FOR SALE
Have you purchased your Class of 2024 Yard Sign yet? Options to personalize! Show your Spartan spirit all year long with a Spartan Class of 2024 or Home of a Spartan yard sign. Yard signs aren’t just for seniors! All proceeds benefit the ANGP for the Class of 2024! Order yours at https://wshs-angp.square.site/signs
|
WSHS Social Media
Find WSHS Spartans on:
|
