WPHS News You Choose - 10/28/23

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/28/2023 02:41 PM EDT

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
School Seal

Table of Contents:

  • Important Dates
  • Principal’s Message
  • FCPS Transportation is Hiring!
  • 2024 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS)
  • FCPS Youth Survey Results
  • School News
  • PTSA News 
  • School Fundraisers
  • Class of 2024 Fundraisers

Important Dates

  • October 28, Nov 2, 3, and 4: Beyond the Page Theatre Company presents Carrie: The Musical
  • October 29: End date for Crew online Wreath Sales
  • October 31:  2024 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS) – Interest Meeting
  • November 3: 2 Hour Early Dismissal, Last day of 1st Quarter
  • November 6-7: No School for Students, School Planning Day/Teacher Workday
  • November 8, 9, and 13: The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam 
  • November 9: Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair, 6:30-8:30,
  • November 12: Nutcracker Tea Party, Annandale High School 2 – 4 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Wesley Hall
  • November 14: PTSA Meeting, 6:30, Library
  • November 14: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Paying for College – An Overview of the Financial Aid Process Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  •  November 18: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM - Scholarship 101 – An Overview of the Process for Applying for Outside Scholarships
  • November 20: Fall Sports Awards Night, 6:30pm, Auditorium
  • November 28: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM - Scholarship 101 – An Overview of the Process for Applying for Outside Scholarships

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.

Principal’s Message

Wolverine Community,

It is hard to believe we are heading into our last week of the quarter and the first week of November.  A reminder that Friday, November 3 is a two-hour early release as it’s the last day of the first quarter and there is no school for students on November 6-7.  The end of the first quarter also brings the last few weeks of our Fall Activities season. It’s been an honor to celebrate members of the Class of 2024 on their Senior Nights.  Last night was a great example of that as we celebrated over 60 seniors at our final regular season football game.  Congratulations again to our Senior Marching Band, Color Guard, Cheer, Dance and Football students.  It was a great night with outstanding performances by all that concluded with a 46-19 win by the football team!  There was a ton of Wolverine Pride in the air!

Shout out to our Cross Country Teams on great performance at Districts this past Thursday.  Our Boys finished 2nd in the district and our girls finish 4th.  Both qualified for regions!  Our Volleyball team also qualified for the regional tournament which starts Thursday – come out and support at 6:30pm at WPHS.  Congratulations to our Field Hockey team on a great season! 

If you were on campus Wednesday evening and struggled to find parking it was because our Orchestra program hosted their annual Spooktacular Pyramid Concert.  This awesome annual event brings together orchestra students through out the pyramid and was another success!  You can see pictures below from the event.  The Springbank building continues to be busy this weekend and next week as our Beyond the Page Theatre Company presents Carrie: The Musical.  More information on shows and tickets is below.  Finally we wish our Marching Band the best of luck as they conclude their season today at Assessments.  Their “Road Trip” show has been so much fun to watch this Fall! 

Wishing everyone a great weekend.

Take care,

Kevin McMahon

Interim Principal

Attendance
Spooktacular Orchestra

Photos from Wednesday evenings Orchestra Pyramid Spooktacular Event!

Spooktacular 2

FCPS Transportation

  • Fairfax County Public Schools Needs School Bus Drivers to Meet Our Growing Requirements.

  • School Bus Drivers earn $24.55/hour plus excellent benefits.

  • $2,000 signing bonus! For more information call 571-423-3023

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.
  1. Attend our school interest meeting which will take place during all lunch blocks on Tuesday 10/31/23 in the College & Career Center. Attendance at the meeting is optional but strongly encouraged.
  1. Complete the application for the specific program you wish to apply to and return to Mr. Shapiro or Ms. Bluestein in Student Services (students may only apply to one program).
  • Completed Academic applications and recommendations are due to the school on December 8, 2023
  • VPA applications and recommendations are due to the school on January 31, 2024

Any questions related to Governor’s school please contact:

Michael Shapiro (mrshapiro@fcps.edu) or Stephanie Bluestein (smbluestein@fcps.edu)

Science

Photo is from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Students are observing rocks containing fluorescent minerals, a connection to their learnings in their Geosystems classes. This learning experience was the first science field trip in the post-distance learning era and was led by the Geosystems team of Ms. Mazzi, Ms. Gore, and Mr. Wood.

Results of the 2022-23 Fairfax County Youth Survey

  • The Fairfax County Youth Survey provides insights into the behaviors and attitudes that affect the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth.
  • Most Fairfax County students reported they feel safe at their school. Overall, the percentage of students who reported risky behaviors continued to decrease in many areas including substance use, sexual activity, and aggressive and delinquent behavior.
  • Mental health indicators including feelings of sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts also improved noticeably compared to 2021. Students who reported the recommended amount of physical activity increased compared to the prior year as well.
  • Read more about the report’s findings, and find the full report on the county’s website.

Protective Factors Support Healthy Habits and Positive Choices

  • Results from the Fairfax County Youth Survey highlight the importance of students having three or more “protective factors.” Protective factors are individual, family-based, school-based, and community-based assets (such as participating in extracurricular activities, having parents available for help, or having teachers recognize good work) that support healthy habits and positive choices. Learn more about promoting positive outcomes. 
  • Survey data shows that students with at least three protective factors have a lower likelihood of reporting mental health challenges and engaging in a variety of risky behaviors, including substance and opioid abuse. These findings led to the development of the Three to Succeed program, which is being implemented divisionwide to educate FCPS students, families, and staff on the importance of protective factors and increasing the number of high school students with three or more of them.

School News

Choir

  • Congratulations to Sophia Argueta, who was selected as a delegate for Senior Honor Choir at the Virginia Music Educators Conference. She will represent West Potomac for this esteemed event in Richmond from November 16th to the 18th. This ensemble is extremely selective, and we are so proud of her! Go Sophia!!!

 

Carrie

Carrie: The Musical opens October 26!

Stephen King’s classic tale comes to life on stage at West Potomac High School.

Just in time for Halloween, Beyond the Page Theatre Company at West Potomac High School presents Carrie: The Musical, running October 26 - November 5. 

Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she's dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.

Adapted from Stephen King’s debut novel, Carrie: The Musical presents a fresh take on a horror classic. Featuring a book by original screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen and score by Academy Award winners Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose), Carrie premiered on Broadway in 1988. Long after its notoriously short run, bootlegs of the production gained a cult following online, and the musical was revamped in 2012 with an updated script and new songs. The revival received multiple award nominations and was named Best Off-Broadway Musical. 

Assigned seating for all shows is $10 for students and $15 for adults, available online at www.westpotomactheatre.org. Any remaining seats will be available at the door one hour before performances.

Disclaimer: This musical contains strong language and adult situations. For mature audiences only.

Where:

Kogelman Theater

West Potomac High School

6500 Quander Road

Alexandria, VA 22307

 

When:

October 26th and 28th @ 7pm

October 28th @ 1pm

November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th @ 7pm

November 4th @ 1pm

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

  • College Access Fairfax (CAF) is a community organization & free resource for FCPS students and families.  They partner with Fairfax County Public Schools to provide invaluable resources on financial literacy regarding paying for college to students & families. Please visit CAF’s website https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/  to see a full description and details of all the services they offer, including videos of previous workshop presentations and scholarships available to FCPS students.
  • Below is a list of upcoming virtual workshops for students and parents.

 Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair:

  • Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) for the annual Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair!
  • This event is designed for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities who will need continuing support after they exit FCPS.  It will be held on Thursday, November 9th, 2023, from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Annandale High School (Cafeteria), 4700 Medford Dr., Annandale, VA 22003.  Students and families can learn about supported employment options, day support programs, recreation/leisure activities, residential living options, travel training supports, advocacy, funding, and more!  Register online: https://tinyurl.com/ycx4bwec
  • For more information from the College & Career Center, please see the WPHS October Newsletter!

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 here.

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.

Ornaments

PTSA News 

Get into the Holiday Spirit with West Potomac High School Ornaments

  • The PTSA is thrilled to announce that this holiday season, we are bringing you a special way to show your school spirit and add a festive touch to your decorations. Introducing the West Potomac HS Ornaments!
  • Ornament Details:
    • Price: $15 per ornament
    • Ornament Style: 3-inch full-color round ceramic
    • Comes with a silver cord for easy hanging.
  • Ornaments will be available for pick up in mid-November, just in time to kick off the holiday season with a touch of WP spirit. 
  • Don't miss this opportunity to adorn your home with West Potomac pride. These ornaments are in limited supply, so be sure to order yours soon!
  • To place your order, please click here. Pick-up details will be sent after purchase. 

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. 

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 

School Fundraisers 

Wreath

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) at Hollin Hills Pool. 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

football

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

We appreciate your interest in attending this event. The game will be held on January 7th, 2023. The cost of the ticket for seniors is $69.00. Please keep in mind the following items when deciding to attend the game:

  • Tickets are only for students in the Class of 2024
  • West Potomac High School is not providing any transportation to and from the game. You must get to the game on your own.
  • Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Seniors can only purchase one ticket.
  • Tickets will be sold through myschoolbucks and in room 718.
  • Cash, check, and credit card are acceptable forms of payment.
  • Tickets are final sale.
  • The time of the game has not been determined. Therefore, the game can be at 1pm, 4pm, or 8pm.
  • Seniors must pay for their tickets by Friday, November 1st, 2023. After November 1st, tickets will be made available to parents and teachers.

If you decide to return your ticket, you must return it to Ms. Simpson or Ms. Hackshaw. You cannot sell the ticket to anyone else. This is a senior event and can only be transferred to a West Potomac senior.

Cost of the tickets : $69.00

End Zone Sections:   411, 412, 413, 416 & 417

Email:chackshaw@fcps.edu & jsimpson1@fcps.edu

Drop Off: UBER AREA near the red zone lot

Meeting Time:  TBD

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Hacksaw and Ms. Simpson. We are located in room 718( Hackshaw) & Simpson ( 605)

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Carinne Hackshaw