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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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER:
Monday, 12/18- Monday, 1/1: Winter Break (No school), students return on Tuesday, January 2.
JANUARY:
Tuesday, 1/2: School resumes
Thursday, 1/4: Curriculum Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Cafeteria
Saturday, 1/6: Senior District XI Orchestra, George Mason
NEWS AND NOTES
Happy Holidays from the WSHS Administration Team!
 From our school family to all the families in our community, we hope you enjoy this holiday season and have an enjoyable winter break!
❄️ Calendar Reminder: Winter Break
 As a reminder, there will be no school from Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1, 2024 for winter break.
To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, no homework will be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break.
We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. See the complete school year calendar.
FCPS This Week will not be published during winter break. The next issue will be sent on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
2024-25 School Year Calendar
Making plans for next school year? Don’t forget FCPS’ 2024-25 School Year Calendar is already available.
😷 Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Residential households are eligible to receive free at-home COVID-19 test kits. If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25, you may place two orders now.
💻SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE Downtime
ParentVUE and StudentVUE will experience downtime from Friday, December 15, at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, December 20, at 6 a.m.
Grade Book progress reports will not be emailed to parents/guardians during winter break. Emails will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
❄️Snow Days This Winter
For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.
During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
Academic Advising for Students/Families of 10th and 11th Graders
To better serve you during Academic Advising we are asking that students share their student NOVA ID, aka Empl ID, so that we can ensure a smooth Dual Enrollment process.
Students who have not yet created a Nova ID (Empl ID) and know that they will be signing up for a NOVA Dual Enrollment class for 2024-2025 School year please go to: this website to create the ID.
Share the ID HERE once one is created.
Curriculum Night: January 4th
Mark your Calendars. The opportunity for students to select classes for school year 24-25 will soon be upon us. Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet with Departments and Academies on January 4th from 6:30-8:00pm. This event will be held in our Cafeteria. We look forward to seeing you there.
STUDENT CORNER
🎨National Career Association (NCDA) Poetry and Art Contest
National Career Development Association (NCDA) Poetry & Art Contest (K-12) – Entries may be either poetry or art. Additional details can be found on the NCDA website or the Poetry & Art Contest brochure. All contest entries for consideration need to be submitted via this Google Form by January 8, 2024. Students will be notified if their submission moves forward to the state-level and potentially national level for this contest.
🎓Seniors: Graduation Gear and Class Rings
Order HERE
Need help or want to order by phone? Please call 1-800-567-8367
📸Class of 2024: Sign up for Senior Formal Yearbook Portraits
On Thursday, January 4, 2023, Victor O'Neill Studios will be taking Senior Formal Yearbook Portraits Session E
*There is no charge to have photos taken for the yearbook*
The attire is Tuxedos and Drapes (provided) or you can bring your own formal attire (coat and tie, all black or black and white clothing).
In addition, casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portrait sessions will be provided.
Click HERE to choose our session type and appointment time
Questions, email and mention school name
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Spartan Sports Calendar, Week of December 12-22
Click the image above for access to the Spartan Sports Calendar.
Performing Arts
 Music teacher Dustin Brandt conducting two choirs: the Bel Canto and the Spartans at the Choral Department's annual Breakfast with Santa event.
Ariel (Ella Martin) and Mary Poppins (Avery Kutz) assist kids at the coloring center. |
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Santa making his grand entrance! |
Athletic Boosters
📣Spirit Wear
Shop online for spirit wear. Two options:
Option #1: HERE
Orders after 12/1 are not guaranteed for holiday delivery.
Use the code SPIRIT for 25% off your order. (Exclusions apply to the brands: The North Face, Acrux, and TravisMathew).
Option # 2: Looking for flannel pajama bottoms, hoodies, beanies, and decals? These items are available at the concession stand at all home games!
Spartans Athletic Boosters Meeting
***The December meeting is cancelled***
Our January meeting is Wednesday, 1/10 at 7pm at WSHS Room 2223. Enter Door 5 and make the immediate left. If you go through the double doors you have gone too far! All are welcomed.
Need additional information? Check out our website and social media pages at:
Email: wshs.spartans.athletic.boosters@gmail.com
Website: https://spartan-booster-club.square.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wshsspartartansathleticboosters/
Instagram: @wshsspartansathleticboosters
X (Formerly Twitter): @SpartanWshs
Student Activities Highlights
🧥 WSHS Interact Club Winter Coat and Food Drive
Wondering how you can help give back this holiday season? Give Back with Interact!
The WSHS Interact Club is collecting winter coats for a nearby elementary school for students in need. If you have any coats (new or used) that you no longer need, please consider donating them to this worthwhile cause. Donation bins are located inside Door #1 near the main office.
The WSHS Interact Club is also hosting a food drive to restock our school food pantry to help students in need. Please consider sending in these items. Donations bins are located inside Door #1 near the main office. Thank you for your generosity!
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Spaghetti
- Pasta Sauce
- Granola bars
- Crackers
- Cereal
- Canned Beans (black beans, kidney beans)
- Deodorant
- Laundry Detergent
- Shampoo / Conditioner
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
 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.
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
⛄ Student and Family Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit our winter resources webpage for links to academic support; mental health support; and food, clothing, housing, and other county resources.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!
Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.
An academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses. More than a dozen career fields can be explored through FCPS academies.
Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
Promoting Mental Wellness During Winter Break
Although mental health indicators have improved over the past year, Fairfax County Youth Survey (FCYS) data suggest that more than 25% of students in 8th to 12th grade feel sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row. The holidays can be a time to reduce stress, but they can also contribute to it. Here are some tips for making winter break a positive time for the young people in your life.
Inadvertent Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Disclosure
In a letter to the community, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid followed up on an inadvertent Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) disclosure to a parent.
Quick Links
NEWS FOR THE COMMUNITY
🏃🏼Mental Health, Coping, and Addiction
One in four Americans suffer from a mental illness. Almost 3 in 5 people with mental health challenges will not receive treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 19% of adults in the United States (47.6 million) dealt with a mental health challenge, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). People often turn to alternative methods to cope with issues that are uncomfortable topics to speak about. These reasons include turning to drugs, alcohol, food, etc. Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage difficult situations or high stress levels. These mind-altering substances are sometimes used as coping mechanisms for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, focusing, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary moment away from the reality of everyday life. Substances can enhance the feelings of pleasure, decrease feelings of anxiety and restraint. Substance use can be an unhealthy coping mechanism. Not all coping mechanisms are destructive or fail to provide appropriate or adequate adjustment to the environment or situation; however, addiction is both.
Before using drugs as a coping strategy here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset. The main goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start. Schedule a visit to your Primary Care Physician and a Professional Counselor if needed. Quality sleep is also a major factor in the stabilization of a healthy mind. Surround yourself with people who are supportive and good examples. Keep in mind that finding balance in life is an ongoing process. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Substance Use Disorder info
FCPS Social Work
Ken Johnson: Kwjohnson@fcps.edu
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Virginia Veteran and Family Support
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) understands that our military families may need support beyond the classroom. The unique challenges of military service, deployments and post traumatic stress also impact our military families.
Operated by the Department of Veterans Services, the Virginia Veteran & Family Support Program (VVFS) offers outreach, connection, and support to veterans and their families as they manage the challenges of military life. The VVFS provides resources on a variety of topics such as mental health, leisure activities, healthcare, and military children. Their calendar of events also offers information about upcoming opportunities to connect with community resources.
For more information and to join the VVFS listserv, please visit the Virginia Veteran & Family Support Program. To connect with FCPS resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY - 2024!!
WSHS All Night Grad Party Class of 2024 (WSHS ANGP 2024)
General information HERE
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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
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WSHS Social Media
Find WSHS Spartans on:
Need Help? Contact our Family Liaison
If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help. Email, or call (703) 913-3830 to set up an appointment.
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