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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 Contents:
- Important Dates
- Principal’s Message
- WPHS Offices - Winter Break
- Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Curriculum Night / Academic Advising 2024
- School News
- PTSA News
- School Fundraisers
- Class of 2024 Information & Fundraisers
- Class of 2025 Information
Important Dates
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January 2: Deadline to by tickets to the Wizards/Suns game – Class of 2024
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January 3: Virtual Opioid Overdose & Naloxone Education training, 6:00 pm
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January 12: 24-25 Electives Fair and Class of 2024 Town Hall Meeting – Class picture will be taken (During 3rd Period – 1, 7, 5, 3 Bell Schedule)
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January 9: Curriculum Night/Rising 9th Grade Family Night/Electives Open House
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January 13: Class of 2024 Five Guys Restaurant Night
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January 15: School Holiday – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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January 23: FAFSA/VASA completion workshop at West Potomac High School 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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January 27: Mock SAT No Essay
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January 30: Gap Year Fair, George C Marshall High School, 6:00-8:00 pm
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February 1: Class of 2024 e-deadline to pay senior dues
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February 17: Mock SAT No Essay and ACT Mock
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February 19: School Holiday – President’s Day
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February 21: Class of 2024 Chipotle Restaurant Night
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February 22: Class of 2024 100 Day Celebration
Principal’s Message
Happy Friday Wolverines!
I had a great week visiting classes and attending evening events. I truly enjoyed my time with the PTSA on Tuesday night and the faculty/staff holiday celebration on Thursday was a hit. I hope the faculty and staff enjoyed the food, prizes, and time to just relax and talk with one another. Although this message will be short, I hope everyone has a restful and relaxing winter break. The offices will be closed all of winter break. I hope this allows the entire school community to rest and recharge! I wanted to include a fun picture. On Tuesday while walking in the halls, I ran into an amazing teacher and students spreading some positivity. They were going from office to office singing Feliz Navidad while, Spanish Teacher, Ms. Yamalie Rodriguez Figueroa played the guitar. It was so nice!
Have a safe and restful Winter Break, Wolverines!
Fondly,
Jessica Statz
Meet Ms. Statz - English Subtitles
Meet Ms. Statz - Spanish Subtitles
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West Potomac Offices - Winter Break
- Please note that West Potomac Offices will be closed December 18 - January 1, 2024. Wishing you a great break and a Happy New Year!
Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Curriculum Night /
Electives Open House / Academic Advising 2024-25
10th-12th Curriculum Night / Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House
- On January 9 (snow dates 11th and 17th) we will have Curriculum Night / Rising 9th Grade Family Night / Electives Open House.
- 6-6:50pm
- Rising 9th Grade Presentation – Springbank Auditorium
- Rising 10th-12th Grade Presentation – Kogelman Theatre
- 7-8:15pm
- Break out sessions by department
- Electives Open House in Cafeteria
- This is a great opportunity to learn about courses and plan for 24-25 Course Selection.
- We will start academic advising in January so that we are prepared for FCPS Staffing meetings the end of March. Below are the dates school counselors will be meeting with students.
- Rising 9th graders – January 16-19 - @Sandburg Middle School
- Rising 12th graders – January 29- Feb 9 – through English 11 classes
- Rising 11th graders – February 12-23 – through PE 10
- Rising 10th graders – Feb 20 – March 1 – through PE 9
- Our Academic Advising / Course Selection website will go live January 8 – stay tuned for more information!
- In addition, West Potomac 9th-11th graders will receive information after winter break about the January 12th in person electives fair. Students will be able to choose three electives they’d like to learn more about. They’ll receive a schedule to visit those classes during advisory and on January 12 our period schedule will be 1, 7, 5, 3 and we’ll finish the day visiting elective sessions. There will also be quiet studying sessions if students already know what electives they want to select. Then on January 17 during advisory students will review a video from Mr. McMahon going over the course selection process. More information to come in 2024!
School News
SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE Down Time
- 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.
Winter 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.
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.
SAT and ACT Test Prep News!
CLASSES OFFERED:
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SAT Winter Group Class starts 12/2/23 and preps for 3/9/24 official SAT test (digital version). Register NOW! You can always take the 12/2 mock test online “on-demand” over winter break if you have a schedule conflict on 12/2. Laptops required for classes and mocks.
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SAT Spring Group Class starts 3/9/24 and preps for the 6/1/24 official SAT test (digital version). Laptops required for classes and mocks.ACT
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Spring Group Class starts 3/9/24 and preps for the 6/8/24 official ACT test.
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MOCK TESTS OFFERED: SAT and ACT mock tests are offered starting 12/2/23 through 5/18/24. Full schedule HERE
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Scholarships for Classes and Mock Tests WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the College and Career Center Specialist, Karen B, Young, kbyoung1@fcps.edu.
Test optional does not mean test blind! Many students still provide test scores with their college applications. Test scores are used for admissions, scholarships, and class placement. Take a mock test to see if you’re in the scholarship range or just a prep class away from that range. Test optional means YOU CHOOSE whether or not to send your scores. A good test score can only strengthen your application
Mock Tests – Find out how you’d score! Mock Tests ($23.00): Practice your skills under realistic testing conditions. Take mocks of both ACT and Digital SAT relatively close together to determine your test strength/preference. Focus your test prep on your strength!
Students from other schools welcome – invite your friends!
More details on the PTSA TEST PREP web page.
PTSA Test Prep Chair – Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com
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 and Career Center
Check out the College & Career Center’s December newsletter. If you happen to miss a newsletter or want to review information from a previous month, all newsletters will be archived on the WPHS College & Career Center website. Wishing all our Wolverines a winter break full of good memories with family and friends!
 2024 FCPS Gap Year Fair:
The FCPS School Counseling Services Office and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available.
Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs or FCPS Gap Year Fair.
**In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The Gap Year Fair will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the same time and location.
 New Date Added for Apprenticeship 101:
Do you have a senior or junior interested in the skilled trades? Apprenticeship 101 is a pre-apprenticeship class for construction offered by FCPS Adult & Community Education (ACE). Topics will include basic safety, hand & power tools, introduction to construction drawings, construction careers and more. Call ACE Registration at 703-658-1201 to take advantage of the reduced rate. Students can register for the winter or summer session. See the flyer for additional details.
 FAFSA/VASA Resource:
The Office of Federal Student Aid announced that the FAFSA will open by December 31, 2023. Our Financial Aid Champion Mrs. Rowsey will be in the College & Career Center every Thursday during each lunch to help seniors set up their FSA ID. Seniors will need their computer and social security number. Appointments are not required. See the flyer for Ms. Rowsey’s weekly visit schedule.
Save the Date: FAFSA/VASA Completion Event
College Access Fairfax will host a FAFSA/VASA completion workshop at West Potomac High School on January 23rd from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. It is being offered to seniors and parents of seniors who may need assistance in completing the student’s 2024-2025 FAFSA or VASA financial aid application. The event will be held in the West Potomac HS library. Seniors and parents can go to the College Access Fairfax website at https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/ for details about the event.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Info Sessions:
NOVA will host virtual sessions to give an opportunity for seniors and their families to learn about the numerous opportunities, services & resources offered. Please see the flyer for registration links.
VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS:
- December 12, 2023 (7:00pm)
- January 23, 2024 (4:30pm)
- February 20, 2024 (7:00pm) (Spanish Session)
- March 19, 2024 (4:30pm)
PTSA News
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 are in stock and available for pick up, 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!
Pick-up details will be sent after purchase. To place your order, please click below: https://westpotomacptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/948818
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
Orchestra Fundraiser:
Class of 2025 News
- JOIN our Facebook page! “West Potomac HS-Class of 2025”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097261814782770/?mibextid=uJjRxr
This is a private group for parents and students. Please answer the questions to be allowed to join
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SAVE the Date! Juniors & Seniors are invited to PROM on 4/20/23 at the Torpedo Factory!
Class of 2024
Important Dates:
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January 1: Donation challenge - We are challenging all Senior families to donate $24 for their student! Please consider donating to our $24 before ‘24! Campaign. Help the Class of 2024 raise funds for the Senior Bash in June by donating $24 before January 1, 2024! Help us achieve our goal by clicking on the link below to donate today!
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January 12: Town Hall Meeting - we will take a class picture for the yearbook
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January 13: Class of 2024 Five Guys Restaurant Night
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February 1: - e deadline to pay senior dues is on February 1st . Cost is $80 via my school bucks . My school bucks -> store -> West Potomac High school -> search Seniors Class of 2024.
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February 21: Class of 2024 Chipotle Restaurant Night
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February 22: Class of 2024 100 Day Celebration
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April 12: Class of 2024 Senior Breakfast
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June 6: Class of 2024 Senior Bash
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Please consider supporting our Wolverine Seniors by purchasing a WPHS Class of 2024 Christmas ornament. Your purchase directly benefits the Class of 2024 events.
- Tickets to the Wizards/Suns game are still on sale until Jan 2nd . Cost is $65 and can be paid via my school bucks. Look for the Wizards Logo ! Contact Ms. Simpson at jsimpson1@fcps.edu if you have any questions . My school bucks -> CLASS OF 2024 store-> West Potomac High school -> search Wizards game
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