Woodson PTSO WeMail - February 13

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WeMail is distributed every Tuesday to update the Woodson community on PTSO news, school news, and upcoming events. 

1. SCHEDULE REMINDERS
2. PTSO NEWS
3. PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
4. WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS
5. CAVS SPORTS 
6. FUNDRAISERS
7. RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES
8. FCPS NEWS & EVENTS 
9. RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES

SCHEDULE REMINDERS

THIS WEEK

TONIGHT! February 13th, 7pm - PTSO Virtual Meeting

NEXT WEEK

Monday, February 19th- Presidents Day Holiday, No School

Monday, February 19th - Spring Sport Tryouts Begin

Friday, February 23rd, 6:30pm-9:30pm - International Night

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday, February 27th, 7 pm - Woodson Chorus Pre-Assessment Concert,  Free and open to all

Monday, March 25th-Friday, March 29th - Spring Break

Saturday, May 11th - Senior Prom

Thursday, June 6th, 2pm - Graduation for the Class of 2024 at EagleBank Arena, GMU

Wednesday, June 12th - Last Day of School

Woodson's Integrated Events and Activities Calendar

The complete FCPS 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

PTSO NEWS

PTSO Virtual Meeting - TONIGHT!

TONIGHT! February 13, 7-8pm

https://zoom.us/j/93567364291

Meeting ID: 935 6736 4291

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+19292056099,,93567364291# US (New York)

+13017158592,,93567364291# US (Washington DC)

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Send your best photos from the week to WoodsonWeMail23@gmail.com or post to the Facebook page to be considered for the next edition of WeMail!

Members of Woodson’s Model Judiciary Club competing in the Regional Championship!

WOODSON NEWS & EVENTS

Parent Volunteers Needed!!

Calling all Woodson parents…we need you to help proctor AP exams in May! As you know, we administer thousands of AP exams each spring to our Cavaliers and it takes a great deal of planning to implement and execute such a large scale testing plan. We rely on parent volunteers to proctor and cannot administer these without your help! This year, AP exams run from May 6-17. Shifts are typically from 7:30-11:30am or 11:00-3:00pm, with some variation depending on the exam, and you may sign up for as many shifts as you’d like. A more specific schedule will be shared closer to the AP exam testing window. No experience or training is required…we’ll show you everything you need to know! If you are able to volunteer and help, please contact Woodson school counselors Jamie Korpacz (jlkorpacz@fcps.edu) and Victoria Powell (vpowell1@fcps.edu). Thank you!

Woodson Library Offers Community Service

If your student needs Community service hours for the National Honor Society or other service learning communities, the Woodson Library can help your student. Students can participate in HATS for ECHO in the Woodson library. Students will be making a hat or scarf on a round loom for the clothing closet located at ECHO, a shelter in Washington DC. (Crocheting or knitting is also accepted.)

We meet each TUESDAY, from 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm in the Woodson Library. (If schools are closed or no late buses, we do not meet.)

Students can make hats/scarves at home if they cannot stay after school. **See Mrs. Muir for more details on working from home. **

Students can find more information and directions on the Woodson Library Google site under the tab COMMUNITY SERVICE/ Hats for ECHO

The Woodson Library is very pleased to announce our students made and donated 300 hats and scarves during the 22-23 school year.  Way to go WOODSON!

For the service learning to continue, the Woodson Library is currently in need of the following items: Looms- size 9.5 inch Crochet hooks sizes H to J Red Heart Yarn, weight # 4. (No light-colored or white yarn)

Please consider donating to our service learning project.

If you have any questions, please email Lisa Muir the Woodson Librarian at lkmuir@fcps.edu.

D.C. Summer Cultural Homestay Program

Host a French Student! July 8 to July 30, 2024

Don’t miss a fun summer opportunity to welcome fifteen French high school students to our community and make new friends. Volunteer to provide one of these students housing, meals, and exposure to the English language and American culture for one, two or three weeks. Go on day excursions with students to a Nationals baseball game, The National Mall, Old Town Alexandria, Georgetown, Kennedy Center, U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, White House and Arlington National Cemetery. Attend welcome and farewell parties for visiting students. Earn FCPS service hours, too. Visit www.compass-usa.net for more information. Contact Kathleen DeCarlo at kdecarlo@verizon.net if interested in helping with the cultural homestay program coming to the Woodson community this summer from July 8 to July 30, 2024. 

Summer Study Abroad 2024

Center for International Education and Exchange Visit – February 23^rd at 5pm at the International Night potluck

Want to talk to students that studied abroad last year?  A CIEE representative and CIEE alumni will have an information table at the International Night potluck on Friday, February 23^rd starting at 5 pm.  This is a great opportunity for students and parents to talk about the programs in detail. There are 10 $1,000 scholarships available for Woodson students and the application deadline is April 1^st.

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Are you interested in a summer study abroad in high school? The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has international programs for language and culture, STEM, social change and arts and culture in 35 different countries around the world.  

Students are invited to choose 3-4 week-long experiential learning programs that run in over 30 study centers worldwide in Summer 2024! All Language and Culture (L&C) programs are educationally aligned with the ACTFL standard of language learning in secondary school. Students participating in L&C programs can opt-in for 4 college credits for only $150.00. CIEE School of record is fully accredited by Tulane University.

You can view the Summer 2024 Flyer to see what opportunities are available.  

For more information, please visit the CIEE website and watch this video to see what a summer abroad experience is all about.  If you are interested in learning more about the program, fill out this interest form.  If you have any questions contact Mr. Lee Hedrick at lrhedrick@fcps.edu. 

Woodson Winterguard

Congratulations to the Woodson Winterguard!

The first competition for the Woodson Winterguard resulted in a 4th place overall finish.

The team will compete next at Mount Vernon High School (8515 Old Mount Vernon Road, Alexandria, VA) on Saturday, FEB 17th. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children (6-10) & Seniors, children under 5 are Free. Woodson’s competition class begins at 9:48AM and Woodson has a show performance time of 11:15AM. Come out and support the Winterguard team as they hunt for the secret formula of love. More information on competition venue can be found on their website HERE.

College & Career Center Information

For more information, registration links & additional events, please visit the live Calendar

Resources for College & Career planning can be found on the Woodson College & Career Padlets. Students must go to Naviance to sign up for our College Rep Visits and then create their own E-Hall Pass to the Career Center. Visit Notes and Rep Contact Info can be accessed on our College Rep Visits Padlet.

Questions? Please email cliebmosley@fcps.edu

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Seminars

Attention all 10th grade students and their parents.  All new drivers and parents must attend a state mandated traffic safety seminar, Partners for Safe Teen Driving.  Please mark your calendar for the Woodson seminars for 2023-2024.  Seminars will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the Woodson Auditorium.

Monday, April 15th

Questions? Please contact David O'Hara at DGOHara@fcps.edu.

Follow Us on Social Media!

For the most up to date information on activities and ongoing events at Woodson, please follow us on Instagram at @woodsoncavalry AND @wtwoodsonhs.

Juniors and Seniors can also follow your class at: @wtwclassof2024 OR @wtwclassof25

Athletics can be followed at - @woodsoncavathletics

Follow the Woodson PTSO on Facebook!

Follow the Woodson Library @woodsonlibrary

Follow Woodson Student Services at @wtwstudentsvcs

Follow Woodson College & Career Center at @wtwcareercenter

FUNDRAISERS

VIP Graduation Tickets

Are you looking forward to graduation at Eagle Bank Arena? Enjoy it even more with VIP seats! The names of 10 lucky people will be drawn and will each win 8 amazing seats. 

Click HERE  to enter the raffle for prime seating! 

Deadline to enter is May 30th.

This is a fundraiser for Woodson’s All Night Grad Party!

Class of 2024 Yard Signs

The 2024 yard signs are here! Click HERE to purchase one online! You will receive an email confirming your purchase, and where and how to pick up your order.

Attention Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Parents!

Do you have fun planning and organizing fun events? Ready to volunteer for a spectacular Woodson HS event? Your mad skills are needed for the Woodson All Night Grad Party at The St. James!! Underclass parents are needed to help senior parents focus on this big year.  Then one day, underclass parents will do the same for your soon-to-be senior. Everyone wins! Questions? Send an email to Kristen Reddish at woodsonANGP@gmail.com.

Woodson Chorus Restaurant Night at Noodles and Company!

February 15th from 4-8 pm.  Make it a “Better Late than Never” Valentine's Date!

Woodson Crew - Restaurant Night at Mamma Lucia!

Come out and support Woodson Crew for their restaurant night at Mamma Lucia on Thursday, February 22nd, 11am-8pm. Please be sure to mention Woodson Crew when ordering!

Senior Class of 2024 Legacy Bricks

Buy a Brick and create a Lasting Legacy for your Woodson Student!

Student Driver Magnets

Magnets are $8.00 each or 3 for $20.00. You can order online HERE.  Magnets are delivered to your door contact free! We will also be selling magnets at all the Partners for Safe Teen Driving seminars which are held throughout the year at the Woodson Auditorium.

If you have any questions contact Shane or Katherine Gilbert at wptsomagnets@gmail.com

CAV SPORTS

Spring Sport Tryouts start on Monday, February 19th! 

To be eligible to tryout, every athlete must have the following completed prior to 2/19:

1) Online Activity Registration (encompasses emergency care form and concussion education training) 

2) VHSL Sports Physical turned in to the Activities Office/Athletic Trainer

View Sunday's Athletic WeMail Here.

Want to subscribe? View your subscription options here. 

Athletic Booster Pass Student Sale!

Avoid the lines! Woodson Booster Passes provide free entry to all Woodson Home regular season sporting events. 

For a limited time, a student membership is ONLY $50!

Visit our Booster Pass webpage for more information, or scan the QR Code above. 

Click Here to Purchase Spiritwear!

Important Woodson Athletic Links

Activity Registration - wtwoodson-ar.rschooltoday.com

Woodson Athletics - www.woodsonsports.com

FCPS Student Athletics - www.fcps.edu/activities/student-athletics

NFHS Network Live Streaming- https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/w-t-woodson-high-school-fairfax-va

E-Tix Link- https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/16311/wtwoodson-high-school-athletics

Varsity Boys Basketball:

The Cav boys’ basketball team had a tough go this week going down in close games against Fairfax and South County. Even with the disappointing week, the boys finished the season as the district #4 seed.   

Facing Fairfax on senior night, Coach Craig gave the start to Cav seniors: Luke Tryon, Ethan Conklin, Owen Spurlock, Jordan Grabo, and Bryce Donovan. The seniors ignited the team and the fans with an 8-0 run to start the game taking advantage of the emotion of playing their final regular season home game for the Cavs. The game was tight throughout with back and forth momentum swings. One standout play was Noah Limbago getting to the top of the key, finding Jordan on the block who quickly passed to Sean Donovan for the easy flush. The Cav help defense had some slow rotations late allowing Fairfax to get the lead and some breathing room. The Cavs never closed the gap. 

In the regular season finale against SoCo, the Cavs played another tight game and fell short 58-54. Both teams were making shots early and the game was competitive throughout. But shots come and go so fighting through adversity is key. Good teams win by continuing to hustle, help defense, and playing good team ball. Unfortunately, the boys from SoCo made some free throws to seal the win in the end. In a game of swinging momentum, the Cav boys showed up proving they will compete with anyone. 

District playoffs start this week starting Tuesday night at 7pm. Win, and the Cavs will continue on to play on Thursday. Win on Thursday, play on Friday. Good luck boys. Come cheer them on starting Tuesday night at 7pm.

Varsity Rifle:

Woodson Rifle won their final two regular season games to finish the season UNDEFEATED! Woodson Varsity defeated Landon Varsity 1620.1 to 1304.3. Representing varsity were Ben Hays, Rushil Punukollu, Emma Cummings, Rachel Xu, and Maddie Bajo.  Varsity defeated Centreville Varsity 1611.5 to 1516.8.  Woodson Varsity was represented by Ben Hays, Emma Cummings, Rushil Punukollu, Maddie Bajo, and Hannah Lee.  Woodson JV defeated Centreville JV 1548.2 to 1459.7.  Representing JV were Chloe Lee, Lavanya Mahajan, Jackson Pugsley, Mingmei Williams and Stephen Labys. 

Congratulations to Emma Cummings for setting 2 personal records during the last matches with amazing scores of 405.8 and 401.3! 

Congratulations to Rushil Punukollu for setting a personal season best of 408.5! 

Congratulations to Ben Hays for having the highest individual average in the Potomac High School Air Rifle League with an outstanding 413.817. 

Woodson Rifle will be competing in REGIONALS this Saturday, February 17.  Varsity will compete at 1:30, at the IWLA air range in Centreville, represented by Ben Hays (‘24), Rushil Punukollu (‘24), Rachel Xu (‘24), Emma Cummings (‘25), and Maddie Bajo (‘26). Also invited to compete in this year’s regional match are Stephen Labys (‘25), Lavanya Mahajan (‘25), Hannah Lee (‘24), Chloe Lee (‘25), Jackson Pugsley (‘26), Mingmei Williams (‘26) and Chloe Li (‘26). Congrats to all who have been selected to compete in Regionals!  Best of luck! GO CAVS!

Girls Varsity Gymnastics:

The team achieved their goal of the highest team score. They are the Regionals runner-up (139.975) against Robinson, South County, West Springfield, Edison, TJ and Lake Braddock (last 2 yrs state champions). Ari Smith placed 1st on bars, 2nd on beam, 4th on vault and 3rd all around (within .05 of 2nd place) which qualified her to compete States. All girls performed well and contributed to the team’s success. What a way to end the season! Check out the trophy in Hall C!

Ice Hockey Club: OH WHAT A NIGHT! Woodson Ice Hockey defeated Bishop O’Connell 4 to 2 for a huge Capitals Scholastic Hockey League(CSHL) Playoff win - the team’s first in several years!   Congratulations to Coach Greg Hanson for guiding the team from behind the bench and to the team’s captain, Carson Edington, for leading play on the ice.  Woodson never trailed in the game, but

Bishop Ireton contested the outcome until the final buzzer!  This battle kept all of the fans on the edge of their seats like a playoff hockey game should!  Woodson jumped out to a 2 to 0 lead, but then Bishop Ireton closed the gap with a goal.  Woodson regained its two goal lead only to see the Cardinals of Bishop Ireton respond with their own goal again to make the score 3 to 2.  Brady Kirchner then scored midway through the third period with a highlight reel goal - knocking the rebound of Wyatt Borgeson’s shot out of midair with a backhand shot that flew past the goaltender into the back of the net, providing a critical insurance goal for the team as they weathered the chaotic finish.  Bishop Ireton, the defending CSHL champions, made their final surge to try to tie the game before the buzzer, but the Cavs held them off to secure the win and advance to the second round to take on Forest Park/Hylton.  In addition to Brady Kirchner’s goal and Wyatt Borgeson’s assist; Carson Edington, Shannon Force, Rob Young, and Derek Hanson made critical plays throughout the game to anchor the win!       

The team’s second round playoff game will be at Prince William Ice Center on Friday night, February 23rd.  Puck drop is at 6:40 pm.  Please come out and support the team.  As always, admission is free.  Prince William Ice Center is located at 5180 Dale Boulevard in Woodbridge.

The JV team will play its final game on Monday night, February 12th, against West Potomac.  The game will be played at Tucker Road Ice Rink.  Puck drop is at 6:30 pm.

Voting dates and times have yet to be announced for Hockey Night in NOVA’s (HNINOVA) best student section (fans) competition, when the Cavs take on the winner of the NVSHL for the overall NOVA championship.  However, you can be prepared to support the team by following HNINOVA on Instagram and vote when they open the polls!  https://www.instagram.com/hockeynightinnova/

RESOURCES FOR WOODSON STUDENTS, PARENTS & FAMILIES

Woodson Math Center

The Woodson Math Center opened on Wednesday, September 20th. Peer math tutors are available after school Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00-3:45pm in B208. Look for the Math Center Flag. Tutors are excited to help students!

FREE Virtual SAT/PSAT Math Prep:

Rick Neifeld is again offering free weekly Zoom sessions for SAT/PSAT Math preparation. See his signup sheet for more details and to get on the weekly email notification list, here:   

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qk1Hq_y-nIuxLC_eZVqhhe2mye0AYZ1DYub5eDB-F_w/edit#gid=717310232

Next will will review problems from released test 10, here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-practice-test-10.pdf

RECURRING NEWS & RESOURCES

Woodson Calendar for ALL Events

Did you know Woodson has an integrated calendar where you can find ALL school events? From the Odd/Even calendar to sports events, testing schedule to club meetings, this calendar has all you need to know!

You can select a category of events you want to see and then filter to target events that interest you. Categories include - Senior Class, Testing, 3rd Period, Athletics, Fine & Performing Arts, etc.

Bookmark this link to quickly access Woodson's events!

Attendance

Attendance is critical to student success in the classroom.

If your student will be absent from school, a parent/guardian must notify the attendance office.

To report attendance

1. All day – call 703-503-4800 option 1
2. Late arrival – call 703-503-4800 option 2
3. Early check out- send a note in with the student in the morning and have them take it directly to Attendance Office – 703-503-4800 option 3.
   • phone calls for early check out are reserved for emergencies or last-minute appointments. Please understand it may take up to 30 minutes to retrieve students for early release phone calls. We cannot accommodate calls for release that are received after 2:30.
4. Sick students (or feeling unwell) must check out through the clinic. Parents must come into the main office and the main office will call to release the student from the clinic.
   • Sick students may not be checked out through the attendance office.

Parents/guardians must contact the attendance office (703-503-4800) to report attendance; emails and online forms will no longer be accepted to notify our school of your student’s absence.  Woodson is not monitoring or accepting any absences submitted via email. Due to an excessive number of forgeries, the online attendance form is currently disabled. 

From the desk of Congressman Gerry Connolly, Virginia’s 11th District:

Congressional Art Competition

I want to take this opportunity to bring the Congressional Art Competition to your attention. This competition is open to all high school students who are residents of the 11th Congressional District, regardless of where they attend school. Public, private, and home-schooled students are all invited to participate, and I encourage any student who may be interested to submit an entry.

I look forward to hosting this event every year, as it affords students in our district the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent and creativity. Students do not need to create a new piece of art specifically for this competition – they are welcome to submit any piece from their portfolio.  Past years’ competitions have included paintings, photographs, drawings, digital art, and more.

The winning piece will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year, and with the permission of the artists, additional high-ranking pieces will be displayed in my Capitol Hill and district offices.

Individual arrangements will be made for the collection of the Best in Show piece to be transported to DC. Only the winning piece will be required to meet the established framing guidelines.

Order Your Woodson Yearbook NOW

Purchase your yearbook at the lowest price of the year!

Yearbooks for the 23-24 school year are still available to order.

Last year, our yearbooks sold out! Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter Woodson’s code, 5278.

Don’t miss out!

Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy Services

Teletherapy services will continue to be available for all FCPS high school students at no cost this summer. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hazel’s highly-qualified therapists specialize in speaking “teen.” 

Caregivers must first opt in their students to access Hazel Health. Then, a caregiver or school counselor, social worker, or psychologist can refer the student to Hazel for services. Learn more on the FCPS teletherapy webpage. 

Parent Information Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

Free Tutoring from Tutor.com

All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.

Join the Woodson High School PTSO! https://wtwoodsonptso.ptboard.com 

Woodson PTSO Officer Board for 2023-24 School Year

Sara Mastro / Co-President / saralmastro@yahoo.com
Becky Daw / Co-President / tbzzdaw@gmail.com
Lena McGinn / Membership Director / wptsovp1@gmail.com
Diane Raffaele / Recording Secretary / dianecollinsva@hotmail.com
Kyle Durbin / Treasurer / wptsotreasurer@gmail.com
Sara Mastro / WTW PTSO Grant Program / saralmastro@yahoo.com
Nicole Spindler / Communications Director / WoodsonWeMail23@gmail.com
Amy Zganjar / Enrichment Director / azganjar@strength.org
Vacant / Fundraising Director / Would you like to volunteer? Contact the PTSO Co-President(s)

Quick Links to Additional Resources 

• FCPS Features.
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information.
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Educate Fairfax. 
• FCPS Cares.

W. T. Woodson PTSO