|
To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
NEWS AND NOTES
UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL
Tuesday, 4/10: Eid al Fitr (No School)
Wednesday, 4/17: Purple Up! Day
Thursday-Saturday, 4/25-4/27: Peter and the Starcatcher @ WSHS
MAY
Friday, 5/3: Teacher Workday (Student Holiday)
Monday, 5/27: Memorial Day (No School)
JUNE
Wednesday, 6/5: Annual Sports Physical Night @ WSHS
Thursday, 6/6: Graduation, 9:30 am @ EagleBank Arena
😎SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING
A solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024. It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes.
Here's what you need to know:
-
Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
-
Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.
-
Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with dismissal for some students), and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety during dismissal. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.
For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.
📆Calendar Reminders: Eid al-Fitr (Evening Observance Day, Holiday)
In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three-day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Tuesday, April 9, is an evening observance day. There is school on this day, but important events will not be held after school. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday; all schools and offices will be closed. See the school year calendar.
National Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans.
Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
National Muslim American Heritage Month
Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.
Parent Vue and Q3 Grades
ParentVue and StudentVue will be unavailable - Fri, March 22, 2024, @ 4 PM until Mon, Apr 15, 2024, at 6 AM. Information on grades for the 3rd quarter will be available after 6 AM on April 15th. If you have questions about your scholar's grades, please email the teacher.
Parent Volunteers Needed: AP Testing Proctors
As we approach the spring testing season, we are searching for volunteers to help with AP Testing from May 6th through May 17th. No experience is required to volunteer, as trained WSHS staff will serve as lead proctors for each test. Any responsible adult can proctor an exam if:
- You are not related to a student taking that specific exam (e.g. If your student is taking AP Biology, you are still able to proctor AP Calculus)
- You have never taught that specific AP course
- You are not affiliated with College Board
If you would like to serve as a volunteer proctor, please sign up using this link. If you would like to volunteer but cannot commit to the designated length or time, please email the Assessment Coach, Laura Fitzsimmons (Lmfitzsimmon@fcps.edu).
Thank you for supporting the students and teachers at West Springfield High School
STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
Academic Advising/Course Selections and Changes
Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,
We have reached the end of our main phase of the academic advising season to select courses for the 2024-2025 school year. After various information opportunities (curriculum night, electives fair, information on our website, academic advising website, and YouTube clips of courses), students were able to meet with their school counselor individually to finalize course selections. The current course selections will drive the development of how many sections we can offer per course, staffing decisions, and the creation of schedules. This process will continue throughout the summer.
The course selections can be reviewed in ParentVue and StudentVue. After parents/guardians have reviewed their student's course selections together, you may use this form to request a change from your original course selections for the 2024-2025 school year.
Please note that completion of this form does not guarantee that your request will be approved. Approval is based on seat availability and pre-requisite requirements. Requests will be reviewed every two weeks from April 4-June 13 and again from August 1-16. During these two time periods, if your request is approved, confirmation will be sent to the student's FCPS and parent/guardian email address provided on the form. If approved, students and families will also be able to see the change(s) in StudentVue and ParentVue. If the student wants to revoke a submitted request, please contact your school counselor by June 13th.
‼️ New AP Opportunities
It is with great excitement that we introduce two new opportunities that were not available during Academic Advising. Below you will find information on AP Human Geography and AP Seminar. Both classes can now be used in place of Graduation Requirements. If you are interested in either class please make your request here.
AP Human Geography as a World History Credit
Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography is a college-level introductory course that seeks to make students more geoliterate about the world around them. Much more than simply identifying where places are on a map, the course is organized thematically allowing for students to develop geographic problem-solving skills to be more engaged with contemporary global issues and multicultural viewpoints. Simply put, this class seeks to answer the question, “Why are things where they are?”
With the recent approval by FCPS to count AP Human Geography towards a student’s World History and Geography 1, Honors, World History and Geography 2, Honors and AP World credit and not just as elective credit, this provides a great opportunity for sophomores to enroll in the class. While this is a truly exciting development it is important to note that students should expect to be challenged and should a schedule need to be changed for a student there is no readily accessible matching equivalent. The expectations of students while in this introductory college level class are the following:
- Reading non-textbook sources both inside and outside of class including news articles, journal articles, etc. that are of a college reading level.
- Expectations of completing homework assigned nearly nightly averaging 30-45 minutes.
- Students should be able to:
- Engage in effective class discussion both with instructor and peers.
- Apply content learned to real world scenarios.
- Independently research and apply it to learned content
Historically sophomores who have participated in the AP Human Geography program at WSHS have experienced great success. On the most recent AP exam in May of 2023, 100% of 10th graders passed the exam with an average score of 4.5 out of possible 5!
Please note if you are requesting AP Human Geography to fulfill your Social Studies Graduation Requirement, there is not an equivalent class to allow for a schedule change during the school year. Choosing this class will be a year long commitment.
The AP Human Geography team at WSHS is enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring this exciting and engaging class to more students. Should you have any questions about the class or program please reach out to Mr. Bradley Swain at btswain@fcps.edu! If you are interested in requesting this class please make your request here.
AP Seminar as an English 10 Credit
We have exciting news that at WSHS AP Seminar is now a course that can count as a 10th grade English credit!
AP Seminar offers students the opportunity to refine and expand their research, collaboration, and writing skills from a cross-curricular approach. After students successfully complete AP Seminar, they are also eligible to enroll in AP Research their senior year. AP Research offers a college-level opportunity to craft a more independent study of research. If students pass the AP exam in both Seminar and Research, they earn an AP Capstone diploma and awards, which are highly valued by colleges.
What skills and interests would help a student succeed in this course?
- Strong communication skills:
- Group work, collaboration, presentation
- Interest in pursuing independent research on cross-curricular topics
- Strong time management skills
- Independent study; meeting College Board deadlines
What makes this course different from English 10 Honors/On-Level courses?
In a traditional English 10 course, students would be reading a wide range of both nonfiction and fiction and would participate in writing assignments or projects that fit a more traditional English classroom. AP Seminar is a college-level cross-curricular course that would be ideal for students who have an interest in research and for students who are strong communicators and independent learners. For students who love fiction or for students who don’t thrive in group-work environments, a traditional English 10 or English 10 Honors course might be a better match.
How can I earn college credit in this course?
Unlike AP classes that base the AP score entirely on the AP exam, AP Seminar (and Research) AP scores are a composite of a Group Research presentation, an individual research paper and presentation, AND the exam. Because of this, the sit-down exam is only 45% of their AP score. So, students who might struggle with timed writings tend to be more successful with this type of AP credit format as opposed to AP courses that base the score on the exam alone.
If I take AP Seminar as a 10th grade English credit, what English course could I take the following year?
Rising sophomores have the option to take any 11th grade English course the year following AP Seminar. For example, students could take Seminar in 10th grade, AP Lang in 11th grade, and take AP Research as an elective in 12th grade, which would open the opportunity to earn a Capstone diploma. (Note that AP Research does not count as a 12th grade English credit; this would be taken as an elective in addition to one of the 12th grade English course offerings.) If you are interested in requesting this class please make your request here.
Please note if you are requesting AP Seminar to fulfill your English Graduation Requirement, there is not an equivalent class to allow for a schedule change during the school year. Choosing this class will be a year long commitment.
🎓 Graduation is Near!
Graduation for the WSHS Class of 2024 will be on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at EagleBank Arena on the George Mason University Campus.
**Parents, guardians, and students please visit our recently published Graduation Page for information about graduation, exam/event schedules for Seniors, and much more.**
Parents, please help get your senior to fill out THIS FORM for graduation. Information provided is necessary for gown orders and name pronunciation for graduation.
🧹Spring Cleaning!
Parents, please encourage your students that NOW is the time to begin Spring Cleaning! Here’s a short list of ways to ensure your student closes out the year without discrepancy:
- Return any issued academic books
- Return overdue library books
- Settle any invoices for MySchoolBucks accounts
- Provide payment for outstanding activities or obligations
Note to Senior parents: all delinquencies must be settled prior to graduation. Let’s start cleaning up… now!
NOVA Virtual Sessions for Seniors and Their Families
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is offering virtual information and application sessions. Information sessions will provide an overview of NOVA and the opportunities, services, and resources designed to connect high school seniors to the NOVA Nighthawk Community.
Sessions are open to all FCPS seniors and their families. For questions, email admissions@nvcc.edu or call 703-323-3000.
STUDENT CORNER
🚗Take your Learner’s Permit Test at West Springfield HS
When: 3:10pm, specific dates below
Where: Room 2225
Cost: $20
2023-24 Dates: 2nd Semester shown below
Who can take the test: Students MUST be 15 years and 6 months old by the day of the test.
- This test is for Fairfax County Public School students ONLY (FCPS ID is required).
- If student has had two unsuccessful attempts at passing this test, then they are required to test at the DMV for their 3rd attempt.
Please read the instructions below carefully…
How to Register:
- Visit FCPS ACE and sign up for a specific date: fcps.edu
- Once registered on the FCPS ACE site, student must also register with the DMV. A link is provided during the ACE registration and in a confirmation email. Failure to register with the DMV will result in not being able to test since they issue the secure testing codes to FCPS proctors.
The following are required to the take the test-; student should bring with them on test day:
- A picture ID to verify identity. If the student does not have a picture ID, take a picture, write the student's full legal name under the picture, and have a teacher sign to verify the student's identity. Students may also show their photo from SIS.
-
Earbuds/headphones to listen to directions and test audio.
NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE LEARNERS PERMIT TEST? SIGN UP FOR ONE OF THE PREP COURSES!
These 90-minute classes are offered on Zoom and help to prepare students for the permit test. Sign up on aceclasses.fcps.edu. Dates for spring are 4/16 and 5/7.
Send any questions to Mr. Casey Grubbs (clgrubbs@fcps.edu)
🎓Seniors: Graduation Announcements and Accessories
Order HERE
Need help or want to order by phone? Please call 1-800-567-8367
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Thurs, April 25 @ 7p
Fri, April 26 @ 7p
Sat, April 27 @ 2p & 7p
Purchase tickets here
Sports Physical Night
 |
|
The annual Sports Physical Night will be hosted at West Springfield on June 5th in collaboration with Lake Braddock and South County.
Appointments start at 5:30pm.
Use the link below to register:
Student registration
|
|
Medical Professionals Needed
Help support the West Springfield Athletic Training Program by signing off on PPEs at our Annual Sports Physical Night on June 5th!
Volunteer registration
|
|
 |
🏑Sports Tryout Dates
Are you planning to try-out for a sports team at West Springfield?
- Season Start Dates:
- Fall Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, August 5, 2024
Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball
**Exception: Golf begins August 1, 2024
PLEASE NOTE THAT FALL SPORTS DO BEGIN IN AUGUST. ALL SUMMER VACATIONS SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR JUNE/JULY.
-
Winter Sports: Try-outs begin Monday, November 11, 2024
Boys/Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Rifle, Swim & Dive, Wrestling
-
Spring Sports: Monday, February 24, 2025
Baseball, Crew, Girls/Boys Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Girls/Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls/Boys Tennis
- If you have sport specific questions, please contact the coach directly. Please find coaches contact information HERE
Each athlete MUST complete the 2 items below prior to any off season workout or try-outs:
- VHSL physical is required for participation. It must be dated after May 1, 2024. The VHSL Physical Form can be found HERE
- Please make sure that the insurance information is included, and all parent/student signatures are on the form.
- Please turn your Physical into the Activities Office. Mail to: Attn: Chris Worrell ATC West Springfield HS, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield VA, 22152 or email to: cworrell@fcps.edu
- Families & student-athletes must complete the online Athletic Registration each school year after May 1st for the following school year. You can find this link HERE. The information on the registration must be updated each year for the student-athlete to be eligible. Please update any emergency contact information, complete the concussion education, and check the sport(s) that they wish to try-out for.
- Instructions for how to complete Athletic Registration can be found HERE
Athletics Website: https://westspringfieldspartansathletics.com/
Spartan Sports Calendar, Week of April 8-13
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
School Activities Calendar. 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.
Athletic Boosters
🏅Booster Club Scholarship
2024 Rob Benton and Ron Tugwell Scholarship
Open to WSHS graduating seniors who participated in a VHSL sanctioned event or an FCPS supported club sport at WSHS at any time and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Eligible Participants include, but not necessarily limited to:
Athletes
Performers
Managers
Trainers
Statisticians
Videographers
Eligible Activities:
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Cross Country
Debate
Field Hockey
Football
Forensics
Golf
Gymnastics |
Indoor Track
Lacrosse
One Act Play
Outdoor Track
Rifle
Scholastics
Soccer
Softball
Swim & Dive
Tennis
Volleyball
Wrestling |
Athletic Boosters Club Nominations and Elections
The Spartan Athletic Boosters are accepting nominations for the Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 school year.
|
Elections will be held on May 1, 2024 at the Booster Club Board Meeting.
Submission Deadline is April 28, 2024
|
|
 |
Need additional information? Check out our website and social media pages at:
📣Spirit Wear
Shop online for spirit wear. Two options:
-
Option #1: HERE
-
25% Off Tournament Weekend! No Min. Code: MADNESS25
(Exclusions apply to the brands: The North Face, Acrux, Carhartt, 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!
FCPS INFORMATION
Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Services Internal Survey
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians of FCPS students. Parents/guardians will be asked for feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week. The survey window is April 15 - April 26, 2024. Survey link: www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey.
Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.
*For Current Middle and High School
Join us to see how Mathspace fosters independent learning at every grade level! This informative session will highlight how your student can use Mathspace to independently tackle math challenges, perfectly aligned with their grade-level course. We will demonstrate how to use this tool to prepare for the Math SOL assessment. Don't miss this chance to boost your students' self-driven learning adventure!
Additionally, a new SOL task template will be auto-assigned, this year, to students for optional practice/study.
-
Presenter: Rhonda Davis, Mathspace, Head of Customer Success, North America and Jonathan Templin, Mathspace, Head of Sales, North America.
-
Date: April 16, 2024 Add to Your Calendar
-
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
-
Format: Virtual
Register for this event
Purple Up! Day - April 17, 2024
Throughout the month of April, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be honoring the invaluable contributions of military-connected youth with the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! Day.
FCPS would like to express its gratitude to these unsung heroes. With approximately 14,000 military-connected students, FCPS recognizes the extraordinary strength military-connected students possess in order to navigate the military lifestyle. The resilience and courage of our military-connected youth does not go unnoticed, and their commitment to supporting their service member parents and guardians deserves the utmost admiration and respect.
As part of this month-long recognition, FCPS will celebrate Purple Up! Day on April 17, 2024. Schools and community members are encouraged to wear purple as a visible gesture of their appreciation and support for military-connected youth. In addition to Purple Up! Day, FCPS school communities are coming together to honor their military-connected students in meaningful and creative ways. To learn more about MOMC activities, please contact your school.
To connect with more FCPS resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
Our Schools, Our Future: Register for Community Conversations
Join Dr. Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
-
Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
-
Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
-
Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
-
Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
-
Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
-
Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
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. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
FCPS Quick Links
NEWS FOR THE COMMUNITY
👗 Prom Dress Shop at Centreville High School
FCPS marketing students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall have opened their Prom Dress Shop. The marketing students apply the retail marketing and visual merchandising skills learned throughout the school year to transform their classroom into the Prom Dress Shop. The Shop provides financially challenged students with prom dresses and accessories at no cost.
The Prom Dress Shop is located in the modular classroom building, near the stadium, in the student parking lot of Centreville High School, outside of door 12. Any area student, not just those from Fairfax County Public Schools, who do not have the funds to purchase a prom dress may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s. They must show a valid student ID, or other form of school identification, to select a free dress during the following store hours.
- Friday, April 6: 5-8 p.m.
- Saturday, April 7: 2-5 p.m.
- Sunday, April 8: 1-4 p.m.
- Friday, April 12: 5-8 p.m.
- Saturday, April 13: 2-5 p.m.
- Sunday, April 14: 1-4 p.m.
School Board Meeting
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. Visit BoardDocs, click Meetings, and then click on April 11 to view the agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY - 2024!!
WSHS Class of 2024 ANGP
Find general information HERE
|
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
|
Ready to Eat, Live, and Love Better?
Friends and families of West Springfield High School can sign up for the Seasonal Roots online farmers market and get a 1-year membership for just $25 (50% off)! For each sign up, Seasonal Roots will donate $20 to the West Springfield High School All Night Grad Party!
Seasonal Roots offers custom orders with convenient home delivery of a wide variety of farm-fresh produce, baked goods, eggs, milk and artisan goods.
Click here to sign up and be sure to use the promo code WSHSANGP2024.
|
Do you own a local business?
Please consider donating as the ANGP depends largely on the generosity of the community and the senior parents to help make it a successful event and a night to remember.
You can donate online at wshs-angp.square.site. Click the “Donate” link at the bottom of the page. All donations are tax-deductible.
We will show our appreciation for your support by acknowledging all donors on our West Springfield All Night Grad Party website and communications.
We appreciate your support!
Class of 2025 ANGP- Jiffy Lube Fundraiser
Class of 2025 Parents, the Jiffy Lube concert series is right around the corner. This year, they have a great lineup. (https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAEk6JA/jiffy-lube-live-events?utm_source=GMBlisting&utm_medium=organic)
We need your help making our kiddos' All Night Grad Party one to remember! If you enjoy live music have we got a deal for you! Come out and volunteer to serve drinks at Jiffy Lube this summer, listen to a great show, and earn money for our party! Concerts are starting soon (May). Please check it out and share with friends, family, and neighbors. The only requirement is to complete a training and be 21 or older.
To volunteer you must attend Customer Service “Orientation” training. You can sign up for training at https://forms.gle/QGfNBgNGvZUhYwU37
The dates available are:
Saturday 4/20 at 12 PM
Saturday 4/27 at 12 PM
Tuesday 5/7 at 6 PM
Wednesday 5/8 at 6 PM
This is the largest fundraiser that supports our kids ANGP! Please sign up if you can and reach out with questions wshsangpjiffylube25@gmail.com
|
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 sign up for Talking Points. Use code the code T6AXZW
|
