WPHS News You Choose - 8/10/24

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/10/2024 09:33 AM EDT

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Table of Contents

  • Important Dates
  • New Student Orientation – with Bus Info
  • Wolverine Welcome
  • Laptop Distribution
  • Back to School Information
  • Varsity Tutors
  • PTSA Test Prep Info
  • WABC Membership/Game Passes
First Day

Important Dates

  • August 15 – Schedules Go Live 6am on StudentVue/ParentVue
  • August 15 – 9th Grade and New Student Orientation, 8:10am-12pm
  • August 16 – Wolverine Welcome Campus Open House, 3-5pm
  • August 19 – First Day of School, 8:10am
  • August 28 – Senior Information Night, 6pm
  • September 5 – Back to School Night Open House – 4-7pm
  • September 23-28 – Homecoming Week
  • October 9 – PSAT Administration 10th/11th Grade, SAT Administration to 12th graders who sign up. More information coming soon.
  • June 2, 2025 - WPHS Class of 2025 Graduation, 9:30am 

New Student Orientation

  • 9th Grade and New Student (Grades 10-12) Orientation will be Thursday, August 15, beginning at 8:10am and concluding at 12pm. This event is for students.  Parents are encouraged to come to campus Friday for Wolverine Welcome.   
  • Transportation
    • Families are welcome to drive students to West Potomac for Orientation.  While all bus routes will not be running, we want to ensure students who do not have a ride to school that morning can still access Orientation.  As a result, students who need transportation to West Potomac for Orientation can report to the following locations at the times listed below to access Orientation. 
      • Bus #1 – Pick ups at Hollin Meadows Elementary (7:20am), Belle View Elementary (7:33am) and Bucknell Elementary (7:45am)
      • Bus #2 – Pick ups at Stratford Landing Elementary (7:25am), Fort Hunt Elementary (7:35am), and Waynewood Elementary (7:45am)
      • Bus #3 – Pick ups at Groveton Elementary (7:35am) and Hybla Valley Elementary (7:45am)
      • Bus #4 – Pick up at 7949 Janna Lee Ave (7:35am)
      • Each of these buses will run after Orientation ends and drop off at the same locations. 
    • If you plan to drop off your child, please be sure to review our Kiss and Ride map!
  • All 10-12th new students should report to the library upon arriving for Orientation.  The library is located just inside Door 1.  While not required, if you plan on attending please complete this google form to assist us in planning!
  • All 9th Graders will report to their Advisory/3rd Period at the start of Orientation (listed as 3rd period on their schedule).  Class Schedules become available at 6am the morning of Orientation.  Students will receive a paper copy of their schedule in 3rd Period.  Adults in the hallways will also have a list of everyone’s 3rd period Advisory location for students who do not have the app. We will have many adults and student leaders in the building to help everyone find their correct location!
  • Orientation will include an opportunity for 9th graders to meet their peer mentor, advisory teacher, tour the building as well as go through their class schedule! Below is the Bell Schedule.
      • 8:10-9:35 am: Advisory class (Tours, Meet Peer Mentors and Advisory Teacher)
      • 9:43 - 9:55 am: 1st period (12 mins)
      • 10:03 - 10:15 am: 5th period (12 mins)
      • 10:23 - 10:35 am: 7th period (12 mins)
      • 10:43 - 10:55 am: 2nd period (12 mins)
      • 11:03 - 11:15 am: 4th period (12 mins)
      • 11:23 - 11:35 am: 6th period (12 mins)
      • 11:43 - 11:55 am: 8th period (12 mins)

Wolverine Welcome 2024

  • Wolverine Welcome 2024 will be Friday August 15 from 3:00-5:00pm. 
  • What is Wolverine Welcome?  Wolverine Welcome is our annual school Open House event where students and families can come to campus, find classrooms and lockers, as well as attend our Community Vendor Open House in the Main Gym:
    • Please note that because of schedules being accessible on ParentVue and StudentVue app we will not be printing all schedules, but anyone who does not have the app, can stop by the Library and we will print your child’s schedule and assist you in activating your ParentVue account.
    • The building will be open so it’s a great opportunity to walk your schedule and practice your locker combination.
    • The WP Clinic will be open should a parent want to check in with our Clinic or drop of medicine.
    • Administrators will be available to help answer any questions.
    • We will have a variety of community vendors/resources available on site and available to families in the gym.
    • We hope to see you Friday afternoon! 

Laptop Distribution

  • Laptop distribution will take place on the first two days of school. Students will pick up their laptop during English class accompanied by their English teacher.
  • Students who checked out a laptop over the summer will continue to use it for the 24-25 school year. If a student plans to use a personal laptop, they should not check out a school laptop. Students can stop by the Tech Office with any questions.

Important information to know:

  • Laptop must be brought to school every day fully charged.
    • We recommend not bringing your charger to school, this is how they get lost. Make it a habit to charge it every night!
  • If you have a charger obligation from the 23-24 school year, you must pay it before receiving another charger.
  • Laptops/chargers belong to West Potomac HS. If you leave West Potomac HS, you must return both items.
  • Laptop/chargers are repaired through the Tech Office. There is a replacement cost if either item is lost/stolen.
    • A replacement charger costs $23
    • A replacement laptop costs $444
Fall Activities

With the start of school just over a week away, the excitement on campus is building! A few photos from Fall Activities!

Back to School Information

  • As summer winds down, our school and staff are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Before the first day of school, please be sure to review the following information:  

    • Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
      • Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. New parents/caregivers need an activation code to create your account. Contact Mr. McMahon (kjmcmahon@fcps.edu) in Student Services if you need a code. 
      • Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 
      • Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 
    • Update Your Contact Information
    • Update Immunizations and Records
      • Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. Please log in to SIS ParentVUE to see what immunizations your child has recorded. 
      • Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia as soon as possible. If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services.
      • Remember to request your child’s immunization record and bring that to the school’s front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website. 
    • Prepare for Meals at School 
      • Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students. 
      • The best way to purchase meals and additional food items is to use MySchoolBucks. If you have not already, set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today.
      • MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically as needed, and families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. 
    • Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals
      • The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
    • Bookmark the School Year Calendar
      • Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
      • Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days. Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days. 
        • Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
        • Note: Some holidays and observances, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift and the calendar may be adjusted. 
    • Bus Transportation
      • Be on the lookout for mailed letters, emails, phone calls, and/or updates to ParentVue for your student's bus information! 
    • Student Consent Forms
      • Starting August 1, 2024, student consent forms currently on ParentVUE will be moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC). Families can log in to the PDC using their ParentVUE credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child. School staff will have access to view consent status and edit consent with permission from the family.
      • Forms available in the PDC starting in the 2024-2025 school year include:
        • Digital Resources Consent
        • School Counseling Opt-Out
        • SEL Screener Opt-Out
        • Consent for Release of Student Records in Support of Postsecondary Applications
        • Denial of Access to Military Recruiters 
        • Family Life Education Opt-Out
        • SOL Retest Permission
        • Hazel Health
        • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Opt-Out
        • SOS Screener Opt-Out
        • Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations
        • Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public
    • As FCPS updates the PDC, more district-wide forms will be added. https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

  • FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

PTSA Test Prep ACT News

WestPo students can register for this online ACT Small Group (with a live tutor) at the special WestPo rate.

Upcoming test prep events – Register at https://applerouth.onecanoe.com/school/8946

Test Prep

Dear Wolverine Fans,

It is the very best time of the year! The 2024-2025 athletic season is about to begin and the WABC is launching our annual Membership Drive by selling Game Passes. This year we are offering three different levels of Membership. Students, families, and fans can show their support by purchasing; a Family Pass ($185 for up to five family members including WP students), a Student Pass ($30), or an Individual Family Member Pass ($75).  All purchases are made via Paypal at https://www.supportwestpotomac.com/membership.html

Pass holders will receive free admission to all regular season home games. District, regional, and state tournaments will charge an entry fee. This pass provides HUGE savings over the course of the school year and is one of the best ways to show your Wolverine pride! Each pass holder will receive a personalized card and should remember to bring it to all events for admission. Cards will be available for pick up at the Wolverine Welcome on August 16th and also at all of the first home game for each team. Passes may be mailed to home addresses by request.

The price for the Family Pass increases to $210 and Individual Adult Pass increases to $100 after 8/23 so order yours today!

Questions may be directed to Wendy Joachim at 703-889-0086.

Let's Go Wolverines! 

Grab your Game Passes HERE!