WPHS - News You Choose 11/22/24

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Principal’s Message 

Wolverine Community,

This past Saturday, I traveled to the Oatlands to watch to amazing cross-country runners participate in the Virginia State Championships. Megan O’Dea and Jakin Waldock made our Wolverine Community proud running this difficult course. They had a nice fan base that made the drive as well.

After listening to feedback from students and teachers, I was able to book a second late bus beginning after Winter Break. Starting on January 13, 2025, we will have two late bus days. Monday and Thursday we will offer late busses for students to work with teachers, complete make-up work, take retests and visit clubs and organizations.

Next week is a short week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will only be in school on Monday and Tuesday. Please make sure to send your students. We will still be learning, and absenteeism is VERY important. If you need to pick them up early, please follow the protocols on our website.

As we transition into the fall and winter seasons, it's important to remind our students, staff, and families about the importance of practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. These simple practices can significantly reduce the spread of germs, particularly during the upcoming holiday season when gatherings and travel increase.

Key Reminders: · Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water are not readily available, provide access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly in a wastebasket and wash their hands.
• Avoid Touching Face: Discourage students from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Please see the attached videos below:
  • Hand Washing Prevents The Spread of the Flu
  • Your Health Is In Your Hands with the Help from a Shark

The Alexandria Community Nutcracker will be at West Potomac High School Auditorium on Thursday, December 5, 2024 - Saturday, December 7, 2024. Join them for a magical evening filled with community dancers ages 3-adult. They will take you on the journey of Clara and her dream that includes ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, Irish dance, and Hip Hop. This is a full-length performance of The Nutcracker. And you will see some familiar student and faculty members in the cast! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketsource.us/artspireva/e-bvropl

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Fondly,

Jessica Statz

Principal

November is National Family Engagement Month

• We are honored to be your Family Engagement Partners in your Student’s academic success!
• November is National Family Engagement Month! This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Over 35 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in their children's education. Family engagement is a shared responsibility between home, school, and the community. 
• Visit us at WPHS or reach out to us at
  • 703-718-2614 (English) 
  • 703-718-2620 (Spanish)
  • 703-718-2588 (Spanish)

WPHS Family Center

Mrs. Jordan, Ms. Colocho, Ms. Rapavi

PTSA 

*CHANGE OF DATE!! Please Join Us for the 4th Annual Swap-N-Shop TONIGHT -  FRIDAY, November 22nd 

• Due to the change in the WP Football Regional play-off game, event shifted from Thursday 21 to Friday 22nd to allow our Wolverine Families the opportunity to support both. 
• Join us for a night of merry, good cheer, live music, artisans, vendors, all while you Swap-n-Shop at the lovely home of Amy and Adam Fazackerley, 8418 Stable Drive in Alexandria, VA 22308.
• Online tickets purchase will end at 3:00 PM and can be purchased at  https://westpotomacptsa.givebacks.com/store - When you sign up online you will be automatically entered in our gift baskets raffle.
• Tickets can also be purchased at the door tonight. 

WPHS Teacher/Staff Party 

• In celebration of the upcoming holiday season, the PTSA Board would like to ask for your support for this year's WPHS Teacher/Staff Holiday Party. Thank you to the families who have already signed up to donate gift cards/financial donation and beverages. We just added desserts. We are so thankful for your help making this event possible. There are some spots still open for beverages and we just added desserts. Thank you for your consideration. 
• To donate and volunteer, please check out our sign up here 
• To make a donation please scan QR code or visit this link.

Thank you,  

Your WPHS PTSA Board 

WPHS Clinic Hygiene Supply Drive 

• The PTSA in conjunction with some WP students would like to share some donation needs that we would like to bring to your attention and if you are able to do so, we would love your support!
• Hygiene Kits - Our hope is to create 40- 50 hygiene-type bags for our WP students in need.  Imagine not having consistent access to showers, deodorant, and other hygiene kits.  For some of our WP students this is their reality and we would welcome your help to provide the clinic/school with hygiene kits that can be given when needed. Having these kits available would be a small but possibly pivotal support that could help with the well-being, social inclusion and confidence in our students.  Needs remaining includes washcloths (Costco sells bundles), deodorant (full size, if possible), athletic crew size socks, 3-6 oz shampoos (Amazon limited in selection), knit gloves (machine washable), chapstick and the nurse mentioned the students especially like the bath and body work body sprays, and around this time there are holiday sales.  Donations can be dropped off at WP Front Office - there will be a donation box labeled or 8506 Culver, PL. Alexandria.    Thank You! 

Bryant HS Blanket and Snuggly Pajamas:  

• For the last 3 years, the WP PTSA has been a small part of helping our neighbor school Bryant, with this winter wish to help make the holidays a little brighter and cozier for some of their students.  They are asking for donations of new blankets and or snuggly pajamas (for teen boys and girls) by December 10th.  Donations can be dropped off at West Potomac’s front office or 8506 Culver Pl. Alexandria. Pipi Harrison, Director of Student Services, and her team at Bryant are extremely grateful for your consideration.  

School and Club Fundraisers

6500 Quander Road Alexandria, VA 22307  | Main Office: 703-718-2500
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