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Woodson Weekly -
December 6
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Woodson Weekly is usually published every Friday to provide the community with important information about school life at Woodson High School.
Mission Statement
Woodson High School’s mission is to empower our community to reach their individual potential by creating a healthy environment of mutual respect, responsibility, equity, and inclusion.
Weekly Wrap-up
Check out our Weekly Wrap-up on Spotify or Apple!
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Important Dates
Sunday, December 8th - Bodhi Day
Tuesday, December 10th, 7:00PM - Winter Chorus Concert
Wednesday, December 11th, 6:30PM - Community Meeting - The Power of Our Words
Thursday, December 12th, 7:00PM - Winter Band Concert
Saturday, December 14th, 11:00AM-3:00PM - Winter Wonderland
Tuesday, December 17th, 7:00PM - Performing Arts Winter Showcase Concert
December 23rd - January 3rd - Winter Break; School Closed
January 15th, 6-8:00PM - Curriculum Night
January 21st - Curriculum Night Snow Date
Woodson CalendarWiz
See the complete FCPS school year calendar
Message from Mr. Greata
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, relaxation, and perhaps a little recreation. As we embrace the season of giving and gratitude, I want to express our heartfelt thanks to our PTSO for their unwavering support of our school. This week, we are especially grateful for the absolutely wonderful luncheon they provided for our staff this past Thursday—it was a true treat!
This week, we also recognized our Outstanding Employee Award nominees, and I want to thank all the staff, students, and parents who took the time to submit nominations. We are fortunate to have so many deserving staff members at our school, and it was thrilling to receive a total of 135 nominations this year, including over 55 individual teacher nominations! We celebrated these nominees this week, and I am proud to announce the winners who will move forward to represent our school at the pyramid level:
- Outstanding Teacher: Lauren Kinne
- Outstanding New teacher: Emily Bankson
- Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee: Rick Mey
- Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee: Darlene Sheppard
- Outstanding School-Based Leader: Kathy Martin
Congratulations to these exceptional staff members!
‘Tis the season for holiday performances! We kicked off the festivities this week with our annual Tunes for Tots, which delighted hundreds of Pre-K children in our community. In addition, our orchestras truly “sleighed it” at their holiday concert last night, showcasing their incredible talent and hard work. The celebrations continue, and we’d love for you to join us for our Chorus Winter Concert December 10th, Band Winter Concert December 12th, and our Performing Arts Winter Showcase December 17th.
I’d also like to invite you to our Community Meeting next Wednesday, December 11, at 6:30 PM, as we continue the important discussion we began last spring. During this meeting, we will share updates on our efforts to support all students and address instances of hate speech and racial slurs at our school. Highlights of the evening include an overview of new programming for students, a panel discussion featuring our students, and, most importantly, time to hear from you—our community. Your input is invaluable as we work together to build a strong, cohesive culture at Carter G. Woodson High School. We look forward to seeing you there.
Lastly, we’re excited to announce that the annual Red Jenkins Basketball Tournament is already underway! The girls' team kicked off the tournament last night winning their game, and the boys' team plays tonight at 7:30. Both teams will be in action tomorrow with girls taking on Potomac at 2:45 and boys playing against Yorktown at 7:00. We hope to see you at the games as we cheer on our athletes. For updates on this and all other sporting events, visit woodsonsports.com.
Thank you again to our PTSO for the delightful holiday luncheon—it truly made our week special.
Kevin Greata
Principal
View our Student and Group Recognition webpage!
ASL 3, ASL 4, and DHOH students took a field trip to Gallaudet University this week.
Help Us Thank Woodson Teachers and Staff
The PTSO invites all Woodson families to celebrate and recognize our wonderful teachers and staff this holiday season. Please take time throughout the school year, and especially now in the holiday season, to recognize and thank the educators and support professionals that work with our children. Simple notes of appreciation, emails of gratitude and letters in support of teachers, counselors, principal, and/or support staff have enormous, meaningful impact.
Additionally, Woodson PTSO is collecting gift cards to raffle at the Annual Holiday Party for the Teachers and Staff. Parents, families, and students are invited to send in donated gift cards to the main office addressed to Alexa Pugnetti.
We kindly ask that all donations are dropped off to the main office by Noon on Monday, December 9th.
For more information please contact the main office at 703-503-4600.
Join us on Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30pm for "The Power of Our Words" Woodson Community Night. We will share updates on our efforts to support all students and address instances of hate speech and racial slurs at our school. Highlights of the evening include an overview of new programming for students, a panel discussion featuring our students, and, most importantly, time to hear from you—our community.
 Students in Ms. Barry's class participate in an enzyme lab.
Senior Portraits - Last Chance
Woodson will hold one last senior portrait session at the school on Monday, December 16th.
Please use this link to signup.
After this session, if your senior still has not taken a portrait but would like to you will need to schedule an appointment at Ironlight Studios. Email them at ironlight@vosphoto.com
The deadline to get a senior portrait in the yearbook is December 23rd.
 Visit our Class of 2025 webpage above to review other important senior year information.
2025-26 FAFSA Form Now Available
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their children to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office webpage for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account, if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application will be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Get Help Filling out FAFSA From College Access Fairfax
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will be offering several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.
Faculty and Staff nominate students that have been seen doing an act of kindness, which is reflective of our school’s mission of creating a healthy environment of mutual respect, responsibility, equity, and inclusion.
Way to go, Cavs!
Counselor Corner
Student Services visited 9th grade World History classes this week to deliver a lesson on Academic Advising, graduation requirements, and how to calculate their GPA. This was the third lesson counselors have presented to 9th graders this fall through their World History classes as we continue to help them transition fully into high school. We have really enjoyed connecting with our freshmen more regularly!
We will be presenting the Signs of Suicide (SOS) lesson to 11th graders on Monday, December 9th. Juniors will learn how to identify symptoms of depression in themselves and others, and to discern what to do if they are concerned about suicidal thinking or self-harm regarding themselves or a friend. We encourage all families to review our Social/Emotional Padlet which offers emergency information and resources for mental health support. It also links to our Woodson Wellness google site for students to use when they need brain breaks and stress relief.
Student Services, in collaboration with our World Languages department, administered the World Language Credit By Exam (WLCBE) to approximately students on November 22. You can find out more about the WLCBE here.
The 2025-26 FAFSA is now open! We encourage students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here are some resources from the U.S. Department of Education to help complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA: Pro Tips for the 2025-26 FAFSA, announcements, and FAFSA help.
Academic Advising Reminders! Please have students mark their calendars for the Course Information Fair lesson for 9th-11th grade students on January 8th during 3rd period Returns and the Course Information Fair for 9th-11th graders on January 10th during both Returns. Seniors will have a class meeting in the auditorium during Returns on January 10th. Lastly, please note that Curriculum Night, for rising 9th-12th graders is on January 15th from 6:00-8:00pm in the Woodson cafeterias and Auditorium.
Thank you, PTSO, for planning a holiday luncheon for our teachers and staff. Your continued support of our school is truly appreciated!
Winter Wonderland
The Woodson senior class brings to you: Winter Wonderland! Join us in Cavalier Hall on December 14th starting at 11am for some family fun. Face painting, crafts, pizza, hot chocolate and more. Entry fee is $10 (cash only) and covers everything inside the event. A parent or guardian must stay in Cav Hall with their child(ren) while they attend.
Questions? Email senor class sponsor Ms. Michelle Tibbs mmtibbs@fcps.edu
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students
Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
 Woodson band students ready to perform at the annual Tunes for Tots.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Family Academy Orientation
- Literacy Resources
- Winter Programs and Activities
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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