WSHS Spartan Weekly News_ December 13, 2024

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UPCOMING EVENTS


DECEMBER

12/16-12/20 SGA Winter Spirit Week (See Below)

12/17: WSHS Immunization Clinic, Collaboration 1 (by appointment)

12/23-1/3: Winter Break (No School)

 

JANUARY

1/6: Classes resume


❄️Calendar Reminder: Winter Break

Winter break is Monday, December 23, 2025, through Friday, January 3, 2025. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.

Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2025. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year! 

See the complete school year calendar.

 


OFFICE HOURS

The office will be closed 12/23-12/27/24 for holidays and cleaning.

The office is open by appointment only 12/30/24-1/3/25. 


NEWS AND NOTES


⛄SGA Winter Spirit Week 2024

2024 Winter Spirit Week

Mon, 12/16: Jolly Jammies Day!  Wear your comfiest pajamas! 🛏️

Tue, 12/17: Timber Tuesday!  Dress up in a flannel! 🌲

Wed, 12/18: Walking in a TWINter Wonderland!  Twin Day!  Pick a friend and match! 👯

Thu, 12/19: Toasty Toes Thursday!  Wear fuzzy socks and winter gear! 🧦

Fri, 12/20:   Festive Friday!  Wear your best holiday sweater!  🥳👕


STUDENT SERVICES


🎒Academic Advising is Here!

Please visit our Student Services Schoology Course to explore the diverse course offerings available at West Springfield High School.

Under the "Academic" folder on our main page, you can delve deeper into our class offerings and make informed decisions about your future course selections.

We will begin meeting with:

  • Rising Juniors: February 3-7
  • Rising Seniors: February 10-14
  • Rising Sophomores: February 17-24

Counselors are currently conducting academic advising sessions and will continue to do so through the end of January.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your counselor directly.


ACADEMY OPEN HOUSES 2025

If you are interested in an Academy next year you will want to attend an Open House beginning in January.  More information can be found here.

Open Houses are a great opportunity to visit classroom and lab spaces, speak with instructors and Academy Counselors. For questions, contact Bonnie Wannett: bjwannett@fcps.edu. 

 

Location Date Time

 

Chantilly Academy

 

January 8, 2025  6 to 8 p.m.

 

Edison Academy 

 

February 1, 2025 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Fairfax Academy

 

February 4, 2025  6:30 to 8 p.m.

 

Falls Church Academy

 

January 9, 2025  6 to 9 p.m.

 

Marshall Academy

 

January 30, 2025  4:30 to 6 p.m.

 

West Potomac Academy

 

February 20, 2025  6 to 8 p.m.

 

Fairfax County Firefighting Program

 

  February 19, 2025

 

INTERESTED? ACTION NEEDED:

**If you know which Academy you interested in, please also complete this form.  The form is only available to students using their fcpsschools.net account.


Academic Advising Timeline 2025-2026

Mark your calendars with the following dates to assist with choosing courses for next school year.

  1. Curriculum Night  | January 9, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 pm in the Cafeteria for students and families
  2. Future Spartan Orientation | January 13, 2025 |  Rising 9th graders will visit West Springfield HS 
  3. Academic Days of Emphasis | January 16-22, 2025 | Student in Grades 9, 10, and 11, will meet with their current teachers to discuss their feedback.
  4. Pre-Advising Learning SeminarPre-Advising Lesson shared with Grades 9, 10, and 11 during LS to go over Academic Advising Process. 
  5. Curriculum Fair | Opportunity for students to visit different classes and get information on specific classes in which they may be interested. 
  6. Academic Advising Rising Juniors | February 3-7, 2025 | Students meet one on one with their counselor. 
  7. Academic Advising Rising Seniors | February 10-14, 2025 | Students meet one on one with their counselor. 
  8. Academic Advising Rising Sophomores | February 17-24, 2025 | Students meet one on one with their counselor. 
  9. Last Day to Make Class Schedule Requests for the 2025-2026 School Year | March 31, 2025

STUDENT CORNER


WSHS Low Incidence Small Business

Students in our CAT B program will be selling custom crayon names this year! These make great stocking stuffers and add a great personal touch to your holiday presents. We appreciate any support! We will be selling these all year. If you want it by Winter Break, place the order by 12/13/24.

 https://sites.google.com/view/wshsoriginalcreations/home

WSHS Original Creations

🚗Learner's Permit Test at WSHS

When: 3:10pm- specific dates below

Where: Room 2228

Cost: $25

2024-25 Dates: 1st Semester shown below

  • January 9

 

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 you have had 2 unsuccessful attempts at passing this test, then you are required to test at the DMV for your 3rd attempt.

 

Please read the instructions below carefully…

 

How to Register:

  1. Visit FCPS ACE and sign up for a specific date- fcps.edu
  2. Once registered on the FCPS ACE site, you must also register with the DMV. A link is provided during the ACE registration and in your 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- bring them with you on your 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.  You may also show your photo from SIS.
  • Earbuds/headphones to listen to directions and test audio (optional).

 

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 1st Semester are 9/25, 10/21, 11/18, 12/4, 1/8.

 

Send any questions to Casey Grubbs (clgrubbs@fcps.edu)


ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY


📅SAVE THE DATE: 2025 All Night Grad Party

 

The 2025 All Night Grad Party (ANGP) will be held on Monday June 9th at 11:00 pm through Tuesday June 10th at 5:00 am at The St. James Performance Club in Springfield, VA.

 

Details and ticket sales coming soon. 


🎓Graduation Yard Signs

Yard Signs are on sale again this year for the ANGP!

Order the signs directly through the Fast Signs website  

Signs can be personalized and all proceeds will benefit the ANGP for the Class of 2025!!


PERFORMING ARTS


🎻Winter Orchestra Concert

Winter Orchestra Concert

Tuesday, December 17th, 2024

7 p.m. WSHS Auditorium


SPORTS 


Spirit Wear and Tickets

If you don’t have Spartan spirit wear,  don’t worry -- the Booster Club will have plenty for sale!

The cost of all games is $5.00 for students and $7 for adults. 

To avoid long lines, we strongly encourage you to purchase a Season Pass, through our eTIX Site.  Or you can purchase individual game tickets here.

PLEASE VISIT our WEBSITE www.spartansports.net for more information and our game schedule.

Sports Banner

Spartan Sports Calendar Week of December 16-21

SpartanAthletics

Stay in Touch with Spartan Sports! 

You can follow WSHS Spartan Sports on social media:

Website: www.spartansports.net

Instagram: @wshs_sports

Sign Up For the Sports and Activities News You Choose


Activity Calendar

School Activities Calendar. Check it out


FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER (FRC)


These are two opportunities through the Family Resource Center (FRC).   

 

👩🏽‍💻Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online Webinar

This webinar will be presented jointly between Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Police Department, the Department of Justice, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on December 13th from 10 to 11:30 a.m.  Flyers available are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Urdu, Chinese, and Arabic. Interpretation will be available. Families can register here: https://bit.ly/3YvMhFA.

** If you register, you will receive the recording even if you can't attend live**

 

❤️‍🩹Youth Mental Health First Aid (In-person course)

December 20, 2024, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course) 

 

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage


FCPS NEWS


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
  • Join Our Teacher Team!
  • Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  


Resources for New FCPS Families

Are you new to the area and need help understanding school registration or connecting with your local school? The following resources are available for all families:

  • Family liaisons work in the schools and community to help families get the information and assistance they need to support their children and to ensure their academic success. Family liaisons represent a variety of cultures, languages, and races.
  • Family information phone lines are available in nine languages to assist families. A school system employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.

Visit the FCPS Family Academy webpage to learn how FCPS works to support the continued success and well-being of each and every student. 


Get to Know FCPS: Family Orientation

This interactive orientation provides information about the school system, the links between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should get to know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation also includes a discussion that is helpful for families who are new to the United States.

Sessions in English are held online on:

  • Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m. 

Register in advance. Visit the Family Academy catalog page to see the dates this orientation will be offered in Arabic, Korean, and Spanish.


No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. 

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.


FCPS Quick Links


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