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UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER
12/23-1/3: Winter Break (No School)
JANUARY
1/6: Classes resume
1/20: MLK Jr. Day (No School)
1/28: End of Quarter 2
1/29: Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
❄️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.
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts
Happy Chanukah to all in our community who celebrate! Chanukah is an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25.
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.
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:
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Rising Juniors: February 3-7
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Rising Seniors: February 10-14
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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.
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.
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Curriculum Night | January 9, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 pm in the Cafeteria for students and families
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Future Spartan Orientation | January 13, 2025 | Rising 9th graders will visit West Springfield HS
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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.
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Pre-Advising Learning Seminar | Pre-Advising Lesson shared with Grades 9, 10, and 11 during LS to go over Academic Advising Process.
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Curriculum Fair | Opportunity for students to visit different classes and get information on specific classes in which they may be interested.
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Academic Advising Rising Juniors | February 3-7, 2025 | Students meet one on one with their counselor.
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Academic Advising Rising Seniors | February 10-14, 2025 | Students meet one on one with their counselor.
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Academic Advising Rising Sophomores | February 17-24, 2025 | Students meet one on one with their counselor.
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Last Day to Make Class Schedule Requests for the 2025-2026 School Year | March 31, 2025
SPARTAN SPOTLIGHT
🏆Educate Fairfax Grant Awarded to Spartans
Congratulations WSHS Recycling and Original Creations for winning an Educate Fairfax Grant!
The 2024 Educate Fairfax Grants will provide students with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive both academically and personally. These grants celebrate the ingenuity and commitment of FCPS staff, recognizing their dedication to creating meaningful, equitable, and innovative learning experiences.
All funded projects align closely with the Educate Fairfax mission and the goals of the FCPS Strategic Plan 2023-30.
"The West Springfield High School Recycling Program and Original Creations were born from the need to help low incident students use their creativity to learn new job and life skills, and to create a more inclusive, eco-friendly community."
Visit their site here: WSHS Original Creations Site
Military Ambassador Club: Wreaths Across America
 Members of the Military Ambassador Club (MAC) joined thousands of volunteers honoring veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery for Wreath Across America.
GO SPARTANS!
STUDENT CORNER
Visit our site
🚗Learner's Permit Test at WSHS- 2nd Semester Dates!!
When: 3:10pm- specific dates below
Where: Room 2228
Cost: $25
2024-25 Dates: 2nd Semester shown below
- January 9
- February 6 and 27
- March 20
- April 3 and 24
- May 22
- June 5
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:
- Visit FCPS ACE and sign up for a specific date- fcps.edu
- 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!!
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.
 Spartan Sports Calendar Week of Dec 23-Jan 4
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
 School Activities Calendar. Check it out.
PTSA
 WSHS PTSA Reflections Contest Winner Submissions: Karina Lugo for Visual Arts and Annika Gross for Literature
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Congratulations to the 2024-2025 PTSA Reflections winners!! (see below)
Their entries were judged to be outstanding interpretations of this year’s theme:
Accepting Imperfection.
The top entry for each category in which we received submissions (Visual Arts and Literature) have been passed along to compete at the County level.
To see all of the submissions from our very talented WSHS students, please visit the WSHS PTSA's Reflections page at https://wshsptsa.net/programs/ptsa-reflections-program/
A special thanks to Reflections Chair Tahnee Blauser for making this happen!
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FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER (FRC)
❤️🩹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.
💻January Webinars at the Family Resource Center
Sibshops
January 11, 2025
9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
For children grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. An opportunity to meet other siblings in a relaxed, virtual setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs. Share sibling experiences, while receiving peer support. Enjoy games and have fun!
January 11, 2025 9-12:00 p.m.
Register Here
FCPS Math Week
January 13-17, 2025
Participate in a full week of family time with stories, games, and math activities in English and Spanish for families with students in K-6.
January 13-17, 2025
mindresearch.org/fcps-math-week
FCPS Family Resource Center Web | Email: frc@fcps.edu | Phone: 703-204-3941
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:
- Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
- Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
- Fall 2024 Sports Champions
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:
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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.
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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
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