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March 1 - WABC Mulch Sale Order Deadline
March 5 - Crew Boosters Five Guys Fundraiser, Quander Rd & Hybla Valley locations, 4-8
March 8 - SAT Spring Prep Class Begins
March 11 - PTSA Meeting - Speaker FCPD Mullins, 6:30pm
March 15 - End date for PTSA Top It Off Fundraiser
March 15 - WABC Mulch Pick Up/Delivery
March 31 - PTSA Restaurant Night, Chipotle
April 1 - Virginia PTA Scholarship Applications Due
April 3 - Senior Breakfast
June 2 - Class of 2025 Graduation, 9:30 am
Principal’s Message
Wolverine Community,
Happy Friday! This has been a great but busy week at West Potomac High School.
Thank you to our Senior parents, sponsor, and teachers for hosting a wonderful 100-day celebration for our senior class. The seniors truly enjoyed the treat!
 I was able to get into quite a few classes this week. Thank you to our Academy Criminal Justice folks for allowing me in to watch their 2024-2025 Criminal Justice Class Serial Killer Draft. During this activity students identify a criminal and conduct research to better understand the investigative and legal process. It was a great class, and I cannot wait to come back to see the students and their presentations.
 This week we implemented Hall Sweeps building wide. We hope to see fewer students late to class as we continue this process. Having ten minutes between each class allows plenty of time for students to navigate our large campus. Please remind your students on the importance of being in class on time, every day, every period. Thank you to all the teachers and staff that assisted this week.
Mulch Fundraiser- Support our Wolverine student athletes by purchasing mulch through the Booster Club’s annual sale! Every bag sold directly benefits our sports teams. Learn more and order at www.supportwestpotomac.com by March 1 (while supplies last)!
Senior Families- As we move closer to the end of the school year, I met with seniors that are in danger of being chronically absent this week. Please remember, we need your students present every day until graduation. I want to note that “Senior Skip Days” are not promoted for encouraged by West Potomac.
2024-25 Midyear Secondary Grading Updates Survey- Instructional Services will be conducting a survey in mid-March to gather feedback on grading practices from a sampling of students, staff, and parents/caregivers across all middle and high schools.
The optional survey will be centrally distributed to selected students, staff, and parents/caregivers on March 10 and will run until March 14. In advance of the survey, communication will also be sent to parents/caregivers of students selected for the survey during the week of March 3.
Survey Key Messages
- The goal of the survey is to provide feedback on grading changes that were implemented across FCPS this school year.
- The survey will not be distributed to all students, staff, and parents/caregivers. It is using a random sampling method that will reach about 15% of these groups.
- The survey is completely optional.
- Data will be collected and anonymized before being shared with Instructional Services.
- The data will be shared with the Secondary Grading Advisory Committee in order to support the group’s decision-making. It may be shared in aggregate with FCPS leadership, including the School Board.
Background
The School Board voted to approve a new policy for secondary grading on December 19, 2024. Most aspects of the policy reflect current practice and requirements.
Notable differences with current practice are 1) move to a single gradebook type, 2) removal of the D- from the grading scale (while keeping the ranges the same), and 3) allowed variation for weighted gradebook categories by content area.
The Secondary Grading Advisory Committee (made up of teachers, principals, SBTS, DSS, parents/caregivers, students, and central office staff) will be meeting this Winter/Spring.
The goals of the advisory committee are to review the impact of grading changes implemented in 2024-25, and to ensure that all current grading regulation and guidance provided to schools are meeting the requirements of the new School Board policy.
In order to gather feedback on the changes implemented this year, targeted focus groups have been or are currently being held with students (at a subset of schools), department chairs, principals, DSS, assistant principals, SBTS, instructional coaches, SOSAs, DSAs/ADSAs, and parents/caregivers who are members of set community groups (e.g., AAPAC, SEPTA, FCCPTA).
Resources
Secondary Grading Policy Changes Talking Points
Secondary Grading and Reporting page (public website)
Have a nice weekend!
Jessica Statz, Principal
 
Top It Off Fundraiser to Support WP PTSA Academic Programs Your WP PTSA and Top It Off, a community retailer offering clothing, a wide variety of jewelry and special gifts located in the Belle View Shopping Center have partnered up for an AMAZING fundraiser! For every sales transaction over $25 -Top If Off will donate 15% of sales back to the PTSA to help the academic programs we support, continue to be possible. To receive credit, please let the Top It Off Sales associate know you are there to support WEST POTOMAC! Special Bonus Announcement from the owner: For every family/friend/neighbor/supporter who supports this PTSA fundraiser and spends $25.00 or more – you receive a raffle entry for a chance to win $200 worth of Top It Off Products! Fundraiser Ends March 15th.
PTSA Meeting- March 11 at 6:30 PM, WPHS Library
- As a society, we have read too many heart breaking stories about teens who become addicted to drugs or die using them. Protecting our kids is at the heart of what we do each day and yet finding the right words to talk to our kids can be awkward. It’s hard to know what to ask them, what to say, and if you’ll get through to them. But talking about substance use is important for promoting healthy behaviors and as parents educating ourselves on what to look for is a pivotal first step. Please join us on March 11th for a powerful meeting to hear directly from FCPD Officer Brian Mullins, with over 10 years in the Narcotics division, Officer Mullins shares his experiences and knowledge and will speak to identifying trending narcotics, how to identify behaviors, how narcotics are hidden and more as well as answering your questions. This meeting is suggested for parents and guardians only. Please Mark Your Calendars!
PTSA’s Test Prep Program can help you achieve your highest SAT or ACT score.
Current News! The ACT is changing. Read Jed Applerouth’s article at https://www.applerouth.com/blog/the-digital-act-comes-into-focus-what-we-know-now
Current News! Another university now requires SAT/ACT for admission. https://www.applerouth.com/blog/university-of-pennsylvania-joins-fellow-ivies-in-requiring-the-sat-and-act-for-admission
Register for mock tests and test prep classes at https://applerouth.onecanoe.com/school/8946
Sophomores – Use your sophomore year to determine your test preference! Take both the ACT and SAT mock during the last semester to see which test is the best fit for you. Start thinking about your test prep timing. The most effective results are seen if you complete your prep no more than two weeks before the official test. Plan on taking the official test three times. If you have completed Algebra 2 or above during sophomore year, consider the fall prep class and official tests. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some or all your official testing completed before winter break of junior year? Studies show no score increase by waiting!
Juniors – When you have completed Algebra 2 or above, you are ready for the official tests! If you still need to determine your test preference, take advantage of the mocks (take one of each test). You’ll still have time to take our spring or fall prep class! Just remember to plan your testing and prep schedule around the sports/extracurricular activities! The most effective results are seen if you complete your prep no more than two weeks before the official test. Plan on taking the official test three times. If you are taking Algebra 2 during junior year, target the June official test as your first attempt.
SAT & ACT MOCK TESTS ($23.00) Offered in-person on the West Po campus. Laptop required for SAT mocks. Next mocks (SAT and ACT) are 3/8/25, 3/29/25 and 5/3/25.
SAT GROUP CLASSES ($475.00) – Only 1 more class offered this year!
Spring Class starts 3/8/25 and targets prep for the 6/7/25 official SAT test.
ACT CLASSES – Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com for options. Offered online with live tutor as space is available. $475.00.
Try Applerouth’s Self-Paced Online Course – $125.00
Available on https://westpotomacptsa.givebacks.com/store/items/132319. Email receipt to Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com, to complete enrollment. One-year license, unlimited access.
Scholarships - WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the College and Career Center Specialist, Karen B. Young, kbyoung1@fcps.edu.
PTSA Contact – Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com
Test Prep Web Page - https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/student-services/college-and-career-center/test-preparation
School News
Student Services
2025-26 Academic Advising
Next week we will continue with our current 9th graders for Academic Advising and Course Selection via PE 9. A reminder that students can come prepared to those meetings by going into StudentVue and selecting the classes they are interested in.
- Rising 10th graders – Feb 24th-March 7th (via PE 9 classes)
A reminder that to ensure we can honor a switch you must submit the request change to your high school counselor by March 12. While changes will be allowed between April 21 and June 11, they can only be made based on space available. There will be no changes allowed after June 11 and that includes in August and when we return to school. Please be sure to review final course requests as a family now! Questions? Reach out to your child’s school counselor.
A reminder that all students must remain in honors and advanced level classes for the first six weeks of school. The Advanced Academics Change Request Packet becomes available late September.
Please visit our West Potomac Course Selection website for a variety of resources and information such as:
Restaurant Night at Five Guys on Wednesday March 5th, 4-8 pm. Support the Crew team by grabbing a burger, dog, milkshake, or other freshly made entree at the Quander Road (6210 Quander Road) or Hybla Valley (7622 Richmond Highway) location.
Saturday, March 15th West Potomac will have its annual WABC Mulch Sale. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the WABC and, by extension, for all West Potomac’s athletic teams. The money raised from this will directly support athletes and team needs!
To buy mulch click here (sale ends March 1st):
We are less than 100 days away from Graduation. Please look out for emails, join our social media groups, check the website as lots information will be coming in the next couple of months.
SENIOR DUES ARE DUE!!!! Please pay your Senior Dues via MySchoolBucks or your senior can bring cash/check to the Finance Office (located in the main office). Dues are $85 this year. This covers graduation expenses (Cap & Gown, Diploma Covers, Programs, Eagle Bank Transportation and more!) Thank you to those that have already paid!
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Here is a list of our remaining Senior Events. Mark the dates and look out for ways you can help! We mostly need your time!
- Thursday, April 3rd – Senior Breakfast
- Saturday, April 26th – Prom
- Tuesday, May 20th (rain date May 29th) – Senior Bash 6pm-10pm
- Monday, June 2nd – Graduation
Please read information in News You Choose, WPHS Senior website, Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss out on important information and dates…everything is happening fast, and we know there is A LOT going on!
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