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Table of Contents
- Class of 2025
- Class of 2026
Important Dates
March 15 - End date for PTSA Top It Off Fundraiser
March 15 - WABC Mulch Pick Up/Delivery
March 18 - PTSA Meeting, WPHS Library, 6:30, Guest Speakers – Officer Brian Mullins, Fairfax County PD, Narcotics Division and Corey Gilmore, WPHS Substance Abuse Specialist
March 31 - PTSA Restaurant Night, Chipotle
April 1 - Virginia PTA Scholarship Applications Due
April 3 - Senior Breakfast
April 26 - Prom
May 20 - Senior Bash
June 2 - Class of 2025 Graduation, 9:30 am
Principal’s Message
Happy Friday Wolverine families,
This past week was National School Social Worker Week. A huge shout out to our three outstanding social workers Ms. Aimee Convery, Ms. Lauren Heslep, and Ms. Karina Villegas. Thank you for all you do to support our students!
Starting on Monday, March 10th students who stay after-school need to be with a teacher, sponsor or a coach by 3:20pm, or they will be asked to leave the building and wait for transportation outside under the awning at Door 1. Admin and security will be sweeping the building at the end of the day.
DECA State Leadership Championship- Last weekend, West Potomac had a great time in Va. Beach at the DECA State Leadership Championships. The Wolverines took eight amazing business students, and they competed in various role play and business solving problems in front of professional judges. West Potomac HS walked away with 5 Medals. Students, Isabella Martin and Andrea Arnoldi Nanis qualified for Nationals in Orlando, FL. We would also like to recognize the students and Jack Sutton (President), Tristan Schneider (VP) along with Ivan Bogdan, Ty Bransford, and Liam O’Keefe. Luana De Moras was the lone underclassman who medaled in Marketing!!
I want to send a huge shout out to teachers, Dan Riley, Devin Thiele and Robert Wise for their amazing teaching and stewardship for the DECA State Leadership Championship.
International Night- International Night was sponsored by the Black Student Union and was the culminating activity for the celebration of Black History Month. It was a night to bring cultures together and to witness the diversity that exist at West Potomac. Clubs from Cultural Unity, 1000 Schools, HLC (Hispanic Leadership Club), JSA (Jewish American Club), HAS (Habesha Student Association), APAC (Asian Pacific American Club), and French Club participated. Food and performances were represented from Trinidad and Tobago, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Mexico, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Peru, China, Dominican Republic, and United States. Please go to our website to see highlights and multiple pictures. https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/announcements/night-culture-celebration-international-night-recap
Meditation Spaces- FCPS regulation requires that we have a space available to students to provide reasonable accommodations and access to meditation and silent reflection, regardless of religious backgrounds.
The West Potomac Meditation space is available for students outside of their instructional time in the library. Should a student wish to access the space outside of instructional time, they need to have a permission form on file. Families can use this google form or return a paper permission form:
If you have a question about the meditation space, please check with AP, Janet Babic.
Ramadan Meal- FCPS is offering fasting meal kits for students who are fasting for Ramadan (February 28-March 28, 2025). Please see this page for more information and to request the meal kits.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Jessica Statz, Principal
  PTSA
Top It Off Fundraiser!
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 location 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 Dates: February 14th – March 15th
PTSA Meeting- March 18 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 18th 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
Student Services
2025-26 Academic Advising
This week we concluded scheduled academic advising meetings. Students who may have been absent and have not yet met with their counselor should follow up with their counselor as soon as possible.
A reminder that to ensure we can honor a class switch you must submit the request change to your high school counselor by Wednesday 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:
FCPS News
Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens
Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging — no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:
- Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
- Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
- Stay patient and reserve judgment.
- Check in with your child early and often.
Visit our website for more information on how to Become Unskippable with your teens.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
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- A Strong Academic Foundation
- 70th Annual Regional Science Fair
- New Breakfast Options
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
School Fundraisers
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!
https://www.supportwestpotomac.com/mulch.html
To volunteer your truck or be a chase car, click here: Link to Volunteer
Class of 2025:
We are less than 100 days away from Graduation. Please look 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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Order your Class of 2025 Senior Sign TODAY! There are a limited number left– DO NOT DELAY! Purchase signs here.
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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!
-WPHS Senior Website:https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/student-life-activities/seniors-class-2025 -All of our messaging will be in News You Choose which comes out on Fridays.
-JOIN our Instagram page! “WestPo2025SGA” https://www.instagram.com/westpo2025sga/
-JOIN our Facebook page! “West Potomac HS-Class of 2025” https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097261814782770/?mibextid=uJjRxrThisis a private group for parents and students.
Senior Administrator: Janet Babic (jmbabic@fcps.edu)
Senior Class Sponsors: Sejal Parekh (snparekh@fcps.edu) & Tracy Scheel (tascheel@fcps.edu)
of months.
Class of 2026 Families
Parents & Guardians,
It’s almost time for Prom! It’s the Junior classes responsibility to plan prom! We’ve got a date, (April 26th) and a Venue (The Torpedo Factory) and now we need your help! To help us make the prom feel extra special this year, we created an Amazon Wishlist for decorations. We have lofty goals to turn the Torpedo Factory into a James Bond 007 old Hollywood Casino and we need your help! Please sign up for a slot to fulfill our decorative dreams, so we can create a night that they will cherish. Also linked here is a sign up for help on the day of. We need all the expertise from decorative to strength to planning and maybe others I’m not thinking of too! Many hands and helpers will make this experience one that will never be forgotten by your students. We thank you in advanced for your support!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Day Javkhlan & Mrs. Lintot
Class of 2026 Sponsors
Dr. Brian Valentine
Class of 2026 Administrator
Decoration Sign Up Genius
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4DAFA92AAA8-55081796-prom
Volunteer Sign Up Genius
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4DAFA92AAA8-55081098-prom
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