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Table of Contents
- PTSA
- Student Services/College & Career Center
- Class of 2025
- Class of 2026
- Class of 2027
Important Dates
April 8 - PTSA Meeting - Guest Speaker, Karen Young, WPHS College and Career Center Specialist, 6:30 PM, WP Library
April 9 - Crew Boosters Restaurant Night Fundraiser – Five Guys (Quander Road & Hybla Valley Locations), 4-8pm
April 14-18 - No School Spring Break
April 26 - Prom
April 30- PTSA Sponsored Teacher/Staff Appreciation Lunch, Sign-up below
May 1 - PTSA Landscape Raffle Winner Announced
May 20 - Senior Bash
May 27 - Senior Community Day of Service
May 30 - Senior Graduation walkthrough (at West Po)
June 2 - Class of 2025 Graduation, 9:30 am
August 14 - New Student Orientation, 8-12pm
August 14 - Wolverine Welcome Open House, 1-3pm
Principal’s Message
Dear Wolverine Community,
Parents and guardians: Spring break is right around the corner! We will not be in school April 14-18 and offices will be closed. I hope everyone has a restful and relaxing spring break!
If you have not visited our website recently, please do. If you scroll down to the bottom, there are “Feature Stories” that change on a regular basis. We have some amazing information on our website for students, parents, and the community. https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/
Correction from last week: National Assistant Principal/Administrator Week is April 7th through April 11th. Thank you to all our administrative team at WPHS. I could not do my job without their day-to-day work! Thank you, Ms. Babic, Mr. Roberson, Ms. Raffaelli, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Corbin, Dr. Valentine, Ms. Carfang, Mr. Seidenberg, Mr. McMahon, Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Reynolds. In addition, I am very fortunate to have other members on my administrative team helping me achieve my goals for WPHS. Thank you to Dr. Millians, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Cabezas.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jessica Statz, Principal
PTSA
April 8th PTSA Meeting- 6:30 PM, WPHS Library - Guest Speaker, Karen Young, WPHS College and Career Center Specialist
Please join us this Tuesday, April 8th for a great PTSA Meeting to hear from Ms. Karen Young, WPHS College and Career Specialist. Did you know your students 4 High School Years amounts to 720 school days? Seems too quick doesn’t it? Attend and we promise you will walk away with great resources and information. Ms. Young works together with school counselors, teachers, and staff members to help students make informed decisions about post-secondary opportunities. She organizes over 100 college visits per year, sends out newsletter sharing information about internships, scholarship resources, standardized testing preparation, military careers, apprenticeship, summer opportunities, and much more. Come learn and ask your questions! 4/8/25, 6:30 PM in the WPHS Library.
WPHS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day - April 30th. Please Help!
The PTSA Board needs your help making this year’s Teachers/Staff Appreciation Day as special as we can. Through the generosity of a former Wolverine family, Philly cheesesteaks and Veggie cheesesteaks will be served up (the PTSA budget will pay for the food items at cost), and he is volunteering his time and much more.
There will also be a raffle table to win one of 15 baskets and a "Treasure Island" table with over 300 small items (many were donated). We are very excited about seeing all these smiles but we are about $700 short and appreciate/need your support....
Donate funds to the PTSA Givebacks page
https://westpotomacptsa.givebacks.com/store?limit=21...
Volunteers needed on April 30th are needed to help with the raffle table, set-up, help serve and help show our love and appreciation. Boxes of Potato chips, drinks and desserts are also needed. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845ACAA2AA0FCC61-49200530-wpteachersfacult
Treasure Island Table - if you have any new or gently used items like new candles, frames, puzzles, home decor that no longer sparks joy in your home - please consider donating to the Treasure Island table. Drop off either at WPHS front office or 8506 Culver Pl. Alexandria. Items needed by April 25th. Thank you for your partnership!
PTSA Landscaping Raffle - March 22nd - April 30th
Dreaming of a beautiful backyard and not sure where to start. MT Diablo Landscaping has generously donated a $500.00 credit certificate redeemable towards 5 hours of landscaping. Please see the flyer below for additional details.
2025-2026 WPHS PTSA Board Openings
We all know it takes a village to make WONDERFUL things happen and as we enter 4th quarter, the time has come to announce 2025-2026 open PTSA Board Positions. Please consider helping - the PTSA is a integral foundation to WPHS and through the efforts of a caring and engaging family volunteers, the PTSA remains strong and continues to provide the resources it has to teachers and students.
Open positions include President, President Elect, VP of Communications which supports collecting announcements and creating draft for the weekly WPHS News You Choose newsletter and VP of Volunteers which helps create volunteer spots, engages with volunteers, manages the PTSA Givebacks/Memberhub activities online site to create new product buttons. Please send an e-mail to Virginia Lyon, PTSA Secretary at ptsa.westpotomac@gmail.com to submit your nomination and or ask additional questions regarding an open position, and she will connect with you with the current volunteer in that role. Thank You!
PTSA’s Test Prep Program can help you achieve your highest SAT or ACT score.
Test Prep Chair Search is On! Do you have freshman and/or younger students? Well, SAT/ACT tests are in your future. Be on the cutting edge of changes to the official tests and college admissions by chairing the PTSA’s Test Prep Program! No test prep experience is needed just strong organization and customer service skills. Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com, to learn more about managing this rewarding program. Planning next school year in already in process. Now is a great time to jump on board and learn the ropes! Perhaps co-chair for a year?
Are your Juniors ready to apply for college this Fall?
Applerouth has a lineup of four events to help your students write compelling college essays, master SAT & ACT test-taking strategies, adapt to the latest ACT changes, and gain the confidence to hit their goals on test day.
Register now at www.applerouth.com/spring-training
- College Essay: Do's and Don'ts, April 9th, 8pm ET
- SAT Math Mastery, April 15th, 8pm ET
- SAT Verbal Mastery, April 24th, 8pm ET
- Inside the New, Shorter ACT, April 29th, 8pm ET
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 online 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 5/3/25.
SAT GROUP CLASSES ($475.00) – Watch the Weekly NYC for updates on next school year’s schedule. Our fall class will likely start mid to late August.
ACT CLASSES – Contact Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com for options. Offered online with live tutor as space is available. $475.00.
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
AP Testing Volunteers Needed
WPHS Counselors are reaching out for your support in AP Exam administration! The AP Exams run Monday, May 5th to Friday, May 16th with both AM (7:40-12:00) and PM (11:45-3:30) sessions. We are in need of several volunteers to support multiple testing days and sessions this year! Volunteering to support testing does not entail administering the exam but it includes supporting our students and counselors during the exam. By utilizing parent volunteers, we will require less counselors in testing rooms which will allow them to continue to work with their students during the school day. Please note that volunteers are restricted from supporting an exam their student is scheduled to take, as well as any AP content they may have taught in the past.
Should you have interest in serving as an AP Testing Volunteer, please sign up using the Sign-up Genius link here. We could not provide these testing opportunities to our students without your support and on behalf of the WPHS staff and students, we thank you for your time in advance!
- What is required of me? Volunteers are asked to arrive by approximately 7:40am for the AM session and 11:45am for the PM session, and follow the directions of the lead proctor (School Counselor). This might include passing out tests, pencils and assisting with bathroom breaks. During the test you’ll supervise the students by circulating throughout the testing room. At the conclusion of the test you’ll assist the lead proctors in collecting materials.
- How long will the test run? Traditionally morning test end around 12pm but could go slightly longer or end earlier. Afternoon volunteers should arrive approximately 11:45am and end around 4pm but again could go slightly longer or end earlier.
- I can help with exams, but I would need to leave a few minutes early, can I still help? YES! Please email Taylor Oakley at tmoakley@fcps.edu if you have signed up for a session but are unable to fulfil the entire slot.
- Eligibility: Adult Volunteers may not proctor a test their student is schedule to take, as well as any AP content they may have taught in the past.
West Potomac Band Plants the Seeds of Love of Music
On Monday, March 31, a dozen students from West Potomac Band took time out of their student holiday to participate in an outreach activity at two area preschools - Aldersgate Preschool and St. Luke's Day School. The goal was to connect these students and plant seeds of the love of music starting at a very young age. Bringing their instruments along, West Po Band students led hands-on demonstrations, allowing pre-schoolers to touch and feel the instruments, banging drums, pressing buttons and touching valves. Each West Po student also introduced themselves and their instrument, and demonstrated playing their individual instruments - clarinet, euphonium, flute, french horn, saxophone, sousaphone, trumpet, trombone, and tenor drums. At the end, the little ones were treated to a rousing rendition of the Sponge Bob Square Pants Theme song, along with a couple of favorite West Po pep tunes. It was a fun day for all involved. Way to go West Po!
Student Services / College & Career Center
FAFSA/VASA Completion Events for all FCPS seniors:
Hosted by College Access Fairfax, these will be the last in-person events offered for current seniors.
**Important reminder - you must create your FAFSA ID before attending the workshop in order to complete your FAFSA application. Allow at least 3 days for the FAFSA ID to be created. Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch The student and all contributors must have their social security number and their own email (student and contributors cannot use the same email address)***
- April 5, 2025 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at Mount Vernon HS
- April 9, 2025 - 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Lake Braddock SS
Northern Virginia Regional College Fair:
The Office of Admissions at George Mason University invites students & families to one of the largest college fairs in the region! NVRCF will take place on Wednesday, April 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Each year, this fair connects more than 1,500 students with representatives from over 200 colleges and universities across the country. Reservations are not required, however, students can set up a profile that can be shared with admissions representatives. See the NVRCF website for additionaldetails: https://events.admissions.gmu.edu/nvrcfstudents/
FCPS Virtual Military Fair:
FCPS students and families are invited to our virtual FCPS Military Night on Thursday, April 10th from 6-8 PM. Join the event to learn about various military pathways for high school graduates. See the flyer for more information.
School Fundraisers
WPHS Crew Team Restaurant Night at Five Guys on Wednesday April 9th, 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.
Other School News
WPHS DECA Team Competing in Nationals
For the first time in a decade, WPHS has a team heading to the DECA National Competition in Orlando, FL and they need your help to make it happen!
West Potomac sent eight marketing students to Virginia Beach to compete in the State Leadership Conference in early March. The event focuses on Marketing and Business problems and the students had to come up with a solution based on what they have learned through the courses they have taken at West Potomac. Of the eight students, five medaled, placing in their respective content area and TWO STUDENTS qualified for the National Competition.
They will be competing against 20,000 HS students from across the country at the end of April and need your support. These young women embody the spirit of entrepreneurship, marketing, and leadership and are excited to represent West Potomac HS in Orlando.
Class of 2025
The last few events:
*Junior/Senior Prom 4/26
*Senior Bash 5/20 (rain date 5/29)
*Community Day of Service 5/27
*Graduation walkthrough @WP 5/30
*Graduation 6/2
We have just a few Senior signs left. Now only $15
https://westpotomacptsa.givebacks.com/store/items/1176847
IMPORTANT!
SENIOR DUES: must be paid prior to graduation! Please pay your Senior Dues via MySchoolBucks
-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)
Class of 2026 Families
We are so appreciative of your donations for PROM! Our wish list for decorations is filled! We still have some slots open for help on the evening before and most importantly, the day of. The most help is needed in the decorating of the space. The Torpedo Factory is open to the public and will stay open until 5pm the day of Prom. We can’t get there any earlier to set up anything! The request for 15 volunteers at 5pm is imperative! Mrs. Lintot and I can’t do it all alone. Thank you to all who have volunteered so far, in any capacity! We will have a floor plan for you and visuals for where everything will go. Please help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4DAFA92AAA8-55081098-prom
Additionally, if you didn’t get a chance to purchase anything from our Wishlist but would still like to contribute, please log into Myschoolbucks and head to our school store and donate there. Your donations will help us sponsor students to attend.
Thank you for your continued partnership with us to make this year’s prom a fantastic event.
Mrs. Day Javkhlan & Mrs. Lintot – Class of 2026 Sponsors
Dr. Valentine- Class of 2026 Administrator
Class of 2027
Attention - Class of 2027! Join the WPHS Class of 2027 Facebook Group!
Stay informed and connected! Our new West Potomac High School Class of 2027 - Parents & Families Facebook group is your go-to spot for school updates, events, and important info. As senior year approaches, we’ll share everything from graduation details to college prep, career pathways, military options, senior year activities and more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/953477353412367
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