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Woodson Weekly is published every Monday to provide the community with important information about school life at Woodson High School.
Vision Statement
Carter G. Woodson High School is a community that embraces diversity in a culture of improvement and success that promotes academic curiosity and individual mental and physical growth.
Weekly Wrap-up
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Message from Mr. Greata
We had a wonderful first week of school, and it was great to see everyone back in the building ready to learn. Last week also brought some important changes, including the launch of our weapons detection system. As I shared previously, our students have done an amazing job adapting to this new process, and we have been able to move students through the screening faster each day. Today, we timed a student at the end of the longest line, and they were through the system in just 8 minutes. Our goal is to reduce that time to 5 minutes, and we are confident we will get there soon.
This week, activities are picking up and there are many exciting events ahead. On Friday, we host our first home football game against Gar-field High School. Before the game, our Sports Leadership students will hold the annual Cav Carnival, starting at 4:30 p.m., with the football game at 7:00 p.m. Following the game our Leadership classes will host the always-popular Cav Kickoff Dance, still only $1. That evening is also our Woodson Pyramid Feeder Night, one of my favorite traditions, highlighted by the 100-yard dash when our pyramid students run across the field just before kickoff. It’s a special celebration of our close-knit Woodson community, and I hope to see you all there!
For our seniors, we look forward to seeing you even sooner—this Wednesday at the Senior Information Night. We will have a presentation about alternatives to college pathways, important application information from our student services, and also a college admissions keynote speaker. Scroll down for all of the details.
Looking ahead, Back to School Night will take place on Thursday, September 4th. Families will have the opportunity to gather key information for the year and follow their student’s schedule to meet teachers.
Finally, please note that Monday, September 9th, is now a student holiday due to the special election. Both Monday, September 8th, and Wednesday, September 10th, will be even days—please plan accordingly.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Free and Reduced Meals Updates
FRM eligibility carryover from SY 24-25 is valid for the first thirty (30) days of school, or until a new application is processed. Households will be required to submit a new application by October 1, 2025.
Families can apply online for the 2025–2026 school year on the FNS webpage for a quicker response, though paper applications are also available from schools or can be printed from the website.
If you want your children to participate in FCPS fee-based programs on a free or reduced fee basis and receive information about other benefits for your children parents must also fill out the FCPS Consent to Share Students’ Meals Eligibility Status Information for Benefits for Other Programs.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Seminars
Attention all 10th grade students and their parents. All new drivers and parents must attend a state mandated traffic safety seminar, Partners for Safe Teen Driving. Please mark your calendar for the Woodson seminars for 2025-2026. Seminars will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the Woodson Auditorium. You do NOT have to register for this, attendance will be taken at the presentation.
Wednesday, September 10th Wednesday, November 19th Wednesday, February 11th Wednesday, April 8th
Important Date for 2025-2026
Thursday, August 28th - Cav Carnival
Thursday, September 4th - Back to School Night
Wednesday, October 8th - PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day
Friday, October 17th - Homecoming Parade and Football Game
Saturday, October 18th - Homecoming Dance
Monday, December 22, 2025 - Friday, January 2, 2026 - Winter Break
Monday, March 30th - Friday, April 3 - Spring Break
Wednesday, June 17th - Last Day of SY25-26
Cav Kick-off Dance
The Cav Kick-off dance will happen on Thursday, August 28th, immediately following the first home football game. (Reminder: there is no school on Friday)
The cost of the dance is $1 and it will take place in the outdoor basketball courts near door 7. This annual tradition celebrates the opening of school and is a great way to finish off a Thursday night of cheering.
The dance begins at 9:15pm or at the end of the football game (whichever comes first) and ends promptly at 11:00pm.
Admission is collected at the door and open to Woodson students only.
Tech News
Our school provides each student with a Chromebook and an official HP-branded or Dell-branded USB-C charger.
If your student has been issued a charger that does not match this requirement, please have them bring it to the Tech Team immediately so it can be swapped for the correct one.
Failure to return or report an incorrect charger may result in a replacement fee being charged at the end of the year during device collection.
Thank you for helping us ensure students have the proper equipment for their devices.
Athletic Gear Sale
You may purchase Woodson Athletic / PE wear visiting this online store. We won’t be selling spirit wear at CG Woodson athletic events this year — but don’t worry! You can still stock up on all your favorite Cavalier gear online.
Shop anytime, from anywhere!
From classic tees to cozy hoodies and fan-favorite accessories, we’ve got the spirit gear to keep you looking sharp and showing off your Cav pride.
Variety of Colors & Styles
Most items come in multiple colors — be sure to click on each product to explore all your options!
Questions? Contact Heather Lennon at mhlennon5@gmail.com.
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Scan this QR code to get your Cav Pass |
Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
At Carter G. Woodson our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit [Volunteer FCPS], click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Counselor Corner
Welcome back to school! Counselors have been working hard to settle students into classes, enroll new students, and prepare for another successful year.
Bookmark our Woodson Student Services padlet to access all of our padlets (digital bulletin boards with information for students and families). To highlight a few:
- Grade-level padlets with curriculum lessons and post-secondary planning resources
- Academic support padlet
- Social/Emotional support padlet with wellness resources
- Academic advising padlet with graduation requirements and course planning information
With the limits on student phone use in school, students may want to bookmark our Woodson Wellness site to utilize brain breaks when appropriate during class time.
Counselors will deliver a lesson to seniors tomorrow, 8/26, during 3rd period, to review all important aspects of navigating senior year. We will build on the resources we offered to students in their Junior year. Counselors also emailed a planning document to senior students and parents with helpful links.
As students settle into their classes, we acknowledge that some may wish to change electives or move a level (AP to Honors/Standard or Honors to AP). We will offer a schedule change request window in early September after the Labor Day holiday weekend. A google form will be posted in Schoology with instructions for students to follow.
Please know that students may see their counselor at any time in Student Services. We provide academic, college & career, and personal counseling as our students navigate high school. Please reach out as needed!
College and Career Center
Senior Information Night – Class of 2026 on Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Join us for an important evening to help seniors navigate senior year and plan for life after graduation.
5:15 – 6:15 PM | Alternative Pathways Mini Fair – Cafeteria A Meet representatives from NOVA, NOVA IET – Information & Engineering Technology, NOVA Workforce, FCPS ACE Adult & Community Education and the Military to explore apprenticeships, certifications, career trainings, and military enlistment options.
6:30 – 8:00 PM | Senior Info Night Program – Auditorium
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6:30 – 7:00 PM – Student Services Presentation: Senior year supports & resources
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7:00 – 7:45 PM – Keynote: Pat Money, George Mason University – College admissions process
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7:45 – 8:00 PM – Q&A
📍 Enter through Door 1 or Door 18. Students are encouraged to attend with parents/guardians.
We look forward to seeing you there!
High School Transcript Updates for Courses Taken at Other Locations
As part of the secondary grading updates, effective with the 2025-2026 school year, high school transcripts and report cards will be updated to show the specific location where a course was taken. This includes courses taken at FCPS High School Academies, FCPS Interagency Alternative Schools, FCPS Online Campus, and classes taken concurrently at other FCPS Schools. Transcripts printed before September 26, 2025 will still list all courses under the student's base school.
Academic Screening and Growth Tests
FCPS uses the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessments to determine students’ strengths and needs in mathematics and reading. Students in select high school math and English courses will participate in these tests. Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage provides more information on these tests.
- MAP Growth Reading - Students enrolled in an English 9, English 10, and English 11 course are required to participate in the fall. Some students will also test in winter and/or spring to monitor progress.
- MAP Growth Math – Students enrolled in an Algebra 1 or Algebra 1, Part 1 course are required to participate in fall, winter, and spring. Students enrolled in multilingual learner (ML) mathematics courses, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, Geometry, Algebra 2, and equivalent courses are required to test in the fall. Some students in these courses will also test in winter and/or spring to monitor progress.
Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage.
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading or math intervention plan. If you have questions about academic screening or growth tests, please contact your student’s English or mathematics teacher.
Dave & Buster’s Fairfax Spirit Night
Woodson Drama Boosters are hosting a fundraiser at Dave & Buster’s Fairfax (at Fair Oaks Shopping Center) on Thursday August 28, 2025 from 5PM – 8PM.
20% of all food, non-alcoholic beverage and game play will go towards the Woodson Drama Boosters.
You must present a copy of the flyer for the event at the time of purchase. Flyers are available in the Theater classroom and will also be available at Dave & Busters at the event.
News You Choose Subscriptions
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