WPHS News You Choose - 2/21/25
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Table of Contents
- Important Dates
- Principal’s Message
- PTSA
- School News
- Class of 2025
Important Dates
March 8 - SAT Spring Prep Class Begins
March 15 - End date for PTSA Top It Off Fundraiser
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
I am excited to announce West Potomac’s very first Future Wolverine Community Fest on April 30th from 5:00-6:00PM at Bucknell Elementary School. Our high school is at the center of our pyramid and our Fort Hunt community. The students want to do more to bring the rest of our pyramid communities together and boost Wolverine Pride in our feeder elementary schools. This event was planned by student leaders, and I am proud of their work.
Community Fest is a student led pep rally, where our students visit elementary schools in our area, lead activities and spread West Potomac pride. We need your help to make this first event a success. Donate gently used West Potomac apparel for our merch drive from March 2nd-14th in the main or DSA office. Or contact [email protected] and we will pick it up! Look out for a signup genius for parent and student volunteers.
What: Future Wolverine Community Fest
When: April 30th 5:00PM- 6:00PM
Where: Bucknell Elementary School
Next week, we will begin our Hall Sweep process to ensure ALL students are getting to class on time!
Cafeteria Services- students should not invite guests to campus for any reason, including meal delivery services. Our cafeteria serves nutritious breakfast and lunch and students will not be denied meal service. Meals can be purchased using your MySchoolBucks account and eligible families can apply for Free and Reduced Meals. If your student forgets their meal and you would like to bring them food, please remember you must bring the food into the building via Door 1 and leave it in the main office for your child to pick it up. You should not ask your child to come meet you outside to receive the food.
Fasting Kits- 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.
Cell phones- To assist students regulation of technology use and promote healthy boundaries with cell phones, FCPS has implemented a district policy restricting cell phone use during the school day. Cell phones should be silent and away during all instructional periods.
Visiting our Campus- If you need to visit our campus during the school day, please enter through Door 1. When you arrive, please be prepared to use the kiosk in the main office to check in and obtain a visitor’s pass. You will need a photo ID for this process.
We welcome families to visit campus during the school day by making an appointment with your student’s counselor or administrator.
Also, next week is our Black History Month Spirit Week:
Enjoy your weekend!
Jessica Statz, Principal
PTSA
PTSA Meeting, Tuesday, February 25th - Canceled
- Do to unforeseen circumstances, the February 25 PTSA meeting has been canceled.
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 Dates: February 14th – March 15th
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, [email protected] 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, [email protected], to complete enrollment. One-year license, unlimited access.
- More about the SAT course https://www.applerouth.com/courses/sat-online-course
- More about the ACT course https://www.applerouth.com/courses/act-online-course
Scholarships - WPHS student need-based scholarships for mocks and classes are available through the College and Career Center Specialist, Karen B. Young, [email protected].
PTSA Contact – Marilyn Aboff, [email protected]
School News
Beyond the Page Theatre Company proudly presents, TWELFTH NIGHT – THE MUSICAL! This classic Shakespearean romantic comedy gets a modern makeover in this high-energy show, featuring infectious songs by Shaina Taub, mistaken identities, and plenty of hysterical laugh-out-loud moments!
Whether you're celebrating love or just love a good laugh, this is the show for you! Don’t miss this joyful, feel-good musical that will have you singing, swooning, and smiling all night long!
Bring someone special on February 14th and fall in love with the music, the mischief, and the magic of Twelfth Night!
Sincerely,
DATES & TIMES: February 21 @ 7PM February 22 @ 1PM & 7PM
LOCATION: Kogelman Theatre, West Potomac High School
TICKETS & MORE INFO: https://www.westpotomactheatre.org/
College & Career Center
NOVA Parent Night:
On Thursday, February 27th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Annandale High School will host a NOVA Parent Night. This program is for students and parents interested in learning about the opportunities at Northern Virginia Community College. Participants will learn about admission requirements, cost, financial aid, 4-year university transfer options, and workforce programs. Spanish translation will be available. See the flyer for more information.
NOVAs MEC Open House:
NOVAs Medical Education Campus will host its annual open house & health expo on Saturday, April 12th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Participants will be able to tour their state-of-the-art laboratories, get program information, speak with leaders, and participate in hands-on activities. On the Health Expo side there will be free health screenings and several informational tables, as well as fun activities to participate in. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register and for more information about programs offered at NOVAs Medical Education Campus.
2025 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Series
Looking for a job or volunteer opportunity? All students are invited to attend the 2025 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Series and Career Building Workshops sponsored by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity with FCPS kicking off Saturday, March 8th from 11am to 1pm at West Springfield High School and on Saturday, March 15th at Chantilly High School from 11am to 1pm.
At each fair, students will have the opportunity to engage with employers offering part-time, full-time, seasonal, and volunteer positions. During the fairs, students will also be able to attend career-building workshops like Resume Building and Interviewing 101. Most positions at the fair are geared toward students age 16+, but some opportunities for younger students may be available with parental consent. See the flyer for more information or to register.
Student Services
- Please take a moment and review the January/February Student Services Newsletter!
2025-26 Academic Advising
Next week we will start meeting 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. Below is a reminder of the remaining Academic Advising Schedule, deadlines to change classes, and links to a variety of resources on our website!
- Rising 10th graders – Feb 24th-March 7th (via PE 9 classes)
As we get closer to the deadlines to select classes, a reminder that to ensure we can honor a switch you must submit the change request 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 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:
- Rising 10th-12th Grade Course Offerings Sheet
- WPHS Course Catalog
- Directions on how to select courses in StudentVue
- Academic Advising / Course Selection Student Overview Video
Class of 2025
SENIORS & SENIOR PARENTS!
SENIOR PARENTS, we really need volunteers for our 100(ish) Days Until Graduation Celebration on 2/26/25! Small time commitment: 9:00am-10:30am.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AACAF2BAA8-54876322-100ish?useFullSite=true#/
Thank you to everyone that has paid dues already!
SENIOR DUES Please pay your Senior Dues via MySchoolBucks by December 20th. Dues are $85 this year. This covers graduation expenses (Cap & Gown, Diploma Covers, Programs, Eagle Bank Transportation, etc…)
- Order your Class of 2025 Senior Sign TODAY! There are a limited number left– DO NOT DELAY! Purchase signs here: https://westpotomacptsa.givebacks.com/store/items/1113130
- 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! Please sign up for helping out on February 26th!
- Wednesday, February 26th (note date change) – 100 Days Til Grad Celebration
- 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 ([email protected]) Senior Class Sponsors: Sejal Parekh ([email protected]) & Tracy Scheel ([email protected])
6500 Quander Road Alexandria, VA 22307 | Main Office: 703-718-2500
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