West Potomac Updates No. 23 Keep in Touch Message February 27, 2016

Dear West Potomac Community— We launched this week with our seniors celebrating 100 calendar days remaining until graduation. From amazing Science Fair entries to thoughtful essays and papers in courses like English and Government, there is much recent evidence that the Class of 2016 has set high academic standards. We thank them in advance for holding firm on their scholarship into the latter half of the year. Our celebratory spirit carried through Friday and extended school-wide when our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and faculty recognized the 137 students who earned second quarter All A Honor Roll during Wolverine Time before a gift card prize drawing for both the All A and A/B Honor Roll students during lunches. On the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities front, we were excited to launch spring sports tryouts this week (despite the cold and rainy conditions). Our Boys’ Basketball team continues to be a great source of pride for the entire school. Though the Wolverines fell to Battlefield High School in the regional championships last night, we will again take on the West Springfield Spartans for seeding purposes headed into the state tournament today, Saturday, February 27, 2016. Please come out and support our team at Robinson Secondary School at 4:00 p.m. Congratulations as well to our orchestra program for an amazing concert on Wednesday night and to our band which had its first of two pre-assessment concerts Thursday. Finally, we are excited to recognize the debate team for its success this season. Our team includes William Knight, Jonh Munchnikoff, Olivia Ireland, Jacob Atagi, Sarah Lore, and Genevieve Ireland. Jacob and Olivia recently won first place in varsity at Spartan Invitation Tournament at Broad Run High School and first place in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) tournament at T.C. Williams High School. Jonh and Sebastian qualified for Metrofinals and won second place at the VHSL tournament. Thank you to our families for continuing dialogues about on-time attendance at home. We noticed a marked improvement in students’ on-time attendance on Friday after a total of 290 students (12 percent of the school) were identified in a hall sweep first block Thursday. We must keep this up! Our school leadership team also had its second fantastic opportunity to review student achievement and the supports we offer to all students to reach maximum success. After our AdvancED accreditation external review team visited the school last week, our collaborative team (CT) leaders presented our second quarter data from all core subjects and our On-Time Graduation efforts to the FCPS Instructional Services and Special Services Departments and our Region 3 leadership on Friday. From increasing Wolverine Time interventions to enhanced literacy instruction across all content areas, great things are occurring in our classrooms. We are excited for the school and our student’s continued academic progress. It is a great time to be a West Potomac Wolverine! Sincerely, Alexander B. Case Principal

School News and Updates

WPA Student Jackson Harvey Takes 2nd Place in Burke and Herbert Video Contest West Potomac Academy TV Production student Jackson Harvey won 2nd place in the American Bankers Association (ABA) "Lights, Camera, Save!" national video competition. Burke and Herbert, our academic

booster sponsor, coordinated with ABA and West Potomac to invite students to participate in this national video contest. Jackson worked on his video with TV Production teacher Nancy Mantelli, and submitted it to Jane Lichter at Burke and Herbert. After winning the regional competition, Jackson's video was then headed to the national contest. On Wednesday, February 24, representatives from both Burke and Herbert and the ABA, including Blair Bernstein, a WPHS alumna who now works for ABA, came to West Potomac for the announcement of the top three winners, along with Jackson's parents and WP staff. Jackson’s video, “A Squirrel’s Guide to Saving,” won second place – for which he was awarded $2,500 toward his future education. Way to go, Jackson! Click here to see Jackson's award-winning video. ABA will use Jackson's video in an advertising campaign for their message about saving money. This is another great example of business and our school working together – fully a Win, Win. WPHS Band Kicking Off Spring Break with a Bang Kick off your spring break with a fun event for the entire family: West Potomac Band will be hosting a USBands Indoor Drumline & Color Guard competition on the afternoon of Saturday, March 19. Sixteen schools (including ours!) will be performing. Come on out and watch. It’s just $10 at the door. See flyer attached.

Student Services Non-enrolled AP Exams Interested in taking an AP Exam, but aren’t enrolled in a class? Students may register and pay for their non-enrolled AP Exam(s) via the Adult and Community Education (ACE) web link. An additional processing fee and test administration fee applies. Online payment registration ends March 7. See attachment for additional information. AP exams take place May 2 to May 13. We will need volunteer proctors – please stay tuned to KIT and your email for information on how to sign up.

Community News FREE COMMUNITY EVENT Real Food For Kids • 4th Annual Culinary Challenge and Wellness EXPO March 12 | 10am – 2pm | Robinson Secondary School Whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher or just interested in leading a healthful lifestyle, this event has something for you! WATCH a lively culinary challenge among 12 student teams challenged to prepare a delicious and nutritious school breakfast, lunch, or snack. Come support West Potomac HS Gourmet Foods students and see what grab ‘n go breakfast ideas they are cooking up. LEARN at our Free, Expert-led Workshops on Family Meal Planning, School Gardening, Innovations in School Food, Food Journalism, and MORE! You can also WIN great Prizes including $600 to Earl’s Kitchen-Bar, $500 from Williams-Sonoma and more. Register for the Culinary Challenge and up to two EXPO workshops per person. Space is limited so be sure to register today. See more at: www.RealFoodForKids.org

College & Career Center (CCC) News FAFSA Help with Dale Schmidt Need help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Our financial aid champion, Mr. Dale Schmidt, is available to students and parents in the College & Career Center from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm on March 8, 10, 14, 16, and 30. You can contact him directly at drschmidt@fcps.edu to schedule an appointment. College Visits WPHS College and Career Center Updates!

University of Pittsburgh Fatmata Koroma Thu March 3, 2016 10:00 AM

University of South Carolina Casey Padgett Tue March 8, 2016 9:45 AM

ITT Technical Institute Ora Authurton Fri March 11, 2016 11:00 AM

Eastern Mennonite University David Loughran Thu March 31, 2016 10:00 AM

Longwood University Olander Fleming Thu March 31, 2016 10:30 AM

Liberty University Tyler Branson Mon April 4, 2016 1:00 PM

UPCOMING EVENTS ASVAB Test – Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. Register NOW in the College and Career Center. Northern Virginia Regional College Fair hosted by George Mason University Wednesday, March 30 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eagle Bank Arena (formerly Patriot Center) High school students, counselors, and their parents from Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fauquier counties, as well as Falls Church and Alexandria Cities are invited to attend the program with over 200 colleges and universities represented. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Counselor Association (MARCA) will host a college night on Monday, March 7, 2016 from 7-9 pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, VA. Admissions representatives available from their prospective schools to speak with students and parents. 2016 Veterinary Medical Career Fair & Information Sessions- March 6, 2016 2:30-5:00 p.m. Omni Shoreham Hotel 2500 Calvert Street, NW Washington, DC. FREE event for any high school student with an interest in the veterinary medical profession. Military Service Academy & ROTC Night—Wednesday, March 16, 2016 6:30-8:00 p.m. South County High School 8501 Silverbrook Road Lorton VA. Main Entrance#1 Multi-school event for students interested in attending one of the service academies or ROTC programs. JOBS, JOBS, JOBS….please visit the College and Career Center for information on available jobs for the summer! Interested in working with the DC Summer Conservation Crew program? Come to the College and Career Center for more information or see link http://www.thesca.org/dc-clc Scholarships and Enrichment Programs updated in Family Connections: Scholarships (See under “Colleges Tab) Scholarships Updated: National Pan-Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia Scholarship – deadline March 31 Naval Officers' Spouses Club of Washington, DC Scholarship - deadline April 1 Virginia Sheriffs' Institute - deadline April 1 Jack and Jill of America/Elizabeth Houston Scholarship Burke-FFX Chapter - deadline April 9 Kappa Alpha Psi Alexandria Fairfax Alumni Chapter Scholarship Endowment - deadline April 9 Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Scholarship - deadline April 29 Enrichment Programs Shenandoah University's Leadership by Design Summer Program, 2016. http://www.su.edu/arts/special-programs/center-for-public-service-and-scholarship/leadership-by-design/ CURIE Academy at Cornell University – deadline March 15, 2016. Females only. http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/diversity/summer/high_school/curie/index.cfm

CATALYST Academy at Cornell University – deadline March 15, 2016. Both Males and Females. http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/diversity/summer/high_school/catalyst/index.cfm

Fundraising Information This Is Gonna Be the Best Day… for Wolverine Green! We have an exciting plan to improve the front island at West Potomac as part of our school’s 30th anniversary this year. For more information, see our new promotional video. Since 2006, there have been numerous discussions and landscape designs for the front island space, one of the key areas for the entire campus. Today, it is just a space to walk through. Looking to the near future, the vision is to create a beautiful, functional, sustainable environment that is engaging, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. With wide walkways and seating for classes or small gatherings, the island will encompass native trees and plants in an enriching, inviting atmosphere. The Wolverine Green will be something to be enjoyed every day for every person who walks on the campus for the next 30 years and beyond. Our goal is to begin this project in 2016, but we need your help. For a closer look at the proposed Wolverine Green Learning Island, please click here to see the concept drawing. If you’d like to support this worthy cause, we are accepting donations online. We welcome and are indeed grateful for anything you can give. Please click here to make your tax-deductible donation online. Buy-A-Brick One part of the Wolverine Green that will remain intact is our personalized brick circle. You can buy a brick (there are two sizes available), have it engraved with your name and personal message supporting West Potomac High School, and we will install it in the brick circle on the island. Seating will surround the circle, creating a beautiful to spot to read all those names. For more information and to order a brick, please contact Sue Bernstein, sueconway1@verizon.net. Support All Night Grad The next ANGC meeting is March 2 at 7 pm in the College and Career Center. We are busy planning for the upcoming Car Show Fundraiser on April 23 at West Potomac High School! Come join us! On Thursday, March 10, there is another WESTPOANG pizza fundraiser with Papa John's. Order from any Alexandria Papa John's location and give them the promo code "WESTPOANG" and Papa John's will make a donation to the All Night Grad Party. You can enter the promo code online or say it over the phone! WABC Mulch Sale April 2 – Pre-Order by March 19 for Free Delivery WABC is holding its annual Mulch Sale on April 2. Order online at www.turfwestpotomac.com by March 19 and get free delivery. Guitar Night at the Cosmopolitan Grill Wed, March 9 The West Potomac Guitar Program is hosting a fundraiser at the Cosmopolitan Grill Restaurant on Wednesday, March 9. Guitar students will play music between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. The Cosmopolitan Grill is located on Rt. 1 beside Gold’s Gym and the fundraiser will run all day. Just let them know you are there to support West Potomac so that a percentage of proceeds will be given back to our program!

Athletic Updates Check the website for up-to-date info: www.westpotomacsports.org Wolverine Girls Swim and Dive Take 4th at States

The West Potomac girls scored 163 points to finish 4th in the state, just 8 points out of 2nd place. The Wolverines 200 Medley Relay team of Allie Puskar-Beckett, Holly Jansen, Cassidy Bayer and Jenna Martin won the event with an All-American time of 1:45.46. The same relay team came in 2nd place in the 200 Free Relay. Cassidy Bayer finished 1st in 200 IM, and Holly Jansen finished 2nd in the same race. Bayer was also the State Champion in the 100 butterfly with an All-American time of 53:30. For full details of the boys' and girls' swim results from States, please click here. Winter Sports Banquet March 8 The Winter Sports Awards Banquet will take place Tuesday, March 8, at 6pm.

WPHS Club News WPHS Ice Hockey West Potomac's hockey team successfully skated through the semi-finals, vying Friday night for another championship victory! Click here for current information on their website.

Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Updates College Test Prep ACT and New SAT Mock Tests Check-in open 30 minutes before test start time. Please see online schedule for test start time. Gunston Rooms 151 and 153. Online registration fee, $23. Walk-in registration, $28, as space allows.

Sat-3/5, 9:00a ACT Mock M189206 Sat-3/12, 9:00a NEW SAT Mock M189237 Sat-3/12, 9:00a ACT Mock M189216 Sat-4/16, 9:00a PSAT Mock M206255 Sat-4/16, 9:00a NEW SAT Mock M189237 Sat-4/16, 9:00a ACT Mock M189217 Sat-5/7, 9:00a NEW SAT Mock M189241 Sat-5/7, 9:00a ACT Mock M189218

Spring 2016 Test Prep Class Dates (Classes are hotlinked to registration page - online registration closes at midnight 3/8/16.) 2016 Start Date End Date Class Class Code Sat, Mar 12 Sat, May 21 ACT ACT2287 Sat, Mar 12 Sat, May 21 New SAT SAT2289 Why Take Mock SAT or ACT? Did you know that 54% of students show a natural increase the second time they take a real test? Use the mock to practice test time management skills – see if you have the ability to apply the content and strategies learned while studying when in an official test environment. Test your mental endurance. Earn confidence for the “real thing.” Increase Your College Choices Now is the time to find out where you are missing the most points on your SAT or ACT. Take a mock and use the individualized score report to focus your limited study time. Report includes suggested “homework” in popular prep books. Identify Your Test Preference Use sophomore year to find out if you have a preference for the ACT over the SAT test format. About 25% of the students perform noticeably better (100+ SAT points) on one over the other test. Even if there is not a performance difference, students typically have a strong opinion on which test format they prefer. Take a mock test to discover your preference.

SAT & ACT Winter and Spring 2016 Schedule available here. Sponsored by West Potomac HS PTSA. Need-based scholarships available through the College and Career Center Specialist, Liz Carter (eecarter@fcps.edu).