FCPS

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Principal's Message

Dear Wildcat Family,

As the school year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together. This year has been filled with achievements, challenges, and countless memorable moments that have enriched our school community.

To our students, your hard work, resilience, and enthusiasm have been truly inspiring. You have grown not only academically but also as individuals, demonstrating kindness, creativity, and perseverance. Whether you were navigating new subjects, participating in extracurricular activities, or simply being a good friend, you have shown what it means to be a part of our school.

To our parents and guardians, thank you for your unwavering support and partnership. Your involvement and dedication have been vital to our students' success. We appreciate the trust you place in us to educate and nurture your children.

To our amazing staff, your commitment and passion have made all the difference. Your ability to adapt, innovate, and support each student has created a nurturing and stimulating environment where everyone can thrive. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.

As we look forward to the summer break, I encourage everyone to take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. Read a good book, explore new hobbies, and take care of your well-being.

Please remember that learning doesn't stop just because school is out. Encourage your children to stay curious and engaged over the summer. There are many opportunities for enrichment, whether through summer programs, community activities, or simple everyday experiences.

Finally, to our students moving on to high school, I wish you all the very best. We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited to see what the future holds for you. Remember, Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!

Thank you all for a wonderful year. Have a safe, happy, and restful summer!

Warm regards,
John Flowers

PTSA Meeting - 6/5 @ 7:00 PM

We will be having our final PTSA meeting for the 2023-2024 school year on June 5th at 7:00 PM.  During the meeting, we will review the latest testing data, and Ms. Dillard will provide an update on the 8th grade dance, scheduled for Friday June 7th, as well as an overview of next year's IB Program.

This meeting will be virtual.  To attend, please click HERE to register.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

** We are still looking for parents interested in serving on the Board **

LAST CHANCE to Order Yearbook

The 2023-2024 Yearbooks have been delivered and we will be distributing them to the students during Activity Days on June 10th and June 11th.  If you have not purchased one yet, there is still time.  We have less than 100 books left, so don't wait or else they will be all gone.  Visit www.jostensyearbooks.com to order your Whitman Yearbook!!

Student Laptop Collection Notice

As this school year winds down, we would like to ask for your support in assisting your child in returning their laptop and all related equipment.  Our laptop collection date is scheduled for Friday, June 7th.  Students are responsible for returning the original laptop that was assigned to them at the beginning of the school year and the school issued charger. 

As a reminder, parents/families are financially responsible for the replacement cost of a new device to replace any FCPS device or charger components not returned at the end of the school year.

Additionally, 8th graders who do not turn in their laptops on June 7th will not be permitted entrance to the 8th Grade Formal. Please help your students locate all of the equipment they are responsible for in the next few weeks to ensure a smooth collection process. 

Whitman Family Market Wednesday, June 3 After-School Program Survey

Greetings Parents and Guardians!

Below is a link for a quick survey about the Middle School After-School Program. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. The survey is an important component of the after-school program evaluation and is critical for future funding. The more responses we receive, the more valuable and reliable the data. The responses not only allow us to assess the impact of the after-school program, but they help drive program improvement and program quality.

Thank you for completing the survey and for your support of the after-school program.  This survey is FCPS approved. Approval Number is 24234.

All survey responses are due by June 7, 2024.

 

ASP Parent Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCQKSN8

Mark Vincent Basketball Camp Mount Vernon Color Guard Volleyball Camp TV Studio Production Camps

2500 Parkers Ln Alexandria, VA 22306  | Main Office: 703-660-2400
Attendance: 703-660-2424 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Principal's Message

Dear Whitman Family,

As we enter the midpoint of April, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the progress we've made and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for our school community.

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedication and resilience during these challenging times. Whether you're a student adapting to new learning environments, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or a staff member going above and beyond to support our students, your efforts do not go unnoticed.

As we transition into the latter half of the semester, let's remain focused on our goals and committed to our shared mission of fostering academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. Let's continue to support and uplift one another, celebrating our successes and learning from our setbacks.

In the spirit of growth and renewal, I encourage you to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you. Whether it's seeking out academic support, exploring extracurricular activities, or engaging in meaningful conversations with your peers, now is the time to challenge yourself and expand your horizons.

As we look ahead to the remainder of the school year, let's approach each day with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and grow together. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support. Here's to a successful and fulfilling April!

Warm regards,

John Flowers

Principal 

PTSA Meeting - Tuesday, 4/16 - 7 PM

We are excited to extend an invitation to our upcoming PTSA meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, April 16th at 7:00pm.  This will be a Zoom Meeting.  We encourage you to register in advance using this link:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0qde2qqz0qEtcu_aRErN5LVCxptAFdGth5

The PTSA plays a crucial role in fostering a strong school community, and your participation is invaluable. This meeting provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow parents, teachers, and students, discuss important school matters, and contribute ideas for enhancing our educational environment.

This month's meeting will focus on volunteer and donation needs for all the the end of school year activities including Teacher Appreciation, 8th Grade Formal, and Student Activity Days.

If you would like to sign-up to volunteer or donate please use this form:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D45AFAC229-49042295-whitman

Uncovering Our Unique Identity

Join us in shaping the future of Whitman!  Your voice matters.  Take a moment to share your insights and perspectives in our brief survey. Whether you're a dedicated staff member, a supportive parent, an enthusiastic student, or an invested member of the community, your input is crucial in defining the essence of Whitman.  Let's work together to ensure a vibrant and inclusive environment for all.

Click HERE to complete the survey

Order Your Yearbook Today! Farmer's Market @ Sherwood Hall Library is Back! School Health Services Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Health Services invite parents/guardians of FCPS students to participate in a survey requesting feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community.  The survey will be open to families beginning on April 15, 2024 and will be open until April 26, 2024. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete.

Parents are encouraged to offer their feedback as survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services as well as inform future planning for schools. 

Click HERE for the survey

Multicultural Family Night MVHS Theater Arts Presents... Drug Take Back Event Mental Health in Childhood

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with children’s physical and mental health. Mental health disorders such as ADHD and anxiety are the most commonly diagnosed in children, which commonly occurs together. Anxiety are feelings of worry, apprehension or dread that something bad is going to happen. Children diagnosed with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active. Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental health disorders.

Anxiety related triggers are lonely and frightening emotional responses related to situations, persons, places or objects. Today’s sources of stress for our students include: increased coursework and graduation requirements, extracurricular activities, household responsibilities, and social media. Social media has been a great way to increase connection and communication, but for our young people it contributes to shorter attention spans and information overload. Signs of anxiety include appearing worried, irritable or nervous, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, along with physical symptoms such as sleeping problems, headaches, and stomach aches. It is understandable for a parent to be worried because figuring out what to do is hard. Here are five simple ways to respond to your child or teenager with anxiety:

1. Recognize warning signs.
2. Guide your child to take a few deep breaths to slow things down.
3. Make sure your child understands you are available if they need to talk.
4. Acknowledge your child’s feelings and avoid downplaying situations or issues.
5. Help them come up with ways to deal with the situation next time.

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: 571.423.4270.

Sources & Resources

The Anxiety Toolkit for Teens

Talk, They Hear You

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences

 

For Further Information & Support:

Beth Mohaupt, NCC, LPC, CIMHP

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

For MV pyramid schools

[email protected]

2500 Parkers Ln Alexandria, VA 22306  | Main Office: 703-660-2400
Attendance: 703-660-2424 | Web | Twitter | Facebook