5/7/17 PTSA E-Blast

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KEY DATES (complete calendar at ptsa.westfieldhs.org):

5/8-5/12 – Prom Ticket Sales during lunches (cash only)

5/8-5/12 – AP Exams (see #9)

5/9 – Color Guard interest clinics begin, 6 pm (see #8)

5/10 – Information on gangs, 7:30 pm (see #14)

5/13 – Prom

5/17 – Blood Drive in honor of Stone MS’s Ms. Nidz and Ms. Wigle (see #12)

5/18 – PTSA Meeting, 7 pm

5/20 – SGA Sponsored Bouveron/Greiner 5 K Run/ Volunteers needed

Here are several updates from around the school:

1. 2017-2018 PTSA Openings: Many of the current volunteers’ students are graduating and new volunteers are needed for the following positions for next year. They are: 1^st Vice President (supports the President and learns the role, with the anticipation of becoming the future President), Secretary, Membership, Publicity, and Fundraising (Ways and Means-but not the mulch sale). If you are interested or have questions, please contact Tricia Monroe at ptsa_president@westfieldhs.org   Please help make a positive impact on all Westfield students, staff, and families!
2. PTSA Meeting, May 18^th: Please mark your calendar and join us for a meeting on Thursday, May 18^th at 7 pm. This is a great time to learn more about the open positions and help with planning for the PTSA sponsored events for the 2017-2018 school year!
3. A few more Prom Volunteers needed – Ticket Sales and Prom Night: A few more adult volunteers are needed to help sell Prom tickets during lunches on Thursday, May 11^th and Friday, May 12^th and also at check-in at the Prom on May 13^th!  To sign up, please click here.
4. Teacher Appreciation Dessert Bar Thank Yous: Thank you to everyone who donated a dessert for Friday’s dessert bar for Teacher Appreciation Week! Thanks also to Jennie Joiner, Julie Lovejoy, and Amanda Bremer for organizing!
5. ANGP Tickets are on sale now!  Class of 2017 All Night Grad Celebration tickets are now on sale. They are currently $60 each. The price goes up to $65 on June 1^st and the deadline to buy tickets is June 7^th. This year’s event begins at Westfield for check-in and then students will be bused to Uptown Alley and Autobahn where they will spend the evening bowling in the black-light alley, playing laser tag, driving the autobahn speedway, playing unlimited arcade games, dancing to a fabulous DJ, playing pool, eating, and having chances to win fantastic prizes! Order online, download the ticket form and send it to the main office, or pick up a form in the main office.  Remember to also complete the risk forms that are found online or attached to this email. Every attendee must have completed permission forms and a parent/guardian must sign, even if the student is 18 years old. Don’t miss the fun! Not sure if you’ve ordered already or want to see who’s signed up, click here      This is a “will call” event. A detailed email will be sent to ticket purchasers soon that will include information on sign-ups for the autobahn and bowling lanes, as well as bus sign-ups. Sign-ups are first-come, first-served, based on when the graduate’s ticket was purchased.
6. Have you ordered a yearbook yet? The cost for the 2016-2017 WHS Yearbook is now $85, cash only! See Ms. Naeve for information.
7. BITS Tutoring - Free!  BITS runs up to 3 Saturday mornings per month. Student tutors are needed and earn service hours for their time! To be eligible for tutoring, students must attend Westfield or any of the schools that feed to Westfield (elementary and middle). For information and to see the required forms, click here   Everyone must arrive on time. No late arrivals will be admitted. May 13th is the next BITS tutoring dates.
8. Color Guard Spring Clinics: Westfield Color Guard spring clinics are open to all Westfield students, including incoming freshmen! They begin May 9^th in WHS in the cafeteria from 6:00-8:30 pm. Clinics will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 25th. Please wear comfortable clothes you can easily move in (athletic shorts and t-shirt) and bring/wear athletic shoes (you may go outside). Bring a friend!! Come be part of this award winning program that combines artistic expression, athleticism, and grace!
9. AP Exams: Is your student taking AP exams?  Please remind them of what they can and cannot bring to the exam and remind them that they must be on time. If they arrive late, they will not be able to test. They should bring their AP booklet, sharpened #2 pencils, black or dark blue ball point pens, approved calculator with extra batteries (if applicable), ruler/straight edge (if applicable; no protractors), ID, watch (that does not make any noise), and water/snack (for breaks). They may not bring phones or any electronic device into the testing room (no watches, Fitbits, etc. that can connect to the internet). Layers are recommended, as the room temperatures may fluctuate. Also, please be advised that end times vary for every exam. If you are picking up your student after an exam, please be patient. Most morning exams do not end until at least noon and afternoon exams may run until nearly 4 pm. 
10. Bouveron/Greiner 5K Run: The SGA is hosting the 2^nd annual event on Saturday, May 20^th in memory and honor of two special WHS family members. For information and to register, click here.
11. Volunteers needed for Bouveron/Greiner 5K Run: Students – still need service hours? Adults – want to help? Please sign up here
12. Blood Drive in honor of Stone Middle School’s Ms. Nidz and Ms. Wigle: On Wednesday, May 17^th from 2 to 8 pm, there will be a blood drive in honor of Ms. Nidz and Ms. Wigle, two of Stone’s teachers who recently passed away from cancer. To sign up, please click here.
13. Donations for ANGP Prizes requested: Plans are currently being made for the All Night Graduation Party for our seniors. It is set to be one of the best ANGP’s yet! One part of this fun evening is when students win door prizes -anything from gift cards to haircuts/nail services to college spirit wear to college dorm or apartment essentials – anything a graduating senior might enjoy.  If you own a business, know someone who owns a business, or would just like to make a donation to the door prizes, please contact Cathy Roberson at 703-725-9341 or family@robersoncentral.com.  Any and all items are appreciated!
14. Sully District Citizens’ Advisory Committee presents a Gang Information Presentation: Wednesday, May 10^th from 7:30-9:00 pm at the Sully District Station (4900 Stonecroft Blvd). Are you curious about gang life? Would you like to learn how to prevent your child from joining a gang? Wonder what’s happening in the district? Join us to learn all this and more.
15. VHSL Sports Physicals at Westfield: On June 21^st from 5:30-7:30 pm, WHS will host the annual sports physicals night. The cost is $50 per preregistered student and takes about an hour to complete. Proceeds are donated to the FCPS Athletic Training Program and help treat injured Bulldog athletes. All physicals will be kept on file at Westfield and will be good for the 2017-2018 school year. Physicals are comprehensive and include a physical exam, flexibility and strength assessment, posture screening and a vision exam. Register by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom. Questions? Contact Ms. Partner at slpartner@fcps.edu
16. No more checks at WHS does not apply to the PTSA: You may have heard that Westfield HS has stopped accepting checks as a method of payment for the remainder of the school year. This does not apply to anything related to the PTSA – including ANGP tickets. It does apply to prom tickets, fees/fines, and any other money owed to the school.
17. 3^rd Annual Share Your Hair event:  On May 22^nd from 3-5 pm, WHS will take part in the third annual Share Your Hair event. Students and faculty are invited to donate at least 8 inches of hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, which makes real hair wigs for women battling cancer. Please see Ms. Sweitzer in R115 or contact Allie Bush at abush227@gmail.com with questions or to pick up registration forms.
18. Summer Math Refresher Camp: The math refresher camp will run August 7^th-11^th from 9-11:30 am and is a summer program designed to prepare students for their fall math class - Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, or Pre-Calculus. The camp is FREE for all Westfield students! Registration is required and the firm deadline to register is July 7^th. To register, complete the attached registration form and submit it electronically to Ms. Sweitzer at jesweitzer@fcps.edu 
19. Turbo-Tutoring: The next ACT prep class is June 7^th from 6:30-9:15 pm. To see the calendar and to register for a one-day seminar for SAT or ACT prep, click here or see the flier attached at the bottom of the e-blast.  
20. Senior Families: Mark your calendars!  Baccalaureate for the Class of 2017 will be held June 11^th from 5-6 pm. 
21. Mulch Weekend Business “Thank Yous”: We would like to give a big thank you to our donors and sponsors! Please remember these companies and groups and consider supporting them, just as they support Westfield!

A&A Transfer
Building Infrastructure Group
Cox Farms
Emerald Lawn and Landscaping
G&C Auto
Katchmark Construction
Living Colour Landscaping
Starbucks (Chantilly Crossing)
Boy Scout Troop 30

22. FCPS 2017-2018 Calendar: You can see next year’s school calendar here.  Remember, school starts August 28^th!

23. mySATadvisor.com: An option for SAT prep is mySATadvisor.com  Online, unlimited practice and analytics on College Board tests and other popular test publishers. Improve speed and accuracy, practice missed or bookmarked questions, and more. Use promo code WHSPTSA20 for a 20% discount. 

24. FCPS Parent Resource Center:  There are many resources available at the FCPS Parent Resource center. For information and to register for classes, visit here 

25. News You Can Use: If you haven’t already done so, please register to receive PTSA updates through the FCPS News You Can Use program. It’s a bit cumbersome to register but soon, this will be the way the PTSA will send messages. To register: Go to FCPS.edu; Scroll to the bottom then click on the mustard yellow banner “Stay Updated with What’s Happening at FCPS with News You Can Choose; Click the “Sign Up Now box; Enter your email address and click “submit”; Find the button for “High Schools” and select “Westfield”; Choose first line “News and Announcements” then choose second line “PTSA” and click submit. You will see a green banner with a check mark and “Subscriptions Updated”.  While in the system, you can opt for other areas of interest as well.
26. Athletic Teams Calendar:  To see the games/matches/meets for all WHS athletic teams, click here!  
27. Amazon.com Ordering:  If you order from Amazon.com, please access the website through the link on the right side of the PTSA webpage   Every order placed earns the PTSA much needed funds, at NO cost to you! Thank you!
28. Silent Fundraisers:  We participate in several store school support programs, such as Giant’s A+ School Rewards and Harris Teeter’s Together in Education program. You DO have to relink your Harris Teeter card each year but you do not have to relink your Giant card (but please check to ensure that you’ve designated Westfield!)  Please check out this link for more information!
29. Have something about a club, team, or class at Westfield that you’d like in the e-blast? Send a request to cpisarcikptsa@cox.net

Good Luck to all Spring Sports teams and athletes as they enter and continue playoffs!