Woodgrove High School
October 2019 Newsletter
Main Office:
540-751-2600
Attendance Office:
540-751-2602
Guidance Office:
540-751-2607
Athletic Office:
540-751-2610
Clinic:
540-751-2606
Purcellville, VA 20132
Principal:
William S. Shipp
Assistant Principals:
Christina Thompson
Don Keener
Tim Panagos
Director of School Counseling:
Geri Fiore
Athletic Director:
Rusty Lowery
Principal's Message
Many thanks to everyone who assisted us with making the 2019-2020 beginning so fantastic! We currently have 1669 students attending Woodgrove High School. Our ninth graders have made the transition to high school and have quickly become an integral part of our school.
Please continue to stay involved in the school life of your son/daughter. Also, please note that the ParentVUE portal is available and you can stay up to date on student assignments and grades. If you have any questions regarding ParentVUE, please contact the school and/or specific teacher. In addition, ParentVUE will continue to serve as our source for interims and report cards this year. If you would like a hard copy of your son’s or daughter’s interim and/or report card, please contact our Counseling Office and they will be sure to send a copy to you.
Once again, the year is off to a superb start! We offer much gratitude to the PTSO, the WMAA, and the WWABC for their efforts to support the school. These groups have planned many exciting activities for this year and I do encourage you to participate.
Whether you are a father, mother, or guardian of a student at Woodgrove, I urge all of you to be involved with the school in some capacity.
Also, we are using a new format for our newsletters. This format, called Smore, is easy to navigate and it offers a more versatile platform for the school to share information. We hope you find this change positive.
Best wishes to everyone and thank you for your continued support.
Woodgrove High School Mission Statement
The mission of Woodgrove High School is to enable all members of the school community to think critically and act responsibly, while preparing students for their futures.
Beliefs:
- We believe that critical thinking means using knowledge to make informed decisions and to solve problems, both independently and collaboratively.
- We believe that we must be responsible for achieving our own goals, for contributing to society, and for being effective global citizens.
- In order to be successful, we all must work, honor, and strive.
Early Dismissal and Front Office Policies
2019 – 2020 Attendance Secretary: Teri Hoover
All Absences and tardies should be reported to 540-751-2602
Early Dismissals: Early dismissal requests should be submitted by 9:15 am through WHSearlydismissal@lcps.org . The request must include: student’s name, time of dismissal, and reason for dismissal.
- It is your student’s responsibility to pick up their dismissal note at the Welcome Center (in the main foyer)
- You will receive a confirmation of your early dismissal request
- If a request is made through the above email, parents are not required to sign students out
- If a request is not made in advance, the student will not be dismissed from class until a parent/guardian arrives to sign the student out
- Unless for an emergency, phone calls will not be permitted for early dismissal requests
Student Item Drop Off: When dropping off lunch or other items for your child, please leave them on the table across from the Welcome Center Desk located in the main foyer. This drop off is intended for your child only. We do not accept food or other items intended for a group of students. Please communicate with your child to pick up the item between classes only, as students will not be allowed to leave class to pick up items. Items left on the table are not supervised and are left at your own risk.
The school does not permit restaurant food deliveries at any time.
Visitors are not permitted unless arranged in advance; in writing with teachers and administration. All visitors are required to supply a government issued ID when entering the building and must sign in at the Welcome Center.
WHS School Counselors
- Mrs. Geri Fiore - Director of School Counseling
- Mr. Patrick Weaver ------ A to Cop
- Mr. Steven Cohen -------- Cor to Gra
- Ms. Amy Scott ------------- Gre to K
- Mrs. Donna Kelly --------- L to O
- Mrs. Barbara Bell --------- P to Sm
- Mrs. Rachel Sutphin ----- Sn to Z
GRADING AT WOODGROVE HIGH SCHOOL
- We weight summative grades at 100% and relate them to specific standards. We clearly indicate which assignments are summative.
- Formative grades may appear in the gradebook, however, formative grades do not calculate in the final grade.
- We treat practice as formative assessments.
- We count no one assessment as more than 20% of the quarter grade.
- Extra credit or grades for activities such as bringing in materials, providing parent/guardian signatures, participation in fundraising/charity, or participating in extra-curricular or non-curricular activities will not be given.
- There is a 50% floor for the first 3 quarters. There is no 50% floor for the fourth quarter.
- We will provide a reassessment opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery on major summative assessments.
- We receive approval from Counseling before giving incompletes as a final quarter grade.
- We post assignments in Phoenix when they are assigned.
- We grade assignments within two weeks of being turned in unless otherwise noted.
- We accept late work through the end of the quarter. Late work may not be awarded full credit. An incomplete may be assigned until the work has been graded andentered in to the grade book.
- Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) courses have their unique grading policies as set forth by the accrediting college or university.
PSAT Day - 9th, 10th, and 11th Grades
When: Wednesday, October 16th
Where: DENtime classroom
What to bring: #2 pencils and approved calculator
PSAT webpage on the LCPS Office of Assessment Services website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/220796
Woodgrove High School Student Council Association
Chick Fil A Spirit Week
Woodgrove High School began the year with wins on and off the field against their cross-town rival, Loudoun Valley High School. The Purcellville Chick-fil-A was generous enough to pledge $1000 to the PTSO of the high school who had the most people mention their respective school when ordering. Woodgrove won the contest in dominant fashion, tallying an impressive 399 in purchases. The SCA hosted the school years first pep rally on Friday afternoon before the football team took the field. Student Activities Director Charley Piercy says, “Although the pep rally didn’t go exactly according to plan, the students still got out of class and were excited for the Valley game.” The excitement carried over into the Friday night game, in which Woodgrove was victorious over Loudoun Valley High School by a score of 20-0.
General Assembly meeting
The Woodgrove High School Student Council hosted their first general assembly meeting of the school year on Thursday, September 5th. The student body represented well at the meeting, and determined by vote that the Homecoming theme this year will be, “Space.” The class subthemes are, “stars” for the seniors, “galaxies” for the juniors, “sun and moon” for the sophomores, and finally “NASA” for the freshman. Student Council President, Riley Parsons says, “The first general assembly meeting went quite well. Our executive board went through each of the activities as efficient as possible and with a bigger turnout than expected, it helped with student involvement with the SCA organization. There were lots of good questions and conversation, I can't wait for the next one.”
Homecoming Court Show
Students got to meet the members of the Homecoming Court on Thursday, September 26th at the annual Homecoming Court Show. Hosts Nick Osuna and Seth Drenning asked members of the court questions and provided commentary on games played by members of the court. Host Nick Osuna says, “I enjoyed hosting. It was a lot of fun, I wish I could do it again.” Spirit week days leading up to Homecoming were also announced to the student body at the event and are as follows: Monday, “PJ day,“ Tuesday, “Tacky tourist day,” Wednesday, “Tik Tok,” Thursday, “Space” and Friday, “Pink out.” Director of the event, Kirsten Woods says, “I loved running the event. It was a lot at first, but as soon as I started reaching out for support, the SCA backed me up. I had a ton of help towards the end, and those participating in the show were excited to pull through.”
Upcoming SCA events
Mattress Sale
The Woodgrove Student Council is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, October 6th. Mattresses, massage chairs, pillows, and much more will be for sale at Woodgrove High School for great deals. The event also provides an opportunity for you to make money, if you are referred to in other mattress purchases you can be rewarded financially. Be sure to spread the word and let’s sell some mattresses!
Homecoming
Woodgrove High School will be hosting its Space themed homecoming on Saturday, October 12th in the main gym. If you plan on attending the event make sure your permission forms are submitted, and be ready to purchase your tickets; ticket sales begin Monday, October 7th.
WHS Library
Come support the Woodgrove Latin Club by eating at Chipotle
Support the Woodgrove Theatre by attending Spookyfest
Senior Portrait Information
Future Quest
Behind the Wheel Available
Woodgrove High School Food Pantry
What is it….
Woodgrove High School is establishing a food pantry this school year to serve students in need. The goal of the project is to provide food for students whose families are experiencing financial hardship. To accomplish this, we plan to provide a bag of staple food products once a week to help supplement meals these students eat at school as well as provide meals for weekends, and longer school breaks. Additionally, students from our special education transition program will be shopping in the community to help stock the pantry, as well as learn job skills organizing, packing, and maintaining the inventory
How can you help….
To make this project possible, we are asking the community for your support. The Leesburg Costco has graciously donated two shelves to store the food and we have acquired others from the school. Now, we need help stocking those shelves. We are accepting any single serve items that can be sent home with these students every weekend. Some examples of these items would be: canned pasta, soup, canned meals, mac and cheese cups, noodles, granola bars, and any other items that would be easily fit into a backpack. All donated food can be dropped off at Woodgrove High School’s front desk. We are also accepting monetary donations to be used by our transition students when shopping for the pantry. Checks can be made out to Woodgrove High School, please write “Food Pantry” on the memo line.
How can a student be referred….
We are creating this program to help our students. All information and involvement with this program will be kept confidential. If you know of a student that you believe would benefit from these services, you may contact the school counseling office at 540-751-2607.
Leslie Simpson (leslie.simpson@lcps.org) and the Woodgrove High School Pantry Committee would like to thank you for your support.
WOLVERINE SPORTS MEDICINE
Volume 10, Issue 2 ------- October, 2019
Sports Injuries
Bone Stress Injuries-Is Lifestyle a Factor for Adolescents?
Almost half of all bone stress injuries occur in individuals under 20 years of age. Researchers sought to identify factors to bone stress injuries among adolescents competing in high school sports. Over a 2-year period, 60 athletic trainers at various demographical high school settings volunteered to report data about diagnosed bone stress injuries to the National High School Stress Fracture Registry (NHSSFR). Overall, 314 athletes (206 females) had 346 bone stress injuries in a variety of sports. The tibia (51%) and the foot (26%) were the most commonly reported sites of injury followed by the fibula, lumbar spine, hip/pelvis and femur.
Results compared to healthy controls showed that athletes with bone stress injuries:
- Were younger
- Had a lower body mass index
- Reported less sleep per night
- Competed in more sport seasons per year
- Participated in fewer sessions of weight training per week
- Had higher levels of stress
- Consumed less dairy.
More specifically, injured females were younger, had a lower body mass index and participated in less weight training sessions per week than healthy females. Furthermore, injured males participated in less weight training sessions and reported less sleep per night than healthy males.
Another noteworthy observation was a majority of both groups (injured and healthy) competed at the varsity level. Hence, younger athletes competing at a higher level of competition may be at greater risk for sustaining a bone stress injury.
Nutrition
Energy Drinks “Increase Stroke Risk by 500%”
When feeling tired and low on energy, many people’s first reaction is to reach for a cup of coffee. Energy drinks are the other popular “option”. One of the most famous energy drinks, Red Bull, sponsors many extreme sporting events and caters to those athletes.
The popular Red Bull has now been associated with cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and increased stroke risk by 500% due to irregular heartbeats. The excess caffeine in energy drinks dramatically increases the amount of calcium released within the heart’s cells, disrupting the electrical rhythm. Red Bull also thickens the blood and provides the body with an unnatural level of stimulation. When combined with stress or high blood pressure, Red Bull can cause damage to blood vessels and creates the risk of blood clotting.
As with other caffeinated beverages, Red Bull gives you a quick high. But this is short lived, and it turns into a low, so you soon feel you need another energy boost. And another can. You enter a vicious cycle and many people get addicted to Red Bull and other energy drinks. It is especially worrisome that Red Bull and other energy drinks are marketed towards young people and students, potentially creating a whole generation of people that are unable to reach normal energy levels the natural way.
Many experts advise that by doing the following things you can successfully boost your energy levels naturally”
- Improve your diet
- Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids
- Cut down on sugars
- Reduce your stress levels
- Get enough good quality sleep
- Exercise regularly
Hello from the School Nurse
Please be reminded that LCPS requires new physician’s order/care plans each school year for the medication or specialized care which your child receives at school. Health conditions which require specific forms are: Severe allergy and Epinephrine auto-injector, Seizures, Asthma with Inhaler and /or nebulizer, Diabetes, Current Medical procedures, i.e. tube feedings, cauterizations, New health concerns or Medical Procedures. You and your child’s physician must complete and sign the proper form(s).The required forms are available in the clinic or online www.lcpc.org. Click on the “Parents: tab and the forms will be found under Medication at School-for Parents. I will be happy to send a form home with your child if you need one.
All Over -the- Counter and Prescription Medications requires the Medication Authorization form to be completed. Parents must transport all medication to and from school. I cannot accept any prescription medication without currents physician’s orders.
Seasonal Allergies and Cold and Flu season has arrived! Please remind your child that the Health Clinic does not stock any type of cold medicine, throat lozenges, or cough drops. If your child is taking allergy medication remind them to take their medication and or eye drops at home as prescribed or over the counter medications as directed by you the parent or guardian. I don’t want them to miss valuable class time coming to the clinic for medication I do not have to give them.
While good attendance is important to the learning process, illness compromises a sick child’s learning and jeopardizes other students. A child who is experiencing symptoms of illness should not be sent to school. In deciding when to send a child back to school after having the flu, the Health Department recommends that your child be out of school for at least 3 to 5 days after fever and respiratory symptoms begin and a full 24 hours after fever (100.0 F or greater) subsides. Symptoms of seasonal “Flu-like Symptoms” are fever >100.0, cough, and body aches, fatigue., runny nose, mild to moderate chills, sneezing. Check with your health care provider for this year’s flu vaccine.
Prevention Tips:
· Cough and sneeze into your elbow
· Wash hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 15-20 seconds.
· Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
· Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth without washing or using hand sanitizer first.
· Stay home if you are sick to avoid contaminating others
All of us have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet a surprising number of students come to the clinic with stomachaches and headaches caused by not eating breakfast. The most common reason given for skipping breakfast is “there wasn’t enough time to eat”. If breakfast is skipped by mid-morning the student may have little energy available until their scheduled lunch block. I discuss with students that breakfast doesn’t have to mean homemade waffles and pancakes. There are many quick and easy breakfasts that provide proper nutrition. They can also buy breakfast at the school cafeteria. Please remind your child to eat a healthy breakfast so they are ready to learn in the classroom.
As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss a health concern of your child, please give me a call at 540-571-2606 (clinic)
Stephanie Lovasz, RN