The Wildcat Chat
What's Happening at Willard? | December 2, 2022
WILD for Giving Drive Ends Sunday
This Sunday, December 4, marks our last donation day for Our WILD for Giving Drive by the Willard PTA. All funds raised during this drive will be used to transform the Willard courtyard into an outdoor learning and collaborative space for students, help with the cost of upcoming field trips, provide teacher grants, and help recognize our students. Please CLICK HERE to find out more, including the option to forward on a personalized website to families and friends, who may also donate. Donations are due by this Sunday, December 4. Thank you so much, and we are so appreciative of the support of our community. If you should have any questions, please contact the Willard PTA Fundraising Team.
Join the Toshiba Exploravision Competition
Eighth Grade Parent Survey
Sources of Strength Holiday Heroes
Coin Wars Giving
Giving to our Local Animal Shelter
Our Best Buddies Advisory will be sponsoring an animal product drive for the Pet Pantry at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter from now until Tuesday, December 13. Interested students may bring in the following items and check out this video:
- All sizes of canned food cat and dog food is accepted.
- Dry food must be unopened, unexpired, non-prescription adult food. Please do not provide kitten, puppy, or senior food.
- Dry food must weigh between 3 and 8 pounds due to space restrictions.
- Donations may be dropped off at Room 621 or in the grade level house offices, whichever is more convenient.
- Our Best Buddies will come by the house offices checking for donations during advisory.
Movie Night at Lightridge
LCPS CAMPUS Information Session
In partnership with Mercer and Lunsford Middle Schools, on Friday, January 6 at 9:30 a.m., we will be hosting a Parent Information Coffee Session at Lunsford Middle School focused on the LCPS CAMPUS Program.
The College Achievement & Multicultural Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS) is an academic and college preparation initiative which began in the spring of 2002 that currently serves over 600 students in grades 9-12. CAMPUS is a high school college access program designed to remove barriers and/or meet the specific needs of first-generation college-bound students attending Loudoun County Public Schools. (LCPS). Safiya Muhammad, the CAMPUS Central Office Based Counselor, will be presenting an overview of the CAMPUS Program.
All grade level parents are welcome although the focus will be on Grade 8, as students are only eligible to apply in Grade 8 and above. Please feel free to contact a member of our counseling team with any questions.
School Climate Survey Opt Outs
LCPS will be administering the 2023 Virginia School Climate Survey to all middle school students in January and February of 2023. We are required by the Commonwealth of Virginia to offer the survey to all of the students in our school. However, the survey is voluntary and students may choose not to participate. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Our school uses the results of this survey to plan strategies for supporting the academic, social-emotional, and safety needs of our students. More information about this survey may be found here. If parents and/or guardians do not want their student to participate in this survey, they should complete the online opt-out form by Friday, December 16. If parents and/or guardians do approve of their student participating, no further action is required.
LCPS Health Supports
Recently, LCPS shared information regarding the serious health concern regarding eating disorders. Concerns regarding eating disorders typically present in adolescence and with early diagnosis, eating disorders are treatable with a combination of nutritional, medical, and therapeutic supports. Recognizing the importance of early identification of at-risk students, the 2013 Virginia General Assembly passed a law requiring each school board to provide parent educational information regarding eating disorders on an annual basis to students in the fifth through twelfth grades.
It is important to note that eating disorders are not diagnosed based on weight changes as much as behaviors, attitudes, and mindset. Symptoms may vary across gender and age groups. Often, a young person with an eating disorder may not be aware that they have a problem or they keep the issues secret. Parents/guardians and family members are in a unique position to notice symptoms or behaviors that cause concern. Noting behaviors common to people with eating disorders may lead to an early referral to the primary care provider. It is important for eating disorders to be treated by someone who specializes in this type of care.
If you believe think your child may be showing signs of a possible eating disorder, please contact your primary healthcare provider, school nurse, or one of the resources listed below.
- Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)
- Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.)
- National Eating Disorders Association
- Toll free, confidential helpline, 1-800-931-2237