The Big Train
The Newsletter of the Walter Johnson PTSA - November 2014
Walter Johnson PTSA
The Walter Johnson High School PTSA is a dedicated group of parents, teachers and students who work together in support of the school and community.
Email: ptsapres@walterjohnson.com
Website: www.walterjohnson.com/parents/ptsa.aspx
Location: 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD, United States
Phone: 301-803-7100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walterjohnsonhighschoolptsa#!/pages/Walter-Johnson-High-School-PTSA/406475452770593
Twitter: @wjptsa
PTSA President's Message
We hope that you and your teen had a chance to discuss the PTSA-sponsored presentation by Chad Hymas during the school day on Nov. 3. We had more than 100 parents attend the evening program, most of whom came because their children urged them to attend. Mr. Hymas, a quadriplegic, delivered a message to our teens and parents about reaching out to others and making a difference in their lives. After his talk, more than 250 WJ students posted to Mr. Hymas's Facebook page about how they helped someone else that day. It was a powerful message in our ultra-competitive area. Many thanks to Lisa Strauss and the PTSA Health and Safety committee for arranging the visit by Mr. Hymas. It would not be possible without your membership dues.
Another message we need to deliver to our children is why they should not be abusing alcohol and drugs. We had a wake up call as a community when some students were suspended after arriving at the Homecoming Dance under the influence of alcohol. The PTSA is devoting the next meeting entirely to a discussion on this subject. Our speaker will be Aaron White of NIH. Dr. White works in the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, where he is the program director for NIAAA-funded research on underage and college drinking prevention. He will be speaking on "Alcohol and Adolescents: Brains, Behaviors and Beyond." Dr. White will present the most recent research on drug and alcohol abuse on teenagers, and will also lead a discussion on strategies to best support our teens, including school programs and parenting approaches for preventing, or at least delaying, alcohol and drug use among youth.
The meeting will be in the cafeteria at 7 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and will replace the PTSA business meeting originally scheduled for Nov. 18. Please RSVP for this event below and let me know if there are other issues you would like the PTSA to address.
Barbara Ferry
PTSA President
2014-15 PTSA Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Nov. 25 - (please note the new date)
Dec. 16
Jan. 20
Feb. 17
March 17
April 21
May 19- All PTSA business meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm in the Media Center and are open to all parents, students and teachers.
- Minutes and agendas will be linked to the meeting dates as they become available.
- PTSA meetings include an update from the principal and committee chairs and a discussion of ongoing business.
- Agenda items for meetings should be sent to the PTSA president a week prior to the meeting so that enough time can be allocated for discussion.
- Speakers sponsored by the PTSA are held at various times during the year and are organized by the Guidance Advisory Committee or the Health and Safety Committee.
HAVE YOU JOINED THE PTSA?
News from the Principal's Office
I would like to congratulate our students on an excellent first quarter. Although the period seemed to fly by quickly, much hard work and time were put into assuring success this past quarter. I am always amazed by the number of students who manage to find time to participate in athletics, theater, music, art, and competitive clubs like forensics and debate, but still make the honor roll. This takes tremendous effort, organization and planning. I am sure our seniors are also relieved that the Nov. 1 college application deadline has finally passed. We are very proud of everyone for helping to make our first quarter a great success. Onward into second quarter we go.
Walter Johnson is a busy and vibrant place with a lot to offer our community. Please take a look at our online calendar at www.walterjohnson.com to see all of the upcoming events. A couple of events to highlight include our fall play, The Crucible, which is sure to please the crowds. The shows will be held on Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22. Tickets are available online.
Also, we are very pleased that Dr. Aaron White will come to our school on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7 pm to speak to both parents and students about alcohol use and teen brain development. Dr. White works at the National Institutes of Health and has written several books on teen brain development and alcohol use. He is an expert on adolescent development and has an engaging, informative and non-judgmental approach to his presentations. This will be an excellent opportunity for our community to engage in an important discussion. The evening will include useful information for both parents and teens as they navigate communication and discussions on this important topic. Please join us.
Finally, the 32nd Annual Turkey Chase on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, will be a fabulous and healthy way to begin a joyous day. Make sure to register at www.turkeychase.com. When you register, please select WJ as your school. The money from the Principal’s Prize, which we have won for the last 10 years, goes directly to support our Access2College fund for students who are the first in their family to attend college.
I hope all of our community members are able to enjoy a wonderful November and Thanksgiving Day.
Jennifer Baker
Principal
Email: jennifer.baker@walterjohnson.com
Phone: 301-803-7106
Twitter: @WJPrincipal
Homecoming Hallways were amazing
WJ STAGE PRESENTS "THE CRUCIBLE"
The Crucible is Miller's classic drama of fear, guilt, and accusation running rampant in the town of Salem. Set during the Salem witchcraft trials, the play has larger resonance to the McCarthyism of Miller's day, and touches on universal themes that are always with us. Join us for a challenging night of drama. The witch hunt starts Nov. 14.
STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
It’s that time of year to verify your students' information in The Lineup, Walter Johnson’s student directory. Recently, emails were sent out to parents with information to sign in to the WJ electronic directory to verity their student(s) information. Some of you did not receive the email, because we did not have a current email address on file for you. If you did not receive an email from us on or about Oct. 12, please contact us at wjhsdirectory@gmail.com and we will send you the login information so you can verify your student’s listing.
If you do not verify and choose your exclusion preferences by Friday, Nov, 7, the hard copy of the directory will include the student's name and grade, address and phone number.
You do not need to contact us if you have already verified your information through the WJ electronic directory or you have contacted the main office and indicated which information you wish to exclude from the hard copy and/or electronic version of the directory.
Thanks for your support.
Robin Feldman and Linda Parker
Best Buddies Halloween Party was a huge success
Guidance Advisory Committee
If you were unable to attend the Oct. 27 GAC College Financial Aid meeting, you can now view the handouts at www.walterjohnson.com/parents/guidance_events.aspx under the "College Meetings" folder.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Upcoming Fall Meetings
- Monday, Nov. 17, 7 pm - Understanding AP Classes
- Friday, Nov. 21, 7 pm - Parent Connection for Students Who Learn Differently
- Wednesday, Dec 3, 7:30 pm - Colleges that Change Lives at Walt Whitman HS Auditorium
Alumni College Lunch for Seniors - Friday Dec. 19, during lunch.
This annual event sponsored by WJ Counseling Services invites recent graduates to chat with current seniors about their college experiences. Alumni interested in speaking to seniors should contact Counseling Services.
Winter/Spring Meetings
- Mon., Jan. 12 -PSAT and Mock Testing Results Interpretation, 7 pm - Cafeteria
- Mon., Feb. 9 - Senior Class Parent Meeting: Graduation, 7 pm - Cafeteria
- Wed., Feb. 11 – Parent Coffee: College Admissions Testing, 7:45 am - Commons
- Mon., Feb. 23 - College Planning and Prep for Students Who Learn Differently, 7 pm - Cafeteria
- Mon., Mar. 2 - "Naviance/Family Connections" Parent Meeting, 7 pm - Cafeteria
- Wed., Mar. 11 - "Naviance/Family Connections" Parent Coffee, 7:45 am - Cafeteria
- Mon., Mar. 30 - Mock ACT/SAT Results Interpretation, 7 pm - Cafeteria
- Mon., Apr. 20 – College Admissions Panel Night, 7 pm - Cafeteria
Colleges That Change Lives
Colleges That Change Lives is dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. They work to dispel publicly held myths about college choice—particularly the notion that college choices are severely limited to today’s high school students—and to educate families about the importance of matching an individual student’s needs with the mission and identity of the college itself.
Speaker: Maria Furtado, executive director of CTCL, Inc.
Your RSVP is helpful for planning purposes, but not not required to attend the presentation.
Wednesday, Dec 3, 2014, 07:30 PM
Walt Whitman High School
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Student Involvement Committee officially underway
President: Johannes Bang
Vice President: Sally Tuszynski
Treasurer: Zack Miller
Secretary: Miriam Sieradzki
SGA News
The SGA and leadership class are thrilled to announce the success of our annual Homecoming festivities. Our varsity football team showed great potential in their victory over Northwood High School,54-39. “Senior nights,” the last home contests of fall sports, have come and gone for most WJ teams.
Students flooded into the gym on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 1,8 to find the extended theme of board games. Wildcats danced in celebration of a great Homecoming season to DJ Chris Styles. We want to thank parent and faculty volunteers for their help in executing a safe and memorable night for the 1,000 student attendees.
Now that the fall festivities have passed, we have begun preparing for our next big projects including the legendary Pennies for Patients fundraiser and the Every 15 Minutes campaign.
Over 1,000 cans were donated via the Wildcat Canned Food Drive in October.
Thursday, Oct. 30, was WJ’s Bad Day To Be a Pumpkin. The technology department launched pumpkins from student-designed catapults. There were creative pumpkin carvings and face painting hosted by the Art Honor Society. There also was a pie-eating contest and a competition for the best Halloween costumes. It was a good time for everyone.
Report cards will be distributed on Nov. 12 in homeroom.
Parents should be sure to submit a yearbook ad for their seniors before Dec. 1. Order forms should be submitted to Kristy Hrin at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/wjhs/students/publications/YEARBOOK_AD_ORDER_FORM.pdf
We will honor Walter Johnson on his birthday, Thursday, Nov. 6, at lunch with cake in the cafeteria
The SAT will be given at WJ on Saturday, Nov. 8. Be sure to take advantage of the Math Honor Society'’s free tutoring every Wednesday after school.
The annual blood drive is Tuesday, Nov. 11. Interested students should file applications to donate as soon as possible to determine their eligibility.
Leadership is looking forward to the many upcoming events available to the community. Follow @WJSga for updated information.
Kassidi Baldwin
SGA Secretary
Twitter: @wjsga
Want to visit China? Attend a meeting Nov. 10
This past October, I had an incredible opportunity to visit Beijing with two of my high school principal colleagues. Walter Johnson now has a sister school in Beijing. Our school’s name is Yongding Branch of Secondary School Attached to Normal Capitol University. During my visit I was able to meet Principal Shu and tour the school. Principal Shu was a very gracious host throughout our visit. The school is recently remodeled and is a wonderful facility with much to offer students. They even have dorms as many of the 1,300 students live right on campus.
Interested students will have the opportunity to go to China this coming spring break. The trip will include touring famous sites, several cities, schools and much more. Please come to a meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, in the Media Center at 7 pm, where parents and students will hear about the itinerary and cost of the trip. If you think your child may be interested. please join us.
Jennifer Baker
Principal
News from the Science Department
The science department continues to engage students in real science endeavors. Molecular biology students continue their genomic research in partnership with Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University. To date 44 WJ students have become published authors on the National Center of Biotechnology Information website for their discoveries of novel genes.
Our very own Khanh Chau is among The Gazette's finalists in the “My Favorite Teacher” contest. While there is one nominating letter printed in the paper, there were many more letters written to support her nomination for this award. Here is the letter written by Ben Blanchard nominating Ms. Chau:
In my educational career few teachers, I feel, have taught me something new every day. Fewer still have inspired me; and only one prepared me for life in every way imaginable. That teacher is Mrs. Chau. When I first walked into her classroom for AP Biology a year ago I did not know what to expect, but I immediately recognized the value of having Mrs. Chau teach me. Every second of that class we were learning, exploring and discovering the world around us, and projects and presentations all had practical, real world applications. We were introduced to public speaking on a deeper level than simply standing and talking. Finally, Mrs. Chau carried a passion for what she taught like no other teacher. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and it made each of her students want to try to do their best, not for her, or their parents, or college, but for themselves.
In this case, the phrase, “Vote early, vote often,” actually does apply as you can stuff the internet ballot box in this election. So please vote early and often. Voting is open through Nov. 7. Click here to vote now.
Patricia Richards
APEX Biology Teacher
Science Internship Coordinator
Science Department Chair
Montgomery County County Forensics League Tournament
Katrina Young -- 1st Place in Children's Literature
Sammy Siegel --2nd Place in Children's Literature, 3rd Place in Drama
Ramsay Burgess -- 4th Place in Poetry, 4th Place in Humor
Amanda Spiwak -- 2nd Place in Drama
Naina Thangada -- 2nd Place in Humor
Ben Simon -- 7th Place in Humor, 7th Place in Drama
Yuval Luger -- 5th Place in Humor
Imaan Kibria -- 5th Place in Prose
Marek Haar -- 6th Place in Prose
Hannah Wilcove -- 8th Place in Prose
In group events:
Sean Mahoney and Ramsay Burgess won First Place in Acting with a scene from "Via," a play by Nicholas (Coty) Novak, WJ Class of 2014.
In Readers' Theater, Sammy Siegel and Jimmy Wyderko won First Place in their section with excerpts from "The Electric Company."
WJ School Store open for holiday shopping
The School Store will be open outside the auditorium 30 minutes before the following events:
- Wednesday, Dec. 3 -- Fall Sports Awards Night
- Thursday, Dec. 11 -- Winter Instrumental Concert
- Friday, Dec. 12 -- North Bethesda MS Winter Concert at WJ
- Thursday, Dec. 18 -- Winter Choral Concert
Visit us in our storefront location outside the cafeteria. We are open daily during lunch.
Credit cards, checks and cash accepted. Contact onsiteschoolstore@wjboosterclub.com
Get your WJ hats,
hooded sweatshirts,
and more at the School Store.
CITRUS SALE
The Walter Johnson Ice Hockey Club offers you the opportunity to purchase holiday citrus fruit. Please go to http://riversweetonline.com/wjhs14 to see the different varieties available and place your order. All fruit will be delivered directly to you within the WJ school district in early December. Proceeds support the Ice Hockey Club.
Sale ends Nov. 8.
Please feel free to contact Sylvie Putnam with any questions at 240-644-9554.
WANT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WJ WITHOUT TAKING ANY MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET?
You can do this by linking your store loyalty card to Walter Johnson. WJ earns money every time you shop at Giant, Target, Safeway, Food Lion and Harris Teeter, as long as you designate WJ as your beneficiary school. You can also opt to support more than one school. But you can’t help if you don’t register. And many stores require you to re‐register every year. Please take a moment and follow the links below. Use the following ID numbers and sign up now to help WJ earn.
Target Red Card Visa - School ID: 58206
Harris Teeter - School ID: 7371
Safeway - WJ Group ID: 6679161
Giant - School ID: 00646
Food Lion (including the former Bloom stores) - School ID: 219715
Vintage footage of "The Big Train" discovered
The Library of Congress recently found a nearly perfectly preserved nitrate film of a "Kinograms" newsreel showing our school namesake, Walter Johnson, pitching in the seventh game of the 1924 World Series. The 90 year old film footage was discovered this summer and is now available on the Library of Congress website.
As you may know, the 1924 World Series is the only one won by any major league baseball team from Washington. It was a thrilling seven-game series. Johnson had started and lost games 1 and 5. In game 7, on short rest, he was brought in to pitch in relief in the ninth inning with the game tied, 3-3. He shut out the Giants for four innings and earned the win when the Senators scored in the bottom of the 12th inning for a 4-3 win. This was actually a great bookend for the series, since Washington had lost the first game 4-3 in 12 innings, with Johnson pitching all 12.
WJ students walk to end ALS
Submit an Item for The Big Train Newsletter
The Big Train is the PTSA monthly newsletter, posted online. The upcoming submission deadlines are Nov. 26, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29 and May 27.
Articles, questions and comments may be submitted via email to thebigtrain@walterjohnson.com with the article in the body of the message or as an attachment (please indicate file type). The Big Train is posted on the WJ website, so please do not include information you would not want to see online. Please supply email addresses as well as phone numbers for contact information whenever possible.
All persons associated with WJ are encouraged to submit news and information.
Please also include photos if you have them. In addition to the newsletter, we will post them on the PTSA Facebook page.
The Big Train is compiled, laid out, and edited by Linda Parker, Stephanie Brown and Jonathan Salant.