President's Message

October 2014

Hello Bulldogs!

I hope that your students are in full “school mode” and having a successful first quarter! 

First, thank you to everyone who has already volunteered time this year!  Your help has made things such as the Bulldog Café, Vision/Hearing Screenings, Staff Lunch and the Bulldog BBQ go well.  Ongoing volunteer needs will always be posted on our sign up genius page (http://www.signupgenius.com/go/whsbulldog) .  In fact, two new needs have just been arisen – an ESOL teacher has requested volunteers to help in her 7^th period beginning ESOL class and our health clinic has requested volunteers. 

For the ESOL class, the teacher hopes that some volunteers will come in to read with students and help them with English basics. If you are interested, please contact kevoda@fcps.edu.  Any time you can give would be greatly appreciated.

The health clinic is seeking volunteers who either are already trained by the county health department or who are willing to be trained at a the free two hour training. Upcoming training sessions are on October 15^th and November 18^th.  If you are interested or would like to learn more, please contact Ms. Frost at Jeanne.Frost@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Upcoming Dates/Events (for a complete list of events, see the calendar at ptsa.westfieldhs.org)

• BITS tutoring begins: 10/11
• Columbus Day Holiday: 10/13
• PSAT/Readiness Exam Date: 10/15 – Early Dismissal
• Senior Class Meeting: 10/15 (Attendance Mandatory)
• Homecoming Week: 10/14-10/17

*Spirit Days, Parade (10/17), Football Game (10/17), Dance (10/18)

*Dance tickets pricing and sales schedule is posted on the PTSA calendar

• PTSA Meeting: 10/23 – Social Media Presentation by Rick Stegman, FCPS Educational Technology Specialist. (7 pm-Library)
• Reflections Contest Ends: 10/24
• End of First Quarter: 10/31 – 2 hour early dismissal

Please join us for the Thursday, October 23^rd PTSA meeting. Following a very brief business meeting, there will be a Social Media presentation by Rick Stegman,FCPS Educational Technology Specialist.  Come learn about various social media sites, how to navigate them and see what your students are doing/seeing in the ever-changing world of social media.  Please invite community members. Everyone welcome.

Thank you to everyone who has joined the PTSA already this year!  Congratulations to the following membership drawing winners:

• Karen Voda – Kindle Fire HD
• David Chiew--Turbo Tutoring Class

The Reflections Contest is underway. This year’s theme is “The World Would Be A Better Place If…”  Entries are encouraged in the following categories: Literature, Dance Choreography, Film Production, Musical Composition, Photography and Visual Arts.  For entry forms and other information, visit http://www.vapta.org/arts-in-education/reflections.html or contact Mrs. Young.

Due to new federal guidelines, the after school concessions stand will no longer be selling hot food Monday through Thursday.  “Smart Snacks” will be sold from 2:05-2:35 pm and all snacks are available after 2:35 pm.  “Smart Snacks” must fall within federal guidelines for sugar, calories, salt, and fat content and include items such as diet beverages, water, certain granola bars, certain chips, and string cheese.    These guidelines are impacting available food and beverage items throughout the school, such as in vending machines and in the school cafeteria.  Please remember that these are federal guidelines and not FCPS or Westfield only guidelines. 

View a complete list of businesses and individuals who donated to this year’s silent auction. We greatly appreciate the support of our business community and ask that you consider supporting these businesses that support us!

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Cathy Pisarcik 
Westfield HS PTSA President