News from our President, Jennifer Campbell

March 2010

"10 Years of Tradition—A Decade of Excellence"

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Our family dogs weren't the only ones really excited to see green grass peaking out from the melting snow this past week! The weather twice postponed the PTSA fundraiser Princeton Review SAT/ACT practice test until February 20th and we still had over 100 students attend.

Thank you to Mary Coleman, Salma Ashmawi, Bonnie Huneke, and Marjorie Willard for their assistance that morning as well as changing their schedules to accommodate the 2 additional snow dates! For students and parents who took the practice test: the SAT/ACT follow up session to get your scores and an explanation of how to interpret them will be on Wednesday , March 3, 7:00pm in the WHS Cafeteria. We hope to offer the same opportunity for practice tests next year as well.

Thank you to individuals who responded to our request for gift cards to help some WHS families who are facing hard economic times. They will be managed through Meg Lawless Crosett, who is chair of our Kid to School Committee.

Thanks as well to Damita Snow and Mark Richardson, neither of whom have seniors at Westfield, for generously giving their time to chair the senior after-prom celebration at the Cub Run Rec Center immediately following the Senior Prom on June 4th. Lots of assistance is needed. Check out the details at http://ptsa.westfieldhs.org/committees/after-prom-celebration.html.

There have been many recent developments regarding education funding and FCPS Schools, about which I received information from the Fairfax County Council PTA Budget Chair, David Edelman. Within the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Governor's Office has recommended that the LCI be readjusted to its 2007 level, which would increase FCPS share of the State's Education Funding. However, the Governor has also proposed cutting $731-750 million in Education Funding (SOQ) – an approximate 30% reduction in K-12 education funding. The state plans to count the Federal Stimulus dollars to Fairfax County as part of the FCPS state allotment, but these funds were already accounted for in the FCPS advertised budget. The State Senate proposes funding Education in FY 2011 at the level of $4736/pupil and the House of Delegates proposes $4458/pupil. The highest per pupil rate was in FY2008 at $5,007/pupil. It becomes increasingly important to find ways for our lawmakers to keep more of the money raised by Northern VA in Northern VA. http://legis.state.va.us/

In Fairfax County, due to deficits in FCPS and across the County government, cuts to the budget will need to occur or real estate taxes will be raised, or a combination of both with be needed. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will have to decide whether to raise the real estate tax. The current rate is $1.04 per $100 of assessed value. The transfer from the County to FCPS represents about 75% of all FCPS funding, most of which comes from property taxes. There will be three budget scenarios, including transfer to FCPS, that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors: 1) No tax increase; 2) Equalization of the tax rate to compensate for lower assessment values and the keep total tax revenue constant; and 3) a larger increase of the tax rate to make up for lost revenue due to declining property values. The Board of Supervisors will be meeting on March 9, 2010 to vote to set the maximum property tax rate. It is imperative that you give your feedback to the board go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/survey/fy11_budget_comment.htm or sign up for the public hearings April 6-8.

FFCPS approved the 2.3 Billion FY2011 advertised budget, which was released on February 4, 2010. The School Board put back a number of cuts into the budget, but need an additional $81 million in revenue to fully fund it and it is unclear whether any of the funding will come from the state. In addition, it would require an increase in the transfer from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which could only be raised by the County by raising the property tax rate. http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011.htm.

The PTSA is helping to organize a senior class “100 Days Until Graduation” meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 7pm in the cafeteria. This will be an opportunity for seniors and their parents to pay fees, learn details about graduation and learn about Prom, After Prom party and the All Night Grad Party. Plans are percolating for the All Night Grad party. Links are turned on to order tickets or mulch for their largest fund raiser on April 10th. LOTS of VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED- visit the ANGP volunteer web site to sign up help and to order mulch. Order early, as we we've set a sales limit this year!

We are still looking people to serve a brief commitment on the PTSA Nominations Committee along with Salma Ashmawi, to fill the following positions: Treasurer, 2nd Vice President (Academics & Honor Roll), ANGP, Mulch, After Prom, Bulldog BBQ, BBQ Silent Auction, Legislative, Newsletter, Budget, Parent Programs, Webmaster and possibly some others. We'll be extending the invitation to rising 9th grade parents, so if something interests you, please speak up now! Contact Salma at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you'd like to be on the nomination committee or step up for a committee slot. We are also looking for a parent who understands non-profit taxes who can help us out next fall with our taxes or in February if an extension is filed. Knowledge of Quicken, is helpful, I am told!

If you missed our PTSA, Coalition, and PROTECT program this past October, your in luck. On Monday March 15, 7pm in the Centreville High School Auditorium, Centreville Principal Mike Campbell will moderate a panel discussion Reaching out: TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM THE REALITIES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE. Participating will be youth in recovery, parents affected by their child’s substance abuse, Counselor from Alcohol and Drug Services and Student Resource Officer from Fairfax County Police. (View Flier)

Come join us for WHS's annual Saturday Night in the Suburbs on Thursday, March 18, 7:00pm in the Lecture Hall for a free panel, moderated by a representative from Safe and Drug Free who will weave in components of the Fairfax County Youth Survey. Learn from a panel of seniors, led by an adult moderator, about what things kids do when parents aren't looking. Knowledge is power and parents need to keep one step ahead of their kids!

Looking ahead, another reminder we have Mulch Day on April 10th. We need LOTS of teen and adult volunteers, use of trucks for delivery, and donations of food items to feed the volunteers. On April 15th, we hold our monthly PTSA meeting, with School Board Chairperson, Kathy Smith on the agenda.

As always, contact me with any issues or questions. Thanks!

Jennifer Campbell
PTSA President
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