WPHS NYC 8/14/26

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates:

August 20 - 26-27 Student Schedules available in StudentVue and ParentVue
August 20 – New Student Orientation – 12:10-2pm
August 20 – Wolverine Welcome Open House and Resource Fair – 2-4pm
August 24 – First Day of School
September 2 – Student Services Senior Information Night – 6pm
September 3 – First Home Football Game vs. Mount Vernon
September 16 – Back to School Night Open House – 4-7pm
October 9 – Homecoming Football Game
October 10 – Homecoming Dance

Principal's Message

Happy Friday Wolverine Community,

We are just over a week away from welcoming your students back into the Wolverine Den! Our faculty and staff are gearing up for a great 2026-2027 school year. Fairfax County has implemented some new policies and procedures for the new year. I am going to touch on a couple of reminders today.

School Opening

This school year, we will not be opening the doors of the building until 7:50 a.m. We will still be serving breakfast just starting five minutes later. Students will still need to enter through Door 1, Door 5 or Door 19 and go through the screening machines.

Cell Phones

Per the new Virginia mandate, all school will have NO cell phone or electronic device use from the beginning of the school day to the end. Devices CANNOT be used in the halls, bathrooms or be out a visible during the school day. We need your help at home to reiterate this new Virginia state law!

Weapons Screening at Football Games

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is taking additional steps this year to help ensure that our athletic events remain safe for students, families, staff, and community members by introducing security screenings of all spectators at our varsity football games.

We will be using the existing weapons screening systems that our students pass through every morning in our schools. In addition, we will be implementing a standardized bag policy to help support a smooth and efficient entry process. Students, family members, and all spectators are reminded that the following items are prohibited:

Backpacks
Purse
Fanny pack
Tote bags
Outside food and beverage
Sporting equipment (balls, bats, sticks, etc.)
Any item prohibited by FCPS policy, or determined by event staff to present safety concerns

Approved bags are limited to:

Clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc bags no larger than 12”6”x12”
Small clutch bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
Medical and diaper bags permitted but subject to inspection

As a reminder, middle-school students and younger, must be accompanied by a responsible adult who remains with the student(s) at the event.

Thank you to our student volunteers that came and helped with our New Teacher Orientation on Thursday!

We are excited to have the halls filled with your students. And we are even more excited to start the celebration of the seniors and their impending graduation as the Class of 2027 and welcoming our newest Wolverines, our freshman class!

See you all in a little over a week!

Mrs. Statz, Principal

New Student Orientation

August 20 12:10-2pm

New 9^th Graders – Will report to their 3^rd period (Advisory) to start Orientation.
New 10^th-12^th Graders – will report to the Library to start Orientation

Wolverine Welcome Open House and Resource Fair

August 20 from 2-4pm

Families/students can walk the halls, find their classrooms/lockers, meet their teachers and visit our Community Vendor Open House in the Main Gym.

Picture Day

Picture Day is Thursday, August 27th & Friday, August 28th during their English class. Families can save $10 on photo packages when they pre-order online. Visit cady.com/pictureday to place your order. #CADY #CADYpics #PictureDay

How to Modify or Unsubscribe to the News You Choose Newsletter

To modify your membership to our messages (or to add yourself to the WPHS Athletics Newsletter!) you can manage your subscriptions by visiting this link

Registrations / Withdrawals

Do you know someone who recently moved into our community? Please encourage them to contact Leslie Dorsey to schedule a registration appointment. She can be reached at 703-718-2551 or ladorsey@fcps.edu
Moving? Please Let Us Know! Please notify our Student Services office if your student(s) will not be returning to West Potomac for the 26-27 school year. If your student needs to unenroll from WPHS for next school year, please contact Leslie Dorsey at ladorsey@fcps.edu Registrar and submit the Intention for Next School Year

Updated Cellphone Policy: No Phones or Devices During Lunch for High School Students

Senate Bill 108 is a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1. It requires that all schools in the state follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy and prohibit cellphone possession and use for the entire school day. The updated FCPS Cellphone Policy aligns with this law, which means high school students are no longer able to use cellphones, cellphone accessories, or smart devices (like smart glasses, earbuds, headsets, and other items connected to the phone) during lunchtime.
Across all grade levels, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (like a smartwatch) must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day, too. Personal devices that connect to a cellphone or cellphone accessory or operate as a smart device must also follow the FCPS Cellphone Policy.
This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. However, school-issued devices must be used in accordance with FCPS Regulation 6410, Acceptable Use Policy, which allows the use of school-issued devices for educational purposes. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.

New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall

This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school.
Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.
All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.

Download the FCPS App Today!

The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

With the app, you can:

View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.

No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app

New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28

On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.

Back-to-School Immunization Requirements

Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:

Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.

Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.

All students entering 12th grade are to receive two doses of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school.

To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older.

As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.

Where to Receive Immunizations

If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster.
Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.

Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.

Meals for Students Available Through August 21 No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on si