Dear Spartan families,

Our next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow! - October 13, 730-830 pm, via Zoom. Register in advance and submit any questions here.

In this newsletter, there are only a few updates and requests. 

We're continuing the membership drive to see if we can get to 400 members this year! If you haven't joined yet, don't hesitate! - You can join here.

This year, we are adding "PTSA Advocacy" to the PTSA's agenda. This area is a key component of the PTSA's mission. You can learn more at the Virginia PTA site here -https://vapta.org/advocacy/ - and the at the Fairfax County Council PTA site here - https://www.fccpta.org/advocacy. Also, see the slides here for more information about FCCPTA Advocacy.If you are interested in helping us in this area, please reach out to us at wshsptsa@gmail.com, and we'll connect you to our Advocacy Committee.

The PTSA doesn't function without volunteer help! We have a couple of Committee Chair positions that are open. More information about the list of committees is here - https://wshsptsa.net/about/committee/ (this will be updated in the coming week to indicate vacancies). One of our current critical position needs is our Restaurant Night Coordinator. If you are interested in helping here, please contact us at wshsptsa@gmail.com and thank you!

This year's Reflections contest theme is "What my Culture Means to Me." More information is available here - vapta.org/reflections/. 

Our first Teacher Appreciation event is coming up! We'll Stock the Breakroom on November 6th! Be on the lookout for the links to the Amazon wishlist and Sign Up Genius this week!

GO SPARTANS!

PTSA Membership Drive -- please help us top 400 members!

• How do I join?  Follow this link to our Givebacks (formerly Memberhub) store and select the option that is best for you:  https://wshs.givebacks.com/store
• I joined last year / this past spring.  Do I need to join again?  YES!  Our membership year lasts from July 1 - June 30, so if you haven't joined for the current year in the last few weeks, please join for this year!
• Why should I join?  This is our school.  We can keep it a great school by doing our part, or we can hope others do it for us.  Be part of the people doing their part, and help support an organization that advocates for our children and schools!  See our list of other reasons at https://wshsptsa.net/join/membership/ 
• If I join, will I be asked to do things?  You can just pay your dues and not do anything else if you want.  Totally up to you.  We'll share volunteer opportunities and opportunities for donations to teacher appreciation and other events, but joining doesn't commit you to doing anything else.  The most important step is joining.  I hear too often "I didn't join because I don't have time to do things." Don't let that stop you.  If that's the case, we're happy to just take your financial support-- we'll put it to good use! 
• What's happening with the PTSA this year?  
  • Teacher Appreciation
  • PTSA Advocacy
  • WSHS participation in the PTA's Reflections art contest
  • Restaurant nights (Stay tuned!)
  • In-person PTSA member meeting(s) and social activities

• Other ideas?  Join and let us know.  We can build together!

Reflections National Arts Contest

https://vapta.org/reflections/

You can find the list of Committees and Committee chairs on the PTSA website here - https://wshsptsa.net/about/committee/. 

If you are interested in finding out how you can help with the PTSA, please e-mail us at wshsptsa@gmail.com