Western Albemarle News
Winter, 2010
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Dear WAHS Families,
School year 2010-11 is now officially half over as we begin the second semester this week. We managed to complete end of course SOL testing as well as exams without too much interference from the weather.
We are already making preparations for the next school year and have begun a process to study changes in the scheduling format. A message was sent home electronically on Friday, January 21, which outlined this process. Counselors will begin course registration for returning students soon.
WAHS presently leads AA schools statewide in the Wachovia Cup competition based on the success of our fall athletics teams. Hopefully we can continue this success and end up a winner once again. The construction of the new turf field has been completed and will be a wonderful addition to our athletics program.
I am hopeful that your student has had a good first semester of school and will continue to be successful for the remainder of the year. As always, please contact us if you ever have concerns or questions that we may assist you with.
Dave Francis, Principal
Dates to Remember:
February 7 9th Grade Bullying Presentation 1 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
February 11Private School Orientation1-2:30 p.m.
February 12WAHS Band Dinner Dance
February 14 Singing Valentines
February 21 Student Holiday
February 22Classes Resume
March 2Winter Sports Program 6:30 p.m.
March 3Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
(Sign-up book available in main office starting February 17)
March 8&9 SOL Tests (11th grade Writing)
March 8Spring Sports Parent Meeting 7:00 p.m. WAHS Cafeteria
March 1710th Grade Career Fair - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
March 18 – 20WAHS Drama Department Presents Annie
April 1 Student Holiday
April 4-8 Spring Break
April 16 Prom
April 26Choir/Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m. WAHS Auditorium
May 1Spring Band Concert 3:30 p.m.
May 2 - 11AP Exams
May 23 - 27 SOLs
May 25 - May 31 Senior Exams
May 30Holiday
May 31Valediction
June 1Spring Sports Program 6:30 p.m.
June 3 Graduation
June 8 -13Underclassmen Exams
WAHS Drama Department Presents Annie
The Drama Department at Western Albemarle High School will be putting on a full-scale production of “Annie” featuring an orchestra and a combined cast and crew of over 65 students. We invite you to come see the evening shows March 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee March 20 at 2:30 p.m.
From the Counseling Office
Counselors will begin meeting with students individually to register for courses for the 2011-2012 school year. If you would like to be a part of your student’s conference, please call your counselor at (434) 823-8700 ext. 3 to set an appointment.
College bound seniors should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid for college. Please be aware of the correct website, There are sites out there that will charge a fee. Please remember that you are registering for the FREE Application for Student Aid. Each college has a priority deadline for completing the FAFSA. If you have questions, please contact your counselor.
AP Exam registration will take place from February 22-March 7. The exam fee this year is $87. During Exam registration, deposits of $25 per exam will be due, although exams may be paid for in full. Checks should be made payable to WAHS. Students can register for exams before school, during TAB, and during lunch. The remaining balance for exams will be due by April 26. Letters will be mailed home in early February to all parents of AP students. Please look for this letter for more detailed information and an AP Exam schedule. Questions about AP testing can be directed to Heather Lindsay.
PVCC Dual Enrollment English 12
Students taking English 12, Dual Enrollment in the Spring semester are required to purchase the following texts:
How to Write Anything with Readings. MLA/APA update, John Ruszkiewicz, Bedford/St. Martins
Literature: Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, 2nd Edition. Ed. Robert DiYanni, McGraw-Hill (ISBN 9780073124452)
They are available used and new at the PVCC Bookstore, or there may be a current student who will give/sell their books to you. The course texts are also available online at a wide variety of book sellers, and Amazon and Barnes and Noble often have discounts for text books.
WAHS Rowing Team
Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to try out for rowing. For more info, please see Coach Pitts in B216 or go to
Albemarle County Announces 2011 High School Summer School Dates
Session 1:Wednesday, June 22 – Wednesday July 13 (Monday, July 4 – Holiday: No School)
Session 2:Monday, July 18 – Friday, August 5
All courses that have been offered in the past will continue to be offered. Classes being taught will be contingent upon minimum enrollments. Tuition rates for 2011 High School Summer School have not yet been established. Course offerings, summer school locations, and registration dates will be announced as soon as they are determined. For more information, contact the WAHS Counseling Department at 823-8700.
Get the Official Word from Albemarle County Public Schools
Did you know you have several ways to be informed about inclement weather changes, announcements and other news from Albemarle County Public Schools? For the most immediate way to receive up-to-the-minute updates from us, you may use the following social media:
- Follow us on Twitter -- @k12albemarle (
- Friend us on Facebook --@k12albemarle ( )
- Subscribe to our home page through your Feed Reader
We update the school division webpage regularly and quickly when there is a schedule change ( If you are unsure about an early closing or other message from the school division, or you hear a rumor or report from the news media, please check our website for more details before calling your child’s school. We are happy to speak to you, but as you might suspect, we are busy preparing your child to leave early and ensuring a safe and secure learning environment even as we make schedule changes.
If you are not receiving the Electronic Notification System phone calls and emails to notify you of a change in schedule due to inclement weather or other school announcements, please contact the front office so that your child’s student record can be updated.
We are currently developing the capability to send text messages to parents who wish to receive them. We anticipate this functionality to be available in 2011-12, with the chance to sign up as part of the registration process at the beginning of the school year.