March 16-20

Good afternoon, Panther Community,

It’s been a great week for the Panthers. Many of our students competed and demonstrated NEXT LEVEL performances, research, and competition. They deserve a shout-out and are featured in this week's newsletter. A special note goes to the Juniors who completed the SOL writing test and all of the staff who supported this process. This year, we finished testing in two days. This was possible thanks to collaboration with the John Champe High School team. They shared their tables and chairs so we could test in the gym and auxiliary gym. This small change allowed the rest of the building to keep a regular bell schedule. It also created a secure, quiet testing environment.

This week, you may notice construction on our campus. Our auditorium seat replacement begins on March 16 and will end on April 1, just in time for our musical. The musical cast will keep using the stage during the seat replacement. Important to note: our auditorium renovation has two parts. First, seat replacement. After that, carpet replacement will be this summer. Please drive carefully, as the construction team will be on campus daily.

Panther families, we need your help! Please remind your students to keep their cell phones, headphones, and personal computers off and out of sight during the school day. We’ve noticed students using their phones and have provided reminders to follow the new policy, but we need your help. Off and out of sight includes everywhere in the building during the school day from 9:30 am-4:18 pm.

Lastly, as we adjust to the time changes and spring weather, please encourage your students to set their alarms a few minutes earlier. This small change helped more students get to class on time this week. Let’s keep this momentum going.

Small changes lead to big changes!

Congratulations for your outstanding performance!

Abdullah Abujoudeh

Matthew Gortayo

Josefa Montiel

Alexander Dolzhenkov

A huge shout‑out to our incredible students who shined at the Regional Science Fair! Your curiosity, creativity, and hard work truly stood out. We’re so proud of the innovative projects you brought to life and the awards you earned.

Boris Coleman

2nd Place - Engineering Technology: Statistics and Dynamics

Honorable Mention - Aerospace Herdon award

Livie Primazon

2nd place- Geospatial Analysis award

Alexander Dolzhenkov and Brady Hobbs

Honorable Mention-The Federal Water Quality Association award

Amanda Gobeille

The Association for Women Geoscientists award

Ryan Gallagher

2nd place - Translational Medical Science

Abdullah Abujoudeh and Yago Chavez

1st Place -Translational Medical Science

Abdullah Abujoudeh is also the recipient of the Willowcroft Science Endowment Award $7000 Scholarship. Mr. Saavedra, as their Independent Science Research teacher, was also awarded $7000.

Congratulations to the Potomac Falls Speech & Debate team! Four Panthers made it to the district finals that were held this past weekend: Sarah Marks, Ana Breathitt, and the duo team of Rachel Sigler and Liam Tulley. Ana, Rachel, and Liam have advanced and will represent the state of Virginia at the NCFL National tournament in Washington, DC in May. Rachel and Liam have also qualified for the VHSL State tournament coming up at the end of March.

Attention all staff and students, please use this link for shoutouts! Other students, staff, volunteers, and community partners deserve recognition for their positive contributions to our Panther Community. Parents and guardians, we want to include you, too! If you are a parent or guardian and want to shout out another student or staff member, please email Dr. Woolever.

• A-Day
• Drama Department Lollipop Sale
• DIY Flower Lanterns @ library during all lunches
• Speech & Debate Club @ 4:30p rm229

• B-Day
• Drame Dept Lollipop Sale
• Global Ambassadors Club @ 8:45a rm220
• Spanish Honor Society Mtg @ 8:45a rm107
• Rooted Club @ 4:30p rm233
• SOFA Practice @ 4:30p black box
• FCCLA Meeting @ 4:30p rm121
• Cyber Club @ 4:30p rm147

• A-Day
• Drama Dept Lollipop Sale
• Quartet Rehearsal @ 8:15a rm405
• SAB Mtg @ 8:45a rm229
• DECA Chapter Monthly Mtg @ 8:45a rm228
• Rock Painting @ library during all lunches
• BSU Mtg @ 4:30p rm224
• Wrestling Team EOY Banquet @ 5p cafe
• Girls Basketball Banquet @ lib

• Student Holiday / Staff Professional Development Day

• Student/Staff Holiday (Eid al Fitr)

🍽️ Beyond the Falls Speaker Series ~Thank You, Chef Stebner!

A huge thank you to Chef Stebner for joining us on Thursday, March 12, as part of our Beyond the Falls Speaker Series. Our students learned so much from his insights and truly appreciated the time he took away from his restaurants, Local Provisions and Brasserie Royale, to talk all things culinary. Your experience and advice were incredibly valuable to our aspiring chefs and hospitality leaders!

Next up:
Join us Wednesday, March 18, when GMU Professor Jasmine Young will speak about what to expect as a business major, career pathways, modern résumé writing, using LinkedIn to network for job opportunities, and how to start climbing the career ladder. Don’t miss out sign up in SchooLinks today!

✔️✔️Mark Your Calendars Special Programs Admission Timelines✔️✔️

All Programs (ACCESS, Advanced AET, AET, AOS, AGLS, IB, HAMSci, MATA, and NJROTC) Offer Enrollment Timeline

• Round 1 Offers: March 16th to 19th

• Round 2 Offers: March 23rd to 26th

• Spring Break ~ No Offers

• Round 3 Offers: April 6th to April 9th

• Ongoing enrollment will continue as needed for each program and will take place within a Monday-Thursday window

🎓🎓NOVA Community College Application Sessions: Is your student interested in Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)? A NOVA representative will be in the Career Center to help students complete their applications. Students bring your charged device, and ID to upload and knowledge or access to your social security number.

Last Round of Student Application Check In: March 26th. Students must register for their session in SchoolLinks

✏️✏️ET Career Scholars program- high school student graduating in 2026 (or already graduated), can get a full FREE YEAR at NOVA in Engineering Technology to prepare you for an in-demand and high-paying career! Applications will be accepted until March 27, 2026

Engineering Technology (ET) Career Scholars is an excellent opportunity for graduating or graduated high school students to get into an in-demand technology career.

Data Center Operations and Semiconductor Manufacturing (part of the engineering technology industry) are big in Northern Virginia and only getting bigger nationally. However, there is a shortage of skilled talent compared to the number of jobs - that's why so many high-paying careers are available in those sectors.

This is where the ET Career Scholars program at NOVA comes in - to give you the skills necessary to fill that gap and embark on a fulfilling, successful career path. But here's the best part - if you are a high school student graduating in 2026 (or already graduated), you can get a full FREE YEAR at NOVA in Engineering Technology to prepare you for an in-demand and high-paying career!

The current ET Career Scholars program is already underway, but there will be more openings for the 2026-27 academic year, and spots in the program will be in demand. Applications will be accepted until March 27, 2026.

Fill out the interest form and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on the latest news about ET Career Scholars.

https://form.jotform.com/241095360078153

💰💰Part Time Summer Job Fair details coming later this month! Mark your calendars for April 7th at Rock Ridge High School 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Please stop by the Career Center to see Ms. Marelli if you have any questions about any of the above college and career opportunities and be sure to follow our Instagram page @potomacfallscareercenter

Dear Parents, Teachers, and Staff members,

As we start the new school week, just want to give a gentle reminder to sign-up for PTSO membership.

Your membership supports the endeavors listed below:

1. Staff Breakfast and Luncheons.

2. Teacher Appreciation Week.

3. Grants for Teachers.

4. Scholarship for Seniors.

5. Supporting various PFHS activities such as SCA, Parent Liaisons, and Panthers Helping Panthers.

Joining is just one click away, so don’t forget to sign-up today!!

Family Membership $30 – Staff Membership $15

https://potomac-falls-ptso.square.site

PAPA JOHNS PIZZA CARD - SPECIAL OFFER:

Papa John’s Pizza Cards for $20. Purchase a pizza at regular menu price and receive a pizza FREE of equal or lesser value (no amount restrictions). **Carryout Only - Over 140 participating restaurants in VMD. Use the QR code or click here and get your card today! VALID UNITL December 31, 2026

Order your graduation yard sign by filling out this form & bringing it (with payment) to the main office. Payment is due NO LATER THAN May 1, 2026. If paying by check, please make it payable to Potomac Falls PTSO.

We will hold PTSO meetings at 7:00 PM, with some meetings held in person in the PFHS library and others held via Zoom to help accommodate everyone’s schedules. Meetings will be one hour maximum and will focus on sharing good news, highlighting a school department, and connecting parents with administration, teachers, and student representatives.

March 26 at 7:00pm (via Zoom)

Zoom Information to Attend Membership Meetings https://zoom.us/j/7293579371?pwd=a01OcG92U2s1Y0puczAxRmFTUk5Zdz09

Meeting ID: 729 357 9371 Passcode: 924892

April 16 at 7:00pm

May 21 at 7:00pm

Other ways to reach us:

1. Twitter @PFHS_PTSO
2. Instagram @pfhs.ptso
3. Facebook @Potomac Falls High School PTSO
4. Email us at pfhs.ptso.president@gmail.com

Sincerely,

2025 - 2026 PFHS PTSO Board

President – Jennifer Rose

Treasurer – Lilah Bruland

VP Membership – Lisa Earnest

Co-VP Fundraising – Nicole Majak

Co-VP Fundraising – Natalie Bassett

Secretary – Melissa Govoruhk

Calling All Graduating Athletes!! Boosters has a long history of awarding scholarships to deserving Panther Athletes. Details and the application can be found HERE. Don't miss the opportunity to receive one of the four scholarships awarded each year. AND, have you ordered a Panther Paw for your Senior?? HERE

Administrators

Dr. Tara Woolever - Principal - Email

Ms. Micaela McCann (Students A-D) - Email

Ms. Katrina Smith (Students E-K) - Email

Dr. Michaela Ottenberg, J.D. (Students L-Q) - Email

Mr. Eric Blackman (Students R-Z) - Email

Counselors

Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi - Director of School Counseling - Email

Ms. Sarah Jones: Students A-BRI Email

Mr. Richard Bader: Students BRO-FLE Email

Ms. Tiera Sharpe: Students FLO-HUE Email

Ms. Mary Meinhardt: Students HUF-MAR Email

Ms. Lily Curcio: Students MAS-PIA Email

Ms. Stefanie Andraos: Students PIB-SO Email

Ms. Lauren Olson: Students SP-Z Email