April 6, 2025

April is School Library Month 📚 and Autism Awareness Month 💙.

Let's come together to celebrate and support individuals with autism, recognizing their unique strengths and contributions to our community. This month is an opportunity to increase understanding and acceptance of autism, fostering a more inclusive world for everyone.

This week, we celebrate National Library Week (April 7-11). Let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible librarians who make our high school library a welcoming and enriching place for everyone. Their dedication to fostering a love for reading and learning is truly inspiring.

Additionally, starting the week of April 27, parents will receive notifications about the student selected library materials checked out by their student that day. These emails will be sent automatically to the primary parent/guardian email address, ensuring you stay informed about your student’s reading activities. This feature will be activated for all PWCS students. Please note that there is no option to opt out of these email communications.

Important reminders:

• Spring Break next week: April 14 - 18, 2025 - No School
• Teacher Workday April 21 (No School for Students)
• Students return on Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Below, you'll find information about our upcoming "Unity Read" Literacy Carnival, International Night, Lions Activities Booster Club Meeting, Prom save-the-date, Class of 2025 t-shirt sale, Graduation meetings and more!

• April 7: Meet & Greet new Head Football Coach 5:45 - 6:45pm in 1st floor cafeteria

• April 8: International Night "Carnival of Cultures", 6-8pm, Lions Activities Booster Club Meeting 6pm

• April 14 - 18: SPRING BREAK - No School

• April 21: Teacher Workday - No School for Students

• April 24: Unity "Read" Literacy Carnival 2:30 - 5:00pm

Get ready for a memorable evening as we celebrate the rich diversity of cultures from around the world. This event is a fantastic opportunity to learn, experience, and appreciate the beauty of different traditions and customs. Activities include music, dance, a fashion show, food from around the world, and more!

When: Tuesday, April 8 from 6-8pm

Where: Enter through Door 37 (Auditorium side)

We hope to see you there!

You are invited to join us for fun interactive literacy activities, free books and games, music, inflatable obstacle courses, a dunk tank, food and more! We hope to see you there!

1. Prom Agreement Form: All students must submit a prom agreement form signed by the student, parent, and administration.
2. Eligibility: All obligations must be cleared before purchasing a ticket (library books, uniforms, etc.) Students with excessive absences, at risk of not graduating, or with egregious PWCS code of behavior violations may not be eligible to attend (details forthcoming).
3. Guest Permission Forms: All outside guest forms must be submitted by April 25th. No changes or additions after this date.
4. Ticket Sales: Space is limited based on the venue's capacity. Tickets go on sale May 1st and 2nd (flash sale $50). Prices will increase to $60 from May 3rd and after. No tickets will be sold on the day of the event or at the door. (Last day to purchase tickets will be May 15th or once we reach capacity).
5. Attendance Requirement on day of Prom (5/16): Per PWCS Attendance policy, "students must attend at least half the instructional day on the day of an event". An early release permission form will be provided for students and parents to sign in advance so students can be released no earlier than 10:30 AM.

• Please schedule any hair/nail appointments after 10:30 AM or the day before to avoid students being unable to participate in prom due to attendance policy.

All Prom Forms can be picked up starting Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - more details will be shared students.

Graduation meetings will be held during 12th grade English classes on April 7th and 8th. We will also host a virtual meeting via zoom on April 24th at 7:00pm for parents/guardians and any student who missed the in-person meetings this week. Zoom link will be shared closer to that date.

TRIP COST: $50 NONREFUNDABLE per student – Cash or Electronic Payment.

• Permission slips are due no later than April 11,2025
• Tickets will be sold during WIN blocks and lunches between March 24th and April 11th in the 12th grade office on the 3rd floor.
• Tickets will be available for purchase electronically through April 4th via the Hometown Ticketing App. There is an additional service fee to pay electronically. Those who wish to pay electronically must set up a Hometown Ticketing account first.
• All students and their parents/guardians must review the rules and expectations outlined in the Senior Trip Policy Form in their entirety prior to purchasing a ticket.
• Students must present this form with signatures, student and parent/guardian, AND the permission sheet to buy a ticket.
• Forms can be picked up in the 12th grade office with Ms. Pryce & Ms. Nash.

**STIPULATIONS** Students MUST be in good standing from April 1st – April 25th with academics, attendance, and discipline to be considered eligible to attend the trip as follows:

• ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY: If you are currently at risk of not graduating due to grades, you will need to attend at least 3 study hall sessions to improve your grades. If you still need to pass an SOL, you will need to attend at least 3 SOL remediation sessions after school to be prepared for the next SOL opportunity. Families of any student who is at risk of not graduating will receive SchoolStatus messages from Mrs. Nash weekly starting this week.
• ATTENDANCE ELIGIBILITY: Students may not have more than 3 unexcused absences between 4/1 - 4/25. If a student is absent, please ensure they provide a note to Mrs. Nash’s office within 5 days of the absence. If you are absent during the week of the trip, notes need to be submitted before you go on the trip.
• DISCIPLINARY INELIGIBILITY: As the Class of 2025, we expect you to conduct yourself accordingly as you are the role models for the younger students at the school. During the month of April, if you have any egregious behavior that results in a suspension, you will not be able to attend the trip.

Scheduled graduation walks for elementary schools:

• Piney Branch - May 27 at 3:00
• Cedar Point - May 22 at 2:15
• Victory - May 23 at 2:15
• Glenkirk - May 23 at 2:45
• T. Clay Woods - May 22 at 2:15
• Ellis Elementary - *Scheduled on last day of Graduation practice - all seniors will immediately dismiss after graduation practice to walk the halls of Ellis together.

View the recent scholarship opportunities shared with URHS! Students should also use the Scholarship Search feature in Naviance for a complete list of local and other scholarships.

• Scholarship lists are also posted outside of Mrs. Nash’s office on the 3rd floor.

• If you need assistance applying, make an appointment with Ms. Jung, Mr. Lawrence, or your guidance counselor.
• Keep checking the wall for updates!
• Find more financial Aid resources for FAFSA & VASA here

Come out to support all of the Spring sports teams this season. You can monitor all of your favorite teams’ schedules at this link.

The cheapest way to get into all of the Spring games is to buy the “students only” season pass. Be on the lookout for this pass to become available this week. Buying one season pass will get you into every HOME games for $20 - that’s the price of paying for 3.5 games at regular price. It's a great deal and great way to support URHS athletics. Tickets will be loaded onto our ticket website this week - click here to purchase.

BASEBALL – Jacob Hembree
Jacob Hembree lead the Lions this week going 1 for 2 with an RBI double as well as 1 inning pitched.

SOFTBALL – Amira Ellis
In a challenging matchup against Freedom South Riding, Amira, a first-year player and newcomer to the game of softball, stepped up to the plate with impressive determination and held her own showcasing her skills with the bat,. Her teammates even noted her contributions to the team! Kudos to Amira for her outstanding performance and for embodying the spirit of our Lady Lions! Congratulations on a fantastic week, Amira!

BOYS LACROSSE – Russell Davis
Last week Russell helped our team to a 2-0 week! Russell had 11 points (10 Goals 1 assist) in a 14-0 shutout win over Park View. Russell followed that performance by having 13 points (13 Goals) against Osbourn Park in a 17-16 overtime win.

BOYS SOCCER:
Varsity – Walter Ordonez
Walter helped the team secure our 3-0 win over Freedom last week with 1 goal and 1 assist.
JV – Cristopher Fernandez Velasquez
In our game against Freedom, Cristopher was a key midfielder, keeping our offense going throughout the game.

GIRLS SOCCER – Jackie Rivas
This week’s shoutout goes to Jackie Rivas, who absolutely crushed it in our 7-2 win over Park View—scoring five goals in one game! Jackie recently took on a new role at center mid. She’s making plays all over the field—helping out on defense, pushing forward, and always being in the right spot to create plays. Jackie’s effort, hustle, and leadership in the middle helped drive our first win of the season.

TENNIS – Gadiel Barahona
Gadiel showed excellent form. His shots were precise and he played with a high energy level.

TRACK – Michelle Amaya
At Saturday’s Patriot Invitational Michelle hit 2 PRs – she improved 1sec in the 100M and 2 seconds in the 400M.

We are dedicated to supporting, promoting, and raising funds for all athletic teams and activity groups. By joining the Lions Activities Booster Club, you are helping us contribute to both our athletics and activities.

With support from Lion's parents/guardians like yourselves, we can help the school enhance the athletics and activities programs for our students. The funds raised through membership, fundraising, donations, school spirit wear and concessions are used to support the school with purchasing things like senior gifts, additional equipment, uniforms, and more for our teams.

We are looking for families who can help us with concessions, fundraising, and building LIONS PRIDE! Let's build our community together. Come share in our teams' accomplishments and meet families in the Unity community. Have fun while helping your students have a great experience at Unity Reed High School!

For more information, please contact our Booster's President, Saundra Green at slgreen23@hotmail.com

Activity buses now run Monday through Thursday at 4:30 PM to ensure students can take advantage of our daily academic support opportunities. We are dedicated to supporting the success of ALL students. Check out our daily support sessions below, and remember to check with individual teachers for any additional class-specific help after school.

The quickest ways to update your child's attendance to report an excused absence is by entering the absence in ParentVUE or emailing the respective grade-level Administrative Assistant below:

• 9th grade: Ms. Hammad-Khaleel, Hammadrh1@pwcs.edu
• 10th grade: Ms. Juarez, Juarezn@pwcs.edu
• 11th grade: Ms. Clancy, Clancycc@pwcs.edu
• 12th grade: Ms. Pryce, Prycead@pwcs.edu

You may also call the main school phone line (703-365-2900), however, please allow 24-48 hours for a response if the phone lines are backed-up. If you do not hear back or see your child's attendance has been updated within 48 hours, please email the grade-level Administrator below:

• 9th Grade last names A-L: Dr. Brooks, BrooksDR@pwcs.edu
• 9th Grade last names M-Z: Ms. Drouin, DrouinKA@pwcs.edu
• 10th Grade last names A-L: Mr. Gillespie, GillesRG@pwcs.edu
• 10th Grade last names M-Z: Ms. Mathison, MathisCC@pwcs.edu
• 11th Grade: Mr. Hintosh, HintosCR@pwcs.edu
• 12th Grade: Ms. Nash, NashSJ@pwcs.edu

Parents/Guardians should notify the school before, or at the start of, the school day when their child will be absent. Parents/Guardians must send written or electronic communication citing the reason(s) for the absence to the school no more than five school days following the date of the absence. Student attendance while participating in school-sponsored activities will be updated by the school.

Please see more information regarding PWCS Attendance Regulations here.

• Weekly LIONS’ ROAR: This will include the latest updates with pertinent information for the upcoming week and will be emailed to students and families every Sunday. This information will also be posted on our school website.

• URHS website: This will be updated more frequently so that we can share the most up to date information with you. In fact, click here to view our school website.

• School Status: This is our messaging system, and it allows staff to send text messages, emails, or make phone calls to families. When an email comes to your inbox with this system, the sender will be listed as School Status or Teacher name. A text message will include the staff member’s full name in the message but will be a random number. This system allows the recipient to respond directly to a message.

• The PRIDE Newsletter: This is a monthly newsletter where we celebrate and highlight the incredible accomplishments of our students, staff, and community at Unity Reed High School. Each month, we will showcase achievements, events, and milestones that make our school proud. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, academic successes, athletic triumphs, and much more. All this information will also be available on our school website for easy access and sharing.

I encourage you to continue to stay in touch with important updates by visiting our website. We are here to support you. Please reach out throughout the school year with any questions, concerns, or to share general feedback, and thank you for being part of our school community, as our STRENGTH is IN UNITY!

Sincerely,

Milagros Polanco
Principal, Unity Reed High School