I Drive Smart is a driver-education business where all the instruction is delivered by law enforcement professionals (“driver’s ed taught by cops”). The company has recently expanded service into Northern Virginia, including Alexandria. They now offer the ability to be picked up and dropped off at Washington Lee for the behind-the-wheel sessions. They recently added a new location for classes nearby at Trinity Presbyterian Church (5533 North 16th Street Arlington, VA 22205), which is five minutes from our school. They have also offered to do a fundraising project for the school in which they will donate $50 for every registration that is made by a Washington Lee student by August 31. For the school to receive the $50 credit, the student simply needs to enter Washington Lee as his or her school when creating the account. To learn more about I Drive Smart or schedule classes, you can visit their web site (www.idrivesmart.com) or call 855-IDS-COPS (855-437-2677).

Pretty Packed Prom Purse!

The purse is a girl’s best friend: it carries all your necessities, while doubling as a fabulous accessory. Use your cute bag to your advantage and make it your beauty-first aid kit! Here are a few things I suggest to make sure you take on the big night…..

1. Pack a flat: It may seem ridiculous, but those pretty heels can be painful, break, or you realize a little too late that your date isn’t tall enough for the three inch beauties you dropped $100 on.. “Fast Flats” by Dr. Scholls are backup shoes that fit right into any compact purse; here’s the link! : http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Fast-Flats-Size/dp/B0040BGK6S
2. Hairspray: Don’t let that pretty updo that cost $70 go to waste, bring a portable can of hairspray!
3. Gum: No one wants a date whose breath smells terrible, offer this to your date, friend, and chew one yourself!
4. Safety Pins! Safety pins! Safety pins! One too many times have I heard of a girl tearing her dress while breaking it down on prom night; bring safety pins to avoid having to change if such tragedy occurs!
5. Make-up bag: It’s a big “duh!” for me to recommend bringing makeup to prom, however just what do you bring? If your bag is big, bring it all! There’s no such thing as being ‘too prepared”. If your bag is small, however, make sure to bring the essentials: oil padding wipes, to avoid a sweaty t-zone, back-up lip products of what you’re wearing, a hair-tie, small roller perfume, powder and a tampon!
6. TIDE-TO-GO: This stuff is a life savor; don’t go to dinner without it.
7. Medicine: With all the stress, loud music, and potential drama, someone is bound to get a headache. If you want to be extra prepared, bring Tylenol or some Midol to save someone (or yourself!) form having to go home.

I doubt I’ll have to remind you to bring your cellphone, keys, and wallet- but just incase: don’t forget the fundamentals! Remember to have a great night!

My best advice? :

How to NOT Kill Your Feet at Prom

Usually the girl’s heels are worn during pictures then taken off when they get to the dance. Don’t spend a bunch of money on nice shoes and then abandon them or pay more money to it checked in (sort of like a locker at prom)! Here are a few tips I came up for girls who can wear heels but still feel comfortable in them the whole night.

Tip #1: Choose shoes with platforms on them! I know many girls want to get those sky high heels, but they’re painful and really only seen when you’re taking them off. Why are they uncomfortable? Because your feet are forced to stretch as far as the stilettos do, and that wears them out before you even step into your dates car!

Tip #2: Choose shoes with coverage. The more your feet are covered, the easier or more comfortable it is to walk in them. Why? When your feet are more covered, it’s like walking in tennis shoes which are of course, made for walking! Also it won’t make you have that awkward stumble that tall open toed shoes tend to create.

Tip #3: Ankle coverage will make it more comfortable as well. The straps around your ankle will help keep the shoe on and will keep you from worrying about your shoe slipping out of your feet.

Tip #4: Gold Bond! A lot of girls hate wearing heels while dancing because their feet sweat, resulting in an odor that no one wants their date to smell. Prepare ahead of time but discreetly putting a bit of gold bond powder in the shoe, and wala! No stinky feet.

I hope these tips help, good luck and have a great time at Washington Lee Prom 2013!

All Senior Parents should have received a letter regarding the 2013 Graduation Boat Party.  If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment today to purchase your senior’s ticket.  This is the culminating event of your student’s time at W-L and a party he/she won’t want to miss.  The Boat Party Committee will keep track of all tickets purchased so you won’t need to worry about locating a ticket at the end of the year.

If for some reason you did not receive the letter, please see attached or contact  Melissa Perry or Nadia Perry-Lee, 2013 Boat Party Co-Chairs, at detrissa@verizon.net  or Nadia.Perry-Lee@dcwasa.com and one will be emailed to you directly.

Note:  Copies of the letter and permission slip can also be found both in the main office and on Naviance.

As your class activities coordinator and on behalf of the administrative team, congratulations! You are now approaching the culmination of your hard work and the very last memorable events of your high school years. Preparing for senior experience and looking forward to prom and graduation will make the next few months fly by. Keep track of these events by referring to the calendar in the link above. We hope to see you at all of these activities that we have prepared for you.

We have all enjoyed working with you and feel proud of your accomplishments. You will always be remembered for your many academic successes and strong involvement in the Washington-Lee program.
Sincerely,

Margarita Cruz, Assistant Principal

Important information about the graduation ceremony is below. The W-L administration and the graduation committee ask that graduates and their families read this information carefully and work with us to make sure the ceremony is a fitting tribute to the achievements of the graduates. This important milestone will be honored in a dignified ceremony at the beautiful DAR Constitution Hall on Thursday, June 20th.

TRANSPORTATION

There are a limited number of seats available for graduates on W-L buses.Students wishing to ride the bus to graduation must reserve a space in advance in the Main Office by June 12th and arrive at the front entrance of W-L by 8:15 am on graduation day. See the End of Year Calendar (Calendario de Fin de Año) for more information.

• Students riding the bus from W-L to Constitution Hall should be at the SIDE entrance, Door 5,  on Stafford St. by 8:15 am. BUSES WILL NOT WAIT.
• ALL graduates must be at Constitution Hall by 9:15 or risk not being able to march in with their classmates.
• Doors for Friends and Family open at 9:00 am. Plan to arrive no later than 9:45.
• Due to restrictions put in place by Constitution Hall, no one may enter the Hall between 9:50 and 10:05.
• Graduates should enter at the “D” Street Entrance and everyone else must enter on 18th Street
• Persons with disabilities or unable to navigate stairs should also enter at the“D” Street entrance with no more than one companion.

TICKETS

Each graduate will be issued 6 tickets to the ceremony. Tickets can be picked up in the main office June 3-7. Anyone who needs more than 6 tickets can put his or her name on a list with Ms. Cutrona in the main office by June 5th.Seniors who need less than 6 tickets should leave their extras in the office for redistribution or share with classmates. Extra tickets maybe picked up on Friday, June 14th.

ATTIRE

• Male graduates must wear a blue or white shirt with a collar and a tie.Males should also wear dark-colored dress pants (no jeans) and dark shoes.
• Female graduates should wear a dress or dark- colored dress pants. Skirts should either be short enough not to be seen under the gown or of a solid, dark color.
• Athletic shoes and flip-flops are not allowed.
• No alteration to the gown or the hat is allowed.
• Improper attire could prevent a graduate from participating in the ceremony!

MISCELLANEOUS

• Constitution Hall rules strictly prohibit ANYONE from bringing large bags, noisemakers or balloons into the facility.
• All guests will have to go through a security check, so the fewer items you bring the quicker it will go.
• Once graduates enter the building they will not have access to friends and family. Please make sure all tickets are previously distributed!
• Graduates should bring nothing with them into the hall. There will be no place to store valuables during the ceremony and they will not have a chance to drop them with friends or family.
• Persons with disabilities will be able to sit in a special section with one companion. They must use the “D” Street entrance. There will be ushers to assist with this. Please see Mrs. Cruz or Mrs. Cutrona in advance to reserve this seating.

If a student has lost or damaged a calculator/book/material, he/she will receive an obligation card from the teacher to take to Ms. Bell to clear the obligation. Ms. Bell will give the student a receipt, which the student must show to the teacher so the student’s name can be removed from the list. This also applies to library books.

BOAT PARTY TICKET SALES

Tickets will be sold every Friday during both lunches beginning March 8^th until May 31^st. Tickets are $55.00 and available to W-L seniors only. No guests.  Boat Party letter and permission slips can be found in the main office, on Naviance or by emailing: detrissa@verizon.net

March 18: SENIOR EXPERIENCE: Application Deadline

April 2: SENIOR EXPERIENCE

Eligible students notified of acceptance to participate in Senior Experience. Students participating must turn in their books and meet their monetary obligations prior to May 22.

April 22-26: VOTE FOR GRADUATION SPEAKER

Each year the senior class votes for the teacher whom they would like to hear from at their Graduation. Voting will be done through English classes.

April 23 and 24: FORMALS FOR FIVE   3:00-7:00 p.m. Little Theater

April 29: SENIOR EXPERIENCE: Revised Application Due

May 10: SENIOR EXPERIENCE: Mentor Contact Information Due

May 15-17: DISTRIBUTION OF CAPS AND GOWNS – Through English classes for students who have paid their dues of $50.00 and met their monetary obligations. See the school treasurer, Ms. Bell, in the main office for further information.

May 20: ALL LIBRARY BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED Seniors only, special arrangements may be made on an individual basis, if a senior needs a book beyond this date.

May 22: SENIOR EXPERIENCE

There will be an Orientation meeting in the auditorium at 8:30 a.m. and students will report to work locations in the afternoon.

May 22-29: PROM TICKET SALES Purchase during both lunches on the Concourse. You MUST have paid your Senior Class Dues ($50) to purchase a Prom Ticket ($40). Please see Ms. Bell, the treasurer, if you have not paid your class dues.

MAY 22: AWARDS CEREMONY

9:30-11:00 Students receiving awards will receive an invitation to participate.

May 31: SENIOR PROM

8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Doors close at 10:00 p.m.) @ Marriott Key Bridge

June 3-7: GRADUATION TICKET DISTRIBUTION

Both lunch periods in the assistant principals’ office. Ask for Ms. Cutrona.

Tickets will also be available Monday, June 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Seniors must sign for the tickets.

Six tickets will be available to each graduating senior. Graduates not needing all of their tickets are asked to give their extra tickets to Ms. Cutrona. Any student who might need more than six tickets should leave their name on a waiting list with Ms. Cruz or Ms. Cutrona in the main office by June 5.

SIGN-UP for bus transportation to Constitution Hall with Ms. Cutrona. Seating is limited for seniors who wish to ride the school bus to graduation. To reserve a space, you must sign up in the main office by June 11.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS – Seating for people with disabilities and families who require ASL interpretation will be available. Please see Ms. Cruz or Ms. Cutrona by June 7 for special arrangements.

June 6: SPRING SPORTS BANQUET

6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria

June 11: EXTRA GRADUATION TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP

June 11: Mandatory GRADUATION PRACTICE at 8:30 a.m., pick up IB, NHS, and Valedictorian sashes immediately after practice.

June 11: FAREWELL ASSEMBLY/MEMORIES IN WORDS AND MUSIC  9:30 a.m. in the auditorium (juniors and seniors only)

June 11: SENIOR PICNIC & Yearbook Signing Party

Quincy Park 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Rain date: June 12

June 13: FINAL DAY for regularly scheduled classes and Career Center classes. (For seniors not participating in Senior Experience)

June 14-19: FINAL EXAMINATION & BUS SCHEDULE (For seniors not participating in Senior Experience) Bus routes and times will be determined at a later date. Please check with the Main Office for schedule.

June 14 Friday

1st period Exam 8:19-10:19

3^rd, 5^th and 7^th periods only

June 17 Monday

2nd period Exam 8:19-10:19

3rd period Exam10: 29-12:29

June 18 Tuesday

4th period Exam 8:19-10:19

5th period Exam 10:29-12:29

June 19 Wednesday

6th period Exam 8:19-10:19

7th period Exam 10:29-12:29

June 14: DEADLINE FOR SUMMER SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Summer school will be held at W-L, July 8 to August 16, Per. 1: 7:30 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Per. 2: 10:15 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.   English 11 Writing SOL strengthening course June 24 to July 19,   Per. 2 only. SOL strengthening courses are from July 29-August 16.

June 18: SENIOR EXPERIENCE:                                                                                                                                                  Submit time sheet and reflection to the IB Office between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

June 20: GRADUATION Constitution Hall, Washington, DC at 10:00 a.m.

Seniors riding the buses should arrive at Washington-Lee (entrance 5 – bus lane) by 8:00 a.m. Buses will not wait, so be on time. Seniors going directly to Constitution Hall must be in line no later than 9:15 a.m. No one will be allowed to enter Constitution Hall between 9:50 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. due to safety measures put into place by Constitution Hall – Please arrive early.

June 20: BOAT PARTY: Seniors check in at the W-L cafeteria at 10:45 p.m. before departing by bus for the Odyssey docked at the Washington, DC waterfront.  A little after midnight they’ll begin boarding the Odyssey for a 3-hour cruise on the Potomac River.  Students will return to W-L at 4 a.m. for breakfast, gifts, and prizes. HEAVY APPETIZERS WILL BE SERVED.  PLEASE GET YOUR TICKET NOW BY CONTACTING Melissa Perry via the following:  detrissa@verizon.net