Hello Bulldogs! As you receive this we are finishing AP testing and moving into the SOL testing window. The Student Services Department wishes all of you success as you commence to take your tests.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:
May 5-16 Advanced Placement (AP) testing
May 19-30 SOL testing
May 19 Course registration schedule verifications sent home
May 26 NO SCHOOL—Memorial Day
June 7 Prom
June 9-12 Senior exams

TIP OF THE MONTH (Tips for Taking Different Kinds of Tests):
Generally, there are 3 types of tests that you are probably familiar with:

1. Objective tests (includes True/False, Multiple Choice, Completion, Matching)
2. Problem tests
3. Essay tests

OBJECTIVE TESTS:
Objective tests vary considerably in structure and how they are scored. Here are some suggestions to help you perform better on objective type tests.

Do all questions.
Answer all questions in order without skipping around. If you are unsure of some answers identify them with marks in the margin and go back if time permits, after all other questions have been answered.

Read all answer choices.
On multiple choice tests, read ALL the alternative answers before making your choice. To test for in-depth understanding teachers often include answer choices that seem reasonable but aren’t quite correct.

Time yourself.
Do not spend too much time on any one question. Make your best answer and review it later if you have enough time.

Watch wording.
Watch for words such as “not” or “least” especially when these are not clearly set off through the use of underlining, capital letters, or bold type.

Watch for qualifiers.
Watch for words such as “all, most, some, none,” or “always, usually, seldom, never,” or “best, worst, highest, lowest, smallest, largest.” When you find one of these qualifiers the best test for truth is to substitute the other members of the series to see which makes the best statement.

Watch for multiple concepts.
Watch for multiple ideas of concepts within the same statement. All parts of a statement must be true or the entire statement is false.

Check your work.
Set aside a few minutes at the end of the test to check your work and review unanswered questions. In most cases if you are drawing a total blank it is better to make your best guess than to leave an answer blank. You just might get partial credit!

PROBLEM TESTS:
Problem tests usually consist of mathematical or scientific problems to be worked by using a formula or applying a rule, often in a step-by-step process. Here it is most important that you minimize careless mistakes by checking all computations and the placement of all decimal points.

Make notes.
Write down hard to remember formulas, equations, rules, etc. as soon as the test begins before you actually start working on the test problems.

Work problems one step at a time.
Don’t get frustrated and above all don’t give up if you can’t immediately work through to the answer of a problem. Work one step at a time. Often, completing one step of a problem will help you remember or figure out what the next step should be.

Do all that you can.
If a problem is difficult, but you have a general idea of the process involved do all that you can to work the problem. Write down your best answer and be sure to show all of your work. Even if your answer is incorrect you may get partial credit if you have the right process. If you are completely unable to work a problem—don’t waste time on it, move on to the next one and come back to it if time permits.

Be organized.
Show ALL the steps in your work and clearly identify or label your answer so that your teacher can find it quickly.

Check your work.
Whenever possible, check all answers in a different way from that you used when you first did the work.

ESSAY TESTS:
Essay questions may ask you to “list the causes,” “compare the outcomes,”or “illustrate these terms” in regard to given topics. In answering these questions stick to the point. Don’t ramble or write about unrelated topics. Use the points assigned to each question as a guide to the amount of information that your teacher expects.

Read all questions before beginning.
Read through all the questions rapidly, jotting down beside each question any pertinent facts or ideas that occur to you.

Answer the easiest questions first.
This will increase your confidence and help you to warm up for the more difficult ones.

Concentrate on one question at a time.
Focus on the question at hand, write the best answer that you can and move on.

Understand the questions.
Decide what kind of answer each question requires before you begin writing. Action verbs will help you determine this. Such as: illustrate, list, explain, compare, identify, etc.

Make an outline.
To ensure good organization and prevent careless omissions, make a brief, logical outline for your answer before you start writing. It is more about what and how you say it versus how much you say.

Get to the point.
Avoid long winded introductions. Your aim in essay writing is to provide the largest amount of point-earning information in the time allowed. Make a brief to the point thesis statement and then move right into fully developing your points.

Include facts.
When appropriate, include factual details, examples, and analogies to support your answers. Facts and analogies demonstrate the depth and relational aspects of your knowledge.

Be neat.
Take time to write legibly and make your corrections as neat as possible. Most teachers react favorably to neatness, so let this work for you. Use a separate paragraph for each main idea—this helps the teacher follow your reasoning.

Allow room to expand.
Leave space between your answers. You may need it for new ideas or additional details later.

Check your work.
Leave enough time to check your answers for completeness, accuracy or content, and for careless omissions or mistakes in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire.” ---William B. Yeats, poet

News from the Westfield Career Center

Looking for things to do this summer? The cure for summer boredom is a few clicks away. The “Summer Opportunities for Students” web site features information listed in a database on a variety of college enrichment classes, recreational camps and personal development opportunities. Visit the website at: www.fcps.edu/suptapps/summeropportunities/ProgramSearch.cfm

Looking for a summer job? Stop into the career center and check out the part time and summer jobs available on the jobs board.

Summer is a great time to research careers and colleges. Career Cruising is a wonderful college and career on-line guidance program that has been purchased to help you with your future planning. This site has a resume builder, a short interest assessment, college and financial aid information, electronic career portfolio.

www.careercruising.com
unsername:Westfield
password: bulldogs

Scholarship Database - The Fairfax County Public School Scholarship Database is now on-line. This database is supported by all the FCPS Career Centers. It’s user friendly and offers many local scholarships. www.fcps.edu/ssseapps/scholarshipdb/ Scholarships for just Westfield students are available in the Career Center.

There are also many scholarships for Westfield students only available in the Career Center.

Are you a graduating Senior and still looking for options after graduation? Check out the following options:

Local Two Year College & Technical Schools

Northern Virginia Community College
Admission Representative: Mr. Asanti Clarke
703-257-6611
rclarke@nvcc.edu
2 years and transfer programs

Take classes for approximately 2 years that will give you the necessary training for the work force. (Respiratory Therapy, Auto Technology, etc.).
2 & 4 year programs at NOVA Springfield, Medical Campus

Steps:
1. Apply at www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect
2. Take Placement Test
3. Meet with counselor
4. Register for classes

ITT – Chantilly, VA
703-263-2541
2 & 4 year Technical College
Private College
Programs: Computer Technology, Networking, Business, Computer Security, etc.

Steps:
1. Apply
2. Placement test

ECPI – Mansassas, VA
703-330-5300, www.ecpi.edu,
2 year Private Technical School
Program of study: Health Related training, Computer Security

Steps:
1 . Apply
2. Placement test

Stratford – Falls Church, VA
703-821-8570, www.stratford.edu
2 year private school
Programs: Culinary Arts

Applied Career Training – Manassas, VA
703-527-6660
2 year private school
Programs: Massage Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Medical Assisting

Apprenticeship – get paid to work and take classes to learn a trade

Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee
Michael Bishton
Manassas, VA
703-393-0097

Alternative Volunteer & Educational Programs

Americorp
www.americorps.org
1-800-942-2672

A residential national service program for men and women between the ages of 18 & 24.

For 10 months, members serve in teams to meet urgent community needs in homeland security, disaster relief, the environment, and youth development. Teams work on projects throughout the country wit h non-profit programs, state and local agencies, and other community and faith-based groups.

Members live on five campuses throughout the country, receive $4,725 to help for college, receive lodging, meals, uniforms, health benefits and living allowance.

Job Corp
703-671-5300
www.jobcorpsregion2.com

A free education and training program that helps young men and women get a better job, make more money and take control of life. You’ll learn a trade, earn your high school diploma or GED, and get help finding a job. You will live on a Job Corp center campus where you will study and hang out with different people from different places. Everyone is between the ages of 16 & 24.