It’s T-13 and counting for Fairfax County Public Schools which open on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Most schools have new hours, some have new principals and assistant principals, and a couple have new buildings.

This is Part II of the Connection’s public school profiles for the Vienna-Oakton area.



NEW TO WOLF TRAP ELEMENTARY this year is the full implementation of an all-grade Chinese language instructional program. All students, from first through sixth grade, will receive one hour of Chinese language instruction per week. The school now has one full-time and one part-time Chinese language teacher. "Our students will now be able to continue Chinese from here through Kilmer, and on to Marshall or Madison," said Dr. Anita Blain, Wolf Trap principal.

The school participated in a county-supported jump-start reading program called Wonderful Wolfies. "We want to support summer reading for students who want extra support," said Blain. "It supplements reading skills so there’s no attrition of those skills during the summer." The jump-start reading program runs 2 1/2 weeks in late August and an invitation to participate is a collaboration between teachers and reading specialists.

Wolf Trap Elementary School supports environmental protection on its grounds, with its gardens and recycling tended to by students and parent volunteers. The school has been certified as a wildlife habitat for the past three years.

Every year, Wolf Trap Elementary directs an after school team that participates in Odyssey of the Mind, an international program focused on encouraging creative exploration of problems.

Plans are underway to schedule Wolf Trap’s popular fall PTA-supported activities, including Colonial Day, the pizza Bingo, and the annual book fair, said PTA president Polly Colwell. The PTA’s Web site is currently being updated.

"The best thing about Wolf Trap is that we work really hard to keep home and school communication open, ongoing and positive," said Blain. "We believe that is a hallmark of our school."



VIENNA ELEMENTARY may look like a war zone, but is, in reality, half-way through a major renovation and expansion. The interior was gutted and all new plumbing, air conditioning, heating and electrical have been installed in the existing structure. The exterior has been updated and refaced. Fifteen thousand square feet have been added to the school.

Along the corridors of the new construction is wainscoting made of student-painted tiles. The floor is brightened with rectangles of color set against a neutral color scheme. Principal Jeanette Black is excited about the new school.

"My fingers are crossed it will be ready in-time for opening day," Black said. "And there’s more to come by completion in fall, 2010."

Vienna Elementary will have a new temporary entrance, new kiss-and-ride and new bus loops. Internally, the school boasts a new library/media center, new cafeteria, a renovated gym with a new stage and 11 renovated classrooms.

The original school bell, on display only for many years, will be re-hung for the school’s christening in the fall.

A special reading corner of the library is dedicated as Gabby’s Corner, in memory of a Vienna Elementary student who died last spring. A PTA reception take place after school on Sept. 10 in Gabby’s honor, said PTA president, Tara MacCall. Gabby’s parents donated their daughter’s books to the library, and Barnes and Noble has set up a day to buy books on behalf of Gabby’s Corner, with a portion of the proceeds going to the school’s library.

Because of the extensive construction, most of the PTA’s sponsored events are being shifted to the spring. For fall, the PTA is planning its Halloween Bingo for Oct. 30. A highlight of the PTA’s book fair is the holiday craft shop, MacCall said. Instead of buying pre-made gifts, students will have the opportunity to craft gifts of their own making.

"I think our Grandparents Day is unique to the community," said Black. For a full-day, grandparents visit classrooms as guests of honor.