<lst>Send your organization's announcement to The Reston Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
Langston Hughes Middle School will host its annual Parade of Stars Open House on Thursday April 4. Pizza and dessert will be served between 6-7 p.m. and class room visits will take place from 7-9 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents and students to visit the class rooms, talk to the teachers and view ongoing projects. There will be several presentations by the school's students. Fairfax County Government Services will be there to address Alcohol & Drug, Probation and Mental Health. related issues. Representatives from the Reston Community Center will also be available and the School Suspension Program will be discussed. Principal Deborah Jackson and her staff welcomes students and parents of sixth, seventh and eighth graders to this event. For more information, contact Robert Pearson at 703-715-3670.
George Mason University's Board of Visitors has voted to raise tuition and fees by 16 percent for the 2002-2003 semester. The unanimous decision by the institution's governing body was made in response to an anticipated $14.7 million cut in state funds.
Hughes Middle School's annual Parade of Stars open house on April 4 will allow parents, students, and teachers at the school to eat, socialize and learn more about the school and each other. Rising seventh graders and their families will be able to meet Hughes students and teachers. Participants will enjoy pizza and dessert from 6-7 p.m. They will visit classrooms and view club and team presentations from 7 to 9 p.m. Representatives from Fairfax County Alcohol and Drug Services, Fairfax County Probation and Mental Health, and the Reston Community Center will also be on hand to answer questions.
A sixth-grade team from Fox Mill Elementary captured the Ranatra Fusca award at the Northern Virginia West Odyssey of the Mind competition that took place in March. Given at the judges' discretion, the award is presented to a team that exhibits exceptional creativity through problem solving, behavior or an extraordinary idea. The award acknowledges and encourages creative thinking and risk taking and was given to the Fox Mill team for a skit they created in response to the ostrich factor problem.
Reston native Caitlin Lockwood, currently a student at Haverford College near Philadelphia, has just returned from a nine-day diplomatic exchange with socialist Cuba. The trip was made in an effort of "sports diplomacy" - encouraging foreign relations through athletic competition by playing a series of soccer, basketball and volleyball games with the university of Havana and the International School of Sports.
The Environmental Quality Advisory Council of Fairfax County is seeking applications from high school students who are interested in serving on the council as the student member from July 2002 through July 2003. As a member the student will get the opportunity to be involved in the process of making decisions and recommendations that impact the environment in the county. Those interested in serving on the committee can call 703-324-1210 before May 1.
The Reston Community Center is offering a series of free job skills workshops to help area middle and high school students to find a good job. On Thursday, April 4 from 6:30 to 7:30, the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods will be hosting a Your Ideal Job Workshop to help teens plan their ideal career paths. Teens can then put their new skills to use at the RCC's Teen Summer Expo on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. The Expo is an open house where teens can meet with local employers for information and on-the-spot job interviews. Registration for the workshops is required. Register in person or by faxing a completed RCC Registration form to
(703) 476-8617.
The following local high school reunions are being planned for the summer and fall of 2002. First-Class Reunions is in the process of locating alumni for the 2002 reunion season. Alumni should contact FCR at 888-327-1984 or visit the web site at www.fcreunions.com to update their information.
Herndon, Class of 1982, 20-Year Reunion, TBD date, TBD location
Oakton, Class of 1982, 20-Year Reunion, July 27, Sheraton Premiere - Tyson's Corner
Oakton, Class of 1987, 15-Year Reunion, November 29, 2002, Sheraton Premiere - Tyson's Corner
Oakton, Class of 1992, 10-Year Reunion, August 10, 2002, Holiday Inn - Old Town Alexandria
South Lakes Reston, Class of 1992, 10-Year Reunion, August 17, 2002, Sheraton Reston - Reston
Kindergarten registration will take place at Clearview Elementary on April 1-5 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for the 2002-2003 school year. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 are eligible for kindergarten next year. Parents should bring an original birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization record, and proof of residency (lease or deed). Call 703-318-8934 for more information. Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for Friday, May 3 at 9:15 a.m.
The Council on Family Health urges Americans to know the new nationwide toll-free number for poison control centers: 1-800-222-1222. Telephone emergency stickers are available at no charge by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Council on Family Health, "Emergency Stickers," 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1200-B, Washington, DC 20036.