Special Meeting Scheduled
<bt>The School Board will hold a special meeting, Monday, March 10, at 7 p.m., at the Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax, to hear the appeal of the decision not to remove "Witch Baby," by Francesca Lia Block from all elementary and middle school libraries.
According to documents submitted by the challenger, the book, which is available in three elementary-, three middle- and 14 high-school libraries, was challenged "because it has a major subplot with two characters in a homosexual relationship." The challenge requested the book be removed from all school libraries except at the high-school level.
A review committee recommended the book not be removed, which prompted the appeal. Schools Superintendent Daniel Domenech supports the committee's decision, but requested elementary-school libraries place a "YA," young adult, sticker on the book. The School Board has until March 18 to respond to the appeal.
<sh>What to do About Snow
<bt>Students across Fairfax County are doing their best snow dance, hoping the forecasted snow later this week is enough to close schools for two more days.
Under Virginia law, said Schools Superintendent Daniel Domenech, if there are 10 snow days, five will be forgiven. Fairfax County, as of Tuesday, was at eight.
In the meantime, the School Board is considering ways of making up the time that has already been lost, just in case the county does not hit the 10-day mark.
The remainder of the school calendar has one make-up day left, April 7, and extends the school year three days, if needed. At this point, that leaves the school system one day short.
Options discussed at a work session Monday, Feb. 24, included extending the school day an extra 30 minutes, most likely beginning in March and running through April; or to find an extra day, either at the end of the year, take one from spring break or use Memorial Day.
"We can pray for snow," Domenech said.
Various board members expressed their interest in extending the school day rather than take away any more holidays. The board members favored adding the extra time in order to give students enough instructional time before having to take the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or end-of-course Standards of Learning exams, none of which can be rescheduled. Domenech said that extending 13 days by 30 minutes is equal to about one full school day.
The student representative to the board, Matthew Wansley, speaking for students everywhere offered a suggestion: "If we don't get the two additional snow days, I suggest declaring two Fridays snow days."
<sh>Adult-High School Graduation Postponed
<bt>The winter graduation ceremony for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) adult high-school completion programs originally scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at Woodson High School, has been postponed due to the weather. The FCPS Office of Adult and Community Education will reschedule the event.
<sh>Facilities Workshops Planned
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools' Office of Design and Construction is planning a series of workshops to come up with creative solutions to reduce the costs of building and operating school system facilities. The workshops will provide an opportunity for staff members to consult with contractors, engineering and architectural consultants, and suppliers to develop the most cost-effective ways to meet the space needs of students and staff members. The first workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church, and will focus on mechanical system installations.
The workshop will also include updates of ongoing cost-saving initiatives from school system's Maintenance and Energy Management Services, facility optimization designs, and opportunities for staff members to participate in roundtable discussions.
<sh>Schools Participate in Academic Tournament
<bt>Teams from three Fairfax County Public Schools — Fort Hunt Elementary School in the Alexandria area, Lane Elementary School in the Alexandria area, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology — will compete in the Destination ImagiNation Tournament, the largest academic competition of its kind in the state, March 1.
Destination ImagiNation, which requires students to use creative problem-solving skills, is based on the concept of divergent thinking and offers students the opportunity to use creative problem-solving strategies and teamwork while applying their knowledge and demonstrating research skills and presentation abilities. Teams are charged with solving two types of challenges during the year: central-team challenges and instant challenges. Each team has as many as seven students.
Winning teams will advance to the state finals to be held in Richmond April 26.
<sh>FCPS Events Calendar
<bt>Thursday, Feb. 27, 8 a.m.
Professional Technical Studies Advisory Committee, Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.
School Board regular business meeting, boundaries. Luther Jackson, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Saturday, March 8, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Fairfax County Public Schools teachers, librarians and counselors job fair, focusing on secondary-school and special-education teachers. Preregistration required, 703-750-8519. Snow date, March 15. Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna.
Monday, March 10, 7 p.m.
School Board special meeting, challenged materials. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Tuesday, March 11-Wednesday, March 12
The 11th Annual Northern Virginia Regional Student Mediation Conference. George Mason University, Fairfax.
Thursday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.
School Board regular business meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church.
Friday-Sunday, March 14-16
Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The fair is open to county public and private schools. Category and grand-prize judging will be held Saturday, March 15. The fair is open to the public Sunday, March 16, from 1-3 p.m. Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax.