Autism Seminar Rescheduled
<bt>The autism seminars to be presented by Dr. Nancy Minshew, associate professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, were rescheduled from Feb. 27 to April 7.
A training session for Fairfax County Public Schools staff and parents of autistic children, "Understanding How Autistic Students Think: Medical Research Findings," will be held Monday, April 7, 12:30 p.m., at the Waterford at Fair Oaks.
A second informational session for parents will take place Monday, April 7, 7 p.m., at the Westmore Administrative Center, 11000 Berry St., Fairfax.
Parents and other community members can register by calling Leigh Webster, 703-246-8102, or by e-mailing, Leigh.Webster@fcps.edu and specify which session. County staff can register through the Office of Instructional Services Staff Development Web site for Leadership Academy Seminars.
<sh>Telly Awards Announced
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools' Red Apple 21 and the Fairfax Network received five Telly Awards for 2001-02 productions. The Telly Awards, similar to the Emmy awards, recognize exceptional nonbroadcast cable programming.
Receiving awards are a public service announcement for the school system Web site, produced by Margaret Kivlen; "Giant Pandas: The Science of Finding Food," produced by Karen Mersereau; "Good Thinking: An Overview of Fairfax County Public Schools," produced by Ted Brawner; "Quest for Adventure-Mission Explore," produced by Michelle Dumas; and "Tech Savvy Girls," produced by Sandra Brennan.
The public service announcement won a finalist award in the miscellaneous category. "Giant Pandas," a finalist in the miscellaneous television or cable program category, was produced in conjunction with the National Zoo and takes viewers behind the scenes as scientists collect data and interpret information about panda behavior.
"Good Thinking" also won a finalist award in the miscellaneous television or cable program category. It provides information on all aspects of the school system, from the School Board to academic programs.
"Quest for Adventure" was a finalist in the education category and was produced in conjunction with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education as
a Space Day 2002 electronic lesson. The three-part lesson includes "Mission: Explore," which focuses on the different types of rovers and their role in scientific research; "Inventors Wanted," exploring the items developed for the space program that have been used to improve life on Earth; and "Space Day Star," which examines how Web sites, television broadcasts and newspapers provide accurate and relevant newscasts.
"Tech Savvy Girls," also a finalist in the education category, was produced in conjunction with the Reston-Herndon Chapter of the American Association of University Women and is targeted to guidance counselors, teachers and parents to combat what is perceived to be an emerging gender gap on technology.
The programs were produced by the Department of Information Technology in collaboration with the Office of Community Relations. Substantial funding for school system programming and production comes from Cox Communications. The winning programs will be rebroadcast over the summer.
<sh>FCPS Events Calendar
<bt>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, 7:30 p.m.
Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
* Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
* Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities. Belle Willard Center, 10310 Layton Hall Drive, 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, Jan. 15. The fair is open to the public Sunday, Jan. 16, from 1-3 p.m. Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax.