Academic Alternatives Forum
<bt>The National Christian Foundation will be presenting a public forum to discuss various educational options, "Academic Alternatives: Educational Options for Concerned Parents," moderated by former United States Department of Education policy maker, Michelle Easton, Thursday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., in the community room of the McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna.
Panel members include Sandra Busching, representing Classical Christian Education; Scott Somerville, Homeschool Legal Defense Association attorney; James Beavers, executive director of C.S. Lewis Institute; and Daniel Domenech, Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent.
The forum is free and open to the public. For more information, call 703-266-8300 or e-mail David Sevier at dsevier@globalhealthone.net.
<sh>Special Education Workshop
<bt>Dr. Ron Leaf, a nationally recognized expert on Applied Behavior Analysis who recently began consulting with Fairfax County Public Schools staff members, will present "Sleeping Through the Night," Monday, April 7, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Dunn Loring Center multipurpose room, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. To register, call Connie at 703-204-3941, and specify if child care or translator services are needed when registering.
<sh>Field Trips Canceled
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all international field trips, as well as trips to Washington D.C., and New York City, until further notice, in response to the raised national threat level to high, or code orange. Trips to other areas within the United States are still permitted, but could be canceled at anytime. Questions about refunds for a canceled trip should be directed to the trips' organizer or to the company sponsoring the trip. To assist groups in trying to get refunds, a letter from Schools Superintendent Daniel Domenech can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/Superintendent/LFieldtripRefunds.pdf.
The school system has detailed information regarding its response to color-coded homeland security threat levels on its Web site, http://www.fcps.edu/DOC/support/codes.htm, along with other information relating to school emergency preparedness and support.
Up-to-date emergency announcements are available on the Web Site at www. fcps.edu, then click on Emergency Announcement. The announcements are also available on cable channel 21 and the school system hot line at 703-246-2500 in English, Korean and Spanish.
<sh>Reduction of Trailers
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools projects a reduction of approximately 150 trailers for the 2003-04 school year, largely because the school system will open four new elementary schools in September, each with a capacity of 900 students. Trailers will be removed from approximately 20 elementary schools and modular additions at five schools will replace an estimated 30 trailers. The surplus trailers will be offered for sale at auction to local churches and nearby school systems. A total of 33 trailers have already been sold this year.
<sh>Superintendent Asks For Flexibility
<bt>Schools Superintendent Daniel Domenech has written an open letter to employers of Fairfax County Public Schools students, requesting they support the students by allowing flexibility in their current work schedules due to the lengthening of the school day by 30 minutes beginning April 21. A full text of the letter is available on the Web site at http://www.fcps.edu/Superintendent/L-EmployersOfStudents.pdf.
<sh>FCPS Events Calendar
<bt>Thursday, March 27
Third grading period ends for modified elementary calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Thursday, March 27, 8 a.m.
Professional Technical Studies Advisory Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, March 27, 7 p.m.
School Board regular business meeting, student awards. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Friday, March 28
Student holiday for modified elementary calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Monday, March 31-Friday, April 11
Optional intersession for modified elementary calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Monday, March 31, 8:30 a.m.
School Board work session, audit; instruction; instruction & technology; student services; strategic planning & evaluation; and facilities. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Friday, April 4
Third grading period ends for standard calendar and modified secondary calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Saturday, April 5-Tuesday, April 8
National School Boards Association conference. San Francisco, Calif.
Monday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
School Board special meeting, challenged materials. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Tuesday, April 8
Fourth grading period begins for standard calendar and modified secondary calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.
School Board budget presentation to the Board of Supervisors. Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.