<i>Send announcements 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 the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Jean Card at 703-917-6437, with questions. </i>
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Professionals who want to become teachers can quickly obtain a license in critically needed subject areas of math and the sciences through the Virginia Community College Career Switcher Program. The Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) is the local regional center for the program.
Designed for working adults with bachelor’s degrees, the Career Switcher Program allows future teachers to keep their current jobs while completing the course. The program’s instructional portion takes 16 weeks with much of the work done online. During this time, participants gain teaching experience by spending a minimum of 30 hours working with students in a classroom.
Graduates are issued a one-year license, making them eligible for employment with any Virginia school district. In the first year, new teachers receive support from trained mentors, as well as further instruction through professional development seminars. After the first year, the teacher is eligible for a regular five-year license.
Applications for the fall session will be accepted until Aug. 8. Additional information and entrance requirements are available online at www.vccs.edu/workforce/switchers/ or by contacting regional advisor Kathleen Ludlow at 703-257-6586.
Council for the Arts of Herndon announces a new program sponsored by SAIC and Cox Communications. Additional support is being provided by Supervisor Joan DuBois, Dranesville District, Fairfax County BOS; Northern Virginia Technology Foundation; and the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce. The program will highlight and reward the artistic talent and technology skills of students from eight Fairfax County High Schools in the arts technology area. Students in grades nine-12 are asked to submit art created with technology in the following areas: original digital image; film editing; animation; and original digital music. Schools included in the pilot phase of this program are: Herndon High School; South Lakes High School; Oakton High School; Chantilly High School and Chantilly Center; Fairfax Academy; Chantilly Academy; Centreville High School; and Westfields High School.
Scholarships will be awarded for best in competition $500, and in each category, first place $300, second place $200, third place $100. Art will be displayed at a reception at the end of the program, site to be determined. To submit artwork, fill out an entry form that can be obtained from your school or download an entry form from www.herndonarts.org. Contact Vicky Dorman, program chair, Council for the Arts of Herndon, 703-471-6174; or e-mail at info@herndonarts.org.
The South Lakes High School Class of 1985, is looking for classmates for a 20-year reunion in October 2005. E-mail your name and mailing address to slhs1985@yahoo.com. Visit slhs1985.org. To volunteer to help with planning, indicate in your e-mail or contact Melanie Kirsch Colston at 703-476-0579.
Registration for the fall semester at Northern Virginia Community College starts July 14. There are more than 160 programs of study from which to choose. Classes for the fall semester start Aug. 22, with a second session beginning Oct. 19.
High-school students who want to get a feel for the college experience can take advantage of NVCC’s dual enrollment program and earn both high school and college credit for classes taken at NVCC.
To get a complete list of the classes available, go online to www.nvcc.edu/schedule, or call 703-323-3196 for a schedule of classes.
Whether pursuing a degree, or taking classes for personal enrichment, take advantage of the low tuition rate of just $71.98 per credit hour for in-state residents. Eligible Washington, D.C., residents can receive in-state tuition rates for NVCC courses, and financial aid and scholarship options are available for qualified individuals.
There are three easy ways to register. For those new to the College, apply for admission online at www.nvcc.edu/nova connect, or visit any NVCC campus location: Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield or Woodbridge. Students that have taken class at NVCC any time in the last three years can register online, over the telephone by calling 703-323-3770, or in person at any campus.