<lst>Know something that should be featured in School Notes? Awards? Special events? School fairs? Fax a brief write-up to 703-917-0991. Or call Jon Whiten at 703-917-6422.
TOT Preschool, a ministry of Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, is accepting registrations for three- and four-year-old children. For more, call 703-644-6384 or send an e-mail to tot@sumcdisciples.org. The Sydenstricker United Methodist Church is located at 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield.
Students in the bands program at Robert E. Lee High School are hosting a car wash on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Brookfield Plaza Shell, 6620 Backlick Road in Springfield.
Grace Weekday Preschool, a ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church, is accepting registrations for the 2005-2006 school year for 2-4-year-olds, including Pre-K. The preschool is located at 7434 Bath St., Springfield. For more, call 703-451-3314.
St. John's Center for Early Childhood Education is taking registrations for the 2005-06 school year. St. John's offers classes for 2, 3 and Pre-K 4-year olds, and before and after school care for K-5. St. John's is located at 5312 Backlick Road, Springfield. Call 703-256-7748.
George Mason University's Substance Abuse Task Force and Fairfax County Public Schools' Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools presents "Teens and Alcohol: Promoting Dialogue on Underage Drinking," an interactive discussion on the challenges and consequences of underage alcohol use, Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Theater on the GMU campus. For more, call Clarence Jones at 703-876-5281.
Best Buy of Vienna is currently accepting applications for its third annual "Teach" program, which awards over $3.5 million to schools utilizing interactive technology in the classroom. The program is open to all accredited public and private nonprofit K-12 schools located within 50 miles of the Vienna store. Each of the 1,200 schools selected for the award receives a $2,500 gift card. Of those, 36 are awarded $15,000, and one will be selected to win $250,000. Applications and guidelines are available at www.bestbusy.com/teach. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 30.
George Mason University's Theater of the First Amendment presents mentoring program and competition for budding Fairfax County high school playwrights. Selected applicants work with a professional playwright, director or dramaturg on play development during the fall. At the end of the mentoring program, students submit their final plays to the First Light Festival Competition for High School Playwrights. The winning entry receives a professional five-day workshop and public reading at this year's First Light Festival on Saturday, March 18, 2006. Runners-up will have selected scenes read at this event. To apply, print the application form from the www.gmu.edu/cfa/tfa and mail it with a 2-page writing sample to: First Light Festival, Theater of the First Amendment, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 3E6, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. Application forms must be received no later than Oct. 7. E-mail smaloney@gmu.edu and include "First Light Festival" in the subject line.
The Commission on the Arts supports both established and developing arts organizations by providing grants to qualified applicants. The commission also has an active school arts program that supplements and enhances regular school activities. Some of the performing groups that have benefited from grants this year include the City of Fairfax Band, the Fairfax Art League, Happy Feet Cloggers Lanier School, Acting for Young People, and Theater of the First Amendment. The commission is considering grant applications for any qualifying groups, schools or individuals.
Applications are now being accepted, closing date for applications is Nov. 15. To apply for a grant or for more information call at 703-352-2787 or e-mail fairfaxarts@fairfax.gov. Grant application forms can be downloaded from our Web site www.fairfaxarts.org.
Messiah United Methodist Church's Child Enrichment Program has openings in the 2- and 4-year-old classes for this fall. Four-year-old classes are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the 2-year-old class is on Mondays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more, call Betsy Findley at 703-569-3033.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is responding to community changes with additional programming to meet the needs of youngsters who are educated at home. New daytime classes, ideal for homeschoolers, will be offered this fall at Providence and South Run RECenters. Some classes for the approaching school year include: Outdoor Science, which explores flight, weather, geology and space in an outdoor setting; Explorations in Chemistry; Explorations in Astronomy; and Explorations in Botany. Register at any time until the day the class begins. Classes will be canceled due to low registration. For more, call 703-324-8548 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
TOT Preschool of Sydenstricker United Methodist Church is registering children from 3-5 years old for 2005-2006. Degreed, experienced teachers staff our half-day program at 8505 Hooes Road, Springfield. For more, call 703-644-6384 or e-mail tot@sumcidsciples.org
The 20th annual Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA Holiday Showcase/Craft Fair takes place Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Admission is $3; under 18 are free.
Girl Scouts. Two groups open to girls between 5 and 11, and 11 and 17 years old, all year round. Activities include high-adventure outings such as rock climbing, white water rafting and back packing, international and national travel, internship opportunities on capitol hill, theater, art, science, technology and making friends. For more information call Betsy Kiger at 1-800-523-7898, ext. 578, Sharon Fontanella at 703-451-4680 or Dale Hook at 703-866-1840. Visit www.studio2B.org or www.gscnc.org.
The Second Annual Orange Hunt German Immersion Grillfest is Sunday, Oct. 2, from 2-5 p.m., at Burke Lake Park, Shelter A. Cost is $4 per person 5 years and over with checks payable to Orange Hunt PTA. RSVP by Sept. 23. Bring a cylindrical container for lantern making.
German Drama at Orange Hunt begins its fall session on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 3:15-4:15 p.m., and runs for ten Wednesdays. For more, call Bea Takenaka at 703-239-9294 or e-mail takdbdks@aol.com.
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. presents the Long & Foster Scholarship Program, which will award $1,000 to each of 200 recipients for the 2006-07 academic year. The deadline is March 1, 2006. The monetary scholarship award will be made payable directly to the college or university in the student's name. A selection committee made up of local members of academia will select the final scholarship winners by April 15, 2006. Eligible high school seniors must have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate leadership and financial need, indicate positions of leadership, and list all school groups and/or community organizations in which they have served or been involved in, and any part-time jobs held while in school. A short essay will also be expected from each applicant so that the selection committee can obtain a better picture of each student. All of this information will be considered in choosing well-rounded applicants. Applications can be obtained from any Long & Foster branch, from high school guidance counselors, or at www.longandfoster.com/scholarship.
Orange Hunt's German Club sponsors a Community Coat and Sweater collection from Nov. 9-11, in the Orange Hunt school lobby.
Orange Hunt German Club’s Lantern Walk through the Orange Hunt neighborhood is on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Nikolaustag at Orange Hunt on Tuesday, Dec. 6. This is a school-wide German cultural activity where students receive sweets in shoes left outside their classrooms.
Kinderchor at Orange Hunt winter/spring children’s chorus begins on Thursday, Jan. 5 on a weekly basis for children in second through sixth grade in the cafeteria from 3-4 p.m. Frau Kessler is the director. For registration forms, e-mail mmuziix4@cox.net. There is a $5 fee.
Nancy Hannans, an art teacher at Hayfield Secondary School, has been chosen for inclusion in the Best of Virginia Artists and Artisans 2005, a juried book competition. Visit www.bestofartists.com/index.html.
George Juliano, an art teacher at Robinson Secondary School, has been chosen for inclusion in the Best of Virginia Artists and Artisans 2005, a juried book competition. Visit www.bestofartists.com/index.html.
Applications are available for The Richmond Symphony Orchestra League's 36th annual Student Concerto Competition. The competition is open to Virginia residents in elementary through senior high school grades who play the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba or harp. Winners will be chosen in each category. The first place piano winner will be awarded $100 and the opportunity to perform at the Champagne and Chocolates event on Sunday, March 26, 2006. First place winner in the instrumental category will also receive $100 and a performance with the symphony. For applications or more information, call Shelby Murphy at 804-788-4717 or e-mail smurphy@richmondsymphony.com. Applications must be received by Nov. 30.