Adults 18 and over may take a free General Educational Development pretest on Monday, March 6, at 5 p.m., at Bryant Adult Center, 2709 Popkins Lane, Alexandria. Those who pass will be awarded coupons that may be redeemed for a free GED test if taken in March. The 11-hour GED test will be offered at Woodson High School, 4105 Whitacre Road, Fairfax. Call 703-503-6411 or e-mail racetoGED@fcps.edu.
ACT Registration deadline is March 3 for students planning on taking the April 8 exam. Visit http://www.actstudent.org for registration costs and test information including practice tests and tips.
Paul VI Catholic High School Campus Ministry Team is having its 13th annual Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6-8 p.m., in the school cafeteria, 10675 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax. The evening feature entertainment, music, dancing, games, face painting and fun for the entire family. $6/adults, $4/children. Children under 6 free. Omelet bar additional $3.50. Proceeds will go to the Archbishop Chapelle High School in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina victims. For more, call campus minister, Denyse Kline, 703-353-0925 ext. 330.
Northern Virginia Community College is taking applications for the Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship Program, which offers up to $3,000 for a full year of tuition, books and fees for 40 first year students at the 23 different community colleges. To be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time in an associate's degree program and attending college for the first time. The scholars must have plans to graduate from NVCC and agree to be part of a program that promotes community college education and become mentors to future Legacy scholars. Final selection of the merit-based scholarships will be determined by academic excellence and leadership during high school. The application deadline is April 3, at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Carol Mowbray in the NVCC financial aid office at 703-323-3014 or by e-mail at cmowbray@nvcc.edu.
Host families wanted. The Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI) is seeking local families to help further the peace and reconciliation effort in Northern Ireland where division continues. Consider hosting a Protestant and Catholic youth (ages 15 to 18) in your home for four weeks this summer. To be eligible, families must provide a safe, neutral setting for the teens to get to know one another, a single bedroom for them to share, and day-long supervision. The teens participate in various activities designed to build trust, encourage cooperation and break down barriers. The majority of their time is spent getting to know each other and joining your family in its normal routine. Applications to host must be submitted by April 8, 2006. To obtain a host family application or to learn about our fund-raising event on March 11, contact Tamera Drozd at 703-255-1628 or Melinda Grochowski at 703-478-6291 or e-mail at nvacoordinator@cfpni.org.
The WT Woodson HS Band and Class of 2006 Drug and Alcohol Free Graduation Party are sponsoring a performance of "Defending the Caveman" on Sunday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Woodson High School auditorium, 9525 Main St. Fairfax. This is a comedy about men and women. Donations are $20/advance, $25/door. A limited number of reserved block seats will be available for groups of 24 or more. For advance purchase, please send a S.A.S.E and a check payable to WTW Band Patrons to: Def. Caveman, 4810 King Solomon Drive, Annandale, VA 22003. Call Tom Wells at 703 425-4863 or e-mail tgwells@verizon.net
CEP Preschool, a ministry of Messiah United Methodist Church, is accepting registrations for the 2006-07 school year. The program offers classes for children 17 months through 4 years of age. Most classes are four hours in length and all classes are staffed by loving, experienced teachers. The preschool is located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-3033.
Mainly Music, a weekly musical group for preschool children and their caregivers, every Friday, at 10:15 a.m., at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road, Fairfax. The cost for each Friday's group is $3. Call 703-745-1030 or visit www.fairfaxcommunity.net.
Fairfax County Public Schools has expanded support services for families of students with disabilities. Parents can now access the services of a special education ombudsman for guidance and support. The eight ombudsmen are part of a network that provides assistance to parents who are navigating the special education process and feel they could benefit from the advice and knowledge of a more experienced and specially trained parent. Parent ombudsmen can provide information about the special education process and services provided by Fairfax County Public Schools, as well as information about special education regulations, procedures, and policies. They may collaborate with parents to assist them in resolving problems. They may also attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) or school-based meetings to help parents and staff members reach consensus regarding the special education process. For more information, contact the Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941. For a listing of the eight ombudsmen visit www.fcps.edu/DSSSE/ombudsmen/index.htm.
Sign Up for Cub Scouts. Boy Scouting is available to boys who are 11 through 17 years old, or who have earned the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award, or have completed the fifth grade. Boy Scouts camp, hike and fish in the great outdoors. They get together in troops and try out new experiences.
Venturing offers a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Learn more about Venturing's outdoor, sports, arts and hobbies, community service and Sea Scouting crews.
For more information about these programs, call Scott Romans at 703-455-2167.
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.
WyzAnt, Inc. provides free tutoring to deserving students through its charity, WyzAide. WyzAnt is looking for students who have demonstrated dedication to their studies, have high aspirations for their academic and professional futures, and who sincerely desire assistance. Visit www.wyzant.com, call 703-945-1835 or e-mail wyzaide@wyzant.com.
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 is accepting registrations for the 2006-07 school year. Classes at 9-11:45 a.m., are available for 3 and 4-year-olds and at 12:30-3:15 p.m., for 4-year-olds. TOT Preschool offers small classes, a loving staff of teachers with degrees who prepare the children for kindergarten. The school is located at Sydenstricker UMC, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. Call 703-644-6384 for additional information or e-mail tot@sumcdisciples.org
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 Air Force Officers' Wives Club of Washington, D.C. has scholarships available for high school seniors, continuing education students and non-military spouses who are dependents of United States Air Force members (active duty, retired, POW/MIA or deceased, officer or enlisted) residing in the area. Applicants will be judged on both academic and citizenship achievements. Judges will not consider financial need in their selections. High school seniors may contact the counseling officer of their school for a copy of the application and eligibility requirements. The application is also available by sending a stamped, self-addressed business size envelope to: AFOWC Scholarship Committee, 50 Theisen St., Washington, D.C. 20032-5411. All applications must be received by Feb. 17, 2006.