<sh>Schools Receive Award for Health Programs
<bt>Arlington Public Schools last week received the Congressional Victory Against Hunger award for its work promoting healthier lifestyles among students, faculty members and parents.
U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) presented the award to Superintendent Robert Smith on Jan. 12, during the school system’s second annual student health forum. The Arlington school system is one of 15 organizations nationwide to receive the $1,000 award, which is given to bodies that have demonstrated success in implementing wellness programs.
“We have to help young people make the right choices, and we look to our school systems to present the right choices and examples for children,” said Moran, who lost close to 50 pounds last year. “Thank you for what you are doing on behalf of children.”
In recent years the school system has placed greater emphasis on improving student nutrition, health and fitness. The School Board has established a school health committee and in 2005 banned sodas and certain snacks from school vending machines.
Last week’s forum brought together school staff, parents and teachers to discuss new initiatives to promote healthier eating habits.
<sh>Christmas Tree Collection Until Jan. 22
<bt>The county will continue to collect Christmas trees on regular trash days until Jan. 22. Residents should place the trees on the their curbs no later than 6 a.m., along with their other refuse and recycling.
Since the trees are to be ground into wood mulch, officials are asking residents to remove all tree stands, lights and decorations, and to not place the trees in plastic bags.
Residents who do not have curbside recycling service, such as those living in townhouses, apartments, or condominiums, may also bring their Christmas trees to the Solid Waste Bureau during the Christmas tree collection season. Please call 703-228-6570 to schedule an appointment between 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Solid Waste Bureau is located at the Arlington Trades Center, 4300 S. 29th St.
<sh>Architecture Panel on Building Security
<bt>The second installment of Arlington’s architecture speaker series will take place on Jan. 17, and will cover the role building security plays in design.
A panel of experts will highlight the balance architects must strike between meeting security requirements and planning attractive buildings.
The free event will take place at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Conference Center in Ballston — located at at 4301 Wilson Boulevard — from 7-9 p.m.
The panel’s featured speaker will be Barbara A. Nadel, who is the author of Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design. Nadel will provide the context for building security design issues, challenges and solutions facing design professionals and building owners.
Other panelists include: Leslie Shepherd, U.S. General Services Administration’s Chief Architect; Edward A. Feiner, office director of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill; Alexandria-based landscape architect Trini Rodriguez.