Students Honored at Science Fair
The following West Potomac High School students received awards for their projects at the school’s science fair on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Arlington School Board Member Sally Baird Prepares to Exit Public Stage
Elected official recalls the ups and downs of two terms on the board.
When Sally Baird was first elected to the Arlington School Board in 2006, the county's public school system was still shrinking and Baird was a first-time candidate.
Superintendent Comes to West Springfield
Karen Garza continues listening tour.
Superintendent Karen Garza continued her listening tour of Fairfax County Public Schools this week with a stop at West Springfield High School on Feb. 4. Garza was joined by Springfield District School Board member Elizabeth Schultz.
‘Gazpacho for Nacho’
Key Middle School Spanish teacher publishes bilingual children’s book.
Colleagues and friends of Key Middle School Spanish teacher Tracey Kyle describe her as a creative and engaging teacher who is always thinking of new ways to teach. Now, Kyle has taken her creativity one step further by writing "Gazpacho for Nacho." The book was published by Two Lions, a division of Amazon Publishing, in January.
Alexandria School Board Considers Budget as Search Continues for Superintendent
Interim leader proposes spending priorities for a system in transition.
Alexandria City Public Schools is in a state of flux. School Board members are conducting a national search for the next superintendent as students are flooding into the city's classrooms. Meanwhile, interim superintendent Alvin Crawley is proposing a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget, adding $8 million to the existing $235 million operating budget.
WHS’s Winter One-Act Play Festival
Westfield High is presenting its Winter One-Act Play Festival, next Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 13-15, in the school theater. All shows begin at 7 p.m. and most are student-directed.
Langley High Wins Theatre Festival
The school will compete at the Regional event on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Saxon Stage's production of "Fearful Symmetry," written by Alan Haehnel and directed by senior Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, won the VHSL Conference 6 One Act Competition at James Madison High School on Saturday, Jan. 25. It is the first time in Saxon Stage history that Langley has won this event. Langley competed against Yorktown High School, Hayfield Secondary School, James Madison High School, Fairfax High School, McLean High School, South Lakes High School and Washington-Lee High School.
McLean’s Alden Theatre Hosts ‘Elska’
"Elska" makes a debut in Virginia.
"I am Elska, and not too long ago, I discovered a newly formed iceberg." This was the opening line of performer Shelley Wollert in her production of "Elska" which was presented at the Alden Theatre at McLean Community Center.
Great Falls Elementary Holds STEM Career Night
Parents teamed up with local high schools and volunteers from the Children’s Science Center for an evening full of fun.
Students packed the Great Falls Elementary gymnasium on the evening of Monday, Feb. 3, to learn the answers to questions such as "What is a polymer?" and "How is a vortex ring made?"
Colvin Run Elementary Students Visit Costa Rica
Thanks to the leadership of fifth grade teacher Allison Hutchins and EF Educational Tours, a group of Colvin Run Elementary School students went on an incredible adventure to Costa Rica during the week of Jan. 25-31.
West Springfield Renovations Still Years Off
Citizens question Capital Improvement Program funding.
West Springfield High School freshman Rylie Smedley said her school’s need for renovation doesn’t impact her everyday life at school too much, but that repair is obviously needed. “A lot of the bathrooms don’t work,” said Smedley. It was this state of disrepair that led Eric Hawkins, a resident of West Springfield since 2001, to join other parents and community advocates in 2008 to create SOAR, a group dedicated to ensuring West Springfield High School renovations by 2016.
Debate Over School Budget Continues
Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.
Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.
Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations
Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.
While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.
Chantilly Speech Team Takes District Title
The Chantilly High Speech Team won the district title for the second year in a row, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Westfield High.
New Leadership for the Workhouse Arts Center
Board of Supervisors continue to debate future success of the center.
Laura McKie, a volunteer at the Prison Museum at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, said she doesn’t expect the museum’s everyday operations to change too much as Fairfax County takes greater control over the center.