Education

Centre View: Wanted: 2,300 School Backpacks

WFCM asks community to help local children in need.

Once again, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is collecting new backpacks for local students in need. Its goal is to provide backpacks for 2,300 qualified, low- income children attending schools in the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids.

Centreville/Chantilly: Recognizing Local Police and Firefighters

A look at Centreville High’s First Responders Support Club.

High schools offer a variety of extracurricular clubs for students, such as chess, language and robotics. But at Centreville High, students may also join the First Responders Support Club.

Potomac Brief: Detectives Arrest Private School Teacher

Montgomery County Police Special Victims Investigations Division detectives have been investigating the report of inappropriate sexual contact between a private school teacher and two students that occurred to one student beginning in 2012 and to the other student beginning in 2015

Reston: Ribbon Cutting Held For Robert E. Simon, Jr. Children's Center

Robert E. Simon, Jr. Children's Center, called a "hidden treasure" in Reston, held a grand opening on Saturday, July 18, at 12005 Sunrise Valley Drive in suite 120.

Marymount Physical Therapy Students Honored for Fundraising Work

Physical Therapy students at Marymount University raised $5,700 for research in their field and were honored by the Foundation for Physical Therapy with an honorable mention award at its annual gala, held last month in National Harbor, Maryland.

Letter: Ignoring Will Of the People?

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: Dan Storck, a current Fairfax County School (FCPS) Board Member from Mt. Vernon District is running for supervisor of that district. Will he listen to you and use essential reliable information to make informed decisions on issues, particularly controversial ones, if elected?

Alexandria: 2015 PLTI National Training Participants

For the fourth year in a row, the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) hosted the National Facilitator’s Training between July 10-12

Mount Vernon: Free Meals During Summer

Virginia First Lady and NFL Player highlight Summer Food Service Program for Children.

Visiting with children at Hollin Meadows Elementary School, Dorothy McAuliffe playfully reminded them that as First Lady of Virginia, she’s not, in fact, Michelle Obama. Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s (D) wife was joined at the Mount Vernon-area school by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith to meet with the children and hand out free lunches as part of the Summer Food Service Program.

Alexandria: Backpacks for All

Thousands of students will begin school this fall at a disadvantage; help now so they have the basics.

The first day of school each year is fraught with anticipation and anxiety. Many local students will be concerned about what they wear, who they will see, what it will be like. They’ve already had multiple shopping trips, online and otherwise, to be sure they have the supplies and extras they need. We live in an area where many if not most families have the means and desire to do almost whatever it takes to give their children the best chances for success.

Great Falls Sixth Graders Visit Japan

Japanese Immersion class meets Japanese Prime Minister, U.S. Ambassador.

Great Falls Elementary School’s (GFES) sixth grade Japanese Immersion Program (JIP) participants returned from their cultural exchange trip to Japan on July 9.

McLean: Summer on a High Note

Spring Hill Elementary School Orchestra Director’s Strings Camp remains McLean’s summer tradition.

Every summer, Spring Hill Elementary School orchestra director Ruth Donahue runs an orchestra summer camp for children to improve their music skills.

Marta Sniezek: All-American

It’s not easy being the second youngest member of a family of 11.

For Marta Sniezek, ranked one of the top basketball players in the country, her parents and her siblings are her motivators in a family where success is a blueprint.

Centreville: A Beginning, Not an End

School Board approves “Ignite” Strategic Plan, new chairman and vice chairman.

Citizen Michael Ducharme has lived with dyslexia since he was a student. His two daughters both have dyslexia. The father, representing the parents’ movement Decoding Dyslexia, spoke at the July 9 school board meeting in support of the proposed Fairfax County Public Schools Strategic Plan that specifically addresses challenges in the schools facing students with dyslexia. “We’re now faced with the fact tomorrow is today, the fierce urgency of now,” Ducharme said. “It’s time for vigorous and positive action in this plan.”

Unscheduling Summer Play

Experts praise the benefits of free play for children.

What was once a time for catching fireflies, swimming and exploring has evolved into a period of elite day camps, academic enrichment classes and top-dollar sports clinics.

Burke Library Reading and Art Program Kicks Off

The Burke Centre Library Teen Advisory Board is hosting a Teen Art Competition this summer as part of the library’s annual summer reading program. This year’s theme is Read to the Rhythm.

The Connection