Education

Show for All Ages

Reston Community Players brings the family musical ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ to CenterStage.

Technical artisans were completing the finishing touches to transport a comic strip to life. Set decorator Bea Morse was nimbly sewing cushions for an oversized couch for the Reston Community Players (RCP) musical, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

Writing a Novel in 30 Days

Hunters Woods fifth graders gear up for 2014 Young Writers Project.

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and for years the NaNoWriMo organization has put forth the challenge to write a novel in 30 days.

Pounding the Pavement

First annual 5K raises awareness of teen driving safety.

Robin Wallin of Alexandria has been training for this day at Cameron Run Regional Park for three months. She and sister-in-law Carolyn Wiser of Baltimore used a seat-to-5K app on their smartphones to prepare for the Oct. 4 race, encouraging each other through Facebook messaging.

Gone Girls Next Door

PSA roll-out marks one-year anniversary of “Just Ask” project.

On a sunny afternoon, a police officer pulls over a young male driver. There’s an innocent-looking, girl-next-door type in the back seat of the car. The driver responds to the officer’s basic questions with cold indifference. When questioned, the girl in the back says she’s fine. Maybe she betrays a hint of unease.

Car Show Honors Former Principal

Hayfield Days Car Show benefits Auto Tech and David S. Tremaine Charity.

For the seventh straight year, more than 70 restored and modified icons of American motoring history rumbled into the parking lot at Hayfield Plaza Shopping Center. But for the first year, the funds raised by the Hayfield Days Car Show aren’t just supporting Hayfield Secondary’s Auto Tech Program.

Herndon Elementary’s New Sponsorship Program

PTA asks businesses for money to buy necessities for school.

Herndon Elementary is leaning on local businesses so they can lean on parents less. The school Parent Teacher Association started its new corporate sponsorship program at the beginning of the school year to help raise money for school needs that do not fit in the budget.

Reston South Lakes High Hosts Back To School Night

Parents meet teachers at South Lakes High School in Reston.

Representatives of community groups and clubs set up booths in the early evening of Oct. 2 at Reston South Lakes High School. The school was hosting a back to school night, and several local organizations wanted to publicize some of their upcoming events.

Warhawk Band Wins Cougar Gold

29th Annual Oakton Invitational Marching Band Competition

What do you get when 17 high school marching bands from Northern Virginia compete at the 29th Annual Oakton Invitational? A lot of fun, music and good vibes.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Announce Scholarship Competition

Commander Bud Bishop of the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #7327 announces this year’s VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary “Voice of Democracy” Scholarship Competition. Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

The Arts Council of Fairfax County Moves to Merrifield

The Arts Council of Fairfax County has moved to Merrifield. Their new address is 2667 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, two blocks from the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro Station on the Orange Line.

Look! Up in the Sky!

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s an unmanned aircraft system.

Parish Hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke was at full capacity on Wednesday, Sept. 24, for an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University (OLLI-GMU) lecture by Christopher Vo titled “Drones: Our New Toys, Tools, and Robot Companions.”

Burke to Celebrate History Day

Focus on transportation, Burke School’s 75th anniversary.

The Burke Historical Society’s Annual Burke History Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11. The event will take place in Old Town Burke at The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 9501 Old Burke Lake Road, Burke, across from the Burke Post Office, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tougher Tests, Tough Results

Local schools receive warnings from the state.

“Test scores do not define our schools. They never have and never will,” said Mount Vernon District School Board member Dan Storck. Earlier this month the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation results based on student performance in the 2013-2014 school year. The ratio of Fairfax County Public schools receiving full accreditation to those not making the grade dropped from 94 percent a year ago to 89 percent.

State Accreditation Status a ‘Snapshot’

Schools in Mount Vernon and Lee districts receive warnings from VDOE.

“Test scores do not define our schools. They never have and never will,” said Mount Vernon school board member Dan Storck. Earlier this month the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation results based on student performance in the 2013-2014 school year. The ratio of Fairfax County Public schools receiving full accreditation to those not making the grade dropped from 94 percent a year ago to 89 percent.

Brandishing Near School Unfounded

The Alexandria Police Department has investigated the reports of a subject brandishing a weapon toward school children at Maury Elementary School on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and determined that the reports were false.

The Connection